HONOR South Africa today (21 May 2026) introduces the highly anticipated HONOR 600 Series, featuring the HONOR 600 Pro and HONOR 600, at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, during an immersive launch event.

At the launch event, a selection of football stars such as Oswin Appolis, Ricardo Goss, Vincent Pule, and many others, including Bafana Bafana Head Coach Hugo Broos participated in a host of activities and challenges centred around HONOR’s 600 Series upgraded flagship feature, AI Image to video 2.0.

The new series brings together a flagship-level 200MP Ultra-Clear AI Night Camera, industry-exclusive AI Image to Video 2.0, a segment-leading 7,000mAh Long-life Battery and Snapdragon flagship-class processors, all housed within the most refined design in HONOR Number Series history. The HONOR 600 brings flagship-level AI imaging and strong daily performance to more users, while the HONOR 600 Pro takes the experience further with enhanced zoom, telephoto capability and Snapdragon 8 Elite performance.

Redefining Mobile Creativity with Industry-Exclusive AI Image to Video 2.0

The HONOR 600 Series introduces AI Image to Video 2.0, an industry-exclusive feature that allows users to transform still images into dynamic video content using natural language prompts and built-in templates. Users can combine up to three images with natural language prompts to produce stunning 3 or 5 second sequence where user can define both opening and ending frames for full narrative control and access extensive library of cinematic templates for stylized film-quality results in a single tap. For more creative control, free-style mode lets users describe the video they want and allow AI to bring the idea to life.

The dedicated AI Button gives quick access to AI imaging tools, including AI Image to Video and AI Photos Agent. With AI Photos Agent, users can edit images through natural language instructions, making changes such as removing passers-by or reflections without needing to move between multiple apps.

The Segment's Most Powerful Night Camera System

At the centre of the HONOR 600 Series is its flagship-level 200MP Ultra-Clear AI Night Camera, designed to deliver exceptional clarity, depth and low-light performance. Building on the 200MPultra-clear imaging legacy of the HONOR 400 Series, the HONOR 600 Series takes on one of mobile photography’s toughest challenges: night imaging. Powered by HONOR’s next-generation AiMAGE intelligent imaging architecture, the camera system is supported by advanced AI night algorithms that help preserve natural skin tones, accurate lighting and scene depth in more challenging conditions.

HONOR 600 Pro takes things further with CIPA 6.5 stabilisation on its telephoto lens. The HONOR 600 Pro also features a 50MP 3.5X Periscope Telephoto Camera, extending reach up to 120x zoom for users who want to capture distant details with impressive clarity. The HONOR 600 is built for users who want advanced AI imaging, strong battery life and smooth everyday performance. The HONOR 600 Pro adds a higher-performance camera system, more reach and flagship-class processing power for users who want more control from their mobile device.

Flagship-level Performance with Exceptional Battery Life and Built-In Resilience

Beyond imaging, the HONOR 600 Series is built for speed and staying power. Powered by Snapdragon flagship-class processors, including Snapdragon 8 Elite on the HONOR 600 Pro, the series delivers smooth performance across multitasking, gaming, streaming, editing and content creation. The series is equipped with a 7,000mAh Long-life Battery, the largest in the HONOR Number Series. Paired with 80W HONOR Super Charge, the device is designed to reduce downtime and keep users connected throughout the day.

The HONOR 600 Series raises the visual bar with a 6.57-inch display reaching 8,000nits peak brightness. Sunlight Mode sustains outdoor clarity through an enhanced brightness curve, optimized thermal management, and dynamic APL-based brightness adjustment — delivering up to 4,000nits at 20% APL. HONOR Eye Comfort Display balances this brilliance with long-term viewing comfort through intelligent brightness and colour optimization.

A display of these capable demands equally robust protection. IP68, IP69, and IP69K water and dust resistance, together with SGS 5-star Premium Performance Certification of Drop & Crush, ensure the device holds up against splashes, dust, drops, and the unpredictability of everyday life.

The HONOR 600 Pro steps up to the Snapdragon 8 Elite on 3nm process technology, achieving 45% CPU and 44% GPU improvements — true flagship-level responsiveness across demanding applications and multitasking. Underpinning the entire experience, the HONOR 600 runs on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 with 27% CPU and 30% GPU gains for powerful gaming and fluid daily performance.

Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration and Intelligent Google Gemini Assistant

The HONOR 600 Series also extends beyond itself as a perfect companion to the Apple ecosystem. Upgraded connectivity feature enables instant file sharing with iPhone and Mac, hotspot sharing, and Apple Watch message display. The HONOR 600 series with Google Gemini, empowers users to interact seamlessly via text, voice, or image for comprehensive assistance on the go. This marks a significant step towards building a truly intelligent AI assistant – one that is conversational, intuitive, and genuinely helpful.

“The HONOR 600 Series reflects where smartphone innovation is moving, with AI that feels useful, camera technology that supports real creativity and performance that keeps up with the way people live,” said Fred Zhou, CEO of HONOR South Africa. “South Africans are creating, sharing and connecting across more moments than ever before, and the HONOR 600 Series brings flagship-level imaging, long-lasting power and intelligent tools into a phone that feels both powerful and practical.”

All-scenario products

 HONOR Watch6: HONOR Watch 6 features over 120 professional sports modes, including Soccer Mode, Trail Running Mode, etc. It can also facilitate health monitoring with blood pressure, heart rate testing, cardiac health screening. The HONOR Watch 6 can ensure 35 days usage. HONOR Watch6 is priced at R4499, available from July.

 HONOR CHOICE Mousebuds Pro: This is an innovative 2-in-1 device that combines a wireless mouse with built-in charging for true wireless earbuds, bringing productivity and mobility into one compact design. HONOR MouseBuds will be available from June onwards at R699.

 HONOR Earbuds 4: The HONOR Earbuds 4 adopts an in-ear design for wear comfort. It features AI Translation and a 46-hr battery life, 50dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation with Dual Ti-coated drivers. The HONOR Earbuds 4 will be available from July priced atR999.

