Author: NationWatch

The Proteas lacked intensity and missed the presence of fast bowler Kagiso Rabada on the opening day of the first Test against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday, where inconsistent bounce troubled batters on both sides. South Africa appeared hesitant in the final hour of play as they attempted to defend an under-par first-innings total. Commentator Dale Steyn noted the uncharacteristic silence from the Proteas, while a delay to retrieve Ryan Rickelton’s helmet and pads during a Keshav Maharaj over highlighted a lack of urgency as the light faded. With India’s KL Rahul and Washington Sundar looking eager…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Friday survived his first vote of no confidence in the provincial legislature. The motion, brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA), sought his removal over the controversial Gauteng crime wardens known as “Amapanyaza.” The DA filed the motion three weeks earlier. It was the first attempt to unseat Lesufi since the formation of his minority government last year. The move followed findings by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, who ruled that Lesufi had created an unlawful policing structure by deploying the Amapanyaza. After the unit was disbanded, Lesufi announced that the wardens would be “repurposed,” with some…

With just over a week to go before the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November, several key world leaders have confirmed they will not attend, raising concerns about whether the summit will be able to issue a Leaders’ Declaration. US President Donald Trump has announced that no US government officials will attend, citing claims of violence against Afrikaners and illegal farm confiscations—claims widely regarded as false. Argentine President Javier Milei and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo have also confirmed they will not attend. There are unconfirmed reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping may skip the summit for…

As the G20 summit approaches in November, renewed focus is being placed on aligning the Global South — not merely around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which often highlight its weaknesses, but on transforming those weaknesses into strengths. With South Africa holding the 2025 G20 presidency, the continent’s representation takes on added significance. The SDGs remain a commendable initiative, recognising that despite global wealth since World War II, large portions of the Global South have been excluded from its benefits. More than 700 million people still live on less than $2.15 a day. Although progress has been made in alleviating…

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, General Bantu Holomisa, has raised alarm over alleged large-scale corruption and mismanagement at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa and PIC chairperson Songezo Zibi to intervene urgently. In a letter dated October 29, Holomisa warned that the R3.5 trillion managed by the PIC on behalf of public servants’ pensions is “at enormous risk” due to persistent corruption, political interference, and administrative failure — a crisis he likened to a repeat of the State Capture scandal. He referenced the Mpati Commission, established in 2018 to investigate impropriety at the PIC, saying its…

A 54-year-old Cuban doctor has appeared in the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court after she was allegedly caught with stolen medication from Thabazimbi Hospital in Limpopo. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the doctor, identified as Dr. Yamilet Castaneda, was charged with theft after a security officer found unauthorised medication in her bag during a routine search at the hospital’s main gate on September 2, 2025. Further searches conducted in her office reportedly uncovered more medication, with the total value of the recovered items estimated at R1,780, said NPA regional spokesperson in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi. Castaneda was released on warning, and…

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has raised alarm over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy in the province, revealing that more than 26,000 girls were impregnated between April and December last year. Ntuli made this known during the launch of the province’s 2025–2029 Child and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy in KwaZulu-Natal, aimed at addressing the growing challenges of child and teenage pregnancy as well as the fight against HIV and Aids. He described teenage pregnancy as a major threat to society and vowed to take decisive action against older men who prey on young girls. “We must take an equally frank and…

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has revealed that the AK-47 rifle used in the murder of engineer Armand Swart was also involved in the killings of popular musicians DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos, and Don Tindleni. Testifying before the commission on Tuesday, Capt Solomon Modisane, a senior forensic analyst at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in Silverton, Pretoria, said cartridge cases recovered from the Sandton and Orlando murder scenes matched those from the rifle seized in the Bramley case. Two suspects, including police detective Michael Pule Tau, were arrested in Bramley, Johannesburg, in April last year shortly after Swart’s murder in…

Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale has revealed that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has not delegated any responsibilities to him or his fellow deputy, Polly Boshielo, more than a year after their appointments. Mathale made the disclosure on Tuesday while testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system. Mchunu and his two deputies were appointed to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet in June 2024. Mathale explained that the lack of delegated duties was because Mchunu was still familiarising himself with the operations of the ministry before his suspension. “We don’t have delegated powers signed…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has left out Orlando Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng from his preliminary squad for South Africa’s international friendly against Zambia on November 15. The venue for the match is yet to be confirmed. The friendly will serve as preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco, scheduled for December and January. South Africa are drawn in a challenging Group B alongside Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Mofokeng’s exclusion comes after the young midfielder’s absence from recent matches for Orlando Pirates. In contrast, Broos has rewarded players who have been in strong form, including attackers…