News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on May 19, 2025
The Health Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of an intern doctor, Dr Alulutho Mazwi at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital.
Good evening, IOL News family!
It's Monday, May 19, 2025 and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed and in the know.
Why Ramaphosa left out Afrikaners in Trump talks: Analysts explain the strategy
Political analysts suggest that President Cyril Ramaphosa deliberately left out Afrikaner nationalist leaders from his US visit with President Donald Trump to maintain unity within the GNU and ensure the delegation remains focused on its main objectives.To read on, click here.
Health ombudsman launches investigation into the death of intern doctor at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital
The Health Ombudsman, Professor Taole Mokoena, has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of an intern doctor, Dr Alulutho Mazwi at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. To read on, click here.
How Budget 2025-26 could reshape service delivery and accountability
Analysts have emphasised the need for the National Treasury to allocate more resources toward improving service delivery, complemented by stronger accountability measures to ensure efficiency and transparency as the Finance Minister prepares to present the '3.0 Budget' for the 2025-26 financial year. To read on, click here.
Seven Gauteng teenagers arrested after viral bullying video emerges
Seven teenage girls have been arrested in Gauteng in connection with a bullying video that has since gone viral on social media. To read on, click here.
Medical condition: R10 million theft case at President Ramaphosa's farm postponed
The case against Imanuwela David, Froliana Joseph and Ndilinasho Joseph relating to the break-in and theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm returned to court on Monday. To read on, click here.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
BBBEE policies vital for South Africa's economic transformation
President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again reaffirmed the country's commitment to defending its BBBEE laws as the only way to realise economic inclusion. Image: ANC/X South Africa's Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) policies are here to stay. These were the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa who once again re-affirmed the country's affirmative action policies as key to economic transformation and inclusion. This comes as the DA among others have recently voiced their opposition to the country's economic policies. Ramaphosa and Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola during their recent address before the Black Business Council summit, affirmed the current legislative framework. In his newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa indicated that the country's economy will not succeed without the current policies, adding that now is not the time to back-track on these policies as they are the cornerstone of economic inclusion and the much-needed economic growth as enshrined in the constitution and the Freedom Charter. "Our Constitution reflects the promise we made to one another and to future generations to redress the injustices of our past and realise the full potential of our country. For this reason, we reaffirm that broad-based black economic empowerment is not just a policy choice but a constitutional imperative. "In recent months, the world has entered what many now term a 'poly-crisis' where global conflict, economic stagnation, mistrust in institutions and environmental degradation are challenging even the most resilient of nations." Ramaphosa said now is not the time to abandon the measures that have been put in place to drive transformation. "To the contrary, it is the time to move forward with greater purpose and raise our ambition. Since 1994 we have built a robust legislative framework to advance the transformation of our economy, anchored in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and the Employment Equity Act. The progress we have made is undeniable," he said. In his address to the Black Business Council summit on Thursday, Lamola encouraged black entrepreneurs to take a firm stand in the country's ailing economy. "In the context of our country, inclusive growth has a broader meaning, it must mean the inclusion of black entrepreneurs in the mainstream of our economy and into the South African business playing a role in the world. This is a constitutional imperative. Further to the above small businesses have a key role to play, exchange program and collaboration becomes key," Lamola said. Despite the DA saying the BBBEE laws have not worked, Ramaphosa indicated through legislative frameworks such as the BBBEE policies and other interventions, the country has realised and seen real changes in ownership patterns and more businesses owned by women. "We have seen changes in management control, enterprise development and skills development. According to Statistics SA, between 2006 and 2023, black African households experienced real income growth of 46%, coloured households of 29% and Indian households of 19%. "Despite this progress, the average income of white households is still nearly five times higher than that of black African households. This is the gulf we must close through deliberate and sustained efforts to expand opportunity. Transformation is not a favour. It is a necessity," he added.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa defends transformation, we must dispense false notion
