The use of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s abandoned plea deal statement at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has sparked a legal dispute, with his defence warning that the ruling allowing the document could undermine future plea negotiations with the state. Matlala’s legal representative, Annelene van den Heever, has indicated that the defence intends to challenge commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga’s decision permitting questions about the statement, which was prepared during negotiations with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac). The statement, which was…
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has called on the North West Provincial Government to take full responsibility for the challenges afflicting its struggling bus transport investment arm, the North West Transport Investment (NTI). This follows reports of a deteriorating situation at the state-owned entity, where 1,500 employees are allegedly facing a humanitarian crisis, while thousands of vulnerable commuters who depend on government-subsidised buses have once again been left stranded due to ongoing financial turmoil and the failure to maintain…
A warrant has been issued to search the Hyde Park home of Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the 28-year-old son of former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. He was arrested on Thursday after allegedly shooting and wounding a 23-year-old employee at the upmarket Johannesburg residence. Police have been working around the clock to secure a search warrant for the property. After obtaining it, Mugabe and the second accused were transported back to the house under heavy police guard to allow investigators to conduct…
A complex underground rescue operation to reach five miners trapped at the Ekapa mine in Kimberley is expected to take longer than anticipated as emergency teams battle rising water levels nearly one kilometre below the surface. The miners have been trapped since Tuesday after a mudslide blocked access routes deep underground, triggering an urgent multi-agency response. Rescue crews have been working around the clock to reach the workers, but deteriorating conditions inside the mine are complicating efforts. Mineral and Petroleum…