PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA MOURNS THE TRAGIC PASSING OF RISING SPORTS STARS JAYDEN ADAMS AND LUQOBO MAKWEDINI

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA MOURNS THE TRAGIC PASSING OF RISING SPORTS STARS JAYDEN ADAMS AND LUQOBO MAKWEDINI

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PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his profound sadness and extended deep condolences following the untimely passing of two of South Africa’s brightest young sporting talents, Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams and former South African Rugby Under-18 prop Luqobo Makwedini.

​Adams passed away at the age of 25, while Makwedini passed away at the tender age of 20.

​A Devastating Loss for South African Sport

​The President shared his thoughts and prayers with the families, friends, and sporting colleagues of both athletes during this incredibly difficult time. 

He acknowledged the profound impact the two young men had on their respective sports, both locally and internationally.

​Adams was a key figure for reigning Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns and a rising star within the Bafana Bafana national setup. Meanwhile, Makwedini, a formidable former SA Under-18 representative, had been carving out a promising professional rugby career overseas with his club colleagues in France.

​Tragedy Amid National Sporting Celebrations

​President Ramaphosa noted that the loss of these two exceptional young athletes is felt even more acutely as the country participates in major global sporting events.

​"It is particularly tragic that we are suffering the loss of two outstanding, young athletes at a time when our nation continues to immerse itself in the FIFA World Cup tournament, as well as the Springboks’ and Springbok Women’s matches against Scotland and the USA Eagles in Pretoria today," President Ramaphosa said.

​He praised both athletes for their dedication, talent, and the pride they brought to the nation on the international stage.

​"We are grateful for the joy and victories Jayden and Luqobo have given us and their teams as they lived their dreams and held South Africa’s name high on the scoreboards of global sport. May their souls rest in peace," the President concluded.

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SAPS ARRESTS FUGITIVE WANTED FOR TRIPLE MURDER OF WIFE AND DAUGHTERS IN THE UK ​

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

SAPS ARRESTS FUGITIVE WANTED FOR TRIPLE MURDER OF WIFE AND DAUGHTERS IN THE UK

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JOHANNESBURG – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested a high-profile fugitive, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, during an intensive, intelligence-led operation in Kensington, Johannesburg.

​Tshuma is wanted by authorities in the United Kingdom in connection with the brutal murders of his wife, 42-year-old Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, and their two daughters, Natalie (15) and Nala (5). The bodies of the three victims were discovered at their family home near Bedford, England.

​A Coordinated International Crackdown

​The successful apprehension was the result of swift operational coordination and high-level policing. The operation brought together key specialized divisions within South African law enforcement, including:

​The SAPS Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB)

​SAPS Crime Intelligence

​The Organised Crime Investigation Unit

​Through the sharing of global intelligence and local tracking, SAPS tactical teams successfully traced Tshuma to his Johannesburg hideout, bringing his time on the run to an end.

​No Safe Haven for Criminals

​The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, highly commended the operational teams for their swift, seamless, and coordinated response to the international warrant.

​"This arrest demonstrates that South Africa is not a safe haven for fugitives," said Lieutenant General Dimpane. "Anyone who believes they can evade justice by fleeing to our country should know that SAPS will work tirelessly with international law enforcement partners to trace, locate, and arrest them."

​Following his arrest, the suspect remains in police custody. Tshuma is scheduled to make his first appearance in court on Monday, where extradition proceedings to face trial in the United Kingdom are expected to commence.

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GAUTENG HOSPITALS PLEDGE OVER 1,000 PROCEDURES FOR MANDELA MONTH SURGICAL MARATHON

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

GAUTENG HOSPITALS PLEDGE OVER 1,000 PROCEDURES FOR MANDELA MONTH SURGICAL MARATHON

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​JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Department of Health is set to launch the fourth edition of its Mandela Month Surgical Marathon, with healthcare facilities across the province pledging to perform at least 1,078 surgeries and clinical procedures between 11 and 31 July 2026.

​The annual initiative, held in honor of Nelson Mandela International Day, aims to drastically reduce backlogs on surgical waiting lists, optimize theatre utilization, and restore the dignity of patients who have often spent months or years awaiting treatment. This year’s target marks an ambitious increase from the 806 successful procedures recorded during the 2025 marathon.

​A Massive Coordinated Healthcare Mobilization

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The 2026 campaign represents one of the province's largest coordinated surgical access interventions to date. It brings together 19 public hospitals spanning academic, tertiary, regional, and district health facilities.

​Medical teams across more than 20 surgical and clinical disciplines will dedicate extensive theatre time throughout July. The operations will cover a wide spectrum of care, including:

​Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics

​General, Paediatric, and Cardiothoracic Surgery

​Urology, Neurosurgery, and Oncology services

​Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

​Planned procedures range from essential cataract surgeries, hernia repairs, and hip or knee replacements to highly specialized interventions such as cochlear implants, penile prosthetic implants, and complex cardiac operations.

​Aligning Healthcare with Mandela's Legacy

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The initiative directly supports the Department’s broader Treatment Time Guarantees (TTG) Programme, which focuses on improving overall patient flow and optimizing state healthcare resources.

