Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-19 i Pretoria News

Much worse is expected to come out of the Madlanga Commission, as KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is expected to name some of the key figures involved in alleged political interference within the SAPS, says security strategist Andy Mashaile. Mashaile said Mkhwanazi is likely to name key figures involved in alleged political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), including judges, magistrates, prosecutors, senior police officers, and municipal police officials. The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, started on Wednesday with Mkhwanazi as its first witness. He has cast doubt on the motives behind the disbandment of the elite Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), suggesting the move was politically motivated and aimed at protecting powerful individuals. The top cop alleged that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is “fully involved…

There were two “turning points” that made the headlines these past few days. US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s, and the one mentioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the FNB Stadium on Monday. The ANC’s national roll call conference should be a turning point for the entire movement, not just councillors, said Ramaphosa. But, if you ask me, the only thing that looks like it’s turning is Ramaphosa. He has already turned into a DA campaign volunteer. Wanna-be Joburg Mayor Helen Zille will be laughing to the council chambers. “We mustn’t protect people who are implicated in corruption,” continued Ramaphosa at the roll call gathering, conveniently forgetting for a moment that he has a couple of such cadres in his Cabinet. He spoke another sad but indubitable truth: “Citizens are clear:…

ANC alliance partner Cosatu has slammed president Cyril Ramaphosa for praising Democratic Alliance (DA)-governed municipalities. Ramaphosa recently highlighted that some of the country’s best-run municipalities were those under DA control, a move that seemed to backfire within the tripartite alliance. He said: “I can name it here because there's nothing wrong with competition. They are often DA-controlled municipalities. We need to ask ourselves, what is it that they are doing that is better than what we are doing? “And there's nothing wrong with us saying we want to go and see what Cape Town is doing." But Cosatu leaders say this undermines the ANC and its allies, particularly at a time when service delivery challenges and coalition tensions dominate the political landscape. Cosatu’s first deputy president Mike Shingange said the…

Former President’s treason trial a grand test of the DRC’s judicial integrity The verdict has been delayed, and tension mounts in the trial of Joseph Kabila, the former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 2001 to 2019. The judgement is now set for Friday, 19 September, in the High Military Court in Kinshasa. Kabila has been formally accused of treason. These allegations were primarily sparked by his brief visit to Goma in May 2025. Kabila was reported to have met with M23 rebel group representatives. During the trial, the State prosecutor accused Kabila of conspiring with the M23, participating in war crimes, and embezzlement. Article 202 of the DRC Penal Code plainly states that aiding armed rebel groups is a danger to national security and is…

A fierce legal battle is raging at the Mpumalanga High Court concerning the R44-million estate of the late former deputy president David Mabuza. There are claims from two women who both assert their relationship to Mabuza, with each vying for the rights to inherit his substantial fortune. Mabuza, who passed away on July 3, left behind a large estate and multiple dependants. The focus has shifted to a R44-million living annuity that he had invested through Alexander Forbes Financial Services. This living annuity plays a central role in determining who among those close to Mabuza will be legally recognised as the rightful beneficiary of his wealth. The first respondent, Nonhlahla Patience Mnisi, claims to be his lawful spouse and the sole beneficiary of this annuity. She is armed with a…

An AK-47 assault rifle and two other firearms seized in relation to controversial businessmen Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and Katiso "KT" Molefe have been positively linked to 18 murder and attempted murder cases, as well as other serious crimes. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe made the revelation outside the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, following the court’s decision to deny bail to Matlala. The 49-year-old Matlala is accused of orchestrating a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane. He faces charges of attempted murder, money laundering, and other serious offences alongside his wife, Tsakane, and three co-accused. The State opposed bail, arguing Matlala poses a flight risk, citing his alleged ownership of a private jet, foreign assets in Mauritius, and possession of a fraudulent Eswatini identity document.…

