By Lerato Mutlanyane
Hailing from Bloemfontein, the City of Roses, Palesa “Lisa S” Sentso is stepping into her own spotlight — and bringing a sound that refuses to be boxed in. First known as part of the duo Harmonic Squared, which made waves on the Bloem music scene in 2018, Lisa S has since evol...
In a decisive crackdown on illegal gambling, the North West Gambling Board has destroyed more than 300 illicit arcade machines across the province, targeting unlicensed operations that prey on vulnerable communities, particularly the youth.
The move forms part of ongoing efforts to curb unlawful gambling activities. During recent operations, authorities seized and publicly destroyed hundreds of machines found in taverns, spaza shops and other unlicensed outlets in the Mahikeng and Rustenburg regions.
According to the board, over 300 illegal machines were confiscated last year alone. In the latest sweep, 278 machines were demolished in Rustenburg and Koster, with an additional 257 destroyed in the Bojanala Platinum District—marking significant progress in the province’s clean-up campaign.
The seized equipment included various slot machines, bingo-style roulette devices, “cherry master” games, and computers linked to illegal gambling networks, often concealed within informal businesses.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), and the Hawks, resulting in a major enforcement success for the province.
Authorities have focused on high-risk areas where illegal machines are easily accessible to children and unemployed youth. Many of these outlets also operate without proper liquor licences, compounding social challenges in townships and rural communities.
Illegal gambling remains a serious concern in the North West, with operators exploiting communities for quick profit while flouting regulatory frameworks. The presence of these machines has also raised alarm over underage gambling.
Officials say the crackdown helps level the playing field for licensed operators who comply with regulations, pay taxes, and contribute to the provincial economy.
The North West Gambling Board stressed that the destruction of these machines is not a once-off effort, but part of a broader, sustained campaign to eliminate illegal gambling.
Board chairperson Prof. Vuyo Peach warned that those caught operating unlawful gambling activities face arrest, fines and possible imprisonment. He also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through official channels.
“Illegal gambling operations have no place in a province working hard to build safer and more prosperous communities,” he said.
Further operations are expected in the coming months as authorities intensify efforts to protect communities and maintain momentum in the fight against unlicensed gambling.
Former president Thabo Mbeki has issued a blistering warning about South Africa's unemployment crisis.
Speaking to eNCA, he laid the blame squarely at the feet of the nation's workforce.
Mbeki ignited outrage when he told the broadcaster: "Why are millions of our people unemployed? The reason they are unemployable is because they don't have the skills that the modern economy and society need."
He doubled down with a stinging attack on the country's welfare system.
"Why are we continuing to boast as though it is a great achievement with so many people on social welfare. It's not an achievement. It's failure."
Political analyst Siya Ntombela told IOL that Mbeki isn't entirely wrong but may be pointing fingers in the wrong direction.
"There is a mismatch between what our education offers and what employers need," he said.
However, he quickly turned the tables, pointing to historical policy decisions, including those made during Mbeki's own presidency.
"We need to trace the problem back to the education policies and legislation passed by previous governments, including Thabo Mbeki's administration," he said.
Ntombela highlighted controversial reforms such as the closure of vocational, teaching and nursing colleges, decisions he says have had long-term consequences for skills development in the country.
This refers to closely after the end of apartheid when the government embarked on a major overhaul of vocational and technical education, beginning with White Paper 4 on Education and Training (1998).
The reforms aimed to replace the fragmented network of technical colleges with a unified Further Education and Training (FET) system, designed to better align education with the country's skills and workforce needs.
These changes, formalised in the Further Education and Training Act of 1998, were rolled out during the early 2000s, setting the stage for significant shifts in vocational education under Thabo Mbeki's presidency.
Ntombela also pointed to ongoing systemic challenges, including electricity issues, which continue to disrupt practical training that depends on electricity, further widening the gap between education and employability.
But he also blamed the broader education system. "It taught teachers and learners to focus on the end assessment rather than holistic learning," he said.
Ntombela suggested that resistance to raising academic standards has contributed to a cycle of underprepared graduates.
"Meaning they wanted and continue to produce certificated unemployable but uneducated citizens who will not be critical of their wrongdoings
"What will Thabo Mbeki do to ensure that young educated South Africans are employable?" he asked.
