Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed that long-delayed plans to expand the Gautrain rapid rail network will resume this year once the current concession period concludes and ownership transfers fully to the provincial government. Speaking during his State of the Province Address, Lesufi said the public-private partnership that financed and delivered the system would formally…
South Africa’s extensive coastline could offer a new frontier in renewable energy development, according to a recent feasibility study conducted by Swedish firm Eco Wave Power. The company has identified potential for approximately 8.3 megawatts of wave-generated electricity at the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape. While modest compared to large-scale power stations, the…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to clarify his decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) domestically, arguing that the step is a measured response to escalating organised crime and violence. The announcement, made during this month’s State of the Nation Address, confirmed that soldiers would assist authorities in tackling gang activity, illegal…
South Africa’s ambition to bring Formula One racing back to its shores appears increasingly uncertain, with recent comments from F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali suggesting that other venues are ahead in the queue for inclusion. Speaking during pre-season testing in Bahrain, Domenicali indicated that Turkey’s Istanbul Park circuit is under serious consideration for a return…
The United States has formally installed a new ambassador to South Africa, as bilateral relations remain under pressure following months of political disagreement. Leo Brent Bozell III, nominated by US President Donald Trump, presented his letters of credence on Monday, officially assuming his role in Pretoria. South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed…
South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit has detailed an alleged bribery network within the Department of Home Affairs, describing how elements of the country’s immigration system were manipulated for financial gain. The probe, initiated in May2024 following information provided by a whistleblower, has linked several department officials to irregular processing of visas and residency permits. Acting…
South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, conducted coordinated raids across four provinces on Sunday as part of a probe into alleged irregular education tenders worth R114 million. More than 14 operational teams targeted properties in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape. Authorities said those under investigation include government officials,…
A Cape Town magistrate has handed down the toughest sentence available under South Africa’s Animal Protection Act after two severely emaciated boerboels were rescued in the Sea Winds area. The case dates back to 2022, when inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA responded to a complaint and discovered the dogs in a critically…
Chinese home appliance manufacturer Haier has formally launched its brand in South Africa, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy. The company, ranked the world’s largest home appliance brand for 17 consecutive years by Euromonitor International, said South Africa represents a strategically important growth market due to rising urbanisation, expanding household electrification and…
A new study by the University of the Free State has found that sanitary pads and pantyliners sold in South Africa contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including in products marketed as free from harmful substances. The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, analysed 16 brands of sanitary pads and eight types of pantyliners…
