Author: Silver Sibiya

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has delivered a mixed ruling in a legal dispute between GoldenRod Group and the City of Johannesburg over alleged illegal structures erected at Marble Towers in the Johannesburg CBD. The City alleged that GoldenRod Group constructed container-style and informal trading structures at the base of Marble Towers without approved building plans, in contravention of South African building regulations. According to the municipality, the structures are illegal and pose safety risks, including concerns relating to fire hazards and evacuation procedures. The City further stated that it had been attempting to secure compliance from the developer…

The city of Johannesburg has placed its estimated R220 billion infrastructure backlog at the centre of its R97.1 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year. Tabling the budget at the Connie Bapela Council Chamber, Executive Deputy Mayor and Finance MMC Loyiso Masuku warned that the metro could not “budget its way out” of its infrastructure crisis using municipal resources alone. She highlighted the scale of deterioration across the city’s systems, noting that non-revenue water losses stand at 44.7%, while electricity losses have reached 27%, posing a serious risk to service delivery and economic stability. The budget outlines operating revenue of…

The ANC has initiated disciplinary proceedings against five members after the party’s Integrity Commission found they had allegedly brought the organisation into disrepute. Among those implicated are former ministers Bheki Cele and Sisisi Tolashe. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula announced the decision during a media briefing at Luthuli House on Tuesday. Mbalula said the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had received and considered a report from the party’s Integrity Commission concerning the five members. He praised the commission for its role in advancing the ANC’s renewal programme while promoting ethical leadership and good governance within the organisation. The NEC fully endorsed…

Kaizer Chiefs have announced the departure of assistant coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze following the expiry of their two-year contracts at the end of the 2025/26 season. Ben Youssef joined Amakhosi ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, while Kaze arrived in October 2024. The pair initially served under former head coach Nasreddine Nabi before stepping into leadership roles after his departure in October 2025. Under their guidance, Chiefs showed notable progress, finishing the league season with 54 points — the club’s second-highest tally in the past 11 years. The team also mounted a strong CAF Confederation Cup challenge, narrowly…

Fikile Mbalula says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government will recruit 10,000 additional labour inspectors to strengthen enforcement against businesses employing undocumented foreign nationals, amid growing public concern over illegal immigration and compliance with labour laws. Mbalula briefed the media on Tuesday at Luthuli House in Johannesburg following the African National Congress National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held over the weekend. He said the inspectors would be appointed through the Department of Employment and Labour and deployed to identify employers circumventing labour regulations by hiring individuals not authorised to work in South Africa. “The cost of compliance with the law is borne…

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has urged owners of affected Jeep Grand Cherokee WL vehicles to take immediate action following a safety recall involving 920 vehicles distributed in South Africa between 2021 and 2023. The recall, issued by Stellantis South Africa, relates to a defect involving the upper control arm pinch bolt, which may have been damaged during the vehicle assembly process. According to the manufacturer, the damaged bolt could break and cause a loss of clamp load between the upper control arm ball joint and the knuckle. This may result in the wheel tilting outward unexpectedly, increasing the risk…

The State has opposed bail for alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi during his appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Mogotsi is facing five charges, including allegations that he orchestrated his own assassination attempt in Vosloorus in November last year. The case has attracted significant public interest due to Mogotsi’s alleged political connections and the unusual circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting. During the bail proceedings, State prosecutor Thami Mpekana argued that Mogotsi should remain in custody pending trial. Mpekana told the court that investigations had revealed discrepancies in the residential address provided by the accused. “We established that he…

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved why he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, delivering a masterclass performance to guide Al Nassr FC to the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title. With the pressure of a championship on the line, Ronaldo rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion, scoring twice and providing an assist as Al Nassr defeated Damac 4-1 in Riyadh on Thursday night. The victory secured the club’s first league crown in six years and cemented Ronaldo’s place in Al Nassr folklore. The Portuguese superstar led from the front from the opening whistle,…

Thousands of residents from Thokoza in Ekurhuleni marched to a nearby industrial area on Thursday, accusing undocumented foreign nationals of taking employment opportunities from local residents. The protesters are demanding that companies prioritise the hiring of South African citizens. Members of the civic organisation, Abahambe Thokoza, gathered in large numbers before marching to factories in the area, where they handed over memorandums outlining their demands to management. The group’s spokesperson, Tebogo Motloung, claimed that many local residents remain unemployed while companies continue to hire foreign nationals. “We want all these firms to consider and prioritise South Africans when offering employment…

Mayor Dada Morero has struck an optimistic tone about Johannesburg’s long-term prospects, arguing that the city has “laid the foundation of the future” despite deepening infrastructure pressures and ongoing service delivery challenges. Delivering the 2026 State of the City Address at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Johannesburg, Morero acknowledged the scale of the city’s difficulties while highlighting what he described as measurable progress in investment attraction, housing delivery, water infrastructure, inner-city renewal and job creation. He emphasised Johannesburg’s role as the country’s economic centre, contributing around 15% of South Africa’s GDP, even as national growth remains…