Author: newsnote correspondent
Kelly Smith, who faces charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, has named a key state witness as the potential mastermind behind the mysterious disappearance of five-year-old Joshlin Smith. The allegations, presented in court on Wednesday, claim that Lourentia Lombaard, a former co-accused who has since turned to testify for the State, is covering for herself and her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni. Smith’s attorney, Rinesh Sivnarain, laid out these accusations during a heated session, insisting that his client vehemently denies any of Lombaard’s claims regarding the sale of Joshlin to a sangoma for R20,000. The intricate web of allegations continues to unfold,…
US President Donald Trump has nominated Leo Brent Bozell III as the new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of South Africa. This announcement, dated March 24, follows the resignation of former ambassador Reuben Brigety, who exited the position on January 10 this year. Bozell’s nomination comes at a time of heightened tension between the United States and South Africa, leading to speculation regarding Brigety’s successor. Notably, Dana Brown, who previously served as the chargé d’affaires in South Africa, resigned abruptly last month and was succeeded by David Greene. This series of changes has left…
In a decisive performance that thrilled the fans, Bafana Bafana emerged victorious against the Benin national team, clinching a solid 2-0 win in their Group C FIFA World Cup qualifier held in Ivory Coast. This impressive result places South Africa five points clear at the top of their group, a testament to the team’s resilience and tactical prowess on the field. The match kicked off with both teams eager to assert their dominance, but it was Bafana Bafana who displayed more composure and skill. South Africa’s first goal came in the first half, with a beautifully orchestrated play that saw…
The trial surrounding the abduction of six-year-old Joshlin Smith took a dramatic twist as key State witness Lourentia Lombaard collapsed in court after a taxing cross-examination. Following her sudden onset of dizziness, courtroom officials had to carry Lombaard out of the Western Cape High Court sitting at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, where she was promptly attended to by medical personnel. This unprecedented incident unfolded as Lombaard was expected to conclude her testimony regarding the complicated web of relationships and events leading to Joshlin’s disappearance on February 19, 2024. Joshlin, a spirited child from Middelpos in Saldanha Bay,…
The South African government is taking decisive action against corruption at its borders with the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum (BMIACF). The initiative, unveiled today in Pretoria by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber and Advocate Andy Mothibi, head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), aims to strengthen the fight against fraud and corruption that has plagued the country’s entry and exit processes. During the launch, Schreiber emphasised the need for reform in the border management system, stating that automation at all ports of entry is critical to closing loopholes that facilitate illegal activities. “We are also…
The South African Football Association (Safa) is grappling with a serious financial crisis, as evidenced by a recent memo from CEO Lydia Monyepao informing employees of delayed salary payments due to one of its partners failing to meet its financial commitments. This announcement, made on Monday, has sent shockwaves throughout the association, highlighting ongoing issues that threaten to destabilise operations. According to Monyepao’s memo, Safa does not possess sufficient financial reserves to cover the shortfall resulting from the partner’s delay. “Unfortunately, at this stage, we do not have adequate financial reserves to make up for this delayed payment,” she stated,…
This week, two separate shootouts between field rangers from Kruger National Park (KNP) and alleged poachers have left multiple suspects dead, drawing attention to the ongoing battle against wildlife crime in one of South Africa’s premier conservation areas. The confrontations not only underscore the dangers faced by rangers but also highlight the grim reality of poaching syndicates that threaten the country’s rich biodiversity. The first incident occurred on Friday, 21 March 2025, when rangers from SANParks’ Lower Sabie Section conducted a routine patrol near Skukuza. At approximately 15:00, they spotted two suspected poachers, who quickly fled into the nearby bushlands.…
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and opposition leader Venancio Mondlane convened in Maputo on Sunday, March 23, 2025. This historic meeting marks the first time the two leaders have interacted since the contentious October elections, which plunged the nation into a period of violent protests and unrest, leading to tragic loss of life. The backdrop to this dialogue is a nation still reeling from intense political turbulence. Following the elections, widespread protests erupted, signalling fierce dissent against the electoral process and the subsequent government. As citizens clamoured for answers, the streets of Mozambique saw clashes that spiraled into chaos, tragically resulting…
23-year-old Prudence Sekgodiso sprinted to victory in the women’s 800m at the world indoor championships held in Nanjing, China, making history for South Africa as she became the first woman from the country to medal at this prestigious event. Her world-leading time of 1:58.40 not only clinched gold but also showcased her immense potential as she heads into the outdoor season. Sekgodiso started the race strategically, slotting in fourth during the initial lap. Gradually finding her rhythm, she advanced to third by the second lap and surged forward to take second place on the third 200m. However, it was on…
Former US Ambassador to South Africa, Ebrahim Rasool, has expressed no regrets about his actions that ultimately led to his designation as a persona non grata, a status that forced him to return home. His comments come amidst ongoing discussions about the future of US-South African relations, which he argues must be rebuilt and reset. Rasool, who was once at the heart of diplomatic relations between the two nations, acknowledged that his tenure did not culminate in a chance to influence affairs at the White House. However, he articulated a sense of triumph in knowing that his message reached the…