Author: Silver Sibiya
The Congress of the People (COPE) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, arguing that his continued suspension undermines public confidence in government. In a statement issued on Thursday, COPE Acting National Chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi said recent testimony before the Madlanga Commission had strengthened the party’s view that Mchunu should no longer serve in the Executive. The party said it had previously raised concerns over Mchunu’s decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team, describing it as a move that cast doubt on his commitment to the rule of law. COPE’s call follows testimony…
Kaizer Chiefs have strengthened their squad with the signing of winger Faiz Abrahams on a season-long loan from Stellenbosch FC, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the 2026/27 season. The 21-year-old joins Amakhosi after gaining valuable experience in the Betway Premiership and abroad. He made his PSL debut in April 2024, shortly after his 19th birthday, before moving to Stellenbosch FC. Abrahams also spent time playing in Israel before returning to South Africa last season. On the international stage, Abrahams represented South Africa’s Under-20 side and was part of the team that won the…
The state is opposing the bail application of suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and four co-accused in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court. The accused face charges relating to the 2022 murder of Boksburg businessman Emmanuel Mbense, whose body was allegedly dumped in a dam. Appearing alongside Mkhwanazi are former EMPD officer Kersha Lei Stols, serving EMPD officer Andrian Mackenzie, Cobus Jane van Rensburg, and Bhekokwakhe Sibande. Mkhwanazi, Stols and Mackenzie also face separate charges linked to the alleged theft of precious stones worth R15 million in a case before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutor Advocate Nceba…
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi is among five people arrested in connection with the alleged murder of robbery suspect Emmanuel Mbense in April 2022. The suspects, who include EMPD officers, SAPS members and a private citizen, are expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They face charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice. It is alleged the suspects were involved in Mbense’s murder, the dumping of his body at Spaarwater Dam in Duduza, and failing to report the crime. Mbense disappeared after police raided his home on 14 April 2022…
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the departure of forward Glody Makabi Lilepo, who has completed a permanent transfer to Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi after the two clubs reached an agreement on the transfer fee. The 29-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international joined Amakhosi from French side Valenciennes in January 2025 and enjoyed a productive spell at Naturena. Lilepo made 56 appearances in all competitions for Chiefs, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists. His ability to play as both a winger and a striker made him a key figure in the club’s attack. Among the highlights of his time at…
Johannesburg mayoral candidate for RISE Mzansi, Lukhona Mnguni, has called on the City of Johannesburg to urgently resolve the ongoing Pikitup labour dispute, warning that uncollected refuse has become a public health and environmental crisis. The disruption, caused by casual workers demanding to be permanently employed, has left rubbish piling up in several parts of the city. Mnguni visited the Norwood Depot on Wednesday, where he spoke to Newsnote. “It’s for the city leadership to get its act together and for the Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg to come to the party and get this thing sorted out.…
The trial-within-a-trial involving alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused has been postponed until 31 August after a key State witness became unavailable due to a family emergency. Proceedings in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg were halted after senior prosecutor Advocate Elize le Roux informed the court that the medical practitioner who treated accused Musa Kekana in hospital was unable to testify. “My Lord, I have to regretfully inform the court that I have a challenge with my next witness. It would have been the medic who treated the accused. We consulted with her last night,…
Stellenbosch FC have confirmed the return of striker Ashley Du Preez, who has rejoined the club on a permanent transfer from Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the 2026/27 season. The 29-year-old returns to the Winelands a decade after featuring in Stellenbosch’s first-ever National First Division match and four years after leaving the club to join Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. During his first spell at the club, the Idas Valley-born forward made 98 appearances in all competitions between 2016 and 2022, establishing himself as one of Stellenbosch’s standout performers. He went on to help Kaizer Chiefs win the 2025…
The fourth State witness in the trial-within-a-trial of alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and four co-accused has corroborated evidence presented by previous witnesses in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. The trial-within-a-trial is determining whether evidence obtained during the arrest of accused Musa Kekana, who is charged in connection with the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, is admissible in the main trial. TRT Lieutenant Colonel Tumelo Tsotetsi told the court that the arrest operation in Kew was carried out according to plan. “We turned on our blue lights as we approached the vehicle. There were two people…
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the signing of highly-rated winger Langelihle Phili from Stellenbosch FC ahead of the 2026/27 season. The 21-year-old joins Amakhosi after an impressive campaign with Stellenbosch, where he finished as the club’s top scorer with nine goals and scooped both the Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards. In a statement on Monday, Chiefs described Phili as an “exciting and highly sought-after young winger” and said his performances had established him as one of South Africa’s brightest attacking talents. The Durban-born winger featured in 39 matches across the Betway Premiership and the CAF…