MK PARTY DEMANDS URGENT PARLIAMENTARY PROBE INTO EXPLOSIVE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IDAC HEAD ADV. ANDREA JOHNSON

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MK PARTY DEMANDS URGENT PARLIAMENTARY PROBE INTO EXPLOSIVE CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST IDAC HEAD ADV. ANDREA JOHNSON

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​JOHANNESBURG – The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has demanded swift and thorough parliamentary oversight following serious allegations made under oath at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry implicating the Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson.  

​The party's intervention follows highly compromising testimony delivered on Friday, 10 July 2026, by retired Hawks Colonel Kobus Roelofse. Roelofse’s evidence raised grave concerns regarding potential interference, conflicts of interest, and the use of unofficial channels within South Africa’s highest anti-corruption institutions.  

​The Allegations: Protecting a Suspect via 'Off-the-Grid' Channels

​Colonel Roelofse's detailed testimony before the commission exposed an alleged "cabal" and a serious breach of protocol concerning a 2018 criminal case. The case involved Major-General Feroz Khan, the suspended deputy head of Crime Intelligence, who was facing charges of assault and intimidation opened by a colleague, Brigadier Leonora Phetlhe.  

​According to evidence presented under oath:

​Improper Sharing of Docket Material: Adv. Johnson allegedly obtained key investigation materials—including the complainant's sworn statement, a J88 medical report, and an audio recording—and leaked them to a third party to be handed directly to Khan.  

​Evidence Tailoring: This occurred before Major-General Khan had formally submitted his own version of events or warning statement to investigators, potentially allowing the suspect to tailor his defense.  

​Use of Private Channels: Testifying officers pointed out that Johnson allegedly utilized an "off-the-grid" personal Gmail account to transmit the sensitive case materials rather than using her official National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) channels.  

​Furthermore, Roelofse testified to a deeply troubling subsequent development where National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi allegedly informed Adv. Johnson about the confidential whistleblower affidavit filed against her, heavily compromising witness safety and the integrity of the investigation.  

​MK Party Demands Decisive Parliamentary Action

​In response to the "bombshell" testimonies, the MK Party confirmed it has taken active steps to force the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development to place the matter on its urgent agenda.

​The party is calling for a comprehensive accountability process, which includes:

​Dedicated Briefings: Direct accountability briefings from IDAC Head Adv. Andrea Johnson, NDPP Shamila Batohi, and the Minister of Justice.

​Full Document Disclosure: Complete disclosure of all internal dockets, communication logs, and materials related to the probe.

​Professional Referrals: Consideration of appropriate disciplinary and professional referrals to the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and external investigative bodies.

​Restoring Public Trust in the NPA

​The MK Party re-emphasized its unyielding stance on transparency, accountability, and the absolute independence of South Africa's anti-corruption frameworks. The party insisted that no public official, regardless of their seniority or stature, should be shielded from aggressive institutional scrutiny.  

​"Public trust in the NPA and IDAC must be restored through decisive action, not silence," the party statement affirmed. The MK Party has urged the Portfolio Committee to act without any further delay to defend the rule of law and prevent the criminal infiltration of justice institutions.

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MEC MAMABOLO AND MAYOR MORERO STRATEGIZE ON JOHANNESBURG’S FINANCIAL RECOVERY AND SERVICE DELIVERY

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MEC MAMABOLO AND MAYOR MORERO STRATEGIZE ON JOHANNESBURG’S FINANCIAL RECOVERY AND SERVICE DELIVERY

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JOHANNESBURG – The Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, has held a high-level intervention meeting with Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Cllr Dada Morero, to address the metropolitan municipality's pressing financial and service delivery challenges.

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The strategic engagement, which included senior administrative teams from both the provincial department and the City of Johannesburg, was convened under Section 154(1) of the Constitution, which mandates provincial government to support and strengthen local municipalities.

​The intervention follows a recent, stringent decision by National Treasury to temporarily withhold the July 2026 equitable share transfers to 69 municipalities nationwide—including Johannesburg—in a bid to enforce stricter national fiscal discipline.

​The meeting concluded with a binding five-month implementation timeline for key priority areas under the City’s comprehensive Financial Recovery Plan.

​Settling Provincial Debt and Budget Stabilisation

​In a major boost to the city's liquidity, MEC Mamabolo committed to actively facilitating the settlement of all undisputed debt owed to the municipality by various Gauteng Provincial Government departments. As of 31 March 2026, the provincial government owed municipalities a collective R2.641 billion, with a staggering R1.431 billion owed directly to the City of Johannesburg.

​Despite the recent pressure from National Treasury, the City noted it has received formal correspondence confirming that its 2026/27 Annual Budget is officially fully funded. 

Furthermore, city leadership informed the MEC that payment arrangements with critical bulk utility suppliers, including Eskom and Rand Water, remain on track, with outstanding obligations set to be settled by mid-July 2026.

