What's in City Press: Behind the scenes of Cyril's White House visit
SA's newly appointed special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, was conspicuously absent during President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to the White House earlier this week.
We're gambling our money away, even social grants
More and more residents in SA, including the poor who receive social grants, are turning to online gambling and sports betting.
SARS wants MaMkhize's bodyguard to testify at tax inquiry
More woes are piling up for troubled businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize, with the revenue collector now dragging one of her closest associates to give evidence against her at the ongoing inquiry into her unpaid taxes.
The day Ramaphosa's spine of an eel served SA well
Contrary to what critics might say, President Cyril Ramaphosa did well to visit the White House and did well to control his temper even under the most extreme provocation, writes Mondli Makhanya
Speaker blows R6.5m on two luxury cars
Limpopo legislature speaker Makoma Makhurupetje has allegedly spent more than R6 million of taxpayers' money in under seven months on two expensive luxury cars.
Pupil crashes teacher's car after taking it for a joyride
The vehicle of a teacher from Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape was severely damaged after one of the Grade 11 pupils, who were supposed to wash it, drove it through the town without her permission and ended up in a water canal.
With only a week left before the current lottery operating licence expires, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is expected to announce the Sizekhaya Consortium as the new lotto operator to replace Ithuba.
Matjhabeng EPWP scandal: 'Politically connected' score R65k salaries while youth are shut out
Allegations of rampant abuse of the expanded public works programme (EPWP) have rocked the Free State's Matjhabeng Local Municipality, with claims that politically connected individuals are earning more than R60 000 a month under a programme meant to lift unemployed and low-income South Africans out of poverty.
PSL refutes MaMkhize's claims that Royal AM were unfairly expelled
The PSL has rejected beleaguered businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize's proposition that her club, Royal AM's expulsion from the league was procedurally unfair.
Internet-famous 'doctor Mattew' demands R2m for unlawful arrest
Controversial social media content creator, Matthew Lani, who was once an admired, famous 'young doctor' on TikTok, is demanding R2 million from the police minister for unlawful arrest.
Court-ordered intervention in FS collapses amid council defiance and political obstruction.
Efforts to place the Matjhabeng Local Municipality under administration, as ordered by the Free State High Court, have been derailed as internal political resistance and procedural issues stall the introduction of a provincial intervention team.
Military veterans department is a 'playground for those who can't find jobs elsewhere'
The department of military veterans is riddled with ANC appointments and the offspring of generals who cannot find work elsewhere. This is set out in a letter the SA National Military Veterans Association sent to Parliament's joint standing committee on defence.
DA has a go at Johann Rupert over crime comments
Senior DA officials have responded after business magnate Johann Rupert's statement at the White House that John Steenhuisen's party is struggling to get the murder rate on the Cape Flats under control.
Ramaphosa's team discusses easing BEE barriers to entry for US companies
President Cyril Ramaphosa, ahead of his departure for the US last week, asked Solly Malatsi, the minister of communication and digital technology, to expedite a policy guideline that could open the doors for Elon Musk's Starlink in SA.
SA soldiers in DRC told to surrender weapons in Rwanda
A soldier without a weapon is nothing more than a target. This is the sentiment expressed by SA troops stranded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), waiting for buses to evacuate them from the conflict-stricken region.
BEE group, unions accuse Chinese mining company of acting in 'bad faith'
Black empowerment group, the Kopanang Empowerment Company (KEC), is crying foul, alleging that its Chinese partner, Heaven-Sent SA Sunshine Investment Company, has gone behind its back and negotiated the sale of Kopanang Mine to China Africa Precious Metals (CAPM).
Banyana coach Des Ellis is working without a contract - source
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is allegedly working without a contract.
A source told City Press that Ellis's contract expired in July 2022, at the last CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco.
SA's delegation to Washington DC was initially caught off guard by President Donald Trump's request to invite golf legends, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, to join the country's delegation to the White House this week.
'Your p*** too' – then former Griquas star pummeled assistant coach
Fists and crude insults flew on Monday afternoon between two rugby team coaches during a practice session at the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
Kaizer Chiefs will start another campaign outside the lineup of the season-opening MTN8 tournament after they finished outside the top eight for the second time in a row.
