Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-06 i Pretoria News

With South Africa bracing for winter’s chill, the allure of sun-drenched European adventures takes hold. The northern hemisphere is curently indulging in bright sunshine, vibrant festivals, and scenic escapes. For South Africans yearning to escape the glacial temperatures, here are some affordable European destinations South Africans can explore: A coastal paradise: Portugal In the heart of the Iberian Peninsula lies Portugal, a summer gem exuding warmth, culture, and spectacular coastlines. Portugal is perfectly designed for those seeking sun, with its long, bright days offering ample opportunities for outdoor exploration. With minimal rainfall, it is the ideal setting for visitors to enjoy both its stunning coastline and rich history. The Algarve is perhaps the most famous beach destination, featuring golden sands and clear waters perfect for activities like swimming and surfing.…

Roman Cabanac has been dismissed as Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s Chief of Staff – and on his birthday too! In a video posted on social media, Cabanac who had taken up the role barely one year ago, said he is not going to go quietly. He shares his disappointment about how he was axed. “I received a letter that terminates my tenure as chief of staff to the Minister of Agriculture. I received it yesterday, on my birthday. Fantastic timing,” Cabanac said. He went on to claim that the letter was flawed and that he will seek other options. The Democratic Alliance (DA) endorsed party leader John Steenhuisen’s decision to appoint Cabanac affirming that ‘he carefully considered the decision’. In September of 2024, John Steenhuisen, allegedly approached Cabanac, asking him…

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has defended his policy direction to ease broad-based economic empowerment (B-BBEE) regulations in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, saying this was to bring the country in line with international best practice. Malatsi was speaking at the Sentech Africa Tech Week at the Century City Conference Centre. The minister noted how through collaboration between the public and private sector, South Africa has quickly become a leading hub for data centres and cloud computing. “To fully unlock the potential of data as a national asset, that further drives our competitiveness, economic growth and public service delivery, the government is committed to a regulatory framework that creates that environment for growth, and does not stifle innovation. “At the same time, we acknowledge the responsibility…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has dismissed any ties with Floyd Shivambu, asserting that the EFF remains focused on their parliamentary work and will not be derailed by former allies. Speaking to journalists outside the Pretoria home of the late actor Presley Chweneyagae, whom he visited to pay his respects, Malema made it clear that he no longer works with Shivambu and will not engage in his affairs. “I don’t work with Floyd anywhere, Parliament, or soccer match, or anything. I don’t work with Floyd,” Malema said.Angifuni ukuyingena into kaFloyd. Uphi apha?( I don’t want to get involved in Floyd’s issues. Where is he here?) I’m not getting involved. Aya kwini yena (where was he going), he’s not our problem. “We are in Parliament and we are working…

After almost a month of waiting, DNA testing has confirmed that the remains found in Rust De Winter, Gauteng, are those of community radio journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli who vanished mysteriously in February. On Wednesday, the national police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said the human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased. "A positive DNA match thus confirms that the discovered remains are that of the missing couple. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has already notified both families and is pleased to have assisted to provide closure to both families," said Mathe. Meanwhile, seven suspects arrested in this case are currently appearing before the KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga where they are facing various charges ranging…

Local farmers in Tshwane urged the City of Tshwane to provide resources like tractors and land to support the farming community so as to boost the local economy and ensure food security in the municipality. This transpired during a stakeholder engagement session hosted by Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria on Tuesday evening. Participants agreed that collaboration between the city and the agricultural sector was necessary to effectively utilise municipal resources, support the sector, and stimulate economic growth. Kobela Mokgohloa, chief executive officer of Korean Farms, said he had seen unused city-owned tractors and requested that these vehicles be made available to local farmers. “If you drive on the corner of E’skia Mphahlele and Francis Baard, there are over 20 tractors that are growing grass in…

Despite his recent assurances to President Cyril Ramaphosa that he would attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit later in the year, President Donald Trump’s reliability is questionable. Since beginning his second term in office, Trump has distanced himself from international cooperation and multilateral institutions. His approach to global engagement appears transactional, unpredictable, and driven more by personal instincts than long-term strategy or shared responsibility. This trend has become increasingly evident during South Africa’s presidency of the G20. The United States, while formally set to assume the G20 presidency next, has demonstrated a lack of meaningful participation in the lead-up to the Summit. Key officials have been absent from critical meetings. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent missed high-level sessions. Reports have surfaced that Trump instructed his administration to scale back involvement…

Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé has acknowledged the mental and physical challenge posed by facing the Sharks in the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final at Loftus Versfeld. Despite the Sharks’ dramatic victory over Munster in the quarter-finals, Nortjé wants his side to remain focused on the task ahead, highlighting the importance of resilience and executing their gameplan on Saturday (6.15pm kick-off). “When we reach the play-offs, we try to always get ourselves in the headspace of Test-match level preparation,” said Nortjé ahead of the clash. “We had the same mentality against Edinburgh, and it will be more of the same this weekend. The fact that it is a South African derby just adds more fuel, excitement, and tension. So, we have to ensure that we are mentally prepared and get…

