MAFOKO SECURITY FAILS TO HONOUR SALARY OBLIGATION

KASIBC_AFRICA 

MAFOKO SECURITY FAILS TO HONOUR SALARY OBLIGATION

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) has learned with grave concern and deep disappointment that Mafoko Security Company, which was contracted to provide security services to the institution, has failed to pay its employees their December 2025 salaries.

 

The Legislature places on record that, following the expiry of its contract with Mafoko Security Company on 31 December 2025. It entered into a new agreement with an alternative security service provider with effect from 1 January 2026. Accordingly, the Legislature no longer maintains a contractual relationship with Mafoko Security Company, except in respect of the resolution of the outstanding matter.

 

This unacceptable conduct has left hardworking security officers and their families in distress and resulted in a bleak and painful festive season for those affected.

 

The GPL condemns in the strongest terms the exploitation of workers and the blatant disregard for labour obligations displayed by Mafoko Security Company.

 

The non-payment of salaries constitutes a serious breach of trust, contractual obligations and basic principles of human dignity.

 

The GPL places it on record that its last payment to Mafoko Security Company was made on 5 December, a payment which the Legislature reasonably and rightfully expected would be used to remunerate employees.

 

The GPL will not hesitate to take decisive legal action to protect workers from continued abuse and financial hardship.

The GPL takes these complaints extremely seriously and extends its sincere sympathy to the affected employees who suffered undue hardship as a direct result of Mafoko’s failure to honour its obligations. Workers like this, who have for years secured a National Key Point must never be made victims of corporate irresponsibility.

 

The Legislature further notes with concern that this is not the first instance in which Mafoko Security Company has failed to pay its employees. The Legislature had to put them on terms in January 2025 when again, they failed to pay some employees while others were paid late.

 

Despite this, they have once again failed to pay employees.

KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Andy Mothibi’s appointment as NDPP

KASIBC_AFRICA 

Andy Mothibi’s appointment as NDPP

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The DA congratulates Advocate Andy Mothibi on his appointment as National Director of Public Prosecutions. His appointment must be intended to translate into better management of the NPA, more prosecutions, and a reduction in crime. The appointment process itself is not without serious deficiencies, leaving much to be desired.

As the SIU head and with experience as a former prosecutor and magistrate, Mothibi is well-suited to lead the National Prosecuting Authority. A major stumbling block is his age. At 63 years of age, he has an extremely limited opportunity to make any impact at all, and will have his work cut out for him. It is somewhat concerning that the President has seen fit to appoint someone of Mr Mothibi’s age, given the serious and systemic issues currently within the NPA. The job itself is a much bigger one than that of Head of the SIU.

His appointment comes at a time when the NPA faces many difficulties.

Criminality has taken hold of the country, and the NPA needs a leader who will recapacitate the hollowed-out institution and reform the prosecutorial service into a crime-fighting machine.

It comes as no surprise that the panel tasked with finding Shamila Batohi’s replacement was unable to make a recommendation. The panel lacked any form of prosecution experience. It was devoid of criminal justice experts, and its inclusion of disgraced former NPA boss Menzi Simelane showed just how incapable the panel was.

The president's handling of the process of finding a new NDPP has been appalling. The president unnecessarily delayed the process for months, and when he finally initiated the process after sustained DA-led pressure, it had to be rushed due to time constraints. There is no doubt that this is a major reason why the ill-suited panel was unable to fulfil its mandate.

Adv Mothibi assumes this position at a time when the positions of the Deputy National Directors are also vacant, a problem that needs urgent attention. The DA urges Adv Mothibi to make this a priority, and we urge the President to initiate, immediately, a public and transparent process to deal with these appointments. It is crucial that there is long term consequence management developed at the top level in the NPA.

We hope that Adv. Mothibi’s appointment hails a successful era for the NPA - an era where state capture cases are finally prosecuted and crime is met with the full force of the law.

KASIBC_AFRICA NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

4858 GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 LEARNERS REMAIN TO BE PLACED IN GAUTENG

KASIBC_AFRICA 

4858 GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 LEARNERS REMAIN TO BE PLACED IN GAUTENG

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane wishes to announce that *only 4858 learners remain unplaced as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process for Grade 1 and Grade 8, reflecting sustained progress in learner placement across Gauteng for the 2026 academic year.

