Author: newsnote correspondent
Britain on Wednesday gave Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich a final opportunity to release £2.5 billion ($3.33 billion) from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to Ukraine, warning that it is ready to take legal action if he fails. Abramovich was sanctioned in the UK following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting a rushed sale of the Premier League club and freezing of the proceeds. The UK government insists the funds be used solely to aid Ukraine, as part of a broader European effort to hold Moscow accountable for the war’s destruction. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves called it “unacceptable” that the money remains frozen, while Prime Minister Keir…
Households preparing festive meals this season are facing a steep rise in meat prices, with costs up 12% over the past year—the highest annual increase since January 2018. The surge comes despite a slowdown in overall consumer price inflation, which dropped to 3.5% in November, surprising economists. However, inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages rose for the first time in four months, climbing to 4.4%, up from 3.9% in October. Beef products, in particular, have borne the brunt of rising costs, a trend linked to this year’s Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, which disrupted the livestock sector and restricted red…
Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, says police have identified a woman as a person of interest in the murder of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras. The woman is alleged to be a former tenant at the Zambesi building in Johannesburg’s CBD, where DJ Warras was fatally shot on Tuesday. Police have launched a manhunt for those involved in the killing, and five people have so far been taken in for questioning. Tshwaku says investigators are working around the clock to solve the case. He claims the woman of interest is believed to be the alleged kingpin…
Two suspects were shot dead following a gun battle and high-speed chase involving Gauteng police and private security on the R25 in Kempton Park. According to police, the confrontation unfolded after officers intercepted a vehicle linked to a suspected criminal gang. The suspects allegedly opened fire while attempting to flee, prompting a pursuit that ended in a shootout. A third suspect sustained gunshot wounds and was arrested. He has been taken to a medical facility under police guard. During the operation, police recovered blue lights, SAPS uniforms, and several firearms, raising concerns about the group’s alleged use of police impersonation…
Former South African Public Protector Professor Thuli Madonsela held an online media briefing today, citing personal safety concerns linked to a legal battle over the estate of her late partner, Richard Edward Foxton, who died earlier this year. In a rare public statement, Madonsela described feeling compelled to speak out due to alleged threats, including a reported eviction notice from a shared home just 48 hours after Foxton’s death and unauthorised property access for valuation. She also condemned a “vicious” media campaign portraying her as greedy, which she said necessitated her response. The dispute centers on a multimillion-rand estate, including…
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has rejected criticism of his newly issued policy directive that relaxes certain Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements for foreign investors in the ICT sector, saying the backlash is driven by political motives rather than policy substance. The directive, published last week, introduces an alternative investment pathway for international technology companies seeking to operate in South Africa. It allows foreign investors to meet empowerment obligations through equity-equivalent investment programmes instead of the traditional requirement to sell a 30% ownership stake to local partners. Malatsi said the directive remains fully aligned with South Africa’s existing…
SA Rugby President Mark Alexander has paid tribute to former Springbok Women’s captain Lusanda Dumke, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning in East London after a battle with a rare form of gastric cancer. She was 29 years old. Dumke, a towering figure in women’s rugby, was named SA Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2022 and leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, resilience and commitment to the game. Over the course of her international career, she earned 33 Test caps for South Africa and captained the Springbok Women on three occasions. She also…
On Reconciliation Day, popular radio DJ, club performer, podcaster, and TV presenter Warrick Stock, known professionally as DJ Warras, was fatally shot in Johannesburg’s CBD opposite the Carlton Centre on the corner of Von Wielligh and Commissioner Streets. According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred after he parked his vehicle and was inspecting a hijacked building guarded by his private security company, JT VIP Elite Guarding & VIP Protection Services. He was approached by suspects—described in some reports as three men on foot, or possibly involving a drive-by element—who opened fire and fled. Gauteng police have obtained…
The South African government has reiterated that the safety and return of 17 South African citizens currently in Russia remains a top national priority, as diplomatic engagements with Russian authorities continue.The group was reportedly taken to Russia last month after being allegedly recruited by MK Party member Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. According to reports, the men were promised specialised security training, allegedly to serve as party bodyguards. However, these claims have since been contradicted by developments on the ground.Government officials have confirmed that the South Africans are now stationed on Russian front lines, sparking serious concerns about their safety and overall well-being.…
Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon, in what authorities are investigating as an apparent homicide. Emergency responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department were called to the residence around 3:30 p.m. local time and discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman with injuries consistent with stab wounds. Shortly after the discovery, their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, law enforcement sources told The Associated Press. He is currently in custody. Family members…