Author: Silver Sibiya

High unemployment and desperate economic conditions are driving South Africans to accept deadly mercenary contracts in the Russia-Ukraine war, a leading security analyst has warned. Willem Els, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), was reacting to Monday’s court appearance of five South African men arrested for allegedly contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The suspects were detained while reportedly en route to join Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. Els said recruiters are exploiting joblessness by dangling astronomical salaries — with some victims promised up to $40 000 (roughly R720 000) per month. “The socio-economic issues…

The motion of no confidence against the City of Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero, has been withdrawn. This was confirmed to Newsnote on the sidelines of the council sitting by UDM leader Yongama Zigeme, who is part of the Minority Governing Parties that initiated the motion. Zigeme says they held a meeting on Monday night where they agreed to withdraw the motion. “Those are some of the issues that other parties were there to say ‘yes we feel the pinch we feel the pain but let us have a way instead of a motion, let’s find a way going forward in…

five South African suspects appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng for their first court appearance, facing charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act (No. 15 of 1998). The group was arrested over the weekend following a tip-off to police at OR Tambo International Airport, where four of the men were allegedly intercepted while attempting to board a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. The investigation, led by the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit, revealed that the suspects were linked to the illegal recruitment of South Africans to join Russian forces…

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has criticised the South African government for failing to address deteriorating conditions in public clinics and for the slow rollout of six-month antiretroviral (ARV) refills — warning that these shortcomings are driving people out of the health system and threatening the country’s HIV response. TAC says key populations — including sex workers, people who use drugs, and trans and queer communities — remain among those at highest risk. Yet poor clinic conditions continue to obstruct access to both HIV prevention and treatment services.The organisation also cautioned that scientific breakthroughs, such as the new six-monthly HIV-prevention…

Survivors of the deadly Usindiso Building fire are taking the City of Johannesburg to court, accusing it of failing to prevent the tragedy that claimed 76 lives in Marshalltown in August 2023. The group, represented by activist Alfred Moyo, says the City must compensate them for the trauma, injuries and loss of belongings they suffered when the hijacked, City-owned building went up in flames. Moyo told Newsnote on Sunday that survivors want the metro to be held accountable. He says it is disappointing that the findings of the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry have not been implemented more than a year…

Lesotho’s Joseph Seotlali and Kenya’s Margaret Jepchumba were crowned champions of the 2025 Soweto Marathon on Saturday after battling through persistent rain to claim victory in the men’s and women’s 42 km races respectively. Seotlali crossed the finish line, winning time of 2:20:09, holding off a fast-finishing South African duo in one of the closest elite races in recent years. Local favourite Ntsindiso Mphakathi delighted the home crowd by taking silver in 2:20:24, just 15 seconds behind the winner, while defending champion Onalenna Khonkhobe (North West) secured bronze in 2:20:39. In the women’s race, Margaret Jepchumba produced a dominant performance…

Thousands of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters marched to the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein on Friday, accusing the apex court of deliberately shielding President Cyril Ramaphosa by delaying judgment in the long-running Phala Phala matter. The red berets are demanding the immediate release of the court’s ruling on their 2024 application, which challenges Parliament’s rejection of a Section 89 panel report that found prima facie evidence of serious misconduct by Ramaphosa following the 2020 theft of large sums of foreign currency from his Phala Phala game farm. The Constitutional Court heard arguments on 28 November 2024 – exactly one year…

Gender rights groups are criticising government for how it handles gender-based violence cases. They were speaking during a march organised by the Goodmen Foundation at Elka Stadium in Rockville yesterday.Activist Zukiswa Ndlovu says every year government launches the 16 Days of Activism campaign, but there are no tangible results.”We do tick box, 16 days against gender-based violence we have done it tick box,” he said.”The government releases a lot of money but doesn’t make a difference, but we beg the government and the judiciary system that someone can’t be found guilty with all the evidence beyond reasonable doubt and we…

The African National Congress (ANC) has retained Merafong Municipality’s Ward 10 in Gauteng despite worsening service delivery conditions that have left many residents frustrated with the performance of the local municipality. Tshepiso Chester Sekgothudi is the new councillor after the ANC secured 48.89% of the vote in Wednesday’s by-elections. This marks a significant drop from the 75.52% the party received in the 2021 Municipal Elections. Voter turnout stood at 43.29%. Ward 10 has long been associated with failing basic services — including frequent water supply disruptions, sewage leaks, potholes, and inconsistent refuse collection. Merafong itself has faced financial instability and…

The Chairperson of Athletics South Africa’s Road Running Commission, Enock Skosana, is calling for better pay for athletes. He was speaking at the Soweto Marathon press conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Skosana says all stakeholders have now confirmed their full participation to ensure the event runs smoothly. “Every corner of the Soweto Marathon will be safe guard for our athletes,” he said. “So we are urging the runners, the athletes to come and support.” He also expressed disappointment over last month’s cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon one of South Africa’s major road races and…