Author: Silver Sibiya
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…
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has dismissed claims that a transformer explosion led to the partial collapse of a building in New Doornfontein on Monday, saying authorities are still awaiting the outcome of a full investigation. Morero was briefing the media during an inspection of the affected site on Tuesday, following reports that an explosion caused structural damage to a building that had been converted from a warehouse into flats, reportedly used as student accommodation. “The investigation will determine the cause of the explosion,” Morero said. “Once that is done, we will confirm what happened because I don’t want to speculate.…
The Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council (GASBOC) has suspended scholar transport services after the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) allegedly failed to pay service providers for more than three months. Operators staged a protest outside the department’s offices in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, on Monday, demanding immediate payment of outstanding invoices. GASBOC Chairperson Jabulani Khumalo said the department has been in arrears since October 2024, despite service providers submitting invoices within the required 30-day period. “The Department of Education has failed to pay service providers within 30 days of invoicing and is now more than three months behind on payments. This has…
US President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against comedian Trevor Noah following a joke made at the Grammy Awards linking Trump to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to the BBC, Noah, who was hosting the awards ceremony, joked during the show that the Song of the Year Grammy was something every artist wanted “almost as much as Trump wants Greenland,” adding that since “Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.” Trump, who was known to have been an associate of Epstein in the past, has repeatedly denied any involvement in…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his deep condolences following the passing of writer, storyteller and cultural activist Dr Diana Ferrus, who died at the age of 72. The President said his thoughts and prayers are with Ferrus’ family, friends and associates. Dr Ferrus is best known for her powerful 1998 poem A Poem for Sarah Baartman, which is widely credited with helping to secure the return of Sarah Baartman’s remains to South Africa from France. Baartman, an Eastern Cape woman, had been taken to Europe in the 19th century where she was dehumanised and exploited as an exhibit. Ferrus published…
A 25-year-old Mozambican national, Armando Joaquin Pacula, has been added as the second accused in the murder case of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras. Police say they acted on a tip-off, leading them to Pacula’s place of residence where he was arrested. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and contravention of the Immigration Act. Pacula made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court, where he is expected to be joined with the first accused, 44-year-old Victor Majola. Both men are charged in connection with the killing of Stock, who was shot outside the Zambesi…
EFF leader Julius Malema says former United States President Donald Trump has laid bare what he describes as America’s true character, arguing that the country no longer pretends to promote global peace. Malema was addressing delegates at the second Plenum of the People’s Assembly held in Boksburg on Friday. He accused the United States of consistently destabilising nations around the world, saying this behaviour is not new but has become more openly pursued in recent years. “The USA has always been imperialistic. It has always been a destabilising force in the world. What has changed is that the leaders of…
The City of Johannesburg Council has approved the establishment of a Deputy Mayor position, with 107 councillors voting in favour, 87 against, and 37 abstaining. The EFF and the DA voted together in opposition but failed to secure enough support to block the motion. ActionSA, the ACDP, ATM and the UDM abstained. ANC Johannesburg Region Secretary Sasabona Manganye says the new position is aimed at strengthening service delivery through better coordination. “The ANC supported the establishment of the Executive Deputy Mayor for a simple reason — it will assist in coordinating service delivery and the work of the state,” Manganye…
ActionSA Johannesburg caucus leader Marcel Coutriers has announced that the party will abstain from the motion of no confidence against City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, expected to be debated during a council sitting in Braamfontein today. Speaking to the media ahead of the sitting, Coutriers delivered a scathing assessment of Morero’s performance, describing his achievements as “non-existent” and accusing his administration of failing residents. “The service delivery that he has been doing has been minimal. I have to think very, very hard to say, okay, this is what he has done,” Coutriers said. “Let’s put it out there I…
Rand West City Mayor William Matsheke has formally called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) across the municipality to quell surging violence linked to illegal mining syndicates that have terrorised local communities. Matsheke made the appeal during a visit to the Sporong informal settlement in Randfontein on Wednesday where heavily armed illegal miners commonly known as zama zamas forced more than 600 residents to flee their homes, seeking shelter at Randgate Hall after a wave of shootings, threats and intimidation. Illegal mining has become deeply entrenched in Gauteng’s West Rand, where abandoned gold…