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Smart Technology and Infrastructure Partnerships

​To structurally curb operational losses, the provincial and local spheres of government agreed to roll out several innovative turnarounds:

​Water Management: The City and Province will explore a strategic partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to deploy an advanced technology water management solution at no cost to the metro. 

This initiative is aimed at identifying and plugging massive water distribution losses.

​Energy Efficiency: City Power will scale up the implementation of smart technologies to combat a critical R2.1 billion overspending on bulk electricity purchases, while accelerating renewable energy projects and tightening revenue protection.

​CBD Revitalisation: Joint operations will be intensified to revitalize investment within the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), specifically targeting economic nodes and the seat of the provincial government to stimulate inclusive urban growth.

​Cracking Down on Irregular Expenditure

​The administration presented its newly adopted strategy to drastically reduce Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless, and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE), in line with National Treasury Circulars 68 and 111.

​Progress has already been made in regularising approximately R1.8 billion in historical expenditure through established governance frameworks. A further R6.4 billion remains under active review by the boards of municipal entities, the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), and the Disciplinary Board. 

To minimize future accounting risks, the City is working alongside the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) to produce rigorous interim financial statements.

​Imminent Rand Water Maintenance Contingencies

​Mayor Morero also utilized the session to brief MEC Mamabolo on major, planned Rand Water infrastructure maintenance scheduled to take place between 17 and 19 July 2026.

​The maintenance shutdown is expected to temporarily affect several Johannesburg Water reservoirs and towers. The MEC was reassured that extensive mitigation frameworks are locked in, including the strategic deployment of water tankers to affected areas, with absolute priority status given to hospitals, clinics, schools, and other vital public service facilities.

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HOME AFFAIRS ISSUES FINAL CALL FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS ON BLOCKED ID STATUSES

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

HOME AFFAIRS ISSUES FINAL CALL FOR PUBLIC REPRESENTATIONS ON BLOCKED ID STATUSES

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PRETORIA – The Department of Home Affairs has issued an urgent final call to individuals whose South African identity numbers were blocked prior to November 2022, reminding them that Friday, 10 July 2026, marked the absolute final day to submit written representations explaining why their identities should be unblocked.

​The widespread call for representations forms part of the department's legal commitment to ensuring strict procedural fairness in accordance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), while simultaneously protecting the security and integrity of the National Population Register.

​Department officials warned that individuals who failed to submit their representations by the close of business risk having their blocked identity numbers permanently cancelled once the final administrative and legal processes are concluded.

​In-Person Submission Requirements

​To ensure the validity of the process, Home Affairs mandated that all representations had to be made in person. The department outlined specific compliance guidelines for the submissions:

​Permitted Venues: Submissions could be made at any official Home Affairs front office nationwide.

​Exclusions: Standard refugee reception centres and designated bank branches were strictly excluded from processing these specific applications.

​Documentation: Affected individuals were required to bring all available supporting documentation to verify their identity, South African citizenship, or legal residency status.

​Addressing Historical Duplicates and Flags

​A significant portion of the blocked identity numbers were originally flagged in terms of Section 19 of the Identification Act of 1997. 

These cases primarily involve duplicate identity numbers, suspected fraudulent acquisitions, and files requiring deep verification of a person's legal status or initial registration.

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Despite the remaining cases, the department revealed it has made substantial progress in clearing the historical backlog. To date, Home Affairs has successfully investigated, resolved, and unblocked 2,202,368 identity numbers, restoring valid citizenship status to millions of residents.

​The department has urged any remaining affected individuals who missed the window or require further clarity on their status to visit the official Department of Home Affairs website for continuous updates on the administrative finalisation of the blocked ID project.

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DEPUTY MINISTER YUSUF CASSIM INTERVENES OVER DELAYED NSFAS ALLOWANCES AT UNISA ​

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

DEPUTY MINISTER YUSUF CASSIM INTERVENES OVER DELAYED NSFAS ALLOWANCES AT UNISA

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PRETORIA – The newly appointed Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim, MP, has launched a direct intervention into the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payment delays affecting more than 93,000 distance-learning students at the University of South Africa (Unisa).  

​During a high-level oversight engagement at Unisa's Muckleneuk Campus, Cassim formally handed over a compilation of roughly 100 written complaints gathered via the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk. The student grievances highlighted widespread frustration over delays in the July disbursement of the R316 Personal Care Allowance, alongside the highly contentious scaling back of vital mobile data allowances.  

​System Glitch Blamed for Payment Delays

​Deliberations between student leaders, Unisa management, and NSFAS representatives revealed that while NSFAS had successfully transferred the bulk funds to Unisa on 2 July 2026, the university suffered a severe internal system glitch. This technical failure temporarily bottlenecked the processing of individual student accounts.

​Unisa management confirmed the administrative error was completely resolved on Monday, 6 July 2026, and assured the Ministry that all outstanding student accounts are being actively cleared.

​Deputy Minister Cassim strongly criticized the administrative lapse, arguing that vulnerable distance learners should never be subjected to payment delays, particularly given the current harsh economic climate.