 HONOR Choice Headphones: The HONOR CHOICE Headphones deliver an authentic, studio-grade listening experience powered by certified Hi-Res Audio and a premium 40mm driver unit. It will be available from June onwards at R699.With the HONOR 600 Series, HONOR brings together advanced AI capabilities, refined design and powerful smartphone features in a way that feels ready for daily use. From night photography and cinematic content creation to all-day battery life and flagship-class speed, the HONOR 600 Pro and HONOR 600 are built for South Africans who want technology that does more than keep up.

HONOR 600 Pro available in Golden White and Orange for a RRP of R19 999 or from R799x36months and The HONOR 600 will be available in Orange and Black for a RRP of R14 999 or from R549x36 months.

Consumers who purchase the HONOR 600 Series will be able to receive free redeemable gifts worth up to R8287 – Consumers who purchase and HONOR 600 Series will receive an HONOR CHOICE Earbuds Clip Valued at R1999 and an HONOR CHOICE Watch 2i Valued at R999.

This also includes a 365-days accidental damage protection for HONOR 600 Series Devices worth R3999. And lastly a Free Google AI Pro with 5TB of cloud storage for 3 months (This is for first time users only) – that is worth R429.99. The gift promotional offer is limited to the HONOR 600 Pro and HONOR 600 valid from 8 June until 8 July 2026.

Luke Baartman has experienced the frustration of being down the pecking order at Kaizer Chiefs, which is why he is determined to work his way to the top next season, starting with pre-season.

Baartman had a lukewarm start to life at Chiefs this season. He made only six appearances, with most of those coming from the bench.

While he has shown flashes of brilliance with his quick feet, dribbling ability and link-up play up front, he still has no goal contribution to show for his efforts so far this campaign.

Baartman's barren run has been unlike his exploits in his first season in top-flight football at Cape Town Spurs, where he won hearts and was tipped as one of the country’s brightest future prospects.

Baartman, though, understands that the only way he can improve his chances of playing is through hard work at training and on the pitch.

“It’s good being a Kaizer Chiefs player, but it’s been tough for me not playing,” Baartman said. “There’s a lot of competition in the team, so I just need to continue working hard at training and on the field, and leave the rest up to the coaches.

“When I arrived, the team was doing well, even though there were ups and downs like anywhere,” Baartman reflected. “If the coaches had given me more chances, I think I would have done better.”

Having only arrived at Chiefs towards the end of the year, Baartman also understandably struggled to hit the ground running due to the unfamiliar, fast-paced life of Johannesburg.

“I am the youngest player in the team,” the 19-year-old said. “So, coming to Johannesburg, I realised that things and life are a bit faster this side compared to Cape Town. I am not going out much, but I am getting used to it.”

Baartman’s teammates in his age group, notably Mfundo Vilakazi, have already earned fan-favourite status due to their early popularity and impressive performances. He is not envious of them, though, but encouraged.

“When the people playing ahead of me are doing well, I also do well,” Baartman explained.

Given the fact that Baartman arrived at Chiefs after pre-season, following the club’s contractual dispute with his former team Spurs, he is set to be part of the full pre-season programme for the upcoming campaign. That is why he wants to grab the opportunity with both hands.

“Going with the team to pre-season would allow me to showcase what I can do from the start of the season, which is my best,” Baartman explained.

Baartman can still end the season on a high. He could finally get the monkey off his back by contributing in the team’s season finale against Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

A win in that match would ensure that Chiefs finish the season with 57 points, matching their best tally when they finished second during the 2019/20 season, while further cementing their third-place finish in style.

Chippa will not be easy opponents. They desperately need three points to move away from the relegation/promotion play-off spot and safely retain their top-flight status ahead of the new season.

“We all know that Chippa are in a slippery position. They are going to come with everything they have to win the game,” Baartman said. “We have already secured third place, but we have to go out and play our best on Saturday.

“We have been working on the same approach from the start of the season. So, it will really be up to them on how they approach the game.”

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has praised his side’s maturity, squad depth, and willingness to stay on task after South Africa opened the U20 International Series with an overwhelming defeat of Chile at Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town on Thursday.

While the 97-0 scoreline underlined the Junior Boks’ attacking class, Foote said he was especially pleased with how the team stuck to its plan and handled the occasion with composure.

“I am happy with the result, but for me it was more about the maturity of the group,” said Foote.

“In a game like that, your plan can perhaps get a little loose, but I thought the players managed it well.

“We only got together on Monday, so for a lot of these guys it was an important chance to put up their hands, both for the Junior World Championship and for the future.”

Foote also pointed to the depth that has been built across the wider Junior Bok group, saying the team’s ability to make numerous changes without losing fluency was the result of months of planning and alignment.

The SA U20 coach credited the schools, provincial unions, and SA Rugby’s pathway structures for creating opportunities for players to come into camp, return from injury, and become familiar with the side’s systems.

“A lot of the credit must go to the system around these players,” Foote said.

“Most of the squad members have come in and out of camps during the year, and that time together is invaluable. There is a lot of talent in this group, but if they don’t play together, they don’t get to know each other, and they don’t learn how we want to play. The schools, the unions, and SA Rugby have all played a big part in that.”

Foote was equally encouraged by the contributions of players who grabbed their opportunities, highlighting the impact of squad members outside the initial selection arena who have stayed patient, as well as the value of welcoming back players from injury.

“Some of the players who came in showed they have got big futures ahead of them – they stayed hungry and kept working, and that is exactly what you want to see,” Foote said.

“It was also great to have players back from injury, such as Pieter van der Merwe, for instance. Rehab can be a lonely place, so when someone returns and contributes from both a playing and leadership point of view, that is a real positive for us.”

Despite the lopsided score, Foote insisted the outing still offered valuable lessons: “There were good things in the performance, but we want to keep pushing. Chile don’t always get the same opportunities that we do, but they brought fight, line speed, and real effort.

"We are grateful to them for being here. Fiji and Georgia will also test us in different ways, so there is still a lot for us to work on.”

South Africa’s next assignment in the U20 International Series is against Fiji at Wynberg Boys’ High School on Tuesday, while Chile will face Georgia earlier in the day.

While much of the build-up to Sunday’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has centred around marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge and arguably the strongest international field ever assembled on African soil, South Africa’s leading runners will arrive carrying quiet belief that another upset could be brewing.