Former England Men’s coach Andy Flower often said that playing spin is all in the head but it's not brain surgery. Perhaps it came as second nature to him, judging by his Test average of 117.14 in India, but it certainly wasn’t for many of the England batters he coached during his tenure. Or for that matter the Proteas’ Women’s team. Combating slow bowlers on the spinning surfaces has long been the Achilles heel for the Proteas, and particularly for in-form opener Tazmin Brits when she started her international career. Brits learnt her cricket in Potchefstroom where the surfaces resemble billiard tables that allowed her to play through the line against the seam bowlers. Strong and powerfully-built, and naturally aggressive, Brits’ had a single-minded approach to the spin bowlers: Block,…

The Lions’ Currie Cup final hopes have received a massive boost with the impressive form of prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who has chosen to put doping allegations aside and let his performance on the field speak for itself. Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi confirmed on Wednesday that the big forward will not only start against Griquas on Saturday at Ellis Park but will also serve as vice captain, with Quan Horn skippering the team from fullback. Springbok Ntlabakanye is embroiled in an unusual situation, having tested positive for a banned substance that is not performance-enhancing. The layman might ask, “So what is the problem?” Nevertheless, he has been formally charged. “Let us be straight. Asenathi will start for us this weekend,” Nkosi said. “He has been charged but has not been suspended,…

Let me set the scene. It was the late ’90s in the south of Johannesburg. I was a prefect then at Laerskool Theo Wassenaar and in the final days of primary school before heading to the nearby high school. It was an open day, where they welcomed prospective students, and as prefect – proudly wearing my bottle green blazer, my station pinned its lapel – it was my job, alongside my peers, to introduce them to the school. The drop-off point was on the sidewalk, at the lower end of the school, next to their fields. We would guide the younger kids, along with their parents, up to the main gate, making small talk and speaking pleasantries as we attempted to convince both that this was the school that they…

As the world becomes more aware of the environmental and social impacts of tourism, a new trend is emerging: regenerative travel. This approach goes beyond sustainability. It focuses on leaving destinations better than they were found. Regenerative travel encourages tourists and businesses to actively restore and rejuvenate local communities, cultures, and ecosystems. Why move towards regenerative travel? Regenerative travel is a form of tourism that seeks a net-positive impact. It transforms tourism into a tool for revitalisation. Instead of merely reducing harm, it aims to improve the health of ecosystems and communities. This approach fosters a deeper connection between travellers and the places they visit. It encourages actions such as reforestation, community conservation, and supporting local businesses. The goal of regenerative travel is to ensure that the benefits of tourism…

A Pretoria-based religious organisation has called on “all people of goodwill”, across political and religious divides to defend free speech, stand for non-violence and “let faith inform action – offering compassion, integrity, and truth, not coercion or extremism”. The South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF) made the call following the shooting of young US right-wing firebrand Charlie Kirk who was fatally wounded while engaging in a public debate at a university last week. SACOFF hailed Kirk for his “boldness, his convictions, his willingness to challenge and to be challenged”, labelling him a “champion of free speech, faith and peace”, “who never shied away from debate” and someone who “stood (often contentiously) for the principle that free speech – the right to speak, dispute, argue – is essential…

The City of Tshwane is still grappling with the aftermath of a high court judgment that deemed its city cleansing levy unlawful. The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruled on August 1, 2025, that the levy, challenged by AfriForum, was invalid. Tshwane’s cleansing levy specifically targets property owners who utilise private waste collection services, requiring them to pay a monthly R194 levy in addition to their private waste removal fees. The city plans to generate revenue through this levy, expecting to collect an additional R540 million, but residents and organisations like the DA and AfriForum have expressed concerns over the “double taxation” and “unfair” application. Despite the ruling, the city continues to charge residents and businesses, sparking controversy. Municipal spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the city is seeking legal advice on implementing…

AfriForum has urged the Department of Transport to ditch its outdated driving licence card production machine, which is prone to breakdowns, and leverage local service providers to produce the licences. The department is currently grappling with a staggering backlog of over 500 000 driver’s licences awaiting printing. AfriForum spokesperson Louis Boshoff attributed the delay to the department’s lack of will to resolve the issue, despite the availability of local service providers with the necessary technology. He cited a French company, Idemia, which was named the preferred bidder for the new licence card printers last year, but the deal was suspended due to allegations of irregularities in other contracts. “Nine months later, no progress has been made,” he said. The department previously raised concerns about Idemia’s ability to protect citizens’ personal…

