The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has not responded to whether it had contacted South Africa’s late ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, to testify before the inquiry before his sudden death in Paris.
Mthethwa, a former Minister of Police and Sports, was found dead at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in western Paris, reportedly after falling from the 22nd floor.
His death, currently under investigation by French authorities, has sent shockwaves through political and diplomatic circles.
Just two weeks before his passing, Mthethwa was implicated in explosive testimony before the commission probing political interference in policing.
KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accused Mthethwa of obstructing justice during his tenure as Police Minister in 2011.
According to Mkhwanazi, Mthethwa pressured senior officials to halt both the prosecution and internal disciplinary proceedings against former Crime Intelligence head, Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli.
"If you talk about political interference, that was the worst that I ever experienced. At that time, I came from the specialised operations; the only thing I knew was to chase criminals.
"I am promoted to become the acting national commissioner, and I am confronted with this in front of me, and I say, but this is not what I signed up for when I joined the police. This can’t be right," Mkhwanazi explained.
Mthethwa served as Minister of Police from 2009 to 2014, before holding other high-level posts including Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. He was appointed South Africa’s ambassador to France in December 2023.
The commission has remained silent on whether Mthethwa was formally approached to testify before his death.
The commission has also taken a break and will resume its public hearings on October 13. This after witness, Lt-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo suddenly announced ”not well”.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in. President Cyril Ramaphosa described the ambassador’s death as “a moment of deep grief for the nation,” noting Mthethwa’s long service to the country.
This is a developing story. The article will be updated pending a response from the commission.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Nigeria has launched a nationwide crackdown on foreigners who have overstayed their visas, just hours after a five-month amnesty period expired on September 30.
The operation, led by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), signals the government’s zero-tolerance approach toward visa violations, with deportations, fines, and multi-year entry bans now in effect, according to media reports.
The amnesty program, which ran from May 1, allowed foreign nationals with expired visas, including Visa on Arrival (VoA), single and multiple-entry visas, and Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permits (CERPAC), to regularize their stay without penalties. With the amnesty window now closed, enforcement actions commenced immediately.
Foreign nationals found violating Nigeria’s immigration laws now face strict penalties based on the length of their overstay. Those who have overstayed for less than three months face deportation, a daily fine of US$15 (almost R300) for every day overstayed, or a two-year entry ban.
Overstays between three months and one year carry deportation, a daily fine of $15 per day, or a five-year entry ban.
For those who have overstayed more than a year, the penalty is deportation, a daily fine of $15 per day, or a 10-year entry ban.
*This article was first published by IOL News
A dramatic turn unfolded in the Phala Phala farm robbery trial on Wednesday when a key state witness insisted the statement presented in court was not his, forcing the Modimolle Regional Court to declare him a hostile witness.
The man, who allegedly transported suspects linked to the 2020 burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm, told the court he only received R7,000 for his role — contradicting his signed police statement, which claimed he had been paid US$30,000 in cash.
Pressed on the inconsistency, the witness said he was intimidated and “scared” when giving his statement to investigators.
“This is not my statement,” the witness, who cannot be named due to a court order, told the court.
State prosecutor Nkhetheni Munyai applied for the court to declare the witness hostile, arguing that his testimony deviated significantly from what was previously placed on record.
Defence lawyers objected, but Magistrate Peter Manthate ruled that the state could proceed under Section 190 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows cross-examination of a hostile witness.
According to NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi, the trial against the three accused — Immanuwela David, siblings Froliana Joseph and Ndilinasho Joseph — is proceeding with the evidence of this third witness. The matter is scheduled to continue until 8 October 2025, with the next court sitting on Friday.
The case stems from the dramatic February 2020 break-in at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm, where suspects allegedly stole US $580,000 hidden in furniture. The accused face charges of conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, two counts of housebreaking and theft, and money laundering (for David).
The witness’s denial of his own police statement has raised questions about witness intimidation and credibility in a case already under intense political and public scrutiny.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Activist and grandson of Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, who was sailing to Gaza aboard a boat which is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), has been kidnapped by Israeli forces who intercepted the flotilla in the early hours of Thursday.
