News

By: Matshediso Selebeleng

Families claim their autistic children received little to no therapy despite paying over R100 000 in fees

Parents of children with special needs have raised serious concerns about the quality of support and therapy provided at Blaze The Sanctuary Autism Education and Support Centre in Bloemfon tein, alleging their children were denied proper care despite paying substantial fees. Rethabile Moleko told Journal News that she spent thousands of rands hoping her daughter would re ceive speech therapy, but nearly two years later, the child still cannot speak, with too few therapy sessions conducted and no report provided on her progress. Moleko enrolled her daughter at Blaze The Sanctu ary Autism Education and Support Centre when she was two years old after noticing delays in her speech development and believing the facility would provide specialised support. At first, she believed the delay may have been linked to the family travelling fre quently when the child was born. However, when the child reached an age where she was expected to begin speaking and still showed no progress, Moleko decided to leave her with her par ents in Bloemfontein, Free State, while she returned to work abroad. According to Moleko, during the time her child at tended the school, she repeatedly requested updates on the therapy sessions and the progress being made. “I requested documentation to confirm that the sessions had actually taken place. I was provided with incomplete handwritten pencil notes, not the professional therapy records one would expect from a therapist.. “She was enrolled at Blaze and was supposed to receive therapy as part of her support plan. She start ed in 2023 when she was two and a half years old. So for nearly two years, that therapy either did not take place or was not properly administered,” she stated. Moleko revealed that when she raised concerns about the lack of proper documentation, she was met with what she described as unprofessional and aggressive responses. “No parent advocating for their child’s needs should be treated like this,” she said. She claims that several people working at the school informed her that her daughter had received therapy fewer than five times in the last two years, despite the family paying full school fees and addi tional therapy costs that amount to more than R100 000 per year. Moleko also alleges that some teachers at the school are not adequately equipped to work with children who have special needs. “I would receive phone calls almost every day from a particular teacher telling me my child had a melt down, while I was out of the country. I took my child there because they specialise in children on the au tism spectrum,” she said. Another parent, who asked to be identified only as Lydia, said she had a similar experience. She explained that her daughter was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and was later enrolled at the same centre. “A month or two after my daughter started there, I began asking questions about her progress. “Either I was ignored or only received a response three days later. When I asked for feedback within a reasonable time, about a day, the principal called me into her office like a child to be scolded and said I was the problem for asking too many questions,” she claims. Lydia told this newspaper that she felt justified in asking questions because she was paying about R7 100 per month for her daughter’s education. Both parents said they want the school to take accountability for what they believe is a failure to provide the support and education their children re quired and promised. “A new manager, speech therapist, and occupa tional therapist are needed because this is where the biggest problems come from. These individuals are ruining the potential of this school and the future of each autistic child at this school,” said Lydia as the concerned parent. They further claim that the situation has caused trauma for many parents who trusted the school with the development of their children. On the contrary, the principal of the centre, Dr Marinda Raubenheimer, has denied the allegations. She emphasised that the well-being and develop ment of the children at Blaze remains a top priority. “On a daily basis, our staff go beyond what is re quired of them to ensure the centre’s objectives are achieved, and the children are accommodated and cared for in a happy and stable environment,” she said. Dr Raubenheimer also rejected claims that some staff members are not properly equipped to work with children with special needs. “Our staff complement is experienced in working with special needs children and the unique challeng es they face daily. They are dedicated to guiding and supporting the development required by these chil dren. I deny that our staff is not equipped to work with our children.” Raubenheimer added that the centre encourages parents to reopen communication channels so that concerns can be addressed in the best interests of the children. Meanwhile, Charmaine Thaele, a mother to a 13-year-old autistic son, says that it is very hard to find a school for a child with autism, as they have to go through a long process and still be put on a waiting list. “It’s been tough, it still is difficult, I’m unemployed, and there are no schools in Qwa Qwa, which is a huge challenge, only Centers. “There is a process that one has to go through, which involves registering through the department of education, where your child must be assessed by an occupational therapist, then the department’s thera pist, only then they then place your child on a waiting list if he is a candidate for the school they feel match es his needs,” said the distraught mother. She further added that the process takes years be cause these special schools that are subsidised by the government are limited. Thaele says she began the process of registering her son two years ago, and they are still waiting for her son to find placement. “We started the process in 2024. We did everything, still waiting to be called by the school, bear in mind he is still growing, and my fear is when they finally respond, he will be at school leaving age, which is 16. “My son is currently 13, turning 14, and is non-ver bal, so u can only imagine the challenges he faces. As for private institutions, yes, they are available, but cost an arm and a leg,” she added. In an attempt to fight for the rights of children and adults with autism to receive the services they de serve, Thaele runs an organisation called Still I Rise Foun dation, which focuses on stimulation and entertain ment for autistic kids and those who have various disabilities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government will invest more than R1 trillion over the next three years to modernise and expand South Africa’s public infrastructure.