Tshwane residents must not resort to burning tyres and staging protests, often used as a means to express frustration over service delivery issues. Instead, they should use the City of Tshwane’s problem-solving mechanisms such as the petitions process to ensure that their service delivery complaints are resolved speedily. This was a plea by city’s Section 79 chairperson for the Petitions Committee, Ananias Mokgalotsi, who believes the petitions process, as well as a new draft by-law, offer residents a structured way to address their concerns and have them resolved in a timely manner. He said the proposed draft by-law on petitions currently out for public participation aims to improve the mechanism put in place by which residents and stakeholders submit their petitions to the city. “The revised draft by-law intends to…

Championship leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris resume their world title battle in Azerbaijan this weekend, but they could also secure McLaren the constructors’ crown. Having won 12 of the 16 races so far this year between them, Piastri and Norris are already on the brink of wrapping up McLaren’s 10th team title with seven races remaining. The teammates are also locked in a race for the drivers’ world championship, with Piastri leading Norris by 31 points after the Briton cut his advantage last time out in Monza. Despite Max Verstappen’s victory at the high-speed Italian Grand Prix, the return to a street circuit where Piastri triumphed last year should enable McLaren to resume normal service. Accidents and incidents, however, are often part of the spectacle in Baku. Norris can…

Springbok Women’s second-rower Danelle Lochner believes her experience playing professionally at English rugby club Harlequins helped her adjust to the pace at the Rugby World Cup, and has urged South African rugby to professionalise the domestic women’s game. Lochner, 28, along with Leicester Tigers Women hooker Micke Gunter, are the only Boks currently with overseas professional contracts, although Catha Jacobs, Babalwa Latsha, Lindelwa Gwala and Aseza Hele have all played in England before, while Sinazo Mcatshulwa was also France-based. The Bulls Daisies are the only professional team locally, and boasted 14 players in the 32-player squad, but Lochner feels the Boks can raise their game to the next level if more players are provided with opportunities. “I think it’s definitely a massive plus for us (playing professionally), because we get…

African Transformation Movement (ATM) parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula has accused the ruling party of shielding its deployees, after Presidential Protection Services head, Major-General Wally Rhoode, was cleared of any wrongdoing by the SAPS. This follows the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing into findings made against him by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka two years ago in connection with the Phala Phala scandal. “Major-General Rhoode was subjected to a formal disciplinary trial as contemplated in the SAPS Disciplinary Regulations, 2016. “He was found not guilty of any misconduct related to the findings of the Public Protector in that he conducted an illegal investigation in relation to the robbery at the Phala Phala farm of the President, (Cyril) Ramaphosa, in Limpopo in February 2020,” Acting Police minister, Firoz Cachalia said. Cachalia further confirmed…

The Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville and Saulsville Civic Association (Lasca) has slammed the City of Tshwane’s council for approving a 5% salary increase for councillors while municipal workers are still waiting for their own salary adjustments. Tshepo Mahlangu, the organisation’s leader, has been outspoken in his criticism, emphasising the perceived double standards in the treatment of councillors versus city employees. He argued that approving councillor salary increments while relying heavily on consultants instead of investing in the workforce undermines both residents and city employees. “Why should councillors be rewarded while employees are still fighting for their long overdue salary increases?” Mahlangu asked. He questioned the justification for councillor salary increments, noting that thousands of unemployed residents have protested the unemployment crisis and that outsourced security guards have long awaited insourcing. “We…

Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, September has been inscribed in South Africa’s Calendar as Heritage Month. It is a historical necessity born of centuries of denial, exclusion, and cultural dispossession. The vision was clear: South Africans of all colours, creeds, and classes ought to celebrate their traditions and heritage in diversity. Yet this democratic imperative has remained uneven. While the Constitution enshrines the equal dignity of all cultures, the lived reality often betrays lingering hierarchies, with the heritage of the formerly oppressed still marginalised in the public imagination and in state resources. Heritage Month should thus not be reduced to folkloric displays or token rituals. It should serve as a deep meditation on the unfinished business of cultural justice, ensuring that indigenous languages thrive, that Black knowledge systems…