A high-stakes drama is unfolding in the ABC Motsepe League as accusations of fraud threaten to derail Highlands Park's promotion ambitions.
Brothers Udeme Okon and Ime Okon have endured mixed fortunes in sport this season. While Udeme is basking in glory after helping Team SA to a 4x400m gold medal at the recent World Athletics Relays, his elder brother Ime's SuperSport United has struggled throughout the PSL campaign.
Although there is nothing wrong with lodging protests, waiting until the last minute raises eyebrows.
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News24
5 minutes ago
- News24
SA fires back at US human rights report, calls it ‘fact-free' hypocrisy
SA rejected the state department's human rights report as 'deeply flawed' and accused US of using distorted facts. The dispute centres on US claims about farmworker killings and land expropriation while cases are still in courts. Report highlights US hypocrisy by America which withdrew from UN Human Rights Council. South Africa has launched a scathing counterattack against the US, rejecting a damning human rights report as 'deeply flawed' and turning the spotlight on America's record in a dramatic diplomatic showdown that exposes the politics behind international criticism. On Tuesday, the department of International relations and cooperation registered 'profound disappointment' with the US state department's recent human rights assessment, which claimed SA's situation had 'significantly worsened' and accused government of taking 'substantially worrying steps towards land expropriation of Afrikaners'. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola, expressed fury over what he called fundamental distortions, including the US citing a case where farmworkers were allegedly killed and fed to pigs as an 'extrajudicial killing' despite the matter being actively adjudicated by SA's independent judiciary. The report's reliance on a-contextual information and distorted facts is highly concerning. We register our profound disappointment with this report. We reject it, it's inaccurate and deeply flawed. This is not only premature but a fundamental distortion of the facts, as the individuals are formally arraigned before a court of law. Chrispin Phiri In a pointed counterattack, SA questioned America's moral authority to judge other nations, highlighting that the US had withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council and 'therefore no longer sees itself accountable in a multilateral peer review system'. Significant and documented concerns about human rights within the US, including the treatment of refugees and breaches in due process by its agencies, such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. According to The Guardian newspaper, the controversy reflects a broader pattern under Donald Trump's administration, which has dramatically softened criticism of some countries that have been strong partners of the Republican president, such as El Salvador and Israel, which rights groups say have well-established histories of abuses. Instead, the US state department has 'stepped-up criticism of Brazil and SA, both of which Washington has clashed with over a host of issues'. The publication noted that criticism of governments over LGBTQ+ rights, prominent in former president Joe Biden administration's reports, 'appeared to have been largely omitted' from Trump's version. The diplomatic spat highlights stark contradictions in international assessments. While the US condemned the Land Expropriation Act, the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, Switzerland, praised the same legislation as a 'critical step in addressing the country's racially imbalanced land ownership'. This recognition from the UN's primary human rights body underscores the integrity of our legislative processes aimed at rectifying historical injustices in a constitutional and human-rights-based manner. Chrispin Phiri The US report accused SA of multiple violations, including arbitrary killings, detention, repression of racial minorities and inflammatory rhetoric against the Afrikaners. It claimed government failed to take 'credible steps to investigate, prosecute and punish officials who committed human rights abuses'. However, SA pointed to its transparency. Transparent systems, where information is freely available from our law enforcement agencies and Chapter 9 institutions, which are constitutionally mandated to protect and advance human rights. The controversy extends beyond SA. In Brazil, where Trump has clashed with the government over former president Jair Bolsonaro's legal troubles, the US found the human rights situation had declined after previously reporting 'no significant changes'. Trump has called Bolsonaro's prosecution for allegedly conspiring to overturn his 2022 election loss a 'witch-hunt' and threatened 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods. SA announced it would release 'a set of documents for public perusal during the week' to provide 'a complete and accurate picture' and counter what it called US distortions. Government pointed to reports from reputable sources, including the AFP fact-checks and BBC coverage, as evidence supporting their position on contested cases. The diplomatic clash reveals how human rights assessments have become increasingly politicised tools in international relations, with countries using moral authority as leverage against rivals while protecting allies from similar scrutiny.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
South Africa dismisses U.S. human rights report as 'deeply flawed'
JOHANNESBURG — The South African government on Wednesday dismissed the U.S. State Department's latest assessment of the country's human rights conditions as 'inaccurate and deeply flawed.' The Trump administration this week released human rights reports for countries worldwide, including South Africa, asserting that the state of human rights in South Africa had 'significantly worsened' in 2024. It cited the unjust treatment of white Afrikaners after the signing of significant land reforms , which the Trump administration has claimed discriminate against the group that ruled the nation during the apartheid era.
