Author: Silver Sibiya
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep condolences following the passing of writer, storyteller and cultural activist Dr Diana Ferrus, who died at the age of 72. The President said his thoughts and prayers are with Ferrus’ family, friends and associates. Dr Ferrus is best known for her powerful 1998 poem A Poem for Sarah Baartman, which is widely credited with helping to secure the return of Sarah Baartman’s remains to South Africa from France. Baartman, an Eastern Cape woman, had been taken to Europe in the 19th century where she was dehumanised and exploited as an exhibit. Ferrus published…
A 25-year-old Mozambican national, Armando Joaquin Pacula, has been added as the second accused in the murder case of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras. Police say they acted on a tip-off, leading them to Pacula’s place of residence where he was arrested. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and contravention of the Immigration Act. Pacula made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court, where he is expected to be joined with the first accused, 44-year-old Victor Majola. Both men are charged in connection with the killing of Stock, who was shot outside the Zambesi…
EFF leader Julius Malema says former United States President Donald Trump has laid bare what he describes as America’s true character, arguing that the country no longer pretends to promote global peace. Malema was addressing delegates at the second Plenum of the People’s Assembly held in Boksburg on Friday. He accused the United States of consistently destabilising nations around the world, saying this behaviour is not new but has become more openly pursued in recent years. “The USA has always been imperialistic. It has always been a destabilising force in the world. What has changed is that the leaders of…
The City of Johannesburg Council has approved the establishment of a Deputy Mayor position, with 107 councillors voting in favour, 87 against, and 37 abstaining. The EFF and the DA voted together in opposition but failed to secure enough support to block the motion. ActionSA, the ACDP, ATM and the UDM abstained. ANC Johannesburg Region Secretary Sasabona Manganye says the new position is aimed at strengthening service delivery through better coordination. “The ANC supported the establishment of the Executive Deputy Mayor for a simple reason — it will assist in coordinating service delivery and the work of the state,” Manganye…
ActionSA Johannesburg caucus leader Marcel Coutriers has announced that the party will abstain from the motion of no confidence against City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, expected to be debated during a council sitting in Braamfontein today. Speaking to the media ahead of the sitting, Coutriers delivered a scathing assessment of Morero’s performance, describing his achievements as “non-existent” and accusing his administration of failing residents. “The service delivery that he has been doing has been minimal. I have to think very, very hard to say, okay, this is what he has done,” Coutriers said. “Let’s put it out there I…
Rand West City Mayor William Matsheke has formally called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) across the municipality to quell surging violence linked to illegal mining syndicates that have terrorised local communities. Matsheke made the appeal during a visit to the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein on Wednesday where heavily armed illegal miners commonly known as zama zamas forced more than 600 residents to flee their homes, seeking shelter at Randgate Hall after a wave of shootings, threats and intimidation. Illegal mining has become deeply entrenched in Gauteng’s West Rand, where abandoned gold…
The City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Jack Sekwaila, has condemned the burning of Pikitup waste collection trucks in Diepsloot. The incident occurred on Tuesday and has been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the destruction of the vehicles and to apprehend those responsible. The burning of the trucks comes a day after an amicable agreement was reached between Pikitup management and protesting casual workers who had barricaded depot gates in an attempt to force the company to employ them.…
The City of Johannesburg is set to follow in the footsteps of the City of Tshwane by establishing the position of Executive Deputy Mayor, with ANC Johannesburg Regional Chairperson and MMC for Finance, Loyiso Masuku, tipped for the role. Masuku was elected ANC regional chairperson at the party’s elective conference in November last year and currently serves as the city’s finance MMC. However, her appointment will depend on the outcome of a motion of no confidence against Mayor Dada Morero, brought by coalition partner Al Jama-ah. According to a proposal dated 29 January 2026, seen by Newsnote, the city council…
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says more than 250,000 animals have been affected by the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the province. Lesufi was briefing the media in Johannesburg alongside Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa. He warned that the outbreak could have serious economic consequences, particularly for the livestock sector. “As of 23 January 2026, the province is actively managing 195 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks. It is estimated that more than 261,000 animals are affected in Gauteng. This crisis has serious consequences for the economy and society at large. It disrupts trade, threatens jobs in the livestock sector,…
Mamelodi Sundowns has strongly condemned the behaviour of a small group of supporters who disrupted members of the club’s technical team following their match against Al Hilal. Sundowns drew 2-2 with Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League and despite leading the group log as well as leading the Betway Premiership, a section of supporters expressed their dissatisfaction with head coach Miguel Cardoso and Sporting Director Flemming Berg. The incident occurred as the Sundowns technical staff were leaving the stadium after the encounter, with some fans reportedly engaging in intimidation and disruptive conduct. The club said while it values the…