PHALA PHALA SHOWDOWN: PARLIAMENT UNVEILS HEAVYWEIGHT MULTI-PARTY IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE

PHALA PHALA SHOWDOWN: PARLIAMENT UNVEILS HEAVYWEIGHT MULTI-PARTY IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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​CAPE TOWN — National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has officially locked in the composition of the highly anticipated parliamentary Impeachment Committee tasked with investigating President Cyril Ramaphosa over the explosive 2020 Phala Phala farm scandal.

​The structural blueprint of the committee was finalized on Monday after all political parties submitted their official nominee lists, following an initial race to beat the strict Friday, 22 May 2026 deadline.

​While the majority of parties met the cut-off date, the African National Congress (ANC) requested an extension to finalize its internal selections over the weekend before delivering its definitive list to the National Assembly Secretariat.

​A Historic Balance of Power

​The Section 89 Impeachment Committee represents entirely uncharted constitutional territory for democratic South Africa. Following a landmark Constitutional Court ruling that invalidated Parliament's 2022 decision to bury the independent panel's findings, Speaker Didiza had to engineer a complex 31-member structure.

​The committee balances traditional proportional representation with deliberate inclusivity, ensuring that minor parties are not completely locked out by mathematical strictness.

​However, two smaller organizations—the GOOD Party and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC)—officially declined to participate. Both movements cited a direct conflict of interest, explaining that their lone parliamentary members already serve within President Ramaphosa's executive cabinet.

​The Power Players: Who is on the Frontline?

​The final roster brings together an array of legal minds, political firebrands, and heavyweight party leaders who are set to clash over accountability and the rule of law.

​1. African National Congress (9 Members, 1 Alternate)

​The ruling party has deployed a blend of loyalists and veteran administrators to navigate the political fallout:

​Mrs DE Mpapane

​Mr X Nqola

​Mr MS Lekganyane

​Ms AF Muthambi

​Mr CM Dugmore

​Ms DR Direko

​Mr BM Maneli

​Mr MG Mahlaule

​Ms LS Makhubela

​Ms KJ Maimela (Alternate)

​2. Democratic Alliance (5 Members)

​The official opposition has sent an experienced legal and oversight team, explicitly vowing to hold the executive accountable without fear or favor:

​Mr G Michalakis (Parliamentary Leader)

​Mr BB Nodada (Deputy Chief Whip)

​Adv G Breytenbach (Veteran legal eagle)

​Ms KL Khakhau (National Spokesperson)

​Ms NK Sharif

​3. uMkhonto weSizwe Party (3 Members)

​The MK Party has positioned heavy-hitting legal representation to spearhead their offensive:

​Dr MJ Hlophe (Impeached former Western Cape Judge President)

​Mrs SMN Mokoena-Zondi

​Dr K Litchfield-Tshabalala

​4. Economic Freedom Fighters (2 Members)

​The red berets have sent their highest command to ensure maximum political pressure on the floor:

​Mr JS Malema (EFF Commander-in-Chief)

​Ms OMC Maotwe

​Minority Parties Take Their Seats

​The remaining seats on the committee are filled by a singular representative from each of the smaller cross-spectrum parties, ensuring a truly multi-party cross-examination process:

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EKURHULENI ANC ACCUSED OF 'SHIELDING' ARRESTED CITY MANAGER AMID FRESH CORRUPTION STORM

EKURHULENI ANC ACCUSED OF 'SHIELDING' ARRESTED CITY MANAGER AMID FRESH CORRUPTION STORM

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

​GERMISTON — The African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Ekurhuleni has plunged the municipality into a fierce political standoff after blocking an urgent motion to place the city’s embattled City Manager under precautionary suspension following his arrest on corruption charges.

​The political firestorm ignited after the ANC Speaker of Council, John Senona, officially disallowed an urgent motion tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The motion called for the immediate, temporary removal of City Manager Kagiso Lerutla, who stands accused of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.

​Opposition parties have slammed the decision, arguing that the ruling coalition is weaponizing its administrative power to shield an embattled high-ranking official at the expense of transparency and service delivery for Ekurhuleni residents.

​Accountability Stalled in Council

​The administrative crisis deepened following allegations that Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, deliberately missed a critical opportunity to table an official investigative report on the matter during the previous council sitting, effectively delaying any decisive municipal action.

