Every day on SAPeople’s Facebook page there are hundreds of conversations between people who would not normally have a chance to communicate with each other… between those who live in SA and expats; between people of different ages, and different cultural backgrounds. The hope of course is that we can listen to different opinions and […]

JOHANNESBURG  – Helen Zille (68) is to join think tank The Institute of Race Relations (IRR), the former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader announced on Sunday. The ex-Premier of the Western Cape – who stepped down in June, after two terms – tweeted today: “I am very pleased to be part of the IRR South Africa […]

Here’s the line-up of hot South African topics that the Carte Blanche team are investigating this Sunday 28 July (and available for South Africans abroad in most countries to stream from Tuesday 30 July). Soweto’s Multi-Billion Rand Electricity Bill Eskom is facing a financial crisis with a debt of over R450 billion. South Africa’s power […]

South Africa’s Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane says she “welcomes” President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to seek an urgent judicial review of her report that he violated the Executive Ethics Code regarding a donation to his 2017 campaign, and that she stands by her findings. Watch Mkhwebane explain why she investigated the matter, below. In a statement […]

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed members of the media on the report of Public Protector, Ms Busisiwe Mkhwebane, on Sunday evening.   Mkhwebane’s report alleged that the President had violated the Executive Ethics Code and the Constitution. Ramaphosa said the findings of the report are very serious and allege conduct that should not be taken […]

JOHANNESBURG – Former South African president Jacob Zuma was due back on Friday morning in Parktown, Johannesburg to continue answering questions – by invitation – at the public enquiry into state corruption. But this morning his lawyer said: “We are here today to inform you we will take no further part in these proceedings.” Advocate […]

Following the latest spate of murders on the notorious Cape Flats in the Cape Town, the South African government has decided to send in the army. The move has been welcomed by many who want to see an end to the rampant violence, crime and gangsterism in the province. Cape Town is ranked among the […]

JOHANNESBURG – Former South African President Jacob Zuma continues giving testimony at the State Capture of Inquiry in Parktown, Johannesburg today – Wednesday 17 July 2019. As the testimony enters Day 3, Zuma today responding to testimony given by former Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan who told the Zondo Commission that it was Zuma, during […]

JOHANNESBURG – It’s Day Two of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma answering questions in court at the Zondo Commission. Watch the live video stream below. Tthe State Capture inquiry is being held in Parktown, Johannesburg. Zuma’s testimonial began yesterday, and he is expected to continue giving evidence until Friday. The commission was established in […]

Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa, appeared Monday before the Zondo Commission to respond to allegations made against him at the inquiry into state capture. Zuma began with a long, rambling statement, interrupted by a lot of throat clearing, in which he repeatedly referred to a “conspiracy” against him and a “plan” since at […]

The ex-EFF member and firebrand Andile Mngxitama’s Black Land First has been de-registered as a political party after three years because it excludes members based on race, the Independent Electoral Commission said in a statement today. The appeal against BLF had been made by the Freedom Front Plus, led by Pieter Groenewald, a rightwing, predominantly […]

JOHANNESBURG – Former South African president Jacob Zuma told the Zondo Commission on Monday morning that there has been a conspiracy against him for over 20 years, which began with an attempted “character assassination” and at one point included a detailed murder plot that he escaped. He claimed that after the ANC was unbanned in […]

It’s been almost a year since the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of state capture in South Africa began to hear testimony. Also known as the Zondo Commission, it is headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who has listened to 130 days of live testimony from more than 80 people. It is probing allegations […]

JOHANNESBURG – It’s the day so many in South Africa have waited for – former South African president Jacob Zuma is finally answering questions in court at the Zondo State Capture Inquiry. Watch the live video stream below. This morning’s proceedings have already begun. Zuma (77) is currently “joining the dots” for everyone to understand, […]

South Africa’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU) will investigate the controversial Free State ‘Asbestos Contract’, worth at least R250 million, which was highlighted in journalist Pieter Louis Myburgh’s book ‘Gangster State’. The investigation into the alleged corruption and flow of the funds into the “coffers of ANC politicians and cronies” – which allegedly included the former […]

While many South Africans in SA were rejoicing this week after the Department of Home Affairs announced that SA passports are now being issued within 13 working days… South African expats abroad shared their horror stories of waiting six months to a year (some even more), and begged for the service to be sped up […]

DURBAN – Supporters of the embattled ANC mayor of eThekwini, which includes Durban, once again took to the streets of the city today, leading to calls for the ANC to take action against Zandile Gumede, who has been charged with corruption, as well as those causing “continuous chaos” in the South African city. Gumede’s supporters […]

CAPE TOWN – In her maiden speech to parliament as the Minister of Public Works, former Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille yesterday came out guns blazing, warning of immediate lifestyle audits of her officials and public scrutiny of all her government procurement contracts. De Lille said her department had been instructed with immediate effect […]

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday challenged in court a ‘Rogue Unit’ report by the Public Protector (SA’s anti-corruption watchdog) that instructed President Cyril Ramaphosa to take unspecified disciplinary action against Gordhan. Gordhan launched an urgent application to set aside the Public Protector’s report, calling it “dishonest” and “reckless”. Last […]

Provincial roads in Middelburg in the Eastern Cape are posing a threat to residents and the economy, according to a DA Councillor with the Inxuba Yethemba municipality, Handri Vorster. Vorster claims that Church Street, in particular, is in such a bad shape that “some motorists are forced to drive on the pavement” resulting in several […]

The independence of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is paramount – providing an important check on government-controlled fiscal policy, SARB Deputy Governor Kuben Naidoo stressed on Tuesday. Naidoo’s comments – made during a public lecture – come following a high-profile row over the role of the bank. The row has seen a division in […]

The Economic Freedom Fighters’ decision to no longer vote with the Democratic Alliance in the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane threatens the collapse of both. But several journalists and editorials think the EFF has overplayed its hand and the DA will be the one to benefit. In an opinion piece today for News24, editor Adriaan […]

NIAMEY – The leaders of almost all of Africa’s 54 nations have gathered in the capital of Niger this weekend to launch a continental free-trade zone that could take Africa into a new era, creating a $3.4 trillion economic bloc. The massive new commercial bloc, known as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is […]

South Africans were left a little surprised by a Twitter war – aka Twar – that went down on Friday between none other than Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and Gauteng Premier David Makhura. Following comments made by Makhura regarding e-Tolls (the user-pay system on Gauteng’s freeways), Mboweni lambasted him about long-term returns, the similarity to […]

Pravin Gordhan violated the constitution by setting up a so-called “rogue unit” when he was commissioner of the country’s tax services, SARS, and the unit carried out illegal intelligence operations, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said Friday. “There is further evidence at my disposal of the unauthorised interception of private communications of prominent members of society […]