Author: Silver Sibiya

Mpumalanga police say they still have a strong case against four suspects implicated in the high-profile Kwaggafontein extortion matter, despite the case being struck off the court roll on Monday, 18 May 2026. The bail application of alleged taxi kingpin Joe Sibanyoni took a dramatic turn at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court after the matter was removed from the roll when the prosecutor failed to appear in court. Sibanyoni and his co-accused — Bafana Sindane, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza — were arrested last week during a coordinated operation by the SAPS Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit. The four face charges…

The state in the case against controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi has requested a postponement to allow time to verify his residential address. This emerged during Mogotsi’s brief appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, where he faces charges linked to allegedly staging his own assassination attempt in Vosloorus last November. State prosecutor Thami Mpekana told the court that the postponement was necessary due to delays in the submission of Mogotsi’s address. “I have consulted with the investigating officer. If this address was given earlier, I do not think there was going to be any problem,” said Mpekana. He…

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially announced Johannesburg MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, as its mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg ahead of the upcoming local government elections in November. The announcement was made on Saturday during an event held in Jabulani, Soweto, where party supporters gathered in large numbers to welcome the candidate. Originally from Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal, Mabaso first entered the City of Johannesburg mayoral committee in 2019 when he was appointed MMC for Housing under the coalition government led by the late former mayor, Geoff Makhubo (ANC). At the time, Mabaso was the youngest…

Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, says authorities have arrested 34 undocumented foreign nationals allegedly operating businesses illegally during a law enforcement operation targeting illegal bus ranks in the Johannesburg CBD on Friday. The operation forms part of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s intensified road safety campaign aimed at clamping down on unlawful transport activities and restoring order within the public transport sector. Diale-Tlabela said the raids are focused on illegal bus operations, unregulated businesses, and transport-related criminality that pose risks to commuters and other road users. “We are here for public compliance. This involves cross-border…

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has launched a year-long national programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Youth Uprising under the theme “RESET@50 – The Future Calls.” Speaking in Orlando West in Soweto on Thursday, Chikunga said the commemoration is not only about remembering the events of June 16, but also about confronting current challenges facing young people and shaping the future of the country. She described the launch as “a national year of memory, reflection and action.” Chikunga reflected on the historical events leading up to the 1976 uprising,…

Gauteng MEC of Finance Nkululeko kululeko Dunga says the Gauteng government is under severe financial pressure, with billions of rand owed to service providers and growing irregular expenditure across provincial departments. Dunga was briefing the media at Dube Hostel in Soweto on Thursday on the state of Gauteng’s finances and the province’s programme of action. The MEC revealed that Gauteng departments owe service providers approximately R9.3 billion in accruals and unpaid invoices, with more than R4.9 billion already overdue by over 30 days. “These are not merely technical accounting matters,” said Dunga. “They represent service providers who have delivered goods…

A leaked resignation letter has revealed that Zandile Dabula has stepped down as president and member of the Operation Dudula Political Party. In the letter, dated Wednesday (13 April), Dabula cites differences over the organisation’s political direction and concerns about its transition from a civic movement into a political party. The anti-illegal immigration group is expected to host a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon amid growing speculation about divisions within the organisation. Dabula said her resignation followed “a long period of introspection” about the future of the organisation and her role within it. She revealed that some members…

The Constitutional Court is scheduled to hear the highly anticipated application of Dr Nandipha Magudumana as she escalates her legal battle to the country’s apex court in a final bid to declare her 2023 return from Tanzania unlawful. The high-stakes hearing serves as a preview to a landmark constitutional showdown that could derail the State’s criminal case against her. Magudumana, currently detained at the Bizzah Makhate Correctional Centre, faces 38 criminal charges, including fraud, corruption, arson and defeating the ends of justice, for her alleged role in assisting convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester to escape from maximum-security custody. The…

Suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says there is a deliberate attempt to force him out of office, claiming that powerful individuals are trying to link him to corruption allegations tied to the controversial R360-million Medicare24 contract. Masemola was speaking after appearing alongside alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and 15 co-accused at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The group faces corruption-related charges linked to the tender allegedly awarded to Matlala’s company. Masemola is facing charges under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), alongside allegations of corruption linked to the contract. Masemola denied any wrongdoing and suggested that there…

Mayor Dada Morero says the City of Johannesburg will request support from the South African National Defence Force as it intensifies operations against illegal structures and lawlessness in the Johannesburg CBD. Morero was speaking during a by-law enforcement operation on Small Street in the inner city on Wednesday, where city officials removed illegal structures and engaged with businesses operating around the Methodist Church precinct. The mayor says the city is now preparing for a larger operation targeting the troubled Marble Towers area, where authorities say widespread criminality and illegal activity continue to flourish. “We require massive support. There’s a lot…