Southern Africa- Page 2

South Africa’s justice minister on Saturday defended the government’s witness protection programme after the assassination of a key anti-corruption commission witness, blaming media coverage and social media users for exposing the victim’s identity. Marius van der Merwe, 41, was shot dead with an automatic rifle outside his Brakpan home on Friday evening in front of […]

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday condemned the killing of a key witness in the country’s police corruption inquiry, vowing to strengthen protection for whistleblowers after the man was gunned down in front of his family. Marius van der Merwe, 41, a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officer who testified as “Witness D” at […]

Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, a witness who testified at South Africa’s Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has been shot dead in Brakpan, police confirmed on Friday evening. Police confirmed that Van der Merwe was shot dead in Brenthurst, Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told The Citizen that police management were en route to […]

South Africa has accused the United States of double standards as tensions between Pretoria and Washington continue to intensify following the announcement that South Africa will not be invited to G20 meetings under the US presidency. The exclusion was confirmed again last week, when US officials stated that South Africa would remain uninvited, including from […]

The Higher Education Minister has issued a firm ultimatum to the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), demanding accountability for mounting corruption allegations or risking intervention by the Hawks. Minister Buti Manamela delivered the warning after a series of troubling claims surfaced regarding fraudulent academic activities at the institution. VUT is currently conducting an internal investigation […]

Brumelda Zuma, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is expected to be sworn in as a member of parliament for the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, replacing her half-sister who resigned amid allegations of involvement in a Russian military recruitment scandal. A leaked internal letter dated Dec. 2 from MK party secretary-general Bongani […]

The African National Congress (ANC) is preparing to unveil the results of its M following a tense and extended voting process. The outcome, anticipated on Friday morning, has drawn widespread attention, with many describing this year’s elective conference as one of the most closely contested in recent memory. The phrase ANC expected to announce new […]

Thabo Bester and his co-accused, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, are expected to appear once again in the Bloemfontein High Court on Friday for another pre-trial hearing linked to their high-profile prison escape case. The pair’s legal matters continue to delay the start of the main trial, with several issues still before the courts. Magudumana currently has […]

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has doubled down on his controversial decision to dissolve the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), insisting it was both justified and necessary. Appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, Mchunu rejected arguments that the task team should have continued operating in the broader organised crime environment. In his […]

South Africa has sharply criticised Washington after US officials announced that Pretoria would not be invited to participate in G20 events during the American presidency. The move, widely reported as a G20 ban, prompted firm pushback from senior South African leaders, who insisted the country remains a fully recognised and equal member of the global […]

Zimbabwe’s ICT minister, Tendai Mavetera, has urged young women entering Zanu PF to approach politics with a focus on service rather than personal vulnerability or exploitation. Her remarks, made during a weekend address to party youth, highlighted growing concerns about the pressures faced by young female aspirants within political structures. Mavetera cautioned that public office […]

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has again outlined his reasons for ordering the PKTT disbandment, telling the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that the Political Killings Task Team had veered away from lawful and democratic policing standards. Mchunu resumed his testimony on Thursday afternoon, focusing on what he described as persistent accusations of misconduct and overreach […]