POSTBANK ISSUES FINAL CALL FOR SASSA BENEFICIARIES TO SWITCH TO BLACK CARDS BEFORE 31 AUGUST 2026 DEADLINE

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

POSTBANK ISSUES FINAL CALL FOR SASSA BENEFICIARIES TO SWITCH TO BLACK CARDS BEFORE 31 AUGUST 2026 DEADLINE

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Postbank has issued an urgent appeal to all social grant recipients still using SASSA Gold Cards to migrate to the new Postbank Black Cards immediately, warning that Gold Cards are being phased out and will soon cease to function.

Beneficiaries face a strict deadline of 31 August 2026 to complete the card exchange to prevent severe disruptions to their monthly grant payments.

Avoid August Queue Congestion

Postbank Chief Commercial Officer, Thamsanqa Cele, warned that card replacement sites are already experiencing increased foot traffic, with queues expected to surge during the final month.

“We are already noticing a steady increase in queues at several of our card replacement sites and based on current trends, we anticipate that queues will become considerably longer in August, which is the final month before the deadline. Beneficiaries who postpone their visit until then may experience substantial delays due to the expected increase in demand.” — Thamsanqa Cele, Postbank Chief Commercial Officer

How and Where to Collect Your Postbank Black Card

The card replacement process is completely free of charge.

• Where to Go: Black Cards can be collected at participating retail partners nationwide, including Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer, and Spar.

• Operating Hours: Card replacement sites operate Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00.

• Locating a Site: Dial *120*355# from any mobile phone to find the nearest distribution point.

• What to Bring: A valid South African Green Barcoded ID Book or Smart ID Card (or an official temporary ID document).

Important Notice on SASSA Office Visits

Postbank urges grant recipients not to visit SASSA offices for payment queries or card issues relating to SASSA Gold or Postbank Black Cards.

All card-related support—including missing payments, lost or stolen cards, PIN resets, or declined transactions—is managed directly by Postbank customer support at designated retail sites or via the dedicated call center.

• Postbank Customer Helpline: 0800 53 54 55

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KIMBERLEY MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR BRUTAL NEW YEAR'S DAY ASSAULT ON PARTNER

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

KIMBERLEY MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR BRUTAL NEW YEAR'S DAY ASSAULT ON PARTNER

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KIMBERLEY, NORTHERN CAPE – The Kimberley Regional Court has sentenced 36-year-old Adre Voster to 10 years' imprisonment following his conviction for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (Assault GBH), read with the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

The sentence stems from a horrific New Year's Day attack in which Voster subjected his 27-year-old partner to severe physical violence and public humiliation after becoming enraged when an unknown man greeted her at a local tavern.

Details of the Assault and Public Humiliation

On 1 January 2026, while celebrating the New Year at a local establishment, the complainant was greeted by a patron. Voster confronted her in a fit of rage, dragged her out of the venue, and repeatedly kicked and slapped her.

As he dragged her along the ground toward their residence, Voster forcibly stripped off her clothing and forced her to walk naked in public. A neighbor intervened and alerted authorities, leading to Voster's arrest. The victim was subsequently admitted to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital for medical treatment.

Faced with compelling evidence, Voster entered a guilty plea.

Prosecution Highlights Impact of Gender-Based Violence

During sentencing arguments, State Prosecutor Mothelesi Katlego Thothela emphasized the scourge of domestic violence and gender-based violence (GBV) across South Africa, calling attention to the deep psychological scars caused by forcing the victim to walk stripped in public.

The State submitted a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) compiled by Lerato Modisane alongside medical records detailing the physical and emotional trauma inflicted on the victim.

Sentence Breakdown

The Kimberley Regional Court handed down the following sentence:

• 10 Years' Imprisonment: Two years suspended for five years on the condition that Voster is not convicted of any violent offense or Assault GBH during the period of suspension (effective 8 years' direct imprisonment).

• Firearm Ineligibility: Voster was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, reiterating its commitment to prosecuting GBV perpetrators and encouraging victims of domestic abuse to seek justice through the legal system.

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GAUTENG SAPS AND EMPD FOIL CIT PLOT, SEIZE HEAVY ARSENAL AND HIJACKED BMW X5 IN DAVEYTON

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

GAUTENG SAPS AND EMPD FOIL CIT PLOT, SEIZE HEAVY ARSENAL AND HIJACKED BMW X5 IN DAVEYTON

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EKURHULENI, GAUTENG – A joint, intelligence-driven operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) has intercepted an alleged cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery gang before they could execute their criminal plans.

Acting on law enforcement intelligence, specialized units raided a suspected safe house in Daveyton on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal and Stolen Property Recovered

The tracking teams had been closely trailing the criminal syndicate, which is believed to be linked to a string of violent crimes across Gauteng.

