Saturday, 15 August 2026

MK Party Welcomes High Court Ruling Reinstating NSFAS Board and Setting Aside Administrator

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

MK Party Welcomes High Court Ruling Reinstating NSFAS Board and Setting Aside Administrator

By KasiBCAfrica News

PRETORIA — The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has issued a statement welcoming the judgment handed down by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on 14 August 2026, which set aside Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela's decision to dissolve the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

In the ruling delivered by Judge Etienne Labuschagne, the court ordered the immediate reinstatement of the dissolved NSFAS board members and suspended the appointment of Professor Hlengani Mathebula as the administrator of the scheme.

Reaction to the High Court Order

The MK Party characterized the High Court's decision as a "vindication of accountability and a rebuke of executive overreach," noting that it had previously warned Minister Manamela against placing the funding body under administration.

Executive Overreach: The party argued that the Minister’s decision to dissolve the board in May 2026 was ill-advised and created unnecessary instability within student funding administration.
Reinstatement of Governance: The ruling allows seven reinstated board members to resume their governance, management, and oversight duties over the entity.

Scrutiny Following Parliamentary Proceedings

The party's statement highlighted recent appearances by the Higher Education leadership before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on 12 August 2026:

Ministerial Accountability: The MK Party raised concerns regarding Minister Manamela's responses during committee questioning, pointing out his prior experience as Deputy Minister in the same portfolio.
Interpretation of Section 17C: The party criticized attempts by the appointed administrator during parliamentary testimony to rely on Section 17C of the NSFAS Act to justify financial actions undertaken during the administration period.

Ministry’s Response to the Judgment

Following the court's finding that the Minister's decision was irrational, the Ministry of Higher Education and Training indicated that it is studying the judgment alongside its legal team to determine appropriate legal remedies and next steps.

Minister Manamela assured the public that the Department will take all necessary measures to ensure that student funding and the operations of NSFAS continue without disruption during the legal transition.

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National Gambling Board Urges South Africans to Protect Household Finances Amid Unemployment Surge

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

National Gambling Board Urges South Africans to Protect Household Finances Amid Unemployment Surge

By KasiBCAfrica News

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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — The National Gambling Board (NGB) has issued a stern warning to South Africans to safeguard household income and exercise restraint, following the release of Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for Q2 2026.

With official unemployment climbing to 33.6% (up from 32.7% in Q1 2026) and youth non-participation rates reaching critical levels, the regulatory body cautioned against viewing sports betting or casino gaming as a financial lifeline or alternative income stream.

Key Takeaways from the NGB Advisory

1. Sharp Rise in Economic Distress

The Q2 2026 QLFS recorded 8.5 million unemployed individuals, representing a 345,000 increase quarter-on-quarter.
36.4% of youth aged 15–24 are currently not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
The NGB highlighted that heightened economic strain often creates a dangerous temptation to pursue quick financial returns through gambling.

2. Youth Vulnerability & Problem Gambling

The NGB referenced findings from its Socio-Economic Impact of Gambling Study, pointing to significant exposure among young adults:

77% of respondents aged 25–34 actively participate in gambling activities.
55% of identified problem gamblers fall within the 25–34 age bracket.

3. Hazardous Use of Winnings for Basic Survival

The study further revealed that many citizens treat gambling as a coping mechanism for poverty:

54% of gamblers reported using winnings to buy essential household goods.
43% of gamblers used winnings to settle debts or monthly utility bills.
A significant proportion admitted to gambling to offset lost wage income.

Official Statement: Focus on Household Essentials

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NGB, Mr. Lungile Dukwana, stressed that gambling must strictly remain an optional leisure activity funded only by disposable income.

"The latest figures highlight the difficult circumstances facing many South African households and, during times such as these, every rand matters... Food, accommodation, transport, education, and debt repayments must come before gambling. If you choose to participate, only use money that remains after your essential commitments have been met." — Mr. Lungile Dukwana, Acting CEO of the NGB

Support and Verification Resources

The NGB reminded citizens to avoid illicit operators and ensure that any participating platform holds valid local licensure via the Verified Gambling Operators Web Portal.

For South Africans or families affected by problem gambling, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP):

Toll-Free Helpline: 0800 006 008
WhatsApp / SMS: 076 675 0710
Email: helpline@responsiblegambling.org.za

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Thursday, 13 August 2026

IFP Leadership Snubs KZN Legislature Hearing as uThukela Bleeds Water and Billions

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

IFP Leadership Snubs KZN Legislature Hearing as uThukela Bleeds Water and Billions

By KasiBCAfrica News

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LADYSMITH, KWAZULU-NATAL — A critical Section 132 oversight hearing of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Portfolio Committee collapsed in Ladysmith today after senior IFP office bearers failed to appear.

The hearing, convened to hold the IFP-led uThukela District Municipality accountable for severe service delivery and governance breakdowns, was aborted after the IFP Mayor cited medical reasons for his absence, while the Deputy Mayor was reported to be in Durban.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KZN slammed the absence as an act of disrespect toward provincial lawmakers and the more than 700,000 residents of the uThukela District currently enduring severe water shortages.

