City of Johannesburg conducts site inspection to address illegal mining activities

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City of Johannesburg conducts site inspection to address illegal mining activities

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Sithembiso Zungu, together with relevant stakeholders from the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, conducted a site inspection at M2 Mooi Street as part of the City’s ongoing high-impact service delivery operations.

The operation was undertaken in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to address illegal mining activities, environmental violations and by-law contraventions within the inner city.

This joint intervention forms part of the City’s continued efforts to combat illegal mining operations, strengthen law enforcement and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment. During the operation, three individuals were arrested in connection with suspected illegal mining activities.

Acting on intelligence received, the multi-disciplinary team also traced a location believed to be used by an alleged kingpin to refine gold linked to illegal mining operations. Working alongside SAPS and the Illegal Mining Task Team, officials proceeded to premises on Cornelious Street suspected of being used to purchase and refine gold sourced from illegal mining activities. All tools and equipment found at the site were confiscated as part of the investigation.

Authorities have reiterated that operations targeting illegal mining networks will continue and that those found to be involved will face the full might of the law.

During the inspection, the team assisted the City’s Environmental Health officials in addressing a separate site where cow heels and skins were being cleaned and cooked under extremely unhygienic and unsanitary conditions. 

The food produced at the site was reportedly being sold to residents in the inner city, posing a serious public health risk. Due to the unsafe conditions and health concerns, the site was shut down.

The City of Johannesburg remains committed to protecting communities, safeguarding natural resources and ensuring that all laws and municipal by-laws are upheld through coordinated enforcement and service delivery operations.

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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHIEF JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA TO CONDEMN ATTACKS ON THE JUDICIARY BY US AMBASSADOR LEO BRENT BOZELL III

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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CHIEF JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA TO CONDEMN ATTACKS ON THE JUDICIARY BY US AMBASSADOR LEO BRENT BOZELL III

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calls on Constitutional Court Chief Justice

Mandisa Maya to condemn the attacks on the South African judiciary by newly

appointed US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III.

Bozell has joined an irresponsible right-wing chorus in South Africa which has

undermined judgements by the Equality Court, the Supreme Court of Appeals and the

Constitutional Court which have found and affirmed that the liberation chant “Kill The

Boer, Kill The Farmer” constitutes free speech. It was these courts that affirmed that

the chant should not be interpreted literally, and forms part of the tradition and history

of struggle against oppression in our country.

It is therefore dangerous that right-wing racist groups in South Africa continue to

undermine our judiciary by questioning and lobbying foreign governments on a judicial

matter, which the highest court in our land has made a determination on. It is even

more dangerous when the talking-points of these fringe and Boeremag associations

are adopted by a senior diplomat and Ambassador to our country from the USA.

Bozell’s comments are a direct insult to South Africa’s judicial system, and constitute

a concerning precedent of a foreign nation disregarding the integrity and standing of

our courts. It is only following the EFF highlighting that Bozell has undermined our

judiciary, that he saw it fit to issue a communication stating that he made his

disrespectful comments against our judiciary in his personal capacity.

The EFF dismisses this with the contempt it deserves, because Bozell spoke at length

about how he was expressing the supposed impatience of the Donald Trump

administration with South Africa, regarding their numerous requests to South Africa

that undermine our sovereignty. Bozell spoke about the USA’s requests for legislative

changes and a shift in foreign policy in South Africa, when he made the comment that

he does not care what our courts determination was in relation to “Kill The Boer, Kill

The Farmer”.

In light of the context in which he made his comments, wherein he threatened

disinvestment from South Africa should the US’s requests not be adhered to, the EFF

calls on Chief Justice Mandisa Maya to speak clearly in defence of our judiciary

against coercion and threats by a foreign government through its most senior diplomat.

If the US Ambassador is not called into order for aligning threats of disinvestment with

a disregard of our courts and legislation, this raises a concern on whether this method

of coercion will not be used to intimidate our courts and judges into making rulings that

align with the domestic and foreign policy demands of the USA.

The Chief Justice therefore has a duty to reaffirm the independence of our judiciary.

The EFF maintains that our judiciary and its judgements are not beyond reproach, and

where necessary, as is the case with the delayed handing down of the Phala Phala

judgement, criticisms that address the Norms and Standards of the court must be

raised.

This in no way, however, suggests that a foreign government can declare its lack of

respect for our institutions, as it pursues its own policy objectives in our country. We

reiterate that Bozell’s conduct warrants his immediate expulsion and his declaration

as persona non grata in South Africa.

