Nixon’s decision to delink the dollar from gold still hounds the IMF, South Africa and Africa. Five decades ago this month, US President Richard Nixon informed the world that the US would no longer honour its commitment to exchange US dollars for gold on demand. The commitment had been the foundation of the international monetary […]

At least 50 people marched to the Phoenix Police Station under the banners of the African United Activists and Qina Mhlali Movement in Durban at the weekend. A group of 50 people marched to the Phoenix Police Station to demand justice for those killed and attacked during the July unrest. They want a judicial commission […]

Immigrants whose shacks were gutted by a fire in Briardene informal settlement, north of Durban last month, have started rebuilding their homes thanks to the assistance of non-profit organisation Refugee Social Services. Last week, GroundUp reported that South African victims of the fire were rebuilding, but immigrants, who had been living in the settlement for almost ten […]

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, testifying at the Zondo corruption inquiry on Wednesday, said he chose to “remain but resist” rather than resign as deputy president when allegations of widespread corruption surfaced under his predecessor Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa, Zuma’s number two from May 2014 to February 2018, has made the fight against corruption a pillar […]

Former President Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial, which was scheduled to begin tomorrow, is now likely to be delayed again as the former president has been in hospital since Friday. Zuma’s Foundation said on Twitter that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has sent a joint letter to Hon. Judge Piet Koen, on behalf of all parties, […]

Phoenix, Durban, came to a standstill on Thursday as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) marched to protest the killing of 36 people during the July unrest. Despite Covid-19 pandemic regulations, which were ignored, about 20 buses transported EFF party members from different parts of Durban to Phoenix. Demonstrators in the party’s red regalia sang struggle […]

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that former South African President Jacob Zuma has been admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation. The DCS said in a statement on Friday: “As a former President, the healthcare needs of Mr Zuma require the involvement of the South African Military Health Services. This has […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday appointed the chair of Development Bank of South Africa Enoch Godongwana as finance minister, replacing Tito Mboweni who has asked to be excused from his position. The deputy health minister Joe Phaahla will head the health ministry, Ramaphosa said during a major cabinet reshuffle, that […]

Deputy President David Mabuza’s name has been trending on Twitter today as South Africans call for more transparency on Mabuza’s health, after he took what was meant to only be a few days’ leave in June for a medical appointment in Russia. According to some reports he is due home this week, over a month later. […]

Consumers will have to fork out an additional 91 cents for a litre of fuel as of Wednesday. This as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that both grades of 95 (ULP and LRP) and 93 (ULP and LRP) will increase by 91 cents. This means that a litre of 95 ULP […]

DA Chief Whip and MP Natasha Mazzone will be hosting a special online event, on Wednesday, for South Africans abroad… to update them on the situation back home. In a press release, the DA Abroad said: “We were all shocked at the images and stories that started to stream through social media channels following Jacob […]

South Africa has received 2.8 million Pfizer vaccine doses from the United States as part of a donation that is set to boost the country’s vaccination rollout campaign. “The next batch will arrive on Tuesday to conclude the 5.6 million doses. The donation will contribute to the country’s expanded vaccination programme, which is fast gaining […]

There are calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, who is currently on ‘Special Leave’. The calls follow revelations from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that Mkhize repeatedly pressured the Health Director​ General, Malebona Matsoso, to approve the irregular R150-million Digital Vibes contract. In an affidavit to the Special Tribunal […]

Ten suspects were on Monday remanded in custody for their alleged role in the recent unrest in greater Durban. The suspects, who appeared before the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, face charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, possession of stolen goods, as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Spokesperson for the […]

This follows an announcement by Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, that the death toll related to the unrest has risen to 337 in the two provinces. Briefing media in Pretoria on Thursday, Ntshavheni said the revision of the death toll, which stood at 276 on Wednesday, comes after people who were injured subsequently […]

The Department of Correctional Services granted former President Jacob Zuma permission to attend the funeral of his late younger brother today. In a statement, the department said a sentenced offender who was granted permission to leave a correctional centre remained a sentenced offender even while temporarily outside. “The permission granted to Mr Zuma is for […]

With the recent chaos specifically in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces, and the media focus on these areas pertaining to the violent riots and looting, it is easy to get wrapped up in some tunnel vision, focusing exclusively on these events… writes Free State University’s Prof Petrus. The danger of this, of course, is that […]

The Pietermartizburg High Court has today – Tuesday 20 July – granted former President Jacob Zuma’s request for his corruption trial to be delayed. Appearing ‘virtually’ via a video link from Estcourt correctional facility, where he is serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court (after failing to appear before the Zondo Commission of Enquiry […]

Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says six individuals, who have been identified as alleged instigators of the violent riots that flared up in parts of the country, have been arrested and some have already appeared in court. Briefing journalists in Pretoria on Monday, Ntshavheni said efforts to restore economic activity have commenced and […]

Reuters – President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the SA government would not allow “anarchy and mayhem” to prevail in South Africa after violence this week which he suggested had been deliberately provoked, and said that some suspects have been identified. Ramaphosa made the remarks when he visited Ethekwini Municipality, which includes the port […]

Civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng has resulted in some people calling for a state of emergency to be declared under the State of Emergency Act. Here we explain what it is and how it is declared. Under the State of Emergency Act the government invokes temporary emergency powers meant to restore peace and public […]

Former South African President Jacob Zuma left his Nkandla home in a motorcade late on Wednesday to hand himself in to a police station, as per instructions from the Constitutional Court, which last week sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment for failing to appear before the Zondo Commission when ordered to do so. His JG […]

Social media is on fire Wednesday night as the stroke of midnight fast approaches and different sides argue over whether former President Jacob Zuma should or should not be arrested. The midnight deadline was set by the Constitutional Court for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to arrest him if he had not handed himself […]

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) efforts to repatriate corrupt-Gupta family members have received a major shot in the arm after Interpol issued red notices against two implicated brothers, their wives and other associates. The brothers – Atul and Rajesh Gupta– and their respective wives, Chetali and Arti are among those accused of fleecing the Free […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has called on provincial Legislature Speaker, Nontembeko Boyce, to allow a debate on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance in terms of Rule 103. The move follows recent events at former president Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home following the order that he be incarcerated as a result of contempt […]