Author: newsnote correspondent
Former US President Donald Trump has warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could face a “very bad” future if allies fail to support U.S. efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic oil chokepoint. Over the weekend, Trump called on China, France, Japan, and South Korea to assist in securing the strait, hinting at a potential international coalition. Details remain scarce, as allies have taken a cautious approach toward deeper involvement in the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president’s call is consistent with long-standing Western goals to prevent Iran…
The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has called on Iran to refrain from targeting neighbouring states while affirming Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israel and the United States. In a statement issued on Saturday, Hamas urged the international community to work towards ending the war that has gripped the Middle East since 28 February. “While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries,” Hamas said. The appeal comes after Iran…
Two people have been killed and six others injured in a mass shooting in Eldorado Park. According to police, the incident took place during a social gathering on Saturday night when approximately eight unidentified men entered a yard where people had gathered and opened fire indiscriminately. Emergency services declared two victims dead at the scene. Six others who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The suspects fled the scene on foot shortly after the shooting. Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed that officers have launched an investigation and are searching for those responsible. “The police…
The South African Post Office (SAPO) could face liquidation after its business rescue practitioner indicated plans to approach the courts, a move that has been communicated to Communications Minister Solly Malatsi. The development was confirmed in a letter sent to the minister on Friday, notifying him of the practitioner’s intention to file for the liquidation of the struggling state-owned entity. However, Malatsi said such a step would be premature while discussions within government are still underway, particularly with National Treasury, to determine the future of the postal service. SAPO entered business rescue in July 2023 in an effort to avoid…
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has welcomed the arrest of a suspect in the killing of former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer Marius van der Merwe, who testified before the commission under the pseudonym “Witness D”. Van der Merwe was shot dead in front of his family in December last year, shortly after giving evidence to the commission in Pretoria. During his testimony, he made allegations of corruption and a cover-up linked to a killing said to involve senior EMPD officials. Authorities arrested a suspect believed to be connected to the assassination, marking a breakthrough in the investigation. The…
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has exposed fresh contradictions in the testimony of suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) organised crime unit head, Richard Shibiri. Commission evidence shows Shibiri purchased a pair of R19,000 Gucci sneakers and R3,000 Louis Vuitton sandals in Sandton just months after receiving a R70,000 payment from alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Shibiri has repeatedly told the commission the money was a loan to repair his son’s damaged vehicles. He claimed he was in severe financial distress at the time and even sold cattle to repay Matlala. However, bank records presented to the commission reveal…
Suspended senior police officer Richard Shibiri has admitted that he was aware of criminal allegations against businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala before accepting a R70,000 payment from him. Shibiri made the admission during intense cross-examination at the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating allegations that he had a close relationship with Matlala and may have acted in his interests. Earlier in his testimony, Shibiri insisted that he only knew Matlala as a businessman and claimed he would never have accepted money from him had he known of his alleged links to criminal activity. However, evidence presented to the commission included WhatsApp messages…
South Africans are beginning to feel the financial impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as rising oil prices start to filter through to transport and fuel costs. Low-cost airline FlySafair announced on Wednesday that it will introduce a temporary surcharge on tickets booked from Thursday. The airline said it had been forced to consider the move after jet fuel costs surged by about 70 percent in recent weeks. The exact amount of the surcharge has not yet been determined but will be confirmed soon. The sharp increase in fuel costs has been linked to the escalating conflict…
FIFA has reduced more than $100 million from its operating budget for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, according to The Athletic. The organisation’s 2024 annual report projected $1.12 billion for operational expenses out of a total $3.756 billion budget for the 2023–26 cycle. This included allocations for technical services ($280M), event transport ($159M), safety and security ($145M), and guest management ($79M). Sources told The Athletic that FIFA staff at its Miami headquarters are feeling strain, as cuts to areas such as safety, logistics, security, and accessibility “comfortably exceeded” $100 million. A FIFA spokesperson responded: “FIFA is constantly…
Mamelodi Sundowns will host German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for a high-profile international friendly at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00. The match is part of RB Leipzig’s RE KAOFELA (All Together) tour, marking the club’s first-ever visit to South Africa. The team will be based in Johannesburg from 26–30 May 2026, following previous international tours to the United States in 2024 and Brazil in 2025. “After successful tours in the United States and Brazil, we are very much looking forward to travelling to South Africa and meeting Mamelodi Sundowns, a club that has shaped…