Author: Silver Sibiya
Hundreds of alleged undocumented workers have fled a construction site in Riverside, north of Johannesburg, after law enforcement officers descended on the property in a high-impact blitz operation. Deputy Employment and Labour Minister Jomo Sibiya has admitted that authorities were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people at the site and conceded that the operation was not properly planned. Sibiya said at least 300 alleged undocumented workers were found at the construction site, with many escaping by jumping over walls and running into an open area as police moved in. “We didn’t quite plan properly, we must say it openly.…
A paramedic who treated accused number one Musa Kekana after his arrest in April 2024 has been accused in the Johannesburg High Court of leaving out crucial details about what she was told and observed at the scene. Mary Nkgapeng faced intense questioning during a trial-within-a-trial in the attempted murder case against alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, his wife Tsakani Matlala and three co-accused. Kekana’s lawyer, Advocate Riaan Gissing, put it to Nkgapeng that she had a duty to record all relevant observations and information obtained from the scene and from the patient. Nkgapeng conceded that she did not…
A restaurant fire in Boksburg on Tuesday morning has been contained after firefighters safely isolated 12 LPG cylinders, preventing the blaze from escalating and potentially spreading to nearby properties. The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) responded to the fire at RoadHouse in Boksburg at about 8.53am, with crews from the Boksburg Central and Germiston fire stations. DEMS spokesperson Eric Maloka said firefighters found the restaurant well alight on arrival and immediately requested additional resources. “Firefighters launched an aggressive attack on the blaze, while other crews worked defensively to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring structures,”…
A former medical officer at Edenvale Hospital has told the Johannesburg High Court that she found no evidence that accused number one, Musa Kekana, was assaulted or suffocated by police during his arrest in April 2024. Dr Pooja Panicker was testifying in the high-profile trial-within-a-trial involving alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused. Matlala, his wife Tsakane, Kekana, Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges, including attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Kekana’s defence has alleged that police violated his constitutional rights by beating, tying up and suffocating him during his arrest. His legal team…
Argentina football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his extraordinary career with the national team. The 39-year-old confirmed the decision in an emotional statement on social media on Monday, saying he had given the matter considerable thought following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. “After all this time since the final, and after thinking about it a lot, I want to tell everyone that I’m retiring from the national team,” Messi said. “It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that…
The Constitutional Court has dismissed former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki’s challenge to have Justice Sisi Khampepe removed as chairperson of the TRC Cases Inquiry. The inquiry was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2025 to investigate allegations of political interference in efforts to stop or delay apartheid-era prosecutions arising from cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Zuma and Mbeki had challenged Khampepe’s continued involvement in the inquiry, arguing that her previous roles could create a perception of bias. Khampepe served on the TRC’s Amnesty Committee from 1996 to 2001. She also served as Deputy…
Kaizer Chiefs have made way for the Springboks’ highly anticipated clash against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, with their upcoming fixture against Siwelele FC now confirmed for Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. The match will be played on Sunday, 6 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30. Chiefs were initially set to host the fixture at FNB Stadium, but the venue is unavailable as it prepares to host the rugby clash between South Africa and New Zealand. The fixture was subsequently moved to Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, but that venue also became unavailable, forcing the club to explore several…
Motorists heading to Orlando in Soweto today are being warned of major traffic disruptions as Orlando Pirates host Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) says several roads around the Orlando Amstel Arena will be affected, with closures starting from 10am. Affected routes include the N17, Soweto Highway, Klipspruit Valley Road, Martha Louw Street and Mooki Street. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, with gates opening at 11am. Motorists, commuters and spectators are urged to plan their journeys and arrive early to avoid congestion and delays. The JMPD will deploy officers to manage traffic and assist…
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi’s fraud and corruption case linked to the so-called ‘blue-lights’ saga has been postponed in the Germiston Magistrates’ Court. Mkhwanazi appeared alongside alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and EMPD official Chris Steyn. Proceedings were complicated by a separate murder case involving the killing of businessman Emmanuel Mbense, which has implications for Mkhwanazi’s bail application. Mkhwanazi was also served with his fifth warrant of arrest while appearing in the Brakpan Magistrates’ Court. His lawyer, Shafique Sarlie, argued that Mkhwanazi was not a flight risk and had no reason to abscond if…
City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has apologised after a heated confrontation with a resident during a City Power imbizo in Tshepisong on Thursday, where residents were given an opportunity to raise their concerns about service delivery. The meeting, intended to give residents a platform to voice their frustrations, descended into a tense exchange when Morero reacted angrily to comments made by one of the residents. “Don’t call me a criminal. I’m not a criminal. Don’t ever do that again. You are old, don’t say again. You are talking shit,” Morero said. The mayor continued, warning the resident that disrespect…