That confidence has only grown after the breakthrough victory of Arthur Jantjies at last month’s Two Oceans Marathon, where the previously little-known ultra specialist stunned a stacked elite field to win one of the country’s most prestigious road races in 3:09:25.

Jantjies is not part of Sunday’s marathon field, but his remarkable victory served as a timely reminder that local runners are still capable of challenging more established international stars on the biggest occasions. The scale of the challenge awaiting South Africa’s marathon hopefuls in Cape Town, however, is immense.

The elite men’s field includes eight athletes who have run faster than 2:05, led by Kipchoge, the former world record-holder and two-time Olympic marathon champion whose 2:01:09 personal best makes him the fastest athlete in the race’s history. Ethiopia’s Mohamed Esa, Israel’s Maru Teferi and a deep contingent of Kenyan and Ethiopian contenders ensure the pace is likely to be relentless from the start.

Yet South Africa’s runners will see opportunity in that intensity.

Leading the local charge is veteran Stephen Mokoka, whose résumé still commands enormous respect both locally and internationally. Mokoka is a three-time Cape Town Marathon winner and former South African marathon record-holder, and his 2:06:42 personal best remains one of the fastest times ever run by a South African.

At 40, Mokoka may no longer be considered among the outright favourites for victory, but his experience and tactical intelligence could prove invaluable in a race expected to go out at near course-record pace thanks to the inclusion of pacesetters like SA half-marathon record-holder Adriaan Wildshutt.

Alongside Mokoka, Desmond Mokgobu brings proven international pedigree, having previously clocked 2:09:13 in Valencia, while Bennett Seloyi continues to emerge as one of the country’s promising marathon talents after his breakthrough 2:13 performance in Kimberley last year.

Another intriguing local storyline comes in the form of marathon debutant Anthony Timoteus. The Cape Town-based athlete owns a rapid 28:48 10km personal best and now steps up to the classic distance against one of the deepest marathon fields seen anywhere in the world this year.

For South African runners, Sunday’s race represents more than just a shot at prize money or fast times. With the Cape Town Marathon edging ever closer to becoming Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major, strong local performances would reinforce South Africa’s long-standing reputation as one of the continent’s great distance-running nations.

And after Jantjies’ unforgettable Two Oceans breakthrough, local runners will believe the gap between underdog and superstar may not be as wide as many think.

The Lions’ build-up to next weekend’s historic United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Leinster has been heavily overshadowed by a serious injury blow to Springbok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen confirmed this week that Van den Berg — affectionately known as “Krappie” — underwent surgery on Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined for between four to six months.

The 27-year-old’s prolonged absence is a massive setback not only for the Lions ahead of their daunting trip to Dublin, but also for the Springboks as the international season rapidly approaches.

Van Rooyen revealed at a media briefing on Friday morning that Van den Berg (biceps) and explosive loose forward Ruan Venter (knee) were both facing lengthy spells on the sidelines after undergoing surgery this week.

“Both Krappie and Ruan were operated on Wednesday,” Van Rooyen said. “The operations went well, fortunately. Both of them are out for quite a bit. Unfortunately, with Krappie it looks to be four to six months, if I have that correct. So it’s a big blow.”

The Lions coach admitted that the injuries, coupled with the confirmation of Springbok tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s long-term suspension, had robbed the franchise of experienced match-day leaders.

“We will probably have to share responsibility a little bit more throughout the pack and throughout the team to get us momentum and stop momentum,” he noted.

There was, however, encouraging news surrounding captain and number eight Francke Horn alongside influential centre Henco van Wyk. The crucial pairing both completed light running sessions this week as they continue their respective recoveries from injury, and Van Rooyen remains highly hopeful they will be certified fit to face the Irish giants in the Lions’ first-ever URC quarter-final appearance.

“Francke and Henco van Wyk did a light running session yesterday to see where they are,” he explained. “I think they passed that session, so they’ll gradually keep on improving. At this stage, it looks like they might be ready for next weekend.”

The Lions also received a further positive medical update on utility back Richard Kriel, who has recovered well after sustaining a recent head knock.

THE GHOST, as Orlando Pirates supporters are affectionately known in football circles, have played their part as a driving force this season pushing their players to a stage where it is literally in their hands to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as Betway Premiership champions.

Last weekend Pirates only needed to win against newly-crowned Nedbank Cup champions Durban City to be crowned Premiership champions for the first time in 14 years.

The Ghost yet again played their part snapping up tickets early to grace the Orlando Amstel Arena with another sold out crowd — a common factor to Pirates' title charge this season.

It was the players who dropped the ball failing to score, resulting to a 0-0 draw that left them with a must win final day outing against relegation-threatend Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon — another sold-out fixture.

The Ghost have been consistent in their determination to turn even away games into home fixtures through their attendance. 

The fact that Pirates opened the season by bagging the first two trophies — the MTN8 and Carling Knockout — must have influenced the fans' record attendance. 

Should Pirates win on Saturday, they will finish with 69 points — their highest-ever points tally in a 30-game PSL season.

They have already set a new club record of 66 points, surpassing the previous benchmark of 61 recorded in the 2002/03 and 2024/25 seasons. Other records either broken or matched by Pirates so far this season include:

• Most goals: They broke the club's PSL-era scoring a record of 52 goals (set in 2004/2005) by exceeding 53 goals with matches still to play.

• Defensive milestones: They recorded 18 clean sheets in 27 matches — a testament to their defensive strength — even though there were times when their first-choice goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine, was not at his best.

• Consecutive wins: In February 2026, they achieved eight consecutive wins. That purple patch featured eight clean sheets across all competitions.

Central to the club’s success are two giants, though they are among the shortest players in the squad — and possibly the whole league.

Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis have earned the title of talismans this season, and as well they are expected to dominate nominations in the season ending PSL Awards.

A player like Patrick Maswanganyi has also played a key role, with the likes of Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa rising to the occasion. Mofokeng, Appollis, and Maswanganyi have scored a combined 25+ goals to fuel this record-breaking run.

A bit of history that should worry Pirates' rivals is that the last time the Buccaneers won the league title, they recorded a domestic treble for two seasons running.

