Latest news with #ConCourt
News24
2 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Cops shot, prisoner escapes; Cachalia admits to SAPS crisis: Today's Top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. 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. IDT website 'Tactics of defamation': Malaka family trust defends suspended IDT CEO - The Malaka Family Trust defends suspended IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka, claiming her spokesperson, not her, offered a bribe to journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh. - The Trust alleges Malaka is a victim of a political setup due to her refusal to submit to political pressure and clashes with Minister Dean Macpherson. - The Trust demands the release of unedited video footage and an independent inquiry into political interference and media collusion. Mlungisi Louw/Gallo Images/Volksblad Don't let 'mere technicality' allow Cholota and 89 others to walk free, NPA tells ConCourt - The Constitutional Court will hear the NPA's appeal to limit the impact of a ruling that only the justice minister can request extradition, potentially affecting thousands of cases. - This follows Ace Magashule's former PA, Moroadi Cholota, successfully challenging her extradition from the US based on this ruling, leading to her release in the asbestos tender case. - The NPA argues that if the ruling is fully retroactive, it could allow numerous extradited individuals, including those accused of serious crimes, to have their convictions overturned. Markram leads fresh-faced Proteas into new T20 era: 'They are just explosive and fearless' - The Proteas are starting their journey to the 2026 T20 World Cup with a three-match series against Australia. - Captain Aiden Markram wants the team to play entertaining cricket and allow new players to play freely. - Markram says the younger players bring explosiveness and energy to the team. Gauteng cops gunned down, prisoner escapes in brazen attack - Two police officers were shot and killed in Roodepoort while transporting a prisoner. - The prisoner, Jabulani Moyo, escaped during the ambush. - The officers' firearms were also stolen. 'So many memories': SA's second oldest Spur to close after 56 years - Seven Spur, the second-oldest Spur Steak Ranch in South Africa located in Sea Point since 1968, will close in mid-August due to the landlord's decision to redevelop the property. - Spur Corporation expresses gratitude to its patrons and commits to finding an alternative location in Sea Point to maintain its presence in the community. - The closure marks the end of an era filled with cherished memories for generations of families, as Seven Spur played a significant role in their lives. Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images INTERVIEW | New police minister sounds alarm on SAPS - Police Minister Firoz Cachalia acknowledges a crisis in policing, citing a low conviction rate, high murder rate, public distrust, and potential criminal infiltration. - Cachalia aims to address structural and behavioral problems within the SAPS, focusing on professionalising the service, strengthening Crime Intelligence, and improving resource allocation. - He plans to consult widely, learn from past mistakes, and await the recommendations of the commission of inquiry before making significant personnel changes, while also prioritising procurement reform.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Does Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate have a patent?
Makate continues to pursue a battle for compensation from Vodacom. As Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate continues to pursue a battle for compensation, a tech expert has questioned if the inventor had ever patented the call-back service. Makate, a former trainee accountant at Vodacom, was dealt a blow last week after the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruled in favour of Vodacom, sending the legal battle with the Please Call Me inventor back to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Judgement The judgment, delivered on Thursday, related to Vodacom's application for leave to appeal against a February 2024 SCA ruling. The appeal, heard by the ConCourt last November, challenged the SCA's decision to overturn Vodacom's offer of R47 million in compensation to Makate, who developed the Please Call Me service that allows network users to send free callback messages. Where is the patent? However, Stuff Magazine editor Toby Shapshak said if Makate created 'Please Call Me', where is his patent? WATCH: Toby Shapshack's thoughts on the case [WATCH] Stuff Magazine editor Toby Shapshak says one question he's been asking is if Nkosana Makate created 'Please Call Me', where is his patent?#Newzroom405 July 31, 2025 'I've been writing about this for years and years, and the central question I have is, if Mr. Makate invented Please Call Me, where is his patent, because that's how this works in the world. 'If you invent something, you go to patent lawyers. Patent lawyers take it to the patent authority, which sees if anything else of this nature has been patented before or invented before, and they give you a patent.' 'Shapshack said that Please Call Me was invented by somebody else. History shows that the person who invented, Please Call Me is Ari Khan, who briefed MTN's lawyers, etc, etc, etc, and that is the legal actual history of this patent.' ALSO READ: Vodacom scores ConCourt win over Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate MTN first Khan, a former lead data consultant at MTN, filed his application with the Patent Office by Spoor & Fisher on 22 January 2001. Kahn and MTN were granted their patent by the Patent Office on 22 January 2001, and MTN sent its first Please Call Me text the next day, on 23 January 2001. The Citizen contacted Makate's lawyers for comment on Tuesday. However, there was no response at the time of publication. ALSO READ: ConCourt dismisses Vodafone's bid to join Please Call Me case
