Democratic Alliance leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is facing scrutiny after a Cape Town Magistrates’ Court granted a default judgment against him for nearly 150,000 rand in unpaid personal credit card debt. The ruling has prompted questions about his financial management, particularly given his annual ministerial salary exceeding 2.6 million rand. Steenhuisen has since settled the debt, describing the matter as a private affair unrelated to his official duties.
Further controversy emerged from reports that the DA’s federal finance committee revoked his party's credit card earlier this year due to accounting discrepancies. A former committee chair confirmed the action was taken, though Steenhuisen offered a different...
A senior African National Congress youth leader, Babiki de Wet, has praised Ngwathe Local Municipality Manager Dr. Futhuli Mothamaha for his effective leadership, crediting him with significantly improving service delivery and bringing stability to the region. De Wet stated that Mothamaha's results-driven approach has led to visible progress in critical areas such as water provision, infrastructure maintenance, and electricity services.
De Wet also condemned what he characterized as politically motivated attacks against Mothamaha through certain media houses and the alleged misuse of state agencies. He expressed full confidence in the Municipal Manager's ability to continue guiding the municipality toward greater transparency and...
The chief of staff for the suspended Police Minister, Cedric Nkabinde, has defended his decision to forward a complaint from MP Fadiel Adams directly to the Independent Directorate for Anti-Corruption. Nkabinde testified that this action was necessary because Adams had explicitly stated a complete loss of confidence in National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. The complaint alleged that criminal dockets filed by Adams were being unlawfully intercepted.
This referral initiated the investigation that led to the arrest of Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo. During parliamentary questioning, an evidence leader criticized the move as entirely inappropriate, arguing it triggered an arrest without sufficient preliminary...
A witness at the Madlanga Commission, Brown Mogotsi, faced intense scrutiny for failing to provide evidence for his serious allegations against senior police officials. Under cross-examination, Mogotsi conceded he had no proof to support his claims, which included accusations that high-ranking officers accepted bribes from an alleged crime figure.
Commissioners expressed concern that the platform was being misused for unsubstantiated claims that could cause significant harm. Mogotsi also made unverified geopolitical assertions, including that a provincial police commissioner and a Zulu king were working for a foreign intelligence agency, which were quickly contradicted by factual evidence presented to him.
Mogotsi described himself as...
The fraud trial of Ntombelanga Pretty Labane, a Mpumalanga educator accused of using a falsified matric certificate to secure her position, has been postponed until March 2026. The delay was attributed to unavailable witnesses. Labane allegedly earned over 1.2 million rand in salary by presenting forged qualifications, including a Grade 12 certificate and a subsequent Bachelor of Education degree, to the Department of Education.
Authorities state her deception began when she used another individual's examination number to fabricate a passing matric result, enabling her university admission and eventual hiring at Hlelimfundo Secondary School. The alleged fraud was uncovered following a tip-off to the Public Service Commission, leading...
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has condemned the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, labeling it a superficial display that conceals significant national failures. In a statement, the party’s spokespersons, Nhlanhla Ndhlela and Sipho Tyira, asserted that the event highlights the country's regression under President Cyril Ramaphosa. They pointed to rising unemployment, energy insecurity, and economic stagnation as evidence of a government neglecting its citizens.
The party accused the African National Congress of making grand international promises while failing to meet basic domestic commitments and Sustainable Development Goals. They described the summit as a platform for symbolic diplomacy that yields no tangible benefits for South Africans...
Shepherd Bushiri, the founder of the Jesus Nation Church, has claimed his South African congregation has grown to over two million members since his 2020 departure from the country. He stated that the church has multiplied fivefold despite his absence, with branches remaining active in major cities.
Bushiri made these assertions from Malawi, where he resides after a ruling from the Malawi High Court blocked his extradition to South Africa. Justice Mzonde Mvula cited procedural flaws in the extradition process and concerns for Bushiri's safety as reasons for the decision. The religious leader and his wife, Mary, face charges of fraud and money laundering in South Africa.
The church, previously named the Enlightened Christian Gathering...
A male southern white rhino calf has been born at Bioparc Valencia, a significant achievement for the European breeding program dedicated to this near-threatened species. The calf was born to first-time mother Kwanza after a 491-day gestation.
The zoo's technical director for animals, Loles Carbonell, expressed that the success resulted from persistent efforts involving both artificial insemination and natural breeding. The newborn, which exhibits typical physical characteristics like dark coloring and pointed ears, is bonding well with its mother in their savanna-style enclosure. This birth is a key part of the European Endangered Species Programme, which manages the population of endangered animals across zoos to ensure genetic...
A recent incident involving investigator Paul O'Sullivan at Parliament has sparked a strong public reaction, with critics accusing him of intimidating a witness and undermining democratic institutions. The event has raised serious concerns about the integrity of parliamentary oversight and the protection of those giving testimony.
Commentators have questioned the source of O'Sullivan's authority and expressed alarm over his conduct, which included abruptly ending a national radio interview when pressed with challenging questions. They highlighted a perceived racial dynamic, noting the apparent impunity of a white individual threatening a Black witness within a democratic space. The silence from the President on the matter has been...
