Latest news with #Pollsmoor
News24
4 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Starlink users cut off; Taraji P. Henson speaks to us: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood 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. Chelsea Ogilvie/News24 Cape Town politician off to prison as procedural blunder gave him another day of freedom - Mehmet Vefa Dag, a politician found in contempt of court for defaming Curro Holdings, was briefly released after surrendering due to administrative errors. - Curro Holdings' legal team addressed the confusion with officials, and Dag was later taken into custody and transported to Pollsmoor prison. - The case stems from Dag's defamatory social media posts linking Curro to child pornography and rape, leading to a court order for his imprisonment and restrictions on future statements. Trump didn't just backtrack on 'white genocide' after Musk spat - viral tweet is fake - A screenshot circulating on X falsely claims Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that there is no 'white genocide' in South Africa. - There is no evidence the post is real, as it doesn't appear on Trump's verified account or in archives, and has formatting inconsistencies. - The claim plays on tensions between Trump and Elon Musk, and the user who shared it did not clarify its authenticity, fuelling engagement. 'Impractical and even sadistic': Why Gayton McKenzie thinks ministers must fly business class - Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has spent R4.8 million on international travel for himself and his staff since July of last year, justifying business class flights for long-haul trips. - McKenzie defended the travel expenses by stating that international travel is essential for ministers to engage in cooperation treaties and attract events like Formula One, and that ministers need to be effective and avoid illness. - ActionSA criticised the spending, highlighting a R164 000 payment for a trip to Burkina Faso that never took place, and has introduced a bill to reduce ministerial perks and restore fiscal discipline. Gallo Images/Darren Stewart Teacher fired for allegedly awarding marks to pupils based on their 'body shape' - Lindokuhle Siwela, a teacher at Kensington High School, was dismissed for gross misconduct after multiple allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate touching of Grade 8 pupils. - An arbitrator found Siwela guilty of contravening the Employment of Educators Act, citing consistent and credible testimonies from pupils detailing incidents of sexual harassment, inappropriate comments, and biased grading practices. - The arbitrator declared Siwela unsuitable to work with children and ordered his name to be added to the Child Protection Register, a decision welcomed by the Gauteng Department of Education. SpaceX cuts off illegal Starlink users in SA following Icasa warning - SpaceX has begun suspending Starlink services for users in South Africa due to illegal usage, following a warning from the country's communications regulator, Icasa. - Icasa stated that Starlink's operation in South Africa is illegal because the company has not applied for the necessary communications licence, which requires a 30% BEE ownership. - Some individuals and companies have been exploiting loopholes, such as using roaming packages from licensed countries, to access Starlink in South Africa, leading to the current crackdown. Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Sudden try sprees make these Bulls their sharpest URC vintage yet - The Bulls have been in incredible try-scoring form at home recently, pressing 30 tries in their last four Loftus matches, making them favorites for their URC semi-final against the Sharks. - Despite the Sharks winning their previous encounter this season, key attack-related factors, including the Bulls' devastating home try-scoring record and ability to change gears offensively, favor the Bulls. - Bulls' backline players like David Kriel, who was surprisingly shunned by the Springboks, are in excellent form and could be key to their success, while the Sharks' backline has struggled for attacking flair recently. 'I wanted people to see her': Taraji P. Henson on emotional role in Tyler Perry's Straw - Taraji P. Henson stars in Tyler Perry's 'Straw' as Janiyah, a single mother pushed to her limit, a role Henson deeply connected with due to her own experiences as a single mother. - Henson and Perry hope the film inspires empathy and understanding for single mothers and marginalised women, highlighting their struggles and the need to be seen and heard. - Perry wrote the film to pay homage to unseen women and highlight the financial challenges of poverty, aiming to foster empathy in viewers towards struggling single mothers. Show Comments ()
The Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Correctional services minister Groenewald under fire over 'missing prisoners' at Pollsmoor
Correctional services minister Pieter Groenewald is under fire by the DA seeking an explanation as to how three dangerous inmates 'disappeared' from Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison. MP Nicholas Gotsell, the DA's National Council of Provinces (NCOP) member on security and justice, is demanding answers as to how two of them, convicted of rape and murder, were no longer in custody despite a high court order they be detained at the prison. Gotsell said three suspects were sentenced to detention for violent crimes and detained at the Horizon Child and Youth Centre due to their age. They were transferred to Pollsmoor Juvenile Centre in July 2024 after violently assaulting a staff member with a sharp object. ' Despite being sentenced prisoners, they were later transported to the Blue Downs magistrate's court on new assault charges. Legally they were remand detainees for that purpose only — but as sentenced prisoners, they should have been returned to Pollsmoor thereafter. 'Instead, they vanished,' said Gotsell.
