Author: newsnote correspondent

US President Donald Trump signaled the country will continue boycotting group of 20 meetings in South Africa, repeating unsubstantiated claims that white farmers are being killed and their land confiscated. “How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 Meeting when Land Confiscation and Genocide is the primary topic of conversation?” he posted on his Truth social media account. “They are taking the land of white Farmers, and then killing them and their families.” Relations between South Africa and its second-largest trading partner have soured since Trump accused the nation of unlawfully seizing land from the…

The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department is gearing up for a high-impact road safety campaign as traffic volumes are predicted to exceed 1,500 vehicles per hour at tollgates across the province from next Thursday, the eve of Good Friday. This surge in traffic signals a critical period for law enforcement, with officials aiming to keep the roads safe during this notoriously busy holiday. In a bid to mitigate the risks associated with increased road usage, the provincial government will deploy over 800 law enforcement officers strategically placed in areas deemed hazardous and in secondary cities that attract numerous visitors over the holiday…

In a bold move reflecting escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies, China has announced an increase in tariffs on all U.S. imports from 84% to a staggering 125%. Taking effect on April 12, this decision is widely interpreted as retaliation against the United States’ earlier action of imposing a steep 145% tariff on Chinese goods. This recent development is expected to exacerbate the ongoing trade war, a conflict that has already had profound implications on global trade dynamics, economic policy, and diplomatic relations. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange responded to the news with immediate volatility, as markets…

In the Joshlin Smith trial on Thursday, the validity of Steveno van Rhyn’s confession came under scrutiny at the Western Cape High Court as his lawyer, Nobahle Mkabayi, claimed her client was asleep during the police interview where he allegedly confessed to involvement in a high-profile kidnapping case. The trial, which takes place in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, centres on the case of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith, who went missing from Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, on February 19, 2024. Alongside Van Rhyn, Joshlin’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, and her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, are facing serious charges of kidnapping…

AfriForum has called upon Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to publicly apologise to the principal of Bergview College, who has been wrongfully accused of being a suspect in a heartbreaking case involving the alleged rape of a seven-year-old learner. The situation, already fraught with tension, has been exacerbated by Mchunu’s controversial remarks that have left the principal’s reputation in tatters. The allegations centre around a deeply troubling incident that reportedly occurred at the Eastern Cape school last year, when the young victim was allegedly assaulted while waiting for her scholar transport. Recently, Mchunu announced during a media briefing in Pretoria that…

In a powerful address at the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa spotlighted the critical intersection between gender-based violence (GBV) and pervasive social issues like poverty and inequality. The conference, which gathered around 900 judges, magistrates, legal professionals, and policymakers from across the globe, aimed to forge a comprehensive judicial approach to combat the global epidemic of GBV and femicide. As the world grapples with the alarming rates of violence against women, Ramaphosa called for a united front to confront this multifaceted crisis. “Gender-based violence is a crime against humanity.…

In a growing rift within the government of national unity, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has vehemently opposed draft regulations affecting South Africa’s private security industry, published by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. The newly gazetted regulations, which aim to amend the Private Security Industry Regulations, include stricter rules on firearm use, a ban on certain weapons, and mandatory annual mental health evaluations for security officers. The DA is urging the public to speak out against these proposals before the submission deadline on 25 April, framing the regulations as excessive government interference that could undermine community safety. Ian Cameron, the DA’s spokesperson…

As trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and China, speculation is emerging that Beijing may be engaging in a significant sell-off of U.S. Treasuries. This chatter comes just hours before President Trump’s massive 104% tariff is poised to take effect at midnight, raising concerns about the ripple effects this could have on global financial markets. Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, a well-known supporter of Trump, has been vocal about these developments. On Tuesday, he took to social media platform X to share insights from sources suggesting that China is selling off U.S. Treasuries to manipulate yields and alter the economic narrative…

Tensions escalated in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday as the trial of Joshlin Smith took a dramatic turn. Sergeant Dawid Fortuin, a police detective central to the case, categorically denied claims that he was present during the alleged assault of accused number two, Stevano van Rhyn, during an intense interrogation last year. The trial, which has attracted significant public interest, revolves around serious charges of kidnapping and human trafficking directed at Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, alongside Jacquen Appollis and Van Rhyn himself. The courtroom is currently divided, with poignant allegations swirling over the legitimacy of confession statements made…

US Vice President JD Vance ignited controversy following a media interview in which he discussed the Trump administration’s trade policy towards China. Vance’s remarks, which included a reference to borrowing money from what he described as “Chinese peasants” to support the purchase of manufactured goods, have been met with sharp criticism from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The spokesperson for the Ministry, Lin Jian, expressed both surprise and sadness regarding Vance’s choice of words, labelling them as “ignorant and impolite.” This public rebuke underscores the sensitive diplomatic landscape between the two nations, especially amidst ongoing trade tensions that have been…