Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-03 i Pretoria News

With the sun shining brightly and the weather warming up, adventure beckons. For those torn between the allure of sandy beaches and the thrill of wildlife safaris, Africa offers a unique solution: the beach-to-bush experience. This travel concept combines the excitement of wildlife-focused safaris with the relaxation of coastal getaways, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends or with family, here are some of Africa’s best beach-to-bush destinations that promise unforgettable journeys. A blend of wilderness and coastline: Kenya Kenya is a premier destination for those seeking a beach-to-bush experience. The country seamlessly blends thrilling wildlife safaris with serene tropical beach relaxation. From the majestic wildlife of the savannas to the vibrant coral reefs along the coast, Kenya offers a comprehensive vacation…

Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late Nelson Mandela and a prominent activist, was taken captive by Israeli forces while en route to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in the early hours of Thursday. In a prerecorded message in case of interception by Israel, Mandela said: “I’m a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the state of apartheid Israel,” he said. “I call you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release.” The South African group of the flotilla has condemned the interception of its vessels by Israeli occupation forces in international waters, describing the attack as a deliberate attempt to block humanitarian aid to Gaza.…

While criminals are “living free”, driving around in supercars like the Lamborghini Urus, South Africa’s leadership and the criminal justice system are sleeping on the job with a Rolls-Royce set of robust corruption prevention and combating laws. Among these great laws is the “key statute” – as Corruption Watch terms it – the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), which not only criminalises the kind of corrupt activities we have been hearing too much of in the past few days, but imposes reporting obligations on those who become aware of such. And we are also armed with the Protected Disclosures Act, which is designed to protect whistleblowers, and the FICAs, FATFs, etc. I’m not a legal expert, but I can go on and on, listing our fine regiment…

EFF leader Julius Malema has indicated his intention to appeal to the “politically motivated” court finding that he was guilty of unlawfully discharging a firearm. Malema and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, were charged after video footage showed a rifle being handed to Malema, who then fired shots into the air at the packed Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018 during the party’s fifth birthday rally. The East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday convicted Malema on all five charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public area, reckless endangerment of persons or property, and failing to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger while Snyman was acquitted. Outside the courthouse, Malema told supporters that he would challenge the conviction all…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a new Expedited Tax Debt Compromise Process to help taxpayers struggling with long-standing debts, while ensuring faster recovery of funds for the fiscus. The move follows discussions between SARS and Recognised Controlling Bodies (RCBs), where both parties agreed on measures to make it easier for taxpayers to manage overdue obligations while keeping compliance central. “SARS is always ready to assist taxpayers to fulfil their legal obligations,” SARS said. “Taxpayers who owe tax debt may often find it difficult to settle their debt due to financial challenges. SARS has various mechanisms to collect outstanding debt.” The expedited process, which will officially launch on October 13, 2025, is designed to address non-disputed tax debts older than 12 months. According to SARS, the new mechanism…

A suspected drunk driver who has gone viral on social media for resisting arrest and racially taunting a traffic officer has been charged with assault. The driver is seen in the widely-shared video telling the traffic officer not to touch him after the officer instructed him to turn around to make an arrest. According to officials, the man was stopped after being seen driving recklessly on N1 outbound onto the Durban Road bridge, in Cape Town. After he is pulled over by the traffic officer, the man, who was later charged with driving under the influence, was involved in a verbal and physical altercation with the officer. As the officer calls for back up, the drunk driver shouts at the officer saying “hy’s f*kken swart man” and “give my keys”…

The Springboks are on the cusp of history as they aim to secure back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time when they face Argentina in the second Test at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon. A bonus-point victory in London (3pm kick-off) will be enough for the world champions to clinch the title. Importantly, they will know at kick-off exactly what is required from them in this decisive clash. Here are five players who could be crucial to the Boks’ cause as they chase a second consecutive Championship crown. Backing Up His Statement Performance The Boks’ young star fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stole the show in Durban, scoring a record-breaking 37 points in the 67-30 victory. He delivered a commanding performance to steer the team to victory — but now comes a…

The Proteas Women have only beaten England once since their World Cup semifinal defeat in Christchurch four years ago. Since then, there have been six ODI encounters between the rivals with England triumphant in the other five. Abundant reason, then, for Laura Wolvaardt’s team to be rank underdogs heading into today’s World Cup opener in Guwahati. But hold hard there. Although England came back to win the series 2-1 in South Africa last December, the Proteas opening six-wicket win in Kimberley served as a marker. Not only are these two teams closer than they have been for years but it was the beginning of new coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s tenure after the long-serving Hilton Moreeng. Along with some fresh-faces that have infused a much-needed youthful energy into the Proteas squad, allrounder…

