The clock is ticking for South Africa’s political parties as they face a 14-day deadline to form coalitions in 127 hung councils, while only 86 councils secured an outright majority following last week’s local government elections. South Africa’s political landscape has been permanently altered. A country once dominated by a single liberation movement has officially transitioned into a highly fragmented and competitive multi-party system. Coalition talks are officially under way following the formal declaration of the election results by the…
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it will write to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, requesting the removal of African National Congress (ANC) MP Malusi Gigaba as co-chairperson of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence. EFF MP Carl Niehaus argues that while Gigaba faces corruption charges, it is inappropriate for him to remain in the position. The pair engaged in a war of words during a committee meeting on Friday over the matter, with Gigaba arguing that…
Fundraising efforts are underway to assist the family of 22-year-old e-hailing driver Isaac Satlat, who was tragically killed during a hijacking. His family plans to take his body back to Nigeria for burial. The attack, captured on dashcam, went viral and shocked communities across South Africa. Satlat’s alleged killers — Dikeledi Mphela, Goitsione Machidi, and McClaren Mushwana — made a brief appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates Court, where their case was postponed to 23 February. Speaking on behalf of the…
Hundreds of residents of Gugulethu Informal Settlement outside Springs in Ekurhuleni say poverty and unemployment have pushed them to dig for gold on a nearby mine dump and inside a cattle kraal meant for livestock. The land belongs to the municipality but is currently used by local farmers for grazing. Now it has become the centre of a desperate gold rush. Residents, including some undocumented migrants from Lesotho and Mozambique, say they are digging purely to survive amid harsh socio-economic…