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Minister Nomakhosazana Meth extends heartfelt Condolences to Elijah Barayi Family on passing of their Children

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Minister Nomakhosazana Meth extends heartfelt Condolences to Elijah Barayi Family on passing of their Children

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Ministry of Employment and Labour has learnt with deep sorrow, of the passing of the daughter and son of Elijah Barayi, Ms. Connie Barayi and Mr. Mzimkhulu Barayi. Mr Mzimkhulu Barayi passed away on the 9th of March after a short stay in hospital, since the 28th of February 2026, on the day of the burial of his sister. 

Minister Nomakhosazana Meth is grief-stricken by these developments and hereby extends sincere and heartfelt condolences on behalf of the department and all stakeholders. The family and children of Elijah Barayi graced the annual Elijah Barayi Memorial Lecture, dedicated to honouring the legacy of their father and one of South Africa’s most influential labour leader who dedicated his life to improving the working conditions and rights of South African workers. 

“We are indebted to the family and children of Elijah Barayi for their dedication and commitment to the Department on the annual Lecture dedicated to the Unionist and Freedom Fighter. We are at a loss for words and hereby extend our deepest condolences for this tragic double loss that has befallen the family,” says Minister Meth. 

The Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg hosts the annual Elijah Barayi Memorial Lecture. The lecture serves as a platform to reflect on Elijah Barayi’s enduring contributions while fostering scholarly and societal discourse on contemporary labour issues, social justice, and the ongoing relevance of his legacy in addressing today’s challenges. 

The Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg will host the third Elijah Barayi Memorial Lecture in May 2026 

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Minister Aaron Motsoaledi puts Senior Officials on Suspension

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Minister Aaron Motsoaledi puts Senior Officials on Suspension 

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has after receiving delegations from the President, put the Director General of the Department, Dr Sandile Buthelezi on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised or until his contract comes to an end, whichever comes first.

Secondly, the Minister has also placed the Deputy Director General for Hospitals Services, Tertiary Health Services and Human Resource Development, Dr Percy Mahlati on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised, or until the expiry of his contract, whichever comes first.

The Chief Financial Officer, Mr Phaswa Mamogale, has also been placed on precautionary suspension until his cases are finalised.

Minister Motsoaledi would like to allow the law to take its course. All officials affected by the decision have been formally notified of their suspensions.

In the meantime, the Minister has appointed the Deputy Director General for National Health Insurance, Prof Nicolas Crisp as acting Director General for a period of three months.

Minister Motsoaledi would like to assure the stakeholders and public that the department will continue to function optimally according to its mandate.

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Calls for Urgent action to confront Mangaung Water failure

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Calls for Urgent action to confront Mangaung Water failure

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR 

LISTEN HERE : @KASIBC_AUDIO

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the municipal manager to escalate the water crisis affecting Kolisang Khakhau School and Glen Community Hall in the Mangaung Metro Municipality by calling for urgent intervention from the municipal administration and demanding accountability for failing infrastructure maintenance and mismanagement that have left residents and learners without reliable access to water for months.

Residents and learners are struggling to prepare food and maintain basic hygiene, as water needs in the area are not being met. The community is suffering because of municipal mismanagement, as the crisis is a direct result of poor planning, inadequate contingency measures, and a failure to prioritise uninterrupted service delivery.

Residents and learners are frustrated and vulnerable, as they are continually told to be patient while taps have been dry for over 5 months. Since the water supply has been interrupted for extended periods, residents and learners are forced to rely on unsafe alternatives. The water crisis has now become a matter of dignity, health and survival as residents and learners are forced to either carry water in containers from Glen Agricultural College or draw water from the Modder River.

No completion date, no structured water supply, and no meaningful contingency plan have been communicated to the community yet.

The DA is deeply concerned. We demand swift and decisive action to resolve the water crisis in Kolisang Kakhau School and Glen Community Hall, as access to clean water is a basic human right, not a privilege.

The DA will now demand that:

A progress report on the full restoration time of water at proper capacity should be made available to residents.

Emergency plans are put in place to protect vulnerable residents and learners, as communities cannot function without structural emergency water tanker support, effective reservoir management and proper water supply updates.

Residents of Mangaung Metro Municipality deserve clear communication, proper contingency planning, reliable restoration time lines, reliable alternative relief measures and clear contact channels for assistance.

We will continue to hold the administration accountable and fight for the reliable services and opportunities that residents deserve.

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