A less experienced coach might approach a match against a team he has only recently beaten with a sense of complacency – perhaps even bordering on cockiness. After all, when you’ve earned maximum points against an opponent just a few days ago, logic suggests you should be able to repeat the feat, right? It stands to reason then that Sekhukhune United should be favourites to win their Carling Knockout first-round clash against Golden Arrows this weekend. Ba Bina Noko beat Abafana Bes’thende 1-0 in Polokwane on 20 September and will make the trip down to Durban confident of securing a place in the quarter-final draw. Yet listening to Eric Tinkler at the competition’s media conference in Bryanston yesterday, you’d have sworn Sekhukhune were preparing to face a bogey side. It…

Springbok veteran Bongi Mbonambi has warned that a week is a long time in rugby – and if the Boks underestimate Argentina, they could pay the price in tomorrow’s Rugby Championship finale in London. The 34-year-old hooker returns from the wilderness to provide cover from the bench, and he knows full well that the Pumas have the class to respond after last week’s 67-30 defeat in Durban. Mbonambi last featured for the Springboks in the loss to the Wallabies in Johannesburg earlier this year – his 80th Test – and admits he is now playing for his future in the green and gold. “We have seen in this Rugby Championship that you can quickly be humbled,” the hooker said. “The Pumas bounce back each time they have lost. You can…

In our fast-paced digital world, many people are seeking a break from the constant barrage of notifications, emails and social media updates. The concept of a digital detox has gained popularity, encouraging individuals to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with themselves and nature. Just as spring cleaning revitalises our homes, a digital detox can refresh our minds and souls. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and the world around you. South Africa offers a wealth of places that provide the perfect backdrop for this rejuvenating experience. Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State Nestled in the Free State, Golden Gate Highlands National Park is a breathtaking escape known for its stunning golden sandstone cliffs and diverse wildlife. This park offers an array of hiking trails that cater to…

A dramatic turn unfolded in the Phala Phala farm robbery trial on Wednesday when a key state witness insisted the statement presented in court was not his, forcing the Modimolle Regional Court to declare him a hostile witness. The man, who allegedly transported suspects linked to the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm, told the court he only received R7 000 for his role – contradicting his signed police statement, which claimed he had been paid US$30 000 in cash. Pressed on the inconsistency, the witness said he was intimidated and “scared” when giving his statement to investigators. “This is not my statement,” the witness, who cannot be named due to a court order, told the court. State prosecutor Nkhetheni Munyai applied for the court to declare the witness…

The City of Tshwane Municipality has been found guilty of maladministration and undue delay in correcting the electricity tariffs charged to a residential property, resulting in a substantial financial prejudice. The Public Protector’s office has intervened, mediating a resolution that secured a refund of R89314.77 for the affected property owner. The complaint was lodged by Top Charge Pty Ltd, the administrator of ERF 79 Lynnwood, Queens Crescent, after they discovered that their electricity account was billed at a commercial tariff instead of the approved bulk residential tariff. According to the report issued yesterday by Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, the municipality initially failed to apply the correct tariff despite explicit approval of a bulk residential supply. “The evidence before the Public Protector indicates that Top Charge applied to the City…

Complex alliances, strategic power plays, and volatile partnerships define the seventh administration of South African governance. Coalitions have become the currency of politics; in Johannesburg, as elsewhere, no single party can govern alone. Yet these partnerships are fragile, requiring numerical strength, trust, respect, and fairness. One such partnership is between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA). Despite the PA’s marginal electoral support, McKenzie wields disproportionate influence within the grand coalition. His recurring threats raise critical questions: why should McKenzie not be ignored? The latest storm over PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene’s reinstatement as Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport in Johannesburg reveals the brittleness of these arrangements. McKenzie has threatened to withdraw his party from all ANC coalitions and resign from his…

A Pretoria woman succeeded in her damages claim against a local supermarket outlet after a timber plank fell on her foot while she was shopping, leading to her suffering injuries. Mmampelege Matlou, 69, turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where she claimed R1 million in damages against the owners of the supermarket, as she attributed the incident to their negligence. The defendant denied liability and argued that an unknown fellow shopper bumped the piece of timber or plank, causing it to fall. It further argued that two disclaimer notices displayed by the entrance to the premises or store warned those entering that they do so at their own risk. Matlou, from Hammanskraal, testified that on the afternoon of February 6, 2019, she went to do her usual shopping at…

A recent judgment confirmed that if an agreement and subsequent transfer of a house were obtained through fraudulent means, the courts have the power to cancel the transfer. A widow who was defrauded into thinking she was signing documents to obtain a loan to build a flat at the house she had inherited from her late husband, only to discover that she signed “an agreement of purchase and sale,” earlier turned to court. The court at the time cancelled the transfer of the property into the name of the new buyer, but the latter now approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to appeal the judgment issued in favour of the elderly Annette Venter. In the opening to the judgment, Judge Rochelle Francis-Subbiah, on behalf of a full bench (three judges)…

