Prasa's R2.5bn train flop; Malema's Trump card: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes

News24

26-05-2025

Graphic by Sharlene Rood/News24
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
Cape Town couple in alleged sex slave case out on R50k bail
A Cape Town couple, aged 47 and 38, facing charges including rape, human trafficking, and drug possession, have been granted R50 000 bail each by the Western Cape High Court.
The court overturned a previous denial of bail, imposing strict conditions such as surrendering passports and regular police check-ins, after the couple argued the State's case was weak.
The couple, accused of offences against a 26-year-old former employee and their own 5-year-old child, deny all allegations, claiming the complainant had a consensual agreement and is now resentful of losing her job.
Mlungisi Louw/Gallo Images/Volksblad
Asbestos 'scam': Cholota's lawyers say State failed to show extradition was lawful
Moroadi Cholota's legal team criticised the State for not calling NPA officials to testify in the trial-within-a-trial regarding her extradition.
Cholota's lawyers argued that the NPA lacked the authority to request her extradition, citing a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling.
The court has postponed the case to 3 June for judgment on Cholota's special plea challenging the court's jurisdiction.
DERAILED: Prasa blows R2.5bn fixing trains and then discards them to rot in depots
Prasa has paid R2.5 billion to contractors to repair old trains that are not being used, with plans to spend R7.5 billion by 2027 on this project.
A forensic investigation revealed that the refurbished trains are discarded in depots, and some Prasa executives questioned the project's value.
The report recommends declaring the expenditure irregular and pursuing criminal charges against those involved in potential fraud.
Malema's Trump card? EFF leader convinced White House has boosted party's election hopes
Julius Malema claims the EFF is more powerful after being discussed during the Ramaphosa-Trump meeting in the White House.
Malema criticised Ramaphosa for highlighting South Africa's crime crisis in the US, saying it will harm tourism.
The EFF is campaigning in the Free State ahead of a by-election, hoping to gain control of Ward 16 in the Ngwathe municipality.
Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Starlink: Malatsi's moves align with GNU's five-year plan
A proposed directive in SA could allow satellite services like Starlink to offer foreign firms a workaround to black shareholding requirements, aligning with the government's five-year plan.
Experts say the rules are due for a change, although certain vulnerable industry players, such as small rural ISPs, will need to be protected from the impact of large satellite services.
The proposed policy directive is likely to be contested, with concerns raised about bypassing legislative frameworks and the potential negative impact on local empowerment imperatives.
Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
'This is a disaster!': Sundowns' easiest, trickiest Champions League clash in Cairo
Mamelodi Sundowns will travel to Cairo for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against Pyramids FC, with many Egyptians surprisingly supporting Sundowns due to Pyramids' unpopularity.
Pyramids FC faces numerous challenges, including a congested schedule, lack of fan support, and alleged bias from Egyptian football authorities, making this a tricky match for Sundowns despite appearing easier on paper.
Coach Miguel Cardoso emphasises the importance of showing a champion's attitude in difficult situations and taking responsibility for mistakes, as Sundowns aims to overcome the 1-1 draw from the first leg and win in Cairo.
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