WRAP | 77 people injured as two buses collide at University of Johannesburg entrance

At least 77 people injured as two buses collide at University of Johannesburg entrance

At least 77 people were injured when two buses collided in Kingsway Avenue, Auckland Park on Tuesday morning.

According to Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen, one of the buses overturned and was found on its side when paramedics arrived at the scene.

The second one collided with a concrete structure, he said.

Several people were trapped inside the vehicles.

"Several patients were found to have sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. An on-scene triage area was established by incident commanders, and additional resources were dispatched by the Emer-G-Med Emergency Operations Centre," he added.

 - Nicole McCain

JUST IN | Government agrees it will arrest Putin if he ever sets foot in SA

The government has agreed to execute the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin if he ever sets foot in the country.

The DA went to the Gauteng High Court on Friday to force government to commit to arresting Putin.

The Department of Justice further agreed to pay the costs of the legal application, which was initially launched by the DA to compel  government to arrest Putin if he were to attend the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month.

Government announced this week that Putin would not physically travel to South Africa and would participate in the summit virtually.

- Khaya Koko

JUST IN | Putin will not be attending BRICS summit in SA 'by mutual agreement'

The Presidency announced on Wednesday that Russian president Vladimir Putin will not be attending the BRICS summit in South Africa next month.

"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov," reads the Presidency's statement.

The International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest for Putin for alleged war crimes in his invasion of Ukraine, and by law, South Africa would have had to arrest him if he entered the country. 

– Jan Gerber

Heavily armed men attack Pretoria police building, tie up guards and shoot cop

Gauteng police are on the hunt for gunmen who attempted to enter a police building in Pretoria on Sunday night and shot a police officer.

It is believed that there were 12 gunmen.

National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, did not disclose what was kept at the building, but said the assailants tied up security guards and tried to access the premises.

However, police officers working at the building stopped the men, leading to a shootout in which a police officer was wounded.

According to Mathe, the gunmen left empty-handed.

 - Botho Molosankwe

Police arrest two more people over torching of trucks

Two more people have been arrested in connection with the torching of trucks in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the two suspects had been arrested in Mpumalanga and Limpopo on Friday and Saturday.

Altogether, five people have now been arrested.

"Police are confident that they are closing in on the ring leaders behind these acts of criminality," said Mathe.

More than 20 trucks were torched in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo this month.

-Lisalee Solomons

Eastern Cape shop owner, employee found dismembered, set alight

The frantic search for missing Eastern Cape Methodist Church lay priest and general store owner Zoleka Gantana and her employee Kholosa Mpunga has ended with the gruesome discovery of their dismembered bodies burnt beyond recognition.

Their remains were found in the bushes near the small town of Peddie, said Gantana's distraught daughter Nobuntu on Saturday.

Eastern Cape police confirmed the discovery of the bodies but promised to release further details later on Saturday morning.

- Malibongwe Dayimani

JUST IN | Truck attacks: Police arrest third suspect

A third person has been arrested in connection with recent arson attacks that saw over 20 trucks go up in flames in the past few days.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the man was arrested in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, on Thursday night.

She said all three suspects were expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate's Court on Monday.

- Botho Molosankwe

JUST IN | ConCourt upholds SCA ruling that Jacob Zuma must go back to prison

The Constitutional Court dismissed the Department of Correctional Services' application for leave to appeal a ruling that former president Jacob Zuma must go back to prison.

In the ruling handed down on Thursday, the apex court found DCS’s appeal “bears no reasonable prospect of success” and dismissed the application with costs.

DCS sought to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling in November last year that former correctional services boss Arthur Fraser unlawfully authorised Zuma's release on medical parole in September 2021.

Zuma was jailed for contempt of court after he refused to obey the Constitutional Court’s order that he must appear before the Zondo Commission.

The unanimous judgment penned by Judge Tati Makgoka, said Zuma must return to the facility and complete his sentence.

– Jan Gerber

JUST IN | Two men arrested for allegedly torching trucks in Mpumalanga

A multidisciplinary team arrested two suspects for setting trucks alight in Mpumalanga on Thursday morning.

National police said the suspects aged 27 and 29 will face charges of malicious damage to property.

The first suspect was arrested on a farm in Piet Retief with the assistance of a private security firm and the other suspect in Ermelo.

Since Sunday, 21 trucks have been attacked in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. Nine trucks were torched in Mpumalanga, four of which were attacked on Wednesday morning on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo.

