Cat Matlala Trial Begins

The trial of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused began in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, with the state identifying a Russian-model AK-47, serial number 575363, as a central piece of evidence. Matlala, a 49-year-old tenderpreneur, faces 25 charges including conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, money laundering, and fraud, all of which he … Read more

69 arrested as 23 spaza shops looted in Jeffreys Bay anti-immigrant unrest

Police arrested 69 people aged 18 to 52 on charges of public violence after an anti-immigrant march in Jeffreys Bay turned violent on Thursday morning. According to police spokeswoman Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the unrest in Oceanview resulted in the looting of at least 23 spaza shops and left one person injured and hospitalized. Law Enforcement … Read more

New SAPS Task Team to Investigate Gauteng Leader’s Murder

Acting SAPS National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has launched a multidisciplinary investigation into the murder of March and March Gauteng leader Andile Mvuyiselwa Somgaxa, following his death on July 13. Somgaxa was shot in his driveway in Greenfield, Johannesburg, on July 3 and succumbed to his injuries ten days later. The investigation is being … Read more

Outrage as Monkey Drenched in Blue Paint Sparks Animal Rights Fury

A vervet monkey in Nelson Mandela Bay has been found covered from head to tail in blue paint, an act that animal welfare advocates identify as a form of illegal cruelty. Monkey Matters Eastern Cape, which spotted the primate in Deer Park on Sunday, reports that the animal is currently struggling as it attempts to … Read more

Gatvol Techie Launches ‘FokOffMense’ App to Block Spam Calls

IT specialist Mathew Riddle has launched a mobile application named FokOffMense, designed to help South Africans identify and report spam callers. The app, which went live in early July, allows users to log spam numbers and file formal requests under the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), providing a pathway to escalate non-compliant companies to … Read more

From Gang Boss to Redemption: A Journey of Change

Byron Ashton, a 33-year-old former gang leader from Ocean View, Cape Town, has renounced his criminal past to focus on youth mentorship and fatherhood. After founding the Junky Funky Kidz (JFK) gang in 2014 and spending years in a cycle of violence, Ashton stated he abandoned gangsterism in 2023 following a near-fatal shooting by his … Read more

New SARS Travel Declaration: What South Africans Need to Know

South Africans and international visitors must now complete a compulsory online traveller declaration before traveling into or out of the country. Introduced by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on July 1, 2026, the digital requirement applies to most air, road, sea, and rail travelers to modernize customs and reduce border delays. Who is required … Read more

Amnesty International Warns Anti-Migrant Protests Risk Deadly Xenophobia

Amnesty International South Africa has issued an urgent call for stronger political leadership to address rising xenophobia and a growing climate of intimidation against foreign nationals. The organization warned that South Africa risks repeating some of its darkest chapters if decisive action is not taken against private groups currently mobilizing to enforce immigration laws. The … Read more

Route Negotiations Ongoing Ahead of Planned Protest

The “March and March” protest is set to proceed in Durban on 30 June, despite ongoing disagreements between organizers and city officials regarding the route. While Durban Metro Police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu confirmed that agreement was reached to start the march at King Dinuzulu Park, the final destination remains contested. City officials have proposed … Read more

South Africa’s Reading Crisis: Millions of Children Struggle with Literacy

New data from the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS) reveals that 70% of South African learners in Grades 1 to 3 are not reading at grade level in their home language. The study, which assessed 27,800 learners across 710 schools, highlights a significant literacy crisis that has prompted national debate … Read more