Author: NationWatch

The recusal application brought by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Advocate Ishmael Semenya has been dismissed by the Khampepe Commission. Semenya serves as the chief evidence leader in the judicial commission investigating allegations of interference in the prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases. The applicants argued that Semenya was conflicted due to his involvement in advising on the NPA’s 2005 TRC prosecution policy, which was later declared unconstitutional for creating “backdoor amnesties.” However, in her ruling, chairperson Justice Sisi Khampepe held that the NPA and DOJ “failed to discharge the requisite…

The global trend of political discourse balkanisation has reached South Africa, evidenced by the proliferation of interest groups claiming the country is facing a “white genocide,” writes columnist Tom Eaton. Donald Trump’s repeated claim that the South African government is “killing white people,” specifically Afrikaners, continues to be welcomed or amplified by a significant number of white South Africans, many of whom, according to the writer, clearly know the claim is false. Eaton recently wrote a widely-read Facebook post attempting to explain to an international audience that no genocide is occurring in the country. The nearly 2,000 comments on the…

Officials from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) were heavily scrutinised in parliament on Tuesday over the controversial decision to take R62m from already financially strained sports federations to fund Minister Gayton McKenzie’s Video Assistant Referee (VAR) project. Although the National Treasury recently blocked the full reallocation, approving only R20m for the VAR project and ensuring the rest returns to the sports bodies, members of the Portfolio Committee for Sport, Arts and Culture demanded substantive reasons for the initial grant cuts. Minister McKenzie, who was not present at the committee meeting, had previously cited poor governance by sports…

The Pretoria high court on Tuesday found two former South African Police (SAP) sergeants, Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht, 61, and Pieter Stander, 60, guilty of the premeditated murder of student activist Caiphus Nyoka in 1987. The court, sitting in the Johannesburg high court, acquitted former commanding officer Maj Leon Louis van den Berg, 75, of the charges. Nyoka, a member of the Congress of South African Students, was killed in the early hours of August 24, 1987, at his home in Daveyton. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, Engelbrecht and Stander, who were members of the SAP Reaction…

Police have confirmed they are investigating a case of conspiracy to commit murder linked to the Senzo Meyiwa trial, following allegations that key state role players are being targeted for elimination. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe stated that solid intelligence had been received indicating a group of individuals were attending court proceedings “with the sole purpose of looking for an opportunity to eliminate key role players on the side of the state.” Mathe confirmed that police took a group of individuals who attended the trial on Tuesday morning in for questioning and profiling. “No arrests have been made so far…

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has sought to address public concern regarding the employment of foreign nationals within state institutions, confirming that South Africans are always the priority in recruitment. Briefing the media on Tuesday, acting deputy director-general Anusha Naidoo stated that foreign nationals currently account for only 0.44% of the public service workforce, and every appointment complies with the Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations, and South Africa’s immigration laws. Naidoo emphasised that recruitment processes “will always prioritise South African citizens,” and foreigners are only considered under specific, limited circumstances: When specialised expertise is needed to…

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu opened his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday by asserting that he had never been accused of corruption prior to July 6 of this year. “I have never been accused of corruption, not once,” Mchunu told the commission, which is investigating criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system. “This is the first time I get accused of such, as alleged particularly on July 6.” July 6 was the date KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held a press conference claiming Mchunu was allegedly involved with a criminal syndicate that…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the G20 Social Summit as a historic moment for global cooperation. He delivered the remarks on Thursday at the close of the three-day civil society gathering held in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. The event brought together nearly 5,000 delegates, including young people and women. The concept of the Social Summit originated in Brazil, and South Africa expanded participation from 14 social groups to 22. The Summit also introduced seven Legacy Projects aimed at strengthening social development initiatives. Ramaphosa said the gathering had given practical expression to global solidarity. “History too will record this year as…

South Africa’s aviation sector has completed its final operational preparations for the G20 Leaders’ Summit taking place this weekend, with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirming that all designated ports of entry are fully ready. Creecy said the planning process began a year ago, when Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) was assigned to coordinate all aviation-related responsibilities for the summit. She said the planning involved collaboration with Air Traffic and Navigation Services, the South African Civil Aviation Authority, South African Airways, and national security agencies to ensure seamless coordination at all airports. Four facilities have been approved as primary entry points…

American drag performer Latrice Royale, best known for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race, is returning to South Africa for the first time in 13 years with her show Terms and Conditions (May Vary). Royale, who debuted on season 4 of the hit franchise and later competed in All Stars, said she is looking forward to reconnecting with South African audiences. She described her last visit as a memorable experience where she felt embraced by fans who affectionately called her “mother.” Speaking about the upcoming show, Royale said audiences can expect comedy, shade, transformation, and classic drag performance. She said…