- Alex Mitchley

KwaSizabantu ordered to apologise for 'hurt caused'

KwaSizabantu Mission has been ordered by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) to apologise to its former members for the "hurt caused" as a result of its practices.

The Chapter 9 institution on Thursday released its long-awaited report into allegations of cultism and human rights abuses, laid bare following a seven-month investigation by News24 into claims including sexual assault, physical and psychological abuse, as well as financial crimes.

It further found that the mission's teachings, principles and doctrines are within the scope of freedom of religion.

Criminal complaints should be reported to the police, the commission said, while labour-related issues emanating from its business enterprises were referred to the labour department.

– Tammy Petersen

Parliament arson accused Zandile Mafe unable to appreciate wrongfulness of his actions - panel

Zandile Mafe was declared unable to follow court proceedings or understand the wrongfulness of his actions, according to a specialist panel at Fort England Hospital.

Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus said that he was also unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of the acts he is accused of.

However, the final decision on whether he will stand trial will be made on 10 August, after Erasmus granted Mafe's lawyer one final postponement to 10 August.

This is to indicate whether Mafe will contest the finding of the panellists appointed by the State.

– Jenni Evans

ConCourt upholds Mkhwebane's suspension

The Constitutional Court has found that there were "rational reasons" for President Cyril Ramaphosa suspending Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane in June last year.

The apex court set aside the Western Cape High Court ruling that overturned her suspension in a unanimous judgment penned by Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, handed down on Thursday.

The DA and Ramaphosa appealed this ruling.

The court found that the mere fact that Mkhwebane was investigating him wasn’t enough to say there was a conflict of interest in him suspending her.

Her suspension didn't have any benefit for him, as it did not hamper the investigation, and there is no evidence that he suspended her for the Phala Phala investigation.

The court also dismissed Mkhwebane's application to have her impeachment declared unconstitutional.

Mkhwebane must pay a part of the costs in her personal capacity.

– Jan Gerber

Gauteng govt to investigate deal with Mashatile's son-in-law following News24 report

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Lebogang Maile ordered the Board of Directors of the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) to undertake an urgent investigation into whether the GPF offered excessive loans spanning more than a decade to Nonkwelo Investments.

News24 reported on Wednesday morning that Deputy President Paul Mashatile lives in the R37 million house registered on a 99-year lease to Legacy Properties. According to company records, the directors of Legacy are Mashatile's son, Thabiso, and his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo.

Nonkwelo is also director of Nonkwelo Investments, that received loans from GPF of at least R30 million, to build student housing which was never built.

Maile expects the GPF board to report back to him within 30 days.

– Jan Gerber

No evidence that recent truck attacks are linked to the 2021 July unrest - Bheki Cele

Minister of Police Bheki Cele said the majority of the 21 truck attacks since Sunday evening were coordinated and sophisticated operations that seek to undermine and sabotage the state.

Cele revealed this during a press briefing on Wednesday.

He said the attacks pointed to economic sabotage and that there was no evidence that the attacks were linked to the July unrest of two years ago.

Cele also revealed that 12 people of interest had been identified.

- Alex Mitchley

Passenger sustains burn wounds as four more trucks torched in Mpumalanga

Four trucks have been set alight in Mpumalanga, bringing to nine the number of trucks burnt in the province in the past few days.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the four trucks were burned on Wednesday morning at around 05:30 on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo.

One person, a passenger, sustained burn wounds.

The drivers were reportedly ordered at gunpoint to leave the trucks before the trucks were torched, said Mohlala.

The latest arson brings the total number of trucks targeted in attacks to 20, following incidents in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.

- Nicole McCain

Six killed in Eastern Cape mass shooting

Six people have been killed and four others injured during a mass shooting in KwaNobuhle in Gqeberha on Tuesday night.

Some of the victims were inside the house while others were in the front yard when the shooting occurred.

Local residents are reeling in shock following the attack.

Details of the incident are still sketchy, but police are investigating the murders.

- Candice Bezuidenhout

(Picture: Candice Bezuidenhout/News24)

Two more trucks go up in flames in KZN

Two more trucks were set alight on the N2 highway, near Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday night.

This brings to 13 the number of trucks that have been torched in the past three days in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said allegations were that the drivers were attacked and robbed before the trucks were set alight.

He said the drivers had been waiting in a queue along the N2 at the time of the attack.

- Nicole McCain

JUST IN | Eight VIP cops in Mashatile convoy suspended over highway assault

All eight officers from the police's Presidential Protection Services, who were caught on video allegedly assaulting people on the N1 highway in Gauteng, have been suspended, police confirmed.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the officers were suspended on Monday, "in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations".

