Author: newsnote correspondent
At the Western Cape High Court, Steveno van Rhyn, one of the accused in the high-profile Joshlin Smith case, detailed harrowing claims of police torture during his interrogation, asserting he was subjected to brutal treatment without ever witnessing the missing child on the day in question. This alarming testimony came to light through his lawyer, Nobahle Mkabayi, who presented van Rhyn’s plea explanation at court proceedings held in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha. Van Rhyn stands trial alongside Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Kelly Smith, with all three charged with kidnapping and trafficking in persons, alongside denying any wrongdoing.…
In a bid to stabilise and enhance diplomatic relations, a delegation from the Democratic Alliance (DA) recently met with key leaders in the United States. This strategic dialogue comes at a time when international diplomatic tensions have reached a heightened level, necessitating proactive measures to foster understanding and cooperation between South Africa and the US. The discussions focused on various critical issues, including trade, security collaboration, and mutual economic interests. Representing the DA, party leader John Steenhuisen underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties with the US, particularly as South Africa navigates complex geopolitical challenges. “Our commitment to our alliances…
During his first recent address to Congress, US President Donald Trump inadvertently brought the attention of lawmakers to Lesotho, a largely overlooked landlocked monarchy in Southern Africa. While detailing a series of past US aid initiatives, Trump’s mention of “eight million dollars to promote LGBTQI+ in the African nation of Lesotho” not only sparked laughter among Republican lawmakers, including Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson, but also highlighted a critical aspect of US engagement in a country grappling with urgent public health crises. Trump’s flippant recognition of Lesotho, stating “which nobody has ever heard of,” belied the significant…
A tragic accident between a truck and a bus on the N6 in the Free State has caused a significant loss of life, with the death toll rising to ten. The incident occurred between Reddersburg and Smithfield in the early hours of the morning, prompting an urgent response from the local emergency services. According to Sipho Towa, a spokesperson for Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the call for assistance came through at approximately 3:50 a.m. Upon their arrival at the scene, emergency personnel discovered a severe side head-on collision, which trapped several passengers inside the bus. “At the present…
Just six weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a robust performance before Congress, painting a picture of triumph and accomplishment amidst palpable Democratic discontent. Celebrating, as he claimed, the most successful start to a presidency in US history, Trump addressed a joint session of Congress dominated by his party, proclaiming, “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years, and we are just getting started.” With characteristic bravado, Trump boasted about the shift in national sentiment towards “pride” and “confidence”, drawing comparisons to George Washington and boldly highlighting the size of…
In a significant setback for the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), state-owned bank Postbank has acknowledged that it will not meet its self-imposed deadline of March 20 for migrating millions of beneficiaries from the existing gold cards to the new black cards. This announcement follows alarming revelations from Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, who informed Members of Parliament (MPs) that adequate plans for the replacement of the cards were lacking. The urgency of the migration process unfolded dramatically as the initial deadline for the card exchange was set for February 28, revised amid growing chaos and anxiety across the…
As of midnight on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs have officially taken effect, sending ripples across global markets and sparking fears of an escalating trade war. The imposed tariffs include a hefty 25% levy on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 20% tariff on goods originating from China. These measures aim to protect American industries but have ignited a fierce backlash. In swift retaliation, both Canada and China have announced their own tariffs on American goods. Canada has unveiled a plan targeting imports worth up to $155 billion, signalling its staunch opposition to the U.S. tariffs. This…
As the trial of Joshlin Smith entered its second day on Tuesday at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha, the courtroom was filled with tension as both sides prepared to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the child’s alarming disappearance. On Monday, the State called its first witness, Constable Yanga Gongotha, who was one of the responding officers when the authorities were first alerted about the missing child. Through his testimony, Gongotha cast a stark light on the behaviour of Kelly Smith, Joshlin’s mother, at the time of the incident. According to Gongotha, his interactions with Smith raised immediate…
The mother of a six-year-old girl who disappeared more than a year ago in has gone on trial accused of organising her kidnapping. Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were arrested after Smith’s daughter, Joshlin, went missing from outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February last year. Joshlin’s disappearance sent shockwaves across South Africa and despite a highly publicised search for her, she is yet to be found. All three have pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. Smith initially said that Joshlin had gone missing after…
The Hawks, South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, have confirmed the initiation of four dockets of high treason related to recent accusations of misleading information disseminated in the United States concerning South Africa’s Expropriation Act. This unprecedented move highlights the government’s intention to counteract what it perceives as harmful misinformation that could potentially undermine national interests. The Expropriation Act, which has sparked intense debate both domestically and internationally, is designed to facilitate land reform in South Africa by allowing the state to expropriate land without compensation under specified circumstances. Critics argue that this law could drive away foreign investment and exacerbate…