Keanu Cupido cannot afford to drop his head ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns’ crucial CAF Champions League final second leg after being a notable exclusion from Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced his 32-member preliminary squad on Thursday night for the upcoming global showpiece in North America next month and, while there were no major surprises in the selection, Cupido was among the most prominent absentees.

The Johannesburg-born defender is currently enjoying his finest season at Sundowns. He has worked tirelessly — including repeatedly putting his body on the line — at centre-back in the team’s pursuit of silverware, particularly the Champions League.

After being injured in the 1–1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership, coach Miguel Cardoso initially ruled him out for the remainder of the season. However, he made a surprise return to the starting line-up in the 1–0 victory over AS FAR in the Champions League final first leg at home, delivering yet another incredibly solid performance.

𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗟 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 👆

Built for this! The Brazilians step into the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL final with sharpened focus, lessons learned, and everything pointing to one goal, the second star 🙌 #Sundowns… pic.twitter.com/yKmgLTN4cu

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 21, 2026

During the post-match mixed zone deep in the bowels of Loftus Versfeld, Cupido revealed that he played the match under heavy medication to numb the pain in his shoulder — a massive risk he did not mind taking as long as he helped the team achieve their target.

Given his hard work, talent, and ultimate professionalism, many — including Sundowns’ 2016 Champions League winner Wayne Arendse — tipped him to be a certainty for Bafana’s final World Cup travelling squad.

“Cupido has been one of the guys who has been performing,” Arendse told Independent Media a day before the preliminary squad announcement. “He even started the Champions League final first leg after fears of him being injured, so that shows how much they regard him. I personally think he should be there.”

Cupido simply cannot afford to sulk or moan now. At 28 years old, he can still realistically target at least two more World Cup cycles.

For now, his primary focus must remain entirely on helping Sundowns produce another monolithic defensive display at what promises to be a highly hostile Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday (9pm kick-off) as they chase an elusive second continental crown.

The phrase "Parliament should not be turned into 'Phalament'" has set the political landscape ablaze in South Africa.

This coined term is a direct reference to the ongoing scandal surrounding President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm, where questions of ethics, accountability, and legal processes are proving to be a complex web for the nation’s legislative body.

The Constitutional Court recently ruled that Parliament’s decision to reject the independent panel report on the robbery at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm was unconstitutional. As a result, Parliament must now form an impeachment committee to investigate the matter.

Tensions are already disrupting proceedings.

Last week, parties within the Progressive Alliance, including the MK Party and the EFF, walked out of the National Assembly after Speaker Thoko Didiza refused to debate a motion of no confidence against the president.

MK Party chief whip Mmabatho Nthabiseng Mokoena-Zondi and EFF chief whip Nontando Nolutshungu have both argued that it cannot be "business as usual" while the president faces impeachment and allegations of constitutional disrespect. Additionally, ATM MP Vuyo Zungula recently accused the Speaker of protecting the president after his own request for a motion of no confidence was rejected.

History suggests that when ethical or constitutional matters involving a president remain unresolved, they become a catalyst for disruption, much like the Nkandla controversy did during the Zuma era.

Analysts warn that the Phala Phala issue is likely to continue dominating the agenda, potentially leading to further chaos and boycotts in Parliament.

Political commentator Anda Mbikwa warned that the ramifications of the Phala Phala matter extend beyond mere reputational damage for Ramaphosa; they threaten the very institutional fabric of South Africa’s constitutional democracy. 

''It is institutional for South Africa’s constitutional democracy. What began as a controversy over undeclared foreign currency and questions of executive accountability now risks evolving into a prolonged legitimacy crisis for Parliament itself. South Africans have seen this pattern before.

''During the Jacob Zuma era, the Nkandla scandal ceased to be simply about the misuse of public funds for private benefit. It became a symbol of state institutions appearing either unwilling or unable to hold executive power accountable.

''The consequence was years of parliamentary paralysis, procedural disruption, and a gradual erosion of public confidence in democratic oversight.''

He said: "The longer unresolved ethical questions linger around the presidency, the greater the incentive for opposition formations to weaponise parliamentary procedure and public spectacle.''

However, he warns that the comparison with Nkandla must also be approached with nuance.

''The Ramaphosa administration differs fundamentally from the Zuma years in both political culture and institutional context. Under Zuma, the crisis was exacerbated by repeated findings from constitutional bodies, judicial rebukes, and a growing perception that the executive was openly defiant of accountability mechanisms.

"The Constitutional Court’s judgment on Nkandla ultimately transformed a political scandal into a constitutional watershed. Phala Phala, while deeply damaging politically, has not yet produced the same scale of constitutional rupture.

''Yet perceptions matter as much as legal outcomes in democratic politics. Even absent criminal conviction, unresolved controversy corrodes political authority.

''A president who governs under a permanent cloud of suspicion loses moral leverage, particularly in a society already burdened by declining trust in institutions, economic frustration, and deep inequality.

''Ultimately, the lesson from Nkandla is not simply that scandals endure, but that unresolved accountability weakens the legitimacy of democratic institutions over time.

''The danger is therefore cumulative: Parliament risks becoming trapped in a cycle where governance is continuously overshadowed by procedural conflict, while substantive national priorities — economic reform, energy security, unemployment, and state capacity — recede into the background, '' he added.

Kenneth Kgwadi, another prominent analyst, highlights the risk of normalising a culture of parliamentary warfare, recalling how the ANC’s majority under Zuma shielded him from accountability. 

"We learned during the Zuma years how parliament was turned into a 'political warfare' because most MPs felt that the ANC, which held the majority, used every trick to protect Zuma. It was true. The only option was to approach the apex court, which rescued the parliament against the acts of totalitarianism.

'Today, we see the same conduct by the ANC, which uses party loyalty to override the country's Constitution by undermining the parliament's constitutional obligations."

Kenneth reiterates that the job of the member of parliament is to make, amend, and repeal laws as well as hold the executive accountable.

"The recent apex court judgment proves that the parliament failed to do its work. They have been ordered to deal with the PhalaPhalaGate differently from how they've done in the past.

"The refusal of Thoko Didiza to the motion put forth by ATM is an attempt to protect Cyril Ramaphosa from being embarrassed by easy removal. What Didiza (should) understand is that the political environment has drastically changed where the ANC no longer holds a majority and that Cyril does not have control over his party; the centre no longer holds.

