Thursday, 30 July 2026

NATIONAL TREASURY RELEASES WITHHELD EQUITABLE SHARE ALLOCATIONS TO PROTECT BASIC MUNICIPAL SERVICES

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

NATIONAL TREASURY RELEASES WITHHELD EQUITABLE SHARE ALLOCATIONS TO PROTECT BASIC MUNICIPAL SERVICES

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has announced that National Treasury will release the remaining withheld July 2026 Local Government Equitable Share allocations starting 31 July 2026.

The decision comes as National Treasury approaches the 30-day statutory limit under Section 216(2) of the Constitution and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), prioritizing the protection of poor households from immediate service delivery disruptions.

Conditional Release: Compliance Still Lacking

The Minister emphasized that the unfreezing of funds does not signify compliance or exonerate affected municipalities from legislative governance standards:

Identified Weaknesses: Treasury assessments revealed systemic failures in handling Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless, and Wasteful Expenditure (UIFWE), weak financial misconduct investigations, and a lack of consequence management across Municipal Councils, accounting officers, and Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs).
Unrealistic Budgets: The immediate financial strain felt by councils during the withholding period exposed severe gaps between municipal budget assumptions and actual cash resources, collection rates, and bulk service obligations.

Breakdown of Municipal Allocation Status

Out of the councils subject to enforcement under Section 216(2):

Category	Number of Municipalities
Full Allocation Received	20 Municipalities
Partial Allocation Received to Date	21 Municipalities
Non-Compliant (Zero Received to Date)	28 Municipalities
Releasing Remaining Tranches on 31 July 2026	49 Municipalities

Roadmap to December 2026 Tranche & Compliance Deadlines

To prevent a recurrence of funds being withheld ahead of the December 2026 and March 2027 equitable share cycles, National Treasury is instituting a structured compliance monitoring program:

30 September 2026 — Quarterly Reporting Submission: Affected municipalities must submit quarterly financial reports along with supporting evidence demonstrating measurable progress in processing and reducing UIFWE balances.
31 October 2026 — Legal Processing Verification: Municipalities must prove that all outstanding financial misconduct matters logged as of 30 June 2026 have been formally submitted to required legal and disciplinary channels.
30 November 2026 — Consequence Management Conclusion: Councils must demonstrate a clear, documented increase in finalized cases—including disciplinary proceedings, financial recoveries, and criminal referrals—prior to the December allocation review.

"National Treasury must balance its constitutional responsibility to enforce financial management requirements with the need to avoid communities carrying the immediate consequences of failures by municipal institutions and officials." — Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance

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SIU SECURES SPECIAL TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT SETTING ASIDE UNLAWFUL R9 MILLION NLC GRANT FOR GHOST SOWETO SPORTS COMPLEX

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

SIU SECURES SPECIAL TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT SETTING ASIDE UNLAWFUL R9 MILLION NLC GRANT FOR GHOST SOWETO SPORTS COMPLEX

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a judgment from the Special Tribunal declaring the National Lotteries Commission’s (NLC) R9 million grant to the Motheo Sports and Entertainment Foundation unlawful and invalid.

The grant, intended for the construction of a sports complex in Protea Glen, Soweto, was set aside after investigations revealed the complex was never built and funds were systematically siphoned off.

Fraudulent Grant Approval and Financial Siphoning

The investigation revealed that Motheo's initial grant request for R61.6 million was rejected by the NLC in 2020. However, five months later, former NLC Grant Funding Projects Manager Marubini Ramatsekisa recommended Motheo for R9 million in proactive funding—an approval granted by former Acting COO Nkhesho Njoni.

After the NLC paid the first R3 million tranche in June 2021, the funds were immediately diverted:

PSKO (Pty) Ltd (Jeremane Sedibe): R950,000
Londilox NPC (Nonhlanhla Matshazi): R500,000
Synercon (Pty) Ltd: R400,000
Cash / ATM Withdrawals & Purchases: R1,150,000

Despite no physical construction occurring on site, quantity surveyors SRSQS submitted a falsified progress report, prompting former NLC employee Sanele Dlamini to approve a second R3 million tranche. The final R3 million tranche was halted when the SIU intervened.

Special Tribunal Orders and Repayment Liabilities

The Special Tribunal ordered the identified mastermind, Jeremane Petrus Sedibe, along with Motheo, former NLC officials, and implicated entities, to jointly and severally repay R6 million.

Specific repayment mandates handed down by the Tribunal include:

PSKO (Pty) Ltd: R950,000
Londilox NPC & Nonhlanhla Matshazi: R500,000 (jointly and severally)
Synercon (Pty) Ltd: R400,000
2MC: R382,205
Mohlala, Sedibe, & Matshazi (Account Signatories): R1,644,795 for funds withdrawn or spent directly from Motheo's bank account

Pension Preservation and Criminal Referrals

Pension Frozen: The Tribunal upheld a preservation order freezing the pension benefits of former NLC official Sanele Dlamini until the full R6 million is recovered. Dlamini was also ordered to cover legal costs for the June 2025 preservation order.
NPA Referral: In terms of the SIU and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, evidence of fraud, theft, and corruption against the individuals and entities involved is being referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal prosecution.