 

As at *Tuesday, 6 January 2026*, the Gauteng Department of Education’s Online Admissions system recorded a total of 4858 unplaced learners, translating to:

Grade 1: 1381 learners

Grade 8: 3477 learners

 

This represents approximately 1.5% of the total 358 574 complete applications received for the 2026 academic year, comprising 175 792 Grade 1 and 182 782 Grade 8 applicants.

 

The Department continues to release placement and transfer offers daily, supported by targeted interventions in high-pressure districts, to ensure that all remaining learners are placed as efficiently and fairly as possible, in line with regulated admissions criteria and available school capacity.

PLACEMENT PER DISTRICT: HIGH-PRESSURE AREAS

Placement data per district indicates that the majority of the remaining unplaced learners are concentrated in urban and metropolitan districts, where sustained population growth and infrastructure constraints continue to place pressure on available school capacity.

Ekurhuleni Districts

Ekurhuleni remains the highest-pressure district, with a combined total of:

Ekurhuleni North: 1741 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 381; Grade 8: 1360)

Ekurhuleni South: 1181 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 569; Grade 8: 612)

Gauteng East: 247 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 85; Grade 8: 162)

 

This results in a total of 3169 unplaced learners in Ekurhuleni, with pressure particularly at Grade 8 level in Ekurhuleni North.

Johannesburg Districts

Only two Johannesburg districts account for a significant number of remaining unplaced learners:

Johannesburg North: 3 Grade 8 learners

Johannesburg East: 1173 (Grade 1: 95; Grade 8: 1078)

Johannesburg South: 352 (Grade 1: 250; Grade 8: 102)

 

Placement pressure remains highest in Johannesburg East, largely driven by demand for secondary school placements.

Tshwane Districts

Tshwane has shown significant progress in placing learners, with only Tshwane having a minuscule amount of learners to place:

Tshwane North: 14 unplaced learners (Grade 1: 1; Grade 8: 13)

Sedibeng and West Rand Districts

Sedibeng and West Rand have also shown tremendous placement progress with comparatively lower numbers as well and are largely stabilised:

Sedibeng East: 70 (Only Grade 8)

        

The Department has prioritised Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg as high-pressure districts, with intensified district-based placement, continued release of placement and transfer offers, and strategic utilisation of available capacity across neighbouring schools.

LATE APPLICATIONS FOR GRADE 1 AND GRADE 8 REMAIN OPEN

The Late Applications period, which commenced on 17 December 2025 and will close on 30 January 2026, has to date recorded a total of 11 183 late applications, comprising:

5 701 Grade 1 learners

5 482 Grade 8 learners

 

All late applications processed during this period result in final placements at the school selected by parents or guardians, subject to available capacity. 

Parents are advised to visit the selected school from 14 January 2026 to submit all required documentation.

 

MEC Chiloane reminds parents and guardians that the 2026 Online Admissions system remains open for Late Applications, particularly for those who did not apply during the main application period or whose applications were incomplete.

 

Parents and guardians are urged to apply online by registering or logging on to www.gdeadmissions.gov.za.

 

During the Late Application period, only schools with available space will appear on the system.

Applicants may select one school only, and once selected, the learner will be finally placed for the 2026 academic year. 

Placements made during this period cannot be declined, and no objections or appeals will be permitted thereafter.

PROGRESS ON APPEALS AND OBJECTIONS FOR 2026 ONLINE ADMISSIONS

The Department confirms that a grand total of 6736 placement appeals* have been lodged as part of the 2026 Online Admissions process, and only 637 objections await adjudication. The appeals adjudication process is at an advanced stage, with outcomes communicated directly to parents and guardians as finalisation progresses.

 

Parents are reminded that appeal outcomes are final.

 

“We are encouraged by the steady progress made in placing learners across Gauteng. We once again urge parents and guardians to remain patient and cooperative as the Department continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every Grade 1 and Grade 8 learner is placed for the 2026 academic year,” said MEC Chiloane.

KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Mangaung Closed-Door Council Meetings

KASIBC_AFRICA 

Mangaung Closed-Door Council Meetings

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

DA condemns closed-door council meetings and unlawful extension of Centlec CEO’s contract in Mangaung

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung condemns the Executive Mayor and Speaker for misusing closed council meetings to push questionable decisions, limit public access, and undermine transparency. Despite the municipality being under administration since 2019, governance continues to deteriorate because the necessary legislation is not being followed.

The DA will alert oversight bodies, including the Auditor General, the Provincial Legislature, and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to urgently address these ongoing governance failures.

On Tuesday, 30 December 2025, during a virtual council meeting held behind closed doors, the DA opted not to participate in the vote regarding a three-month extension of the Centlec CEO’s contract. The DA warned that this decision violates legal requirements and exposes the municipality to serious governance, audit, and legal risks.

The five-year term of Centlec’s CEO, Mr Malefane Sekoboto, expired on 31 December 2025. The ANC, EFF, Freedom Front Plus (FF+), and Patriotic Alliance (PA) nevertheless voted to keep the CEO in office until 31 March 2026.

According to the Municipal Systems Act, CEOs of municipal entities must be employed on fixed-term contracts. Once such a contract expires, the position must be declared vacant and an acting CEO legally appointed. Extending an expired contract is unlawful and circumvents the very safeguards designed to prevent the recycling of senior management contracts.

By approving this extension in committee and excluding the public, the ANC-led council has chosen a legally questionable shortcut instead of following a transparent and compliant process. We cannot allow the ANC to approve various items behind closed doors while withholding critical information from the media and residents. The media and the public have the right to know that the current Centlec CEO’s contract has been extended for a further three months.

The DA will hold the ANC to account to ensure transparency in the municipality’s governance. Secret meetings and unlawful decisions erode public trust and further weaken an already fragile administration.

If the DA governed the metro, we would have obeyed the law, kept council meetings open to the public, legally appointed an acting CEO, avoided unnecessary legal exposure, and prioritised residents over political convenience.

We remain committed to opposing the manipulation of council procedures for political gain and will continue to expose the misuse of committee meetings and unlawful appointments. We insist that Mangaung’s leadership govern openly, lawfully, and in the best interests of residents.

 KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA APPOINTS NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

KASIBC_AFRICA 

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA APPOINTS NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE: KASIBC_AUDIO

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (“Constitution”) and the NPA act, states that the President appoints the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). Due to the importance of the position in the criminal justice system, President Ramaphosa set up an advisory panel for the selection of the NDPP (“panel”) which conducted an open and transparent selection process.

The panel which was led by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Hon. Mmamoloko Kubayi included;

Mr Andrew Christoffel Nissen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission

• Ms Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale, Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality

• Ms Tsakani Maluleke, Auditor-General of South Africa

• Prof Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission

• Mr Nkosana Mvundlela, President of the Black Lawyers Association

• Mr Machini Motloung, President of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, selected six candidates for interviews out of 32 applicants.

The Panel concluded its process and submitted its report to the President on the 12th of December 2025. In its report, the panel advised the President that none of the interviewed candidates were suitable for the role of NDPP. 

Accordingly, President Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of section 179(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read with section 10 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998), decided to appoint Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi, with effect from 1 February 2026, as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). 

Adv. Mothibi who is currently the Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) began his career as a Public Prosecutor in the Johannesburg and Soweto Magistrates and Regional Courts. He also served as a Magistrate in the Johannesburg and Soweto Magistrates Courts. Adv. Mothibi has previously served in various public and private sector roles managing legal, compliance and risk management operations, including at SARS as Head of Corporate Legal Services and Head of Governance.

President Ramaphosa has thanked Advocate Shamila Batohi for her service and contribution to the country’s prosecutions agency and wishes Advocate Batohi well in her future endeavours.

President Ramaphosa extends his gratitude to the members of the panel for their counsel and for carrying their task judiciously. 

With the appointment of Adv. Mothibi as the NDPP leaving a vacancy at the Special Investigating Unit, the President has decided to appoint Mr. Leonard Lekgetho as the Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit with effect from 1 February 2026 in line with Section 3(1) (b) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996) 

Mr Lekgetho is currently serving as the Chief Operations Officer of the SIU. He has over 22 years of forensic investigations experience, including serving as the Forensic Investigator at the then Directorate of Special Operations, which was known as the Scorpions. 

KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Launch of the #UmntanaEskolweni Campaign Ahead of the Reopening of Schools

KASIBC_AFRICA 

Launch of the #UmntanaEskolweni Campaign Ahead of the Reopening of Schools

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is pleased to announce the immediate rollout of its annual #UmntanaEskolweni #NgwanaSkolong Campaign as schools prepare to reopen for the 2026 academic year. 

This campaign is a direct intervention to defend the constitutional right of every child to education and to confront the persistent exclusion, neglect, and humiliation of working-class and poor learners within the basic education system. 

As the school year begins on the 15th of January 2026, thousands of learners continue to face barriers to access, including being turned away due to unpaid school fees, lack of uniforms, shortage of stationery, non-issuance of school reports, and failing or unsafe school infrastructure. These realities reflect a state that has normalised inequality in education and allowed poverty to determine a child’s future.

The #UmntanaEskolweni #NgwanaSkolong Campaign is aimed at recovering the dignity, access, and safety of learners, and ensuring that no child is excluded from schooling on the basis of class, income, or social background. Through this campaign, the EFF will actively intervene to ensure that learners are admitted, registered, and allowed to attend school without discrimination or financial coercion. 

The campaign will focus on ensuring that no learner is turned away from school due to unpaid fees, lack of uniform, or stationery; ensuring that all learners receive their school reports, regardless of financial status; and conducting oversight visits to schools to assess readiness for the academic year, including classroom conditions, availability of textbooks, and delivery of learning materials. 

Additionally, the campaign also ensures the presence of safe, working, and flushing sanitation facilities, and the total rejection of pit toilets; while working with teachers to identify learners in need of support with uniforms, particularly shoes, and basic learning necessities, and coordinating interventions to supply these and restore dignity. 

The EFF directs that all its structures and public representatives — from the Central Command Team, Provincial and Sub-Regional Command Teams, Branch Command Teams, Members of Parliament, Provincial Legislatures, and Municipal Councils — must actively participate in the campaign without fail. 

Every EFF leader and public representative is expected to adopt schools, engage directly with school management and educators, and submit written reports on the state of school readiness, incidents of exclusion or discrimination against learners, infrastructure failures, shortages of learning materials, and interventions undertaken to assist learners. 

These reports must be submitted through organisational structures and will form part of the EFF’s broader oversight and accountability programme in the education sector. The EFF emphasises that children must never be humiliated or exposed in the process of assistance. Any intervention must be carried out with discipline, respect, and revolutionary care, as there is no need to parade poverty or desperation. 

The Basic Education Department is one of the critical Ministries which have been sacrificed to the neo-liberal establishment as part of political bargaining by the former liberation movement. It is therefore important to exercise maximum oversight over the sector to ensure that the poorest of the poor are not left behind, while the ANC-DA grand coalition focuses on servicing privileged sectors of schooling. 

The #UmntanaEskolweni #NgwanaSkolong Campaign is the EFF’s practical response to this failure as no child must be left behind or turned away from learning. 

The EFF wishes all learners ad successful and fulfilling educational experience for 2026. 

KASIBC_AFRICA 

 NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES

MAKE_KASI_GREAT 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

KASIBC_AFRICA 

TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The fixtures for the Round of 16 at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 have been set following a thrilling group stage campaign that highlighted the world-class quality of football on the continent.

The first knockout stage will be staged from Saturday, 3 January to Tuesday, 6 January, with two matches every day at 17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT and 20h00 local time / 19h00 local time as the remaining sides battle it out for a quarter-final place.  

Hosts Morocco face Tanzania at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Sunday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) with an expectant crowd roaring them on as they seek a first continental title in 50 years.

Morocco topped Group A, with Tanzania qualifying as one of the four best third-placed sides out of Group C.

South Africa and Cameroon will lock horns later that same day at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT), pitting coach Hugo Broos against the side he led to the title in 2017.

Before those fixtures, 2021 winners Senegal take on Sudan on Saturday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) in the first of the Round of 16 games at the Grand Stade de Tangier to kick-off the knockout phase.

Later that evening Mali tackle Tunisia (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT) at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, with the former seeking a maiden continental crown and Tunisia looking to repeat their 2004 triumph.