As the Madlanga Commission hearings press further into the grave allegations that criminal syndicates and drug cartels have penetrated South Africa’s law-enforcement agencies, it is impossible to ignore that none of this could have flourished without the unimpeded movement of vast illicit funds. The flow of money is the bloodstream that sustains organised crime. South Africa’s placement on the Financial Action Task Force grey list in 2023 for weaknesses in anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing frameworks now appears to have been more than a bureaucratic inconvenience. It was a warning that all was not well across the financial sector, particularly the commercial banks. Yet it was largely dismissed as a procedural hurdle for an otherwise sophisticated and highly regarded system. The irony is that this very sophistication –the speed and reach that…

It seems absurd to think now that the Proteas Women’s team travelled on economy flights, juggled full-time jobs whilst playing for the national team, and arrived at World Cups simply excited to return home with some free memorabilia. But in truth, that wasn’t too long ago, as former captain Mignon du Preez recollects in an exclusive interview with Independent Media ahead of the Proteas’ opening World Cup showdown with England in Guwahati today. “I made my debut in 2007 for South Africa, my matric year, and I was listening to (Proteas allrounder) Marizanne Kapp speaking about her first World Cup and I remember like, we got to the World Cup, there were no photo shoots, there was no television,” said Du Preez, who played played 269 matches and scored 5684…

The Proteas Men’s home international season has been reduced to just three matches for the entire 2025/26 campaign. Shukri Conrad’s World Test Championship-winning team will have no home Test matches or ODIs, with only a five-match T20I series against the West Indies originally pencilled in for the summer. However, that has now been trimmed to three matches following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) confirmation of the commencement date for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament support period is scheduled to begin on January 31. The Proteas will face the Windies in the T20I series from 27th. Boland Park in Paarl will host the opening match on Tuesday, before the teams move to the Highveld for the second encounter at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday. The third…

“My job is to find solutions, not problems!” Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso acknowledged this during their Carling Knockout pre-match press conference ahead of their clash at home to Marumo Gallants tomorrow night (8pm kick-off). Sundowns have been somewhat a shadow of themselves since the start of the season as they’ve blown cold in domestic football, including missing out on the first silverware of the season—the MTN8 crown. Their lacklustre performances coupled with inconsistent results haven’t gone down well with some of Masandawana, as they’ve called for the head of Cardoso together with the sporting director, Flemming Berg, in recent weeks. Cardoso has stated that they’ve not been the same due to exhaustion and over-congested fixtures - which has seen more players being admitted to the medical room - and…

Springbok centre Damian de Allende says his team are thankful that they are playing Argentina in London this week in a Rugby Championship final rather than in South America. The Boks go into Saturday’s tournament finale at 3pm (South Africa time) – with the All Blacks and Wallabies clashing earlier in the day in Perth at 11am – knowing that, whatever happens in the Antipodean showdown, they must win to make certain of their first-ever back-to-back Rugby Championship title. A Springbok loss to the Pumas would open the door for New Zealand to take the title, should they win in Perth. “Winning stays the most important thing to us,” De Allende said. “Forget the World Cup in two years being a focus – what is important to us right now…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) interim report has exposed how syndicates bypassed standard tender processes to loot Tembisa Hospital of more than R2 billion. The investigation, prompted by the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, found that corrupt officials colluded with the service providers to exploit weaknesses in the procurement system. Deokaran, who was an official at the Gauteng Department of Health had uncovered massive corruption related to fraud, corruption and maladministration at the hospital. The syndicates had devised devious means to avoid regulatory triggers. Deokaran was the first to flag suspicious payments to more than 200 companies, totalling around R850 million at Tembisa Hospital. However, the amounts identified by the SIU investigation grew and now exceed R2bn. Deokaran was killed in August 2021, after the exposing large-scale corruption and fraud.…

Billionaire Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is nearly halfway to becoming the planet’s first trillionaire, Forbes magazine reported Wednesday. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO became the first person to achieve a net worth of $500 billion, briefly, as the shares in his electric vehicle company rebound from his clumsy stint in politics, amid other gains. The 54-year-old’s net worth hit $500.1 billion Wednesday before dipping back to $499.1 billion, the publication’s “Real-Time Billionaires” tracker reported. Ranked after him are Oracle CEO Larry Ellison with a net worth of $350.7 billion, followed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg with a net worth of $245.8 billion on the Forbes list. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and dropping out of Stanford University, Musk banked his first millions when he sold an…

