The African National Congress (ANC) says it is prepared to engage political parties, civic movements and independent candidates as it seeks to establish coalition governments following its losses in the 2026 Local Government Elections. The party’s Special Extended National Executive Committee (NEC), which met from Thursday to Friday, has mandated its leadership to begin coalition negotiations in municipalities where no political party secured an outright majority. In a statement released on Friday, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said engagements with…
Brakpan, Ekurhuleni – Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, the crucial Witness D who testified before the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry, was shot dead in front of his wife and two children outside his Brakpan home on Friday night, just after 20:00. The 41-year-old had, only weeks earlier, given explosive testimony (partly in camera) alleging that suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police acting chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi ordered him in April 2022 to help dispose of the body of a robbery suspect…
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told the Madlanga Commission on Friday that he regrets using the term “disband” in his December directive regarding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). Mchunu said his intention had been for the PKTT to be absorbed into the Murder and Robbery Unit, with all personnel retained. The order has drawn heavy criticism, with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi suggesting the instruction may have been linked to the task team’s recent investigations into Gauteng’s criminal networks.…
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester and co-accused Nandipha Magudumana have requested additional time to finalise pending legal matters during a pre-trial hearing at the Bloemfontein High Court. The duo faces multiple charges, including aiding Bester’s prison escape, arson, and violating a corpse. Bester’s lawyer, Moafrika Wa Maila, told the court that six pending cases, including applications to access Bester’s funds to finance his defence, are directly linked to the main trial and could also impact a deportation case in…