The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for policy changes to bring about change to the country's current Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies of the ANC.
On Monday, the party slammed the current policies, which it said only benefitted a few politically-connected individuals.
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The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced 54-year-old Leonie Stella Stiemie to an effective six years’ imprisonment for two counts of theft.
The court's decision comes after Stiemie, a former branch administrator at FNB Kirkwood, was found guilty of stealing over R800,000 from an elderly client.
Stiemie was sentenced to six years for each count, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. Additionally, the court has mandated that she repay First Rand Limited a staggering R270,000, declared her unfit to possess a firearm, and authorised the search and seizure of any firearms, ammunition, and relevant permits currently in her possession.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Luxolo Tyali, said the case centres on 87-year-old Andries David Renken, a lifelong farmer from Kirkwood, who tragically passed away during the protracted legal proceedings.
Renken had entrusted Stiemie with R400,000 in cash to be securely stored in a bank-managed Deeds Box between 2011 and February 2015. In an appalling breach of trust, Stiemie not only failed to provide Renken with the required keys and custody agreements but also exploited his trust in ways that left him vulnerable.
In August 2014, upon Renken’s enquiry about his funds, Stiemie deceitfully claimed she had invested half of the money on his behalf. By early 2015, she had left FNB, and following Renken’s visit to the bank, she visited him, first fabricating a tale about the funds being stolen in a bank robbery—a claim that was later disproven.
Ultimately, Stiemie confessed to taking the money but offered to repay the debt in small monthly instalments of R666, which Renken refused, deeming the amount emblematic of the “devil’s number.” Stiemie only managed to refund R21,000, while a forged deposit slip with her own signature, confirmed by handwriting analysis, sealed her fate in court.
Throughout the trial, Stiemie denied having organised repayment, attributing her actions to the influence of heavy medication at the time of her visit to Renken. Nevertheless, the court found Renken’s testimony credible, emphasising that it represented the only plausible version of events amid the complexity of the case. Further complicating the trial were various delays, including the unfortunate passing of a vital handwriting expert and the trial’s original prosecutor in 2021.
In response to the court's decision, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, expressed satisfaction, stating, “This outcome demonstrates that justice will be served, even in cases delayed over many years. We commend Advocate Leigh-Anne Pillay-Selahle of the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit for her perseverance and dedication.”
He reinforced the National Prosecuting Authority’s commitment to holding those in positions of trust accountable, especially when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has been added to the names of witnesses expected to testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing serious allegations of corruption, political interference, and mismanagement within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The committee was established following bombshell allegations made on 6 July 2025 by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who publicly accused senior political and police officials of obstructing sensitive investigations and attempting to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team in KZN
During his briefing, Mkhwanazi presented digital evidence, including WhatsApp chats allegedly extracted from mobile devices, which he claimed revealed coordinated interference by high-ranking individuals.
He specifically named suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, his associate Brown Mogotsi, and businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala as central figures in the alleged effort.
In a media briefing held on Friday, ad hoc committee chairperson Lekganyane Molapi confirmed Cele’s inclusion in the witness list.
“The chairperson signed seven letters to the seven persons that have been named,” Molapi said. “Secondly, in the invitation, there is no person who has been given a date of appearance before the committee.”
The list of invitees includes Mchunu, Mkhwanazi, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, Deputy Ministers Polly Boitshelo and Cassel Mathale, and Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia
Molapi emphasised the urgency of the process, saying, “We had planned that the committee would start its work by the 10th of September.”
While no formal schedule has been communicated to the witnesses, Molapi confirmed that the committee has decided the order in which testimonies will be heard. “The order still stands that the first person who will appear before this committee is General Mkhwanazi,” he said.
However, Mkhwanazi has requested a deferral of his appearance due to prior commitments with the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
“With regards to Mkhwanazi, he requested the committee to allow him to continue with other engagements he's already in with the Commission until 24th September. That is when he said he will be available to come and appear before the committee, anytime from the 25th of September,” Molapi said.
The Madlanga Commission was expected to commence its public hearings on 1 September. That date was missed due to ICT issues, with the Commission later announcing that hearings would begin on 17 September instead.
The delay, according to the Commission, was caused by technical and logistical preparations that had not yet been finalised.
In a statement last week, the Commission said: “Significant progress has been made by the appointed service providers to set up the various services in accordance with the Commission’s requirements.
''It is anticipated that all work in this regard will be finalised in time for the Commission’s hearings to commence without any further delays.”
The overlap between the Commission’s preparatory work and the parliamentary process has necessitated flexibility in scheduling, particularly for witnesses such as Mkhwanazi who are involved in both processes.
