The Weekend Wrap The gangsterisation of SA's politics, and a new era for higher education — all in the week's wrap.
The discovery of Johannesburg councillor and deputy Patriotic Alliance leader Kenny Kunene in the company of the person wanted for paying for DJ Sumbody demonstrates the growing criminalisation, or some might call 'gangsterisation', of our politics.
By Stephen Grootes
Many of my staff can't work because they are starving, says Gaza City hospital director
The director of Gaza's largest hospital says that many of his colleagues had been admitted to hospital in the past 48 hours because of severe malnutrition, as starvation grips the region.
By Victoria O'Regan
Joining the dots — SAPS infighting casts a long shadow
The lid seems to have been blown open on an intricate web of criminality in both the SAPS and among those with links to law enforcement.
By Yeshiel Panchia
When the trucks stop: How a broken fleet is fuelling Emfuleni's waste problem
Garbage is piling up next to schools, homes, and clinics in Emfuleni because some of the municipality's waste collection trucks and equipment are broken and idle. This photo essay captures the mounting crisis, and the communities left to live in its aftermath.
By Felix Dlangmandla
The Promise — how a hardened Cape Flats gangster beat the recidivism trap
South Africa has one of the world's highest recidivism rates, but some offenders manage to break free of the spiral of release and rearrest.
By Vincent Cruywagen
New era for higher education as Buti Manamela takes charge
Buti Manamela takes over as the new minister of higher education and training after serving for years in government departments. Manamela is set to drive the Post-School Education and Training sector after allegations against Nobuhle Nkabane of corrupt appointments to Seta boards.
By Siyabonga Goni
'Choose your own adventure' – Cape Town Silent Book Club brings novel twist to age-old pastime
The Cape Town Silent Book Club is part of a movement that's re-writing the rules of reading groups. Since its inception in mid-2024, it has held gatherings for large groups of readers in public spaces across the city, including beaches, parks and the Southern Line train.
By Tamsin Metelerkamp
ZEP rejections expose legal uncertainty in SA's general work visa regime
For Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders who have lived in uncertainty for years, this is just the latest wrinkle in their plight.
By Luke Oosthuizen
The optics of Jannik Sinner reappointing the fitness trainer he fired after doping scandal are not good
World No 1 Jannik Sinner has rehired a coach he fired after a doping offence.
By Craig Ray
Garden of hope: Pensioners transform dumping site into thriving community hub
In Khayamnandi, Despatch, a group of women has transformed a former illegal dumping site into a thriving community garden and daycare centre. Without electricity or running water, they grow vegetables to feed children.
By Nkosazana Ngwadla
Watch – Artificial Intelligence: Progress or peril?
From soaring water and energy demands to cognitive overload, job disruption, and the erosion of shared truth, the hidden tolls of artificial intelligence are mounting.
By Rebecca Davis
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Dine like Madiba: Culture and cuisine in the shoes of two great men
Two great men? The other man is my dad, my hero, but of course the shoes we are talking about in this story were worn by one great man: Nelson Mandela, with whom my dad happens to share a birthday. Last Sunday, we dined like Madiba on a very special day in our lives.
By Naomi Campbell
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The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Murdered politician's uncle arrested
A suspect accused of killing the late uMngeni municipal councillor, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, was his uncle. Ndlovu was gunned down at his Masosheni home near Mpophomeni in December 2023. The uncle (56), who is an iNkosi, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared alongside a 34-year-old accomplice at the Howick Magistrate's Court on Thursday. The arrest by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team brings the total number of suspects to five. DA leader Francois Rodgers said the iNkosi was allegedly implicated in a separate case involving the murder of his cousin. The matter has been postponed to 8 August for a formal bail application. 'While the DA welcomes the progress in this case, we remain deeply disappointed by the delays in the arrests. The information that ultimately led to the arrests was already available to the authorities by the DA's independent legal team, yet it was disregarded,' said Rodgers. 'The disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has further weakened the State's ability to address politically motivated crimes. 'The presence of senior SAPS intelligence officials during court proceedings only deepens concerns about whether our intelligence structures are being used effectively and impartially in such politically sensitive matters.' Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi commended the SAPS on the arrest, saying it was a 'significant breakthrough'. Buthelezi commended the task team for their diligent work, which led to this significant breakthrough and the arrest of more suspects. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Woman injured as stone throwers strike again on Cape Town's N2
