23-04-2025
R335m for political parties; Meet Ace Magashule's judge: Today's Top 7 stories in 7 minutes
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.
R335 million for political parties this year, courtesy of the taxpayer
- Taxpayers will fund represented political parties with over R335 million in the 2025/26 financial year.
- Private donations to political parties have decreased significantly since the 2024 elections.
- The IEC will host a symposium on political funding transparency and reforms in Durban from 18 to 19 June.
Meet Ace's judge – an apartheid prosecutor who saved an MK activist from the gallows
- Judge Phillip Loubser, appointed to the asbestos scam case against Ace Magashule and others, resigned as an apartheid-era prosecutor for prioritising honesty and saving an activist from the death penalty.
- Loubser investigated claims of torture by an uMkhonto weSizwe leader and revealed evidence contradicting police testimony, leading to the dismissal of the case and his subsequent resignation after facing criticism from superiors.
- Now a judge, Loubser is determined to proceed with the asbestos scam trial without delays, aiming to determine the guilt of Magashule, Edwin Sodi, and 16 others accused of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
'Vir moord mevrou': Pollsmoor juvenile boasts of double murder charges as MPs visit prison
- The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services visited Pollsmoor Prison, where juvenile detainees, some as young as 17, boasted about murders and other serious crimes.
- The committee chair warned detainees not to complain about prison conditions given their crimes, sparking debate about human rights.
- Overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and gang activity were highlighted as major issues within the prison, alongside a shortage of key staff.
Presidential estate facelift is costing taxpayers R1.2m
- Renovations costing over R1.1 million are under way at President Ramaphosa's official residence, Bryntirion Estate, with the Development Bank of South Africa overseeing the project.
- ATM president Vuyo Zungula questioned the turnkey facilities management model used for the renovations, citing concerns about transparency and potential exclusion of local businesses.
- Zungula also emphasised the need for detailed cost breakdowns and justification for prioritising these upgrades amid other pressing infrastructure needs in the country.
PIC gives nod to Barloworld offer, but on condition of a hefty BEE deal
- The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has agreed to a standby offer for Barloworld, conditional on a 13.5% BEE transaction.
- The PIC's acceptance, holding a 22% stake, brings the consortium's total support to 46.93%, moving closer to a potential delisting.
- This follows an initial offer rejection in February due to governance concerns, with the PIC now supporting the deal contingent on increased BEE participation.
Lloyd Burnard | Why are we still watching Super Rugby when our Boks are in Japan?
- Super Rugby has declined in quality and global appeal, making the Japanese league, with its many South African stars, more compelling for local viewers.
- While the URC offers competitive and accessible rugby, the Japanese league features a high concentration of Springboks and other international talents, making it a more attractive viewing option.
- The author argues for increased broadcasting of the Japanese league in South Africa, especially with the upcoming Rugby World Cup, as it offers more relevance and excitement than the current Super Rugby product.