The comments also triggered fierce backlash from General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) Zwelinzima Vavi.
"Regrettably, he is in denial," Vavi fired. He painted a grim picture of a country in crisis.
"There are 12.4 million unemployed people, and of these, around about 10 million, nearly 80% are trapped in structural, long-term unemployment, meaning they have been without work for over a year."
He went on to say that that the majority are young black South Africans, mostly those living in rural areas.
Even if they are incorporated into universities and TVET institutes, he said, it would not alleviate the situation since the economy is just not providing jobs.
Vavi dismissed the "skills-only" argument outright. "The crisis is not just a skills problem; it is a failure of the economy to generate decent work."
However, the founder of thinktank, Lex Libertas, Ernst Roets agreed with Mbeki's statement. "He is right," Roets said.
South Africa’s improving economic outlook and ongoing structural reforms are positioning the country as an increasingly attractive destination for global investors, President Cyril Ramaphosa said ahead of the sixth South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) in Sandton this week.
More than 1,000 delegates from over 50 countries are expected to attend the conference, which has grown into a key platform for promoting investment opportunities since its launch in 2018.
Ramaphosa said the gathering comes at a time when “investors look to destinations that have demonstrated resilience in the face of increasingly volatile global financial conditions,” adding that, “South Africa presents a favourable proposition.”
The President pointed to signs of recovery in the domestic economy, including “four consecutive quarters of growth by the end of 2025,” stabilising national debt and rising employment levels.
He also highlighted improvements in investor confidence, noting that “our sovereign rating was upgraded for the first time in 17 years, and we were removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.”
Central to the country’s investment case, Ramaphosa said, is a broad programme of structural reforms under Operation Vulindlela, which has targeted key sectors such as electricity, logistics, water, telecommunications and the visa system.
“We have brought load-shedding to an end and are creating a new, competitive electricity market that will ensure energy security and attract investment,” he said.
In the logistics sector, government has moved to open up rail and port infrastructure to private sector participation.
Projects underway include the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor in the Eastern Cape and the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal in KwaZulu-Natal. A 25-year concession for Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, valued at R11 billion, was also concluded last year.
Ramaphosa said reforms to the visa regime, including the introduction of a Remote Work Visa and a Trusted Employer Scheme are aimed at attracting critical skills and boosting tourism.
Since the launch of the investment drive in 2018, government has exceeded its initial target, securing R1.57 trillion in pledges by 2024, 26% above its goal. More than 300 projects have been initiated, with 161 either completed or under construction.
“The pledges have not been merely vague commitments and promises, but have materialised as tangible, brick-and-mortar projects that are creating jobs for our people,” Ramaphosa said.
He cited major investments such as the Platreef Mine in Limpopo, backed by Ivanhoe Mines, and BMW’s R4.2 billion upgrade of its Rosslyn plant to produce hybrid vehicles, both of which originated from commitments made at previous conferences.
Looking ahead, government has set a new target of mobilising R2 trillion in investment by 2028, with a sharper focus on implementation rather than pledges.
“As we strive to achieve growth that creates jobs for our people, this next phase will move from pledges towards implementation,” Ramaphosa said.
He said that the conference represents a crossroads of opportunity and ambition, stressing that government remains committed “to staying the course on fiscal discipline, to accelerating the momentum of the reform agenda and to leveraging investment to build an economy that is inclusive, transformed and that benefits all.”
South Africans will soon have to dig deeper into their pockets as SANTACO warns taxi fares may rise in response to soaring fuel costs.
Petrol prices are expected to increase by up to R5 per litre and diesel by more than R10 from April 1, driven by higher international oil prices, a weaker rand, and tax levies. The price increases are a result of the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has pushed Brent crude prices up by around 38% since last month.
In an interview, IOL spoke to SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala, who said the organisation was already contemplating increasing taxi fares to help operators cope with the rising costs.
She noted that while SANTACO provides ongoing guidance on key considerations when reviewing fares, the authority to decide on the timing and extent of fare adjustments rests with individual taxi associations affiliated with the organisation.