Egypt are record seven-time winners of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON but have not lifted the trophy since 2010, a long wait for fans of the Pharaohs. They face Benin on Monday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) at the Grand Stade de Agadir.

Later that evening Nigeria, among the most impressive sides in the group stages, will play Mozambique (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT) at the Complexe Sportif de Fès as they seek to go one better than their silver medal finish at the 2023 edition. 

Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet on Tuesday (17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT) at the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, before the round concludes in a meeting between defending champions Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso (20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT) at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

The quarter-finals will be played on 9-10 January, with the final scheduled for 18 January at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.

TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON MOROCCO 2025 ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

Saturday, 3 January 2026

Senegal vs Sudan

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT

Grand Stade de Tangier

Mali vs Tunisia

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT

Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca

Sunday, 4 January 2026

Morocco vs Tanzania

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT

Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

South Africa vs Cameroon

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT

Stade Al Medina, Rabat

Monday, 5 January 2026

Egypt vs Benin

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT

Grand Stade de Agadir

Nigeria vs Mozambique

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT

Complexe Sportif de Fès

Tuesday, 6 January 2026

Algeria vs DR Congo

17h00 local time / 16h00 GMT

Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat

Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso

20h00 local time / 19h00 GMT

Grand Stade de Marrakech

KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

 MAKE_KASI_GREAT 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Get new posts by email:

Powered by

South Africa reaffirms commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability

KASIBC_AFRICA 

South Africa reaffirms commitment to Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

South Africa has noted with concern the recent announcement by the State of Israel recognising Somaliland as an independent state.

The recognition constitutes a violation of the Federal Republic of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a direct threat to peace in the Horn of Africa.

We uphold the African Union’s principle of uti possidetis the sanctity of inherited borders as the continent’s essential safeguard against conflict.

We distinguish unequivocally between decolonisation and secession. The former restores sovereignty; the latter dismantles it. Israel’s action validates fragmentation and risks a domino effect of instability.

South Africa urges the international community to reject this external interference and support a united, stable Somalia.

KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Get new posts by email:

Powered by

Minister Angie Motshekga meets with family of late Cpl TJ Motsamai

KASIBC_AFRICA 

Minister Angie Motshekga meets with family of late Cpl TJ Motsamai

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, met with the family of the late Cpl T.J. Motsamai, who tragically lost his life during Operation CORONA, and engaged with South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members deployed in the affected area.

The Minister was accompanied by the SANDF Surgeon General, Chief of the South African Military Health Services, Lt Gen (Dr) Peter Maphaha and Joint Operations Headquarters, General Officer Commanding, Maj Gen Godfrey Thulare as well as other senior military personnel. The engagements were undertaken to convey condolences to the bereaved family and to provide leadership support and encouragement to soldiers on internal deployments.

This followed a tragic incident at Macadamia during routine patrol duties under Operation CORONA, where a military vehicle carrying members of the SANDF Military Police attempted to cross a river that had been heavily flooded due to recent adverse weather conditions. Two members were swept away by the strong river current. The body of one member was recovered, while the second member remained missing.

A search for the remaining member is ongoing, led by the South African Police Service Diving Rescue Team, and supported by the SANDF Air Force Oryx helicopter.

The Minister expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved family and reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to providing continued support to the family during this difficult time, while also standing firmly with all SANDF members serving the Republic. 

KASIBC_AFRICA 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

MAKE_KASI_GREAT FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Get new posts by email:

Powered by

Reckless use of fireworks leads to one death

KASIBC_AFRICA 

Reckless use of fireworks leads to one death

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE: @KASIBC_AUDIO

POTCHEFSTROOM - Police in Lethabong near Rustenburg have registered two dockets, one of murder and the other of malicious damage to property. This stems from an incident that happened on Thursday, 01 January 2026 at about 03:25 during which one person was stabbed to death.

It is alleged that patrons were at a tavern in Lethabong, when some individuals, who were also inside the tavern, started igniting fireworks. Those who were against this confronted them, which led to a fight that started inside the tavern and then moved outside. During the commotion, a 38-year-old victim was stabbed with a sharp object and died instantly.

Thereafter, a group that was with the deceased allegedly attacked the suspect, who managed to flee the scene on foot. The group then identified the suspect's vehicle that was parked nearby, and set it alight. Allegedly, after the suspect learned that his vehicle has been set alight and fearing to return to the tavern, he went to the police station to seek help. After being identified as a murder suspect, he was immediately arrested and detained.