​The DA argues that placing a top official on precautionary suspension during a criminal investigation is standard administrative protocol to ensure a fair, unhindered legal process. They claim the Speaker’s refusal to allow the urgent motion back onto the floor is a textbook example of political protectionism.

​"The obstruction of accountability makes it clear: Lerutla is another cadre being protected by his deployers," the DA stated in a biting rebuke. "We reiterate our position that this City should not be led by people who stand accused of fraud and corruption. Residents want to see a government that works, not one that strategically stalls to frustrate justice."

​Escalating to COGTA and Heading to the Polls

​With the local council deadlocked by political maneuvering, opposition benches are now bypassing local structures to force a provincial intervention. The DA confirmed it is writing an official appeal to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, urging his office to step in and investigate the executive gridlock paralyzing the metro.

​The timing of the scandal is highly volatile for the ANC-led coalition, coming just months before South Africans head to the polls for the high-stakes 2026 Local Government Elections later this year.

​Political analysts suggest that the ongoing governance battles in Ekurhuleni—historically a key economic hub in Gauteng—will serve as a crucial battleground. 

The DA has already seized on the controversy as a rallying cry for its campaign, boldly declaring that it is ready to "Clean House" if voters deliver an outright majority in the metro later this year.

​As public outrage mounts over the stalled suspension, pressure is shifting to the desk of COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo to see if provincial government will override the local council's decision and force the arrested accounting officer to step aside.

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BORDER DIGITALISATION: SARS LAUNCHES MANDATORY ONLINE DECLARATIONS FOR FOREIGN VEHICLES

BORDER DIGITALISATION: SARS LAUNCHES MANDATORY ONLINE DECLARATIONS FOR FOREIGN VEHICLES

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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​PRETORIA — In a major step toward modernising South Africa's borders, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that all foreign-registered vehicles must be declared digitally before entering or leaving the country, effective from 1 June 2026.

​Under the new regulatory directive, drivers of foreign-registered cars, trucks, and commercial fleets will be legally required to log their vehicle details via the web-based SARS Traveller Management System (TMS) prior to their arrival at any land border post.

​Modernisation and National Security

​SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu, who took office at the start of May 2026, stated that the transition aligns South Africa with established international customs protocols. The online system forms a vital part of the revenue authority's ongoing "Modernisation 3.0" strategy, which aims to tighten financial controls and secure the country's ports of entry.

​

"This system delivers clear operational benefits, enabling better risk-based screening, strengthening coordination with other law enforcement authorities, and improving the overall traveller experience," Dr Makhubu explained. "It also supports South Africa’s international financial transparency obligations and enhances national security by ensuring that goods, currency, and vehicles are properly accounted for and assessed before entry or exit."

​Key Rules for Cross-Border Motorists

​To prevent administrative gridlock at busy border posts, SARS has structured the new system to accommodate regular commuters, business operators, and regional logistics providers.

​Six-Month Permits: Vehicles temporarily imported into South Africa will be issued a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) valid for up to six months.

​Multiple Crossings: Once an online permit is approved, it can be used for multiple border crossings within that six-month window without needing a new application at each entry.

​Frequent Travellers Safe: Routine border crossings for work, schooling, cross-border business, or medical care will not invalidate the permit, provided the documentation remains active and is officially renewed before its expiration date.

​Note for Travellers: Comprehensive guidelines and a breakdown of temporary importation rules have been made available on the official SARS Customs and Excise Portal.

​Physical Controls Remain in Place

​While the pre-arrival online digital declaration is designed to significantly fast-track processing times, SARS clarified that technology will not replace boots on the ground. All arriving and departing travellers must still present themselves physically to Customs officials at the border gates for manual verification, passport processing, and potential physical vehicle inspections.

​Acknowledging that some regional travellers may face connectivity challenges,

Commissioner Makhubu confirmed that SARS will deploy dedicated assistance officials directly at the border gates to manually guide drivers through the digital platform.

​However, the revenue collector issued a stern warning against non-compliance or attempts to bypass the system.

​"Compliance is not optional," Dr Makhubu emphasised. "Vehicle owners who fail to declare foreign-registered vehicles, or who provide false or incomplete information, expose themselves to severe enforcement consequences, vehicle seizures, and prolonged processing delays at the border. Where vehicle owners comply with all the legal requirements, the process will be seamless."

