Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-13 i Daily News

A State witness who was part of the management at eThekwini’s City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) is set to continue with his testimony in 2026 at the R320-million fraud case involving Zandile Gumede, the former eThekwini mayor, and 21 others. The accused faces fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act, related to the R320-million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender. The witness, who cannot be named, was told by Judge Sharmaine Balton that he would be called to continue with his testimony next year, while the matter is expected to continue next week. The decision came after a long meeting in chambers with all the legal counsel in the case. It is currently not clear what might have led to…

THE Pretoria High School for Girls was dealt a major blow when the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria turned down its bid to force the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to provide the report on the results of a commissioned investigation into racism allegations at the school. The department in November last year revealed some details of its mandated investigation by Mdladlamba Attorneys to probe allegations of a culture of racism at the school. However, it did not share a copy of the report with the school’s governing body. When asked for a copy, the department directed the school to the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). This Act affords a requester the right of access to records held by public bodies. The investigation came after…

A State witness, who was present when a Durban Crime Intelligence member, Warrant Officer Phumlani Jali, was shot dead at his home in Inanda as part of a ‘gang initiation’, has told the Ntuzuma Regional Court that she was able to point out the alleged killer because of his distinct lazy eye with a scar above and under his eye. The witness, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the officer’s son, who is yet to testify, said she would never forget the face of the person who brutally killed her relative. The witness was describing how she identified the alleged triggerman, Mondli Majola, 31, during the identification parade. “It's not easy to forget someone who did such a thing to you. I see him even in my…

More details have emerged following the official reveal of the new Toyota Hilux in Thailand, and no doubt South Africans will be champing at the bit to continue its status as the country’s favourite bakkie. We know that the new Hilux will also be built at the Prospecton plant in Durban, but at this stage, we know only that it will be released sometime in 2026, with models and specifications still under wraps. Powertrains According to the official Australian press release, all grades of the new Hilux will be powered by the company’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Variants fitted with a six-speed manual transmission develop 420Nm of torque. At this stage, there is no official word on whether…

The Chinese Embassy in South Africa offers warm congratulations on the publication of the book, Xi Jinping and the Global South, and express my sincere thanks to everyone from different sectors who have long cared about and supported China–South Africa relations. In few days, the G20 Summit will open in Johannesburg. This will be the first G20 Summit held on the African continent. China firmly supports South Africa’s G20 Presidency, and we look forward to this Summit sending out a strong voice of the Global South on global governance. Today, we are gathered with friends from South Africa’s policy, academic and media communities to discuss a major question: Where is the Global South headed, and how can China and the Global South move forward together? This is a timely topic.…

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad believes his inexperienced Test side will not be overawed by the occasion of facing India at the cauldron of Eden Gardens in the first Test tomorrow due to their involvement in the IPL. Eight members of the Proteas Test squad - just over half - have never played a Test in India before. However, five of the aforementioned lot, namely Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Dewald Brevis and Corbin Bosch, have all sampled the IPL with their respective franchises over the last few years. Conrad, who has only been to India once previously with the Cape Cobras for the inaugural T20 Champions League back in 2009, believes the IPL experience will benefit his players both on and off the field. “I think previously you come…

A CELLPHONE expert is expected to shed light on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's social media activity during the July 2021 unrest. The State is poised to bring in a cellphone expert at the ongoing trial in the Durban High Court to elucidate the origins of video clips Zuma-Sambudla posted during the unrest. The expert's testimony aims to provide clarity on whether Zuma-Sambudla, a member of Parliament from the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), was part of any organised disinformation campaigns, as allegations continue to swirl around her social media activities. During proceedings at the Durban High Court, prosecutor Advocate Yuri Gangai concluded the re-examination of a key witness, Sara-Jane Trent, and announced that the next witness will be an expert in downloading cellphone material. This expert is expected to determine the sources of…

Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli took centre stage yesterday, addressing key stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal with a message about the fight against HIV and Aids. His call for unity and action reflects the province's commitment to transforming the narrative surrounding the epidemic and ensuring that every individual received the care they deserve. Ntuli led the sitting of the Provincial Council on AIDS (PCA). The session was expected to focus on exploring sustainable mechanisms to safeguard and accelerate the province’s progress in combating HIV and Aids. As he opened the PCA, Ntuli called for a move beyond mere statistics, emphasising the urgent need to rejuvenate hope and frame actionable strategies for change. “The numbers before us do more than record progress; they tell a story — a story of victories earned through resilience, and…

THE ANC’s latest decision to grant Senzo Mchunu special leave from party duties will allow the police minister currently on enforced leave time to prepare for his appearance before the high-stakes Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Mchunu, a member of both the ANC's National Executive Committee and National Working Committee, is facing allegations of corruption and political interference within the SAPS. These accusations particularly focus on his instruction to disband the Political Killings Task Team. Asked whether the ANC special leave was to enable Mchunu to quietly launch a campaign for the party’s top job in 2027, Mshengu strongly pushed back against this narrative, clarifying the nature of Mchunu's absence from party structures. “Mr Mchunu has not stepped aside but has just been placed on special leave by the president (Cyril…

