South Africa is losing more than R250 million every day to criminals in the shadow economy, Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) said, calling for illicit trade to be declared a national emergency.
“Every rand looted results in a school not built, a hospital not equipped, a home not delivered,” said Yusuf Abramjee, founder of Tax Justice SA. “This crisis is stealing the future from our people.”
Illicit cigarettes alone cost the country an estimated R28 billion a year, while illicit alcohol contributes to losses of about R16.5 billion annually, according to the organisation.
The warning comes in the wake of the African Union’s new “Mbeki II” report, compiled by the High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (AU HLP), which shows that illicit financial outflows from Africa have worsened since former President Thabo Mbeki first exposed the issue a decade ago.
Instead of leading the fight against the problem, Abramjee said South Africa has “sunk deeper into the problem”.
He cited the country’s greylisting by global financial watchdogs in 2023 as a sign of government inaction.
“We were greylisted by financial watchdogs in 2023 because the government failed to act. Yet still nothing changes,” Abramjee said.
“Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia investigation laid bare massive international money laundering through South Africa. Two years later, not a single arrest has been made. Criminals are laughing at us, while honest, hard-working South Africans pay the price.”
The AU report paints a stark picture of weak enforcement, fragmented initiatives, and political apathy in the face of a worsening crisis.
Abramjee urged that illicit trade be placed at the top of the agenda in the forthcoming National Dialogue.
“This is a national emergency,” he said. “We are being looted on an industrial scale, and the government must act with urgency. South Africans deserve protection from the criminal syndicates that are bleeding us dry.”
TJSA said it will continue campaigning for urgent action and raising awareness about the scale of losses, which undermine both government and the rule of law.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Diesel customers can look forward to significant savings at the pumps from Wednesday, September 3, while petrol is looking set for a minor reduction.
Month-end unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is currently pointing to diesel price reductions of between 55 cents (500ppm) and 56 cents (50ppm), and petrol price decreases of between 4 cents (95 Unleaded) and 12 cents (93 Unleaded).
Should these predictions materialise, a litre of 95 Unleaded petrol will cost R20.76 at the coast and R21.55 in Gauteng, while 93 Unleaded will retail for R21.39. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel is expected to decline to R18.72 at the coast and R19.48 in Gauteng.
International petroleum and diesel prices are largely responsible for September’s adjustment, with the rand having played a minor role by providing 1.5 cents worth of relief to the equation. International diesel prices, in particular, have fallen during the preceding month, due to rising inventories, Bloomberg reported.
September’s diesel price decrease will, however, bring prices back to the same level as earlier this year.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Free State ANCWL chairperson cautiously echoed Naledi Pandor’s sentiments, adding that women are ready to lead the ANC
By: Abigail Visagie
The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in the Free State has thrown its weight behind party veteran Naledi Pandor, following her hard-hitting remarks about the state of the organisation.
The former international relations minister declared that the ANC has lost its former glory, adding that South Africans now view the once-revered liberation movement with “disdain, horror and shame”.
In response to Pandor’s remarks, Free State ANCWL provincial chairperson Connie Msibi said the growing leadership of women at provincial and regional levels underscores Pandor’s point that women in the organisation must reclaim the ANC’s lost glory and historic mission.
“Each of us has our own way of presenting issues, so I won’t say whether Comrade Pandor was right or wrong.
“But as South African women, we are ready to lead. We must reclaim both our historic mission and the organisation’s glory,” said Msibi on the sidelines of the restoration of the tombstone of the late anti-apartheid activist Moipone Motabolapasa Motlhakwana in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, on Friday.
Speaking at the centenary celebration of erstwhile ANCWL president Gertrude Shope last Sunday, Pandor openly criticised her own party and urged her comrades to concede that the party has become a shadow of its former self.
“We have lost our glory, let’s not pretend about it. The people are looking at us with disdain. The people are looking at us with horror and shame.
“Comrades, this is our biggest fault line,” proclaimed Pandor.
She added that Shope would have insisted that the ANC, its Women’s League, and the Youth League need selfless, committed members who prioritise service to the people above all else.
