The Citizen (Gauteng)

Mbeki: it’s lies, all lies

‘It’s a complete fabrication. There’s no such thing,’ former president Thabo Mbeki tells the commission investigating whether he helped apartheid authorities to avoid prosecution at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. ‘Yes, we met, but only to...

GoZilla

DA Joburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille after her keynote address at Nasrec on Saturday, during a mass rally to round off the party’s campaign to win the city after next month’s local municipal elections.

‘I’ll wipe out your family’

This is one of many alleged threats ex-top cop Shadrack Sibiya directed at the father of a teen Sibiya is accused of grooming. The Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday also heard a businessman’s claim that ‘he meets a lot of girls around me’.

How govt is choking SA

One province, Mpumalanga, has wasted R6.78 billion in just three years – and a whopping more than R3 billion this year so far. The auditor-general warns weak controls, corruption and poor consequence management fuel the crisis, with experts claiming...

Meeting the tooth fairy

Zimvo Sophaqa at the Dinosaur World Festival at Springs Mall yesterday. It is a touring interactive dinosaur exhibition featuring life-sized robotic and animatronic dinosaurs, playgrounds, amusement rides, reptile shows and ‘fossil’ excavations.

Not quite cricket...

The three-match Test series between South Africa and Australia gets under way at Kingsmead today, renewing one of the greatest rivalries in the global game. Wesley Botton takes a look at three key players from each team who could make a significant...

Day of action

Members of trade union federation Cosatu embark on a nationwide protest to mark the International Day for Decent Work and its own 40th anniversary in Johannesburg yesterday. Workers protested against mass retrenchments, non-compliance with the national...

‘What about our girl’s rights?’

That is the question the angry family of murdered Ntombifuthi Nxumalo asked when this man appeared in court yesterday. Victor Matome Rampedi is charged with killing their 49-year-old daughter, whose naked body was found in a cemetery last month....

‘Pay before we treat’

An innocent pupil who was badly wounded in the recent horrifying Wedela tavern shooting in which 17 people died, has been slapped with a whopping R28 000 bill to pay upfront by Leratong Hospital before it will treat him – allegedly because he is a...

Midlands sex scandal widens

Allegations include grooming minors and sending explicit images. Atally of 60 women have now come forward with allegations against a KwaZulu-Natal Midlands man accused of sexual misconduct spanning several years, as the scale of the scandal continues...

‘I’m dying in my home’

‘...and nobody cares. I have to put on four face masks and a handkerchief.’ That’s the sad reality of a 63-year-old mom who inhales the stench of sewage every day, along with her 93-year-old dad and grown daughter. Riddled with lung disease, she had a...

On the double

Bafana’s Relebohile Mofokeng celebrates after scoring a goal during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo last night. Mofokeng scored a brace as Bafana thrashed their opponents 5-0 to move to extend...

R3.1m to sit at home

This is the massive amount suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu pockets on special leave, while Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia also earns just over R3 million for covering his duties. The combined R6.19 million bill – that the taxpayer foots –...

Sssizzling Tyla

South Africa’s Tyla returned as a presenter at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by Snoop Dogg at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sunday. She turned heads in a striking blue snake skin bra and low-rise skirt, representing South...

FOR THE LADIES.

Proteas batters David Miller (142) and captain Temba Bavuma (103) both scored centuries during the Pink Day match against Australia at the Wanderers yesterday. The Proteas launched the ‘I Pitch Up in Pink For You’ campaign, which saw each member of the...

Braai is in our bones...

Mbeki ‘will ease US strain’

US ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III says former president Thabo Mbeki’s gravitas and global stature make him the ‘best person’ to break the diplomatic impasse. Washington has run out of patience with President Cyril Ramaphosa, warning visa restrictions...

Smash us and you’ll pay

The Gauteng department of roads and transport says it has lodged claims against motorists accused of damaging traffic signal infrastructure at the intersection of Hendrik Potgieter and Nic Diederichs roads in Roodepoort. Gauteng MEC for roads and...