Upon searching the Daveyton premises, law enforcement officers recovered:

• 7 High-Powered Rifles

• 1 Handgun/Pistol

• Reflector Jackets (typically used for impersonation during hits)

• 1 Hijacked BMW X5

Although known members of the gang managed to evade immediate capture, police launched an intensive, overnight manhunt to trace and arrest the fleeing suspects.

SAPS Leadership Commends Joint Operation

Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, praised the seamless coordination between SAPS and the EMPD for removing a massive illegal stockpile off the streets and averting potential bloodshed.

"This intelligence-driven operation is a clear indication that the SAPS remains resolute in its mission to combat cash-in-transit robberies and other serious and violent crimes. We have made significant inroads in dismantling CIT syndicates, and we will continue to deal decisively with those who terrorise our communities and endanger the lives of innocent citizens." — Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane, Acting National Police Commissioner

Lt Gen Dimpane warned members of violent syndicates that law enforcement intelligence capabilities are continuing to improve and that police will pursue every lead to bring the gang members to justice.

Investigations into the safe house and linked criminal networks remain ongoing.

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HIGH COURT CLOSES REOPENED INQUEST INTO THE 1981 MURDER OF GRIFFITHS MXENGE

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

HIGH COURT CLOSES REOPENED INQUEST INTO THE 1981 MURDER OF GRIFFITHS MXENGE

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PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL – The KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg has officially closed the reopened inquest into the 1981 assassination of human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist, Mlungisi Griffiths Mxenge.

Presiding Judge Pieter Bezuidenhout ruled that because the matter had already been subjected to a formal criminal trial and extensive disclosures at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), no additional evidence could legally be led in a reopened inquest.

Historical Background and Legal Context

Griffiths Mxenge was assassinated in November 1981 by members of the Security Branch’s Vlakplaas death squad.

• 1982 Initial Inquest: Concluded that Mxenge had been killed by "unknown persons".

• 1989 Disclosures & Trial: Almond Nofomela’s confession while on death row exposed the Vlakplaas unit, leading to a criminal trial where former Vlakplaas commander Dirk Coetzee, Almond Nofomela, and David Tshikalange were convicted of the murder.

• TRC Amnesty: All three convicted perpetrators were subsequently granted amnesty by the TRC in 1997.

• 2024 Reopening: The Minister of Justice reopened the inquest following a DPCI (Hawks) investigation to establish whether senior apartheid officials who ordered the assassination could be identified.

Key Findings of the Ruling

Ruling on preliminary legal questions, Judge Bezuidenhout held that it was the first time in South African legal history that an inquest had been reopened after a criminal trial had already taken place and concluded.

The court determined that:

1. Bar on Further Inquest Evidence: Once formal criminal proceedings have been instituted and concluded, a reopened inquest cannot hear additional evidence.

2. TRC Disclosures: Full disclosure regarding the operational execution and command chain behind the murder was already ventilated before the criminal court and the TRC. The granting of amnesty does not nullify the original criminal trial.

3. Absence of New Evidence: The State failed to demonstrate that it possessed new, tangible evidence capable of implicating specific uncharged individuals.

Next Steps

The court concluded that allowing the reopened inquest to proceed would not serve the interests of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) noted the judgment and indicated it will review the court's reasoning once the full written judgment is received to determine its future legal options.

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SAPS CRIME INTELLIGENCE COLONEL GRANTED R10,000 BAIL IN ASSAULT AND EXTORTION CASE

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

SAPS CRIME INTELLIGENCE COLONEL GRANTED R10,000 BAIL IN ASSAULT AND EXTORTION CASE

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Division, Johannesburg) has granted R10,000 bail to senior South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence officer Colonel Ishmael (Ismail) Dawood, following an urgent application by his defense team.

Dawood faces charges of assault and extortion stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, in December 2023.

Court Proceedings and Bail Application

The senior officer handed himself over to authorities after a warrant was issued for his arrest, initially appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court.

• Address Verification: During his initial appearance, the matter was postponed to 24 July 2026 to allow the State time to verify Dawood's residential address and review his criminal profile.

• Urgent High Court Application: Once his address was successfully verified, Dawood's defense team approached the Gauteng High Court on an urgent basis seeking bail.

• Unopposed Release: The State did not oppose the application following address verification, leading to the High Court granting bail set at R10,000 with conditions including a prohibition on contacting state witnesses.

Summary of State Allegations

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges relate to an encounter in late 2023:

1. Assault: Dawood allegedly met the complainant in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, where he physically assaulted the individual.

2. Extortion: Following the assault, Dawood allegedly demanded money from the complainant, who complied with the initial payment.

3. Continued Demands: The State further alleges that the accused continued making subsequent monetary demands from the victim.

Next Steps

The main criminal matter remains before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court and has been postponed to 24 July 2026 for further investigation. The NPA reaffirmed its commitment to presenting all relevant evidence to ensure the matter is prosecuted fairly and thoroughly under the law.

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