​"If we are being honest, R316 per month for a distance-learning student, which is less than the Social Relief Grant, is simply not enough given the resources students need to succeed academically," Cassim stated. "However, these are policy issues which can only be changed through the annual policy review change of NSFAS."

​Key Operational Takeaways and Action Items

​To prevent a repeat of the July payment bottleneck, the engagement concluded with a series of urgent structural directives:

​Review of Funding Schedules: Deputy Minister Cassim will formally write to the NSFAS Administrator, Professor Hlengani Mathebula, demanding a comprehensive review of disbursement timelines. Currently, NSFAS transfers funds nearly a week after the start of each month, leaving universities with dangerously thin windows to process individual payments.

​On-Site Financial Reconciliation: NSFAS has committed to deploying a specialized finance team directly to Unisa next week to systematically reconcile historical account discrepancies and iron out ongoing misalignment between the two institutions.

​Direct Student Engagement: Unisa management has pledged to facilitate a face-to-face town hall between Deputy Minister Cassim and the broader Unisa student body, providing an open forum for students to air their operational grievances first-hand.

​Addressing Potential Underpayments: Cassim raised alarming Helpdesk reports alleging that some students received amounts far below their designated R316 allowance. While Unisa denied the claims, they requested the specific case profiles from the Ministry to initiate immediate, individual investigations.

​Push for Long-Term Policy Reform

​The oversight visit has brought long-standing systemic issues regarding distance-learning models to the forefront. Deputy Minister Cassim noted that the upcoming annual NSFAS policy reviews and the looming overhaul of the NSFAS Act present critical opportunities to address severe funding inequities.

​Chief among these concerns is the fact that Unisa students registered for fewer than 10 modules are entirely excluded from receiving allowances, and that distance learners currently receive no institutional support beyond the R316 personal care allocation and a one-off textbook voucher.

​Furthermore, Cassim strongly urged the Unisa Council to urgently walk back its decision to scrap monthly student data packages, emphasizing that stable internet connectivity is an absolute prerequisite for distance education. 

While welcoming Unisa’s ongoing negotiations with private telecommunications companies for low-cost data partnerships, the Deputy Minister maintained that a firm, consistent monthly allocation must be guaranteed.

​Students experiencing ongoing bursary, registration, or allowance issues are encouraged to continue escalating their unresolved cases directly to the ministry via the dedicated email address: Dmsdesk@Dhet.gov.za.

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MMC COMMENDS JMPD TACTICAL RESPONSE UNIT AFTER GRUESOME DISCOVERY AND ARRESTS IN SOWETO

KASiBC AFRiCA©®™ BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR 

MMC COMMENDS JMPD TACTICAL RESPONSE UNIT AFTER GRUESOME DISCOVERY AND ARRESTS IN SOWETO

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​SOWETO – The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Moshe Koma, has highly commended the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit (TRU) for a swift operation that uncovered a hijacked government vehicle and led to a horrifying discovery of suspected human organs.  

​The dramatic breakthrough occurred on the evening of Thursday, 9 July 2026, culminating in the arrest of two male suspects at a residential property on Nape Street in Naledi, Soweto.  

​The Road to the Discovery

​The operation began when JMPD tactical officers conducting routine crime prevention patrols received an urgent tip-off regarding a vehicle allegedly being stripped for parts at a local residence.  

​Upon arriving at the specified address, tactical teams observed that the property's main gate was open. Moving further into the yard, officers noticed the front door of the house was partially open. After knocking loudly and receiving no response from within, the team entered the home under emergency protocols to investigate.  

​Inside, officers confronted a male suspect. Upon being questioned regarding the vehicle, the suspect admitted that the car they were looking for was parked inside the property's garage and claimed it belonged to the homeowner.  

​Hijacked Department of Health Vehicle Recovered

​A thorough inspection of the locked garage revealed a white Volkswagen Caddy.  

​Officers ran the vehicle's details through the police national verification system, which confirmed it belonged to the National Department of Health. The vehicle had been positively flagged as hijacked and was already in the advanced stages of being stripped down for illicit parts distribution.  

​Tactical teams then expanded their perimeter search around the property, leading to the apprehension of a second male suspect who was found hiding in the backyard.  

​Buckets of Human Organs Found

​While processing the crime scene and searching the rest of the yard, officers made a deeply disturbing discovery. They uncovered two buckets containing what authorities strongly believe to be harvested human organs. 

JMPD officials later identified the organic matter inside the buckets as human hearts and lungs.  

​MMC Moshe Koma described the gruesome finding as deeply shocking and praised the JMPD TRU members for their exceptional vigilance, professionalism, and decisive tactical response.

​Both suspects were immediately processed, arrested, and transported to the Naledi Police Station. 

They currently face serious criminal charges, including:  

​Unlawful possession of a hijacked motor vehicle.  

​Illegal and unauthorized possession of human tissue/organs.  

​SAPS and JMPD tracking units are continuing an intensive joint investigation to determine the exact origin of the human organs and to trace the whereabouts of the property's homeowner, who remains at large.  

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