''The opposition is united against Ramaphosa, and the DA's leader speaks of upholding accountability; this would be a good chance to test their assertion.

''In short, not dealing with the Phala Phala matter will affect the internal and external image of the parliament,' he added.

According to IOL, Didiza, in rejecting the ATM request, referred to Assembly Rule 129(2), which states that the Speaker must accord a motion of no confidence due priority and consult with the Leader of Government Business and the Chief Whip before scheduling it.

She also cited Rule 129(3), which requires that such a motion comply with all relevant laws, House rules and directives approved by the Rules Committee.

Didiza said the motion must also clearly state the grounds on which the proposed vote of no confidence is based.

“In keeping with Rule 129(3) and (4), I am declining this submission as the grounds contained in the motion are the subject matter the Assembly is already seized with, as directed in the judgment of the Constitutional Court in Economic Freedom Fighters and Another v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others (2026) ZACC 17,” Didiza said.

She added that the matter relating to the theft at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm had already been referred to the impeachment committee for further inquiry in terms of Assembly rules.

Former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo presided over a panel that determined Ramaphosa had questions to answer about the alleged theft of $580,000 hidden in a sofa at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in February 2020.

ActionSA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Cllr Xolani Khumalo has accused the South African Police Service (SAPS) of granting illegal foreign spaza shop operators “undue access and influence” within policing processes after he allegedly encountered Ethiopian, Somali, and Bangladeshi nationals engaging with officers at Vosloorus Police Station during an active investigation linked to the Mazwi Kubheka case.

Khumalo said he visited the station on Wednesday, May 20, to request a briefing on the status of the investigation into Kubheka’s disappearance before proceeding to visit the 27-year-old businessman at the invitation of his family following his discharge from hospital.

However, Khumalo said he was left alarmed after encountering foreign nationals allegedly engaging with police officials as “purported stakeholders”.

“It is concerning that upon my arrival, I was confronted by Ethiopian, Somali, and Bangladeshi nationals who were engaging with police officials as purported stakeholders. This reflects the extent to which foreign interests are gaining undue access and influence within our law enforcement processes,” Khumalo said.

He further questioned the legitimacy of such engagement, arguing that police are effectively sidelining South African entrepreneurs while allowing foreign operators access to policing structures.

“Communities across Ekurhuleni have expressed growing outrage that the South African Police Service (SAPS) continues to recognise and engage with forums of illegal foreign Spaza Shop operators, many of whom are regularly seen convening at police stations. Law enforcement should not be wasting public resources entertaining these groups.”

Khumalo insisted that SAPS priorities should shift away from engagement and focus on enforcement action.

“Their priority must be to arrest, investigate, and pursue the deportation of those operating outside the law,” he said.

He warned that the alleged legitimisation of illegal foreign operators is directly harming local economic participation.

“By granting legitimacy to illegal foreign operators, SAPS is effectively sidelining the constitutional rights and economic livelihoods of South African small business owners.”

The mayoral candidate linked the issue to broader unemployment pressures and the struggle of township entrepreneurs, arguing that the spaza shop sector should serve as a key entry point for youth economic participation.

“It was a grave policy failure to allow control of the Spaza Shop sector to slip into the hands of foreign nationals,” Khumalo said.

ActionSA has now announced plans to intensify its campaign in Ekurhuleni, saying it intends to push for what it calls the “reclamation” of the spaza shop sector.

“In the coming weeks, we will escalate our campaign with a clear, actionable plan to reclaim the Spaza Shop sector in Ekurhuleni. Our objective is unambiguous: by the conclusion of this campaign, every Spaza Shop operating in the region must be under South African ownership.”

Khumalo also confirmed a personal intervention to assist Vosloorus businessman Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka, whose disappearance sparked widespread concern in the community.

Kubheka resurfaced earlier this month after being missing for nearly a month. Police said the case remains under investigation.

“I will be making a substantial personal donation to Mazwi Kubheka’s business. When he has recovered and is ready to resume operations, his shop will be fully restocked and positioned to serve the community as it should, under South African hands,” Khumalo said.

Police investigations into Kubheka’s disappearance are ongoing, with authorities yet to confirm any arrests linked to the case.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Independent Media has noted recent public commentary following the appointment of former The Star editor, Sifiso Mahlangu, as spokesperson for the Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party.

Mahlangu resigned from his position as editor of The Star on 6 May 2026 to pursue opportunities outside Independent Media. At the time of his resignation, he did not disclose his intention to join a political organisation, nor did he indicate the nature of his future employment.

In light of the public discourse that has since emerged, Independent Media unequivocally reaffirms its long-standing editorial principles and policies. Independent Media maintains a strict and non-negotiable policy that no editor, journalist, or employee may hold office in, actively represent, or publicly advance the interests of any political party while employed within our editorial operations. Editorial independence and political neutrality remain fundamental to the credibility and integrity of our newsroom.

Where evidence has emerged in the past of employees occupying positions within political organisations while employed in editorial roles, decisive action has been taken in accordance with company policy. As one of South Africa’s leading newspaper publishers, with a proud heritage spanning 16 newspaper titles — some dating back nearly 180 years — Independent Media remains firmly committed to fair, balanced, independent and objective journalism in the public interest. We reject any suggestion that our editorial platforms serve the interests of any political party or political agenda.

*Senekal de Wet is Editor-in-Chief, Independent Media

Independent Media and MK Party have firmly rejected the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) claims about the former Star editor Sifiso Mahlangu’s alleged involvement in the establishment of the party while at the helm of the title. 

Independent Media clarified that Mahlangu resigned without disclosing his political plans, while the MK Party described the allegations as false and reckless. 

Mahlangu resigned from his position on May 6, 2026. 

He was announced as the spokesperson for the MK Party on Monday.

The allegations that Mahlangu was secretly involved with the MK Party from its inception surfaced immediately following his appointment, leading to SANEF expressing concern that he was allegedly involved with the party while simultaneously occupying one of the most senior positions in South African journalism. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sanef said that any blurring of the lines between journalism and party politics, fundamentally undermines public confidence in the media, and severely damages the integrity of the profession as a whole.

