Cape Times
ILLICIT MEDICINE TRADE FACES CRACKDOWN
PHARMACEUTICALS Made in South Africa (Pharmisa) has called for urgent government intervention to tackle the growing illicit trade in medicines, warning that the illegal market now involves healthcare practitioners as well. Pharmisa chairperson Stavros...
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PARLIAMENT TO PROBE ALLEGED HIJAB DISCRIMINATION BY POLICE
THE Portfolio Committee on Police is set to engage with Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi, after a Muslim woman's firearm licence application was rejected, allegedly because she was wearing a hijab on her...
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SAPS RESET AMID MADLANGA PROBE
AS ALLEGATIONS of corruption and political interference in senior police and criminal justice structures unfold at the Madlanga Commission, four new provincial police commissioners have taken office, with a mandate to strengthen detective services,...
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‘Leave the country’: Recording captures Johnson advising prosecutor to dodge Commission
FORMER Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson allegedly advised prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy to leave the country if she was summoned to testify before the Madlanga Commission, according to a cellphone...
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ARRESTS A MISTAKE, SAYS JOHNSON
THE Independent Directorate Against Corruption's (IDAC) arrest of Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and other senior police officials linked to the alleged irregular appointment of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele was...
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BELL EMERGES AS IDAC CONTENDER
DEPUTY National Director of Public Prosecutions (DNDPP) and former National Prosecuting Authority's Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell's name has emerged as a possible successor to replace former Advocate Andrea...
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NPA PULLS PLUG ON KHUMALO CASE
THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn charges against Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Major-General Nozipho Madondo and their co-accused, following a directive from National Director of Public Prosecutions...
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ATM turns to ConCourt for clarity on impeachment process after court victory
THE African Transformation Movement (ATM) is set to urgently approach the Constitutional Court for clarity on the implementation of the Section 89 impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party said it had instructed its legal team...
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RAMAPHOSA FACES A HIGH-STAKES FIGHT
WHILE President Cyril Ramaphosa argues that an interdict is necessary to prevent irreparable harm, legal experts and analysts say a victory in court today would merely delay accountability and deepen perceptions of unequal treatment before the...
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ANDREW CHAUKE CLEARED OF MISCONDUCT
THE South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andrew Chauke has been cleared of all misconduct allegations and declared fit to hold office. The decision comes after the Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry released its final report, which has...
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IDAC BOSS KEEPS MUM OVER ALLEGATIONS
INDEPENDENT Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that she would invoke her right against self-incrimination as allegations of criminal conduct against her are now before the National...
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ANC intensifies search for Cape Town mayoral candidate
SEVERAL candidates are vying to become the ANC’s Cape Town mayoral candidate as the party seeks to rebuild its support in a city where it suffered a major setback, securing just 18% of the vote in the 2021 local government elections. Interviews with...
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Eight arrested for spaza shop extortion, murders
WESTERN Cape police have intensified their crackdown on extortion syndicates targeting spaza shops across the province, arresting eight suspects in separate operations in Franschhoek and Bonteheuwel linked to a string of extortion-related...
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I LET SOUTH AFRICANS DOWN – DINA PULE
SOCIAL Development Minister Dina Pule has defended her return to Cabinet, saying she has already faced the consequences of the scandal that ended her political career. Pule said she had learned from her mistakes and was prepared to do better. In her...
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CCTV EVIDENCE LOOMS OVER CARRIM
NORTH West businessman Suliman Carrim’s failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has come under renewed scrutiny after allegations emerged that he was seen dining at a Western Cape shopping centre despite submitting a medical note...
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MPS SLAM ‘SOFTENED’ POLICE PROBE REPORT
MEMBERS of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have criticised the second draft preliminary report, saying it does not reflect the evidence presented during...
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MADLANGA SLAMS ‘USELESS’ SICK NOTE
MADLANGA Commission of Inquiry chairperson retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has criticised the medical certificate submitted to explain the absence of Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson, describing it as...
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JOHNSON IN MADLANGA COMMISSION HOT SEAT
IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson is expected to face tough questions when she appears before the Madlanga Commission this week following allegations of misconduct. Senior investigator Brian Padayachee is also set to appear before the commission, amid...
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OPERATION PROSPER FACES RECKONING
AT least 29 people have been killed in eight mass shootings since Operation Prosper was launched and soldiers were deployed to Cape Town's crime hotspots. The latest attacks unfolded within 20 minutes of each other on Wednesday evening, leaving seven...
