At the start of October, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Chinese government lauded South Africa’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Yet data concerning both the spread of the virus and the indirect consequences of the lockdown suggest that the severe restrictions imposed in South Africa – some of the strictest in the […]

The wife of a senior general in the SANDF, Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, was arrested today and released on R80,000 bail following her appearance on charges of fraud, involving about R100m. The charges by the National Prosecuting Authority allege that the SANDF awarded a R24 million tender to her company “Ukhumba Marine” to transport SANDF equipment back […]

Members of Parliament have heard how R44.4 million was channelled from Eskom’s contractors, through sub-contracted companies, to four Eskom officials in a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe, which has led to four arrests. Briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday, the SIU told MPs that suspicious payments by four contractors were […]

One of the most publicised whistleblowers in the state capture enquiry, Angelo Agrizzi, has been denied bail because he is considered a flight risk after allegedly moving millions of rand out of the country. The state had filed an affidavit declaring Agrizzi, formerly COO of Bosasa, a flight risk. Palm Ridge Magistrate Philip Venter agreed: “I […]

The South African Cabinet has announced its decision to further extend the National State of Disaster by one month. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of COGTA (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs), explained in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon: “This period will allow government a progressive and responsible return to normal. It will help us put […]

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will investigate allegations that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are involved in the stock theft syndicate operating in the Senekal-area in the Free State. Rumours surfaced on social media following the arrest of two alleged stock thieves, charged with the murder of young farm manager Brendin […]

Environmental activists of the Umbilo River Community are calling on the eThekwini Municipality to take urgent action to improve the water quality of the Umbilo River. They say recent tests have shown very high amounts of E. coli bacteria, some strains of which can be harmful to people relying on the river. The group is […]

“COVID-19”, “Jerusalema” and “lockdown” have been shortlisted by the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in association with media research company, Focal Points as candidates for SA Word of the Year 2020. The SA Word of the Year is a word, term or expression preferred to reflect the passing year in language. To qualify for […]

South African law enforcement agencies will be out in full force during the second court appearance of suspects in the Senekal farm manager murder case on Friday, Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) said. This comes after violent scenes broke out in the courthouse when the duo made their first appearance […]

The outcome of a Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) hearing on Friday could determine whether dozens of former Dippin Blu Racing horse groomers in Port Elizabeth can claim for unemployment benefits. On Friday former horse grooms from Dippin Blu Racing head to the CCMA. If they can show they were fired they will […]

Stakeholders in workplaces in South Africa have until 21 October 2020 to submit comments on the Draft Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace. The Code provides a framework on the interpretation and implementation of the Employment Equity Act pertaining to violence and harassment, including gender-based […]

Most of South Africa’s seasonal rainfall occurs during the warmer summer months, from October to March. As a result, October is an important period for farmers to begin planning when to sow crops (such as maize, wheat and sunflowers) for the growing season. October is also an important period for the tourism industry to think […]

The Democratic Alliance today announced the names of candidates nominated to stand for election to party leadership roles at the DA elective federal congress on 31 October and 1 November. Only two candidates each will be standing for the the posts of federal chairperson (Helen Zille and Mike Moriarty, chief whip of the DA in […]

Fires seemed to be under control on Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, after they broke out three days ago, with hundreds of parks personnel and locals joining the fight to keep it under control. Tanzanian National Parks said today that about 400 people had been deployed to counter the outbreak. Reuters reported that the fire, […]

EFF Leader Julius Malema has announced that the Economic Freedom Fighters will be in Senekal in the Free State on Friday, where two suspects are due to appear in court charged with the murder of young farm manager Brendin Horner… and where a peaceful protest is planned against farm murders and violence. Addressing a crowd […]

A peaceful protest is planned against farm murders and violence on Friday 16 October, in Senekal in the Free State, South Africa… where last week an angry crowd of farmers stormed the Senekal court holding cells when two suspects appeared in connection with the brutal murder of young farm manager Brendin Horner. Later a police […]

Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd (Shoprite) has agreed to stop enforcing exclusivity provisions in its long-term exclusive lease agreements with its landlords against small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and speciality and limited line stores. This is according to a consent agreement between the Competition Commission (the Commission) and Shoprite. “In effect, this agreement stops Shoprite […]

Within the media and popular culture of the global north, cities like Johannesburg are often presented as a site of trouble. They’re the source of the immigrants, drugs, violence, poverty, disease and environmental crisis that worry nervous citizens of more “developed” cities. Even when they take centre stage in international media production, global south cities […]

South Africans across the land have expressed shock and sadness at the passing of Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati (55), an agricultural group leader who was also the chairperson of the Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture. President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the late Dr Vuyo Mahlati as a land reform champion and a tireless advocate […]

He’s super fit, super brave and super focussed. His name is Tim Slabolepszy, from Johannesburg South Africa, and he recently walked on a highline/slackline in the majestic Drakensberg Mountains from the cliffs on one side to the IFIDI Buttress on the other. There’s a documentary film coming soon (2021), but for now these spectacular photos […]

Thanks to the heroes from Shark Spotters, a “humungous” amount of washed ashore fishing gear – which poses a threat to marine life – has been removed from Fishermen’s beach near Simonstown in South Africa. Western Cape photographer Robyn Gwilt was there to capture these photos… Robyn told SAPeople: “My husband and I saw the […]

LIMPOPO – The Police in Ritavi outside Tzaneen, South Africa, have opened two counts of murder and Inquest after a 51-year-old man and his two daughters – aged 9 and 13 –  tragically burned to death in their house in Nkowankowa Township this morning at about 07h00. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), […]

An experiment by the Fire Engineering Research Unit at Stellenbosch University (FireSUN) has shown how rapidly fires can spread in informal settlements even under light wind conditions. Twenty shacks were ignited in five minutes. In an experiment to see how quickly fires spread in informal settlements, 20 shacks ignited in five minutes. After 16 minutes […]

A 22-year-old from Pretoria, Juandré Nortje, has turned into a sensation on TikTok after he posted numerous videos of himself dancing, his most recent where he is dressed in a khaki outfit, with extremely tight shorts, which has been viewed 1.7 million times in several days. Clearly one of his favourite songs to dance to, […]

The following is an open letter to President Ramaphosa, written by Theo de Jager, head of the SA Agri Initiative (SAAi), an organisation that represents the interests of family farmers… Dear Pres. Ramaphosa Your open letter earlier today to South Africans in general and farmers in particular refers. Thank you for writing it. At least […]