The 45-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on Monday, 05 January 2026 on a charge of murder. The possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Meanwhile, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, condemned this incident in the strongest possible terms. “It is disappointing that despite numerous warnings regarding the careful use of fireworks, some members of the community continue to act recklessly to an extend of even discharging fireworks in a tavern and a person end up losing a life. We send our condolences to the bereaved family and want to assure the public that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,’ said Major General Naidoo.

KASIBC_AFRICA

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES

MAKE_KASI_GREAT FREE SUBSCRIPTION WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

Get new posts by email:

Powered by

Non-alignment is undermined by exercises with Iran and Russia

KASIBC_AFRICA©®™

Non-alignment is undermined by exercises with Iran and Russia

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The media confirmations that Iranian naval vessels are en route to South Africa to participate in the Mosi III naval exercise alongside Russia make it increasingly difficult for the government to maintain that South Africa is genuinely pursuing a policy of non-alignment.

Hosting the military forces of Iran and Russia is not neutral. These are sanctioned states involved in active conflicts and serious human rights abuses. Allowing them to conduct military exercises in South African waters sends a clear political signal, whether government admits it or not.

South Africa’s policy of non-alignment is being hollowed out. What begins as quiet military cooperation slips into secrecy and ends in open alignment. It reflects a deliberate willingness to accept alignment with authoritarian states, while hiding behind the language of non-alignment to avoid accountability. When military actions no longer match its diplomatic claims, non-alignment ceases to be neutrality and becomes a quiet and calculated drift away from democratic partners.

This concern is heightened by recent public statements from Iran’s president describing his country as being in a state of war with the United States and Western powers, making South Africa’s decision to host Iranian naval forces deeply concerning.

At the same time, South Africa’s defence relationships with democratic countries are weakening. Joint military exercises with the United States have been cancelled, US participation in the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition failed, and diplomatic tensions are increasing. These outcomes are the predictable result of confused foreign policy and poor political judgement.

While South Africa recently voted against Russia at the United Nations, a single vote counts for little when it is contradicted by continued military cooperation with Russia and Iran, carried out with limited transparency and minimal parliamentary oversight.

The Democratic Alliance will demand full transparency on all military exercises involving sanctioned states, insist on urgent parliamentary oversight of the SANDF’s international engagements, and hold President Ramaphosa accountable to restore proper civilian control over defence policy.

MAKE_KASI_GREAT©®™ 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES

Get new posts by email:

Powered by

R270m in Phuthuma Nathi dividends remain Unclaimed

KASIBC_AFRICA©®™

R270m in Phuthuma Nathi dividends remain Unclaimed

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

Since 2020, Phuthuma Nathi has run an annual national campaign to locate shareholders with unclaimed dividends dating back to 2006. Thanks to these efforts, more than R125 million has already been paid out, but more than R270 million in dividends remain unclaimed.

Phuthuma Nathi is committed to finding its shareholders and ensuring that they receive what is rightfully theirs.

The most common reasons for unclaimed dividends include shareholders not updating their personal or banking details, or dividends being owed to the estates of deceased shareholders.

How to claim

If you are a Phuthuma Nathi shareholder who has not received dividends between 2006 and 2025 or are a family member of a deceased shareholder, please contact:

Call centre: 086 011 6226 (Mon–Fri, 7am–6pm, excl. public holidays)

WhatsApp: 011 321 5400

Email: phuthumanathi@singular.co.za

Shareholders or family members of deceased investors need to complete a FICA verification process, which involves providing:

Proof of identity 

An up-to-date bank statement or confirmation letter 

Proof of address

Once verified, dividends are typically paid within three to five working days.

The verification process is essential to ensure that funds are paid to the correct person.

About Phuthuma Nathi

Phuthuma Nathi is one of the country's most successful broad-based black economic empowerment schemes. Since its establishment in 2006, it has consistently paid dividends every year and to date more than R19.2 billion has been paid. The scheme has made a real difference in the lives of shareholders and their families.

MAKE_KASI_GREAT©®™ 

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES

Get new posts by email:

Powered by