"The SAPS wishes not to discuss the matter further".

The officers were part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's security detail and the convoy was said to have been escorting Mashatile home.

- Cebelihle Bhengu and Jenna Verster

Five trucks set alight in Mpumalanga

Five trucks were set alight on Sunday evening in Waterval Boven, officially known as Emgwenya, in Mpumalanga.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said they were still unsure of the motive behind the torching of the trucks.

"Two vehicles stopped the trucks before the Waterval Boven tunnel and set them alight," he said.

This latest incident comes after a group of armed men allegedly torched six trucks in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday night.

 - Marvin Charles

Van Reenen's Pass reopened after trucks were set alight in KZN

The N3 Toll Route at Van Reenen's Pass in KwaZulu-Natal has been reopened to traffic after six trucks were set alight by armed attackers overnight.

KZN traffic spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said mop-up operations continued into the morning.

"This was a barbaric act. There was no need for such incidents. There is still a huge traffic backlog, and motorists are urged to delay their travel arrangements where necessary," said Ncalane.

N3 Toll Concession spokesperson Thania Dhoogra said the southbound lanes on Van Reenen's Pass are now open, accommodating both directions of traffic using contraflow.

"The northbound carriageway (towards Johannesburg) will remain closed until repairs can be completed and the road deemed safe for passage," said Dhoogra.

 - Lisalee Solomons

(PHOTO: Supplied by Joey Govender/Joey's Towing)

Convicted killer Rosemary Ndlovu charged after being caught with cellphone in prison

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has internally charged Rosemary Ndlovu for contravening the Correctional Services Act, after she was caught with a cellphone in prison.

The department said that inmates found in possession of cellphones are charged in terms of Section 23 (1) of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998.

"They are then reprimanded accordingly, a process which may involve a withdrawal of privileges for a specified period, reclassification (downgrade) and other punitive measures," DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said in a statement.

"Illegal activities and deviant behaviour by inmates [have] no place in correctional facilities," Nxumalo added.

The department said it is working towards achieving contraband free centres.

 - Warda Meyer

Acting President Paul Mashatile declares special official funeral for Essop Pahad

Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as the country's acting president, will deliver the eulogy at the special funeral for former Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad.

Mashatile is acting president while President Cyril Ramaphosa is on a working trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Pahad will be buried at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg, at 14:00 on Thursday in a special official funeral.

- Khaya Koko

Essop Pahad is seen at the African Peer Review Mechanism conference in Kliptown.  

(Photo by Dudu Zitha/Gallo Images)

Former minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, dies

Former minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad has died at the age of 84.

A statement by the family confirmed that Pahad "died peacefully in his sleep" on Thursday morning.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised, the family said.

- Nicole McCain

Essop Pahad is seen at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria during an inquest into Ahmed Timol's death. (PHOTO: Alaister Russell/Gallo Images/Sowetan)

Gas leak kills scores in Boksburg squatter camp - reports

A gas leak in Boksburg has claimed the lives of at least 16 people in the Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg on Wednesday night, according to reports.

Details are still sketchy but emergency services are currently at the scene.

An Ekurhuleni emergency services official, who asked not to be identified, told News24 that "gas used by illegal miners" seemingly leaked

Sources say the death toll could be as high as 24.

The incident comes six months after the Christmas Eve gas tanker explosion in Boksburg, which left 41 dead and scores injured.

The fuel tanker exploded after it became wedged beneath a bridge only metres away from the Tambo Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE: It was earlier reported that 16 people were killed by an explosion, when in fact it was a gas leak.

- Cebelihle Bhengu

VIP unit officers to face charges of assault, firearm and property damages charges for N1 highway attack

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed cases containing three charges were opened on Tuesday against the members of the police's VIP unit who assaulted motorists in Gauteng at the weekend.

IPID spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said three charges to be investigated were assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, and pointing of a firearm.

The case was opened on Tuesday night, Raburabu said.

- Iavan Pijoos

Zuma's private prosecution of Ramaphosa declared unlawful

Former president Jacob Zuma's "private prosecution" of his successor Cyril Ramaphosa has been declared unlawful and is set aside.

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg handed down its judgment in Ramaphosa's application to scupper Zuma's private prosecution, which was brought on the eve of the ANC's national elective conference in December.

Zuma accused Ramaphosa of being an accessory after the fact following the alleged leaking of his personal medical records.

"Mr Zuma's private prosecution of Mr Ramaphosa in respect of the charges set out in the summons and grounded on the allegations set out in the summary of facts attached to the summons is interdicted," reads the judgement.