​To strengthen the rollout, the Department has partnered with prominent civil society organizations, including the Gift of the Givers, the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa, Operation Healing Hands, and Envision Africa. These organizations are bolstering the marathon by providing specialist medical teams, essential consumables, and advanced equipment.

​Officials noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with the 2026 Nelson Mandela International Day theme: "It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity."

​Restoring Hope and Dignity

​For hundreds of patients across Gauteng, these scheduled surgeries represent a life-changing turning point that goes far beyond basic medical intervention. For many, it means the restoration of sight, renewed physical mobility, long-awaited relief from chronic pain, and the vital opportunity to return to work, school, and normal family life.

​The Gauteng Department of Health has extended its highest praise to the surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, theatre teams, support staff, and hospital management groups who are volunteering to go well beyond the call of duty throughout July to serve their communities and honor the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela through direct, meaningful action.

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GABONESE NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR R67 MILLION SARS VAT FRAUD ​

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

GABONESE NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR R67 MILLION SARS VAT FRAUD

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JOHANNESBURG - The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced 54-year-old Gabonese national Andre Claude De Diguela to an effective 10 years in direct imprisonment for defrauding the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of approximately R67 million through a sophisticated Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund scheme.

​De Diguela, the sole member of Assistance Medicale Internationale CC, was convicted on 128 counts of fraud and 66 counts of money laundering relating to the illicit movement of roughly R10 million. The criminal offenses were committed over a ten-year period.

​A Decade of Forged Medical Invoices

​The conviction follows an intensive investigation launched in 2024, led by SARS investigator Dillo Nyaphudi. The probe revealed that De Diguela systematically fabricated medical invoices to claim massive VAT refunds. He falsely represented to tax authorities that his close corporation had facilitated medical treatment for foreign nationals at various healthcare facilities across South Africa.

​In terms of a plea and sentence agreement concluded with the State, the court sentenced De Diguela to 15 years’ imprisonment on the fraud counts, of which five years were conditionally suspended. He was further sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering counts. Because the court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, De Diguela will serve an effective sentence of 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

​Severe Impact on the Public Fiscus

​During the court proceedings, Senior State Advocate Marius Oosthuizen submitted that the fraudulent claims allowed the accused to unlawfully siphon millions of rands from SARS, causing significant prejudice to the national fiscus and severely undermining the integrity of the country’s tax administration system.

​The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the successful finalisation of the matter, noting that it highlights the dedication of prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to protecting public resources.

​The NPA emphasized that tax-related offenses do more than just prejudice the State financially; they actively divert crucial funding intended for the delivery of essential public services and broader socio-economic development.

​According to authorities, this conviction and sentence send a clear, strong message that individuals who engage in large-scale fraud and money laundering schemes will be vigorously investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable. 

The case further underscores the vital importance of ongoing, effective collaboration between the NPA, SARS, and other law enforcement agencies in detecting and dismantling complex financial crimes.

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TWO ARRESTED IN PRETORIA FOR ILLEGAL FITMENT OF BLUE LIGHTS ON PRIVATE VEHICLE

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

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TWO ARRESTED IN PRETORIA FOR ILLEGAL FITMENT OF BLUE LIGHTS ON PRIVATE VEHICLE

PRETORIA – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dealt a significant blow to the illicit use of police equipment following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the illegal fitting and possession of blue lights on a private motor vehicle.

The Roadblock that Sparked the Investigation

The breakthrough stems from an operational roadblock conducted in June in the Wierdabrug area of Centurion. Alert police officers intercepted a private vehicle outfitted with blue police lights. Upon questioning the female driver, authorities discovered the vehicle belonged to her husband, sparking a deeper investigation into the origin of the unauthorized equipment.

Following meticulous investigative work, SAPS tracking teams executed two key arrests over the weekend:

• Friday, 03 July 2026: Police arrested the 40-year-old owner of the private vehicle.

• Saturday, 04 July 2026: A 49-year-old Mozambican national, believed to be the technician responsible for illegally sourcing and installing the emergency lights, was taken into custody.

Facing the Full Might of the Law

The suspects are facing serious charges under the National Road Traffic Act. Specifically, they are charged with the contravention of Regulations 176 and 185, which strictly prohibit the unauthorized fitment, possession, and use of blue lights or sirens on any non-emergency, private vehicle.

The duo is scheduled to make their first appearance before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today, Monday, 06 July 2026.

Cracking Down on the "Blue Light Gangs"

SAPS management has issued a stern warning to the public, reiterating that the manufacture, sale, installation, or use of blue lights without explicit lawful authority is a criminal offense.

"These regulations are strictly in place to safeguard the public and preserve the integrity of legitimate law enforcement operations," the SAPS statement read.

The crackdown comes amid a rising national concern over "blue light gangs"—criminal syndicates that use unauthorized police regalia and lighting to impersonate law enforcement officers. These syndicates utilize the disguise to pull over, hijack, rob, and terrorize unsuspecting motorists on major South African freeways.

SAPS has vowed to intensify targeted road operations and clamp down on the supply chains providing these lights to criminals.

Call to Action for Motorists

National police have urged motorists to remain vigilant. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to report any suspicious, unmarked, or private vehicles displaying blue lights.

Reports can be made anonymously via:

• Crime Stop Hotline: 08600 10111

• Digital Reporting: The MySAPS smartphone application

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