City of Cape Town FF Plus councillor Emre Uygun is calling for stronger action after another violent incident on the N2's notorious 'Hell Run' near Cape Town International Airport. A woman was seriously injured when a concrete block was hurled at a car travelling along the said the incident is the latest in a string of violent attacks on motorists travelling on the high-risk stretch of highway.'The victims were travelling towards the airport from Somerset West when a concrete block was thrown at their vehicle, striking a woman in the face. Another vehicle attempted to force them off the road at the same time. Their calls to the police's emergency number, 10111, went unanswered.' Uygun confirmed the victims opened a case of attempted murder with police. According to SAPS spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk, Nyanga police have launched an attempted murder investigation into the incident on July 13 at about 4.15pm just before Borchards Quarry Road. 'According to reports, the complainant was on his way to Cape Town International Airport when his vehicle was struck by an object on the passenger side, hitting his wife. The lady was injured with glass in the face,' said Van Wyk. Uygun said the N2 'Hell Run' continues to be a hotspot for crime targeting motorists, with a lack of visible policing and non-functional surveillance systems putting lives at risk. 'According to reports, the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) monitoring system recorded more than 200 crime-related incidents on the N2 and R300 in Cape Town in 2023, including stone-throwing and robbery targeting motorists. 'The so-called 'Hell Run' section of the N2 near the airport is a known high-risk area. So it is alarming that the closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras on this stretch of road are non-functional and visible policing is clearly inadequate.' Uygun said a working CCTV system could serve as a deterrent and a critical tool in identifying and apprehending perpetrators. Asked about non-functional CCTV cameras in the area, Van Wyk said enquiries regarding camera infrastructure should be directed to the City of Cape Town. 'The FF Plus calls on Sanral, the SAPS and the metro police to implement comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of motorists, particularly on the N2 near the airport, to prevent such incidents,' said Uygun. He said integrated operations involving SAPS, the city's law enforcement, traffic and metro police are regularly conducted on the N2 corridor. However, the frequency and effectiveness of these operations are now being questioned as motorists continue to be attacked. The latest incident follows a previous case in 2024, when traffic services appealed to the public for information about a group of children caught on camera throwing stones at vehicles on the N1 near the Sable Road off-ramp. One motorist captured the footage after his windscreen was shattered in the attack. Van Wyk said no arrests have been made and investigations are continuing. TimesLIVE
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Eastern Cape police disrupt transnational crime networks, seizing R2. 2 million in counterfeit goods
The Eastern Cape police's recent operation led to the confiscation of dangerous unlicensed pharmaceuticals, valued at R2.2 million in Gqeberha. Image: Supplied Eastern Cape police have disrupted transnational criminal networks involved in the distribution of unlicensed and potentially hazardous goods in Gqeberha, seizing illicit pharmaceuticals and suspected counterfeit goods worth approximately R2.2 million on Wednesday. The intelligence-driven operation was conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising Border Policing (CDSI Airport), K9 Unit, Crime Intelligence, and brand-holder agents. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the team executed searches at a wholesaler in Durban Road and a warehouse on Daisy Road in the area of Korsten. Gantana said the operation targeted transnational criminal networks involved in the distribution of unlicensed and potentially hazardous goods. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Seized items included 17,430 Viagra pills, 224 Viagra jelly sachets, 2,640 Adcodol tablets, 6,480 Apetito tablets, 3,560 pregnancy test kits, 4,680 skin-whitening creams, 648 Colgate toothbrushes, 1,584 Kiwi Shoe Polish units, and 106 rodent traps. 'The total street value is estimated at R2.2 million,' stated Gantana. According to police, the operation concluded without injuries, property damage, or arrests. 'Investigations are ongoing to trace supply chains, with the SAPS collaborating with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and brand holders to authenticate the seized goods,' said Gantana. Acting Provincial Commissioner of Eastern Cape, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, said this seizure disrupted criminal enterprises exploiting consumer safety for profit. 'We commend the integrated efforts of our units and private partners. The public must reject unregulated products – your health is not worth the risk,' said Gantana. The SAPS issued an urgent warning against the public using unregulated pharmaceuticals and health products. 'Items such as erectile dysfunction medications, unregistered analgesics, and whitening creams may contain toxic substances or incorrect dosages, posing severe health risks in violation of the Medicines Act.' SAHPRA advised the public that products sold in places other than pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and by dispensing doctors must be avoided and reported to them. The regulatory authority said these products present particular dangers, such as the wrong dose of active ingredients, no active ingredient at all, or they may have a completely different ingredient included. 'Some were found to contain highly toxic substances such as rat poison, and they deprive sick people of treatment, leaving them vulnerable to the disease they are meant to be fighting,' said SAHPRA. According to the authority, the presence of these products complicates the treatment of some of the world's most dangerous diseases by contributing to the development of drug-resistant strains. 'Avoid buying medicines online unless you have verified that the facility and personnel providing the products are registered and recorded with the South African Pharmacy Council, Health Professional Council of South Africa, National Department of Health, and SAHPRA,' it said. Professor David Katerere, who is the research platform chair for pharmaceutical and biotech advancement in Africa (PBA2) at Tshwane University of Technology, said counterfeit medicines should not be confused with generic medicines. He said generic medicines are cheaper but still scientifically proven to be safe and efficacious versions of patented medicines. 'The term 'counterfeit medicine' refers to medicines deliberately and fraudulently falsified or mislabelled. Also called substandard or falsified medicines, they would have failed to pass the quality measurements and standards approved by medicine regulatory authorities,' he said. The array of suspected counterfeit items, including skin-whitening creams and unregistered analgesics seized by police in Gqeberha Eastern Cape. Image: Supplied