Responding to the allegations, Independent Media highlighted its longstanding commitment to its core editorial policies and principles. 

“Independent Media maintains a strict and non-negotiable policy that no editor, journalist, or employee may hold office in, actively represent, or publicly advance the interests of any political party while employed within our editorial operations,” said Independent Editor-in-Chief Adri Senekal de Wet.

“Editorial independence and political neutrality remain fundamental to the credibility and integrity of our newsroom,” she added. 

She said that where evidence has emerged in the past of employees occupying positions within political organisations while employed in editorial roles, decisive action has been taken in accordance with company policy.

In 2014, Independent Media fired the late Business Report journalist Donwald Pressly after discovering he had applied to be on the DA parliamentary candidate list. He was found guilty of violating the company’s code of ethics by failing to disclose his political intentions.

Meanwhile, MK Party's head of media and communications, Sipho Tyira, said Mahlangu was only appointed by the MK Party’s President, Jacob Zuma, following a meeting with party officials, adding that he had no prior involvement in the party’s formation or operations.

Tyira added that the party views SANEF’s statement as a 'serious lapse in judgement by a non-governmental organisation that positions itself as a guardian of journalistic ethics'.

“SANEF is not a regulator, yet it continues to issue public pronouncements that carry institutional weight, without consistently applying the basic standards of verification and balance. The MK Party questions why SANEF has not raised similar concerns regarding Songezo Zibi, now the leader of Rise Mzansi and former editor of Business Day,” he said. 

“The MK Party further notes that SANEF should focus on addressing allegations related to its own leadership, such as Special Investigating Unit-related findings involving SANEF’s Chairperson, who was also an editor of the Sunday Times.

"These matters relate to allegations that the National Lotteries Commission funds, intended to serve the poor, were allegedly directed toward the payment of a private residence,” said Tyira.

He said that SANEF 'should also occupy itself with advocating for fair remuneration for black journalists, who continue to raise concerns about inequality in pay, compared to their white counterparts'.

“At a minimum, SANEF must reflect on the seriousness of issuing public statements based on inference and assumption, while also failing to observe basic procedural fairness, such as providing a right of reply to Cde Mahlangu,” Tyira said.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has finally announced his 32-member preliminary squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns boasting the highest representation, while Kaizer Chiefs players also made a rare appearance.

Broos is set to announce his final squad on May 27 at the Union Buildings, which could include up to 26 players, with a minimum of 23.

In the provisional squad announced by Broos on Thursday night, there were no major surprises. His main suppliers over the past few years, Pirates and Sundowns, dominated the list with nine players each.

The strong presence of the two teams reflects their dominance this season. Pirates are in line to win three domestic trophies, which would be completed by the Betway Premiership after already winning the MTN8 and Carling Knockout respectively. Sundowns, meanwhile, are on course to win the CAF Champions League crown.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces preliminary 2026 FIFA World Cup squad #BafanaPride@adidasfootball @adidasza @rexona_sa @standardbankza @10betza @freddyhirschsa @flysaa @honorza @castlelagersa @cocacolaza @sabcsport @nutritechfit @southernsunhotels @sociosdotcom pic.twitter.com/5VHfF59kep

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 21, 2026

Chiefs, who have been overlooked by Broos in the past, have four representatives: Thabiso Monyane, Brandon Petersen, Bradley Cross and Lebohang Maboe.

Petersen’s inclusion has created a potential goalkeeping selection headache for Broos, who has also picked his previous mainstay goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, and Ricardo Goss.

Petersen has been in fine form for Chiefs, helping his team secure a third-place finish in the league. His performances have sparked debate over which two goalkeepers Broos will select between him, Chaine and Goss, to deputise No 1 and captain Williams at the global showpiece.

Meanwhile, there was no place for Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido in Broos’ preliminary squad, despite calls for the centre-back to be included after impressive displays in Sundowns’ bid to win the continental crown.

Goss, who was speaking during Siwelele’s media open day in Johannesburg this week ahead of their season finale away to Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon (3pm) admitted that he dreams of being part of the team that’ll represent the nation in North America next month.

“I think it's every footballer's dream to represent the country, especially at the World Cup, so it's also been my dream to actually take part in the World Cup, so no pressure,” Goss explained.

Goss knows that it won’t be easy to get the nod for the final squad, stressing that Broos will have a selection headache given the quality at his disposal.

Chaine has enjoyed a dream season at Orlando Pirates, keeping a record-extending 20 clean sheets so far in the team’s Betway Premiership title challenge, while Petersen has been a knight in shining armour for Chiefs, with his 15 clean sheets helping secure third place for his side.

“Obviously it's been difficult (to compete for a spot),” Goss said. “I think you can see the quality of goalkeeping this season has gone up a bit.

“You can even see the number of clean sheets has increased. I don't think we've had more than 15 clean sheets per goalkeeper for three goalkeepers in one season – I'm not sure about that record.”

The rise in goalkeeping standards augurs well for Bafana, given that in the past some called for top-flight clubs to avoid selecting foreign goalkeepers in order to help curb the shortage of quality goalkeepers for the national team.

Orlando Pirates have already enjoyed immense success at the Mbombela Stadium twice this season, which is why they will be eager to make it three victories in succession in their most important game of the campaign on Saturday.

Pirates could be crowned Betway Premiership champions if they beat Orbit College at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off) — ending a painful 14-year league title drought.

Besides their obvious superiority on paper, the Mbombela turf has already been incredibly kind to Pirates during their two previous visits this season.

Pirates began their memorable run in the City of the Rising Sun by beating Stellenbosch FC 3–0 in the MTN8 final late last year to win a record-extending fourth consecutive MTN8 crown. Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis were the undisputed stars of the night, with the duo coming off the bench to make direct contributions through goals, assists, or both.

𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓

🆚 @mswenkoboyz (A)
🗓 Saturday,23 May 2026
🏟 Mbombela Stadium

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/43Mr0D06vr

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 19, 2026

That memorable night in Mbombela seemingly laid the perfect foundation for Pirates to build a powerhouse domestic season. They have since won the Carling Knockout and are now on the brink of being officially crowned the undisputed kings of local football.

