Author: newsnote correspondent
The state has withdrawn charges against Motanyane John Masukela (53), a former G4S prison employee implicated in the audacious escape of convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester. This development occurred during a court session held on Tuesday, 17 June, at the Bloemfontein High Court, where Masukela was positioned as accused number five among a high-profile group of individuals entangled in this sensational case. During the proceedings, state prosecutor Advocate Amanda Bester addressed the court with a surprising announcement: “I am going to withdraw the case against one of the accused. We can excuse him, and he can go in peace,…
Recent research has unveiled that police officers facing charges for misconduct and criminal behaviour are met with minimal consequences, raising significant concerns about accountability within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The analysis of 7,946 disciplinary cases spanning from 2019 to 2024 revealed that in 77% of these instances, officers faced no sanctions at all, whether through not guilty verdicts or cases that were dismissed entirely. Alarmingly, only 10% resulted in dismissal from the force. This critical data, compiled by independent researcher and Institute of Security Studies consultant David Bruce, was sourced from SAPS annual reports and the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC). While…
In a dramatic turn of events in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, advocacy for the dignity of the accused has taken centre stage. Defence lawyer Advocate Charles Mnisi has put forth a compelling argument for his client, Mthobisi Mncube, asserting that denying him a dental examination would equate to a violation of his dignity and respect. This argument emerged following shocking revelations presented during the testimony of cellphone data analyst Sergeant Moses Mabasa. During the trial, evidence suggesting that Mncube possessed a gold tooth at the time of Meyiwa’s murder has raised eyebrows within the courtroom and sparked intense debate…
Transnet, the state-owned freight and logistics company, has successfully concluded a three-year wage agreement with the United National Transport Union (UNTU), following an extensive period of negotiations that necessitated the intervention of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). In a statement released on Thursday, Transnet announced that the wage increment would be set at 6% for each of the financial years 2025/2026, 2026/2027, and 2027/2028. This above-inflation wage agreement is projected to yield a cumulative increase of 18% over the three-year span. The agreement encompasses not only raises in basic salaries but also includes supplementary benefits such as…
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members deployed for a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have returned home on Monday, landing at the Bram Fischer Airport in Bloemfontein. This return is part of a planned withdrawal following a ceasefire agreement between the M23 rebel group and the DRC military, marking a hopeful chapter in the region’s quest for stability. These 220 soldiers are among over 2,000 SANDF members who were sent to Goma earlier this year as tensions escalated in the eastern DRC. Their return signals a significant step towards de-escalation, with many hoping that the…
The conflict between Israel and Iran intensified over the weekend, entering its fourth day, as Israeli military authorities declared they have “full aerial operational control” over Tehran. This dramatic escalation follows a surprise assault by Israel targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, leading to catastrophic fatalities in both nations.As night fell, explosions rocked major cities in Israel, including Haifa and Tel Aviv, resulting in at least eight fatalities according to Israeli officials. Tensions are mounting further as a devastating cycle of retaliatory missile strikes unfolded, with Iranian sources reporting over 200 deaths in response to Israel’s ongoing attacks.In a chilling…
The recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East poses a significant challenge for the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) as it contemplates its monetary policy strategies in the coming months. Following a decision last month to reduce the policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% per annum, the SARB may now have to reconsider its path towards potential cuts, particularly with oil prices reaching a three-month high. This shift comes amid growing concern over the implications of rising crude costs on both global and domestic inflation projections.As backdrop, the SARB had previously revised down its inflation forecasts, citing…
As the Eastern Cape grapples with the aftermath of devastating floods, the grim toll on human life has escalated to 88, highlighting the catastrophic impact on local communities. Among the victims is a ten-year-old girl from Libode, a tragic reminder of the flooding’s indiscriminate cruelty. Provincial government spokesperson Khuselwe Rantjie confirmed that post-mortems have been completed on 83 of the deceased, with 56 bodies already released to mourning families while five remain unidentified. The floods, described as unprecedented, have displaced over 1,000 individuals, compounding the grief and hardship faced by families in the region. To pay respects to those lost,…
The outlook for South Africa’s mining sector appears increasingly bleak as recent data reveals a staggering plunge in production. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), mining output in April fell by 7.7% compared to the same period last year, a decline that came on the heels of a 2.5% drop in March. This downward trajectory signals a concerning trend, marking the sixth consecutive month of contraction for this critical sector of the economy. Jean-Pierre Terblanche, principal service statistician at Stats SA, noted that the decline was largely driven by a significant drop in the production of platinum group metals…
President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, declaring that any attack against the United States would result in military retaliation “at levels never seen before.” This warning comes amid a wave of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Overnight, Israeli sirens rang out in response to strikes believed to be launched from Iranian and Yemeni territories. According to reports from Israel’s health ministry, the death toll in the country has tragically risen to 15, with 385 individuals treated for injuries sustained during the attacks. Among the injured, seven remain in…