- Jan Gerber

JUST IN | Victory for amaBhungane as High Court sets aside gag order on Moti Group documents

The Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of the amaBhungane investigative unit, setting aside an order preventing it from using documents leaked by a whistleblower in reporting on the Moti Group and its founder Zunaid Moti.

Last month, two Moti Group companies were granted an order barring amaBhungane from using the documents it received from a whistleblower in its series of articles in its #MotiFiles series.

The order was suspended pending a challenge by amaBhungane.

The Moti Group was ordered to pay costs for four of the respondents.

– Sheldon Morais and Alex Mitchley

JUST IN | 15 people, including baby and toddler, killed in Eastern Cape 'freak accident'

Fifteen people, including a baby and toddler, died in a "freak accident" involving a minibus taxi and a truck on the N9 in Middelburg, in the Eastern Cape, on Sunday evening.

According to provincial Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose, the heavy-duty truck hit a stray animal and lost control.

In the process, its trailer overturned and landed on top of the passing taxi, which was headed in the opposite direction toward the Western Cape.

The 15 deceased were all passengers of the taxi. The driver of the truck escaped with minor injuries.

- Candice Bezuidenhout

(Photo supplied by the Eastern Cape Department of Transport)

Police arrest man for murder of Western Cape taxi officer Charmaine Bailey

Western Cape police have arrested one person in connection with the murder of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association training officer Charmaine Bailey.

Bailey was gunned down while chairing a meeting at the organisation's Wynberg office in May.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the individual was arrested on Saturday in Hout Bay and is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday. 

– Nicole McCain

King MisuZulu hospitalised in Eswatini following possible poisoning

The Zulu King, MisuZulu has been hospitalised following a short illness, and suspicions of poisoning.

According to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the King felt ill and suspected that he was poisoned.

"I am informed that his Majesty felt uncomfortable seeking treatment in South Africa as his parents both sought treatment in South Africa and subsequently died," said Buthelezi.

- Cebelihle Mthethwa

JUST IN | Convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti dies at Johannesburg hospital, police confirm

Gauteng police have confirmed that convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti died in hospital on Friday night.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said an inquest docket had been opened at Douglasdale Police Station.

Agliotti played a key role in the conviction of former police chief Jackie Selebi on corruption charges.

- Lisalee Solomons

Ramaphosa signs off on 3% salary increase for the top echelon of South Africa's public servants

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed off on a determination to increase the salaries of all public office bearers by 3%, with effect from 1 April 2022.

This follows recommendations made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers on the annual salary for all public office bearers, submitted to the President on 17 April 2023.

The commission recommended a 3% salary increment for all public office bearers, including members of the Independent Constitutional Institutions, Judges, Magistrates and Traditional Leaders, for the financial year 2022/2023.

– Jason Felix

Ramaphosa reiterates his innocence after being cleared of any Phala Phala wrongdoing

Soon after the Public Protector cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in the Phala Phala scandal, he reiterated that he never did anything wrong.

In a statement, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said they had noted the report of the acting Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, which absolves the president of alleged abuse of power or breaches of the Executive Ethics Code in relation to an incident of theft at his privately owned Phala Phala game farm in 2020.

“The President has always maintained that he was not party to any wrongdoing or violation of his oath of office,” Magwenya’s statement reads.

The matter relates to a burglary on the farm on the night of 9 February 2020, when at least two burglars stole an undisclosed amount of dollars stuffed under a sofa cushion.

Ramaphosa claimed the $580 000 in cash was paid to his former farm manager, Sylvester Ndlovu, by Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa on Christmas Day in 2019.

The president maintained the cash was in exchange for a herd of buffaloes, even though the buffaloes remained on the farm more than three years later.

Gcaleka, however, found that Presidential Protection Service head Major General Wally Rhoode had acted improperly.

– Jason Felix

President Ramaphosa issues suspension letters for Senzo Meyiwa judge and one other

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa issued suspension letters to Judges Tshifhiwa Maumela and Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi.

This follows the recommendation by the JSC that the two Gauteng-based judges be suspended pending the outcome of complaints against them for delays in handing down judgments.

Maumela is currently hearing the long-running Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.

The judges will finish the matters before them, the JSC said previously.

- Alex Mitchley

Sello Hatang fired from Mandela Foundation after complaints about conduct

The Nelson Mandela Foundation Board has fired CEO Sello Hatang following an internal investigation into complaints about his "personal conduct at the workplace".

