News24 South Africa

When it comes to old school and elder statesman, Jeff Radebe ticks all the boxes. From exile, MK and a stint on Robben Island, to 25 years in government, followed by the thankless task of “renewing" the party in KwaZulu-Natal. Anneliese Burgess talks to him about all this, plus his new-found love for spaghetti Bolognese, and music being first love.

In this week's Braai Briefing, Jonathan Ancer brings you nature’s gentle giants and human nutters, so grab a chop, crack a cold one, and dive into wacky stories about slimy snails, cosmic snoops, and finger-yanking lunatics in lederhosen that made international headlines this week.

Tenderpreneur Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala is a person of interest in a police investigation centred on the botched murder of socialite, influencer and actress Tebogo Thobejane in 2023. This is the latest scandal to blight his R360-million tender windfall, awarded by the same organisation investigating him for conspiracy and attempted murder. He has denied wrongdoing.

Hundreds of doctors have come out against a small group of their peers who are against gender-affirming medical practices and are instead advocating for what they call "evidence-based clinical practice".

Already endangered, local vulture populations could become casualties of South Africa's growing energy needs, conservationists have warned.

The home where missing Joshlin Smith once lived has been burnt to the ground just hours after Judge Nathan Erasmus convicted her mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her partner, Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, of kidnapping and trafficking in the Western Cape High Court on Friday.

The home where missing Joshlin Smith once lived has been burnt to the ground just hours after Judge Nathan Erasmus convicted her mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her partner, Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, of kidnapping and trafficking in the Western Cape High Court on Friday.

Xolani Khumalo, the host of the popular drug-busting show Sizok'thola, is once again embroiled in controversy. Khumalo, who was recently acquitted on murder charges, is now accused of assaulting a group of foreign nationals during an operation in Springs on 24 April.

The South African Weather Service has issued multiple warnings for Saturday, including yellow-level alerts for damaging winds, and waves, particularly along the coast and in the Northern Cape.

The man who previously confessed to starting the fire that killed 76 people at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg has testified that he made two confession statements to authorities under the influence of drugs.

While the Western Cape High Court erupted with loud cheers and clapping, a large portion of the public gallery was in tears on Friday after Judge Nathan Erasmus found the three accused guilty of the 2024 kidnapping and trafficking of little Joshlin Smith – with many still wondering where the child could be.

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Duncan Patrick Mzamo Mlaba, 63, is set to apply for bail after being accused of orchestrating a hit on his cousin, Zibuse Mlaba, a former ANC deputy provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal legislature member.

The Western Cape legislature will again invite Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane to explain the findings of a probe into the deadly George building collapse, or face a subpoena.

Sithembiso Mdlalose now claims he only took responsibility for the deadly Usindiso fire to protect his loved ones from a ruthless drug dealer who allegedly threatened to kill them if he didn't.

Before dying of pesticide poisoning, Khomotso Maleka allegedly asked her husband – the man accused of murdering her – what he had put in her food.

Racquel "Kelly" Smith has been found guilty of the 2024 kidnapping of her then-6-year-old daughter Joshlin Smith along with her partner, Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn.

The EFF has marched to an Afrikaners-only settlement in Kleinfontein, east of Pretoria, demanding the abolishment of the area as it believes it discriminates against other races.

Johannesburg residents are experiencing déjà vu after yet another fire on the M1 bridge on Thursday plunged part of the city into darkness once again.

A Walter Sisulu University residence manager accused of murdering a student will spend another few days behind bars after his bail application was postponed on Friday.