Author: Motlhaping Modise

Low-cost carrier FlySafair is in trouble again, this time for allegedly contravening multiple sections of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has referred the airline to the National Consumer Tribunal over its controversial practice of overbooking and/or overselling flight tickets between November and December 2024, and January 2025. The commission said the referral follows an investigation initiated in terms of the CPA after concerns emerged in the media, including on social media platforms, regarding the allegations against FlySafair. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the NCC’s national spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba, said the airline has publicly acknowledged that…

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management has expressed concern over a rise in violent crime in the province following the murder of Mahikeng community activist Thato Molosankwe. Molosankwe was shot and killed at his home in Lomanyaneng near Mahikeng in the early hours of Wednesday morning, an incident that has sparked renewed calls for stronger policing and improved intelligence capacity. Committee chairperson Freddy Sonakile has urged law enforcement to work swiftly to apprehend those responsible, extending condolences to Molosankwe’s family, friends and community. Sonakile said Molosankwe was well known to the committee and…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Gauteng says it has received submissions which highlight a prima facie violation of the constitutional right of the people of Gauteng to be provided with adequate water. The commission kicked off its three-day inquiry into the water crisis in the province at its offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The inquiry follows numerous complaints received by the commission concerning persistent and widespread water shortages, recurring service delivery disruptions, ageing infrastructure, governance failures, and the deteriorating reliability of water supply systems across the province. The province has in recent times experienced recurring disruptions in water…

Mahikeng’s Bophirima Long and Local Distance Taxi Association (BOLDTA) has assured commuters and learners that operations will return to normal on Tuesday morning after an agreement was reached with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management to address their grievances. Minibus taxi services were disrupted on Monday morning, leaving learning and teaching at several schools in Mahikeng affected due to a taxi dispute between SANTACO-affiliated BOLDTA operators, illegal operators, and so-called 4-plus-1 seater minibuses operating on their routes. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, BOLDTA Chairperson Mooketsi Sekei said the decision to disrupt services and blockade all entrances and exits…

The North West Department of Traditional Affairs has conveyed well wishes to hundreds of initiates, traditional surgeons, caregivers, traditional leaders, parents, and all stakeholders for a safe and successful winter initiation season. The initiation season commenced on Friday and is expected to conclude on 17 July at all registered and accredited centres across the province. The Department’s MEC, Oageng Molapisi, has urged all initiates, particularly non-school-going initiates who will be travelling from various areas to initiation schools, to prioritise safety and strictly adhere to all lawful and cultural processes throughout the initiation period. “As the winter initiation commences, we wish…

Non-profit organisation Public Interest SA says it is confident that its detailed written comments submitted on the eve of the deadline set by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development on the draft Protected Disclosures Bill, 2026 (Whistleblower Bill) will be considered when the final draft of the bill is presented to the National Assembly and the National council of province (NCOP) before it ultimately signed into law by the President. Thursday marked the closing date for public comments on the bill which was published in April by the department. The Chairperson of the Public Interest SA Tebogo Khaas told…

A three-week stand-off between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the mining company Triple M at the Impala Platinum Mines in Rustenburg in the North West has ended, with workers returning to work immediately. This comes a few days after the NUM President, Phillip Vilakazi, visited the striking miners and issued a fiery directive to the mining company’s management, demanding immediate recognition of the union’s majority status. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, NUM Deputy Regional Chairperson Oageng Motshwaedi said the strike ended after the company acceded to the workers’ demands. “I can confirm that the company has consented to…

Stakeholders in the sector, including the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), have begun preparing for the elections following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the municipal elections will be held on 4 November 2026. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) said it has convened the National Municipal Managers Forum (NMMF) in Johannesburg from Wednesday to Thursday, bringing together municipal and city managers from across the country’s 257 municipalities at a pivotal moment in the local government calendar. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, SALGA national spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the forum will focus on strengthening the readiness of municipalities to navigate the…

Power utility Eskom says it has dispatched its recovery teams to attend to reports of unplanned power outages caused by inclement weather conditions. Several parts of the country have been battered by adverse weather conditions, resulting in heavy rainfall, flooding and gale-force winds affecting the Eskom network, causing multiple outages and leaving thousands of customers in total darkness. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says the utility has received thousands of fault reports but faces major challenges in some areas where infrastructure is inaccessible due to severe flooding and unsafe conditions. Mokwena said that the Western Cape is more severely affected than…

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Dr Dickson Masemola has stressed the importance of empowering firefighters to serve communities with integrity, professionalism, and without fear or discrimination. Masemola is leading a two-day national commemoration of International Firefighters’ Day 2026 at the Rustenburg Civic Centre in the North West. The 2026 national commemoration is hosted in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Centre, the North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre, and other stakeholders. The aim is, among other things, to honour firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty; celebrate the courage, discipline, and professionalism of South…