Ramaphosa said economic growth without transformation entrenches exclusion and transformation without growth is unsustainable. President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended transformation, saying black empowerment is 'vital to inclusive economic growth.' Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa emphasised that 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, the country is reminded of its 'aspiration that the people shall share in the country's wealth.' 'Our Constitution reflects the promise we made to one another and to future generations to redress the injustices of our past and realise the full potential of our country. 'For this reason, we reaffirm that broad-based black economic empowerment is not just a policy choice but a constitutional imperative,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urges employers to give BEEI youths their 'next opportunity' Inequality The president said that according to Statistics SA, between 2006 and 2023, black African households experienced real income growth of 46%, coloured households of 29% and Indian households of 19%. 'Despite this progress, the average income of white households is still nearly five times higher than that of black African households. This is the gulf we must close through deliberate and sustained efforts to expand opportunity. 'Transformation is not a favour. It is a necessity. The inequality of our past continues to shape the lives of millions of black South Africans. And yet many who continue to benefit from the legacy of exclusion continue to decry black economic empowerment and are even challenging it in our courts,' Ramaphosa said. 'False notion' Ramaphosa said economic growth without transformation entrenches exclusion, and transformation without growth is unsustainable. 'We must dispense with the false notion that we must make a choice between growth and transformation. 'We also need to challenge the notion that broad-based black economic empowerment is a cost to the economy. It is actually an investment in the economy,' Ramaphosa said. Last week, Ramaphosa came out swinging against critics of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), questioning whether their opposition is rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. ALSO READ: US visit came amid 'increasing strain' between two countries, Ramaphosa says
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Legal implications for a 12-year-old driver in a fatal crash? Understanding the consequences
A 14-year-old pedestrian tragically lost his life in Brakpan after being struck by a Mazda allegedly driven by a 12-year-old boy. Image: Supplied As South Africans express shock over the incident where a 12-year-old Gauteng boy allegedly fatally struck a 14-year-old boy while the 12-year-old was driving his parents' car, crime analyst says the law will probe into the circumstances of how the 12-year-old ended up with the vehicle. In an interview with IOL, crime researcher Thabang Bogopa said after the horrific incident, the child is carefully assessed and recommendations are made to the presiding officer. 'Once a minor is involved in the commission of an offence, the statute that will come into play is called the Children in Conflict with the Law Act (Child Justice Act). What will normally happen is that an inquiry will be held involving social workers who will interview the child, potential witnesses and make recommendation to the magistrate as to whether the child should be prosecuted, or whether the child should be given a hearing in camera which means in private, and be referred for a programme, normally at the child welfare," he said. "Children in conflict with the law are young individuals aged 12 to 17 who are suspected of committing crimes. The Child Justice Act (CJA) in South Africa provides a separate system for dealing with these children, focusing on their best interests and rights, and aims to prevent them from obtaining criminal records in appropriate cases." Bogopa said the CJA emphasizes restorative justice, diversions, and alternative sentencing options to help children turn their lives around. He said in instances where other people are affected by the minor's crime, mediation will also be recommended. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Crime researcher Thabang Bogopa spoke to IOL Image: Supplied Bogopa however, said the law will carefully probe into circumstances on how the 12-year-old ended up with the vehicle, and there would be repercussions for anyone who gave the minor a vehicle. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The person who gave the child the vehicle would be charged in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, there is a scheduled offence there which involves giving someone who does not have a driver's licence a vehicle to operate. So they would be charged under that Act," he said. "In this case, they would be charged for giving a child who is underage a vehicle, but also someone who does not have a valid driver's licence." The criminologist said it is imperative for parents to conscientise their children strongly against driving without a licence, which is a serious offence. "The advice would be for parents to desist from allowing their children to drive, especially if they are below 16, because if they are above 16, they can have a learner's licence and drive under the supervision of an adult. When they are 18 then they get a driver's licences to operate a motor vehicle on a public road," said Bogopa. He said the massive infrastructural damages caused by the vehicle may become the subject of a civil dispute. "Normally, a full comprehensive vehicle insurance cover would cover up to R5 million of the third party. So, it means the parents' insurance will pay off the damage. It will be between the parents and their insurance as to how they fix it going forward," he said. IOL reported on Monday that the 12-year-old boy appeared before the Brakpan Magistrate's Court in Gauteng after he allegedly fatally struck a 14-year-old boy while driving his parents' car. The boy appeared in court on Monday in the presence of his guardian. He is facing a charge of culpable homicide and driving a motor vehicle without a licence. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said on Saturday, June 7, 2025, the 12-year-old was allegedly driving his parents' car at the corner of Madeley and Northdeene Street when he drove over a 14-year-old boy and subsequently bumped into a wall. "The 14-year-old boy sustained injuries and was declared dead on the scene. The 12-year-old was then taken to the Brakpan charge office and later released into the care of his parents by police on June 8, 2025," said Mahanjana. Mahanjana added that matter was postponed to August 28, 2025, to determine the 12-year-old boy's criminal capacity. According to City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, officers from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department's (EMPD) Accident Bureau responded to the scene, where paramedics had already declared the teenage pedestrian deceased. "At the scene, officers found a Mazda that allegedly bumped the pedestrian driven by a 12-year-old driver," said Dlamini. IOL News