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VILJOEN’S R500M GAMBLE AGAINST NPA
DISBARRED attorney Peet Viljoen has told the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria that he intends suing the National Prosecuting Authority for R500 million, claiming he has been subjected to an unlawful prosecution. The claim was contained...
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City failed the residents of Langa and Khayelitsha - PP
DESPITE challenges including violent protests, human resource constraints, the City of Cape Town remains constitutionally obligated to provide services to residents of Langa and Khayelitsha. Releasing findings of a Public Protector investigation,...
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Khayelitsha residents rescue young girl buried in sudden ground collapse
A FIVE-year-old girl narrowly escaped being buried alive in Wetland, Khayelitsha, after the ground suddenly collapsed, prompting a frantic rescue by residents who dug her out with their bare hands and spades. Residents said the child had been visiting...
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TAFELBERG SALE DECLARED UNLAWFUL
IN A damning indictment of the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town for failing to dismantle the legacy of apartheid spatial planning, the Constitutional Court of South Africa yesterday declared the sale of the Tafelberg site in Sea Point...
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Court rejects Matlala’s plea deal of eight years, wants heavier sentence
ALLEGED crime kingpin Vusimuzi ‘‘Cat'' Matlala's plea deal hung by a thread yesterday after a Pretoria magistrate rejected the eight-year sentence he had bargained for as too soft and said he deserved far longer behind bars. Magistrate Ignatius du...
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ONE DOWN - WEEKLY PROTESTS COMING
MARCH and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma announced that supporters will take to the streets every Thursday until the government takes action to remove undocumented immigrants from South Africa. Addressing protesters outside SAPS Point in Durban...
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Cachalia’s marching orders: Uphold the law, stay neutral
ACTING Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has urged law enforcement officers to remain “professional, disciplined and neutral” as South Africa prepares for planned nationwide demonstrations tomorrow. The protests, led by groups including the “March and...
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‘CAT’ MATLALA AWAITS DECISION ON PLEA DEAL
SELF-CONFESSED fraudster Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala will have to wait until next week to learn whether his deal to dodge the worst of a jail term holds up. A Pretoria magistrate yesterday reserved his decision on whether the plea and sentencing agreement...
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CITY OF CAPE TOWN HAS ‘REGRESSED’ – AG
AUDITOR-General Tsakani Maluleke has raised serious concerns about the state and financial health of the country’s eight biggest municipalities, as she released the 2024/25 consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes. Maluleke...
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Cachalia confident in law enforcemen’s readiness for anti-immigration protests
ACTING Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says he is confident law enforcement agencies are prepared to maintain order during the planned nationwide anti-immigration protests on 30 June, with a special police operation activated. Cachalia was speaking in...
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SLAIN CANDIDATE FEARED FOR LIFE
“I FEAR for my life. I left my house and I am currently in hiding because of fear that Mr AV can come and kill me at any time.” These were the words of slain DA ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe in a sworn affidavit to police in February, claiming she...
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Tragic shooting of DA candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe raises concerns over political violence
SLAIN DA ward candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe, who was shot ten times while returning to her home in Dunoon from a voter registration event at the weekend, had earlier this year reported an extortion case to police after allegedly being ordered to pay a...
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Bafana Bafana fight back to secure a vital draw
INSPIRED by the spirit of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, Bafana Bafana seized the opportunity to etch their names into history, delivering a performance that honoured the weight of the occasion. Supported by a dedicated contingent of fans and dignitaries...
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HILL-LEWIS WIELDS AXE ON STEENHUISEN
THE timing of the humiliating demotion of former DA leader John Steenhuisen to a deputy ministerial post suggests serious concern from the DA leadership about his ministerial performance and the mounting criticism from farmers over his handling of the...
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PRESIDENT SLAMS MIGRANT ‘BLAME GAME’
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday urged South Africans not to blame migrants for the country’s problems, after a recent wave of anti-immigrant unrest and violence. South Africa has long attracted migrant workers from across the continent, both...
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RAMAPHOSA SEEKS IMPEACHMENT DELAY
PARLIAMENT has until this week to respond to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s court bid to interdict the impeachment committee from beginning its work. Ramaphosa filed papers in the Western Cape High Court on Friday, seeking an interdict against National...
