Wednesday, 29 July 2026

TRIAL-WITHIN-A-TRIAL CONTINUES IN HIGH COURT FOR VUSIMUZI "CAT" MATLALA AND CO-ACCUSED

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

TRIAL-WITHIN-A-TRIAL CONTINUES IN HIGH COURT FOR VUSIMUZI "CAT" MATLALA AND CO-ACCUSED

JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg is continuing to hear a trial-within-a-trial in the criminal proceedings against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused: Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama.

The main trial remains formally suspended while the court evaluates the constitutional admissibility of key evidence gathered during the police operation that led to the arrest of Kekana.

Core Legal Challenges and Proceedings

The secondary hearing centers on challenges raised by the defense regarding police procedures and witness identification:

Challenging Evidence Admissibility: Kekana’s legal counsel argues that evidence obtained during his arrest should be ruled inadmissible, contending that a key State witness failed to provide a sufficiently detailed physical description of the driver alleged to be Kekana.
Police Testimony: The State called Captain Phumi Sekgobela to the witness stand to detail the planning, execution, and operational timeline of the police action that resulted in Kekana's apprehension.
Defense Representation Adjustment: During proceedings, legal counsel for Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama filed an application to withdraw from the matter due to financial constraints. The court accepted an arrangement allowing legal representation for co-accused Tiego Floyd Mabusela to represent Nzama going forward.

Status of the Case

The trial-within-a-trial is ongoing as the State leads further witness testimony to establish the legality of the police search, seizure, and identification procedures before the main criminal trial can resume.

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POLICE MINISTRY ASSURES PUBLIC OF SUFFICIENT RAPE EVIDENCE KITS NATIONWIDE

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

POLICE MINISTRY ASSURES PUBLIC OF SUFFICIENT RAPE EVIDENCE KITS NATIONWIDE

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, has assured South Africans that there is no shortage of adult or pediatric rape evidence collection kits across any of the country's nine provinces.

The statement addresses public concerns regarding potential inventory shortfalls, reaffirming the South African Police Service's (SAPS) commitment to prioritizing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) investigations and forensic readiness.

Distribution and Supply Chain Operations

The Police Ministry emphasized that nationwide supply chains remain fully operational:

Continuous Replenishment: Adequate stock levels are currently maintained across all police stations, forensic units, and designated healthcare facilities.
Ongoing Distribution: Additional adult and child evidence kits are being distributed as part of routine, scheduled procurement processes to prevent localized stockouts.
Integrity of Investigations: Ensuring uninterrupted availability of forensic kits is critical to securing physical evidence, building solid dockets, and improving conviction rates in sexual offense cases.

Government Commitment to GBVF Victims

Acting Minister Cachalia reiterated that tackling GBVF remains a primary national mandate for law enforcement and the broader criminal justice system:

"Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remains one of South Africa's most pressing national challenges, and the South African Police Service remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that every victim of sexual violence is treated with dignity, compassion and urgency." — Firoz Cachalia, Acting Minister of Police

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Tuesday, 28 July 2026

EFF MOURNS THE PASSING OF JULIUS MALEMA’S GRANDFATHER, ISHE POPIES MALEMA

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

EFF MOURNS THE PASSING OF JULIUS MALEMA’S GRANDFATHER, ISHE POPIES MALEMA

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed profound sadness following the passing of Fighter Ishe Rufus Popies Malema, the beloved grandfather of EFF Leader and Commander-in-Chief (CIC) Julius Malema.

The party issued a statement extending its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to President Malema, his family, and the broader liberation movement during this time of mourning.

A Pillar of Support and Foundational Figure

Describing the late patriarch as the foundational figure of the Malema family, the EFF highlighted his steadfast role in guiding and supporting his grandson throughout his political journey:

Expanded Role in the Family: Following the passing of Julius Malema's grandmother in 2019, elder Popies Malema stepped into a dual role, serving as both grandmother and grandfather, confidant, and primary anchor to the family.

Presence and Public Support: The late elder frequently accompanied the EFF Commander-in-Chief to various public and legal appearances, demonstrating unwavering belief in his leadership, integrity, and the party's cause.

Champion for Economic Freedom: The party honored him as a symbol of the intergenerational nature of the struggle for land, dignity, and economic justice in South Africa.