These remarks ultimately drew mixed reactions from members within the party. While some call for retribution, other prominent figures within the party contrarily believe Pandor’s critique prompts the party to do some introspection.
ANC national executive committee member, Bernice Swarts, holds the view that Pandor’s account of the state of the ANC is more directed at branches and not individuals. Swart calls for greater accountability from the party’s leadership.
“If you are a leader and don’t provide solutions, you cannot claim to be leading earnestly. When people present challenges, it is your responsibility to respond with solutions,” Swarts said.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula further absolved Pandor, asserting that there was nothing wrong with what she said given the context of her remarks.
“She spoke as a veteran, at a veterans’ event, and I am proud of her,” Mbalula responded when quizzed about Pandor’s statements at the ANC political environment and current developments media briefing on 26 August 2025.
He continued: “She was simply reaffirming ANC principles on a public platform, reminding members of the standards expected of them.
“Her words were fitting for the event held in honour of Mama Gertrude Shope,” stated Mbalula.
…accuses detractors of using women as tools for political gain
By: Abigail Visagie
As South Africa marks the end of Women’s Month today, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s (MMM) general manager of communications, Qondile Khedama has found himself battling to salvage his image and integrity after being accused of sexual harassment by a junior colleague.
Various reports this week have alleged that the metro’s spokesperson suspended a female employee after she rejected his romantic advances. Khedama has since poured cold water on the accusations, insisting that he merely took disciplinary measures towards an insubordinate member of his team.
Meanwhile, Mangaung City Manager Sello More confirmed that the matter had been brought to the municipality’s attention in the form of a grievance. In line with due process, the municipality did not pre-judge it as a formal sexual harassment case, but addressed it in accordance with its internal protocols and prevailing labour legislation.
He revealed that the matter was neither negotiated nor settled outside the metro’s formal structures, but has instead been dealt with under the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) Main Collective Agreement.
Clause 13.1.1 of the agreement provides that the grievance procedure is deemed a condition of service to both employer and employee.
“A grievance hearing was convened on 22 July 2025, with all relevant parties present, including representatives of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU).
“After hearing the matter and reviewing submissions, no evidence was presented to substantiate claims of sexual harassment against Mr Khedama.
“Accordingly, no findings were made against him, and the matter was concluded at the grievance level,” More stated.
Speaking exclusively to Journal News on Friday, Khedama vehemently denied ever making sexual advances towards the staff member in question or anyone else, subsequently dismissing the allegations as a calculated attempt to tarnish his integrity by those “using women as tools for political gain”.
“People need to distinguish between work policies and politics. Politicians should play politics and not use women as their tools for political gains,” Khedama said.
“It is painful to face such a serious allegation simply because somebody believes you are blocking them from potential monetary benefits. I don’t issue tenders or participate in any procurement processes,” he added
When pressed to reveal who could possibly be plotting against him, Khedama insisted that the matter had been adequately dealt with procedurally and that he preferred to put it to rest.
He further claims to have not been unaware of any further developments since rolled out disciplinary measures against the employee in question.
“I (only) learned about the employee’s suspension later, because the line manager deals with these matters.”
In contrast to recent media reports, SAMWU’s regional secretary Lucky Sebego clarified that the union had only received a letter of intent to suspend the employee.
“To that effect, the union has responded to the letter, which is why our member (the alleged victim) remains at work. No formal complaint or grievance regarding sexual harassment has ever come to our attention,” said Sebego.
Journal News reached out to the alleged victim, but she had not responded at the time of publishing this article.
By: Mpho Sekharume
A late own goal in the 90th minute by the North West University was enough to hand the University of the Free State their second consecutive victory in the ongoing Varsity Football competition yesterday in Bloemfontein.
A spectacular freekick from Kovsies captain Iviwe Dyabuza saw the visitors succumb to pressure, leading to the costly own goal that granted the hosts all three points. This was Kovsies’ second win in four matches, having played to one low and a draw in their opening two fixtures.
This fourth round victory saw the boys from the City of Roses climb up to fourth on the log standings with seven points - tied with Wits University who are also on seven points.