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Eight MPs, including Mashatile, face reprimands for breaching ethical conduct
NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza yesterday administered a reprimand to several MPs, including Deputy President Paul Mashatile, after they were found to have violated the Ethical Code of Conduct for parliamentarians. This came after the plenary...
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MEXICO AND BAFANA OPEN 2026 WORLD CUP
MEXICO’S final preparations for their FIFA World Cup opener against Bafana Bafana have carried a mix of anticipation, pressure, and an uneasy backdrop off the pitch, as the country counts down to hosting football’s biggest tournament today. Across...
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Ramaphosa unveils key actions to address illegal immigrants
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has announced key actions the government will implement to tackle growing frustrations around immigration and illegal migrants, including a concerted crackdown on violations of existing immigration, labour and other laws. The...
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South Africa and Kenya strengthen ties as visa-free travel boosts business and tourism
ONE of South Africa’s most successful policy initiatives, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, is allowing Kenyan citizens to travel without a visa. He claims that this has increased business travel, tourism, and cross-cultural interactions between...
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‘TENDER FOR A PRIVATE FLIGHT’ SCANDAL
CRIMINAL charges have been laid against former Ekurhuleni City manager, Dr Imogen Mashazi, following revelations that an IT firm, XET Solutions, allegedly bankrolled her R3.35 million trip on a private jet to London. This luxury junket, booked during...
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SCA rectifies Sactwu judgment, caps award at R300m in ongoing legal battle with IMC Consortium
THE SCA in a rectification letter has informed Sactwu and the Independent Media Consortium (IMC) that it has rectified its initial judgment where the SCA awarded an amount of R458 million to Sactwu plus interest from 2023 onwards. This has now been...
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Hugo Broos relieved as Bafana Bafana overcome visa drama for 2026 Fifa World Cup trip
BAFANA Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits the visa delays ahead of the team's departure to Mexico have been “a little bit stressing,” but they are now fully focused on the upcoming Fifa World Cup 2026. Broos's team was left stranded at OR Tambo...
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FBI DRAWN INTO RAMAPHOSA’S IMPEACHMENT STORM
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts as Parliament’s newly formed 31-member Impeachment Committee begins a Section 89 inquiry into his conduct over the Phala Phala farm scandal, following a Constitutional Court ruling...
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RAMAPHOSA IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE PRESSES ON
THE Impeachment Committee, which was established to look into the allegations of misconduct by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will hold its first meeting to elect its chairperson on Monday. The planned meeting will be convened as Parliament is seeking...
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Brace for interest rate hike, but fuel cost could drop
SOUTH Africans are being squeezed from almost every direction at once as economists expect the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to raise interest rates today. This comes as consumers are already battling shrinking salaries, rising living costs and...
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Feroz Khan files bid to block SAPS access to data from seized devices
CRIME Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan has filed an urgent court bid to stop police from downloading data from his seized gadgets, warning this could expose undercover operatives and trigger assassinations. In papers filed before the...
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GOVERNMENT HOLDS URGENT IMMIGRATION TALKS
AN urgent closed-door meeting convened by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Ministers was held last night at the Union Buildings in Pretoria to address rising protests over illegal immigration. The meeting focused on growing...
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South African activists share harrowing tales from Gaza flotilla mission
A WAvE of emotion, determination, and raw testimony swept through O.R. Tambo International Airport on Saturday, as the six South African delegates from the Global Sumud Flotilla arrived home after a harrowing detention in an Israeli prison. Kidnapped...
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Ghana prepares to evacuate citizens as SA anti-immigrant tensions escalate
MORE than 800 Ghanaians have formally registered for evacuation from South Africa, prompting the Government of Ghana to delay the planned repatriation exercise as authorities finalise logistical and legal arrangements. The development was confirmed by...
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Video shows detained flotilla activists bound, forced to kneel
ISRAEL'S far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posted a video on Wednesday showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs and foreheads on the ground. The footage, published on...
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Jooste’s R475m fine still unpaid as FSCA pursues estate
THE R475 million administrative fine imposed on the former Steinhoff CEO remains unpaid more than two years after it was issued, with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority now pursuing recovery through the courts. In a written response to IOL, the...
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‘Cachalia’s job to make sure that there is no chaos if Ramaphosa is removed’
ACTING Police Minister Firoz Cachalia's objectivity has been questioned after he pleaded with the ANC and the parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to protect President Cyril Ramaphosa against his possible removal from office. Cachalia,...
