Months of uncertainty surrounding the controversial Bodulo Mothong housing project could come to an end today when the Free State High Court delivers judgment in a closely watched legal battle that could determine the future of hundreds of vulnerable families awaiting relocation to safer living cond...
Former Municipal Manager of the City of Tshwane Dr Moeketsi Mosola has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone just outside Harrismith in Free State.
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae in a media statement issued this afternoon emphasized that Mosola’s experience and knowledge are critical for building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
“He brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors, including positions as City Manager of Tshwane, Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, and senior executive roles in major corporate and national institutions,” the statement said.
The appointment was also welcomed by Dr Molefinyana Phera, the Director-General of the Free State Provincial Government.
Mosola’s appointment reflects the Free State Provincial Government’s ongoing commitment to develop the province by placing qualified individuals in key positions that will foster advancement.
“I am committed to collaborating with the province's leadership, stakeholders, and the people of the Free State to promote inclusive growth, strengthen institutions, and ensure that the government meaningfully improves the lives of our citizens,” said Mosola.
The Northern Cape Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs has given the Sol Plaatjie Municipality 14 days to explain why it should not be placed under administration.
The move follows the municipality’s failure to meet a deadline set for April 2, 2026, to address governance failures.
The province says ongoing council instability, leadership disputes and poor service delivery have raised serious concerns.
Residents have also indicated plans to petition the national government for intervention.
Department spokesperson Tebogo Monyo says the MEC is considering the next steps.
“We are concerned as the department about what is going on at the municipality, so MEC Vass is currently applying his mind as to what the way forward should be in terms of law and applicable legislation. As a way forward, I am sure MEC Vass will primarily take the next steps and the next decisions he will take will be to ensure good, sound administrative governance at the municipality so that ultimately the municipality can provide good services,” said Monyo.
The department says a decision will be taken after the municipality’s response is received.
Animal welfare organisation Four Paws is sounding the alarm over South Africa’s growing stray pet population.
The group said more than four million dogs and cats are homeless, making up 22% of the country’s estimated 18 million household pets.
Four Paws warns that the crisis affects not only animals, but communities too, with an increased risk of dog bites and disease transmission.
Director Fiona Miles is urging the government to introduce legislative measures to ensure humane and effective population control.
"Humane solutions like sterilisation, microchipping, and vaccination are proven to work, and we need these principles embedded in law. Together, we can protect both people and animals."
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could heighten risks to global food security, particularly for countries heavily dependent on imported food, fertilizer and fuel, Maximo Torero, chief economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has said.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Torero said the crisis is exposing the vulnerability of countries with limited domestic production and a heavy reliance on external supply routes.
"The real dividing line is not simply between rich and poor countries," he said.
"It is between those with domestic buffers and those without." The FAO warned in a recent report that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil, gas and fertilizer trade, could drive up costs across the agrifood system and put additional pressure on vulnerable economies.
Torero noted that some Gulf countries are highly exposed despite their wealth, as they rely heavily on food imports and seaborne trade. Financial resources may provide short-term relief, he said, but cannot replace disrupted supply routes.
He also pointed to South Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa as areas of concern. In these regions, shocks to fertilizer and energy supplies could quickly affect agricultural production, particularly during planting seasons. Countries with limited fiscal space would face greater difficulty absorbing higher import costs or making emergency purchases, he said.
"For low-income countries already using very limited agricultural inputs, even small supply cuts can cause disproportionately large production losses," Torero said.
The warning comes as the FAO continues to monitor global food markets. Torero said governments should not rely solely on food prices as an early signal of stress, but also monitor fertilizer prices, gas supplies to fertilizer plants, shipping flows and maritime insurance costs. He highlighted sulfur as a critical but often overlooked factor.
hough less discussed than oil or gas, sulfur is essential for producing phosphate fertilizers, and supply disruptions could have far-reaching effects beyond the conflict zone.
"Agriculture runs on biological deadlines," Torero said.
"If key planting windows are missed, later interventions cannot fully reverse the damage."
He also warned that reduced fertilizer use does not necessarily lead to a proportionate decline in output, noting that in fragile farming systems even modest cuts can result in much sharper yield losses.