Speaking at the Sixth South Africa Investment Conference on Tuesday, he said the investment would cover roads, rail, ports, water, energy, and digital projects.

“Over the next three years, the state has budgeted to invest more than R1 trillion or approximately USD 58 billion in modernising and expanding public infrastructure across South Africa,” Ramaphosa said.

He emphasised that R940 billion of the allocation is planned for infrastructure spending, with R375 billion set aside for state-owned companies to maintain, upgrade, and expand their assets.

Highlighting the road network, Ramaphosa said the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) would be investing between R300 billion and R400 billion to upgrade and maintain national roads and develop strategic freight corridors.

“Up to R250 billion is being invested in ports and logistics modernisation, driven by Transnet. The Port of Durban is being expanded to handle higher container volumes and improve efficiency, with similar upgrades in Cape Town and Ngqura,” he added.

Passenger rail will also receive significant attention, with about R420 billion allocated to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa for corridor reconstruction and rolling stock programmes, as well as to Transnet for network expansion.

Ramaphosa said the water sector would see major investment as well, including projects such as the Olifants Management Model Programme in Limpopo and the uMkhomazi Dam linked to Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

He also said energy infrastructure will receive R6.5 billion over the next three years, supporting the Department of Energy’s long-term energy security plans. Other projects include upgrades to OR Tambo International Airport, investments in green logistics, and incentives for electric vehicle infrastructure.

The President singled out the R5 billion investment in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope in the Karoo, which will see the construction of two supercomputers that he said will rank among the fastest in the world.

“This isn’t just a testament to the value of strategic public investment in digital infrastructure; it is also a reflection of South African scientific excellence and world-class scientific research output,” he said.

Ramaphosa also stressed the role of innovative financing in fast-tracking infrastructure development.

“We will be utilising innovative funding models that will reduce risk and attract investors to fast-track infrastructure projects. One of these is the Infrastructure Fund that we established in 2018 out of the need to deploy blended finance to infrastructure development,” he said.

Last year, the fund approved projects worth about R38 billion across water, sanitation, student accommodation, health, energy, and transport.

He added that public-private partnership regulations and instruments such as the Credit Guarantee Vehicle would further de-risk private investment.

Economic transformation and empowerment remained a central theme in his address. “The transformation of our economy is necessary to drive sustained growth, reduce inequality and correct the injustices of the past.

''We are undertaking a review to refine, realign and strengthen our B-BBEE framework to ensure that it supports transformation while at the same time enabling investment and growth,” he said.

Ramaphosa also described South Africa’s empowerment laws as “practical and innovative,” highlighting the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) for multinational companies unable to comply with local B-BBEE ownership requirements.

“Since its inception, the EEIP has onboarded some of the world’s leading multinational firms who have leveraged the programme to direct investment into local development, to incubate black, youth and women-owned businesses, and to fund skills development,” he said.

“Our overriding objective is to support firms with compliance, and to embrace empowerment as a meaningful investment in South African’s long-term economic stability.”

*This article was first published by EWN

The Border Management Authority (BMA) on Tuesday said it has intensified border line management and is implementing its anti-fraud and corruption campaign during this Easter weekend.

Briefing the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee on planned operations to be conducted during the weekend, BMA’s assistant commissioner Belene Mkhabela said the planning phase started on February 5. He stated that the focus is on inter-agency coordination, risk assessment, intelligence analysis, resource mobilisation, and finalisation of readiness plans.

He said they were now at the execution phase, which started on Monday and will run until April 9.

“During this phase, resources will be enhanced, personnel redeployed, and post-operation assessments initiated to capture lessons learnt and operational insights,” he said.

Mkhabela noted that the Easter operation was marked by increased movements of goods and persons, mainly for religious pilgrimages, holidays, and family visits.

He told the MPs that their operations were designed to manage traveller movement, mitigate congestion, and enhance border security.

“Intelligence indicates with high confidence that the border management law enforcement agencies are prepared for a further escalation in overall volume for the 2026 Easter period. This surge will be characterised by predictable peaks in flow direction and volume,” he highlighted.

Mkhabela also said they have identified 12 critical ports of entry of focus, followed by 11 vulnerable segments of the border line and the top three busiest ports of entry.

Beitbridge, Maseru Bridge, and Lebombo border posts are expected to have extreme congestion and traffic levels on Thursday.

High volumes, especially on Friday morning, are expected at Beitbridge and Grobler’s Bridge, as well as extreme congestion when travellers return on Monday.