As the world’s glitzy film industry converged on the stunning French Riviera for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the city transformed into a vibrant hub of glamour and excitement. While the star-studded red carpets and glamorous premieres draw the spotlight, there is more to Cannes than just its cinematic allure. Nestled between the azure waters of the Mediterranean and the lush hills of Provence, Cannes is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. From bustling local markets to breathtaking historical sites, this picturesque city offers a delightful array of activities that cater to every traveller’s interests. Here are five captivating things to do while visiting this remarkable destination. Markets of marvel: a feast for the senses From Tuesday to Sunday, the charming Provençal markets of Cannes come alive,…

THE LATEST group of white Afrikaners, who are part of a broader plan to relocate about 8 000 in the coming months to the US, made their way to their new homeland on Friday. Their move is part of a controversial resettlement initiative by former President Donald Trump, who cited concerns over alleged persecution and the spectre of "white genocide" in South Africa. Jaco Kleynhans, head of Public Relations for the trade union Solidarity, revealed that the latest group included families with children and that efforts to secure future flights are already underway. “The second group departed on a commercial flight on Thursday (last week) and landed in Atlanta on Friday,” he confirmed. “Several more groups will follow in the coming weeks.” The resettlement programme originated from Trump’s executive order…

A former senior City of Tshwane official, Tienka Abbort, has been arrested and appeared in court in connection with a R11 million municipal funds fraud case. The city has hailed the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the theft. This comes three months after the city reported the suspension of a finance department employee amid internal investigations linking him and two colleagues to a R10 million-plus fraud scheme that allegedly occurred between May 2021 and January 2022. Two of the employees were arrested and appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, where they were each granted R10,000 bail. At the time, the city said the third employee had evaded arrest by hospitalising himself after learning of the impending police action. The alleged scheme involved collusion between city…

The firing of Floyd Shivambu yesterday did not come as a surprise. In truth, Floyd penned his political obituary the day he walked into the MK Party and emerged as its General Secretary. That was not a promotion, it was a political coffin lined with velvet. But the real reckoning is still coming. The VBS scandal, so long buried under layers of delay, distraction, and legal gymnastics, will soon come to trial. And when it does, Jacob Zuma will do what he always does, drop the dead weight before it begins to stink. He will ask Floyd to step aside in the interest of the MK Party. That will be the final burial. Hamba Kahle Mkhonto, not with a song, but with a court docket. Floyd Shivambu’s political execution was…

The City of Tshwane has taken a significant step towards improving communication with its residents by launching of eight WhatsApp channels. The channels, which comprise seven regional channels and one city-wide broadcast channel, aim to provide residents with immediate access to service delivery information across all seven regions. Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the launch marks a huge milestone in the administration's efforts to keep Tshwane residents informed about all service delivery matters. The channels will provide residents with updates on reported issues such as sewer spills, water or power outages, including progress on repairs and estimated restoration times. They will feature clear and easy-to-understand communication, with service alerts, public service announcements, and project and programme updates. Service alerts will include updates on water, electricity, and sewerage disruptions, road closures,…

Despite a 2.1% reduction in sexual offences and reduced incidents of robbery with aggravating circumstances, cash-in-transit robberies, kidnappings, human trafficking, and truck hijackings continue to remain high in Gauteng. This was revealed by Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni, who on Thursday briefed the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Committee on Public Safety on the 4th Quarter Crime Stats for the 2024/25 financial year. Mthombeni’s address comes hot on the heels of the recent murder of Olorato Mongale, the mutilation and murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, and the gruesome discovery of an unknown woman in Braamfischerville, Soweto, on Wednesday. He indicated that the police are concerned by the number of kidnappings and other types of crimes that continue to wreak havoc in the lives of Gauteng citizens. Mthombeni said the reduction was…

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting Roger Federer. It was a big moment for me, as I have always admired the Swiss tennis maestro, and on a list of top sporting heroes, he surely would be among my leading considerations. For years, rather tongue-in-cheek, I have claimed him as a South African, due to his ties to this country through his mother. Over many matches before his retirement, I watched his skills and talents in awe, and have even received a threat or two from those who supported his opponents, due to a sense of humour failure and a lack of comprehensive reading on their part. I had known for weeks that I would get to meet the 20-time Grand Slam winner, so I had plenty of time to…

Since her appointment as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) in 2018, Advocate Shamila Batohi promised to restore integrity and efficacy to South Africa’s beleaguered National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). However, six years into her tenure, critics argue that the agency has been plagued by high-profile failures, undermining public confidence and raising questions about its capacity to deliver justice. One of the most glaring disappointments is the mishandling of the prosecution of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso. Facing multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking, Omotoso’s case became emblematic of prosecutorial missteps. After eight years, it culminated in a shocking acquittal due to misconduct, poor cross-examination, lack of corroborative evidence, and a disjointed prosecution strategy. Professor Buhle Dube, Director of the School of Law at the University of South Africa,…