​With the 1 June 2026 implementation deadline just days away, SARS is urging all regional logistics associations, tourism boards, and foreign vehicle owners to familiarise themselves with the TMS platform immediately to prevent severe travel disruptions.

​

The implementation of this system follows recent comments by the revenue authority regarding digital expansion. For more insight into how the revenue service is integrating technology into its broader strategy, you can watch this interview with SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu outlining his vision for modernisation.

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MASSIVE POLICE CRACKDOWN: OVER 14,000 ARRESTED AS OPERATION SHANELA SEIZES R7.4M IN SMUGGLED CIGARETTES

MASSIVE POLICE CRACKDOWN: OVER 14,000 ARRESTED AS OPERATION SHANELA SEIZES R7.4M IN SMUGGLED CIGARETTES

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

​JOHANNESBURG — In one of the most sweeping anti-crime sweeps of the year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested 14,634 suspects nationwide in just a single week.

​The relentless tactical onslaught, executed under the countrywide banner of Operation Shanela between May 18 and May 24, 2026, also dealt a catastrophic blow to organized crime syndicates smuggling illicit goods across provincial borders.

​SAPS National Commissioner's office confirmed that alongside the massive dragnet of street-level offenders, elite detective units tracked down and locked up 2,625 high-profile wanted fugitives. These individuals are directly linked to serious, violent, and contact crimes, including murder, gang rape, carjacking, and armed robbery.

​Breaking the Spine of the Illicit Tobacco Trade

​The crown jewel of the week-long operation was a coordinated strike against the country's multi-million-rand illicit tobacco black market. Officers seized a staggering 123,999 illicit tobacco items, including 1,200 large boxes of contraband cigarettes valued at over R7.4 million across Limpopo, the Free State, and Sedibeng.

​The major distribution nodes dismantled included:

​Sedibeng (Gauteng): 599 boxes confiscated, carrying a street value of R3.7 million.

​Zamdela (Free State): 499 boxes worth R3.1 million seized. Desperate syndicates at this scene allegedly attempted to bribe SAPS officers with a measly R900 cash, resulting in immediate bribery charges.

​Polokwane (Limpopo): 102 boxes worth R600,000 intercepted before reaching local spaza shops.

​A total of 42 high-level kingpins and distributors were caught red-handed and put in irons for the illegal tobacco trade.

By The Numbers: The Weekly Crime Sheet

​The relentless pressure applied by public order policing units and crime intelligence led to a massive tally of arrests and lethal weapon recoveries across all nine provinces.

Offence Category : Number of Arrests

Assault GBH / Common Assault 1,897 Suspects

Undocumented Foreign Nationals 1,891 Individuals

Drug Possession / Dealing 1,564 Suspects

DUI / Illegal Liquor Trade 1,212 Drivers & traders

Murder / Attempted Murder 219 killers

Rape & Sexual Assault 121 Rapists

Armed Robbery 74 Robbers

​Weapons and Contraband Recovered: During the bloody encounters, tactical teams recovered 128 unlicensed firearms, 1,344 rounds of live ammunition, 440 dangerous weapons, and 41 hijacked or stolen vehicles.

​Provincial Combat Highlights

​Gauteng: Hostage Rescue and Heavy Firepower

​In Wierdapark, the Tshwane Flying Squad made a terrifying discovery, seizing military-grade weapons including an AK-47 rifle, an R5 rifle, and a pistol from a lone suspect.

​Meanwhile, in Winchester Hills, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) engaged a dangerous hijacking syndicate. A fierce gun battle broke out, leaving one suspect fatally wounded, five others in handcuffs, and a traumatized kidnapping victim successfully rescued.

​KwaZulu-Natal: Dirty Cops and Fatal Shootouts

​In a disappointing blow to the service's image, a SAPS Police Constable and two civilian accomplices were intercepted in Babanango while actively using a vehicle to transport 31 massive bundles of dagga.

​Down in Mariannhill, tactical units cornered a notorious extortion and kidnapping crew linked to a Greenwood Park case. The suspects chose to open fire on police; in the resulting shootout, three kidnappers were fatally wounded.

Free State: Gang Busters and Rapid Responses

​In Welkom, a multidisciplinary team demonstrated lightning-fast efficiency, tracking down and cornering a violent Cash-In-Transit (CIT) robbery crew just three hours after a heist. Following a brief exchange of gunfire, the stolen cash and getaway firearms were successfully recovered.

