Author: Motlhaping Modise

Former ANC President General Chief Albert Luthuli’s grandson, Sandile said that the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling that he was beaten to death by the apartheid police and did not die because he was hit by the goods train, has vindicated their six decades long held view that he did not commit suicide as it was reported by the police. Thursday’s judgment set aside the finding of the 1967 inquest on the matter. Judge Nompumelelo Hadebe, handed down the judgment on Thursday following the reopening of the inquest into Luthuli’s death. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, the Luthuli family spokesperson and grandson…

The Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (JOASA) said they have no other conclusion except to believe that their long-overdue salary reviews are deliberately being snubbed by the state and the Independent Remuneration Commission (IRC). This after magistrates across the country embarked on a peaceful protest outside Parliament in Cape Town and handed over a memorandum, giving the presidency two weeks to fast-track the salary adjustments. The organisation’s president magistrate Neelan Karikan told YOUFM Newshour that magistrates’ salaries were adjusted 17 years ago. “The last major review was done about 17-years ago, and this has been in the pipeline for…

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry Into Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases has revealed frustration and feel undermined by lack of compliance by certain government departments and agencies. The commission said various requests for information, notices and directives made over the last two months, have been ignored by these stakeholders. The commission is investigating why there have been delays and obstacles in prosecuting TRC cases or apartheid-era crimes and to determine if political interference was a factor. President Cyril Ramaphosa has in May this year, appointed the commission chaired by the retired Constitutional Court Judge, Justice Sisi Khampepe, and co-commissioners…

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) says a multinational company, Gilead Sciences, is in discussion with the South African government to manufacture the next doses of the newly approved twice-a-year anti-HIV injection, Lenacapavir. Lenacapavir is an antiviral medicine that is recommended, in combination with safer sex practices, for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg. SAHPRA Chief Executive officer, CEO Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela told YOUFM Newshour that Gilead focused on developing and commercializing innovative medicines to treat life-threatening diseases has submitted their application in March 2025 and to the…

A new initiative by the Department of Home Affairs to provide door-to-door passport delivery for South Africans living abroad has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue the move prioritises overseas citizens over those at home. Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber announced the Home Affairs @ Home programme this week, confirming that from 1 November 2025, South Africans applying through the department’s global service centres will have the option to receive newly issued passports directly at their international addresses. The initiative will launch across 18 cities worldwide, with more expected to follow. ActionSA has condemned the development, calling it…

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said it is making strides in addressing high levels of poverty and hunger in the province through effective food security initiatives which run beyond the World Food Day. The department in collaboration with the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District and the Maquassi Hills Local Municipalities has successfully hosted this year’s edition of the Provincial World Food Day Commemoration in Kgakala Township in Leeudoringstad. The event, which was held under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” brought together farmers, industry partners and residents to reflect on gains…

The City of Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp, North West, has acknowledged a concern expressed by the Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, over its fluctuating and inconsistent payments to the local fresh produce market in the municipality, which is in violation with a high court order issued over four years ago. In a statement on Tuesday, the minister said that the “inconsistent payments by the municipality have destabilised operations at the Matlosana Fresh Produce Market where at one point, arrears owed to market agents had climbed to R7 million in August 2025.” Speaking on YOUFM, the Executive Mayor, Fikile Mahlophe, conceded…

The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in Mahikeng in the North West said it’ll solicit President Cyril Ramaphosa’s intervention on the recurrent acts of vandalism of water infrastructure across the municipality. Water infrastructures in four of the five local municipalities within the district (Mahikeng, Ditsobotla, Tswaing and Ramotshere Moiloa local municipalities) has been vandalised in what the Executive Mayor, Khumalo Molefe believes is a powerful, equipped and fully armed syndicate hell-bent on destroying the municipality’s water infrastructure. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, Molefe said that the syndicate has been operating within the district for some time, comprising some unscrupulous businessmen, contractors,…

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has welcomed the 2024/25 audit outcomes which he says have demonstrated consistent and improved performance of the provincial departments. The premier accompanied by the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature, Dr. Desbo Mohono, her deputy Collen Maine, as well as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Smuts Matshe, led an engagement session with the Auditor General, Tsakani Maluleke in Klerksdorp on Monday. Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, the Mokgosi’ spokesperson The Premier’ spokesperson Sello Tatai, who was speaking on YOUFM Newshour, said Mokgosi has maintained that the performance mirrors government’s ongoing efforts of building…

ActionSA is now an official opposition party at the Zeerust-based Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality council in the North West, following its extraordinary victory against fierce competition in an ANC rural stronghold of Ward 7 in Mokgola village. Moses ‘Moshe’ Moumakwa is now a new councilor of the ward which was previously held by the ANC following the 2021 local government elections. The five-year old party snatched a seat previously held by the ANC in the 2021 municipal elections, securing 33.49% of the total votes cast, compared to 57.38% during the 2021 polls with a voter turnout of 60.40%. ActionSA’s National Chairman…