Posts

NSPCA welcomes long-awaited reform for lion captivity breeding ban

Image
CAPE TOWN - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has  welcomed the announcement by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on the imminent publication of the Lion Prohibition Notice banning new captive lion breeding facilities.   This long-awaited reform marks a pivotal milestone in dismantling an industry built on systemic cruelty, reflecting years of legal action, public advocacy, and inspections by the NSPCA. The prohibition confirms what the NSPCA has long exposed: the captive lion industry has operated largely unabated for decades, inflicting severe animal welfare violations, damaging South Africa’s conservation reputation, and flouting constitutional obligations to protect sentient beings. While limited to new facilities, this ban sends a clear signal that the commodification of lions for tourism, hunting, and the bone trade is no longer defensible. The NSPCA’s decade-long investigations have laid bare the industry’s brutality. O...

EThekwini Municipality announces major water interruption affecting large parts of Durban in July

Image
DURBAN - The EThekwini Municipality has informed the public of a planned interruption of water supply from various reservoirs supplied by the uMngeni-uThukela Wiggins Water Treatment Works Gravity System.   The shutdown will take place on Tuesday morning, 8 July until Wednesday, 9 July.    The shutdown is for the City’s bulk water supplier, uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) to replace 1200 mm diameter sales and check meters on the gravity bulk pipeline.  This includes the repair of a leak on the aqueducts that has affected full recovery of the plant inflow since the shutdown in April.   In preparation for the shutdown, UUW will shut off the treatment works which will result in no water flowing into the City’s reservoirs.   The City will endeavour to reduce the effect of the shutdown by topping up its reservoirs; however, water availability is dependent on consumer usage.   Customers who may receive water during this period are urged to reduce co...

ACSA empowers Tembisa learners through Maths intervention and Dictionary handover

Image
TEMBISA — Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has officially launched a powerful Maths Intervention Programme and handed over 1,000 subject-specific mathematics dictionaries to learners at Tembisa West Secondary School — a strategic investment aimed at improving academic outcomes and building brighter futures. This initiative, delivered in partnership with education NPO Edufearn - Growing Youth Potential, forms part of ACSA’s long-term commitment to driving meaningful change in communities surrounding its airports. Mathematics dictionaries are designed to make complex concepts simpler and more accessible, especially for learners who do not speak English as their home language. With visual explanations, easy-to-understand definitions, and real-world examples, the dictionaries are expected to play a vital role in improving maths performance across the board. Beyond the handover, ACSA is rolling out dedicated maths support for 90 Grade 9 learners in 2025, and continuing suppo...

Heavy rainfall and flash flooding affecting multiple areas across Cape Town

Image
CAPE TOWN - The Mother City is currently experiencing heavy rainfall which has resulted in the temporary flooding of low-lying areas. Some canals, vleis and retention ponds are filling to capacity and exacerbate flooding. The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate is monitoring the situation and will assess pressure points more clearly once the rain subsides. Residents and road users are advised to drive carefully and remain vigilant as well as report flooding incidents to the City to ensure that they attended to timeously. "The sheer volume of ongoing rainfall is causing vleis, rivers and canals to reach capacity. This causes water to back up in the stormwater system and onto our roads which then act as water conduits. Low-lying areas, areas below steep mountainous terrain and areas near canals and other water bodies will experience localised flooding whilst rainfall remains heavy," said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas. M...

South African Breweries (SAB) Fire Contained, Joburg EMS reports

Image
SOWETO - The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) confirms that the fire that erupted at the outdoor crate storage area at the South African Breweries (SAB) premises has been successfully contained. Firefighting crews remain on scene, conducting salvage and damping down operations, ensuring that there are no flare-ups and that the area is fully secured. Fortunately the main structure within the premises was not affected and remains unscathed.