Pirates’ relentless march towards the title was also boosted by their emphatic 6–0 win over TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium earlier this year.

The Relebohile Mofokeng-led, five-star performance not only secured three vital points for Pirates, but it also gave them a massive psychological morale boost in the title race while Mamelodi Sundowns looked determined to close in on a record-extending ninth successive title.

With all roads leading to Nelspruit on Saturday afternoon, Pirates and the Ghost will be highly confident of ending their season exactly the same way they started it — with major silverware in front of a rocking, sold-out Mbombela Stadium.

A Mamelodi Sundowns success story in the CAF Champions League this season will not only potentially seal chapters of lasting legacies, but it could also start pages of profound redemption and belonging.

Sundowns will face AS FAR in the Champions League final second leg at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night (9pm kick-off). Anything other than a defeat would steer Sundowns to the continental crown, as they hold a crucial 1–0 advantage from the first leg at home.

The Brazilians’ success in the competition will importantly end the franchise's 10-year wait for a second star, while also ending coach Miguel Cardoso’s frustrating run of final heartbreaks. It could also brilliantly make up for lost ground should the team eventually lose the Betway Premiership title race to a resurgent Orlando Pirates.

A Sundowns triumph would seal immense personal achievements, with veteran duo Denis Onyango and Themba Zwane in line to win their second continental crown with the team, having both been part of the famous class of 2016. The duo, who are likely to hang up their gloves and boots at the end of the campaign, have given their all to Sundowns over the years — with Zwane becoming a genuine demigod in South African football, widely admired even by opposition fans.

𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗟 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 💪

Bafana Ba Style speak on the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL final, the belief in the team, and the mission ahead. Everything comes down to this moment 🔥 🙌 #Sundowns #AreyengMasandawanaUntilItsDone pic.twitter.com/K3xEK0Tntr

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 20, 2026

Zwane, whose workload has been carefully managed by the technical team to maintain freshness at the age of 36, has witnessed the burning desire of his teammates to get their hands on the trophy, especially after last season’s near miss in the final against Pyramids.

“Going into this final, we know what to expect and what to do. The only aim is to lift the trophy after the tournament. That’s all,” Zwane said on the club’s official media platforms ahead of the team’s delayed departure to Rabat, via Casablanca, on Wednesday.

“I learnt that we are mentally strong — the brotherhood is strong. We support one another. The fact that we are still here after the heavy schedule that we faced, coming back home and playing every three days, showed our mental strength.”

One player who has shown immense mental strength this season is Peter Shalulile. The Namibian international has battled injuries and limited game-time this term, resulting in him uncharacteristically falling down the pecking order. However, he has remained a vital dressing-room figure, supporting his teammates from the sidelines and giving his absolute best on the pitch through his relentless running and pressing.

𝘼 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙖𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝘽𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚 💛🔥

Every message, every wish and support is with The Brazilians as we head into the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL 2nd leg 👆#Sundowns #AreyengMasandawanaUntilItsDone pic.twitter.com/nqOMSwLuPY

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 21, 2026

Winning the Champions League would not only cement his legendary status as the current PSL era's top goalscorer with 136 goals, but it would also serve as a fitting farewell gift should he leave the club at the end of the season. The soft-spoken Namibian knows there is no better chance to fulfil a personal goal and a long-standing promise made to club chairman Thlopie Motsepe.

“We set targets when we came to this club,” Shalulile noted. “I promised myself, and even the chairman, that we would top the table and win the trophy. That’s how badly we want it.”

While Zwane and Shalulile are chasing potential club swansongs, Keanu Cupido wants to lay a solid foundation that could earn him legendary status during his spell in Pretoria. Cupido joined Sundowns early last year but initially battled for regular game-time due to fierce competition and minor setbacks. However, after an impressive outing at the Club World Cup at the end of last season, he has blossomed into a crucial figure in the starting line-up.

𝘽𝙖𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝘽𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚 𝙚𝙣-𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙚✈️

Kegan Johannes takes us behind the scenes as The Brazilians travel from OR Tambo to Casablanca. From airport moments to in-flight banter, and everything in between. This is life with The Brazilians on the move 🙌

Watch the full… pic.twitter.com/2ZLyZwrvIp

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 21, 2026

He has become so vital that he played the grueling first leg against AS FAR under heavy medication due to a painful shoulder problem. His hard work and willingness to put his body on the line for the badge have seen a growing chorus of pundits call for him to be drafted into Bafana Bafana’s final World Cup squad.

The defender remains firmly focused on creating history with the team for now, knowing it could be the perfect springboard to the national side.

“It’s been a privilege and an honour to reach this far in the competition,” Cupido concluded. “It’s not over yet. I want to add genuine value by winning it with the team. When I arrived, I felt immediately that this is exactly what the club wanted.”

The Bulls’ popular captain, Ruan Nortje, is set to play his 150th match for the franchise in next week’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Munster at Loftus Versfeld — adding an immense extra layer of motivation for the home team.

Nortje is nearing the end of his illustrious career in Pretoria, as the 27-year-old is set to continue his rugby journey in Japan next season. A Bulls man through and through, Nortje has only ever worn the blue jersey since leaving school and sits 24th on the prestigious list of most-capped Bulls players in history.

Nortje made his senior debut for the Bulls in 2018. Four years later, his consistent provincial performances were rewarded with the first of his 18 Springbok caps — underlining his meteoric rise as one of South Africa’s premier locks.

“For me, it was a little boy’s dream come true to represent the Bulls,” Nortje said recently. “I’d have been happy with just one appearance and never imagined in my wildest dreams I’d get to 150 matches. I’ve been incredibly grateful and have been blessed not to suffer many injuries.

“For a small boy from Daspoort — a suburb of Pretoria — in my wildest dreams I never thought I’d captain the Bulls,” he continued.

“The biggest thing for me is always to appreciate the privilege I have to play in this jersey, and that’s why I play like it’s the last time I’ll ever have this opportunity. I just go out to enjoy it and be the little boy who dreamt of it 20 years ago. That will always be my motto: to go out and be the little kid who dreamt big.”

Nortje noted that his primary message to the next generation of aspiring rugby players is to value self-belief above all else.

