Former Police General Arrested as Sindile Mfazi Murder Investigation Deepens

Staff Writer — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 08:11:02 +0000

A former police general has been arrested as investigators continue probing the suspected murder of Lieutenant-General Sindile Mfazi, with documents and electronic devices seized during a raid on his Centurion home believed to be relevant to the investigation. The arrest was reported on Tuesday, 20 October, following an investigation by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) National Cold Case Unit. According to News24, the 57-year-old former officer, who left the police service in 2009, was found in possession of more than 100 rounds of SAPS-issued ammunition, including ammunition for R5 rifles and 9mm firearms. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspect faces a charge of unlawful possession of ammunition in contravention of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. He is expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. The arrest follows a search-and-seizure operation conducted at the former general’s Centurion home on 6 July 2026. During the operation,

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Ramaphosa Warns South Africa to Prepare for Possible Loss of US Trade Benefits

Staff Writer — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 19:18:44 +0000

President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that South Africa must prepare for the possibility of losing its preferential access to the United States market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), amid strained relations between Pretoria and Washington. Speaking on Monday, 19 October, Ramaphosa said the government needed to prepare for the potential economic consequences if the US decided to exclude South Africa from the trade programme. “I need, as president, to prepare us if it ever happens,” Ramaphosa said, while acknowledging that the impact could be devastating. The warning comes despite the extension of AGOA, which provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with preferential access to the US market, until December 2028. However, the extension does not guarantee that South Africa will remain eligible for the programme. South Africa’s continued participation remains uncertain as the administration of US President Donald Trump reviews the eligibility of participating countries. AGOA was established

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Dr Doctor Khumalo Lands New Role at SAFA

Staff Writer — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 18:03:12 +0000

Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana legend Dr Doctor Khumalo has been appointed vice-chairperson of the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) Technical Committee. SAFA president Danny Jordaan announced the appointment following a meeting of the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in Sandton on Sunday. Khumalo will serve as deputy to Jack Maluleke, who has been retained as chairperson of the committee. “In our technical committee, we have reappointed Mr Jack Maluleke as the chair and appointed Doctor Khumalo as the vice-chairperson of the SAFA Technical Committee,” Jordaan told the media. Jordaan added that he had spoken to Khumalo, who was happy to serve on the committee. The appointment gives the former midfielder a new opportunity to contribute to South African football beyond his playing career. The SAFA Technical Committee deals with football development and technical matters, including coaching standards, training methods and recommendations concerning national team coaches. Khumalo’s experience as a

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Are Africa’s Environmental Challenges Worse than Those of Other Parts of the World?

Sameer Karan Malik — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:55:19 +0000

Africa is often portrayed as one of the regions most severely affected by environmental problems. From drought-stricken communities in the Sahel to deforestation in the Congo Basin, the continent faces mounting pressures from climate change, land degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity loss. But are Africa’s environmental challenges really worse than those in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania and South America? The answer is not straightforward. While Africa faces exceptionally serious environmental risks, other regions experience equally alarming challenges of their own. The difference lies in the nature of these threats, the number of people affected and the resources available to respond. Climate change is a major concern across all these regions, but its effects vary considerably. In Africa, prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall, desertification and extreme heat threaten agriculture and food security. Many communities depend on rain-fed farming and have limited financial resources to recover from climate-related disasters. South Asia, meanwhile,

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Masemola Returns to the Helm as Ramaphosa Lifts Suspension

Staff Writer — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:21:27 +0000

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, paving the way for him to return to work on Monday, 19 October 2026. The Presidency announced the decision on Friday, 16 October, bringing an end to Masemola’s six-month suspension. Masemola was suspended in April after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act in connection with a controversial SAPS healthcare contract awarded to Medicare24, a company linked to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The National Prosecuting Authority instructed that the charges be withdrawn on 15 September, and the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court formally withdrew them on 22 September. In its announcement, the Presidency welcomed Masemola’s return to his full duties and thanked Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, who served as acting national police commissioner during his absence. Masemola’s return comes as the Madlanga Commission continues to examine allegations of

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Trump’s Energy Deal with Russia Leaves Europe Questioning U.S. Support

Nicholas Lovric — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:18:23 +0000