Chairman Professor Njabulo Ndebele said the complaints came shortly after Hatang voluntarily tendered his resignation last month.

He did not elaborate on what the complaints were. He said Hatang was placed on special leave while serving his notice. He has since been dismissed.

The foundation said the process of appointing a new CEO would begin soon.

- Cebelihle Bhengu

I have 'never influenced or caused any state capture’, says Mashatile in response to News24 story 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile broke his silence following a report by News24 that he was a beneficiary of persons who benefited from state capture.

Through a media statement, Mashatile’s office said: "The Deputy President has never awarded, influenced, or in any way caused any state or public sector contract to be awarded to the individuals and companies mentioned by News24. Nor does the Deputy President have ownership or permanent use of any properties bought by these people and companies. The Deputy President would challenge anyone to prove otherwise.”

Mashatile said he had links with the individuals mentioned in the News24 article.

“There is nothing wrong or unusual about this, and the attempt to scandalise such associations is unfortunate,” read the statement.

- Junior Khumalo

DA suspends Nqaba Bhanga over Helen Zille 'most racist' post

The DA has suspended its former Eastern Cape leader Nqaba Bhanga.

On Tuesday, the provincial executive committee (PEC) of the DA in the Eastern Cape officially suspended Bhanga from all party-political activities.

According to DA Eastern Cape leader Andrew Whitfield, the decision was taken unanimously by the PEC.

On Monday, Bhanga was given 48 hours to explain why he must not be suspended from the party.

This comes after he accused Zille of being racist on Saturday.

His Facebook post read: "Helen Zille is the most racist person. She [has] got a file of all back people."Yesterday I learnt how she got information to try to destroy the ANC. I'm hurt to know that you were working with the ANC against me (sic)."

In a statement, Whitfield said: “The DA remains deeply disappointed by Bhanga’s conduct which is contrary to the party’s constitution and his previous commitment to the party and to non-racialism.”

– Jason Felix

JUST IN | Eastern Cape man admits to murdering ex-wife Desiree Baartman in 'spur of the moment'

Johnny Baartman, who is accused of murdering his ex-wife, has admitted to the district surgeon that he committed the murder, the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court heard on Tuesday.

Desiree Baartman's body was found in a stormwater drain in Jagtersvlakte last week.

State prosecutor Melani Hammett read the district surgeon's report into the record on Tuesday.

The report stated that Baartman did not plan the murder, but killed Desiree "in the spur of the moment".

According to the report, the fact that Baartman, a former Gqeberha teacher, hid the body, meant that he was aware of what he was doing.

 - Candice Bezuidenhout

JUST IN | Government misses court deadline to answer DA on Putin arrest obligations, asks for more time

Hours before the SA government was due to answer the Democratic Alliance’s case that it has a legal obligation to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if and when he arrives in South Africa, it asked for another three days to give that answer.

The state had previously agreed that it would file its response to the DA’s application by Friday afternoon.

The opposition party’s lawyers are not happy with government’s latest failure to respond to the Putin arrest case, which they say is the third time the state has not met a deadline to do so.

State Attorney representative Joseph Sebelemetsa indicated that President Cyril Ramaphosa “is engaged in various international commitments which require travel abroad” and “requires more time to engage with and respond to the DA’s application”.

- Karyn Maughan

JUST IN | Parliament requests urgent meeting with Zondo over his state capture remarks

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo, have formally requested an urgent meeting with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

Zondo on Thursday said if state capture were to reoccur, Parliament wouldn’t be able to stop it.

Parliament expressed its shock and objection to this statement on Thursday, and said on Friday their requested meeting is “is to clarify any potential misunderstandings and to establish a common understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of each arm of government within the context of Parliament's implementation of the commission's recommendations.”.

– Jan Gerber

Senior health department official Popo Maja charged with corruption over R140m Digital Vibes contract  

Popo Maja, the director of communications at the national Department of Health, has appeared in court on corruption charges related to tender awarded to Digital Vibes.  

Maja appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday morning after handing himself over to police.  

Maja has been charged with two counts of corruption for his alleged role in awarding a contract worth more than R140 million to Digital Vibes to provide communication services to the department for the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme.

It's alleged that during this process, Maja was given two bribes amounting to R15 000.

- Alex Mitchley

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous headline related to this post stated that Popo Maja was charged with fraud. He has in fact been charged with corruption. We apologise for the error, and it has since been rectified.

Body of missing Gqeberha woman Desiree Baartman found

The body of a missing Gqeberha woman Desiree Baartman was found by police late on Tuesday night in a stormwater drain next to Stanford Road.