Auditor-General Exposes 65% Non-Revenue Water Loss

The cancellation of the hearing comes as official oversight reports paint a grim picture of systemic collapse across the district’s water infrastructure:

Water Losses: Latest figures from the Auditor-General reveal that uThukela loses 65% of its treated water as non-revenue water due to unaddressed leaks, pipe bursts, and illegal connections.
Unreliable Supply: Communities across Estcourt, Ladysmith, Bergville, and multiple rural wards continue to face prolonged dry taps and severe supply interruptions.

R1.3 Billion in Financial Irregularities Detailed

Alongside physical water losses, the municipality's own reporting on Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless, and Wasteful (UIFW) expenditure highlights widespread financial mismanagement:

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Accused Appears in Court Facing Four Murder Charges Following Deadly Reiger Park Ambush

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

Accused Appears in Court Facing Four Murder Charges Following Deadly Reiger Park Ambush

By KasiBCAfrica News

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BOKSBURG, GAUTENG — The Boksburg Magistrates’ Court has postponed the case against 23-year-old Regan Cheslyn Collins to 25 August 2026 for a formal bail application.

Collins made his initial court appearance facing a total of nine charges, including four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The Fatal Reiger Park Shooting

The charges stem from a deadly incident on 7 August 2026 in Reiger Park, Boksburg, which claimed the lives of four individuals:

Constable Thapelo Tlomatsane (SAPS Anti-Gang Unit)
Constable Sphiwe Sibeko (SAPS Anti-Gang Unit)
Roleen Lessing (Civilian)
Jayden Magerman (Civilian)

According to court proceedings, the two Anti-Gang Unit officers were responding to reports of gunfire in the area when they were ambushed and fatally shot. It is alleged that the accused attempted to kill another victim during the chaos and robbed the two fallen police officers of their service rifles before fleeing the scene.

Police later recovered the stolen service rifles following a multi-disciplinary operation at the KwaDukathole Informal Settlement in Germiston, leading to Collins' arrest.

Multiple Pending Violent Crime Cases

Court records revealed that Collins was already facing multiple severe charges prior to his arrest for the Reiger Park ambush:

Missed Court Appearance: He was scheduled to appear in court on 11 August 2026 for a separate case involving two counts of murder, but could not appear due to his arrest on 6 August 2026.
Oct 2026 Trial: He faces another pending matter involving three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and two counts of attempted murder, which is set to return to court in October 2026.

Hawks & NPA Reaffirm Commitment to Justice

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Gauteng confirmed that preliminary investigations yielded sufficient physical and forensic evidence to secure the current charges, with further charges potentially being added as investigations progress.

"The NPA remains committed to ensuring that those accused of serious and violent crimes are prosecuted fairly and effectively, in accordance with the law, while pursuing justice for the victims, their families, and the broader community." — National Prosecuting Authority Statement

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National Police Deploy Specialised Capacity to Support Rustenburg Mine Disaster Response

By KasiBCAfrica News

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RUSTENBURG, NORTH WEST — The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has deployed national specialised capacity to reinforce ongoing search, rescue, recovery, and investigative operations at a disused mining site in Nkaneng, near Rustenburg.

The decision follows the recovery of 14 bodies on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, after a catastrophic collapse at the site. Emergency teams also located and rescued eight survivors.

National Intervention & Multidisciplinary Operations

The national deployment is designed to bolster the North West provincial police, led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Adams, providing technical expertise, personnel, and specialized equipment.

The operation includes:

Victim Identification Unit (VIU): Coordinating post-mortem examinations and formal identification of the deceased alongside forensic specialists.
Specialised Search & Recovery: Deploying K9 search-and-rescue dogs and specialized detection technology to clear the area and verify whether additional victims remain trapped under the rubble.
Regulatory & Site Assessment: Working with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) to evaluate compliance, environmental safety, and the exact parameters of the mining site.

"I commend the teams on the ground for the progress achieved under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions... The deployment of additional specialised capacity is intended to strengthen the North West Province and ensure that every aspect of this operation is approached with the necessary professionalism, expertise, and sensitivity." — Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, Acting National Commissioner

Surviving Suspects and Legal Proceedings

Of the eight survivors brought to the surface, three were discharged from medical care and taken into custody for alleged violations of the Immigration Act. The remaining five survivors remain hospitalized receiving treatment under strict police guard. An inquest docket has been opened to investigate the cause of the disaster.

Call Against Social Media Speculation

Lieutenant General Dimpane urged the public and social media users to avoid spreading unverified rumours surrounding the incident, emphasizing that investigators must be given room to establish the facts based on evidence.

"Our responsibility is not only to establish what happened, but to do so through a thorough, lawful, and evidence-driven process. We owe this to the deceased, their families, and the broader community... Where criminality is established, those responsible will be brought to justice." — Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane

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Saturday, 15 August 2026