The newly elected Mayor of Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality, Tumelo Thebe, has wasted no time in setting the tone for his administration, unveiling an ambitious plan to restore dignity, improve service delivery, and rebuild public confidence in a municipality that has struggled with governance and infr...
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald says his department is moving ahead with the roll-out of bakeries across its facilities. He says this will save the department billions of rands in outsourcing fees.
So far 13 bakeries have been introduced in prisons.
Dr. Groenewald was at the Westville Prison in Durban to open one of the bakeries.
Fifty inmates are working shifts, producing over 3 800 loaves a day. The facility produces bread at a cost of R8 a loaf, compared to R23 they pay service providers.
Groenewald says the bakeries will be self-sustainable and will depend less on state funding.
“This bakery will be R3 million annually for the taxpayer. If you add all the other activities, for self-sufficiency, the previous year, we have saved the taxpayers about half a billion rand. We’ll be producing our own vegetables. We have spike trees and abattoirs. I want to see that we enhance that because we must remember that the budget of correctional services was cut by R11.7 billion over the previous 5 years,” he adds.
Inmate, Mlindeni Xaba is happy to be part of the team working in the bakery. He says he is thankful to the officials that assisted them to choose better, now he will be able to open his business once released from prison to support his family
President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, within the next week regarding his “ill-advised” trip to Iran.
The Presidency on Thursday night said President Cyril Ramaphosa was unaware of the “ill-advised” visit by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief Rudzani Maphwanywa to Iran.
Addressing the media, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa did not sanction Maphwanya’s visit.
He stated that it was Defence Minister Angie Motshekga, not Ramaphosa, who approved Maphwanya’s travel.
“As much as the president is the appointing authority and the commander-in-chief, he does not get involved in supervising the general’s travel. That process sits with the minister. So the president did not know.”
Maphwanya was quoted by Iranian media as pledging “common goals” with Iran and said his trip carried “a political message”.
Magwenya said there was a concern about Maphwanya’s trip.
“At this period of heightened geopolitical tensions as well as conflict in the Middle East, one can say the visit was ill advised and more so the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes, which delve into the area of foreign policy that only the president, as well as the Department of International Relations, are responsible for.”
Maphwanya’s trip took place amid tensions between South Africa and the US President Donald Trump imposed 30% tariffs on South African goods, which were implemented this month.
Magwenya said South Africa was in a process of resetting diplomatic and political relations with the United States, as well as balancing the trade relationship in a mutually beneficial manner between the two countries.
“Of resolving the relationship or resolving issues around the relationship with the US, you then have senior government or military officials in statements that will further inflame the situation. It is not helpful at all,” he said.
Both the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Defence have distanced themselves from Maphwanya’s remarks, citing that Ramaphosa and DIRCO were custodians of foreign policy.
Magwenya said Ramaphosa will meet Maphwanya within the next week regarding his “ill-advised” trip.
“I can't say when that meeting will happen, but there will be an engagement between the president and the general. So it's still early to say what the outcome of that engagement will be.”
He would not comment on the possible consequence, if there was to be any, for the defence’s chief amid calls by the DA for him to be hauled before a court martial.
“It is also difficult to speak to. One must consider what constitutes the grave nature of charges or accusations that would require a court-martial,” Magwenya said.
Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa told Newzroom Afrika that he was unaware of the visit.
“I don’t know what the purpose of his visit was. It is only the minister who will be in the know. If he did not ask for permission to leave from the minister, then he will have to swim in his stew,” he said.
Holomisa also said such visits outside the country were authorised by Motshekga.
“The last word has been said by the Presidency, and the Presidency is the custodian of our foreign policy. There is nothing one can contest on that, but what we should be waiting for is either to hear the minister herself addressing this issue or alternatively wait for General Maphwanya to come back and tell the nation how he went there, what was the purpose.”
He said since the matter was in the open, Maphwanya should be allowed to respond openly and be transparent about it.
Holomisa added that it was too early to say what would happen to Maphwanya.
“If he went abroad without permission from the president or the minister, he will have to face the music and explain on what basis he had to utter such words, which are creating controversy,” he said.