“What we have done is that we have requested the minister to extend operational hours,” Mkhabela said.

He added that corruption and collusion, critical Information Communication Technology (ICT), power infrastructure collapse, systematic exploitation of the porous borderline, severe traffic congestion, smuggling of high-risk goods, and organised crimes top the list of intelligence threats and risk assessment.

However, Mkhabela said there was daily planning of operations and exchange of information between agencies in the border environment.

“We have got well in advance in planning, and there is an effective risk analysis and management plan by the National Target Border Centre. From today (Tuesday), we have our first report for the day,” he said.

Mkhabela further said there is intensified borderline deployment by the BMA, SANDF, and SAPS.

There is also the deployment of the Department of Social Development to attend to cases and incidents involving minors. The corridor management and traffic management were supported by the national traffic police, provincial and municipal authorities, he said.

“Anti-fraud and corruption measures are conducted at identified ports of entry as a proactive measure for deterrence,” he stated.

According to Mkhabela, as part of the preparations, extensive consultations were conducted with key stakeholders, including port management structures, border control entities, and representatives from neighbouring countries that share borders with South Africa.

“These engagements resulted in consensus regarding the specific dates and modalities for implementing the extended operational hours. Approval has been granted for the extension of operational hours at designated ports of entry for the 2026 Easter period,” he said.

Mkhabela stated that system downtime and technical glitches have been identified as some of the significant risks to the effective and efficient facilitation of the movement of persons and goods.

“The BMA will have full-time deployment of ICT technicians at the 12 prioritised ports of entry to provide direct support. Remote ICT support will also be provided by SARS and the Department of Home Affairs.”

He added that drones and body-worn cameras will be deployed to enhance the level of border security at vulnerable segments of the borderline.

The BMA has five drones, including one donated by the KwaZulu-Natal government to assist with challenges in the northern part of the province.

There is also a demonstration by a private company that will be put to use.

Mkhabela said the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is assisting with the supply of additional resources, such as water tankers, gazebos, mobile ablution facilities, and barricades.

“They have started moving all the additional resources we requested from them to support our preparations,” he said.

Responding to questions, BMA commissioner Mike Masiapato said they will make sure that for every risk, there are measures in place to mitigate the threats.

“If everything fails when it comes to ICT, we default to manual processes, as we don’t want to stop people from getting recorded when they exit or enter. Manual processes mean that we have to record all people in terms of biographical data and passports and do bulk capturing of their movement,” he said.

Masiapato added that they would ensure that uninterrupted power supplies kick in when there are outages.

He assured the MPs that the planning they presented to the committee was not only just talking to the BMA, but also to other departments and entities involved in border management.

*This article was first published by EWN

Asian stocks rallied on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the Middle East war would be over in up to three weeks and his Iranian counterpart said Tehran had "the necessary will" to bring it to an end.

But while the remarks from the two leaders provided hope for an end to the month-long crisis, crude prices jumped on lingering worries about the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

They also come as the economic impact of the conflict worsens, with average US petrol prices topping $4 a gallon (R17.86 per litre) for the first time in four years, European inflation spiking, and governments unveiling a range of support measures.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office the United States would be leaving Iran "very soon", perhaps within "two weeks, maybe three".

"But we're finishing the job," he insisted.

"We want to knock out every single thing they have," Trump said, before adding that "it's possible that we'll make a deal before that."

The White House also said he would address the nation on Thursday "to provide an important update on Iran".

Earlier, Iranian leader Masoud Pezeshkian told the head of the European Council the country had "the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met — especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression".

Wall Street surged, with the Nasdaq up 3.8 percent and the S&P 500 adding almost three percent.

In Asia, Seoul — the standout before the war but among the worst-hit since it started — was up more than six percent, while Tokyo and Taipei gained at least four percent.

Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Manila and Jakarta were also sharply higher.

Traders appeared to brush off Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments that Israel would press ahead with its campaign and that "we will continue to crush the terror regime".

However, Trump also said US forces would not work to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil and gas passes, and said it was up to other countries to do so.

"What happens with the strait we're not going to have anything to do with," he said.

In a Truth Social post earlier Tuesday, Trump lashed out at NATO allies and other countries that have refused to help the United States secure the waterway.

"The U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he wrote. "Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

The remarks came after he said on Monday that he was willing to end the war even if the strait remained closed.

Trump has zigzagged on whether Washington plans to escalate the conflict — possibly by deploying American ground forces — or try to end it through negotiations.

Both main crude contracts rose more than one percent on Wednesday, a day after Brent dived more than three percent and West Texas Intermediate shed 1.5 percent. On Wednesday morning, Brent Crude oil was trading at $105.