Drowning in poison water

Arsenic, lead and uranium taint Voëlpan Dam, sewage floods homes and families mourn drowned children. Despite court rulings and government pledges, Nyakallong residents remain abandoned in danger, their health and dignity sacrificed to mining discharge...

Tourism jewel under threat

The Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is losing its lustre as the scenic splendour that once lured visitors is overshadowed by infrastructure deterioration, resulting in unsafe water and sewage spills posing a health hazard –all blamed on the municipality...

Will ANC miss out?

The Electoral Court has upheld the IEC’s rejection of the governing party’s pleas, dismissing claims of technical glitches. With 181 candidates barred from November’s elections and deadlines binding, the ANC’s appeal may not avert exclusion, marking a...

‘Fire this foul mouth’

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina’s apology for insulting a disabled man is inadequate, says Disabled People South Africa, insisting she must be dismissed. The group argues her conduct undermines constitutional protections, dignity and...

Women killers’ dumping ground

This is where a fifth murdered female’s body was yesterday found near Kempton Park... shortly after a woman escaped an alleged kidnapper in the same area as fear grips residents with a call for ‘open information’ from the police. Baffled cops rule out...

Fly like an eagle

Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse dives over the line to score a try during their fourth Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test against the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, United States, on Saturday. The Springbok won 43-28 to seal the four-Test...

Heritage under threat

Across South Africa, historic monuments are deteriorating. The Cradock Four Memorial lies overgrown and damaged, while Sobukwe’s gravesite has suffered repeated vandalism. In Soweto, Walter Sisulu Square has collapsed into disrepair and Solomon...

Feeling at home

Four Paws is celebrating the 8th rescueversary of lions Micca and Juba, who arrived at Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, Free State, on 13 September, 2018, after being rescued from a farm. Originally purchased as cubs from a breeding facility...

‘What was the wig for?’

Former speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula insists her interest in a hairpiece was innocent admiration, rejecting claims it concealed cash. Facing 12 corruption counts and one of money laundering, she denies allegations of coded bribes involving up to R4.5...

City mirror after rain

A taxi drives past the reflection of the Market Theatre in standing water along Lilian Ngoyi Street in Newtown, Johannesburg, after heavy rain yesterday. Joburg remains under wet and cold conditions, with scattered showers and thunderstorms forecast...

Poster pride

After kicking up a fuss about the scrums in the second Test, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said he had “no issue” with the Springbok scrums in their third Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry match in Soweto on Saturday. South Africa won the third match 29-24 to...

Guard or gangster?

Without a doubt gangster, says one private security guard in the know, claiming many aren’t competent to handle a gun and business owners use the industry as a front for organised crime to launder money and stage robberies and burglaries. The rot runs...

Plane crash probe drama

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has asked Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to open an inquest into the deadly 2020 SA Civil Aviation Authority aircraft crash near George that killed three employees. The move revives whistle-blower claims and the...

Joburg delays spring

The cash-strapped metro postpones pool openings, leaving 21 facilities shut. Only 36 of 57 will operate in staggered fashion from next month, as experts decry poor planning, staffing excuses and financial mismanagement, warning extended seasons cannot...

Colours of heritage

Brightly painted houses on a quiet street in the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood in Cape Town yesterday. Perched on the slopes of Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s oldest residential areas and is renowned for its colourful Cape Dutch and...

Metres from disaster?

Two Airlink jets in Springbok and All Blacks livery roared metres above Cape Town Stadium in a daring flyover on Saturday. The spectacle thrilled fans but sparked a global safety debate, with critics warning of risk, while South Africans defended the...

Our leader returns

The Springboks will head into the second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test with the pressure off, as they focus solely on what they need to do to get a win at the Cape Town Stadium tomorrow. It is a huge game in the context that if the Boks lose, they...

America mourns their queen

Fans lay flowers beside the Dolly Parton statue on the front lawn of the Sevier County Courthouse, at 125 Court Avenue in Sevierville, Tennessee. The iconic country singer and actress died on Tuesday at the age of 80.