Mandela prerecorded a message in case of interception by Israel.
"I'm a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the state of apartheid Israel," he said. "I call you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release."
The South African group of the flotilla has condemned the interception of its vessels by Israeli occupation forces in international waters, describing the attack as a deliberate attempt to block humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Delegates aboard the flotilla, which included South African civilians, were reportedly detained and faced drone and water cannon attacks.
In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GDF) confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces ambushed the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, detaining some of the delegates and attacking the vessels with drones and water cannons.
"These actions represent yet another attempt to silence voices of solidarity and to prevent even the smallest lifeline of relief from reaching Gaza. This is illegal under international law," the GDF said in a statement.
The organisation emphasised that the flotilla's mission was purely humanitarian and peaceful.
"The GSF was carrying civilians committed to drawing attention to the devastating conditions faced by Palestinians. Their mission is peaceful. Their objective is humanitarian. Their interception exposes once more the reality that Gaza is held under siege not only by walls and checkpoints, but by warships, drones, and policies of isolation."
The GSF called on the South African government to act immediately to ensure the safe return of its citizens.
"The Global Sumud Flotilla - RSA demands the immediate and unconditional release of all the delegates with full access to their lawyers, and for Israel to respect all international laws and measures governing the protection of civilians and humanitarian missions, the unhindered delivery of the humanitarian aid, and the lifting of the siege that continues to strangle Gaza," they said.
On Wednesday, Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), emphasised South Africa's call for restraint and adherence to international law.
"South Africa wishes to reiterate, in the strongest terms, its call for all actors to adhere strictly to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant international humanitarian law principles," he said.
Phiri stressed that the safety and security of the flotilla's participants, including South African citizens, are of paramount importance.
"The safety, security, and physical integrity of all unarmed participants aboard the Flotilla, including South African citizens, are of paramount importance," he added.
He warned that any military engagement or forceful detention of the vessels in international waters would constitute a serious breach of international norms. Phiri further highlighted the peaceful and humanitarian mission of the flotilla.
"It must be underscored that the Flotilla is a civilian-led initiative, embarked upon a peaceful and humanitarian mission. Its participants aim to draw attention to the severe and urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people in Gaza and to deliver vital aid to alleviate the widespread suffering," Phiri said.
Other South Africans who are part of the mission include Fatima Hendricks, Zaheera Soomar, Zukisa Wanner, Reaaz Moola, Bashera Soomar and Carolyn Shelver.
Former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi shared his support of Mandela. "
"Mandla Mandela! Selfless brave soul. You make us eternally proud Madiba. Strength to the Sumud Flotilla, Free Palestine," he said.
*This article was first published by IOL News
The father of Constable Boipelo Senoge, one of three police officers who went missing earlier this year and were later found dead in the Hennops River in Centurion, says the past five months have been incredibly difficult for the family.
He said Boipelo was the sole breadwinner.
Constables Keamogetswe Buys, 30, Boipelo, and Cebekhulu Linda, 24, were all reported missing before their bodies were recovered days later from the Hennops River.
The trio, who were stationed in the Free State, drowned in April after their white Volkswagen Polo was swept into the river during heavy rains.
Buys and Linda were part of Operation Vala Umgodi in Limpopo, a police task force targeting illicit mining activities.
Buys served in the cybercrime division, while Linda worked in crime intelligence. Senoge was stationed at Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein.
At the time of their deaths, Senoge and Linda were in a relationship.
Speaking to IOL News, Boipelo’s father, Paul Senoge, expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the investigation.
“The last time we heard from the police was before the funeral. They told us they were busy with the investigation and would update us, but since then, there’s been nothing,” he said.
The three officers were buried in May.
Senoge said the delays in the investigation have deeply affected the family emotionally and mentally, making it hard to find closure.
“We are really struggling to come to terms with what happened. It keeps bringing back the memories. Just when we think we are healing, the wounds are reopened again and again,” he said.
