Author: newsnote correspondent
In a historic ruling that has sparked hope among the incarcerated population of South Africa, the Constitutional Court has declared it unconstitutional for the Department of Correctional Services to prohibit prisoners from using personal computers for educational purposes. This decision marks a significant victory for prisoner rights advocates and underscores the importance of education within the correctional system. In a unanimous judgment, the court mandated that registered students may now use their laptops—limited to models without modems—inside their prison cells for study purposes. The ruling mandates that the Correctional Services department amend its current policies within a year, reflecting a…
In a historic night at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Raphinha etched his name into Barcelona folklore by breaking a Champions League record previously held by Lionel Messi. The Brazilian forward showcased extraordinary talent and tenacity during the riveting clash against Inter Milan, where he registered an assist that catapulted him ahead of the Argentine superstar. Raphinha, who has been in scintillating form this season, entered the match with an impressive tally of 30 goals and 21 assists across 51 games. His contributions in the Champions League alone spanned 12 goals and seven assists, matching Messi’s previous season total of…
In a breathtaking display of skill and composure, Lamine Yamal marked his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a sensational solo goal, reigniting hopes in their Champions League semi-final clash. The young sensation’s determination was palpable as he breathed life into a team that had found itself quickly on the back foot following two early strikes from Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries. As one of the most electrifying talents in European football today, Yamal has played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-chasing season. He has seamlessly woven himself into an attacking line that boasts the likes of Raphinha…
In a critical development in the search for the missing VW Polo, teams combing through an extensive area have discovered vehicle parts, including both a front and rear bumper. This discovery raises the urgency to establish whether these fragments are linked to the vehicle that tragically carried three police officers, all of whom were later confirmed deceased. Authorities have also found a police reflector jacket belonging to one of the officers, providing further evidence that could potentially shed light on the case. The South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that all three families affected by this tragic…
A tense atmosphere enveloped the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, as the trial of Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn approaches its conclusion. On Wednesday, presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus confirmed that judgment in this harrowing case will be delivered on Friday, putting the community on edge as they await the fate of the accused. The case garnered widespread attention after six-year-old Joshlin Smith vanished from her home in Middelpos on February 19, 2024. Following a frantic two-week search, her mother Kelly, Appollis, and van Rhyn were arrested and…
Severe flooding in areas adjacent to the Vaal River has wreaked havoc for approximately 130 households in the Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality, situated in Bloemhof, North West Province. Following recent heavy rainfall, the situation escalated, leading to the opening of sluice gates to manage dangerously high water levels. Last Friday, authorities took decisive action by opening ten sluice gates at the Vaal Dam, along with seven at the Bloemhof Dam, in an effort to control water levels that have surged beyond 100% capacity. However, the Department of Water and Sanitation has announced that two of the sluice gates at the Vaal…
United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that the prospects of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine are nearing a critical point of irreversible decline. During the council’s quarterly open debate on the Middle East, Guterres painted a grim picture of escalating hostilities and humanitarian crises that threaten the very foundation of peace in the region. Guterres’s address highlighted Israel’s ongoing blockade of crucial humanitarian aid, which has been withheld from the Gaza Strip for nearly two months. His remarks came in the wake of intensified military actions following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement in March, exacerbating…
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced that the government will make a third attempt to table the National Budget on 21 May 2025, following earlier setbacks. This announcement came during a media briefing in Pretoria, where the Minister provided clarity on recent fiscal changes and the government’s commitment to crucial public services. Last week, National Treasury revealed that it would reverse its proposed 0.5 percentage point increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), a decision that follows considerable backlash from various political parties. The proposal drew significant opposition, reflecting the concerns of many South Africans regarding the potential impact on their…
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a cautionary statement to both vendors and consumers regarding the implications of the recently reversed plan to increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate by 0.5%. This warning follows a significant ruling from the Western Cape High Court, which set aside the proposed increase scheduled for implementation on May 1, 2025. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter outlined the ramifications of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision to retract the VAT increase, which was originally intended to elevate the VAT rate from 15% to 15.5%. The court’s intervention, encouraged by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)…
This 2025 Easter Weekend Road Safety Report has recorded the lowest number of crashes and fatalities in the past three years. The statistics were released today by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy during a media briefing in Pretoria. “Crashes were reduced from 209 in 2024 to 141 in 2025 which is a 32.5% overall decrease compared to 2024. All provinces recorded decreases except Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga which both recorded an increase. Fatalities were reduced from 307 in 2024 to 167 in 2025 which is a 45.6% decrease,” said Creecy. Furthermore, Creezy expressed concern that Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape provinces recorded…