Serious allegations of corruption, collusion, and deliberate stalling of tenders have rocked the South African Weather Service (SAWS), exposing what employees describe as deep-rooted governance failures, procurement manipulation, and financial mismanagement at the state entity. SAWS, which is responsible for providing accurate and timely meteorological data critical for aviation, agriculture, and disaster management, is now facing internal turmoil allegedly fuelled by unchecked executive power and a culture of impunity. Disgruntled workers, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, accused the SAWS board of dismantling key procurement safeguards, effectively granting CEO Ishaam Abader sweeping contracting authority. They claim internal…
Author: NationWatch
The release of a R2.2 billion guarantee from the National Treasury, intended to repay more than 270,000 depositors locked out of their savings at Ithala, remains in limbo as the KwaZulu-Natal government struggles to meet strict conditions attached to the offer. Treasury officials have stated that the funds will only be released once the province submits a comprehensive repayment plan and grants full access to Ithala’s loan book. Concerns have mounted that politically connected individuals who received questionable loans may never be held accountable unless the records are opened. KwaZulu-Natal finance MEC Francois Rodgers confirmed that negotiations are at an…
Cosatu has called for immediate relief from high electricity prices to prevent further job losses, during its bilateral meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) on Monday. The trade union federation said the continuous increase in electricity tariffs has forced several companies, including smelters, to close down, resulting in massive job cuts. The latest alarm was raised by resources giant Glencore, which warned of the devastating effects of the high electricity costs on businesses. According to Cosatu, if the situation continues unchecked, thousands more workers will lose their jobs, downstream industries will collapse, and some towns could turn into “ghost…
Award-winning South African R&B singer Kaylow is recovering in hospital after surviving another serious car accident. The Soul Café hitmaker confirmed the incident on social media, saying the crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday, October 18, 2025, while he was driving home from the studio in Ruimsig, north of Johannesburg, to his family in Tshwane. “In the early hours of Saturday, October 18, 2025, while driving home from the studio in Ruimsig to my family in Pretoria, I was unfortunately involved in a car accident caused by a tyre blowout on the N1 near Beyers Naudé,” Kaylow said…
As October approaches, 77,442 candidates in the Western Cape are preparing to sit for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, which begin on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. This year’s cohort reflects an increase in full-time matriculants, showing a growing commitment to education across the province. Of the total number, 67,606 are full-time students, while 9,836 are part-time or repeat candidates—an increase of 3,231 full-time candidates compared to last year. A total of 112 exam papers will be written during the assessment period, which will conclude on November 26, 2025. The first paper will be the Computer Applications Technology (CAT)…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will on Monday make an announcement regarding the future of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in South Africa. DA leader John Steenhuisen is expected to lead the briefing, where the party will outline its stance and proposed direction for BEE policies in the country. The announcement comes amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness and future of BEE as a tool for economic transformation and empowerment. The briefing is being broadcast live.
The bus crash that claimed 43 lives in Limpopo has been found to have been caused by serious mechanical faults and overloading. According to a preliminary report presented to transport minister Barbara Creecy and deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the DNC Coach bus involved in the October 12 crash on the N1 North was unroadworthy and carrying far more passengers than allowed. The bus had travelled from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape to Harare, Zimbabwe, with passengers from Malawi, Congo, and Zimbabwe on board. Findings from the report revealed that the driver was travelling…
The Madlanga commission of inquiry will this week hear evidence partially in camera from three detectives who investigated crimes linked to criminal cartels, the main focus of the commission’s investigations. Their testimonies are expected to reveal alleged interference in their work. According to the commission, the detectives, referred to as witnesses A, B, and C, will testify off camera from a remote location, though their voices will be audible to the public. The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, corruption, and political interference within South Africa’s justice system. The public and media will be allowed access to the auditorium at…
The 2025 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has been cancelled for safety reasons following severe weather conditions in the city. According to the organisers, the decision to cancel the event was made at about 4:45 a.m. on Sunday. Participants were notified via WhatsApp messages, and announcements were made through social media, local radio stations, media partners, and key stakeholders. Winds overnight reportedly caused extensive damage at the Green Point race venue, tearing marquee tents and ripping branding materials off fences and scaffolding. The situation prompted emergency meetings between the race organising team and the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), which included representatives…
Grammy award-winning DJ Black Coffee has appealed to the public to respect the privacy of his children following his divorce from actress Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa. The South African DJ, whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo, took to his social media timeline on Friday to address ongoing public discussions surrounding his family. “I understand that you people believe everything you read and that’s fine. As a father, I have one request. Please stop posting [about] my children on your socials,” he wrote. His statement came shortly after his ex-wife, Enhle Mbali, reflected on their long and highly publicised divorce process, which…