Author: newsnote correspondent
President Donald Trump and his team faced a political scramble on Tuesday after Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the US pre-emptively struck Iran in response to an imminent Israeli action. Rubio’s remarks on Monday alarmed Democrats, who argue only Congress can declare war, and unsettled many of Trump’s MAGA supporters. Rubio told reporters, “We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action… if we didn’t pre-emptively go after them, we would suffer higher casualties.” The White House quickly clarified that Trump authorized the strikes to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and neutralize missile capabilities. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt…
Suspended head of organised crime at South African Police Service (SAPS), Richard Shibiri, has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria that his text exchanges with suspected crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala were purely social. Shibiri is facing scrutiny after previous witnesses alleged he was influenced by crime cartel figures, including claims that he received R80,000 in cash from Matlala. Testifying on his communication practices, Shibiri clarified that he used his personal phone, not his SAPS-issued device. “Unless otherwise indicated, such communications were informal, social or work-related within ordinary professional engagement and did not involve the disclosure of classified…
The inaugural meeting of South Africa’s newly established Parliamentary Presidency Committee on Wednesday ended in a deadlock, as members clashed over the proper procedure to elect a chairperson. The oversight committee, approved in 2025 after years of delays and resistance from the African National Congress (ANC), is intended to provide Parliament with enhanced scrutiny over the Presidency, a move widely seen as part of efforts to strengthen democratic accountability. Three nominations were tabled for the chairperson role. The Democratic Alliance (DA) nominated its chief whip, George Michalakis, the ANC put forward its deputy chief whip, Doris Mpapane, and the uMkhonto…
During ongoing High Court proceedings in Pretoria, Advocate George Baloyi, representing the State, revealed that Bongani Ntanzi — one of the accused in the murder trial of former Senzo Meyiwa — was linked to more than 1,700 phone calls with his girlfriend while in custody. Baloyi raised the issue during a tense cross-examination, challenging Ntanzi’s earlier claim that his cellphone had been confiscated by police following his arrest in June 2020. According to the State, 1,718 calls were exchanged between Ntanzi and his girlfriend, Lebo, despite her number not being saved in his phone contacts. “You’ve indicated that Lebo’s number…
Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota, the renowned anti-apartheid struggle icon, former Minister of Defence, and founding leader of the Congress of the People (COPE), passed away in the early hours of Wednesday at a Johannesburg hospital following a prolonged illness. He was 77.Lekota, affectionately known as “Terror” from his youthful soccer days, was confirmed dead by COPE deputy leader Teboho Loate, who described the loss as following “a period of illness.” A family member, K Lekota, added that he died in the presence of his loved ones. The Lekota family has requested privacy as they grieve, and COPE has urged the…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government will take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, in August. Pretoria will assume the SADC Chairpersonship, with Ramaphosa serving as interim chair following the military ousting of Madagascar’s president. The choice of Durban is tied to the city’s revitalization and its continued status as a major tourism hub. Ramaphosa highlighted the improvements in eThekwini Metro, stating that the progress warranted hosting the SADC leaders there. “Durban indeed is the tourism mecca of our country… we will bring the SADC heads of…
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Two drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday, sparking a limited fire and causing minor material damage, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said. The attack occurred amid a wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf states that host U.S. military bases, launched in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend. Residents reported a loud blast and visible flames at the embassy compound shortly after dawn. Black smoke rose over Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, where many foreign missions are located. The fire was quickly contained and described as minor by…
Nine construction workers died after a two-storey building under illegal construction collapsed at Amethyst Business Park in Ormonde on Monday afternoon. Emergency teams worked through the night and into Tuesday morning, recovering the final body early today. About 12 workers were on site when a concrete slab failed, sending the upper floor crashing down. Some injured workers were pulled from the rubble, including at least one who suffered serious trauma. The victims included both South African and Lesotho nationals, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero confirmed. No names have been released while families are being notified. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences…
Rising tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran are disrupting global maritime traffic, with consequences extending far beyond energy markets. Military activity and retaliatory measures have unsettled shipping across the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow but vital corridor bordered by Iran and Oman through which a significant share of global trade passes. The resulting uncertainty is beginning to ripple through industries ranging from agriculture to manufacturing and global logistics. One of the most immediate risks lies in the global fertilizer supply. Approximately one-third of the world’s traded fertilizers, including sulfur and ammonia, pass…
A new campaign website, PM27.org.za, has gone live this week, openly promoting billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe as the ideal candidate to lead the African National Congress (ANC) and become South Africa’s next president. The site, branded with the slogan “Savumelana” (Zulu for “Let’s Agree”), positions Motsepe as “the most credible, unifying, and visionary leader” to guide the ANC into a new era of integrity, economic growth, and national unity. It features pledges for supporters to back anti-corruption efforts, youth empowerment, and ethical governance, along with statistics highlighting South Africa’s challenges — including over R1.5 trillion lost to corruption and unemployment…