Meanwhile, Central University of Technology (CUT) secured their first win of the competition at home with an all-important 2-1 win over Durban University of Technology (DUT). Although DUT started the match like a house on fire with great possession of the ball, it was CUT who managed to break the deadlock through a Nkosingiphile Lubisi strike that saw the Bloemfontein side go into the break with one goal lead.
With the first goal serving as morale boost, CUT returned from the break with great vigour, leading Lubisi to find the back of the net for a second time. DUT fought back and managed to pull one goal back through an on-target Manqoba Mlele header.
Mlele’s goal was, however, not enough as the visitors slumped to their fourth defeat in as many matches. DUT finds itself sitting right at the bottom of the log standings with no points to show.
Lubisi’s brace, on the other hand, saw the boys from the Free State capital claim their first three points and will be hoping to move further up the standings when they come up against Kovsies in a Bloemfontein derby scheduled to take place at Shimla Park on 4 September 2025.
By Selloane Khalane
It feels almost impossible to imagine South Africa’s political landscape without Tshidi Madia’s
voice cutting through the noise. Today, as the country mourns her passing, we are reminded not
only of the journalist she was—but of the human being who gave so much of herself to her
work, her colleagues, and her country.
A Sudden Silence that Echoes Deeply
Matshidiso “Tshidi” Madia passed away on the morning of Wednesday, 27 August 2025, at the
age of 42, just days after her birthday. She died in hospital following a brief illness and
hospitalization—a loss that reverberated across the media fraternity and beyond.
Her family, through spokesperson Mahlatse Mahlase, described her as “a respected journalist”
who “loved South Africa deeply and devoted her career to telling its stories,” and noted that
funeral arrangements will be shared in due course.
Madia was never just another political reporter. She saw through the fog of power, asked the
questions others were too timid to raise, and refused to be silenced when the truth demanded to
be told. Her journalism was fearless, yet never cruel. She challenged—and yet, she listened.
She understood that democracy isn’t just about leaders and policies, but about the lives of
ordinary people too often left on the margins.
The Woman Behind the Byline
Beyond the headlines and hard questions, Madia radiated warmth. In the newsroom—often a
space crowded with deadlines and competition—her laughter, authenticity, and generous
mentorship created a rare sense of belonging. She had a particular commitment to supporting
young journalists, creating space in political reporting for voices that had long been relegated to
the sidelines.
Tributes poured in from across South Africa’s polarized political spectrum, reflecting the respect
she commanded—even among those unsettled by her sharp questioning. President Cyril
Ramaphosa recalled her deep love for the country and her vision for a better South Africa,
especially poignant in the wake of her passing during Women’s Month.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile mourned a “formidable” and “beloved” media voice—“the
darling of the media,” he said—whose incisive journalism and tenacious pursuit of truth would
be deeply missed. The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) called it “a profound loss
to the media fraternity,” praising her as a professional of integrity who held all political actors to
account.
To those closest to her, Madia was more than a journalist. She was a daughter, sister, and
friend—grounding, loving, and fierce. Her family’s loss is immeasurable; their beloved Tshidi
brought light and laughter into every room.
Her journalism wasn’t about spectacle—it was about service. Whether hosting her popular
podcast Politricking with Tshidi Madia, securing rare interviews with President Ramaphosa and
Jacob Zuma, or reporting from the Oval Office while confronting false narratives, Tshidi served
the ideals of a free and just society with humility and tenacity.
Funeral and Memorial: Waiting to Celebrate Her Life
While the details of her funeral and memorial services are pending, the anticipation is heartfelt.
News reports confirm that the family will communicate these arrangements in due course, giving
all who loved her an opportunity to share in the grief and pay tribute.
As we say goodbye, we carry both sorrow and gratitude. Sorrow, because her voice is gone and
the silence it leaves is heavy. Gratitude, because she walked with us, unwavering in her pursuit
of truth and fairness. Her legacy reminds us that journalism at its best is not about ambition or
acclaim—it’s about courage, authenticity, empathy, and service to democracy.
Rest gently, Tshidi. Your voice may have fallen silent, but your light continues to guide us.
