A panel investigating apartheid-era prosecutions said police and justice officials have ignored requests for documents ahead of hearings that start on Monday, November 10. Spokesperson Lionel Adendorf said the commission will proceed without subpoenas despite resistance from law enforcement and government departments. Former Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe leads the inquiry examining why authorities abandoned hundreds of cases recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission after 2003.
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the panel on Wednesday, May 29, following a court settlement with the families of victims. The group seeks testimony about political interference that may have blocked prosecutions of security force...
Former President Thabo Mbeki acknowledged his generation failed to educate young South Africans about apartheid's lasting effects after the transition to democracy in 1994. Speaking on the African Renaissance Podcast released on Sunday, October 27, Mbeki said leaders concentrated on delivering houses and employment while neglecting political education for emerging citizens. He told host Mbuyiseni Ndlozi that youth protests across the continent reflect unmet promises of renewal following liberation struggles.
Mbeki defended economic policies from 1994 through 2009 as a period of rapid advancement in living standards and infrastructure development. He cited research showing per capita income growth and investment rates that reached 23...
Opposition politicians in Mafube municipality praised authorities for resuming work on a water storage facility after construction stopped last year. The Democratic Alliance said the reservoir in Ntswanatsatsi will serve residents who depend on truck deliveries because aging pipes and low dam levels disrupt service. Councilor Fako Tsotetsi said his party filed petitions and council questions that pressured officials to restart the 18 million rand project funded by national infrastructure grants.
The 4.5-million-liter tank aims to maintain pressure for thousands of homes in Cornelia and the surrounding areas. Eight idle emergency wells and leaking infrastructure compound supply problems across the Free State region. On Wednesday...
A South African inventor faces a 13 million rand bill from the Constitutional Court after judges ordered new proceedings in his dispute with Vodacom over mobile messaging technology. Nkosana Makate claims he created the Please Call Me service in 2000 while working as a trainee accountant, but received no payment despite the feature generating substantial revenue. The Supreme Court of Appeal will rehear arguments on Monday, November 18, after the top court ruled earlier proceedings invalid because of problems with the judicial panel.
Makate rejected a 47 million rand settlement in 2019 and seeks 29 billion rand based on calculations linking his contribution to total earnings since 2001. Records show competitor MTN patented similar...
A German cruise ship arrived at Port Elizabeth on Friday, October 24, beginning a tourism season expected to bring 120 million rand to Nelson Mandela Bay through next July. The Mein Schiff 4 reached port at 5 a.m. after departing Cape Town on a 19-day voyage to Dubai. Officials predict more than 40,000 passengers will visit through 25 ship calls before the season ends on Wednesday, July 9, 2026, when a Chinese vessel completes the schedule.
Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the extended season creates jobs for tour guides and hospitality workers while promoting regional culture. Transnet National Ports Authority expects visitor spending on excursions, dining, and shopping to support small businesses. The previous season generated over 100...
Kenya told United Nations human rights investigators on Sunday that domestic courts and oversight agencies are handling cases they raised about possible state abuses. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the government follows international treaties and constitutional protections but cannot discuss details while legal proceedings continue. He said judges, prosecutors, and police watchdogs operate independently to examine claims against authorities.
Mudavadi pointed to more than 14,000 civil society groups working across the country as evidence of protected freedoms. Several people facing charges related to violence and weapons possession remain free on bail while trials proceed. One person deported for security...
Kenya's health minister asked lawmakers on Tuesday to approve additional funding for medical programs and to pay off outstanding insurance debts that threaten service delivery. Aden Duale told the National Assembly health committee that his ministry needs larger budgets for primary care and the treatment of serious, long-term diseases. He said these programs ensure fair access to basic services and protect patients with chronic conditions.
Duale explained that settling what the former National Health Insurance Fund owes would help the new Social Health Authority operate smoothly. The minister responded to a committee report from October 2025 that found problems with health financing changes. He said improvements are already showing...
US forces killed 15 people after striking four vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced. Mexican rescue teams saved one person from the attacks, which targeted boats traveling known smuggling routes and carrying narcotics. The operations brought the death toll from similar raids to at least 57 since President Donald Trump authorized the campaign against maritime drug transport.
The strikes have sparked diplomatic friction with Colombia and Venezuela while raising questions about presidential war powers from lawmakers in both parties. Colombian officials called the attacks excessive and illegal under international law because the targets had no chance to...
Nelisiwe Ntombela will lead the Free State Department of Social Development starting on Friday, November 1, becoming the youngest department head in the province at 37. The permanent appointment follows her stint as acting leader and marks a generational shift in provincial government. Former Provincial Government Information Technology Council member Thabang Mokoka praised her selection as an inspiration for women and younger officials seeking leadership positions.
Ntombela brings technical expertise in data systems and strategic planning to address poverty and joblessness across the Free State. Her background spans the corporate and government sectors with a focus on digital tools for service delivery. She previously managed...
