The Citizen (Gauteng)
Three murdered every hour
This is the shocking statistic released by the SA Police Service, hailing a 10% year-on-year decrease in murder cases. Not good enough, say experts, calling the ‘absolute scale of violence devastating and unacceptable’. A lot of the victims are young...
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Massive statement
Proteas speedster Marco Jansen celebrates after taking the wicket of India’s Tilak Varma during their T20 World Cup Super Eights match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad yesterday. Jansen took 4/24 as South Africa won by 76 runs.
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Bitter end to sweet life
As the fate of Tongaat Hulett, SA’s sugar producing giant founded over a century ago in KwaZulu-Natal, hangs in the balance, the ripple effects are unimaginable. This month, the group’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) approached the KwaZulu-Natal...
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R1.5trn to fix our towns
This massive bill to fix South Africa’s crumbling infrastructure is just the beginning. The SA Local Government Association says the state will also then have to chip in another R150 billion a year. The DA says if corruption is done away with, the...
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Joburg bills: watch out
If you owe the council, do not sign any agreement to pay off your municipal debt. Amid the Joburg billing chaos, putting your signature on a debt acknowledgement form may just lock you into paying money you may not actually owe, especially if you are...
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‘Help us bury our boy’
The family of slain Nigerian e-hailing driver Isaac Satlat have made an emotional plea for financial aid. ‘We need funds to take him back home so he can be laid to rest in his hometown,’ his uncle, Otila Onoja, told eNCA. The trio accused of strangling...
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Can Cyril save our towns?
It seems the water crisis is a wake-up call for SA’s president: he is laying criminal charges left, right and centre against those that fail to serve residents and promises ‘a far-reaching overhaul’ of municipalities. But only those managed by his...
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Will water pull plug on ANC?
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pre-Sona scramble by sending two ministers to help Jozi’s water crisis may be too little, too late to save his party as irate residents roast not only government, but also Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi’s ill-timed: ‘We also...
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‘Don’t fiddle while SA is dry’
Water experts’ message to the president is clear: ‘Cyril, stop giving us wild promises about big projects saying this dam is being built because, on the ground, we don’t see it. Use your State of the Nation Address today to declare water a national...
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‘I’m no agent’
‘There has been 10 attempts on my life’ committee hears. Fraud invstigator Paul O’Sullivan finally appeared before parliament’s ad hoc committee yesterday, where he denied claims that he is a foreign agent or former spy during a tense exchange over...
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Man of the moment
Lowly Canada put up a brave fight, but the Proteas showed too much class. They had no real trouble sweeping aside minnows Canada, but Lungi Ngidi admitted the Proteas had been unsure of how to prepare for their opposition in their opening match of the...
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On top of the world
Philip Snyman praised the Springbok Sevens squad for their effort and belief as they claimed the World Sevens Series Perth title yesterday, with a close, but well-deserved victory over Fiji at HBF Park. The 21-19 win in the final was a convincing...
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In the spirit of the lion
People perform a lion dance during an event to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Cape Town on Sunday. The bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town came alive with vibrant colours and lively performances, attracting hundreds of local residents...
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Johnny the walker
He walked away from the DA leadership race, saying: ‘Simply, mission accomplished’ – but John Steenhuisen’s decision to not seek a third term has sparked a succession debate, with some citing capable contenders; others criticising the party for relying...
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Mayor’s sweet rates deal
Residents of the upmarket suburb of Berg En Dal in Heidelberg are outraged that mayor Mluleki Nkosi’s house is valued at just R800 000 on the latest municipal valuation roll – four times under its market value of R3.5 million. The legality of the roll...
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Tyla strikes gold again
South African singer Tyla won the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her song Push 2 Start, at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. It marked her second win in that category, having first taken the award in 2024. The best in music...
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Govt cuts ‘rich schools’ money
Government schools in “wealthier” areas of Gauteng face slashing cuts to their operational budget from 1 April – the Gauteng government says this is a “realignment” or “stabilisation” because of national budgetary pressures. The Gauteng department of...
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Stop wasting our money
This week we told you about government not using a budget increased by nearly R21 billion to create jobs for unemployed doctors, and the Gauteng health department’s unspent R725 million that landed back in Treasury’s kitty. Today, you’ll read about the...
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Prince William’s haunt ablaze
Nearly 300 tourists were evacuated as a fire rips through the five-star Grandes Alpes hotel at the upscale French Alps ski resort, Courchevel, a frequent haunt of Britain’s Prince William and his family. A room for the night costs an eye-watering £11...
