Legal Matters: bail blow, RAF claims and missing millions

The long-running court battle over the deadly Jagersfontein dam collapse has been pushed back to August in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein. Eight accused - both individuals and companies face serious charges including murder and damage to property following the 2022 tragedy that left widespread destruction in its…

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the South African Human Rights Commission cannot issue binding directives, saying the watchdog must turn to the courts to enforce its recommendations. The judgment stems from a dispute over restricted access to borehole water on a farm, where an SAHRC order was ignored. The…

The criminal case against Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has been postponed to 13 May in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. Masemola faces four counts linked to alleged violations of the Public Finance Management Act over a controversial R360 million SAPS contract awarded to alleged underworld figure Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala…

Amnesty International has sounded the alarm over what it calls a “perilous new era” for global human rights, driven by attacks on international law and multilateralism. In its latest global report covering 144 countries, the organisation warns that governments, corporations and anti-rights movements are undermining accountability systems. However, it notes…

A fraud investigation is underway in Cape Town after allegations that clinic staff are selling patient folders to help people illegally access social grants. Patients say missing files have blocked them from receiving legitimate support, with some claiming they were told their records had been sold. The claims have raised…