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RAMAPHOSA ‘MOVES TO BLOCK IMPEACHMENT’
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa looks set to interdict the Phala Phala impeachment process, in a move aimed at stalling the Section 89 committee following a Constitutional Court ruling. ANC sources revealed that Ramaphosa has decided to stall the...
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TOLASHE SACKED, BUT WHAT ABOUT MCHUNU?
IN A significant shake-up of his Cabinet, President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Sisisi Tolashe from her position as Social Development Minister, hinting that further restructuring may be on the horizon, including potential action against suspended...
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MPS SLAM ALLEGED PHALA PHALA COVER-UP
PARLIAMENTARIANS expressed outrage yesterday that two Presidential Protection Services (PPS) officers were cleared by SAPS internal disciplinary proceedings despite the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) making adverse findings against...
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Madlanga Commission shakes up SAPS
THE madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption has triggered the suspension of 18 top SAPS officials, including National Police Commission General Fannie masemola and Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. Police minister Senzo...
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‘I WILL NOT RESIGN’ – RAMAPHOSA
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says he will challenge the “flawed” Section 89 independent panel Report, which found there is prima facie evidence that he had violated his oath of office. Ramaphosa addressed the country last night after intense public and...
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PHALA PHALA FALLOUT DEEPENS ANC CRISIS
A DRAWN-out and highly public impeachment inquiry into the Phala Phala scandal could prove deeply damaging to the ANC if President Cyril Ramaphosa refuses to step down. This is the view of political analysts as the landmark Constitutional Court ruling...
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CONCOURT COULD SHAKE GNU TO CORE
SHOuLD the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) rule against Parliament today, it could push the Government of National unity (GNu) to the brink. That is the view of a number of analysts as the ConCourt is expected to deliver judgment today on whether...
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D-DAY FOR RAMAPHOSA
THE Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling could go a long way to repairing the extensive reputational damage to government institutions that found themselves “scrambling to protect” President Cyril Ramaphosa after the Phala Phala scandal broke into...
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‘HAWKS COCAINE HEIST PLANNED’
THE sequence of events after the seizure of 541 bricks of cocaine valued at R200 million from a Durban depot in 2021 – culminating in the theft of drugs from the Hawks’ storage facility in Port Shepstone – was “by design”. This was according to the...
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NSFAS under administration again
MINISTER of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela has placed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) under administration due to governance instability, audit failures and operational breakdowns affecting student funding. Speaking...
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City urged not to ‘waste taxpayer money’ on tariffs ruling
THE South African Property Owners' Association (SAPOA) has urged the City not to waste further taxpayer money and accept the Western Cape High Court judgement that found certain fixed charges should not be linked to property value. This comes as the...
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MPs question SANDF effectiveness on Cape Flats
THE deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been slammed as a complete failure in Parliament as killings continue unabated on the Cape Flats. Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia appeared before the police portfolio...
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SADTC set to oppose court bid by universities in escalating Dental Technology Accreditation dispute
THE South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC) confirmed it is preparing to oppose legal action brought by three universities, signaling an escalating battle over the accreditation of dental technology programmes that has left students across the...
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STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC FREEDOM CONTINUES
THIRTY-two years into South Africa's democracy, the promise of constitutional equality continues to clash with lived experience, as millions remain shut out of the economic freedom that was meant to follow political liberation, a gap that, in many...
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OPPOSITION FLAGS SAPS LEADERSHIP INSTABILITY
OPPOSITION parties have raised concerns about the growing trend of key positions in the security cluster being filled on an acting basis. This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday announced the precautionary suspension of National Police...
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SAHRC cannot issue binding directives, ConCourt rules
IF the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) recommendations are ignored, it, or affected parties, must approach a court for relief on the merits of the matter, the Constitutional Court has ruled, finding the Commission does not have the...
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SACP REJECTS ANC DUAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTIVE
THE South African Communist Party (SACP) has ordered its members to disregard the ANC's instruction for those with dual membership to state in writing which party they will campaign for in the upcoming local government elections. The party said it...
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STATE ATTORNEY CLAIMS CHALLENGED
A REPORT claiming the State Attorney is meeting transformation targets in the allocation of briefs has been met with sharp scepticism, with black legal practitioners instead launching a scathing critique of the Department of Justice, accusing it of...
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JULIUS MKHWANAZI HAS HIS DAY IN COURT
EKuRHuLENI Metro Police Department (EMPD) suspended deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court today on charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice. Mkhwanazi’s arrest on Saturday...
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