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Global scam bust in SA
It’s a web that took five years to untangle, but the hard work of SA and international law enforcement agencies yesterday paid off as task teams following the money swooped on properties in upmarket Bryanston, nabbing members of an Israeli-based...
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Health’s unspent R725m
It is ‘indefensible’ that this massive amount lands back in Treasury’s kitty because the Gauteng health department decides to not use it. Treasury warns of the risk of medication stock-outs caused by chronic late payment of service providers, salary...
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Captain fantastic
Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Tristan Stubbs celebrates after he sealed a victory with a six as they claimed the SA20 title by beating the Pretoria Capitals by six wickets in the final at Newlands yesterday. Stubbs scored 63 off 41 balls as they won...
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End of road for Malema?
He has alienated parties and infuriated people during his 17 years in politics, but the wheels can come off for EFF leader Julius Malema today if the court decides to send him to jail for his antics with a rifle at a rally – an offence that carries a...
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Red vellies day
From left, iconic singer/songwriter David Kramer, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Jawaahier Petersen, the daughter of singer and composer Taliep Petersen, who worked extensively with Kramer, at the first awarding of the Freedom of the City in...
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Big fish to fry
Japan’s Naomi Osaka walks into the Rod Laver Arena ahead of her first round match against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Taken by the jellyfish’s beauty and power, Osaka shared her inspiration with the Nike team,...
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‘Where’s my child?’
A rescue worker comforts a woman, centre, at the scene of an accident where a minibus carrying school pupils collided with a truck, killing 13 children, in Vanderbijlpark yesterday. Distraught parents gathered at the scene, demanding to see their kids.
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Navy row: who is to blame?
Is the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) top brass being made scapegoats in a long-standing political mistake by the government over its relationship with Iran? That’s the question that experts are grappling with as they analyse the...
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Kruger chaos
South African National Parks (SANParks) has begun evacuating staff from the Kruger National Park as more rain is expected. The park suspended day visits yesterday, with rivers flowing well over bridge-level and most camps completely flooded. The SA...
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Matric fest of joy
‘I guess we made it. I won the war...’ These words of matriculant Mpho Ntjakata best sum up the odds the public school Class of 2025 had to overcome. With a pass rate of 88%, the top achievers shone despite tales of poverty, bullying and physical...
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Arson or Eskom?
Allegations of arson with nefarious motives and poor maintenance by Eskom have sparked fears that more electricity-related fires could ignite, or that arson may be emerging as a new form of domestic terrorism with criminal intent. Reports and...
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Back to school shock
This is just a little taste of how back-to-school essentials will hit your pocket. Be prepared to fork out much more before your child even gets through the school gate. We break down exactly how much it costs to equip a Grade 8 pupil at a public...
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‘The void is real,’ DJ Warras
The family of slain media personality Warrick Stock, also known as DJ Warras, is still coming to terms with his death as the suspect linked to his murder remains in custody, with his bail hearing postponed. Victor Mthethwa Majola appeared in the...
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Courting the crowd
A young dancer catches a baton during Cape Town’s annual parade of Tweede Nuwe Jaar, or Second New Year, yesterday, despite a last-minute court wrangle over changing the venue and route between the city and the organisers.
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Trump: who’s safe now?
With Venezuelans worldwide rejoicing ‘We’re free at last’ as the US president ousts strongman Nicolas Maduro, world leaders are left with questions: was the surprise move about oil? Who is next in the audacious Trump’s cross-hairs? And how safe is...
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Eskom prices kill jobs
Union calls on government to sort out power utility’s financial woes. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called on the government to sort out Eskom’s financial woes to save jobs and create new opportunities. Cosatu was reacting...
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What is wrong with parents?
It seems some parents don’t give a flying fish about giving beer to their young kids – some as young as three – causing outrage as the social development department launches an urgent probe.
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Going head to head
Acrobats Ismail Athman, top, and Kbrashidi prepare backstage before a performance of the Circus Galassia in Sandton recently. The traditional all human circus focuses only on human entertainment, with performers assembled from all over the globe,...
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Revved up for Christmas
A motorcycle enthusiast wearing Christmas-themed accessories attends a parade on the busiest streets of the city ahead of Christmas in Bangalore, India. Although Christians comprise just about 2.3% of India’s population, Christmas is widely celebrated...