The City of Tshwane is facing a severe water crisis, with excessively high consumption rates threatening to leave residents without water. The city's reservoirs and towers have been dropping alarmingly over the past two weeks, with 16 high-consuming reservoirs identified as the main contributors to the problem. Municipal spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the demand in these areas is exceeding the city's supply capacity, forcing the city to surpass its licensed limit of 662 million liters per day. Currently, Rand Water is pumping 926 million liters per day, 22% more than the permitted limit. Bokaba cautioned excessive consumers that they were placing other residents at risk of having no water at all, even before the hot summer season starts. “It has come to our attention that consumers who are supplied by…

In 2018, President Ramaphosa promised South Africans service delivery breakthroughs, but has he delivered? The past seven years have been marked by austerity measures and aggressive outsourcing that hollowed out municipalities, stripped them of technical expertise, and left poor and working-class communities exposed to collapsing infrastructure and relentless indignity. In praising the DA for supposed efficiency in governance, he ignores the reality that historically marginalised communities under the DA’s governance endure neglect and failing services. Through his actions and utterances, Ramaphosa is not only evading accountability but also legitimising a model that entrenches and aggravates inequality. The 2025 Local Government Week in Cape Town, themed ‘Restoring the dignity of our people through spatial planning, provision of human settlement and water and sanitation’, represents yet another stage for rhetorical commitments divorced…

The highly speculated rift between Kaizer Chiefs and head coach Nassredine Nabi has culminated in an unexpected split, plunging the club into uncertainty ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup campaign. In a decision that has left fans perplexed, Chiefs have parted ways with Nabi, as unresolved licensing issues and deepening mistrust proved too significant to bridge. For his part, Nabi has insisted that his departure is not as sinister as many have speculated. Speaking to North African news platform WinWin, he said: "My separation from Kaizer Chiefs was a mutual agreement with the club's management, following a successful and challenging experience. "Currently, I need some time to rest, focus more on my family, and monitor my wife's health, which has required me to be by her side over the past…

Orlando Pirates are slowly blending as a unit, which is why they’ve set their sights on challenging for every trophy up for grabs this season – including the CAF Champions League. The Buccaneers will begin their Champions League campaign in the first-round preliminary qualifiers at a neutral venue – Toyota Stadium in the Free State – tomorrow. They are expected to win this match, and the tie overall. The Sea Robbers are high on confidence, having cruised to their fourth successive MTN8 crown after beating Stellenbosch 3–1 at Mbombela Stadium at the weekend. And that’s not all – they also had an impressive continental campaign last season and boast considerable squad depth. Pirates reached the Champions League semi-finals last term, losing to eventual champions, Pyramids of Egypt. A lot has…

The Champions League returned with drama on all fronts on Wednesday night as Chelsea marked their comeback with a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, Diego Simeone called for greater protection for managers after Atletico Madrid’s fiery 3-2 loss at Liverpool, and holders PSG swept aside Atalanta 4-0 in Paris. Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer lamented his side’s loss of focus at the Allianz Arena, where the Club World Cup holders made their first Champions League appearance in two years. Michael Olise pressured Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah into an early own goal and England captain Harry Kane added a penalty soon after. Palmer pulled a goal back immediately, finishing off an excellent team move, but Kane capitalised on a defensive error from Malo Gusto to complete a double and secure Bayern’s opening…

As the Springboks prepare for their decisive two-Test series against Argentina, confidence in the squad remains strong as the world champions set their sights on securing back-to-back Rugby Championship titles. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity in selection, retaining the core of the squad that thrashed the All Blacks in Wellington. That emphatic 43-10 victory propelled the Boks into second place on the standings, just one point behind Australia (11), and gave them crucial momentum heading into the final stretch. However, the build-up has not been without setbacks. Injuries to key players Lood de Jager (lock), Jean-Luc du Preez (loose forward), and Aphelele Fassi (fullback) have forced adjustments. In response, Erasmus has turned to hooker Bongi Mbonambi, whose leadership and composure could prove vital against Los Pumas. The…