TimesLIVE - In The News

Former nanny says Lauren Dickason would never hurt her family

Lauren Dickason, who stands accused of murdering her three young children in New Zealand, is anything but a killer. Instead, says the children's former nanny Mendy Sibanyoni she is a loving and devoted mother who would have given her life to protect her family

24 Sep 2021 8AM 5 min

It's true, Ramaphosa's shirt was inspired by Madiba

Maker of the iconic Madiba shirt Sonwabile Ndamase has not taken umbrage to South Africans throwing jibes at a patterned piece he crafted for President Cyril Ramaphosa which he donned at a recent 'family meeting'. Ramaphosa's flamboyant black and white shirt rather than his announcement about SA's move to level…

24 Sep 2021 5AM 9 min

FULL STATEMENT | Zuma says SA is becoming a 'constitutional dictatorship'

Former President Jacob Zuma says SA is moving from a democracy to a constitutional dictatorship. This after the Constitutional Court on Friday gave its verdict on the former president's rescission application. Zuma had asked the apex court to set aside his 15-month contempt of court jail sentence, which was handed…

21 Sep 2021 5AM 8 min

Gauteng's government buildings remain a ticking time bomb

Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni’s buildings are ticking fire bombs, with thousands of the cities’ residents and office workers at risk of being burnt alive. The majority of buildings, which are at risk because fire safety laws are flouted, are owned by provincial and local governments, claim fire safety inspectors and…

17 Sep 2021 11AM 8 min

First-time voter? Here’s what you need to know

There is a lot that goes into taking part in SA’s democracy, but fortunately Electoral Commission (IEC) deputy chief electoral officer Mawethu Mosery has agreed to take us through exactly what you need to do to take part in the upcoming local elections.  Mosery breaks down the details of how…

17 Sep 2021 7AM 7 min

JUDGEMENT: ConCourt stands by its decision to send Zuma to jail

The Constitutional Court has upheld its decision to sentence former president Jacob Zuma’s 15-month jail term for being found in contempt of SAs apex court for his refusal to testify on state capture.  Zuma has served only two months of his jail term before he was granted medical parole earlier in…

17 Sep 2021 5AM 1 min

SA has been using 'vaccine passports' for years - expert

Calls have been made nationally for a protest against possible plans for Covid-19 vaccine passports.  This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the government was considering the idea of requiring citizens to produce proof of vaccination against Covid-19 to access certain activities, events and venues. In response to the…

16 Sep 2021 8AM 9 min

President Ramaphosa's vaccine passport contradiction spotted by many

The presidency seems to have had a change of heart regarding the potential implementation of a vaccine passport system. On Sunday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country was considering implementing vaccine passports for certain events, in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus. “We will be…

13 Sep 2021 8AM 2 min

FULL ADDRESS | Ramaphosa announces move from adjusted level 3 to level 2 as Covid-19 infections decline

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of Covid-19 regulations on Sunday evening, saying there had been a sustained decline in infections over the last few weeks. The decision came after consultations with several organisations, experts and political party leaders.

12 Sep 2021 2PM 27 min

Western Cape health minister describes new 'Jabs B4 Jol' vaccine initiative

Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape minister of health, is not your typical bureaucrat sitting in an office in a stiff suit. Instead, she has rolled up her sleeves and visited every crevice of the province to encourage vaccination. Her latest roadshow, Jabs B4 Jol, is about meeting the “amaTikTok” (18…

10 Sep 2021 10AM 4 min

Trying to stay afloat in the aftermath of SA's looting crisis

Chaos broke out in SA in July, when former president Jacob Zuma was sent to prison for contempt of the country’s highest court. He was sentenced to a 15-month jail term, but soon after his incarceration, groups claiming to be Zuma supporters set the country ablaze. Now, just two months…

10 Sep 2021 9AM 10 min

SA will go to the polls on November 1

South Africans will cast their votes in the local government elections on November 1, co-operative governance minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced on Wednesday.

8 Sep 2021 10AM 2 min

Public petition to oppose driver’s licence fee renewal hike still in effect: AA

A government gazette outlining proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) fees has caused outrage among motorists and civil society organisations in recent days. Organisations including the Automobile Association (AA) of SA and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) have taken strong exception to the proposed fees.

8 Sep 2021 9AM 6 min

Former president Jacob Zuma released on medical parole

Former president Jacob Zuma has been released from prison on medical parole, the department of correctional services confirmed on Sunday.  This comes 58 days after he was admitted as an inmate at the Estcourt Correctional Services facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Jacob G Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi, provides context on the…

5 Sep 2021 11AM 1 min

The story of the world's first elephant dung-infused gin

In a world first, Western Cape scientists Les Ansley and his wife Paula have created gin made from botanicals extracted from elephant dung. Elephant herds at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape and Jabulani in Limpopo have become part of the mixology team (so to speak), with their…

3 Sep 2021 9AM 5 min

9-year-old dog attack victim set to get a new ear

In less than two months, nine-year-old Jolizne Bester will be under anesthetic on an operating table while two surgeons - one from Germany - will sculpt a new ear for her out of her ribs. Jolizne was 16 months old when doctors battled to reattach her ear after the Pretoria…

3 Sep 2021 8AM 6 min

JZ Foundation 'clears the air' after Zuma snubs NPA medical exam

Former president Jacob Zuma has refused to allow NPA doctors to examine him, his foundation said, accusing the state of “second-guessing” the state of his health. The Pietermaritzburg high court previously ordered that a medical practitioner appointed by the state be allowed access to Zuma to assess his fitness to…

1 Sep 2021 7AM 3 min

A Portrait of Grief

In Our Ghosts Were Once People, a new anthology about death and dying edited by Bongani Kona, celebrated author Sisonke Msimang writes about the multiple losses faced when her mother passed away. An intimate portrait of grief, it is both thought provoking and transformative. Sisonke Msimang is the author of…

1 Sep 2021 2AM 9 min

Malema challenges SANDF: 'Bring it on, I’m not scared of rubbish'

EFF leader Julius Malema has challenged the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), telling officials to “bring it on” in reference to any potential legal action against him. Malema sparked debate on social media recently when he shared a message allegedly from a soldier deployed in KwaZulu-Natal pleading for help, and…

25 Aug 2021 9AM 4 min

A memorial for Nosicelo Mtebeni, as violent crime spikes dramatically in SA 

The University of Fort Hare held a memorial service for slain student Nosicelo Mtebeni on Wednesday. Mtebeni was brutally murdered and her mutilated body parts discovered in a suitcase and a plastic bag last Thursday morning on the corner of Fitzpatrick and Fleet streets in Quigney, East London. Her head…

25 Aug 2021 9AM 7 min