​In Bloemfontein, six feared gang members belonging to the notorious BTK and Maroma gangs were locked up for murder, with forensic teams seizing blood-stained clothing and murder weapons.

​North West & Mpumalanga: Taxi Violence and Gold Smuggling

​The Rustenburg Mounted Unit responded swiftly to the cold-blooded assassination of a 48-year-old taxi owner who was gunned down multiple times at a local taxi rank. Three suspects aged between 21 and 28 were hunted down and arrested with two pistols.

​In the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest, a major joint operation hammered illegal mining syndicates (zama zamas), netting 16 suspects and seizing volatile explosives, blasting cartridges, pendukas, and commercial gold-bearing material.

​SAPS management has lauded the bravery of the officers on the frontline, warning that Operation Shanela will continue to step up its visibility and aggressive disruption strategies heading into the winter months to reclaim the streets from criminal syndicates.

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MINISTER METH SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON UIF ONLINE CLAIMS SYSTEM AMID MISINFORMATION PANIC

MINISTER METH SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON UIF ONLINE CLAIMS SYSTEM AMID MISINFORMATION PANIC

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

LISTEN HERE @KASIBCAUDIO

​PRETORIA — The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has moved swiftly to debunk unverified public commentary and rising misinformation surrounding the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) digital transition, reassuring workers that no applications have been lost.

​In a decisive clarification issued on Monday, Minister Meth blasted misleading narratives that have triggered widespread panic among beneficiaries, systematically laying out the timeline, data, and legal resolutions guiding the state's modern software overhaul.

​Modernizing a Broken System

​On April 1, 2025, the UIF officially launched its overhauled digital ecosystem, dubbed UIF Online. Designed as a direct, modern successor to the glitch-prone, legacy uFiling employee claims portal, the new cloud-based software aims to cut out the red tape that has plagued the fund for years.

​According to the Department of Employment and Labour, the new architecture features:

​Direct-to-Client Architecture: Direct online submission that removes the need for expensive third-party brokers.

​Real-Time Tracking: Instant status updates for applicants.

​Automated Verification: Push notifications and automated communication tracking throughout the entire claim lifecycle.

​The data behind the shift points to an immediate surge in operational efficiency. By April 2026, the newly launched UIF Online platform had successfully processed and paid out 4,558,971 claims.

​By comparison, the old legacy system managed only 3,547,006 claims in 2024 and 4,099,522 claims in 2023, proving that the digital migration is successfully speeding up service delivery to South Africa's unemployed workers.

​

What Happened to the Old Portal?

​Addressing the core source of the public confusion, Minister Meth explained the bifurcated setup of the old system. The legacy infrastructure is split into two halves: the employee claims portal and the employer portal.

​The employee claims portal was permanently shut down on May 20, 2026. The department revealed that the decommissioning had been heavily delayed by aggressive, multi-year legal and contractual battles with old software vendors. Following a successful legal resolution and a meticulous data handover process, the state was finally cleared to pull the plug on the legacy employee infrastructure.

​Crucially, Minister Meth issued a firm guarantee to anxious applicants: no data or claims were lost during the migration.

​Every single pending application submitted via the old platform has been securely cordoned off into an independent database. Technicians are currently auditing, verifying, and systematically absorbing these historical claims into the live UIF Online network.

​The Next Steps and Warning to Panic-Mongers

​While the employee-facing side of the old platform is officially dead, the old employer portal remains 100% operational for company registrations, employee declarations, and monthly financial contributions. This final employer module is scheduled to migrate seamlessly to the unified UIF Online platform by August 2026, completely terminating the old uFiling system.

​Minister Meth took a harsh stance against public representatives and commentators spreading unsubstantiated rumors about a system crash or lost public funds.

​"As public representatives, we have a strict constitutional responsibility to ensure that the information we broadcast is accurate, factual, and in the interest of nation-building," Minister Meth warned. "While aggressive and constructive oversight is always welcomed, peddling outright misinformation and unverified claims undermines vital public confidence and stirs up malicious, unnecessary panic among our most vulnerable citizens."

​To assist users struggling to navigate the transition, the fund has deployed physical support networks across all nationwide Labour Centres, bolstered its remote call centers, and launched localized provincial stakeholder workshops to guarantee no worker is left stranded by the digital upgrade.

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