As the conflict continues to affect energy, fertilizer and shipping markets, early action will be needed to mitigate the risk of broader stress on global food systems, he said.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has confirmed that the party has received a query of concern from the ANC Veterans’ League regarding the appointment of the EFF’s Gauteng chairperson, Nkululeko Dunga, as MEC for Finance in the province, and that the matter will be addressed.
Mbalula was speaking to the media in Mamelodi, Pretoria, on Monday after a wreath-laying ceremony for the late anti-apartheid activist Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu.
“We did receive a query from the Veterans’ League. That matter we will address in due course this week and also at the regular NWC meeting next week,” he said.
“We will attend to their concerns because we must address these issues.”
“We can confirm that we did interact with Gauteng leadership regarding the challenge they faced in passing the budget,” Mbalula said.
He added that Gauteng leaders had met with ANC officials and submitted a report.
“We will now evaluate the extent to which they have navigated the path in passing the budget, as well as some of the issues arising from that process, which have raised questions among ANC members,” Mbalula said.
“These are uncharted waters. We deal with challenges daily, including the implications of decisions we take, while ensuring we are able to fulfil responsibilities such as passing the budget.”
He said concerns about Gauteng had been raised by multiple ANC structures, including the Veterans’ League, Women’s League and ANC Youth League.
The developments follow changes made by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to his executive council, including the appointment of Dunga as the new MEC for Finance.
Dunga’s appointment comes days after he was sworn in as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
The reshuffle also saw Lebogang Maile moved from finance to education and sports.
Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko was shifted from health to social development, effectively swapping roles with Faith Mazibuko.
Matome Chiloane was removed from education in a move Lesufi described as “painful but necessary”, saying the provincial budget would not have passed without EFF support.
Meanwhile, the ANC Veterans’ League said it was “dismayed” by Dunga’s appointment.
“The premier of Gauteng is entrusting R179 billion to Dunga, who was relieved of his position in Ekurhuleni following allegations of poor financial performance and non-compliance,” said Veterans’ League president Snuki Zikala.
Zikalala said the move offered little reassurance to Gauteng residents, who expect leadership to prioritise service delivery and stability.
The league emphasised that coalition arrangements should follow the ANC’s strategic framework for municipal coalitions, adopted by the NEC in April 2023, which prioritises stable governance and improved service delivery.
“After holding a special ANC Veterans’ League NWC meeting, we will pursue this matter within the ANC. We are determined to ensure that those in senior government positions are ethical, incorruptible and committed to serving the people,” Zikala said.
Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League in Gauteng also expressed dissatisfaction with Lesufi’s decision.
SANCO raised similar concerns. However, the red berets have defended Dunga’s appointment.
IOL News previously reported that the party described him as a disciplined and proven leader committed to representing the working class and the poor.
Dunga’s return to provincial politics follows a turbulent period in Ekurhuleni, where he stepped down as EFF caucus leader amid tensions with the ANC over power-sharing in the mayoral committee.
The conflict ended with his removal as finance MMC by Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.
Authorities have confirmed that the number of undocumented foreign nationals arrested during the Easter weekend roadblocks has climbed to 36, as enforcement operations intensify to assert control and curb illegal entry.
The latest arrests follow the detention of four Mozambican nationals — including an infant — after the vehicle they were travelling in was stopped on the N1 near the Verkeerdevlei Toll Plaza outside Bloemfontein on Monday.
According to Free State Community Safety, Roads and Transport spokesperson Hillary Mophethe, two men, a woman and a one-month-old child were found travelling without proper documentation.
“One of the suspects’ passports was last stamped in 2025. The suspects were arrested and taken to the police station after failing to produce valid documentation at the roadblock,” said Mophethe.
The arrests come days after 32 Zimbabwean nationals — including young children and infants — were detained on Friday when a bus they were travelling in was stopped on the N1 near Bloemfontein. The incident has sparked debate, with Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae raising concerns about possible official involvement in allowing undocumented foreign nationals to pass through borders and across provinces undetected.
However, the Border Management Authority (BMA) earlier stated that the group had been properly processed at the Beitbridge border post in Musina.
According to BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, the bus entered the country carrying 43 passengers.
“All underwent mandatory health screening, luggage scanning and immigration checks. Their passports and visas were verified as legitimate, and each passenger had sufficient remaining days on their 90-day entry limit,” said Masiapato.
Meanwhile, 12 children have been taken to a place of safety, while 11 women and five men are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