The Herald
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
ConCourt dismisses MK Party's case on Mchunu, Madlanga commission
The president's counsel, Kate Hofmeyr SC, said this case did not involve constitutional obligations of the president but was about whether he had exercised his constitutional powers. It was a 'stock standard' challenge to the conduct of the president, which belonged in the high court, she said, adding that the constitution is clear that when it came to conduct of the president, the ConCourt was an appeal court — it should not be the first and last court to hear and decide. Earlier on Wednesday Zuma's counsel, Dali Mpofu SC, was questioned by several judges on which constitutional obligation the president had failed to fulfil in this case. He said the president had failed to uphold and defend the constitution. This, coupled with his failure to fulfil other obligations, brought it within the court's exclusive jurisdiction, he argued. Mpofu was pressed by some of the justices as to exactly which other obligations the president had failed on. He said when the president was given powers, such as the power to assign acting functions, they went hand in hand with obligations. So when the president assigned the police minister's powers to Cachalia, he had an obligation to ensure these powers were assigned lawfully. On direct access, Hofmeyr said 'many cases involve matters of grave constitutional significance', but the constitutional scheme directed that they begin in the high court. The ConCourt had spoken in earlier judgments of its crippling workload, she said. 'If this court can be the court that every litigant comes to when it alleges there has been some irregular exercise of power by the president, all the other cases that legitimately must be here get shifted down the roll.' This had implications for the administration of justice, she added. Unless the ConCourt 'sets its limits in this case, we would say the administration of justice more broadly may be imperilled', said Hofmeyr. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Child drug video: 4 charged
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 31 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes four suspects appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday, facing charges of child abuse and attempted murder after a viral video showed a four-year-old boy being encouraged to smoke drugs. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma and the MK party's urgent application to invalidate President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence, appoint Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister and establish a commission of inquiry. Furthermore, the South African Reserve Bank decided to cut the repo rate, as economists expected, although the governor started his speech with a reference to the uncertain global economic conditions. The decision was unanimous to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points. Weather tomorrow: 1 August 2025 Damaging winds and waves are forecast over parts of the Northern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, while most inland provinces can expect fine and cool conditions. Isolated showers are likely in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Four suspects face attempted murder charges after viral child drug video Four suspects appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Thursday, facing charges of child abuse and attempted murder after a viral video showed a four-year-old boy being encouraged to smoke drugs. The state added the attempted murder charge on Thursday, arguing that exposing the child to dangerous substances could have been fatal. Westbury resident and her friends after appearing at Johannesburg Magistrates court , 31 July 2025, for child abuse after a social media video showing a young boy smoking a bottleneck which her mother and three others are appearing in court for child abuse. This after a video on social media showed them encouraging a young boy to smoke from a bottleneck. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen The mother of the child and three other suspects, were arrested following community outcry over the disturbing footage. CONTINUE READING: Four suspects face attempted murder charges after viral child drug video Vodacom scores ConCourt win over Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has ruled in favour of Vodacom, sending the legal battle with Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate back to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). The judgment, delivered on Thursday, relates to Vodacom's application for leave to appeal against a February 2024 SCA ruling. A closed Vodacom outlet at the Sandton City Mall during a protest in support of Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate on 31 January 2019. Picture: Gallo Images / Thulani Mbele The appeal, heard by the ConCourt last November, challenged the SCA's decision to overturn Vodacom's offer of R47 million in compensation to Makate, who developed the Please Call Me service that allows network users to send free callback messages. CONTINUE READING: Vodacom scores ConCourt win over Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate MK party and Zuma suffer blow as ConCourt rules in Ramaphosa's favour [VIDEO] The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma and the MK party's urgent application to invalidate President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence, appoint Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister and establish a commission of inquiry. The court ruling was handed down two hours after it hosted a special ceremonial sitting for retiring Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, whom Ramaphosa appointed to chair a commission to probe explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) top cop Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanzi