Author name: Scott Balson

KNYSNA, Western Cape – A long-standing Knysna family has approached the courts alleging harassment and intimidation by a local municipal housing official, claiming political motivations behind a sudden demolition order targeting their home. Nomabhongo Mani, representing her family, states they have occupied their plot in the Kayalethu settlement for decades and hold a valid title […]

The Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane Foundation has formally requested that United States law enforcement authorities investigate the origins of the foreign currency stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in 2020. In submissions sent to the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and the U.S. Treasury Department, the foundation

In a development described as “narrative-changing” for South African politics, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has secured its first-ever victory in a pure township ward, winning the Evaton West by-election in Emfuleni, Gauteng. Elections analyst Wayne Sussman characterized the result as “sensational,” noting that Emfuleni has long been an African National Congress (ANC) stronghold. The DA’s

The Stilfontein Regional Court has convicted and sentenced 35-year-old Lerato Valencia Pokonyane to 18 years’ imprisonment for the murder of her three-month-old daughter. In addition to the custodial sentence, the court declared Pokonyane unfit to possess a firearm and unsuitable to work with children in terms of Section 120 of the Children’s Act. The conviction

A joint intelligence-led law enforcement operation conducted on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, resulted in the seizure of illicit cigarettes valued at R23,000 and the arrest of one suspect in the Thaba Nchu Central Business District (CBD). The operation was executed by a multi-disciplinary team comprising the Mangaung Metro District Operational Command Centre (DOCC) Task Team,

Four individuals were each sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on 21 April 2026 by the Pretoria Regional Court following their conviction on charges related to armed robbery and associated offences. The accused—Russell Tanaka Sibanda (32), Terrance Dube (34), Brandon Maorera (24), and Alicia Sibanda (32)—were apprehended on 09 January 2024 after a police pursuit in

# Lephalale Court Imposes Dual Life Sentences in 2018 Murder-Rape Case **LEPHALALE, 27 May 2026** – Two men have been handed life sentences by the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court for the 2018 murder of an elderly man, with one offender receiving an additional life term for rape. Christmas Monyeki (41) and Today Mabula (43) were convicted

Ongoing discussions between residents of Khunotswana Village in Lehurutshe and the North West Provincial Government center on plans to relocate families impacted by recurrent flooding. The settlement, situated on land officially classified as a wetland, experiences severe inundation each rainy season, with many homes remaining water-logged since last year’s floods. Recent heavy rains have caused

BUTTERWORTH, Eastern Cape — More than 90 employees at the Elite Bakery remain without income or clarity as operations at the facility have ceased following allegations of unpaid wages, labour violations, and the reported disappearance of the company’s new owners. Workers state they have not received salaries for over three months. What began as delayed

Police in Mpumalanga have launched a targeted operation to disrupt illegal gold mining activities at two farms outside Mbombela, with authorities confirming early morning raids at a property held by a local land trust. The operation, which commenced at 4:00 AM, was initiated following intelligence gathered by provincial crime intelligence units. Jackie Macie, Member of