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Sharing joy
Braamfischerville resident Matome Mathata, centre, prepares food parcels at Soweto’s Multipurpose Centre yesterday as the Black Coffee Foundation’s Christmas campaign delivers 100 parcels to families in need.
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SA’s R3 trillion hidden wealth
The country holds a massive township and rural property wealth. Fintech platform E-DEED uses AI and blockchain to value homes without deeds, unlocking equity, insurance access and financial inclusion. Recognising this invisible asset class could boost...
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Meet the winner of our car
Areader from Tembisa received an early Christmas present yesterday when she was handed the keys to a brand-new Chery Tiggo Cross HEV Elite worth about R500 000. Caroline Ndungwana won The Citizen’s subscriber competition, which ran from 1 September to...
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‘Our rivers are sewers’
Arecent snap survey of South Africa’s water resources indicates E. coli is present in up to two-thirds of the country’s water supply. The Water Community Action Network (WaterCan) sent 500 test kits to random locations nationwide in September – and the...
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Sending tons of love
Proteas batter Suné Luus celebrates after reaching her century during the second women’s ODI against Ireland at St George’s Park in Gqeberha yesterday. Luus and captain Laura Wolvaardt both scored hundreds as the Proteas won by 74 runs to lead the...
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Some early Xmas cheer
A person participates in a Christmas parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday. Inspired by the annual New York spectacle, the parade featured giant inflatables, musicians and dancers – and, of course, Santa Clause.
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‘Protect our kids online’
The government may dismiss Australia’s new social media ban for kids as ‘not African’, but then they are blind to the anguish of a mother whose daughter committed suicide after getting swamped in a toxic online environment; the influencer who carries...
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Bump and grind
It was a year filled with fun as visitors, wearing stuffed costumes, fight in the ‘sumo arena’ at the HaHaHouse Museum of Laughter in central Zagreb, Croatia. The museum, which opened in January, offers eight interactive zones and has also an...
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Melania plays Princess Di
US First Lady Melania Trump and Santa Claus arrive at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia for a Toys for Tots charity drive for 150 children of military families. Approached by one child, Melania gently picked her up and talked to her – and the...
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Zuma’s party hurt us – Cyril
Speaking candidly during the ANC’s national general council yesterday, president Cyril Ramaphosa admits Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe party drained the party’s support, fuelling its worst loss since 1994. He also concedes corruption, unemployment and...
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‘You didn’t protect us’
People who knew him dispute Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi’s claim that assassinated former Ekurhuleni Metro police officer Marius van der Merwe, left, spurned an offer of witness protection after testifying at the Madlanga commission, where he implicated a...
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Cop guns of death
‘I was shot in the stomach, pancreas, spleen, kidney and colon – but I survived,’ is how a farmer describes the brutal attack with a stolen police firearm. It was one of 3 400 firearms belonging to Saps that are lost or stolen. And a gun association...
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School drowns in sewage
More than 2 000 pupils fled Sizwe Secondary in Germiston after stormwater and waste flooded classrooms and sports grounds. Exams were disrupted, Emabondeni residents affected and government silence deepens a public health and education crisis demanding...
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Pulling some strings
Katlego Nche, left, as Pinocchio and Tiaan Rautenbach as Dame Arletti Spaghetti backstage during a performance of Janice Honeyman’s pantomime at the Joburg Theatre. Now in its 38th year, the pantomime runs until 24 December on the Mandela Stage.
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Storm’s heavy load
Damaging ‘lone rangers’ set in for next three months. People in Pretoria woke up to what looked like a winter wonderland after a hail storm with formidable hail stones in the early hours yesterday. Reports of damaged roofs and carports, blocked roads...
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Helderberg remembered
The remains of SA Airways Flight 295, also known as the Helderberg, at the SAA Museum at Rand Airport yesterday, at a memorial commemorating the 38th anniversary of the air disaster in which 159 people died in 1987. After years of being inaccessible to...
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Can you really afford it?
Shoppers will splurge today as economists cite pension withdrawals and payday timing as spending drivers. Essentials dominate, but before you lash out on luxury electronics and big-ticket items, think... With Absa projecting R4.5 billion in sales, we...
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How Cat got R360m cop tender
Dressed to the nines but shuffling in shackles, controversial businessman ‘Cat’ Matlala not only insisted his company ‘is genuine’ and he was ‘just lucky’ to get the flagged contract, but also threw former police minister Bheki Cele under the bus,...
