Doxing and Harassment of American Officials by the South African Government

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Doxing and Harassment of American Officials by the South African Government

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The U.S. condemns in the strongest terms the South African government’s recent detention of U.S. officials performing their duties to provide humanitarian support to Afrikaners. 

Furthermore, the public release of our U.S. officials’ passport information is an unacceptable form of harassment.

This can only be seen as an attempt to intimidate U.S. government personnel in South Africa on official business. 

The United States will not tolerate such behavior toward its government’s officials – or toward any of its citizens – who are legally and peacefully operating abroad. 

The public release of personal identifying information puts the official in harm’s way.

Failure by the South African Government to hold those responsible accountable will result in severe consequences. 

We call on the Government of South Africa to take immediate action to bring this situation under control and hold those responsible accountable.

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Anti-apartheid activist, Mr Titus Magashe Mafolo to receive a Special Official Provincial Funeral

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Anti-apartheid activist, Mr Titus Magashe Mafolo to receive a Special Official Provincial Funeral

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™  

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved that the funeral of the late Mr Titus Magashe Mafolo be accorded a Special Provincial Official Funeral, in recognition of his contribution to the liberation struggle and the attainment of a democratic South Africa. Ntate Mafolo was a freedom fighter, political activist, writer and presidential advisor. Growing up in Atteridgeville, he became actively involved in the struggle against apartheid from a young age. 

His lifelong commitment to activism, political education, writing and community development has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s history. He served as a leader of the United Democratic Front (UDF), including as a National Executive Committee member and Publicity Secretary, and was part of the political underground of the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP). 

He was detained without trial on several occasions during the late 1970s and 1980s and played a key role in mobilising communities and young people across Tshwane and beyond during the height of apartheid repression. Mafolo was also among the leaders engaged by the Eminent Persons Group in the late 1980s and later served as an advisor and speechwriter to former President Thabo Mbeki.

The Special Official Provincial Funeral is scheduled as follows: 

Date:  Friday, 19 December 2025 

Time: 08:00

Venue:  3C Church 8 Jan Smuts Avenue, Irene, Centurion 

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IFP SECURES DECISIVE VICTORY IN HOTLY CONTESTED UMFOLOZI WARD 17 BY-ELECTIONS

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IFP SECURES DECISIVE VICTORY IN HOTLY CONTESTED UMFOLOZI WARD 17 BY-ELECTIONS

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal is humbled and encouraged by its decisive victory in the highly contested uMfolozi Ward 17 by-election held yesterday (17 December 2025).

The IFP not only retained the ward but significantly increased its support, emerging victorious with 1,464 votes (62%). This resounding outcome reaffirms the growing confidence and trust that communities across the province continue to place in the IFP.

The party regards this victory as a powerful endorsement of its principled leadership, people-centred governance, and consistent presence on the ground. It further strengthens the IFP’s resolve to intensify its work as it builds momentum towards the 2026 local government elections, operating with the discipline and unity of a well-oiled political machine.

This outcome also sends a clear message to those who have repeatedly attempted to write off the IFP: the party continues to grow, attract new supporters, and consolidate its support base across KwaZulu-Natal.

The IFP extends its heartfelt appreciation to all volunteers who worked tirelessly during the campaign in Ward 17, the uMfolozi Constituency leadership, the King Cetshwayo District leadership, the Provincial Executive Committee, and the party’s national leadership for their unwavering commitment and dedication to this victory.

We further congratulate the newly elected IFP councillor, Cllr Wiseman Langa, and encourage him to serve the people of Ward 17 with humility, wisdom, dedication, respect, and selflessness, values that reflect the exemplary leadership of the late IFP Founder and President Emeritus, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

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Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe on passing of DJ Warras

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Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe on passing of DJ Warras

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™ 

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister, Ms Peace Mabe, extend profound condolences to the family, friends, loved ones and many South Africans mourning the tragic loss of Warrick Robert Stock, widely known to the nation as DJ Warras.

DJ Warras was a dynamic and respected force in South Africa’s media and creative industries. Born in Durban, he forged a multifaceted career that stretched across radio, television, digital platforms and live performance. Over more than a decade and a half, he established himself not only as an entertainer, but as a cultural voice whose work reflected the spirit, humour and concerns of a generation.

His broadcasting journey began at YFM, where his confident on-air presence and natural connection with young audiences quickly set him apart. He later joined 5FM, where he became the host of The 5th Element, an evening show that blended music, conversation and culture, earning him a loyal national following.