Despite occasional disagreements, Europe and the United States have stood together against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for years. Now, that unity appears increasingly fragile. Washington’s reported decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel raises an uncomfortable question: what happens when Europe’s closest ally makes deals that could benefit the very country threatening European security? A DANGEROUS CONTRADICTION The concern is straightforward. If Russia earns billions of dollars from renewed access to energy markets, that money could help sustain its war effort. Meanwhile, European governments continue spending billions to support Ukraine and strengthen their own defences. It makes little sense for Western countries to restrict Moscow’s financial resources while simultaneously creating opportunities for additional Russian revenue. Supporters might argue that an energy agreement could open the door to peace. But diplomatic promises mean little without meaningful results. If Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continue, the credibility of any proposed energy ceasefire

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Home Affairs Withdraws Asylum Directive as Offices Are Overwhelmed and Protests Erupt

Staff Writer — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 07:38:29 +0000

The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn a directive on the intake of asylum-seeker applications following operational challenges at refugee reception offices and growing public unrest over its implementation. In a statement released on Friday (October 9, 2026), the department said its director-general had withdrawn the directive issued on September 28 following the Constitutional Court’s July 7 judgment in the Scalabrini Cape Town matter. The directive was intended to help the department implement the court’s order. However, Home Affairs said its refugee reception offices were overwhelmed within days, while officials were placed at risk and serious concerns about public safety and order emerged. The withdrawal comes amid protests in Durban over the implementation of the judgment, which has sparked concerns about the implications for undocumented foreign nationals and asylum seekers. The department rejected claims that the directive was politically motivated, saying it had been issued without the knowledge of the

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Durban Protests Turn Violent as People Take to the Streets Over Looser Asylum Rules

Staff Writer — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:05:01 +0000

Protests over South Africa’s asylum system turned violent in Durban on Thursday, with vehicles torched, shops looted and police brought in to contain tensions after hundreds of foreign nationals arrived at the city’s Refugee Reception Centre to apply for asylum. The unrest centred on the Department of Home Affairs office on Che Guevara Road, where long queues of foreign nationals had formed after the department began accepting asylum applications from people who previously could have been prevented from accessing the asylum system because of their immigration status. Anti-illegal immigration protesters gathered outside the office and confronted the asylum seekers. Police eventually moved to clear the area amid fears for the safety of those waiting to submit applications. The situation later escalated as protesters moved through parts of the Durban CBD. Fourteen vehicles were reportedly torched, while some shops, particularly those owned by foreign nationals, were looted. Three foreign nationals were

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Freddie Jackson, Legendary R&B Singer, Dies at 69

Thandisizwe Mgudlwa — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 07:13:50 +0000

Freddie Jackson, the legendary American R&B singer whose romantic soul hits became hugely popular around the world, has died. Jackson died on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the age of 69, according to his family. He was born Frederick Anthony Jackson on October 2, 1957, in Harlem, New York City. Jackson was trained as a gospel singer from an early age, singing at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem. It was there that he met Paul Laurence, who would later become his record producer and songwriting partner. After completing school, Jackson joined Laurence’s group, LJE (Laurence-Jones Ensemble), and began performing on the New York nightclub scene. Jackson began his professional music career in the late 1970s with the California funk band Mystic Merlin. He moved to the West Coast and sang lead with the group, which released three studio albums between 1980 and 1982. However, Jackson soon returned to New

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Dithejane Debut Goal Gives Bafana Bafana Victory Over Egypt in Cairo

Staff Writer — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 21:48:02 +0000

Puso Dithejane marked his Bafana Bafana debut with the only goal of the match as South Africa secured a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Cairo on Sunday night. Dithejane struck early in the second half to give South Africa the lead after capitalising on a mistake by the Egyptian defence. The result came despite Egypt enjoying much of the possession and creating the greater number of chances. The hosts had 61% possession and registered 19 shots compared with South Africa’s seven. Egypt also won eight corner kicks, while Bafana had just one. South Africa, however, remained disciplined at the back and held on to their lead despite sustained pressure from the hosts. Bafana goalkeeper Ricardo Goss was also called upon to make several saves as Egypt searched for an equaliser. The hosts came close to levelling the match late on, but South Africa survived the pressure to secure an impressive

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