Author name: Scott Balson

The Masilonyana Local Municipality has been flagged as one of the worst-performing municipalities in the Free State, plagued by financial mismanagement, a collapsing water infrastructure, and systemic governance failures. A recent oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) revealed alarming irregularities, including the misuse of funds and a dire […]

Child welfare advocates are raising the alarm over South Africa’s escalating child abuse crisis, with recent reports revealing shocking cases of neglect, sexual abuse, and physical violence—often perpetrated by parents or guardians. Megan Briede, Programme Director at Save the Children South Africa, described the situation as a “war against our children,” citing over 26,852 reported cases in 2024-2025

A damning report by Health Ombudsman Dr. Taole Mokoena has revealed that the deaths of three mental health patients at Kimberley Hospital were caused by prolonged power outages due to vandalism and systemic failures in leadership. The investigation found that the Northern Cape Mental Health Institute failed to restore electricity for nearly a year after

Health Ombudsman Dr. Taole Mokoena has revealed that the deaths of three mental health patients at Kimberley Hospital were caused by prolonged delays in repairing vandalized electricity infrastructure, leaving vulnerable patients exposed to severe cold for nearly a year. In a damning report, Dr. Mokoena highlighted that the hospital took close to a year to

Police in North West are investigating a horrific case of rape and murder after the body of six-year-old Bokao Gaseimelwe was discovered in a pit latrine on Saturday in Tseoge outside Vryburg. The young girl had been reported missing a day before her body was found. The victim’s family expressed deep anguish over the tragedy,

The Constitutional Court is set to hear a legal challenge brought by former President Jacob Zuma and his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave rather than dismiss him. The MK Party is also contesting the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister, arguing

As Professor Firoz Cachalia prepares to assume leadership of South Africa’s embattled police ministry, analysts warn that his greatest challenge will be restoring public trust and integrity in an institution mired in corruption scandals and leadership crises. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Cachalia as caretaker police minister following explosive allegations against his predecessor, Senzo Mchunu, who

The Emfuleni Local Municipality is facing a deepening financial crisis after its bank accounts were attached by Rand Water due to an outstanding debt of R1.7 billion. The municipality’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, Councillor Hassan Mosola Mako, admitted to financial mismanagement and revealed that the situation has disrupted critical services, including

The Cape Flats is reeling from yet another tragic loss as a five-year-old boy became the latest victim of escalating gang violence. The boy from Nyanga, was caught in crossfire on Monday, highlighting the growing crisis of children being killed or injured in the ongoing turf wars plaguing the area. This incident follows the shooting

Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the December 2023 murder of Democratic Alliance (DA) uMngeni Local Municipality Councillor Nhlalayenza Ndlovu, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to four. The suspects, aged 56 and 26, are expected to appear in the Howick Magistrates’ Court today on charges including murder, conspiracy