The reason the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) keeps being left in the dust in the race against the crooks is that it is made to drive a VW Beetle against corrupt individuals driving Formula 1 cars. That is how some of South Africa’s top legal minds describe the situation that keeps leading to the NPA being in the news for the wrong reasons, bungling and losing cases as has happened this week in the R255 million "asbestos case”. “The NPA is blamed a lot for the political side of its lack of capacity. If you enter a Volkswagen Beetle in a Grand Prix race against Ferraris and McLarens and Mercedes Benzes, you cannot expect it to win. And that is in fact what is happening in the view of…

A pothole in the North West Province will cost the MEC of the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport more than R26.6 million after a motorist was involved in an accident when she drove over the pothole, which left her a paraplegic. The North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, ordered the department about three months ago to pay this amount to the plaintiff, only identified as Beauty. However, the department has to date not yet paid up. Her attorney, Righardt Bezuidenhout, said the department promised that it would pay by Wednesday. However, by the time of publication, she had not yet been paid. Bezuidenhout had obtained an order to attach the assets of the provincial department to sell at auction in a bid to receive payment. The department,…

Youth have the right and responsibility to shape the nation’s future The most appropriate homage to the 1976 generation of young activists would be for the youth of today to take up the revolutionary baton and complete the race for total liberation in South Africa. This will require a focused and resolute vision and purpose, coupled with the spirit of fierce commitment to freedom and justice demonstrated by the youth in South Africa in June 1976. When the youth protested on 16 June 1976, they did so with clarity, conviction, and courage. Their mission was not only to fight against the indignity of being taught in Afrikaans but to stand up against the injustice of apartheid, which brutally crushed the hopes and dreams of African people. They nobly fulfilled their…

The City of Tshwane's newly approved embedded generation and energy wheeling policies will go a long way in supporting households, businesses, and independent producers in generating their electricity and feeding it back into the grid. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Utility Services Frans Boshielo believes that the approval of embedded generation and energy wheeling policies is a significant step forward in the city's energy transition. The approval comes eight months after the council passed a report mandating a public consultation process prior to implementing the policies. According to the report, residents and businesses in Tshwane have been empowered to generate electricity using renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic, as part of the metro's plan to reduce its reliance on the national grid under Eskom. The policies aim to provide…

The passing of Tshwane’s first fully-funded budget in years has been hailed as a “turning point” for the City’s finances and service delivery capabilities. The Deputy Executive Mayor and MMC for Finance, Cllr Eugene Modise, said the multiparty coalition governing the City was pleased about this development. He said it marked “a turning point" for Tshwane’s financial governance and service delivery capabilities and sent “a clear message that Tshwane is moving forward with purpose, discipline, and unity in vision”. This marks the conclusion of the budgeting process, which has been open for public participation in the last couple of months ahead of the commencement of the new financial year on July 1. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the metro rejected the budget as a “farce” that was “nothing but…

Two out of three fire trucks at the Jabulani Fire Station in Soshanguve have been out of commission for years, putting the local community at risk. The station also faces additional issues, including non-functional ablution facilities, broken gym equipment, laundry machines that have been awaiting repair since last year, and a male shower without hot water. ActionSA President Herman Mashaba uncovered the station's dire situation during an oversight visit on Wednesday where workers informed him that they lacked essential tools to perform their duties effectively. He assured the workers that his party was there as part of the coalition government and was committed to implementing plans to address past failures and improve their working conditions. Mashaba expressed concern that the only operational fire truck was the water tanker, which could…

Springbok great Victor Matfield recently said on social media that perhaps the greatest moment of his glittering career was the Bulls’ Super 14 final defeat of the Sharks in Durban in 2007. The Bulls captain’s opposite number that day, John Smit, said: “I will probably never get over it.” This was the unforgettable match in which Bryan Habana scored in the final movement of the game, with Derick Hougaard’s simple conversion sealing a 20–19 victory. The Bulls had escaped in that epic encounter, but the door was opened for them because the Sharks were pitifully poor in closing out the game. Their decision-making in the final frantic minutes could serve as a textbook case for coaches around the world on what not to do in a final. Current Sharks coach…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ 2024/25 campaign ended on a bittersweet note. While the club clinched a record-extending eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title, another failed bid for the CAF Champions League has reignited debate around the future of head coach Miguel Cardoso. Some believe his failure to deliver continental glory warrants immediate dismissal, while others argue that his back-to-back appearances in the final show promise and justify more time. Below, MIHLALI BALEKA and OBAKENG MELETSE present their opposing views.…

As South Africa gears up for its upcoming international fixtures, national team coach Hugo Broos is setting the stage for Bafana Bafana to evolve beyond the reliance on Mamelodi Sundowns stars. For almost a decade, Sundowns have formed the backbone of the national team, but they are unavailable due to the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup. This will allow Broos to run the rule over new players, starting with today’s friendly against Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane (kick-off at 7.30pm). Broos has a second chance next Tuesday to cultivate a more diverse talent pool that reflects the rich tapestry of footballing capabilities across the nation. Bafana will host Mozambique next Tuesday evening at the same venue. Broos, who took the reins of Bafana in 2021, has been…