News24
an hour ago
- News24
SA human rights ‘worsened', US claims; Stormers' new logo: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood 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. US State Department claims human rights have 'worsened' in SA - Dirco criticised the US State Department's human rights report, calling it inaccurate and a misrepresentation of South Africa's constitutional democracy, particularly regarding land reform and racial issues. - The US report claimed there was a worsening human rights situation in South Africa, citing the Expropriation Act, alleged abuses against racial minorities, and government inaction on human rights abuses. - Dirco highlighted UN support for South Africa's land reforms and plans to release documents to counter the US report's distortions, emphasising South Africa's commitment to democratic processes and human rights protection. X/@DonaldDavhie Anti-colonial allies: South Africa deepens ties with Iran amid strained US relations - The SANDF chief's visit to Tehran aimed to strengthen ties and discuss shared anti-colonial and justice-driven goals. - General Rudzani Maphwanya emphasised deepening defence ties, mutual respect, and solidarity with oppressed people, including Palestinians. - The visit occurred amid escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria over South Africa's relationships with nations the US designates as adversaries. Guptas unhappy being called 'infamous', tell ConCourt Nulane retrial won't be fair - Accused in the Gupta-linked Nulane scam are appealing the Supreme Court of Appeal's (SCA) decision to overturn their acquittals and order a retrial, arguing it prejudices their right to a fair trial. - The appellants claim the SCA made factual findings and improperly referenced the Zondo Commission's findings, which they argue are not binding and inadmissible. - The Nulane prosecutor argues the SCA only assessed errors of law and that its finding of a prima facie case doesn't equate to a finding of guilt. The Constitutional Court has yet to decide whether to hear the appeals. There's snow place like home: Meet SA's 18-year-old ski sensation going to Winter Olympics - Lara Markthaler, an 18-year-old skier with German-South African heritage, has qualified to represent South Africa in Alpine skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics. - Markthaler, who has lived and trained in various countries, expresses pride in representing South Africa and enjoys standing out among traditional ski nations. - She trains extensively, balancing on-snow practice with gym sessions, and looks forward to carrying the South African flag and inspiring other South African athletes. Lotto licence saga: ANC-linked group led before Sizekhaya win, court papers show - Minister Parks Tau revealed that Ringeta Consortium, linked to an ANC donor, initially scored highest in the bid for SA's new lotto operator but was later surpassed by Sizekhaya Consortium due to better financial projections. - Questions arose about Deputy President Paul Mashatile's sister-in-law's stake in Sizekhaya, but Tau stated that evaluators found no concerns regarding political influence within the consortium. - Tau defended his decision to award the license to Sizekhaya, citing a reassessment process that prioritised maximising profits, and addressed concerns about political involvement in Ringeta's bid. Supplied/Shoprite Holdings How two women bought a failing cookie company for one rand... and triumphed - In 2013, Adri Williams and Eunice Nyobole bought the failing Khayelitsha Cookie Company for R1 and transformed it into a successful women-led social enterprise. - The company now employs 70 women, produces 80 000 cookies daily, and supports approximately 500 dependents through its workers' incomes. - Khayelitsha Cookies has expanded into the retail market through private label partnerships and developed a healthier cookie range inspired by the need to combat malnutrition in children. Shaun Roy/Gallo Images Stormers unveil new logo replacing iconic 26-year-old 'lightning bolt' - The Stormers have unveiled a new logo, replacing their 26-year-old design, to symbolise unity, progress, and a commitment to community connections. - The rebrand reflects the team's financial stability and new leadership, aiming for growth, player development, and inspiring their fanbase. - The new logo incorporates elements like the Stormers jersey hoops, a subtle lightning bolt, and the shape of Cape Town Stadium, emphasising unity and heritage.