Fixer in a fix

The state says political fixer Brown Mogotsi planned to escape from court during his appearance on 20 August. This emerged from Mogotsi’s fourth bail bid at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Mogotsi faces charges linked to an alleged...

Best foot forward

Dancers from the South African contemporary ballet company, WGRUV, perform in a production titled Highlights: Tracing the Line, at the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre. The production now moves to Cape Town, showcasing a programme of contemporary...

Robocop(y) cats

Humanoid robots take part in the opening ceremony of the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China, on Saturday. One robot, Tiangong Ultra, ran 100m in 9.39sec, beating the men’s world record of 9.58 held by Jamaican sprinting great Usain Bolt....

Clash of the titans

It’s finally here… Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the world’s top two rugby teams, the number one-ranked Springboks and the second-ranked All Blacks, kicks off at Ellis Park in Joburg tomorrow with the first of four Tests. It will be the 111th...

Test build-up

All Blacks flanker Peter Lakai addresses the media during his team’s training session at St Stithians College in Johannesburg yesterday. New Zealand face the Springboks at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday in the first of four Tests.

Bridges, not borders – Cyril

The words migrants, deportation or xenophobia didn’t cross his lips as President Cyril Ramaphosa urges SA’s neighbours to ‘turn borders into bridges’. ‘Remove non-tariff barriers and make it easier for goods, services, capital and skills to move across...

More gold for SA’s golden girl

Two-time Grammy Award-winning South African singer and songwriter Tyla receives the International Achievement Award at the 32nd annual South African Music Awards at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday.

Booze: the dying vice?

South Africa’s Gen Zers – young people between 14 and 29 – are seemingly following a global trend: they are shunning alcohol. They’d sip on the odd cocktail but much prefer energy drinks, the gym and natural highs through meditation. In short, they...

Swans en pointe

Principal dancers Leanè Theunissen and Gabriel Ravenscroft perform in Cape Ballet Africa’s production of Swan Lake at The Teatro, at Montecasino, yesterday. The classic love story, set to Tchaikovsky’s soaring score, is choreographed and directed by...

Caravelle goes hybrid

Volkswagen’s first new energy vehicle, the hybrid is now for sale in SA. Anotable absentee at the launch of the new Transporter last year, Volkswagen was frank in its decision not to introduce a Caravelle derivative. While the Transporter was touted...

How did Eskom turn it around?

For a full 441 days, SA’s lights stayed on, zero diesel was used for a second consecutive week – slashing Eskom’s cost from R5.3 billion to a mere R807 million in a year – and combined with improved fleet performance, its Generation Recovery Plan saves...

Hot to the trot

A Hindu devotee takes part in the Theemithi fire-walking ceremony at the Shri Anantha Muthumariamman Temple in New Modder, Benoni, yesterday. The ceremony marks the end of the 10-day annual Aadi Muthumariamman fire-walking festival.

On point

The national athletics team ended their medal drought last night, with Masala Makatu claiming a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. While there were some near misses in a few events, visually impaired sprinter Makatu delivered, taking...

King of Scotland

Team South Africa’s Pieter Coetzé celebrates after winning the men’s 100m backstroke title at Tollcross International Swimming Centre during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last night. Coetze finished the Games with three gold medals, one silver and...

Taking strain

Anneke Spies-Burger of Team South Africa completes a lift during the women’s 58kg weightlifting event on day four of the Commonwealth Games at SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. She finished 7th with a total of 178kg.

Fly like a butterfly...

Zelme Daries, 22, of Team South Africa, competes in the floor exercise during the women’s all-around final on day three at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games at The Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday. Daries finished 13th, with her older sister Naveen...

Illegal guns slaughter

With over 28 people murdered in the country every day, new statistics tell a shocking story: you are 100 times more likely to be killed by an illegal firearm as by a gun that is properly licensed. This financial year, 9 323 murders were committed with...

Degrees of theft

Fraud and mismanagement plague the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), with middle-class families exploiting funds meant for the poor. Experts call Nsfas ‘a complete mess’, while students face defunding, evictions and hunger. Corruption and...

