Latest news with #KZN
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
iLembe Sharks U12 team crowned kings of KZN
The iLembe Sharks made history by clinching their first-ever U12 KZN Invitational Primary School Soccer Association football tournament title. The Ian MacLeod football tournament, held at Kearsney College over the weekend of July 12 and 13, featured intense competition as 13 district teams from across KwaZulu-Natal battled for honours. This is only the second year the North Coast district has entered a team into this prestigious football festival, delivering an outstanding performance to lift the trophy. The iLembe Sharks played 12 matches, winning 11, drawing just one and conceding only a single goal throughout the tournament in a dominant run to the title. Goalkeeper D'Artagnan Munro and midfielders Sibusiso Shaba, Jordan Wright and Kayden Duncan were all selected for next year's KZN U13 trials. Wright was also named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Saturday brought wet and misty conditions, but the Sharks' spirit remained undampened. The team played eight matches on the opening day, winning seven and drawing one. 'It was a physically and mentally demanding start, yet the boys powered through with focus and energy. The following day, we brought fresh intensity,' said head coach Jakez Kritzinger. The Sharks were awarded one walkover and then won their remaining two group matches, setting up a high-stakes final clash against the unbeaten Durban North Pumas, who had won all 11 of their games. 'We had to win the final game to lift the trophy,' said Kritzinger. 'A draw would have handed the title to the North Durban Pumas.' The final match was a tense, fast-paced affair with everything on the line. Both teams played with heart and discipline. With less than five minutes remaining, playmaker Rugolo O'Neal broke the deadlock, scoring the goal that sealed a 1-0 victory. 'To see these boys give everything, especially under pressure and in difficult conditions, was inspiring,' said Kritzinger. 'This team made history and they truly earned it. They played as a band of brothers and showed their quality.' Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Russia Today
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
ANC backs suspension of South African police minister
The African National Congress (ANC) has backed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave, calling the move 'courageous and principled' amid mounting allegations of misconduct. In a statement on Monday, the ANC said this showed that the party was willing to uphold integrity by taking action against corruption. 'We welcome and support the President's decision to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence pending the outcome of the inquiry. This decisive action reaffirms the President's commitment to the rule of law. 'It is a clear demonstration of the seriousness with which the President and government respond to allegations of corruption and criminal conduct, regardless of who is involved,' the ANC said. This follows bombshell accusations by KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claims Mchunu interfered in operational policing, disbanded the specialist Political Killings Task Team, and maintained ties to criminal networks operating in the province. In a decisive step, Ramaphosa not only removed Mchunu from active duty but also announced the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to be chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. The commission is tasked with investigating the damning allegations, which have sent shockwaves through the political and security establishment. Mchunu appeared before the ANC's Integrity Commission this week — one of three senior members currently under review by the party's accountability structures. While the findings have not been made public, the move represented a significant escalation in the ANC's internal cleanup efforts. ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, is expected to address the media on Monday to clarify party's position on Mchunu's political future and outline the expectations for all members facing serious allegations. However, opposition parties have blasted Ramaphosa's decision to grant Mchunu special leave rather than fire him outright. The DA, EFF, and MK Party have criticised the move as insufficient, claiming it allows the embattled minister to retain his salary and benefits while under a cloud of suspicion. Despite the backlash, the ANC appears determined to let the legal process take its course, insisting that constitutional order and due process must guide its response, not populist calls for premature dismissal. As the judicial inquiry prepares to get underway, the political stakes are high. For the ANC, this is more than just about one minister — it is a litmus test of the party's ability to confront its internal demons and reclaim its moral authority. First published by IOL
News24
4 days ago
- Climate
- News24
Heavy rain in Durban, residents urged to stay indoors
A level 2 weather warning was issued for Durban as well as the KZN south coast for Saturday. The eThekwini Municipality urged residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Disaster management teams are on standby. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has predicted heavy rainfall for parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, with the south coast expected to receive between 30mm and 50mm. SAWS warned of isolated showers across the province and more concentrated rainfall along the south coast, leading to localised flooding due to the persistence of rainfall in that area. The forecast model indicated the possibility of level 2 disruptive rainfall, with isolated showers continuing into the evening. The persistent rainfall may result in the flooding of low-lying roads and bridges, formal and informal settlements, difficult driving conditions, damage to infrastructure, and the destruction of mud-based houses. Motorists have been urged to exercise extreme caution and maintain a safe following distance on wet roads. The eThekwini Municipality's Disaster Management Directorate and emergency services are on standby and monitoring the weather forecasts. The municipality's spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said the weather alert remained subject to change and that SAWS would update the warning accordingly. 'The City advises residents to exercise caution, to stay indoors if possible, and to avoid travelling, unless absolutely necessary.' She urged residents in flood-prone areas, including informal settlements, to take the necessary safety precautions. Sisilana advised members of the public not to cross overflowing rivers and streams.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
South Africa: Directive From the Speaker's Office on General Mkhwanazi's Allegations
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has received the directive from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, mandating three committees to consider, on an urgent basis, in terms of their respective mandates, the wide-ranging allegations regarding security matters that have implications for the country's national security made by the KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and then report to the National Assembly. 'The mandate is clear and the committee will endeavour to urgently conclude the necessary processes to determine the parameters, format and structure of the envisaged process,' Mr Cameron emphasised. But of outmost importance is the need for urgency in finalising modalities to set the process in motion. To this end, a legal opinion, which has already been requested, is necessary to ascertain the best possible approach. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
News24
7 days ago
- News24
Murder-accused Vusumuzi ‘Cat' Matlala found in possession of a cell phone during a prison raid
The week has been a wild ride for South Africans, with revelations of corruption and crime syndicates rocking the foundations of our justice system. It all started when Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell, exposing an alleged web of deceit that implicates high-ranking SAPS officials and politicians. Mkhwanazi says there is evidence linking SAPS officials and politicians to the notorious Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala. The latest development has left many stunned - Vusi Cat Matlala was found with a cell phone in his prison cell during a raid. Read more | Mzansi rallies behind KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Matlala is being detained in the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria as he awaits the outcome of the case in which he is accused of attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane. Correctional Services national commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, led an extensive raid and search operation at the facility, including its high-risk C-Max section, on Tuesday night and into the early hours of Wednesday. This was a follow-up to a surprise search conducted on Sunday, where officials found Matlala with a cell phone in his possession. Thobakgale revealed the news to Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday July 9, 2025, he confirmed that during the raid Matlala was housed in a 'local' section of the prison that holds 'medium to low-risk individuals,' but has since the raid been transferred to the C-Max section as he's now labelled a 'high-risk' individual. 'Cat Matlala is at the C-Max correctional facility because of a reclassification. He is classified as high risk, also secondly, we continue to do searches especially these types of searches that we did last night. Sunday morning, we did a surprise search, and we found a cell phone in his possession,' he said. Read more | President Ramaphosa says allegations against Police Minister pose security risk to SA The device has since been confiscated and handed over to South African Police Services (SAPS) while The Department of Correctional Services investigates how Matlala obtained the device. Furthermore, while Matlala's name has hogged headlines following the damning allegations KZN police commissioner, Lt-General Mkhwanazi made, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has vehemently denied having ties to Matlala as Mkhwanazi mentioned. The story is still developing, and no arrests have been made thus far. Since the story emerged South Africans have rallied behind Mkhwanazi and have been vocal on wanting to see the law take its course and hold those incriminated accountable.
