Author: newsnote correspondent
As Barcelona gears up for a crucial Champions League semi-final showdown against Inter Milan on Wednesday, 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal has become a focal point of attention—both for his talent and the inevitable comparisons to Barcelona’s legendary forward, Lionel Messi. But as Yamal prepares for his 100th appearance for the Catalan giants, he insists that he is focused solely on being himself, rejecting the notion of measuring his young career against that of the all-time great. Yamal, who has risen to prominence on the right flank that Messi once called home, has already made significant contributions, including a pivotal role…
The disappearance of three South African constables has taken a tragic turn as authorities reported the discovery of two bodies along the Hennops River in Centurion. Three more bodies have been found and are yet to be positively identified. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the investigations initiated following the constables’ disappearance have led to this grim finding, although the identities of the deceased have yet to be established. The constables, Linda Cebekhulu, 24, Keamogetswe Buys, 30, and Boipelo Senoge, 20, were last seen on April 23 at an Engen garage near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1.…
Action SA has taken a significant step in the quest for transparency regarding the controversial Phala Phala farm robbery, by submitting a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report on the matter. The party’s National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont, announced this decision last week, aiming to shed light on the events surrounding the brazen theft that took place on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in February 2020, where about $580,000 was reportedly stolen. Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Beaumont expressed concerns over the classification of the IPID report as “top secret” by…
City Power has announced a complete halt to all restoration work in Vezinyawo, Alexandra, following a harrowing incident that saw two of its technicians attacked and kidnapped while on duty. This unsettling development has raised serious concerns about the safety of utility workers in Johannesburg and the escalating tensions within the community. According to reports, several individuals forcibly seized keys from three City Power vehicles, with the audacious demand for power restoration driving the mob’s actions. The situation underscores a broader issue of unrest faced by the electricity provider, who has been working diligently to address power outages in the…
Firefighters grapple with a nearly 3 000-hectare blaze on the South Peninsula side of the Table Mountain National Park, raising alarm bells as flames inch closer to the iconic Chapman’s Peak. The fire, which erupted near Tokai on Friday, remains uncontained, prompting urgent action from local authorities and firefighting services. As flames continue to spread, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service has mobilised resources to combat the escalating situation. Spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed, “Two helicopters are airborne again this morning to continue aerial firefighting efforts. The fire is not contained yet, and there is some concern that the two fire…
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari from his position, effective April 23, 2025. The decision was announced by the president’s office on Sunday and comes amidst an ongoing investigation into allegations of rape involving a minor. The dismissal marks a seismic shift in the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, where Hengari had served since his appointment. Accusations have surfaced that Hengari may face not only allegations of rape but also potential charges of abduction and abortion, both of which carry severe penalties under Namibian law. A spokesperson for the police…
In a significant achievement for South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA), the recent deployment of cutting-edge technology led to the interception of over 6000 individuals attempting to illegally cross the nation’s borders during the Easter holiday. This marked a 61% increase compared to the previous year’s figures, signalling the BMA’s determination to strengthen border security. During a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, BMA Commissioner Michael Masiapato outlined the details of the operations that unfolded during the Easter long weekend, when more than a million people crossed the country’s borders. Masiapato reported that a total of 6253 illegal entries were…
The historic Tokai Manor house in Cape Town, a provincial heritage site and operational hub for SANParks, is currently undergoing evacuation due to escalating wildfire threats from the mountains above the area. The blaze, which has consumed approximately 3000 hectares of vegetation since it ignited on Friday, poses a significant risk as firefighters and aerial support grapple with the intense flames and dry conditions. Emergency services have been actively deploying helicopters for water bombing operations since Monday morning in an effort to combat the fire that has quickly spread, and is yet to be contained. Jermaine Carelse, a spokesperson for…
In a decisive move reflecting mounting discontent, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has filed a motion of no confidence against South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana. This action comes amid growing criticism of Godongwana’s management of the Value Added Tax (VAT) issue, which has ignited fierce debate across political circles and among the populace. On Saturday, the MK Party’s leadership issued a damning statement alleging that Minister Godongwana’s inability to provide clarity and leadership on VAT has resulted in chaos in financial markets and panic among vulnerable demographics, including the unemployed and small businesses. The party underscored that…
The world is watching as the Roman Catholic Church begins the intricate process of selecting a new pope following the death of Pope Francis, who led the church for 12 impactful years. Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff, passed away on April 21, Easter Monday, after a prolonged respiratory illness, leaving behind a legacy shaped by compassion, reform, and global outreach. As the Catholic faith’s estimated 1.4 billion followers ponder the future of their church, attention turns to the conclave, a tradition steeped in history and secrecy where the College of Cardinals will gather in the Vatican’s iconic Sistine Chapel. This age-old…