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Lawyer calls bluff on witness request for a media blackout in Meyiwa trial 

The prosecutor in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, George Baloyi, told the Pretoria high court on Wednesday next witness feared a social media “onslaught” if she testified live on camera. According to attorney representing electronic media Dan Rosengarten, the state made generalised points that she fears for her life. He…

17 May 2023 11AM 6 min

National blackout unlikely, but don't be naive

Expect higher stages of load-shedding this winter, but the possibility of a grid collapse is low, say energy experts. Higher load-shedding stages do not mean things are deteriorating, says energy economist Lungile Mashele. She adds that Eskom will experience a difficult time, but a complete blackout will not happen. This…

17 May 2023 11AM 5 min

Thabo Bester’s counsel asks court to confirm if their client is the real Thabo Bester

Thabo Bester’s legal team asked the court to verify if the man who appeared virtually in court on Tuesday is Bester. The request was made by incoming legal counsel after Bester’s previous counsel officially withdrew from representing him. The convicted murderer and rapist appeared virtually in the Bloemfontein magistrate's court…

16 May 2023 8AM 4 min

'The dead will be buried the same day': Malema calls on Brain Molefe to rescue SA from load-shedding

There won’t be fridges to keep the dead, says EFF leader Julius Malema on predicted stage 10 load-shedding, calling for former CEOs Brian Molefe and Matshela Koko to return to “rescue” Eskom. Malema said SA is heading for a disaster worse than Covid-19 as stage 10 load-shedding will last for…

15 May 2023 10AM 3 min

State witness in Meyiwa trial requests media blackout 

The next state witness in the Senzo Meyiwa trial objects to her testimony being broadcast live and has requested that no sound or visual of her be taken. The media has contested the application. 

15 May 2023 9AM 3 min

Load-shedding exemption will collapse grid: Ramaphosa 

President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared before the National Assembly on Thursday to answer questions from MPs on government's work amid myriad socioeconomic issues, including the energy crisis.

11 May 2023 11AM 5 min

It’s not expensive, it's an 'average cost' - EFF clarifies gala tickets prices

A political party must be run and operated by the people it represents and the EFF’s birthday celebration donations is an opportunity to do that, says the EFF. The party is asking for donations, including livestock, and is selling gala dinner tickets before its 10th anniversary celebrations. EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann…

11 May 2023 8AM 4 min

Meyiwa’s friend can’t describe scuffle between him and intruder  

Mthokozisi Thwala, soccer star Senzo Meyiwa's friend, told the Pretoria high court on Wednesday he could not describe the scuffle that took place in the Vosloorus home where Meyiwa was killed in October 2014.

11 May 2023 12AM 3 min

‘You’ll infect patients with your HIV’ — care worker suspended indefinitely and called ‘stupid black’

A suspended care worker at Kennersley Park says she was told she’d infect patients with HIV if she continued working at the East London old age home where they are called “stupid blacks”. Nomthandazo Mateane said she has been suspended indefinitely by the facility’s nursing services manager, René Wienekus. Wienekus,…

4 May 2023 4PM 7 min

I did not receive money for or participate in Netflix documentary, says Meyiwa’s friend

On his third day on the stand, Senzo Meyiwa's friend Mthokozisi Twala told the Pretoria high court he refused to participate in or accept payment from Netflix to feature in its documentary on the soccer star. Reference to Meyiwa, which aired in April 2022, has been made throughout the trial.

4 May 2023 8AM 4 min

I was beaten for a confession: Meyiwa witness

Mthokozisi Twala, a friend of  Senzo Meyiwa, told the Pretoria high court on Wednesday he was beaten by unknown men, with police officers' knowledge, in a bid to get him to confess to the soccer star's murder.According to Twala, he was taken to Johannesburg from his home in Umlazi, Durban,…

3 May 2023 12PM 6 min

Witness in Meyiwa trial says he was reluctant to go to Vosloorus house

The fourth state witness in the murder trial of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa took to the stand in the Pretoria high court on Tuesday. Mthokozisi Twala, who was inside the house when Meyiwa was killed in October 2014, became friends with Meyiwa through his wife Mandisa Mkhize. Twala told the…

2 May 2023 11AM 6 min

Amad’s resignation not related to no-confidence motion: Lesufi  

Thapelo Amad stepped down as Johannesburg mayor on the eve of council debating a motion of no confidence against him set for Tuesday. His resignation was announced by Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi on Monday night. According to Lesufi, Amad was not running from the matter.  

25 Apr 2023 5AM 3 min

Child sex ring kingpin Ackerman found guilty on over 700 charges 

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that some of the content in this story contains graphic details and may be offensive to younger audiences.  Child sex ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman was found guilty on more than 700 charges including the sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of young boys by the Johannesburg high…

24 Apr 2023 9AM 4 min

Putin arrest warrant under consideration and no mention of Phala Phala in talks between Ramaphosa and Namibian president

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the International Criminal Court's (ICC’s) arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin is under consideration and the South African delegation didn’t discuss Phala Phala with Namibian President Hage Geingob. South Africa, as the host of this year’s Brics summit in August, had invited Russian President Putin as head…

20 Apr 2023 10AM 3 min

G4S under the spotlight in Bester prison escape inquiry

Parliament's oversight committee hearing into the circumstances surrounding murderer and rapist Thabo Bester's escape saw a fiery exchange between private security company G4S and DA shadow minister of justice Glynnis Breytenbach on Monday. Parliament heard about the circumstances surrounding Bester's escape, including cameras being switched off ahead of the incident,…

13 Apr 2023 5AM 6 min

The pain of the people of Uganda is our pain — Malema on Uganda’s anti homosexuality bill

EFF leader Julius Malema says they will not allow people to be killed on the basis of their identity. Malema was speaking during a picket at Uganda’s high commission in Pretoria on Tuesday against the passing of the Anti Homosexuality Bill by Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni. The bill, which was…

4 Apr 2023 10AM 4 min

Almost victim of Thabo Bester recalls how fate spared her

In June 2011 then 17-year-old Westville Girls High School pupil Anastasia Jennifer Lite almost became a victim of “Facebook rapist,” Thabo Bester when she agreed to meet with him at a hotel in Durban for an interview. Lite, who currently resides in the United Kingdom where she is studying towards…

31 Mar 2023 6AM 5 min

Chief justice Raymond Zondo to get honorary doctorate from Rhodes University

Chief justice Raymond Zondo will be conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree by Rhodes University next week.

24 Mar 2023 1AM 1 min

Malema says Putin is welcome, slams Mbalula and Nhlanhla Lux

EFF leader Julius Malema held a media briefing on Thursday where he reacted to the arrest warrant issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to visit SA in August to attend a Brics summit. Malema also addressed the party's national shutdown held on Monday, which many have called…

23 Mar 2023 10AM 5 min