Author: Silver Sibiya
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his condolences to Zimbabwe following the deaths of 44 people in a ferry tragedy on Lake Kariba. The ferry capsized on Tuesday, 11 August, with the death toll rising as search and rescue teams recovered more bodies from the lake. Survivors were rescued as emergency teams continued searching for people who remained missing. Reports indicate the vessel was carrying significantly more passengers than its stated capacity. The ferry was reportedly designed to carry about 90 people but had more than 150 passengers on board when it capsized. Large waves are believed to have contributed to…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is sending a strong message to the world with the launch of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system at OR Tambo International Airport. Ramaphosa says the new digital system will make travel to South Africa easier, faster and more predictable, while strengthening border security. Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, he described the ETA as more than a digital platform, saying it forms part of government’s broader efforts to make the country more open to opportunity and competitive in the global economy. The system allows eligible travellers to apply online from anywhere in the…
A 23-year-old alleged gang leader accused of killing two police officers and two civilians in Reiger Park, east of Johannesburg, is also facing five other cases. This emerged when Reagan Collis appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Collis is accused of killing the four victims in Reiger Park on Friday. Prosecutor Mathews Rampyapedi told the court that the State has provided a provisional charge sheet and that additional charges could still be added as investigations continue. “The state has provided what we call a provisional charge sheet attached to the J50. It is provisional in the sense that…
The Gauteng Provincial Government has urged residents to exercise extreme caution as cold and wet weather conditions continue across the province. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the provincial government said residents should prepare for rainfall and very cold temperatures, with temperatures expected to drop to around 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in some parts of Gauteng. “The combination of rain, cold conditions and wet roads may create additional risks for motorists, pedestrians and vulnerable communities,” the government said. The provincial government has also raised concerns about households using alternative methods to keep warm. “We are particularly concerned about the…
The 2026 MTN8 tournament gets underway this weekend, with South Africa’s top eight clubs set to battle it out for the first major silverware of the new football season. The Premier Soccer League and MTN have officially launched this year’s tournament under the theme “Wafa Wafa, There Can Only Be One”, highlighting the knockout nature of the competition. Defending champions Orlando Pirates will return to defend their title, while Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu, Sekhukhune United, Lamontville Golden Arrows, Polokwane City and newcomers Durban City complete the line-up. Kaizer Chiefs are also back in the MTN8 after missing last season’s tournament and…
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has unveiled the party’s plan to overhaul municipalities ahead of the 4 November Local Government Elections, promising improved service delivery, cleaner governance and greater accountability. Speaking at the DA’s manifesto launch on Saturday, Hill-Lewis said South Africans had heard enough political promises and needed a government that could deliver basic services consistently. He said the party’s campaign would be centred on the belief that “an ordinary life should not be a privilege”. “South Africans have heard enough promises. What they now need is a government that works,” Hill-Lewis said. The DA’s plan, titled Working…
Two members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Gang Unit have been shot and killed in Reiger Park, east of Johannesburg. The incident happened at about 7.30pm on Friday while the officers were part of a crime prevention team conducting patrols in the area. According to preliminary information from SAPS, the officers heard gunshots and drove towards the source of the shooting. They were allegedly ambushed when they arrived at the scene. Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has mobilised several specialised units to the area as the investigation gets underway. These include Crime Intelligence, the Tracking Team,…
South Africa’s countdown to the 2026 Local Government Elections is officially underway after the Electoral Commission (IEC) published the election timetable, setting key deadlines for voters, political parties and independent candidates ahead of the 4 November municipal polls. The publication follows the proclamation of Election Day by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and marks the start of the IEC’s 89-day election programme. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the Commission currently has 674 registered political parties, highlighting the competitive nature of the upcoming local government elections. “The register of political parties currently stands at 674 registered parties, reflecting…
A man who admitted to the contract killing of popular DJ Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock has been sentenced to an effective 25 years in prison by the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Friday that 25-year-old Mozambican national Joaquim Armando Pacula was convicted and sentenced following a plea and sentence agreement with the State under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Pacula pleaded guilty to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and contravening the Immigration Act. The court sentenced him to 25 years for murder, eight years for illegal…
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) has strongly criticised eMedia Holdings’ proposal to retrench 171 employees at eNCA, accusing the broadcaster of placing profits, shareholder returns and executive remuneration ahead of workers’ livelihoods. The proposed retrenchments, which could affect more than half of eNCA’s 309 employees, form part of the broadcaster’s planned transition to a digital-first newsroom. In a statement issued on Friday, GIWUSA rejected the company’s financial justification for the restructuring, pointing to eMedia Holdings’ latest financial results. According to the union, the company generated approximately R3 billion in revenue and R299.5 million in profit during…