of criminal infiltration in the South African justice system. President Cyril Ramapaphosa: Image: GCIS It has ruled that the application does not engage the court's jurisdiction and has refused direct access to the MK party and Zuma in its matter against Ramaphosa. CONTINUE READING: MK party and Zuma suffer blow as ConCourt rules in Ramaphosa's favour [VIDEO] Mashatile fined for failing to declare diamond gift from Louis Liebenberg Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been found guilty by Parliament's ethics committee for failing to declare a diamond gift received by his wife, Humile Mashatile, from controversial businessman Louis Liebenberg. Mashatile has also been in the spotlight due to his high-end lifestyle, luxury properties, and associations with corruption-accused individuals such as Edwin Sodi. Picture: iStock According to the deputy president's office, the diamond was undergoing verification to determine its authenticity and would be declared once the verification process was complete. CONTINUE READING: Mashatile fined for failing to declare diamond gift from Louis Liebenberg Reserve Bank cuts repo rate despite US Fed decision The South African Reserve Bank decided to cut the repo rate, as economists expected, although the governor started his speech with a reference to the uncertain global economic conditions. The decision was unanimous to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points. Lesetja Kganyago, governor of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb), also confirmed that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Sarb will now prefer the inflation rate to settle at 3% as it wants to move away from the current inflation target band of 3% to 6%. Picture: iStock The MPC decided to cut the repo rate despite the US Fed not cutting interest rates in the US on Wednesday. The committee usually follows the Fed in deciding to change the repo rate. CONTINUE READING: Reserve Bank cuts repo rate despite US Fed decision Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Mom arrested for 'smoking' toddler | R147m police inquiry | half a million whites leave SA
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
‘I am still resilient': Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate unfazed by Vodacom's ConCourt victory
The former Vodacom employee had hoped the ConCourt would bring the legal battle to a close. Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate says he had anticipated a different outcome after the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ordered that his nearly two-decade legal battle with Vodacom be returned to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) for reconsideration. On Thursday, the ConCourt sided with Vodacom in its application for leave to appeal against the February 2024 SCA ruling. That judgment had set aside Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub's compensation offer of R47 million to Makate, which he rejected in 2019. Instead, the SCA ruled that Makate was entitled to between 5% and 7.5% — plus interest — of the total revenue Vodacom had generated from the Please Call Me service since its inception in 2001. Vodacom subsequently brought the matter before the ConCourt for appeal, which was heard in November last year. Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate reacts to ConCourt The ConCourt ruled on Thursday that the case be sent back to the SCA for reconsideration by a new panel of judges. Outgoing Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga explained that the appellate court's handling of critical issues in the matter amounted to 'a total failure of justice'. Speaking after the court ruling on Thursday, Makate said he expected a different decision. 'We have to abide with the court's decision, and we are going back to the SCA because they [ConCourt] have said that the SCA must apply themselves properly,' he said. ALSO READ: Vodacom scores ConCourt win over Please Call Me inventor Nkosana Makate When asked if he felt disappointed by the outcome, the former Vodacom employee said he believed the ConCourt would finally resolve the legal battle. 'I mean, we still had a hearing at the [Pretoria] High Court, which they could have gone to as well, and they've ignored the SCA completely [but] they are at large to do that.' Still, Makate expressed confidence that his legal team could convince the SCA to award the R9.4 billion in compensation he is seeking. 'I am still resilient, and I will forever be. We will go to the SCA and the SCA must now look at the case and provide us with a judgment that will stand the test.' The Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga delivers his final judgment in the matter Vodacom vs Makate.#JusticeMadlanga#Judiciary #Farewell — RSAJudiciary (@OCJ_RSA) July 31, 2025 Commenting on the ConCourt's criticism of the SCA, Makate said: 'The court has not decided on anything that the SCA has done except for them not to express themselves, on certain things that were before the SCA. So clearly, they just need to adjust themselves to those.' He added that the cross-appeal issue would be addressed in response to Vodacom's claim that the SCA overstepped by replacing the high court's order without one. 'We'll also address the issue of the cross appeal, which they want us to do, and we'll do that. We will do what we have to do,' he said. Makate vs Vodacom legal battle This marks the second time the Please Call Me matter has reached the ConCourt. In 2016, the apex court ruled that Makate was legally entitled to compensation from Vodacom and directed the parties to negotiate a 'reasonable' settlement. However, those negotiations again collapsed, triggering a fresh legal tussle. The case was eventually referred to Joosub, who determined that R47 million was a fair amount, before Makate challenged the offer in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. NOW READ: 'Please Call Me': Does your boss own your Intellectual Property?