He added that despite promises from police to look into the matter, no substantial feedback has been provided.
“They said they would investigate, but we have heard nothing from them… The only thing we are told when we call the investigator is that they are still busy with the case. It’s so painful.”
“What we need is closure. I don’t know what’s going on with the SAPS. I thought we were moving forward as a country, but now I don’t know.”
Senoge voiced concern about the slow progress of the investigation, adding that he fears it could drag on for years.
“There’s so much corruption in this country. These investigations could take five more years. We are not satisfied with how this is being handled and we will never heal until we know what happened to my daughter.”
He said the family is waiting for the investigation report, which they hope will provide some answers.
“If we get the report and go through it, and we are satisfied, maybe we will find closure. But if not, we will take it further.”
Senoge said his daughter, Boipelo, was the only one in the household who was working, and since her death, the family has been battling to make ends meet.
“What hurts the most is that she was the one who put bread on the table. When we think about how she used to support us, we are reminded of the gap she left,” said her father.
“Nothing is the same anymore. She was the only breadwinner. Her older sister is also unemployed. Since her death, we have been really struggling… I’m not working, my wife is not working, and neither is my eldest daughter.”
Meanwhile, in response, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the investigation is still ongoing and is receiving “focused attention”.
“Both SAPS and private specialists have submitted reports as prescribed. Preliminary post-mortem reports have been received, but final reports, including blood alcohol results, toxicology, and histology, are still outstanding. These are critical to concluding the investigation,” Mathe said.
She added that an analysis of physical evidence is also ongoing.
“This process is complex as SAPS relies on external specialists for certain examinations. While the SAPS accident expert report has been finalised, it is not conclusive on its own.”
*This article was first published by IOL News
In many parts of Africa divorce often carries a heavy stigma, leaving women vulnerable and disempowered.
But imagine a place where the end of a marriage is not just accepted, but celebrated, a joyous declaration of newfound freedom and opportunity.
Such a place exists in the North African nation of Mauritania.
Here, a unique cultural phenomenon, often described as a "divorce market," showcases a matriarchal Moorish culture where women enjoy remarkable autonomy, and remarriage is not just encouraged but actively celebrated.
In Mauritania, divorce is common, with some estimates suggesting that nearly a third of all marriages dissolve.
What sets this country apart is the celebratory atmosphere surrounding a woman's divorce.
Instead of shame or sorrow, women often find themselves at the centre of elaborate festivities.
"Divorce parties," far from being sombre affairs, are vibrant gatherings filled with music, dance, and feasts, where the woman, surrounded by friends and family, rejoices in her newfound freedom.
These events are not just social gatherings; they serve as public declarations of a woman’s availability for remarriage, openly inviting new prospects.
Here, women hold significant social and economic autonomy, and their experience from previous marriages is highly valued.
A woman with a history of marriage is often seen as a more desirable prospect than a young, inexperienced bride.
This empowers women to initiate divorce if their needs are not being met, actively challenging traditional narratives that often portray women as passive participants in their marriages.
Islamic law and divorce
Mauritania's legal system, governed by Islamic law, includes a crucial provision known as 'khul'.
This allows a wife to seek divorce by compensating her husband, typically by returning the bride price. This legal framework provides women with a significant degree of power in ending their marriages, a rare and progressive feature in many Muslim-majority countries.
Challenges
However, this distinctive system is not without its challenges. The high divorce rate inevitably raises questions about the potential impact on children and overall family stability.
Yet, despite these concerns, Mauritania's "divorce market" stands as a powerful example of how cultural practices can redefine social norms and empower individuals, particularly women, in ways that defy conventional expectations.
A lesson for Africa?
This unique Mauritanian approach could offer valuable insights for other African countries grappling with the complexities of traditional marriage and divorce.
Encouraging a more supportive and celebratory environment for women navigating divorce could significantly reduce stigma and open new pathways for personal growth and remarriage across Africa.
For many Mauritanian women, the end of a marriage is not merely a conclusion, but a celebration of new beginnings and the promise of a brighter future.
*This article was first published by IOL News
