While action is being taken against officials in her department implicated in cases of corruption, more investigations have to be carried out into the R15 billion in irregular and wasteful expenditure uncovered by the auditor-general, according to Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu. Sisulu said today that the department had heeded parliament’s call […]

While the Eastern Cape has been overwhelmed by news of the collapse of its health care system, with hospitals unable to cope with the pandemic while the local government spends money on a questionable scooter programme, the Minister of Health has said it doesn’t need to be put under administration and that all provinces are […]

While President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year said the government was committed to putting properly qualified people in the right jobs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma today defended her earlier remarks that municipalities have to appoint the ‘”right cadres,” or supporters of the ANC. In June the minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs made the statement about […]

As Cape Town’s homeless population has grown more visible during lockdown, with everything from blankets to plastic bags to tents serving as homes – on the Sea Point Promenade, along highways, in vacant lots – the city says there are safe spaces available for them to get shelter and food as well as partake in […]

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, reeling from years of corruption, has started a recruitment process to employ 3,100 security guards to protect the country’s trains and railways, which have been battered by years of arson of stations and trains as well as rampant cable theft. Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said that the […]

The South African Police Service has invited former members of the force to reenlist, including for posts in the hugely overwhelmed and understaffed Hawks, whose work includes state capture cases. The SAPS will also be creating new units to deal with taxi violence, cold cases and gangs, among other things. In a statement put out […]

Nestle has announced that while it will keep producing the much-beloved Peppermint Crisp, Milkybar and BarOne, it will retire a number of its well-known chocolates, namely Milkybar Double, Milkybar Peanut, Nestlé Crunch, Milo Slab and BarOne Peanut. (Watch the video below.) Four days ago Nestle also announced the end of Chocolate Log at the end […]

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has recuperated from COVID-19 and is back in the saddle today, at the same time that the Western Cape’s new positive cases have dropped to below three other provinces. The Western Cape was the epicentre of the virus in South Africa early on during the pandemic, mostly because of – […]

At least two people were killed and seven arrested after a botched robbery of COVID equipment and cellphones at the cargo section of O.R. Tambo International Airport today. South African Police said in a statement the men entered one of the cargo areas at about 12.30 p.m. and held the staff at gunpoint. On being […]

The signs painted on the safari vehicle driving through Nelspruit clearly pointed out the lunacy of the government’s lockdown regulations. While taxis can load 14 passengers in stuffy vehicles – risking the spread of COVID – open-sided safari vehicles that are rarely filled up have been told they cannot operate. Closed since March 2020, safari […]

A 42-year-old shipping agent in Edenvale was arrested and R3 million worth of rhino horn destined for Malaysia was seized by customs officials at O.R. Tambo International Airport earlier this week, the police said today. The 47 kilograms of rhino horns were marked and declared as scaffolding equipment, the police said in a statement. Upon […]

The Treasury has said it will support and source funding for a business rescue plan of South African Airways, and it appears that the government might not be the major shareholder in a rebooted airline, according to a statement released by the Department of Public Enterprises. “While maintaining a certain level of presence in the […]

The Democratic Alliance has called for urgent intervention in the Eastern Cape and the sacking of the health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba, who abortively launched medical scooters and now blames her department’s failings on apartheid. “There should be no doubt that apartheid was an abhorrent system which left South African communities with incredible challenges of inequality,” […]

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Unite Behind civil coalition have made public their support of former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa board chairperson Popo Molefe – who they call “a bulwark against corruption and state capture” – and all public servants who have fought to do the right thing at PRASA, saying the […]

After the death of Zindzi Mandela, who was ambassador to Denmark, was made public earlier today, it was announced that Claudinah Ramosepele, a former ambassador to Switzerland, had also died. “Deepest condolences from all at DIRCO to the families, friends and colleagues of Ambassadors Ramosepele and Mandela. Both have served South Africa well. May their […]

Charges were today laid against the National Lotteries Commission’s board and commissioner for failing to disclose the beneficiaries of pro-active grant funding, after the NLC and ANC MPs “fought tooth and nail” to keep the information hidden. The DA also raised the possibility of corruption behind the subterfuge. The Democratic Alliance’s Shadow Deputy Minister of […]

While the compulsory wearing of masks announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last night was welcomed by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, he said the province strongly opposed the continued ban on leisure tourism. Winde, who himself is in self-quarantine after being diagnosed positive for COVID-19 last week, said that since the start of the lockdown […]

At least five people died and 30 people were arrested during a hostage situation at the International Pentecost Holiness Church at Zuurbekom, on the West Rand, earlier today. The South African Police said hostage negotiators were still on the scene and that they had seized more than 25 firearms. Further details were not given about […]

The new Charlize Theron movie, “The Old Guard,” on Netflix from today is already getting rave reviews around the world. Watch The Old Guard trailer starring Charlize Theron: Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Greg Rucka (who also wrote the movie script) and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball”), “The Old Guard” is […]

An investigation by Jean le Roux for an international group that exposes disinformation online has unmasked a councillor for the Economic Freedom Fighters as the person behind the racist Twitter account of @TracyZille, which he apparently used to steer Internet traffic to three sites for monetary gain. He was named as Anthony Matumba of the […]

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, today sent wishes for a speedy recovery to both his fellow premiers who have also been diagnosed positive for COVID-19, David Makhura of Gauteng and Job Mokgoro of North West. “I am sending my wishes for a speedy recovery to Premiers David Makhura of Gauteng and Job Mokgoro of North […]

The ANC government of the Eastern Cape’s “delusional” project to put 100 1920s-style scooters on the roads to deal with COVID-19, launched with much fanfare last month, is under investigation. The so-called Scooter Scandal, or Scootergate, was launched by Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize in June, who said, “These multi-purpose units are extremely versatile and […]

As a massive cold front descends on South Africa from the Atlantic, a number of severe weather alerts have been issued for Friday by the SA Weather Service, including flooding, snow and fire, in different parts of the country. The service said that heavy rain could lead to flooding over the western and southwestern parts […]

The population of South Africa stands at 59.6 million, according to Stats South Africa, with more than a quarter of it in Gauteng. StatsSA said that in the period 2016 – 2021, Gauteng and Western Cape showed the largest inflow of migrants, 1,553,162 and 468,568, respectively. StatsSA said Gauteng has about 15.5 million people (26 […]

Clearing one last major hurdle in the creation of a new South African Airways, all but one labour union, representing the pilots, have agreed to accept voluntary severance packages for up to 2,700 people, which will cost about R2.27 billion, according to a statement by the Department of Public Enterprises. The business rescue plan put […]