DJ Warras’s influence extended beyond radio. He became a familiar and trusted face on SABC1’s Live AMP, one of the country’s most influential music television programmes. Through this platform, he played a meaningful role in showcasing South African talent and amplifying local creativity to audiences across the country.

In later years, he continued to evolve creatively, taking on the role of host of Ngicel’iVisa on Mzansi Magic. The reality series reflected his ability to engage with complex human stories, bringing warmth, honesty and relatability to the screen.

He also made his mark in the digital space as a co-host of The Shady PHodcast, alongside DJ PH. The podcast was known for its candid conversations, sharp social commentary and fearless engagement with contemporary issues — qualities that mirrored DJ Warras’s own approach to media and public dialogue.

Alongside his work in broadcasting and television, DJ Warras remained committed to the culture of DJing. As a club DJ, he brought energy and authenticity to venues around the country, celebrating South Africa’s rich and diverse musical landscape.

He was widely regarded as a mentor and supporter of emerging creatives, always willing to open doors and encourage new voices.

The nation is deeply saddened by his untimely death on 16 December 2025 in the Johannesburg CBD. As investigations continue, South Africans unite in mourning the loss of a gifted creative whose life and career were cut short far too soon.

The Department salutes DJ Warras for his significant contribution to South African media and the arts, his bold and honest voice, and the lasting impact he leaves behind. His work, passion and influence will continue to live on through the many lives he touched.

May his soul rest in peace.

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DA dismayed by NLC about-turn on whistleblower reparations commitment

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DA dismayed by NLC about-turn on whistleblower reparations commitment

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The Democratic Alliance is dismayed by the National Lotteries Commission’s about turn on its commitment to pay reparations to whistleblowers who came forward with information on years of corruption by board members, executives, staff and collusive outsiders in the awarding of grants by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

A media release issued by the NLC dated 10th December states that it has concluded its reparative measures process. But it appears to back-track on its earlier commitment that this would result in monetary and non-monetary compensation.

The media statement says the NLC is “prioritising restoration over compensation, healing over financial settlement, and fairness, dignity and responsible stewardship of public funds.” Whistleblowers who are not staff members are not included in the settlement, but will be “administered through the NLC’s ordinary operational and funding mechanisms’.

The DA believes this about-turn is a slap in the face to the whistleblowers, who had with every justification been expecting monetary compensation as part of a final settlement.

A response dated 9th January 2025 to a written question I submitted to Minister Parks Tau stated that “the reparation process is expected to address various forms of restitution, which may include legal costs.”  A response dated 4th April to a written question from the MK Party stated that “R20 million has been ring-fenced for individual reparative measures” and that “National Treasury has been informed about the ring-fenced R20 million as part of the NLC surplus.”

At great personal cost to themselves and their families, these whistleblowers revealed a systematic and sustained undermining of good governance standards by the NLDTF that has led to the Special Investigations Unit identifying up to R2 billion worth of illegal grants made to NPOs since 2013.

These grants were facilitated by corrupt NLC employees who the NLC defended in court at great expense, forcing the whistleblowers to spend their own money to defend themselves, often leading to their financial ruin and suffering severe mental stress, sickness and family breakdown.

Staff members, after blowing the whistle internally, were victimised and dismissed from the NLC and have not found gainful employment since. They turned to the media to have their stories told and taken seriously.

Whistleblowers who ran NPOs whose committed grants never materialised and instead were channelled to corrupt staff members or to NPOs hijacked by corrupt collaborators, have had to close their businesses. They have in many cases suffered death threats but nevertheless cooperated with the SIU and signed affidavits to help nail the culprits.

The DA believes an appalling injustice has been meted out to these whistleblowers. To obtain the record of decision leading to this about turn, the DA has submitted further written questions to Minister Tau, including:

What is the detailed chronology of all steps taken in this process, from the first raising of the issue of the concept of reparations to whistleblowers, until the current date,

During this process, which (i) government and (ii) non-governmental entities were consulted and what was the nature of their involvement,

What is the total cost of the administrative process to provide these reparations, including all fees paid to lawyers, consultants, advisors, and any other relevant fees in this regard?

The reparations process appears to have handsomely compensated everyone apart from the intended beneficiaries. The DA will not rest until a fair settlement that includes monetary compensation is reached with the whistleblowers.

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