Self-proclaimed Pastor Caiphus Mkhawane and his wife, Amanda Manono Mnguni, have abandoned their bail applications in the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court, where they face charges linked to the alleged murder of an infant and a series of other serious offences. Mkhawane, 36, and Mnguni, 32, appeared alongside their co-accused, Tsako Angel Makhubela, 25, who intends to proceed with her bail application. The case relates to allegations that the accused lured a woman to the Hennops River under the pretext of performing…

North West businessman Suliman Carrim will spend the weekend behind bars after the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court postponed his bail application to Monday, October 19, to allow the state to verify documents submitted by his defence, including a return ticket for his planned trip to the United Arab Emirates. Carrim, 49, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday night by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) over his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he…

The country is expanding renewable energy, restoring ecosystems and increasing forest cover as part of its national climate strategy Ethiopia has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 74.3 per cent by 2030 compared with a business-as-usual scenario, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa Geleta, as reported by Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), a TV BRICS partner. The international meeting, which opened on 12 October, brought together climate experts and policymakers to advance scientific cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation.…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will resume his duties on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted his precautionary suspension following the formal withdrawal of charges against him, a development welcomed by the South African Policing Union (SAPU). Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia welcomed the decision on Friday, saying Masemola’s return presented an opportunity for the South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership to refocus on operational priorities and efforts to build a professional and trusted police service. Ramaphosa announced…

The VP Justice Foundation has welcomed an investigation involving KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Lieutenant Colonel Deenadayalan “Deena” Govender, saying no police officer should be shielded from scrutiny regardless of rank or position. The foundation’s comments follow a search conducted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) at Govender’s residence amid allegations raised at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which has heard evidence relating to controversial police operations and shootings. The investigation has drawn attention to questions surrounding R2.3 million deposited into Govender’s…

Pastor Thandekile Sibiya, who allegedly received more than R1 million in suspected money-laundering transactions, has been released on R10,000 bail in a R114 million Mpumalanga education tender scandal involving the renovation of 21 dilapidated schools. Sibiya appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, following her arrest by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, a day earlier. Her husband, Pastor Bongani Sibiya, who is also implicated in the case, has reportedly…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, clearing the way for him to resume his duties on Monday, 19 October. The Presidency announced the decision on Friday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola in September. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa and Masemola had agreed to the commissioner’s precautionary suspension in April 2026, after Masemola appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face charges relating to alleged contraventions of the…

A former North West ANC regional treasurer and businessman has reportedly been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Although sources have identified the 49-year-old man arrested by the Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) on Thursday evening, African Times cannot reveal his identity until he appears in court. The man was reportedly apprehended moments before he was due to board an international flight. The South African Police Service (SAPS) national spokesperson…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is assessing the implications of Thursday’s Constitutional Court ruling in favour of the African National Congress (ANC), as questions mount over whether the decision could disrupt preparations for the November 4 local government elections. The commission has accepted the court’s judgment and committed to implementing its order, but has yet to outline how it will accommodate the affected ANC candidates whose nominations were at the centre of the dispute. The ruling overturns the…

Talks in Addis Ababa covered food, investment and travel Ethiopia and Nigeria intend to use their economic clout and large populations to drive Africa’s development. This was stated by Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh following a meeting with Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima in Addis Ababa, according to ENA, a partner of TV BRICS. “Ethiopia and Nigeria are bound by a strategic partnership. When the two countries’ significant population and economic potential are mobilised in a coordinated manner, they further strengthen the capacity to shape…