Too old at 75?

Not on your life, says the DA about their Joburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille. During her campaign she has scaled buildings, been snorkelling and even mowed grass. Besides, she took down two ANC administrations: in the Western Cape and in Cape Town....

‘No comment’

A reporter approaches Larry the Cat before Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first Cabinet meeting in London yesterday. Larry welcomed his seventh housemate at 10 Downing Street since he began patrolling the corridors of power more than 15 years ago....

Silver streakers

Netters carry a crate of sardines caught at Scottburgh beach, south of Durban, yesterday. The sardine run occurs from May through July, when the fish move northwards along the East Coast. Each year, massive shoals stretching hundreds of kilometres draw...

Spain reign supreme

New Bok on the block

Talented flyhalf Vusi Moyo will make his Springbok debut in their Nations Championship clash against Wales at Kings Park in Durban tomorrow. Kick-off is at 5.40pm. Rising star Moyo will miss the World Rugby Under-20 Championship final between SA and...

Grassroot gogo on the go

Questions are being raised if DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille will leave Johannesburg if her party fails to get a majority in the local government elections later this year. Zille, who has been a resident of Cape Town for many years, moved to...

Pay to drive in your city?

Woe are you if your car is old: you’ll have to fork out a tax because you foul up Joburg’s air – that’s if one city boss has her way. Lebo Molefe, in charge of air quality, is citing reports on pollution to implement European-style clean air zones and...

UK cops wait for this dad

Zimbabwean national Ndodana Tshuma will remain in custody while the state verifies his status in the country. The 45-year-old Tshuma was arrested in Kensington, Johannesburg on Friday following an operation involving the SA Police Service Interpol...

You call this a hospital?

Shortage of kit, infrastructure failing – rights body. Rob Ferreira Hospital, one of Mpumalanga’s two tertiary hospitals, has been rocked by complaints of deteriorating patient care, with severe linen shortages that have allegedly forced some patients...

The man SA loves

Springbok prop Wilco Louw said he expects a challenging scrum battle in their Nations Championship match against Scotland on Saturday, with the visitors improving in the set-piece over the years. That facet helped Scotland secure third-place finishes...

Beware the ‘tsotsis in suits’

The EFF urges parliament to investigate Nsfas administrator Hlengani Mathebula’s R10 million for advisors and R200 000 travel costs, warning R60 billion in student aid demands accountability. The party wants Treasury confirmation of approvals, itemised...

SAA’s new R1bn bailout

Standard Bank made a R1 billion credit facility available to the state-owned airline, sources claim, raising fresh questions about whether taxpayers will foot the bill again. Whether the credit line is backed by a government guarantee, secured against...

Deported kids suffer

They have spent their entire schooling in SA but now face being withdrawn because their parents are being deported or leaving the country – and what thousands of pupils face in their home country, Zimbabwe, are schools with no maths literacy or life...

Joy of winning

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was happy that his team were able to overcome the sudden loss of two senior players just before their opening Nations Championship match against England at Ellis Park on Saturday, and still go on to win 45-21. Word...

A Bok for games

Flyhalf Manie Libbok during a training session yesterday. With Cheslin Kolbe sharing goal-kicking duties, Libbok will marshal the Springboks against England in the Nations Championship opener tomorrow at Ellis Park. Kickoff is at 5.40pm.

‘We are the law’

More than 4 600 illegal foreigners have either been repatriated or deported from South Africa over the past two weeks, as the campaign by the March and March movement gained momentum. This was confirmed by the Government Communication Service (GCIS)...

‘It’s not over’

‘We will do this every Thursday for six months until they are gone,’ March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma tells thousands protesting undocumented foreigners in Durban. Despite pockets of unruliness, the marches countrywide were peaceful with a...

SA holds its breath

As South Africa holds its collective breath during today’s March and March national protest action, with many choosing to keep their doors locked, or work from home, in case of violence or looting. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said intimidation and...