Tribute and Clan Praise

The EFF concluded its tribute with traditional praise poetry (Direto/Diboko) honoring the ancestry and lineage of the Malema family:

"Robala ka khutso Malema Tshipi ya bokgalaka, Tshipi ya hata ngwe e ya penama... Ke Seremane ka sebele."

The party expressed immense gratitude to the Malema family for sharing their patriarch with the movement, noting that his wisdom, prayers, and steadfast commitment contributed significantly to the collective resilience of the organization.

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DA REPORTS MOPANI DISTRICT AND GIYANI MUNICIPALITIES TO GREEN SCORPIONS OVER FIVE-MONTH SEWAGE LEAK

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

DA REPORTS MOPANI DISTRICT AND GIYANI MUNICIPALITIES TO GREEN SCORPIONS OVER FIVE-MONTH SEWAGE LEAK

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GIYANI, LIMPOPO – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has lodged a formal complaint with the Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) against the Mopani District Municipality and Giyani Local Municipality following five months of unaddressed raw sewage spills in Giyani Section F.

The party criticized both municipalities for neglecting critical sanitation infrastructure, leaving rate-paying residents to cope with severe public health hazards and environmental contamination.

Severe Public Health Concerns in Section F

The ongoing spill, caused by a ruptured main sewer pipe, has flooded residential yards and streets across Section F:

Impact on Vulnerable Residents: The DA highlighted the dire conditions facing an elderly, frail resident at house 374, whose property has been entirely overrun by raw sewage.
Quality of Life & Health Risks: Residents face constant exposure to waterborne disease hazards and a nauseating stench, impacting daily living conditions.
Municipal Inaction: Despite official site visits by district and local municipal representatives, no maintenance work or pipe repairs have been initiated over the past five months.

Systemic Infrastructure Failure

The DA noted that the Section F spill reflects broader, ongoing sanitation infrastructure breakdowns across the Mopani District, driven by a lack of routine maintenance on aging municipal assets.

By escalating the matter to the Green Scorpions, the party seeks regulatory enforcement, mandatory repairs, and accountability measures against the responsible municipal authorities for violating environmental and public health standards.

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CITY OF EKURHULENI URGES QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS TO APPLY FOR INDIGENT RELIEF PROGRAMME

CITY OF EKURHULENI URGES QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS TO APPLY FOR INDIGENT RELIEF PROGRAMME

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GERMISTON, GAUTENG – The City of Ekurhuleni has called on low-income and vulnerable residents to apply for its Indigent Support Programme to ensure uninterrupted access to essential municipal services, including free basic water, electricity, and rates relief.

The municipal assistance framework is designed to alleviate financial strain on struggling households, child-headed homes, pensioners, and residents with disabilities across the metro.

Qualification Criteria

To qualify for registered indigent status, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Household Income: Combined monthly income of all adult residents must not exceed R10,478.92.
Property Value: The municipal value of the property must not exceed R1.5 million (exceptions apply for pensioners, military veterans, and persons with disabilities receiving social grants).
Account Ownership: The municipal services account must be registered in the applicant’s name.
Residency: The applicant must be a South African citizen or permanent resident holding a valid SA ID. The property must be used primarily for residential purposes and cannot be sublet.

Deemed Indigent Category

Properties valued at R600,000 or less, homes in recognized informal settlements, proclaimed townships, and qualifying tenants in City rental schemes may automatically qualify as deemed indigent.

Approved Indigent Relief Benefits

Registered indigent households receive the following monthly subsidies:

Service	Subsidized Monthly Allowance
Free Basic Water	Up to 10 kilolitres
Free Basic Electricity	Up to 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Free Basic Sanitation	Up to 10 kilolitres
Refuse Removal	100% Free collection
Property Rates	100% Exemption/Relief

Note: Additional support, such as indigent burial assistance and municipal facility fee rebates, may be granted subject to socio-economic assessment and available municipal funds.

How to Apply and Documents Required

Relief is granted for a reviewable period of 36 months, after which beneficiaries must reapply. Applicants must visit their nearest City of Ekurhuleni Customer Care Centre (CCC) with the following documentation:

Valid South African Identity Document or proof of permanent residence.
Recent City of Ekurhuleni municipal statement or prepaid electricity token.
Sworn police affidavit confirming household socio-economic circumstances.
Proof of household income and 3 months' recent bank statements (or pension statements, where applicable).
Relevant guardianship, deceased estate, or property title/rental documents (where applicable).

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Wednesday, 29 July 2026