Author: Silver Sibiya
Europe’s elite clubs return to action tonight as the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg matches continue, with several heavyweight clashes expected to dominate the evening. One of the standout fixtures sees Real Madrid host Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The clash marks the fifth consecutive season the two sides have met in the knockout stages of the competition. Madrid forward Rodrygo described the encounter as “a true Champions League derby,” highlighting the fierce rivalry that has developed between the two European giants in recent years. The Spanish side, the tournament’s most successful club with…
The defence in the case involving the son of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Bellarmine Mugabe, and his cousin Tobius Mathondzhe-Mugabe, has asked the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court to postpone the matter to allow time for plea negotiations. The two are facing several charges, including attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and contravening immigration laws, among others. Advocate Laurence Hodes told the court that the defence is abandoning the bail application as they intend to negotiate with the state. “Your Lordship, the instruction is not to proceed with the bail application,” Hodes told the court. “And to transfer the matter…
Residents of Maxwell Court in Claremont, Johannesburg, say they are living in fear as their municipal-owned building continues to deteriorate, leaving families without reliable water, functioning lifts, and safe living conditions. The nine-storey building, which has 60 units and houses about 300 people, has fallen into severe disrepair. Residents say broken water pumps mean there is often no running water, forcing elderly residents, women and children to carry buckets up several flights of stairs. For many families, the situation has become unbearable. Residents say ongoing leaks throughout the building have led to severe mould on ceilings and walls, raising serious…
The Gauteng Provincial Government has tabled a R179.2 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, with the bulk of the funding directed towards frontline services such as health, education and social development. Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile presented the budget in the provincial legislature on Tuesday, outlining government’s plans to strengthen service delivery, support economic growth and expand infrastructure development. The budget forms part of the 2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which will see the province spend R549.3 billion over three years. Of this amount, R179.2 billion is allocated for 2026/27, increasing to R182.4 billion in 2027/28 and R188.2 billion…
Several people were injured after a collision between a minibus taxi and a light delivery vehicle in Rondebult, Boksburg, on Tuesday morning. According to the City of Ekurhuleni’s Emergency Management Services (EMS), the crash occurred at about 06:56 at the intersection of the R554 and Heidelberg Road. Emergency services arrived to find that a bakkie and a minibus taxi had collided, leaving multiple passengers injured. “The injuries ranged from minor to serious. Firefighters and paramedics responded within minutes, securing the scene and conducting triage on the injured,” said EMS in a statement. All patients were stabilised on scene before being…
The Emfuleni Local Municipality is facing mounting public outrage after an investigation uncovered a procurement scandal that has cost taxpayers more than R16 million, deepening an already severe financial and operational crisis. The probe, conducted by Tshangana & Associates Incorporated, revealed a disturbing pattern of irregular procurement, missing vehicles, defective machinery, and fraudulent confirmations linked to Maboela Forestry and Construction. Investigators say the municipality entered into unauthorized deals, bypassing proper supply chain procedures under the RT57-2019 national contract, resulting in payments for equipment that was faulty, partially delivered, or never delivered at all. One of the first warning signs came…
City Power has disconnected electricity supply to seven hijacked buildings in the Johannesburg inner city during its latest enforcement operation aimed at tackling illegal connections and unpaid electricity bills. The multi-agency operation, conducted together with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement authorities, took place on Thursday in parts of the inner city including Braamfontein, Hillbrow and Doornfontein. The operation began in Braamfontein, where officials disconnected a hijacked building at Level 3. According to City Power, the building has previously been disconnected but illegal occupants allegedly reconnected electricity by tapping into supply from a neighbouring building that houses…
The City of Ekurhuleni Council has elected John Sinona of the African Transformation Movement (ATM) as its new Speaker during a council sitting on Thursday. Sinona defeated Nkululeko Dunga of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), securing 94 votes compared to Dunga’s 32 votes. A total of 210 ballots were printed for the vote. Of these, 126 were valid, 63 were unused, and 21 were spoiled. The election comes as the council attempts to stabilise leadership in the metro following recent political changes within the municipality. Former Speaker Dora Mlambo stepped down from the position after being appointed Member of the…
The bail application of Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, and his cousin Tobius Mathondzhe-Mugabe has once again been postponed at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court due to a power outage at the facility. The pair were arrested last month at their home in Hyde Park, north of Johannesburg, after allegedly shooting an employee. This is the second postponement in the matter this week. The case had already been postponed on Monday after the court heard that two additional charges had been added against the accused. Prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri told the court proceedings could not continue without…
Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after edging Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 on Wednesday night while rivals Manchester City surprisingly dropped points at home. A first-half strike from Bukayo Saka proved decisive at the American Express Stadium, sealing a massive three points in the title race with eight matches remaining. Speaking after the match, Saka admitted the squad sensed something had happened elsewhere. “This feels like a massive win. Obviously, on the pitch, we didn’t know the [Man City] score, but we heard the fans celebrating out of nowhere, so I kind…