South Africa is preparing for one of the biggest changes to its identity system in decades, with President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirming the government’s commitment to phase out the country’s long-standing green barcoded ID books and replace them with a modern digital identity framework. Speaking during a recent National Council of Provinces meeting, Ramaphosa said the…
Five South African police sergeants have appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Regional Court after being charged with corruption and extortion over allegations that they demanded a R100,000 bribe from a supermarket owner during a police raid in 2024. The accused officers — Sergeants Johannes Thakhisi, Ntombeko Seya, Mpho Molatedi, Nhlanhla Sithole and Tlokotsi Kganya — are…
Thousands of kilometres from home, hundreds of Malawian nationals have spent days sleeping at their country’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria while waiting for transport back to Malawi, highlighting the growing humanitarian pressures linked to recent anti-immigration tensions in parts of South Africa. Many arrived at the Malawi High Commission earlier this week carrying only essential…
South Africa’s government is evaluating a new funding model for the Road Accident Fund (RAF), raising the possibility that motorists could see changes to how the country’s road accident compensation system is financed in the coming years. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that the Department of Transport, together with the RAF, is reviewing the existing…
A coordinated anti-drug operation in Ekurhuleni has resulted in the seizure of crystal meth with an estimated street value of R250,000 and the arrest of two foreign nationals, as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to combat organised drug crime in Gauteng. The operation was carried out on Wednesday by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD)…
China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.7% year on year in the first half of 2026, reaching 69.57 trillion yuan ($10.28 trillion), data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday. The country’s key economic indicators have shown solid performance, with new growth drivers expanding quickly, signaling sustained resilience of the economy. In the…
South Africa has taken a significant step towards improving the investigation of missing persons cases with the launch of the country’s first dedicated missing persons police unit in Cape Town. The initiative brings together the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Department of Home Affairs, and Faith and Hope Missing…
South Africa’s traditional leaders have sought to reassure Zimbabweans that recent anti-foreigner incidents do not represent the country’s people, government or traditional leadership, as they called for stronger regional cooperation to address migration challenges through dialogue rather than violence. The message was delivered during a peace mission to Zimbabwe led by South Africa Kings Council…
A significant drop in firearm licence renewal applications has renewed debate over gun regulation in South Africa, with gun control advocates warning that thousands of firearms may now be unlawfully possessed, while firearm owners argue that administrative failures—not criminal intent—are driving the decline. Research released by Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), based on annual reports…
Five people have been arrested in Limpopo after a coordinated police operation targeting individuals accused of intimidating a foreign business owner, inciting community action against migrants and falsely presenting themselves as officials from the Department of Home Affairs. The arrests were made during an intelligence-led operation carried out in the early hours of 13 July…