Two suspects, including foreign male apprehended for murder of Metro officers

Image
THEMBISA  - The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Northern Region Task Team, together with the Ekurhuleni SAPS District CI and Hawks, intercepted the second suspect, a 37-year-old foreign male national, in connection with the fatal shooting and robbery of two (2) EMPD Officers, in the Thembisa area on 24 June.   According to EMPD, the operation's primary goal was to locate and arrest the second suspect at large, believed to be responsible for the murder and robbery of the two EMPD officers. The team successfully traced the suspect to a residence on RTJ Namane Drive, Temong section, in the Tembisa area. The suspect was subsequently detained at Tembisa South SAPS.   Charged with murder, robbery and contravention of Section 49 (1) of the Immigration Act (Act 2002 of 13), the suspect was given their constitutional rights, and was detained free from physical injuries. The suspect is expected to appear before the local Magistrates Court soon.   T...

Cape Town City FC relegated from the #BetwayPrem PSL

Image
RUSTERNBURG - Cape Town City have been relegated after their 1-0 defeat to Orbit College earlier today, Wednesday, 25 June. Coming up as favourites during the PSLPlayOffs, City failed to secure win in both encounters. Against Castric Stars, City allowed a draw while today against the College they fell to a defeat, ultimately losing their Betway Premiership status. "Today it hurts. Tomorrow marks the start of a response that’ll define us.  "Thank you for your support, Citizens. Keep your heads up. We leave with heavy hearts, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀. #iamCityFC," the Club posted. City was the remaining club to represent Cape Town after the relegation of Cape Town Spurs formerly known as Ajax Cape Town two seasons back. However, Stellenbosch FC will remain the only club in the top flight to represent the Western Cape. It is unclear whether the club will opt to move to the Mother City.

#Mthatha disaster: Floods death toll rises to 100, counting...

Image
MTHATHA - The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has confirmed that the official death toll from the recent floods has risen to 100, following additional recoveries by search teams.  The numbers are likely to increase, as there are still individuals who have been reported missing by their families and search operations continue in the affected areas. The floods, which swept through the province early this month, have caused widespread loss of life, disruption in livelihoods and significant damage in infrastructure.  “As per the latest report, 94 bodies have been positively identified and handed over to their families, while processes are ongoing to identify the six remaining bodies. OR Tambo accounts for 76 of the deceased, while Amathole is 10, Alfred Nzo five, Chris Hani five, Joe Gqabi two and Sarah Baartman two.  “Out of the 100 deceased persons, 63 are adults and 37 children of which 22 are learners,” said the provincial government in a statement on Tuesd...

President Cyril Ramaphosa visits cancer and TB drug development facility in Tshwane

Image
PRETORIA - President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted an oversight visit at the Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) facility, a one- stop-shop medical imaging facility dedicated to cancer and TB drug development and imaging- based clinical research at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. This is a world-class facility that showcases a successful partnership between the Department of Health, Department of Science and Innovation, and the University of Pretoria with significant support from the private sector. According to The Presidency, the visit highlights South Africa's commitment to scientific innovation, equitable access to healthcare, and integrated infrastructure investment. President Ramaphosa was joined by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and medical staff during hospital visit.

Ten additional SANDF officials arrested for murder and kidnapping

Image
GAUTENG - Ten additional suspects, were arrested on Monday, 23 June 2025.This comes after they handed themselves over to the Hawks investigating officers in Johannesburg. The arrests are linked to the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, who was fatally shot while driving on the N1 highway near Hammanskraal on 06 August 2023. Following the shooting, his vehicle lost control and veered into a ditch. Lieutenant Colonel Mathipa, who was attached to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State section within the Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng, was on duty conducting an investigation at the time of his death. The suspects are also linked to a case of kidnapping of two male foreign nationals at a mall in Midrand on 29 December 2022. All ten suspects including the two who were arrested yesterday are expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, 23 June 2025, where they will face charges of murder and kidnapping.

SA nationals detained in Equatorial Guinea return home

Image
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Government has welcomed the release of two South African nationals that were held in detention in Equatorial Guinea. “The Government of the Republic of South Africa welcomes the release of Mr Peter Shane Huxham and Mr Frederic Potgieter from detention in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This release follows the granting of clemency by the President of Equatorial Guinea,” said the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation on Saturday. The two South African nationals were arrested on 9 February 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison. 

Popular posts from this blog

Founder of Gift of the Givers backs KZN Police Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi ahead of President address

#RamaphosaAddress: Minister of Police placed on special leave - DETAILS

Deep house sensation Senior Oat cries for gigs, not donations