Her ex-husband, Johnny Baartman, was arrested for her murder on Monday and is set to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court again on Wednesday.

Desiree has been missing since 9 June.

- Candice Bezuidenhout

JUST IN | Police open inquest docket after Joemat-Pettersson's death

Police have confirmed that ANC MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s death will now be the subject of an inquest investigation.

Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said they were still “awaiting a final report from the department of Health” on Joemat-Pettersson’s cause of death. This would only be communicated to her family and would not be released to the public, Mathe said.

Under the provisions of the Inquest Act, police are legally obliged to investigate any death that they suspect is the result of anything other than natural causes. Inquest dockets are opened in circumstances where there is, at the time of the person’s death, no obvious signs of foul play.

- Karyn Maughan and Jan Gerber

Genocide-accused Kayishema drops asylum application bombshell  

Rwandan genocide-accused Fulgence Kayishema will apply for asylum in South Africa, his lawyer told the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

His advocate, Juan Smuts, dropped this bombshell when asked if his client would apply for bail.

Kayishema will apply for asylum on political grounds in an application that will likely take at least two years, holding up his potential extradition.

This, and the 54 immigration-related charges he faces, could significantly delay his trial on charges of genocide during the 1994 massacres in Rwanda.

- Jenni Evans  

(Photo by Jenni Evans, News24)

JUST IN | Court rules in favour of Mabuyane, temporarily interdicts SIU probe into academic fraud claims

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has successfully interdicted the investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into a qualifications scandal at the University of Fort Hare.

It is alleged that a ghost-writing team penned Mabuyane's master's research proposal and that he was also later part of attempts to claim he had a master's degree.

Mabuyane approached the Eastern Cape High Court in Bhisho on an urgent basis to halt the SIU investigation, arguing its scope was expanded from the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Judge Thandi Norman ordered that the SIU was interdicted, pending the hearing of Part B of Mabuyane's application, which seeks to declare the entire SIU probe unconstitutional.

 - Johnnie Isaac

Johannesburg's R80.9 billion budget passed

After a lengthy debate and a late start on Wednesday, the Johannesburg council has passed finance MMC Dada Morero's R80.9 billion budget.

A total of 166 voted in favour of the budget, 68 voted against it and there were no abstentions.

Morero's budget began on a dire note with a picture of the city's poor finances.

The new budget adds R3 billion on top of the previous year's budget.

The passed budget includes the following:

• Tariff hikes of 2% for property.

• A water and sanitation tariff increase of 9.3% each.

• An electricity tariff increase of 14.97%.

• A refuse tariff increase of 7%.The 2023/24 budget includes the city's operational expenditure of R73.3 billion.

The capital expenditure stands at R7.6 billion for 2023/24 years, with a three-year capital budget of R24.4 billion.

-Alex Patrick

JUST IN | Parliament passes controversial NHI Bill

The National Assembly has passed the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill paving the way for “universal healthcare” in South Africa.

On Tuesday, 205 MPs voted in favour of the NHI Bill while 125 voted against it.

All 200 ANC MPs voted in favour of the Bill. The DA’s 71 MPs voted against the Bill. None of the lawmakers abstained from voting.

The NHI Bill proposes a withering away of medical schemes over time as they will not be allowed to insure or reimburse members for services offered by the NHI.

Now that it is passed, the NHI Bill must be processed by the National Council of Provinces. This will involve provincial public hearings.

– Jason Felix

End of the road for former ANC strongman Ace Magashule as party announces his expulsion 

The ANC has expelled its former secretary-general Ace Magashule.

The party's National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) confirmed this on Monday.

It said the decision came after Magashule failed to respond to the NDC after it gave him seven days to state why he should not be expelled.

He had been found guilty of bringing the party into disrepute following his unsanctioned attempt to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa and failure to apologise, despite being instructed to do so by the party.

– Junior Khumalo

Bail denied to three University of Fort Hare murder accused

Three of the five men accused of murdering University of Fort Hare employees, Petrus Roets and Mboneli  Vesele, have been denied bail in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court.

One of the alleged masterminds of the murders, Sicelo Mbulawa and two alleged hitmen, Mthobisi Raphael Khanyile and Mthobisi Dlamini Zondo, will remain behind bars for the duration of their trial.

Five people have been charged with the murders of Roets and Vesele.

The other two accused, Bongani Peter and Wanini Khuza, had previously abandoned their bail bid.

- Malibongwe Dayimani