Author: Silver Sibiya
Armindo Pacula, accused of murdering media personality Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, has told the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court that he intends to enter into a plea agreement with the state. The 25-year-old Mozambican national, who is in the country illegally, made a brief court appearance on Monday morning. Pacula’s legal representative, Tembile Gumpe, confirmed that his client has abandoned his bail application. “He is abandoning bail and has informed the court that there is a possibility of a plea agreement,” Gumpe said. Gumpe added that Pacula fears for his life should he be returned to Johannesburg Prison. “He…
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says his side were actively chasing a winning goal before a late penalty handed Manchester City a 2–1 victory at Anfield. The Reds had taken the lead in the 76th minute through a stunning free-kick by Dominik Szoboszlai, but City hit back through Bernardo Silva before Erling Haaland converted from the spot in stoppage time to decide the Premier League clash. Speaking after the match, Van Dijk rejected suggestions that Liverpool tried to protect their lead, insisting both teams were pushing to score after City’s equaliser. “My feeling is that after the equaliser we were…
The Gauteng Provincial Illegal Mining Stabilisation Team has arrested three suspects and seized illegal firearms during an early-morning operation in Bekkersdal on the West Rand. The South African Police Service (SAPS) says the team intercepted a maroon Toyota Corolla sedan at around midnight on Sunday, 8 February 2026, while patrolling the Sporong informal settlement and surrounding Bekkersdal areas. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko says officers stopped the vehicle after noticing suspicious movement in the area. “Upon searching the vehicle, members discovered three AK-47 rifles wrapped in blankets in the boot. One of the suspects was also found in possession of…
Gauteng police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the murder of popular entertainer DJ Warras, as investigations into the high-profile case continue. The Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Investigation’s Provincial Investigation Unit, working together with Crime Intelligence and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police, carried out a targeted operation which led to the arrest of a 25-year-old Mozambican national in Marathon informal settlement in Primrose on Friday evening. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect was taken into custody at around 20:00 on 30 January 2026. “The arrest forms part of a Crime Intelligence–led take down…
Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga says he is still applying his mind on whether to accept a nomination to contest the party’s top leadership position, following John Steenhuisen’s announcement that he will not seek re-election. Msimanga was speaking to the media on the sidelines of the DA’s announcement of its mayoral candidate for the Lesedi Municipality on Friday. Steenhuisen announced on Wednesday in Durban that he will not seek another term as DA leader, triggering early manoeuvring ahead of the party’s elective federal congress scheduled for April. The DA is currently a key player in coalition governments at…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially announced Mokete Motsamai as its mayoral candidate for Lesedi Municipality ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections. The announcement was made on Friday at the Ratanda Community Hall in Heidelberg, where party supporters and community members gathered to hear the DA’s plans for the municipality. Speaking shortly after being unveiled as the party’s candidate, Motsamai promised improved governance, better service delivery and greater accountability if elected into office. He said his leadership would focus on engaging communities directly and responding to residents’ concerns. “Residents told me about frequent water interruptions and the daily uncertainty…
City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, says shop owners renting space in a building owned by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) owe the entity about R2.5 million in outstanding payments. Mabaso on Thursday led an operation in the Inner City this morning, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and law enforcement agencies. The operation aimed to address concerns from local businesses about undocumented foreign nationals operating in the building. Several shops were closed due to non-compliance, with some owners failing to produce valid…
Manchester City booked their place in the Carabao Cup final after a convincing 3–1 victory over Newcastle United in the second leg of their semi-final at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, completing a dominant 5–1 aggregate win. City entered the match with a 2–0 advantage from the first leg at St James’ Park and wasted little time extending their lead. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a quick interchange saw him break into the penalty area, with the ball deflecting off him and past Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following a challenge from Dan Burn. Newcastle…
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says the party will intensify its focus on the Bojanala District Municipality in the North West in a bid to recover lost votes and grow its support ahead of this year’s local government elections. Malema was briefing the media in Johannesburg following the outcomes of the party’s 2nd Plenum of the 3rd National People’s Assembly held over the weekend. Bojanala District Municipality, which includes major towns such as Rustenburg and Brits, has traditionally been a competitive political region with strong mining communities a key constituency for the EFF. With the 2026 local government…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa’s accession to the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) Establishment Agreement as a major milestone in strengthening trade, industrial development and economic integration across the African continent. Speaking at the accession signing ceremony held at the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said the partnership will unlock a finance programme expected to initially support strategic industrial projects, export diversification, infrastructure development and transformation initiatives. The President welcomed the more than R200 billion commitment expected to flow through the South Africa-Afreximbank Country Programme, noting that the funding will largely take the form of investments rather…