The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has signalled its intention to step in and stabilise the troubled Uthukela District Municipality. The intended move is contained in a letter written by the Minister of CoGTA, Velenkosini Hlabisa and sent to the MEC of CoGTA in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi. Hlabisa said he had to intervene after the Northern KZN Chamber of Business, which is anchored in Ladysmith, asked to step in and avert the pending disaster in the…

South Africans stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are describing scenes of fear and chaos as escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupts air travel and leaves thousands unable to return home. “We urgently need help. Please help us; we are scared. I just saw two bombs explode not far from where I am,” said one South African citizen currently in the UAE, speaking on condition of anonymity. The violence forms part of a widening regional conflict involving the…

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is facing growing political and public pressure to act decisively after new research revealed the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in widely used menstrual hygiene products. The department has already engaged the University of the Free State, whose peer-reviewed study found endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in several sanitary pads and pantyliners available in South Africa. Although the research does not confirm immediate health risks, it raises serious concerns about prolonged exposure and…

Burkina Faso have appointed Amir Abdou as the new head coach of their senior national football team, ushering in what the federation describes as a new phase of discipline and ambition for the Stallions. The Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) confirmed the 53-year-old Franco-Comorian’s appointment following what it called a “rigorous examination” of candidates. Abdou succeeds Brama Traore, who was dismissed after the team’s early exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Abdou’s arrival is widely seen…

Namibia came from behind to secure their first-ever COSAFA Women’s Championship title with a 2-1 win over record seven-time winners South Africa in the final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday. The hosts struck first through Nthabiseng Majiya in the opening half, but Muhinatjo Hanavi and Memory Ngonda found the net for Namibia, their winner coming in the first half of extra time. The Brave Gladiators were unchanged from their semi-final victory against Zambia in what…

In admitting defeat, Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze offered no excuses for losing 3-0 to bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Instead, the Burundian was quick to apologise to the Amakhosi faithful, as they were brushed aside by the Buccaneers in a league encounter that enjoyed a full house, with official confirmation that 87,436 fans attended. The official attendance is disputed, with fans claiming there could have been well over 100 thousand people in the stadium due…

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has successfully interdicted controversial Durban-based and ANC-linked businessman Calvin Mathibeli from making defamatory statements against him on social media. The Durban High Court has ordered Mathibeli to immediately delete and retract the comments on all his social media platforms. Additionally, Mathibeli has to go back to all the news channels where he made the allegations and retract them. Mkhwanazi made the application on an urgent basis earlier this week after Mathibeli accused…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced the arrest of a 41-year-old convicted Bulgarian drug trafficker, Stanislav Stamenov, in Cape Town on Friday morning. Stamenov, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Romania in 2009 for his role in a large organised criminal network trafficking heroin into the country, fled Romania shortly after his conviction. He had been living in Cape Town for several years, reportedly working as a gym instructor at various well-known fitness clubs. The arrest…

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in KwaZulu-Natal has secured an interim court order compelling the Impendle Local Municipality to pay outstanding salaries owed to its employees. The order was granted by the Pietermaritzburg High Court after the union approached the court on an urgent basis when workers were not paid for two consecutive months – January and February 2026. In terms of the ruling, the municipality has been ordered to pay all outstanding salaries within seven days of…

Kenya’s Football Federation (FKF) has corrected its initial statement, which announced bans of 365 years for two players, sparking a media frenzy on Thursday. In a statement, the FKF confirmed it erred in its original report and that both players—Bernard Oelle and Ebrahim Nganga—will be out for only a year. Both players were suspended for a year for a “double registration,” as confirmed by the FKF. “Bernard Oelle (Santos Hotspurs) was also registered as Maira Oelle at Nairobi FC. He…