Author: Malebogo Putu

Police in the Eastern Cape have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a man whose body was discovered earlier this month near Sandile Dam, in what authorities have described as a significant investigative breakthrough. The arrests follow weeks of meticulous detective work after the body of an unidentified African male was found on March 15, 2026, with a gunshot wound to the head. At the time, investigators faced a major challenge, with no immediate leads and the victim’s identity unknown. According to police spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, detectives from Keiskammahoek were eventually able to identify the deceased…

Karabo Khakhau, a rising figure within the Democratic Alliance (DA), has announced her withdrawal from the race for Deputy Chairperson of the party’s Federal Council, citing what she describes as a disputed financial compliance issue and an uneven application of internal rules. In a detailed letter addressed to party members, Khakhau said her decision followed a ruling by the DA’s Free State Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), which declined to grant her a letter of good financial standing which is a prerequisite for candidacy. The decision was later upheld by the party’s Federal Executive (FedEx). Khakhau acknowledged that she had missed…

Police in Free State have arrested three men and seized a cache of explosives in the township of Thabong, in what authorities described as a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb violent and organised crime. The arrests were made on Wednesday afternoon during an intelligence-driven operation led by the Vala Umgodi task team, a multi-disciplinary unit targeting illegal mining and associated criminal activities. According to a statement issued by Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State, officers from the Combat and Proactive Units were conducting a disruptive operation in the area at around…

A coordinated multi disciplinary operation in Polokwane has resulted in the seizure of illicit cigarettes with an estimated street value of R25 million and the arrest of a 39 year old suspect, police announced Thursday. The raid, which took place on Wednesday in the Nirvana suburb, targeted a warehouse suspected of being a major distribution hub for counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products. The operation was led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in conjunction with Customs officials, drawing personnel from Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and the Free State. Upon searching the premises, authorities discovered large quantities of cigarettes believed to…

In a significant escalation of its battle against a widespread livestock contagion, the North West Provincial government has commenced a mass vaccination campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), deploying an initial 100,000 doses as the virus continues to sweep across the region. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that the outbreak has now infiltrated 16 of the province’s 18 municipalities, with a total of 158 confirmed cases recorded across all four districts. The figures underscore the urgency of the operation, which officially launched following a press conference on Thursday. MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda…

The national budget unveiled on Wednesday has drawn sharp criticism from labor leaders, who argue that the government’s fiscal measures will do little to alleviate the struggles of the working class and may, in fact, deepen the hardship faced by the nation’s poorest citizens. In a fiery reaction following the finance minister’s address, Dr. Wonder Mahlatsi, President of the United Africans Transformation (UAT), dismissed claims of an impending economic turnaround, insisting that the recovery touted by officials has not translated into relief for ordinary South Africans. “No, I’ve indicated before. They’ve indicated that there is an economic turnaround. But the…

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has clarified how allocated funds will be used to relieve pressure on the country’s broadcasting sector, specifically targeting a historic debt owed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Speaking on Wednesday, after the budget speech by Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, Malatsi revealed that a significant portion of the R700 million financial intervention is earmarked to clear the public broadcaster’s outstanding debt at signal distributor Sentech. According to the Minister, the arrears currently stand at R1.5 million, though broader pressures on state entities necessitated urgent engagement with the National Treasury prior to…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on Wednesday delivered a scathing assessment of the finance minister’s budget speech, characterizing it as a politically motivated balancing act that fails to address the country’s core economic stagnation. In an interview following the parliamentary address, Malema acknowledged the political context of the announcement, noting it was crafted to appear “reasonable, especially with the working class” in a crucial election year. However, he argued that the underlying fundamentals remain dire. “The reality of the matter is that the economy is not growing,” Malema stated. “Without the economy growing, we will not be able…

uMkhonto WeSizwe Party on Wednesday sharply criticized the government’s fiscal strategy, accusing the administration of relying on “ill informed” economic projections that fail to address the immediate needs of a population grappling with poverty and unemployment. Des Van Rooyen, acting parliamentary leader of the MK party, delivered a blistering assessment following the Finance Minister’s budget speech, questioning the credibility of the government’s growth forecasts and the overall direction of fiscal policy. Mr. Van Rooyen focused his attack on what he described as erratic and unrealistic economic growth projections. He noted that the government had forecasted growth at 1.1 percent for…

In the immediate aftermath of the tabling of the national budget, a sharp critique has emerged from the opposition, questioning whether the financial plan truly addresses the needs of South Africa’s most vulnerable citizens. Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Build One South Africa movement, offered a mixed assessment of the budget in a brief interview with the SABC acknowledging certain positive elements while sharply criticizing what he characterized as misplaced priorities. When asked directly if the budget contained meaningful provisions for the poor, Maimane pointed to the allocation of 1 billion rand for policing as a welcome step in a…