Latest news with #SholtoKeet
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Mchunu says no genocide in SA
Here's your daily news update for Friday, 23 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has sought to debunk the claims of white genocide in South Africa, with the latest crime statistics revealing that two black farm owners were killed. Meanwhile, Sholto Keet, a 44-year-old South African who has lived most of his life in the US, says the grass isn't always greener outside the country. Furthermore, the Special Investigating Unit has secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal against renowned musician Selaelo Selota. Weather tomorrow: 24 May 2025 The weather service predicts fine and cool to warm conditions across all provinces with no severe weather warnings issued. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Crime stats: Mchunu debunks white genocide, says the two farm owners killed were both black Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has sought to debunk the claims of white genocide in South Africa, with the latest crime statistics revealing that two black farm owners were killed. On Friday, Mchunu released the fourth-quarter crime statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year, covering the period from January to March 2025. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Picture: Gallo Images He said in the fourth-quarter, six murders on farms were recorded. This included two farm owners, one farm dweller, two farm employees, and one farm manager. 'In principle, we do not categorise people by race, but in the context of claims of genocide of white people, we need to unpack the killings in this category. The two farm owners that were murdered during the fourth quarter were African and not white.' CONTINUE READING: Crime stats: Mchunu debunks white genocide, says the two farm owners killed were both black Life in SA better than US, says disillusioned returning citizen The grass isn't always greener outside the country, according to Sholto Keet, 44, a South African who has lived most of his life in the US. Keet emigrated to the US as a teenager and is looking to return to South Africa after battling with the US system that denied him social security and disability benefits due to his citizenship. A framed photo of Sholto Keet during his time in the US army. Picture: Supplied 'I am currently in Oregon City, but I am in the process of selling my home. I hope to come back this November, which is the best time to sail. I will be bringing my huskies back with me.' CONTINUE READING: Life in SA better than US, says disillusioned returning citizen Thrrr… Phaaa: Musician Selaelo Selota's Mercedes frozen as SIU probes misuse of lottery funds The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal against renowned musician Selaelo Selota. The order prevents the Thrrr…Phaaa! singer from selling or disposing of a Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde, allegedly purchased with misappropriated funds from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). Selaelo Selota is being investigated by the SIU. Picture: The funds were meant to build an old-age home and provide elderly care in different provinces. The SIU's investigation found that three Non-Profit Organisation (NPOs); the Matieni Community Centre, Lethabong Old Age Home and War Against Rape and Abuse (WAR RNA) received NLC grants under suspicious circumstances. CONTINUE READING: Thrrr…Phaaa: Musician Selaelo Selota's Mercedes frozen as SIU probes misuse of lottery funds 'I'm no sell-out': Political activist says leaving SA was a last resort Refugee to the United States under the Trump-era Afrikaner resettlement programme, politician Errol Langton, a former organiser for right of centre party the United Independent Movement (UIM) on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, says he's no sell-out for heading to what he believes are greener pastures. Langton was part of the first cohort of 49 asylum seekers who left for the US at the invitation of President Donald Trump. Former politician Errol Langton. Picture: Supplied He said he fought for a better SA until his departure last week as an improved version of the country had not materialised. Langton said the tipping point for him was worsening socioeconomic conditions and 'a lack of accountability'. CONTINUE READING: 'I'm no sell-out': Political activist says leaving SA was a last resort Thousands march against Nsfas in Durban after months of non-payment [VIDEO] Students in KwaZulu-Natal-based staged a protest on Friday demanding that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) pay the money owed to landlords. Some of the students have not received funds from Nsfas for up to five months, meaning they are at risk of losing their accommodation, they can't afford food and their studies have not been paid for. Picture: Gallo Images About 2 000 angry protesters gathered at King Dinuzulu Park and proceeded to Durban City Hall to hand over a memorandum of grievances. Some of the landlords also joined the protest. CONTINUE READING: Thousands march against Nsfas in Durban after months of non-payment [VIDEO] Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Origin of Trump cross video | McKenzie slammed for xenophobia | Tammy Taylor Global loses in court
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Life in SA better than US, says disillusioned returning citizen
Sholto Keet is returning to South Africa after being denied US social security benefits, despite his military service and injuries. A framed photo of Sholto Keet during his time in the US army. Picture: Supplied The grass isn't always greener outside the country, according to Sholto Keet, 44, a South African who has lived most of his life in the US. Keet immigrated to the US as a teenager and is looking to return to South Africa after battling with the US system that denied him social security and disability benefits due to his citizenship. 'I am currently in Oregon City, but I am in the process of selling my home. I hope to come back this November, which is the best time to sail. I will be bringing my huskies back with me. 'I already have a boat lined up to buy once I sell my house, and there should also be enough for a small place in SA,' he said. From KZN to the USA Keet, who was born in 1980 in Joburg, moved to Oregon at the age of 16 with his parents, who had applied for work permits and green cards and had been allowed residency. 'We moved around a bit [in SA] and eventually lived in Ashburton outside Pietermaritzburg, where I finished primary school at Pelham and began high school at Alexandra High in Pietermaritzburg. ALSO READ: 'I'm back in SA — I have to work to pay for treatment': Darren Scott on his cancer battle 'We had a smallholding farm growing tomatoes on a couple of acres, rented, while my mother and father both worked other jobs,' he said. However, his parents decided to move to the US after his mother's business got muscled out by Shell. 'She sold plant chemicals to farmers and clients dwindled as farmers were allowed less and less resources and water,' he said. Injury on the job Keet joined the US Army after getting an age waiver and turned 18 while in basic training. Years later he underwent lower back surgery when doctors found that he had partially crushed his L4 vertebrae during service. 'I ended up getting two surgeries and was diagnosed with a bad back and knees and had a full disability rating from the Veterans Administration because they had amputated and removed a portion of my vertebrae,' he said. Keet said that was when he discovered there was prejudice and dual standards people encountered even in the US. ALSO READ: 'There is doubt in Trump's head about genocide in SA,' Ramaphosa says [VIDEO] 'Just another number' 'In the end, you might just find yourself as another number who they have no problem screwing over to save money. In applying for social security to acknowledge my disabilities, however, and get benefits, they have denied me even though the Feds and doctors state that I am disabled,' he said. Keet said he was receiving a disability benefit from the military, which was enough to live off if he returned to South Africa. Retiring in SA Sholto Keet. Picture: Supplied 'But it's barely enough to get by here [in the US]. And because they have denied my social security as well as my equal legal rights and standing when it comes to my daughters and my boat, I have decided to retire back to South Africa, even though I am eligible for US citizenship,' he said. Keet said if he was awarded US citizenship, he would lose his South African citizenship because SA doesn't allow dual citizenship. 'America allows it, but not SA,' he said. He said while he was concerned about the current state of South Africa, he had no other choice and was trying to sell his house in the US to payoff the mortgage and hopefully raise enough to afford a place in South Africa. NOW READ: First group of white South Africans arrive in US for resettlement