A recent poll has found that close to 96% of South Africans believe that alcohol consumption is a national problem and 73% are deeply concerned about alcohol-fuelled violence.
The poll results are contained in a statement released by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on behalf of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) and other organisations.
The statement said that the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa (SAAPA-SA), in partnership with the NHTKL and supported by the RESET Alcohol Initiative, have launched a nationwide campaign to address the devastating impact of alcohol in South Africa.
The parties recently held a discussion on the matter. "The urgency of the discussion was underscored by newly released SAAPA-SA poll findings on alcohol consumption and harm in South Africa, revealing a sobering reality," said the statement.
It said these findings included that:
96% of South Africans believe alcohol is a national problem.
83% say alcohol is easy to access, and 55% say it is relatively inexpensive.
66% have personally experienced, or know someone who has experienced, alcohol-related harm, most commonly linked to health issues (61%) and violence (59%).
73% are deeply concerned about alcohol-fuelled violence, including domestic violence (90%), child abuse (89%), and male-on-male violence (84%).
91% link alcohol to road crashes and injuries.
It said the human cost is staggering, highlighting that:
Alcohol harm costs the economy between 10–12% of GDP annually.
South Africa records 102 alcohol-related deaths daily.
59% of car crash drivers test positive for alcohol.
60% of reported gender-based violence (GBV) cases involve a male partner who had been drinking.
Young adults aged 25–34 are at the highest risk of dying from alcohol-related injuries.
The country has the highest recorded rates of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders globally.
Kgoshigadi Ntwampe, Executive Member of the NHTKL, affirmed the House’s commitment to tackling alcoholism and its associated devastating social consequences.
Dereleen Elana James, Deputy Chairperson of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus, said: “We have normalised the abnormal.”
The discussion also spotlighted the draft Liquor Amendment Bill of 2016, which has been under consideration for almost a decade, as a critical legislative tool with the potential to curb alcohol-related harm. The poll results further show overwhelming public demand for stronger alcohol policy measures:
80% believe addressing alcohol-related harm is a government responsibility.
85% support raising alcohol taxes if the revenue funds poverty reduction and housing initiatives.
78% back raising the legal drinking age.
67% support restricting alcohol advertising and sponsorships of sports, music, and cultural events.
Nomcebo Dlamini, SAAPA-SA campaign manager, emphasised the significance of the partnership with traditional leadership: “The NHTKL has hit the ground running on this issue. This is not just a public health crisis; it is a societal emergency that requires collective, urgent action.”
The statement said through this partnership, SAAPA-SA, the NHTKL, and civil society are calling on the government to urgently strengthen alcohol taxation and implement evidence-based measures as part of a comprehensive approach to saving lives, reducing violence, protecting children, and building healthier communities.
A young e-hailing driver, Siyanda Mvelase, 27, was shot and burned at Maponya Mall on Wednesday.
Mvelase was killed on Wednesday evening, August 13, when unknown gunmen attacked e-hailing drivers outside Maponya Mall.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said one vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance when four men approached and opened fire on the driver before setting the car alight.
“Another vehicle nearby was also shot at, but the driver managed to flee. That vehicle was also torched,” Nevhuhulwi said.
A passerby and the second driver sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital.
A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson has been opened for investigation.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) were deployed to the scene, with police saying the violence is suspected to be linked to ongoing tensions in the taxi industry.
IOL News previously reported that the township of Pimville came to a standstill on Thursday as angry residents vowed to shut down Maponya Mall for seven days.
The protest was in response to the attack on e-hailing drivers. In retaliation, one minibus taxi was burned by community members.
The violent clash follows months of rising tensions between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing services, which have increasingly become flashpoints in South African public transport disputes.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi expressed outrage over the attack, describing it as both a criminal act and a violation of democratic values.
“The lives of innocent people were put in danger when bullets flew around Maponya Mall,” said Kubayi.
“This is not only a matter of criminality but an affront to our constitutional rights. As a daughter of Soweto, I stand in solidarity with the community.”
Kubayi also called for swift justice and a coordinated government response through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
In addition, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) urged the government to expedite the implementation of amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) regulations.
SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the delay in enforcing the new regulations has created a “regulatory vacuum”, leading to an unchecked influx of unlicensed e-hailing operators.
“This unregulated environment is fuelling safety risks, including hijackings, abductions, and violent crimes linked to the sector,” said Phala.
“SANTACO cannot remain silent. The government must act swiftly to enforce the revised NLTA regulations to ensure the safety of all commuters and operators.”
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has publicly rejected all allegations of racism levelled against him, sparking widespread debate online, with both his supporters and detractors weighing in on the controversy.
Social media users unearthed a series of old posts on X - formerly known as Twitter - where McKenzie allegedly used derogatory terms against Black people on several separate occasions. These resurfaced posts have fueled the ongoing backlash and intensified public scrutiny.
Addressing both his political party and the public on Sunday evening, 9 August 2025, McKenzie firmly denied the allegations, claiming they are “fabricated lies” aimed at discrediting him.
In a statement released across his social media platforms, he asserted that a full-scale campaign had been launched to brand him as a racist against Black people.
“I have fought my whole life for Coloured and Black unity. I am the son of a Black mother. I was born to different races,” McKenzie stated.
“Coloured people are not supposed to stand up and fight back - we are expected to be insulted and crawl back into our corner. My crime was leading the protest against those racist young people,” he continued.
Mckenzie added that despite being met with hatred, anger, and serious accusations, he would not be deterred from his mission. He also criticised the role of certain podcasters, arguing that their influence on public perception revealed their “prejudice” towards the Coloured community.
“You are more offended by our outrage as Coloured people against the vile racism directed at us. You make excuses for these young people who hurt an entire race. You are encouraging future racists instead of nipping this in the bud. We are not you,” he said.
The sports minister stressed that he harbours no racism and has consistently worked toward racial unity.
“This is why I’m proud to be part of the Patriotic Alliance. I don’t have a racist bone in my body. I have always advocated for unity among all races.
“I’m writing this to tell you to fight racism wherever and whenever it shows up. We are one nation under God,” McKenziee concluded.
Following the recent social media spat and allegations of fake qualifications against embattled CENTLEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malefane Sekoboto, background screening and vetting company Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE) has confirmed the legitimacy of his educational credentials.
Earlier this month, a public dispute erupted after a social media post accused Sekoboto of falsifying his academic qualifications. Patricia Morgan-Mashale - the “whistleblower” who openly accused Sekoboto of fabricating his qualifications on Facebook – further claims the CEO allegedly secured his position at the power utility using fraudulent qualifications.
“Sekoboto, the CEO of Centlec, is a huge scammer who used bogus certificates to get hired as an electrical engineer throughout his career (sic). He genuinely took the position that should have been held by a qualified individual,” the post read in part.
Contrary to Mashale’s claims, Sekoboto’s qualifications have been cleared up and confirmed as legitimate. This is according to reputable vetting company MIE on behalf of the Central University of Technology (CUT).
In response to a request by Journal News for verification of Sekoboto’s educational credentials, Mzwakhe Maduna, who works in the enquiries office at MIE, confirmed that Sekoboto indeed holds a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, a BTech in Electrical Engineering, as well as a BTech in Project Management from the Central University of Technology (CUT).
This publication further established the authenticity of Sekoboto’s Master’s Degree qualification, which he obtained in 2019 from the Da Vinci Business School. Samantha Naidoo from the school’s registry office confirmed that the Centlec CEO completed a Master of Science in the Management of Technology and Innovation.
The two confirmations echoed Centlec’s acting spokesperson, Tseliso Leba’s sentiments, who squarely refuted Mashale’s spurious claims, dismissing them as nothing but an attempt to discredit the CEO’s public image.
Leba stated that, despite Mr. Sekoboto’s 22 years of service with the utility, Centlec can say “unequivocally” that the allegations are false and represent a deliberate attempt to tarnish his name and reputation.
“We can confirm that Mr. Sekoboto holds extensive qualifications and has consistently proven to be an asset to both Centlec and the broader academic community.
“His publication of two journal articles during his PhD studies further attests to his expertise, with these works accessible on reputable scholarly platforms,” concluded Leba.