Omoda has released the details of their new C7 SUV to be launched this month that slots in between the C5 X Series and the range-topping C9. There are three variants of the C7, starting with the Luxury then the Elegance and the SHS plug-in hybrid tops off the range. Exterior The exterior is defined by an X-shaped frameless grille combined with slim LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights. Omoda has always been defined by its flowing designs, and in the C7, the lines from front to back give it an athletic stance, combined with 19 and 20-inch alloys with red brake calipers depending on the model. Interior With a 2.720mm wheelbase, there should be plenty of legroom for front and rear passengers, with 614 litres of boot space…

I would like to convey my profound gratitude to my family who inspired and encouraged me during the development of my book, Xi Jinping and The Global South. It is dedicated to the memory of my late brother, Mashudu Eddie Edward Monyae. I'm also grateful to my colleagues at the Centre for Africa–China Studies (CACS) at the University of Johannesburg. My thanks also goes to the Chinese Embassy for its facilitation of scholarly collaboration with colleagues in China. This book invites us all to rethink international relations from the critical perspective of the Global South, a lens that reveals both the challenges and opportunities shaping our shared world. Understanding international relations is far more than an academic pursuit; it is essential for grappling with the complex dynamics, from conflicts and…

KEVIN Lerena’s boxing career is still very much alive and looks set to reach even greater heights, yet South Africa’s fistic darling is already making a seamless transition into the promotional space. The WBC bridgerweight champion and his Aquilla Boxing Promotions (ABP) have enjoyed a stellar rookie year, hosting four hugely successful tournaments. In a world where athletes often face uncertainty at the end of their careers, Lerena has already taken steps to ensure he will not join those statistics. Fondly referred to as ‘Two Guns’ for his explosive punching power, Lerena is not only securing his own future but providing a platform for both established and rising fighters, increasing opportunities for competition through regular events. He has spoken openly about his ambition to raise the standard of boxing…

In a bid to address an overwhelming tax and rates bill amounting to R1.8 billion per annum, the Department of Public Works has unveiled plans to sell off some government buildings. This decision comes in light of a looming financial crisis that has left the department grappling with significant budgetary gaps. During an exclusive interview with the Daily News, MEC for Public Works Martin Meyer expressed the urgent need for strategic intervention. “With an annual tax and rates budget allocation of R900 million, which falls drastically short of the required R1.8bn, we face a massive crisis,” he stated. The shortfall, he explained, significantly hampered the government's ability to effectively manage over 10 000 properties under the department’s purview. The lack of adequate financial resources has created a pressing environment where…

A consumer’s gripe with the dealership where she had bought her car has nothing to do with the financial arrangements she had entered into with a credit provider; thus, she cannot simply refuse to pay her monthly instalments, the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, ruled. It was found in favour of Absa, which financed the vehicle under an agreement between it and the purchaser, only identified as Ms Baloyi. The bank wanted to obtain summary judgment against Baloyi for the return of the vehicle and the cancellation of her credit agreement. Baloyi, on the other hand, argued that she was protected by the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). But it was found that the CPA excludes credit agreements under the National Credit Act. Absa financed the vehicle Baloyi had bought from the…

Delays in the prosecution of the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder case have been firmly attributed to internal police conflicts, according to National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) advocate Shamila Batohi. Batohi was speaking on Tuesday during the Parliament Ad Hoc committee established in October amid rising concerns about the “capture” and infiltration of the criminal justice system by criminals allegedly collaborating with prosecutors, police officers, and other officials. She emphasised that competing investigative teams within the police force significantly hampered progress towards justice. Batohi’s comments came during a response to criticism from David Skosana, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, who blamed her office for the case’s prolonged delays. The Meyiwa case, centered on the 2014 killing of the beloved South African national football team captain, has experienced repeated…

Last week, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus signalled that he would freshen up his side for Saturday’s Test against Italy in Turin. After the pressure-cooker encounter against France in Paris, he will be doubly keen to give sore bodies a rest. It is not about underestimating the Italians — far from it. The Azzurri impressed in their win over Australia last week, a team that had earlier beaten the Boks at Ellis Park this year. Two factors are expected to guide Erasmus when he names his match-day 23 on Thursday afternoon: the need to rest key players ahead of next week’s crunch clash with Ireland in Dublin, and the desire to reward the wider Springbok squad on tour. Trust in his back-up players has been a hallmark of Erasmus’ tenure. When…

India is home to one of the largest film industries in the world. Bollywood yields figures in the region of $1.5 billion – second only to Hollywood and China. It produces close to 2 000 movies annually. But tomorrow, the biggest showstopper in the land will feature at Eden Gardens in Kolkata when the world Test champion Proteas face up against their hosts India in the series premiere. It's the hottest ticket in town with reports emanating from India that the 65 000-seater stadium is already sold out. There may be multiple languages spoken in India, but cricket is the universal mother tongue. The thousands waiting outside the iconic Eden Gardens – despite the presence of heavily armed security – just for a glimpse of their heroes arriving in the…