Author: Silver Sibiya
Johannesburg Magistrate Annalise Tlhapi has ruled that CCTV footage will not be used as evidence in the bail application of the man accused of masterminding the killing of popular media personality Warrick Stock, widely known as DJ Warras. The defence had requested that the video footage be considered, arguing that it exonerates the accused, Victor Majola, in connection with DJ Warras’s murder. However, Magistrate Tlhapi said she would not rely on the footage when making her decision on the bail application. “I am not intending to rely on the video. Whatever is contained in that video amounts to what the…
Arsenal secured a narrow advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final after a 3–2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi gave the visitors a two-goal cushion on two occasions, but Chelsea remained in contention through a second-half brace from Alejandro Garnacho. White opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading in Declan Rice’s inswinging corner. Arsenal doubled their lead early in the second half when Gyokeres converted from close range after a low cross from White. Chelsea responded on 57 minutes, with Garnacho finishing at the back post…
Some Soweto parents of Grade R and Grade 1 learners could not hide their joy as they escorted their children to school on the first day of the academic year. Smiles, excitement and even tears of happiness filled school gates as parents shared this important milestone with their little ones. Newsnote spoke to parents in Orlando East, Soweto who described the day as emotional and memorable. Sinayonathi Mahlombe said she felt proud and hopeful as she took her bundle of joy to school for the very first time. “The future of the child is important. That’s why it’s important to…
Parents whose children have not been placed at any school say they are frustrated, despite applying early for the 2026 academic year. On Tuesday, they joined hundreds of others at the Gauteng Department of Education offices in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, seeking answers. Some parents say they were told to wait until 28 January for space allocation. Tumelo Mmopi from Cresta says she registered her child last year and wanted her Grade 1 learner to attend the same school as her older sibling. “What makes me angry is that we registered the child last year. When we went to the school, they…
The City of Johannesburg has disconnected electricity at the High Point flats and the popular Summit nightclub in Hillbrow after discovering that the properties collectively owe about R25 million in unpaid electricity bills. City of Johannesburg Acting Mayor Sithembiso Zungu confirmed the disconnections while speaking to Newsnote during a law-enforcement operation in the area on Tuesday. Zungu said the Summit nightclub is operating in a building whose plans do not comply with the City’s Emergency Management Services requirements and currently owes the City R2.6 million. “We have been going to different buildings some hijacked, some non-compliant, and some owing the…
Real Madrid have confirmed the appointment of former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as the club’s new first-team coach, marking a significant shift towards internal continuity and long-term planning at the Santiago Bernabéu. Arbeloa’s promotion follows his steady rise through the club’s coaching ranks and comes at a time when Real Madrid are prioritising stability and a strong link between the first team and the club’s youth structures. The appointment signals confidence in a coach who understands the club’s philosophy, expectations and winning culture. Since joining Real Madrid’s academy setup in 2020, Arbeloa has built an impressive coaching résumé. He began with…
South Africa’s 2025 matric pass rate has reached a historic high of 88.4%, up from 87.3% in 2024, marking the highest National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rate in the country’s history. The results were announced in Randburg on Monday by Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, who praised the collective effort behind the achievement. “In 2025, more than 656,000 learners passed the National Senior Certificate. That figure reflects the dedication of teachers, learners and families in every corner of our country,” Gwarube said, before unveiling the provincial results. KwaZulu-Natal emerged as the top-performing province with a pass rate of 90.6%,…
Some of the country’s top-performing Grade 12 learners say they feel excited and honoured to be recognised among South Africa’s best academic achievers. The learners were hosted at a ministerial breakfast celebrating the Class of 2025 at MTN Headquarters in Fairlands, Johannesburg. Newsnote spoke to several of the top achievers about their journeys and future aspirations. Temogo Matong from Morokweng near Vryburg in the North West says becoming one of the country’s top learners has always been his dream. “I’m very happy and proud to be here. I was worried because I couldn’t secure bursaries to send me to school,…
Two suspects have been taken in for questioning after vehicles believed to have been used in a cash-in-transit robbery in Roodepoort were recovered at a house in Meadowlands, Soweto. Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that a man and a woman were found inside the house where a white BMW and a Nissan Hardbody bakkie suspected to be getaway vehicles were discovered shortly after the robbery. “The two suspects were found inside the house where the vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of the crime were recovered. They are currently being questioned as part of…
Two people have died following a fire at the Marathon Informal Settlement in Primrose during the early hours of Saturday, 10 January 2026. “The City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services (EMS) received a distress call at approximately 03:55 reporting a fire involving multiple shacks. A district response was immediately activated, with firefighting crews from Primrose, Bedfordview and Edenvale fire stations dispatched to the scene,” said City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services Spokesperson, Eric Maloka. “On arrival, emergency personnel found several shacks fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters conducted both offensive and defensive firefighting operations, successfully containing and extinguishing the…