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Wednesday, 29 July 2026

TRIAL-WITHIN-A-TRIAL CONTINUES IN HIGH COURT FOR VUSIMUZI "CAT" MATLALA AND CO-ACCUSED

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

TRIAL-WITHIN-A-TRIAL CONTINUES IN HIGH COURT FOR VUSIMUZI "CAT" MATLALA AND CO-ACCUSED

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg is continuing to hear a trial-within-a-trial in the criminal proceedings against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his four co-accused: Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela, and Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama.

The main trial remains formally suspended while the court evaluates the constitutional admissibility of key evidence gathered during the police operation that led to the arrest of Kekana.

Core Legal Challenges and Proceedings

The secondary hearing centers on challenges raised by the defense regarding police procedures and witness identification:

Challenging Evidence Admissibility: Kekana’s legal counsel argues that evidence obtained during his arrest should be ruled inadmissible, contending that a key State witness failed to provide a sufficiently detailed physical description of the driver alleged to be Kekana.
Police Testimony: The State called Captain Phumi Sekgobela to the witness stand to detail the planning, execution, and operational timeline of the police action that resulted in Kekana's apprehension.
Defense Representation Adjustment: During proceedings, legal counsel for Zandile Nthabiseng Nzama filed an application to withdraw from the matter due to financial constraints. The court accepted an arrangement allowing legal representation for co-accused Tiego Floyd Mabusela to represent Nzama going forward.

Status of the Case

The trial-within-a-trial is ongoing as the State leads further witness testimony to establish the legality of the police search, seizure, and identification procedures before the main criminal trial can resume.

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POLICE MINISTRY ASSURES PUBLIC OF SUFFICIENT RAPE EVIDENCE KITS NATIONWIDE

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

POLICE MINISTRY ASSURES PUBLIC OF SUFFICIENT RAPE EVIDENCE KITS NATIONWIDE

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Acting Minister of Police, Mr Firoz Cachalia, has assured South Africans that there is no shortage of adult or pediatric rape evidence collection kits across any of the country's nine provinces.

The statement addresses public concerns regarding potential inventory shortfalls, reaffirming the South African Police Service's (SAPS) commitment to prioritizing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) investigations and forensic readiness.

Distribution and Supply Chain Operations

The Police Ministry emphasized that nationwide supply chains remain fully operational:

Continuous Replenishment: Adequate stock levels are currently maintained across all police stations, forensic units, and designated healthcare facilities.
Ongoing Distribution: Additional adult and child evidence kits are being distributed as part of routine, scheduled procurement processes to prevent localized stockouts.
Integrity of Investigations: Ensuring uninterrupted availability of forensic kits is critical to securing physical evidence, building solid dockets, and improving conviction rates in sexual offense cases.

Government Commitment to GBVF Victims

Acting Minister Cachalia reiterated that tackling GBVF remains a primary national mandate for law enforcement and the broader criminal justice system:

"Gender-Based Violence and Femicide remains one of South Africa's most pressing national challenges, and the South African Police Service remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that every victim of sexual violence is treated with dignity, compassion and urgency." — Firoz Cachalia, Acting Minister of Police

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Tuesday, 28 July 2026

EFF MOURNS THE PASSING OF JULIUS MALEMA’S GRANDFATHER, ISHE POPIES MALEMA

EFF MOURNS THE PASSING OF JULIUS MALEMA’S GRANDFATHER, ISHE POPIES MALEMA

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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed profound sadness following the passing of Fighter Ishe Rufus Popies Malema, the beloved grandfather of EFF Leader and Commander-in-Chief (CIC) Julius Malema.

The party issued a statement extending its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to President Malema, his family, and the broader liberation movement during this time of mourning.

A Pillar of Support and Foundational Figure

Describing the late patriarch as the foundational figure of the Malema family, the EFF highlighted his steadfast role in guiding and supporting his grandson throughout his political journey:

Expanded Role in the Family: Following the passing of Julius Malema's grandmother in 2019, elder Popies Malema stepped into a dual role, serving as both grandmother and grandfather, confidant, and primary anchor to the family.

Presence and Public Support: The late elder frequently accompanied the EFF Commander-in-Chief to various public and legal appearances, demonstrating unwavering belief in his leadership, integrity, and the party's cause.

Champion for Economic Freedom: The party honored him as a symbol of the intergenerational nature of the struggle for land, dignity, and economic justice in South Africa.

Tribute and Clan Praise

The EFF concluded its tribute with traditional praise poetry (Direto/Diboko) honoring the ancestry and lineage of the Malema family:

"Robala ka khutso Malema Tshipi ya bokgalaka, Tshipi ya hata ngwe e ya penama... Ke Seremane ka sebele."

The party expressed immense gratitude to the Malema family for sharing their patriarch with the movement, noting that his wisdom, prayers, and steadfast commitment contributed significantly to the collective resilience of the organization.

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Thursday, 30 July 2026