Molapi also confirmed that the committee had begun receiving responses to its formal invitations. “Responses have so far been received from Mchunu and Cachalia,” he said, adding that National Commissioner Masemola and Deputy Commissioner Sibiya have requested consultations with senior counsel before submitting their sworn statements.
“The senior counsel has met with Masemola to do consultations before members,” Molapi said.
To assist in managing the legal and evidentiary complexities of the investigation, the committee has appointed a team of experienced legal professionals.
Advocate Norman Arendse SC has been named as the committee’s evidence leader, supported by Advocate Maria Mokhaetsi and Advocate Lerato Zikalala.
Hearings are expected to take place in the Good Hope Chamber at Parliament in Cape Town.
Gauteng Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola says they will intensify the search for the suspects who killed police officer in the line of duty.
He spoke at the annual South African Police Service Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday.
Twenty-seven police officers who died in the line of duty between April last year and March this year were remembered and honoured.
Masemola says the fallen heroes served the country with integrity and pride.
He says, “Let the memory of our 27 fallen heroes of the nobility of the calling and the imperative to serve with integrity and honour, and lets intensify the search for all suspects who have killed our police officers who are still out there at large.”
The trial of a South Korean woman accused in New Zealand of killing her children, stuffing their bodies in suitcases and leaving them in a storage locker began on Monday.
The case caused widespread shock in New Zealand when the bodies of Minu Jo, 6, and Yuna Jo, 8, were found in an abandoned storage locker by an Auckland family in August 2022.
Police believe Hakyung Lee killed her children in June or July 2018, a year after her husband's death, and then returned to South Korea.
She was extradited from South Korea in November 2022 at the request of the New Zealand police.
Appearing before the Auckland High Court on Monday morning, New Zealand media reported Lee refused to answer Justice Geoffrey Venning's calls for a plea.
Despite the silence, Venning said he took Lee's actions to be a not guilty plea, and continued with the case. He told jurors he expected an insanity defence to be presented.
Lee has elected to represent herself in the trial.
Two defence lawyers, Lorraine Smith and Chris Wilkinson-Smith, are serving as standby counsel.
The prosecution is expected to open its case on Tuesday.
In a joint statement with the South African Guild of Actors, the union raised concerns about the continued financial struggles faced by many artists, citing a lack of labour protections and industry standards.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has joined calls for the formal recognition and regulation of the country's creative sector.
In a joint statement with the South African Guild of Actors, the union raised concerns about the continued financial struggles faced by many artists, citing a lack of labour protections and industry standards.
The two organisations said transformation is urgently needed to end the exploitation and marginalisation of creatives, calling for fair contracts, job security, and proper working conditions across the sector.
NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said artists deserve the same rights as all workers and should not be treated as disposable.
"Since 1994, the labour movement has fought for rights across sectors from mining to domestic work, but creatives remain excluded. Actors, writers, directors, and crew have no recognition under the law, and this must change.
“Mam Nyembe's death must mark a turning point. She must be the last creative worker to suffer so much indignity. We call on all creative workers to unite, mobilise, and to fight for their rights. The industry must be transformed, not in name, but in substance."
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
Today marks the final day of the weeklong Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE), which is currently taking place in Bloemfontein under the theme “Back to Our African Heart and Soul.”
After a two-year hiatus, Macufe has returned with a vibrant and refreshing approach, featuring 90% local Free State artists and service providers, significantly boosting the local economy.
The festival concludes today with a spectacular gospel event headlined by the Soweto Gospel Choir, Teboho Moruti, Jabu Hlongwane, Ayanda Ntanzi, and many others.
The festival officially launched on 1 August at the Wesleyan Church in Waaihoek.
According to the MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Zanele Sifuba, Macufe's return was a commitment made by Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae during her State of the Province address.
Sifuba emphasised that the main goal of reviving Macufe was to create a more inclusive and beneficial environment for all. This year’s vision focused on empowerment, heritage, and unity.
The main festival took place yesterday at the Mangaung Rose Garden, showcasing artists such as Semito, Press, Sannere, and the Afro-pop group Kaya. The week-long program included a variety of events, such as theatre plays, film screenings, an Amapiano and hip-hop festival, a jazz festival, and a gospel show.
Festival-goers attended in large numbers and expressed their love of Macufe.
Journal News interviewed some attendees at the main festival yesterday, and they shared their eagerness for next year’s event.
Pheladi Mangope, who travelled from Gauteng, described Macufe as a movement.
She said, “I have been attending Macufe every year, and the two-year gap was painful for me.
“ Today, I am very excited to be back at the festival. I really missed it, and I will be back again next year.”
Another attendee, Lerato Mokotjo from Bloemfontein, mentioned her appreciation for the spaciousness of the Rose Garden.
“I have enough space to move around. It’s not too crowded, and I really love that I can enjoy the show without bumping into people,” she said.