Phala also revealed that "some associations have already implemented increases, while others are in the process of finalising their decisions".
"Yes, we are. The anticipated fuel price increases, coupled with concerns around supply constraints and early price adjustments at some petrol stations, are already placing significant pressure on the taxi industry. As a result, many taxi associations are being compelled to consider fare adjustments," Phala said.
"It is important to note that taxi fares are not determined by fuel prices alone, but by a range of operational factors, inclusive of vehicle instalment costs, admin costs, vehicle maintenance, and business growth prospects. Given the current urgency and prevailing economic conditions, fare increases have become necessary for associations to sustain their operations".
The increase could come as a huge blow to many households. According to the Household Affordability Index compiled by Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD), transport already consumes around 58% of the average worker’s monthly wage.
"The taxi industry operates without direct government subsidies and relies primarily on fare revenue to sustain its operations. This limits the ability to implement differentiated pricing or targeted relief measures for specific income groups." Phala said.
"However, taxi associations remain mindful of the financial pressures faced by commuters and aim to introduce fare adjustments in a way that does not significantly deter usage, as affordability remains critical for both commuters and the sustainability of the industry".
She said: "SANTACO’s internal structures (Provincial structures, regional structures and association level structures) are already actively engaging on these matters".
"Once decisions are finalised, member associations will communicate fare adjustments directly to commuters through established channels, including notice boards in vehicles, at taxi ranks and official social media platforms".
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has again challenged KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to substantiate the allegations linking him to a meeting with former National Prosecution Director Advocate Shamila Batohi and Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala’s legal team.
Speaking on the sidelines of a funeral in Richards Bay on Sunday, Mchunu reiterated his calls to Mkhwanazi to provide evidence to back his claim that he and Batohi, together with Matlala’s lawyers, went to Kgosi Mampuru prison to meet with Matlala.
Matlala is a South African tender tycoon and criminal suspect known for his involvement in large state contracts and related controversies.
During a recent appearance in the Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, Mkhwanazi presented a handwritten letter which he claimed he obtained from fraud accused awaiting trial prisoner, Jermaine Prim. In the letter, Prim claimed that Mchunu, Batohi and Matlala’s lawyer visited Matlala to sign an affidavit that stating Matlala did not know Mchunu.
However, Mchunu dismissed the claim as lies, challenging Mkhwanazi to provide proof.
“I never met Batohi. I never met her with these people as claimed by Mkhwanazi. This is a problem when people would go around making allegations against other people without providing evidence. If you make allegations against other people without evidence, they can also make allegations against you without providing proof,” said Mchunu.
He also announced his readiness to return to both the Madlanga Commission and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee if necessary.
Mkhwanazi’s allegations emanate from his media briefing last year, where he claimed that Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team in order to protect a Gauteng drug cartel. This led to Mchunu's suspension as Police Minister and he subsequently stepped aside from his political work as a National Executive Committee member of the ANC.
Last week, he wrote to the ANC asking to resume his duties as an NEC member. On whether the ANC approved the resumption of his political work, Mchunu said his letter to the party was merely to inform it about his return to active politics.
Retired Justice Sisi Khampepe will remain as chairperson of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate political interference in the investigation and prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.
This comes after the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg on Monday dismissed the legal bid by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki to have her recused herself from the commission. Justice Khampepe was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May last year to head the commission.
It was claimed that a whistleblower revealed that Justice Khampepe colluded with the commission’s evidence leader, Semenya, and gave him advice during an application last year for his recusal from the commission. The claims included that she also told him to give certain “tips” to advocate Vas Soni SC, who had represented him in the recusal application, and that she had “coached” him on how to conduct his case.
Among the grounds sought for Justice Khampepe’s recusal were that she worked for the TRC’s amnesty committee and as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) before being appointed to the bench. Zuma sought a declaration from the high court that Justice Khampepe’s dismissal of the recusal application was unconstitutional and invalid, as well as review and set aside the decision.
Alternatively, Zuma has asked the court to review and set aside Justice Khampepe’s decision on the basis of the principle of legality. Mbeki has asked the high court to order that Ramaphosa terminate his appointment of Justice Khampepe and declare all the decisions the commission has taken so far under her null and void.
