Author: newsnote correspondent
The streets of Durban erupted in joy on Sunday as Tete Dijana etched his name into the annals of sporting greatness by winning his third Comrades Marathon title with a remarkable time of 5:25:28. In a captivating finish, Dijana outmanoeuvred the defending champion Piet Wiersma, who crossed the line just six seconds later at 5:25:34. Nikolai Volkov of Russia completed the elite podium, securing third place with a time of 5:29:42. This year’s race introduced a new strategy: elite runners commenced 15 minutes ahead of the general field. This innovative approach sought to alleviate the congestion issues that have traditionally…
Edgar Lungu, who served as the sixth president of Zambia from 2015 to 2021, passed away on Thursday at the age of 68. Lungu’s death came six months after his endeavours to return to politics were quashed by a court ruling declaring him ineligible to run for office again. Lungu, who was born on November 11, 1956, in Ndola, Zambia, entered the political scene as a lawyer and served as both justice and defence minister under former president Michael Sata. Upon Sata’s death in 2015, Lungu succeeded him, leading the Southern African nation through a tenure marked by both ambitious…
Authorities in Bloemfontein are on high alert as a task team from the South African Police Service (SAPS) intensifies its search for 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who was allegedly abducted by two men impersonating police officers on Thursday. The alarming incident occurred around 11.55 am at the Martie du Plessis Special School in Fichardt Park, where Baukudi, a Grade 11 pupil, was awaiting pickup. According to the official report from Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the complainant, identified as Daniel Malebatso, arrived as usual to collect Baukudi. Shortly after departing the school premises, the pair was abruptly pulled over by a white…
In a dramatic turn of events, a once-strong alliance between US President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk has deteriorated into a heated public feud. The confrontation erupted following Musk’s sharp criticism of Trump’s major tax and spending bill, which recently passed in the House and awaits a crucial Senate vote. This latest spat comes on the heels of a seemingly amicable farewell between the pair, where Trump gifted Musk a golden key during his departure from the Oval Office just last week. The tension began on Thursday as Trump publicly expressed his discontent, stating he was “very disappointed”…
In an unexpected turn of events, former President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his disappointment in tech mogul Elon Musk, after the billionaire lashed out at Trump’s significant tax and spending bill. Musk, who was once a prominent supporter and adviser to Trump, called the bill “outrageous” and a “disgusting abomination” just days after stepping down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as ‘DOGE’. The bill itself has been the subject of heated debate. Passed by House Republicans in May, it promises multi-trillion-dollar tax cuts, which Trump has hailed as a “big, beautiful bill.” In…
South Africa’s justice system is once again under the microscope following incendiary remarks made by High Court Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng during the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. The judge’s comments, deemed racially charged, have sparked outrage and calls for an investigation, amid ongoing frustrations surrounding the trial’s lengthy proceedings. The trial resumed on Thursday at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, involving the cross-examination of lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda. Tensions escalated when Advocate Charles Mnisi, representing accused Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, labelled retired Colonel Mhlanganyelwa Moses Mbotho as the “dumbest cop in South Africa.” This prompted a sharp rebuke from Judge…
In a significant policy announcement that echoes actions from his first term, President Donald Trump has signed a ban on travel to the United States from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran, citing the need to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors”. The travel ban, which follows a string of violent incidents in the US, is set to come into effect on June 9, fulfilling a promise made during Trump’s ongoing 2024 presidential campaign. The newly enacted restrictions aim to address what Trump labels as “extreme dangers” posed by foreign nationals who lack comprehensive vetting processes. “We don’t want…
The murder trial of slain Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa resumed this week in the Pretoria High Court, diving deeper into the complexities and controversies surrounding his untimely death in 2014. At the centre of the current proceedings is the testimony of Brigadier Bongani Gininda, the lead investigator, who faced intense scrutiny during cross-examination by Advocate Charles Mnisi. Mnisi represents one of the accused, Muzi Sibiya, currently on trial for Meyiwa’s murder.As the legal drama unfolded, attention turned to Sibiya’s controversial confession made in 2020, where he allegedly admitted his involvement in Meyiwa’s demise. However, Sibiya’s defence team argues that…
In a tense episode that underscores the growing unrest within South African universities, a confrontation between police and protesting students at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, has resulted in injuries and arrests. The students gathered to express their outrage over a recent decision by the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court to grant bail to murder suspect Manelisi Mampane, who is accused of shooting and killing 24-year-old Sisonke Mbolekwa during an incident of unrest at the institution in April. This case has captured the attention of the university community, igniting deep-seated frustrations regarding safety and justice on campus. According to…
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched an extensive probe into significant corruption allegations surrounding various projects funded by the Housing Development Agency (HDA) across multiple provinces in South Africa. This investigation comes following a proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, aimed at uncovering deep-rooted maladministration linked to the agency’s operations between April 2016 and September 2023. Specifically, the SIU’s inquiry will focus on several provincial Human Settlements departments in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and the Western Cape. The investigation aims to scrutinise the HDA’s activities regarding the identification, acquisition, holding, development,…