Short-term rentals in residential complexes – commonly seen through platforms like Airbnb – have ignited widespread debate across South Africa, particularly in vibrant communities such as the Blyde Riverwalk Estate in Pretoria. A landmark court ruling from the Gauteng High Court has recently affirmed the rights of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to regulate these rentals, responding to mounting concerns over noise, security, and the preservation of community values. The court was presented with a case initiated by the Blyde Riverwalk Home-Owners Association against approximately 80 homeowners who had been leasing their units for short-term holiday accommodations. The complaints from permanent residents encapsulated a range of issues, from disruptive noise levels to overcrowding and perceived security threats. Back in 2020, in an effort to address these rising concerns, the HOA and the…

Country’s plight demands global focus amid ongoing conflict and devastation ‘All Eyes on Gaza’ has become a vociferous rallying call, as it should, for Gaza is a site of horrific inhumanity. At the same time, more eyes are needed on Sudan. The conflict-ravaged nation is a humanitarian crisis, yet the world hardly looks upon the atrocities of Sudan. The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, is in its third year. Sudan is in a disastrous downfall. Many cities have been annihilated and are little more than heaps of ruins. Blockades and drone attacks are the day-to-day horrors of Sudan. Just weeks ago, seventy-five worshippers at a mosque were targeted and slaughtered. Multiple…

A team of veterinarians from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) – armed with a “3D-printed skull” – saved the life of Popcorn, an eight-year-old Pomeranian, after she had been bitten by another dog and sustained a severe head injury. When Popcorn, who was injured during a fight in February, was brought into the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) in May, her future was uncertain. She had sustained a severe injury known as a comminuted, depressed skull fracture. Fragments of bone were pressing on and into Popcorn’s brain, leaving her weak, off-balance and at risk of seizures. “Our team’s first priority was to stabilise her,” says Dr Shannon van Rooyen, surgical resident at the OVAH, who was instrumental in the stabilising process and the surgical procedure.…

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has not responded to whether it had contacted South Africa’s late ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, to testify before the inquiry before his sudden death in Paris. Mthethwa, a former Minister of Police and Sports, was found dead at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in western Paris, reportedly after falling from the 22nd floor. His death, currently under investigation by French authorities, has sent shockwaves through political and diplomatic circles. Just two weeks before his passing, Mthethwa was implicated in explosive testimony before the commission probing political interference in policing. KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accused Mthethwa of obstructing justice during his tenure as Police Minister in 2011. According to Mkhwanazi, Mthethwa pressured senior officials to halt both the prosecution and internal…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos addressed the unsettling blunder that has cast a shadow over South Africa’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign. At yesterday’s squad announcement in Johannesburg, Broos spoke about Fifa’s controversial decision to dock the team three vital points after fielding an ineligible player. However, Broos said he is keen to shift the focus onto the upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. He is calling for unity and determination from players and fans alike as they navigate through this turbulent period. Bafana’s first match is at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, against Zimbabwe on Friday, October 10, 2025. The team must secure a vital win to keep their World Cup hopes on track. Following this encounter, Bafana will return home to Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, where…

Max Verstappen’s recent resurgence will be put to the test at the Singapore Grand Prix this week as the Red Bull driver tries to turn the Formula One world championship into a three-horse race. Back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku have left third-placed Verstappen 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, with seven Grands Prix and three sprints remaining. Lando Norris sits between the two, 25 points – or one race win – behind his McLaren teammate Piastri and 44 ahead of Verstappen. Dutchman Verstappen is not getting carried away by the growing talk of a fifth consecutive world title, especially because Red Bull have a poor recent record under the lights in Singapore. Verstappen has 67 GP wins but has never taken the chequered flag at the bumpy Marina…

Cedric Kaze knows that, like animals, football teams can be most dangerous when wounded. And so, while all Kaizer Chiefs fans anticipate a smooth passage to the next round of the Carling Knockout, the Amakhosi co-coach preaches caution. “It’s unfortunate that the history of the last fixtures that Kaizer Chiefs won against Stellenbosch (FC) is not going to be of any help in this game,” Kaze said ahead of Sunday’s first-round clash against the inaugural winners of the domestic league cup. Temporarily in charge of Chiefs alongside Youssef Ben Khalil while the club continues to resolve issues with coach Nasredinne Nabi, Kaze says the team is intent on winning the Carling Knockout. But he knows just how tricky the clash with a Stellenbosch side that has seemingly forgotten how to…

Wilco Louw has been outstanding coming off the bench for the Springboks over the last three Test matches. The burly prop had the All Blacks’ pack on skates every time he entered the fray after half-time in New Zealand, while he also produced another powerful display against Argentina in Durban. But while Louw has earned plenty of praise for his performances, the man he replaced during those Tests has largely flown under the radar – despite anchoring the Bok scrum with equal power and stability. Thomas du Toit has hardly put a foot wrong as the starting tighthead in the No 3 jersey, and has effectively laid the foundation for Louw to deliver maximum impact once the opposition pack has already been through a half of hard graft. Winning scrum…