That came as more US troops continued to arrive in the region, and after the Wall Street Journal cited Arab officials as saying the United Arab Emirates was preparing to help Washington open the Strait by force, which would make it the first Gulf nation to join the battle.

The report said the UAE, which has been targeted by Iran during the war, was lobbying for a United Nations Security Council resolution to authorise such action.

The head of maritime analyst group Kpler told AFP that Asia faced the gravest fallout from the war.

"We think Asia will, for now, be the ones suffering the most," president Jean Maynier said.

War in the Middle East: latest developments

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said Tehran was under attack on Wednesday, reporting that explosions were heard in areas of the capital's north, east and centre.

Attacks on the Gulf

Kuwait's civil aviation authority said Wednesday that the Gulf state's international airport had come under an Iranian drone attack that led to "a large fire" at fuel tanks.

Bahrain's interior ministry said a fire broke out at a business facility "as a result of the Iranian aggression", while Saudi Arabia said it shot down several drones.

A tanker was also hit in the waters off Qatar, a British maritime security agency said.

Journalist kidnapped

An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, the United States said.

The State Department said it had warned the journalist of security risks and was working to ensure the American's release "as soon as possible".

The journalist was identified as Shelly Kittleson, a freelancer, by media advocacy groups as well as Al-Monitor, one of the news outlets for which she worked.

Trump to address Americans

US President Donald Trump will give an address to the nation on Wednesday night "to provide an important update on Iran," the White House said.

The announcement comes as the commander-in-chief said US forces would end operations in Iran "very soon", evoking a timeline of two to three weeks as his administration pursues talks while continuing its aerial campaign.

Asked about the impact of high fuel prices since the war began, Trump told reporters: "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll come tumbling down."

Asian markets climb on Trump comments

Asian stocks rallied Wednesday after Trump indicated that the war may end soon.

Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 4.0 percent while benchmarks in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul all rose.

Deadly strikes hit Beirut

Three explosions rocked Beirut's southern suburbs early Wednesday, AFP journalists reported, as a series of Israeli strikes in the south of the Lebanese capital and a nearby area killed seven people and wounded dozens, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

The Israeli army said it struck a "senior Hezbollah commander" and another "senior" member of the Iran-backed group in Beirut.

Pope hopes Trump will end war

Pope Leo XIV said he hoped Trump was looking to end the war in the Middle East and called for a halt to the violence.

"I'm told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war. Hopefully he's looking for an offramp, hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing," the pope told journalists.

Israeli strikes kill 8 in south Lebanon

At least eight people were killed Tuesday, including a paramedic, in Israeli strikes in south Lebanon, according to the ministry of health.

The ministry said a strike in Tyre district killed three people and wounded 19 more, while another attack in Sidon district killed four. A third strike in Bint Jbeil district hit a gathering point for the Risala Scouts, a rescue organisation run by a Hezbollah ally group, killing a paramedic.

Netanyahu vows to 'crush' Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would press ahead with its military campaign against Tehran.

"The campaign is not over," he said in a televised statement. "We will continue to crush the terror regime."

Iran has 'will' to end war

Iran has the "necessary will" to end the war with the United States and Israel, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, emphasising that Tehran was seeking guarantees the conflict would not flare up again.

The comment, which boosted US markets and led oil prices to fall, came after a day of heavy strikes on Iran and followed a warning from the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to retaliate against leading US tech firms such as Google from Wednesday if more Iranian leaders were killed in "targeted assassinations".

Canada denounces 'illegal invasion'

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney denounced Israel's deployment of troops against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as an "illegal invasion" that violates its "integrity and sovereignty."

Save fuel, EU says

The EU urged member states to try to push down domestic demand for fuel in the face of surging energy prices caused by the Middle East war.

*This article was first published by EWN

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has assured commuters that any fare increases will be approached with consideration and transparency.

This, after fuel prices rose on Wednesday, with motorists now paying more than R3 and R7 for petrol and diesel respectively.

The taxi body said that while it acknowledges the government’s efforts to reduce the fuel levy temporarily, the overall fuel rise places a significant burden on its daily operations.

Said SANTACO national spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Phala: “Given that the majority of minibus taxis operate on diesel, which is largely unregulated, the significant increase of over R7 per litre means the industry will continue to absorb the greatest impact of the current fuel price adjustments.”

Phala said associations under SANTACO countrywide are currently assessing the impact of the latest increase on operational costs and profit margins.

“SANTACO wishes to assure the public that any fare increases implemented by associations will be approached with caution, transparency, and responsibility. At a national level, SANTACO leadership remains actively engaged with government to explore further support measures aimed at cushioning both the industry and commuters from the ongoing financial strain.”

*This article was first published by EWN

By Lerato Mutlanyane

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.