Author: Anjianjei Constantine

More than 120 case dockets linked to political killings in KwaZulu-Natal will soon be sent back to the province, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed this week.The dockets, which were removed in March, had initially been handled by the KZN Political Killings Task Team.- Advertisement – YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Court Battle Over Firoz Cachalia’s Appointment As Acting Police Minister BeginsTheir sudden removal sparked controversy after KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged during a July press briefing that suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya was behind the decision.According to Mkhwanazi, Sibiya acted under instructions from suspended Police Minister Senzo…

The Equality Court has found Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema guilty of hate speech for remarks he made during a party rally in Cape Town nearly three years ago.Judge Mark Sher delivered judgment on Wednesday, stating that Malema’s words — “you must never be scared to kill” — encouraged violence and incited harm. The court found his statements violated the Equality Act and showed “a clear intention to promote and propagate hatred.”- Advertisement – The comments were made at the EFF’s third provincial people’s assembly in October 2022, where Malema referenced a confrontation between Brackenfell High School parents…

The Gauteng High Court will on Tuesday hear an urgent application brought by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, challenging the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister.The party argues that the Constitution makes no provision for the position of an “acting minister.” Cachalia was appointed on 1 August after Senzo Mchunu was placed on indefinite leave.- Advertisement – “The Constitution does not make provision for an acting minister position,” the MK Party stated.Dispute Over Ramaphosa’s Firoz Cachalia Appointment and Corruption InquiryThe MK Party is also challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a commission of inquiry into alleged corruption…

Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education has formally requested Minister Buti Manamela to clarify his decision to place three Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) under administration. The affected SETAs cover construction, services, and local government.Manamela appointed administrators citing governance failures, procurement irregularities, and oversight lapses. However, his actions have sparked debate over whether proper procedures were followed.- Advertisement – Opposition Questions Minister’s Process and AppointmentsThe minister now faces pressure from opposition parties, who claim the appointments may have bypassed required processes and involved ANC-linked individuals.Higher Education Portfolio Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie confirmed that Manamela’s parliamentary appearance is provisionally scheduled…

The Madlanga Commission, set to investigate criminality, political interference, and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system, has postponed its hearings initially scheduled for 1 September 2025.The delay is linked directly to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, which has yet to provide the essential infrastructure needed for the hearings to proceed. The Commission clarified that the delay was beyond its control, despite earlier assurances from the Department that everything would be ready on time.- Advertisement – “In the media statement of 20 August 2025, the Commission stated that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was in the…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed that South Africa’s foreign policy will be determined by principle rather than outside influence. This follows the United States’ recent move to impose a 30% import tariff on South African goods.Ramaphosa stressed that the government is actively seeking to reduce its reliance on traditional markets while exploring new avenues to strengthen economic resilience. “Our economic diplomacy is centred on securing market access, attracting investment and promoting sustainable development,” he wrote in his weekly newsletter.- Advertisement – The president has just returned from Japan, where he focused on bolstering economic diplomacy and building stronger trade ties…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has cautioned African leaders against yielding to the influence of United States President Donald Trump, saying such actions undermine the sovereignty of African states.Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference in Enugu on Sunday, Malema emphasised that Africa risks losing its independence and collective power if it remains divided.- Advertisement – The NBA, Africa’s largest professional body of lawyers, represents more than 120,000 members in Nigeria and abroad. Its annual general conference brings together policymakers, judges, academics, and international guests to discuss pressing legal and political issues.Julius Malema Calls for a…

Former International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Naledi Pandor, has delivered a strong warning to the African National Congress (ANC), declaring that the once-revered liberation movement has “lost its glory.”Speaking during a memorial lecture on Sunday, Pandor said South Africans now view the ANC with “disdain” and urged the party to reflect deeply on its leadership choices.- Advertisement – “It is possible, comrades, to restore our lost glory. And we have lost our glory, let’s not pretend about it. The people are looking at us with disdain. The people are looking at us with horror and shame,” Pandor said.Her remarks were…

Former police minister Bheki Cele made repeated attempts to contact controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala just days before Matlala’s R360-million police contract collapsed and he was arrested.Bheki Cele’s Flurry of Calls Before Contract CollapseAccording to News24, Cele phoned Matlala 10 times on 9 May, but his calls were either ignored or rejected. At the time, Matlala was threatening legal action against the police if they cancelled his health and risk services contract with the South African Police Service (SAPS).- Advertisement – Soon after, the lucrative contract was terminated, and Matlala was arrested in connection with the 2023 attempted murder of…

ActionSA has announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting and incentivising whistleblowers. The announcement coincides with the party’s commemoration of Babita Deokaran, the late health department official who was murdered after exposing large-scale corruption.Deokaran was assassinated outside her Mondeor home in Johannesburg in 2021, just weeks after flagging more than R850 million in suspicious payments linked to Tembisa Hospital in Ekurhuleni.- Advertisement – Her killing shocked the nation and exposed the dangers faced by whistleblowers in South Africa.Herman Mashaba Calls for Stronger Protection MeasuresActionSA leader Herman Mashaba stressed the urgent need for stronger safeguards for those who expose…