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Why ANC can’t boot Cyril
Panic is gripping the political elite in the ANC after President Ramaphosa expressed his desire to throw in the towel early. This could have serious ramifications for the stability of the GNU and leave a power vacuum with no apparent heir in the party,...
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The long and the short of it
Visitors take giant step towards winning their first Test series in India in 25 years. All-rounder Marco Jansen credited the SA team’s consistency yesterday after they strengthened their grip on day three of the second Test against India in...
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‘Don’t tell us what to do, US’
G20 states adopt a declaration on solidarity and sustainability. G20 member states have sent a clear and unequivocal message to the US: we do not need you to dictate our actions. The decision to develop and adopt a G20 leaders’ declaration that...
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‘Batohi, you need to go’
Outgoing national director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi faced strong criticism from members of parliament’s ad hoc committee after she declined to reveal the identity of a prosecutor allegedly involved in criminal activity. Batohi appeared...
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Heh-heh-heh
Former president Jacob Zuma’s family is being targeted by the state, his foundation claimed. Just hours before her appearance in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban yesterday, the foundation alleged authorities were after Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla,...
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Siya’s heart beats for SA
Springbok locks Eben Etzebeth, left, and RG Snyman carry captain Siya Kolisi after downing France 32-17 at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday. History-making Kolisi said it was ‘super special’ to become a Test centurion and even more so as his...
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Century for Siya
He’s a humble giant whose legendary captaincy spurred the Springboks on to the most successful chapter in their history, and as Siya Kolisi becomes the country’s ninth Test centurion, we look back at the journey of South Africa’s first black captain:...
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Safair the next SAA?
If investment firm Harith Partners succeeds in acquiring FlySafair in a purported deal, it could effectively give the state a 76% share of local aviation, inevitably inviting political interference. Whatever happens, the airline’s Irish owners face a...
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Welcome home
Proteas women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt hugs a fan during their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday, after their second-place finish in the recently completed Women’s World Cup in India and Sri lanka.
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Deep waters
A man battles through floodwaters pushing his scooter as heavy rain continues yesterday in Hue, Vietnam. The country has been hit by heavy downpours that triggered flooding since last Wednesday, killing at least 35 people.
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Bitter sweet
Despite falling at the final hurdle, Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt was full of praise for her team yesterday for their all-round effort after they were handed a 52run defeat against hosts India in the Women’s Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai. “I...
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Strong as an Ox
Springbok prop Ox Nche in training at Latymer Sports Ground in London, England, this week ahead of tomorrow’s match against Japan at Wembley Stadium, which kicks off at 6.10pm.
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Captain Fantastic
Proteas women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt celebrates after reaching her 150 during their Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinal against England in Guwahati yesterday. Wolvaart smashed 169 off 143 balls, which included 20 boundaries and four sixes. The...
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This R20m hole is ‘tip of iceberg’
R20 million disappeared in a hole just like this as the Boitumelo Community Health Centre in Sebokeng remains a vacant lot. Its promised relief for patients is, a decade later, still buried under delays, flawed designs and contractor chaos. As...
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Will DA, EFF gun for Lesufi?
The ANC’s failure to support the re-appointment of Floyd Brink as city manager could work against Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi when he faces a motion of no confidence. The DA in the province is already lobbying different political parties in the...
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Queen with a cause
Newly crowned Miss SA Qhawekazi Mazaleni, left, from the Eastern Cape is congratulated by her predecessor, Mia le Roux, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday. The pageant empowers young women to become leaders and changemakers through its...
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No place to hide
When the long-delayed Aarto driving points demerit system rolls out countrywide from 1 December, the days of ignoring fines will be over, speeding tickets will cost more and insurance will not cover you in an accident if your licence is suspended.
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Joburg’s ‘Cape Flats’ killing fields
Westbury in Johannesburg is well on the way to becoming the “next Cape Flats” as drugs, illegal guns and gangsterism are tearing the community apart, just as has been happening in Cape Town. Civil body Action Society had serious concerns Westbury –...
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Queen of all trades
Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp celebrates after scoring her half century during their Women’s Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. Kapp scored an unbeaten 68 with the bat and then tore through...
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Cops v cops: handcuffs out
Confusion reigned on Friday when Joburg metropolitan police officers went to Bekkersdal in the West Rand to recover a stolen vehicle believed to be linked to an illegal mining kingpin. But they were arrested by local police and spent the weekend in...
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