Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has maintained its criticism towards the government regarding its handling of the Operation Vala Umgodi crackdown on illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West last year, accusing authorities of creating a humanitarian crisis that led to deaths of zama zamas. LHR’s comments comes as the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) commenced with the second leg of the National Inquiry into the Policy Framework Governing Artisanal Mining in Parktown, Johannesburg. The inquiry will also probe its…

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…

This was revealed by Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, who briefed the media in Pretoria following festive-season anti-crime raids at correctional facilities across the country. Thobakgale said the department conducted a risk and threat assessment, which led to the transfer of both Matlala and convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester. “We conducted a threat assessment and, on that basis, concluded that in the interest of security — particularly for Mr Matlala’s own safety — he should be moved to eBokweni…