News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on June 2, 2025
Rain expected along the southern and eastern coasts midweek, with most inland areas remaining dry and cold.
Good evening, IOL News family!
It's Monday, June 2, 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
SA weather forecast: Expect cooler temperatures and isolated showers this week
South Africa will start the week with calm and stable weather, but the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that isolated showers and cooler temperatures are expected to arrive by midweek. To read on, click here.
Zuma blasts Ramaphosa's US mission: 'South Africa's problems can't be fixed by outsiders'
Former President Jacob Zuma has issued a stinging rebuke of President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent diplomatic visit to Washington, asserting that South Africa should not rely on foreign powers to resolve its domestic challenges. To read on, click here.
Here's what you're likely to pay for petrol and diesel from Wednesday, June 04
Fuel taxes are set to increase for the first time in three years, but thankfully a stronger rand will shield South African motorists from fuel price hikes in June. To read on, click here.
Public safety alert: Gauteng officials warn of rising dangers in online meet-ups
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has issued a serious warning to the public amid a surge in violent crimes linked to online dating and social media mee-tups, particularly in the Maboneng precinct of Johannesburg. To read on, click here.
KZN councillor and wife implicated in alleged corruption on R29bn N3 highway upgrade
An exclusive investigation by IOL has uncovered disturbing allegations of corruption and financial misconduct involving a local politician and his wife, linked to the multi-billion rand N3 highway upgrade - a critical infrastructure project connecting Durban and Pietermaritzburg. To read on, click here.
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Eyewitness News
8 minutes ago
- Eyewitness News
Judge slams Home Affairs for 'unintelligible, illogical babble' in gay case
'Unintelligible, illogical babble'. This is how a Western Cape High Court judge described the reasoning of a Home Affairs official who rejected an application for asylum by a citizen of Chad, who had been imprisoned in his home country for being gay. Judge Gayaat Da Silva Salie set aside the rejection of the asylum application and ordered that it be heard afresh by another Refugee Status Determination Officer (RSDO) within six months. The man, identified only as MAM in the judgment, said he fled Chad after he had been arrested and served a year in jail, convicted under the country's 'anti-homosexual' laws. He came to South Africa on a visitor's visa in May 2023 and was involved in a relationship with a South African doctor. In 2024 he applied for asylum. His last interview was in September 2024. He was then informed that his application had been rejected. In his reasons, the RSDO gave a long explanation of the political system in Chad. He then recorded: 'You were arrested and sentenced because of your sexual orientation and homosexuals are not allowed in your country. You stated that you were released by the court because you have use of a lawyer. When I assessed your information concerning homosexuals, there's a separation of powers between the executive and the judicial power in terms of homosexual laws. The government does not allow same sex relations and the courts released the offenders. Therefore your application has been rejected as unfounded.' MAM, in his submissions, said he could not appeal this decision internally because it was 'unintelligible, irrational and failed to consider the applicable law in Chad'. He said this constituted 'exceptional circumstances' which allowed him to approach a court, without exhausting his internal appeal remedies, as provided for in the Refugees Act. Judge Da Silva Salie said MAM had submitted that he fled Chad after being imprisoned solely for being a homosexual man. He said his safety and freedom remain threatened in Chad. He indicated that his family had disowned him and he faced persecution from the state and society at large. However, the respondents — the Director-General and the Minister of Home Affairs — opposed the application. They argued that the reasons were not only adequate but also clear. They also argued that the matter did not meet the threshold of 'exceptional circumstances' to approach a court for judicial scrutiny without exhausting internal remedies. Judge Da Silva Salie said the RSDO had concluded that the applicant's asylum claim was 'unfounded' relying primarily on the assertion that the judiciary in Chad is independent, and that although homosexuality is criminalised, some courts had released offenders. 'I find the argument that these reasons were clear and adequate to be rather problematic. 'They are contradictory and factually incoherent. The RSDO accepts the facts of criminalisation of homosexuality whilst simultaneously rejecting the credibility of his claim of fear of future persecution. 'This reflects a profound misunderstanding of the legal standards governing asylum, especially the well-founded fear of persecution provided for in the Refugees Act.' She noted that the RSDO had also disregarded the legal framework that governed asylum decisions and South Africa's international obligations to the rights of LGBTQI+ people. 'The theoretical independence of the judiciary cannot override the reality that consensual same-sex conduct remains criminalised in Chad and that the applicant was prosecuted and imprisoned under those laws,' she said. 'If anything, the position can only be worse for him should he return as he would be a convicted person of homosexual offences. The assertion that 'the courts released offenders' ignores that harm has already occurred. ' She said the reasons lacked any intelligible or informative content which could assist MAM in formulating an internal appeal and were 'characteristic of a sequence of illogical babble'. 'It is unintelligible,' she said. She cautioned that officials could not 'hide behind the hurdle to exhaust internal remedies', when they had provided obtuse and unfathomable reasons for application rejections. 'They are required to apply their minds and provide reasons which are clear, adequate, and provide a meaningful basis from which an applicant can comprehend, request further reasons and decide in an informed manner as to their further rights and remedies in law.' Judge Da Silva Salie set aside the rejection application and ordered that MAM be interviewed by a different officer within six months. She ordered the government respondents to pay the costs of the application. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
25 minutes ago
Woolworths roll out Pride campaign
Woolworths have launched their 2025 Pride campaign. Images via Instagram: @woolworths_sa Woolworths has rolled out its 2025 Pride campaign in-store and on its social media platforms. But while they have kept the display of their merchandise subdued as compared to previous years, shoppers have continued to criticise the retailer. ADVERTISEMENT On their social media accounts, Woolworths shared a glimpse of their 2025 Pride campaign, which celebrates the month of LGBTQI rights. The range features clothing and merchandise featuring the LGBTQ flag and the words 'South Africa' emblazoned with the rainbow colours. On its official Instagram and Facebook accounts, Woolworths turned off the comments. However, social media users used the X platform to share their views. X user @TheArtist1988 posted: '2025 and Woolworths still celebrating s*d*my. Why should God bless South Africa when His own people (Christians) can't resist supporting Woolworths?' ADVERTISEMENT @AfrikanerHart posted: 'I think Woolworths has learnt their lesson about shoving rainbows down our throats this month. They must have taken a financial hit last year with their woke movement'. @PolyannaBrey added: 'They are not allowing comments on the post. I wonder why?' CORPORATE COMPANIES SCALE BACK CAMPAIGNS Meanwhile, CNN has stated that corporations worldwide, particularly in the US, are scaling back their Pride campaigns. This follows public backlash and their brands being compromised as a result. Ryan Bos of Capital Pride Alliance said: 'They made the decision that to protect their business, they did not want to risk the backlash,' said Although Pride is celebrated in South Africa in February, the NGO Triangle Project hopes the month will raise awareness and create a more 'inclusive world for everyone.' ADVERTISEMENT WHAT DOES WOOLWORTHS SAY? The South African attempted to contact Woolworths for comment. None has been received at the time of publishing. Last year, the retailer stated that the campaign encouraged the public to 'own, express, and celebrate their identity.' It added: 'Our Pride campaign is part of the Woolworths Inclusive Justice Initiative – acting against discrimination and marginalisation.' WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WOOLWORTHS'S PRIDE CAMPAIGN? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
32 minutes ago
- The Citizen
‘Nothing I can do about it,' Judge tells Magashule as Free State asbestos trial postponed again
The trial was postponed to January next year. Ex-Free State premier Ace Magashule and his former assistant, Moroadi Cholota, at Bloemfontein High Court on 23 April 2025. Picture: Gallo Images/Mlungisi Louw The Free State asbestos corruption trial has faced another delay, as the state intends to appeal a ruling that allowed Moroadi Cholota to walk free. The trial resumed on Wednesday at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein, following Judge Philip Loubser's ruling a day earlier that upheld Cholota's special plea. Cholota had challenged the court's jurisdiction on the basis that her extradition from the United States (US) was unlawful. The ruling favouring ex-Free State premier Ace Magashule's former personal assistant means she won't stand trial for corruption alongside 17 others accused in the R255 million asbestos tender scandal. State to appeal Moroadi Cholota judgement During Wednesday's proceedings, state prosecutor Advocate Johan de Nysschen notified the court of the state's intention to appeal. 'The prima facie view is that we shall appeal this judgement,' De Nysschen said. The prosecutor explained that, as a first option, the state may align its appeal with a case currently before the Constitutional Court (ConCourt). That case stems from a 2024 Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling involving the extradition of South African-born artist Johnathan Schultz, in which the appellant court found that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) lacked the legal authority to initiate extradition requests, stating that this power rested with the minister of Justice. ALSO READ: NPA 'taken aback' over Moroadi Cholota extradition ruling, hints at appeal The NPA is currently challenging the Schultz ruling. Alternatively, the state may proceed with a direct appeal of the Cholota judgement to the SCA. 'We are of the view that the facts in this matter and the Schultz matter differ, so the Supreme Court of Appeal could come to another decision in this matter.' Watch the proceedings below: Potential complications in Free State asbestos trial De Nysschen requested a postponement until Friday, 13 June, to allow the state to study the judgement and prepare an application for leave to appeal. 'We will bring a complete and thorough application for leave to appeal very shortly. We cannot do that without a postponement. 'It was contemplated that we might continue with the trial against the rest of the accused, but the problem is that in our view, accused 17 [Cholota] forms an integral part of the bigger case,' the prosecutor said. READ: Free State asbestos trial: State accused of ruining life of Magashule's ex-PA Moroadi Cholota He stressed that proceeding without Cholota would complicate matters. Should the appeal succeed, she could be reintegrated into the case. However, if evidence is led before that, a separate trial would be required. 'We will have to prosecute her in a separate trial, which is not conducive. It has huge cost implications and so forth.' Magashule complains as Free State asbestos trial postponed Loubser reviewed the case schedule and proposed that the trial be conducted during the first and early second terms of 2026. 'It is important for me to make progress with this case and show some sort of progress by the end of the year at least, but we will see if we can do so.' A visibly frustrated Magashule then addressed the court to voice concerns over the ongoing delays. 'The state has always been saying they are ready. It looks like we don't have rights,' he said. The former Free State premier added that the repeated postponements were 'costly' for himself and his co-accused. In response, the judge acknowledged the frustration but pointed to logistical constraints. READ MORE: 'What if she went on holiday': Hawks investigator grilled on 'surprise' US trip for Magashule's ex-PA He highlighted that both he and the defence lawyers have other work commitments. 'There's absolutely nothing I can do about it, but I take note of what you are saying,' he told Magashule. Loubser proposed that the trial should be pursued in the first and second terms of 2026, starting on 19 January and ending on 26 March. The second term starts on 13 April and ends on 19 June. He stressed that there was significant pressure to bring the asbestos trial to a conclusion, as it had been ongoing for an unreasonably long time. 'This trial cannot go on for the next 10 years. I won't allow it, so we will have to make amends where necessary,' Loubser said. The case was postponed to 26 January 2026, with the state's appeal expected to be heard next week. 'I realise it's a bit early, but may you all have a happy Christmas,' Loubser jokingly said.