“The biggest thing I’ve taken from this journey is you have to back yourself,” Nortje said. “At the start of my career, I was maybe somebody who doubted myself because I didn’t always believe that I could play where I am at the moment. It’s crazy to look back and see how nothing is impossible.

“When I speak to the team, I always just try to be honest and to speak from the heart, and not to think too much about it. I ask in prayer to say the right things at the right time and share the right words with the guys. Every time I look back, it’s scary to see how quickly the time has passed.”

The South Africans, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, are reportedly to be flown to Istanbul later this afternoon before returning home. Their families have described the harrowing week they have had to endure as they do not know whether their loved ones are safe after being held by Israeli forces.

Global Sumud South Africa announced that Israeli Defence Forces intercepted all 60 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla on Monday and Tuesday this week in international waters off Cyprus abducting all 460 civilians on board.

“Those abducted have been forcibly transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they are currently being held."

The six South Africans detained are: Moghamed Faeek Afriedien Hajar Kagiso Al Thaira Ahjum Mathee, former Ambassador Faizel Moosa, Qutb Hendricks, Ebrahim Peters, and Yusuf Rahman.

The interception of the flotilla, which is made up of  about 100 countries, comes after last year’s attempts to break Israel's blockade obstructing the delivery of aid to Palestine.

The family of Ambassador Faizel Moosa, who is a humanitarian, political activist, and veteran of the anti-Apartheid struggle, said that while they are a family of activists, it has been an emotional experience.

His daughter, Fatima Khan-Wise, said: “We don't know the lengths that the Israelis will go, and we don't know the lines they will cross, and from what we've seen on social media, they are willing to cross beyond what the South African apartheid government did with the people of colour in South Africa.

“It's anxiety-inducing, but at the same time, we are so proud of our father for standing after something that's much bigger than himself,” Khan-Wise said.

She also touched on National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir having released footage showing the illegally detained volunteers bound, blindfolded, and forced onto their knees on concrete. 

“It is quite unnerving to see these videos and know that my father is one of those people, and could possibly be hurt.

“We don't have information on our individual families, but we know that this is something that the Palestinians have been going through for decades, and it's just an extension of what the Israelis are willing to do with people that were captured in international waters,” Khan-Wise said.

“So his last message was, he sent a video to us saying that the Israelis are about to board, and we must understand that we're still doing this because of the Palestinians, and no matter what happens, we need to continue the fight.”

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has condemned the abduction, calling for restraint and "respect for international law and the immediate protection of the rights, dignity and safety of all concerned".

"The safety, security and physical integrity of all unarmed participants aboard the Flotilla, including South African citizens, are of paramount importance.”

Radio presenter Gadija Ahjum, is the mother of 22-year-old Masters student, Hajar Kagiso Al-Tha'irah, who has also been detained by Israeli forces, said that it is about the bigger cause.

Ahjum said that while her daughter comes from an activist family, her daughter has told her that, “If every anti-Apartheid activist’s mother, or father, or loved one held onto them and said, let somebody else go to the front lines… We would still be living under Apartheid conditions”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Global Sumud South Africa (@southafrica_globalsumud)

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation also expressed its outrage and unreserved condemnation.

An incident report from the Global Sumud Flotilla yesterday said that: “Diplomatic sources confirm that all GSF members are expected to be transported to Istanbul later this afternoon via Umm Al Rashrash airport (Eilat/Ramon Airport). While this information has been confirmed by multiple sources, the situation on the ground may change.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

Ricardo Goss is eager to live every footballer’s dream of representing his nation at the Fifa World Cup, but he knows that his selection is not guaranteed for the upcoming event as he faces stiff competition from some of the best goalkeepers in the country.

Bafana Bafana are set to compete at the 2026 global showpiece next month after being drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic, ending a 16-year wait to compete at the tournament.

While Bafana will likely be underdogs in their group, coach Hugo Broos is still expected to select a strong squad that will reflect the team’s growth over the years and show willingness to achieve the improbable by reaching the knockout stage for the first time in four qualifications.

Broos is expected to have the most selection headache in the goalkeeping department when he chooses the two goalkeepers who will deputise Ronwen Williams between Goss, Sipho Chaine and Brandon Petersen.

Goss is the most senior goalkeeper of the trio, having also played for the junior national teams, including the SA U23 side at the Olympics. As such, his experience is expected to come in handy at the global showpiece against some of the most renowned names in world football. 

Goss, who was speaking during Siwelele’s media open day in Johannesburg this week ahead of their season finale away to Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon (3pm) admitted that  he dreams of being part of the team that’ll represent the nation in North America next month.

“I think it's every footballer's dream to represent the country, especially at the World Cup, so it's also been my dream to actually take part in the World Cup, so no pressure,” Goss explained.

Goss knows that it won’t be easy to get the nod for the final squad, stressing that Broos will have a selection headache given the quality at his disposal.

Chaine has enjoyed a dream season at Orlando Pirates, keeping a record-extending 20 clean sheets so far in the team’s Betway Premiership title challenge, while Brandon Petersen has been a knight in shining armour for Kaizer Chiefs, with his 15 clean sheets helping secure third place for his side.

“Obviously it's been difficult (to compete for a spot),” Goss said. “I think you can see the quality of goalkeeping this season has gone up a bit.

“You can even see the number of clean sheets has increased. I don't think we've had more than 15 clean sheets per goalkeeper for three goalkeepers in one season – I'm not sure about that record.”

The rise in goalkeeping standards augurs well for Bafana, given that in the past some called for top-flight clubs to avoid selecting foreign goalkeepers in order to help curb the shortage of quality goalkeepers for the national team.

Goss, though, insisted that being part of major tournaments, including both qualifiers and finals, is what strengthens healthy competition among the goalkeepers.

“But I think, yeah, it's a challenge and hopefully there's a World Cup every year so the league and the standard go a bit higher, but yeah, it's been a challenge,” Goss said.

“And it's an interesting one because there are quite a lot of us who have put our names in the hat, and yeah, we're just waiting for next week to see how that (final squad) looks.”

Aden McCarthy’s seamless adaptation and turn of events in the Kaizer Chiefs first team hasn’t come as a shock to his system, as he has ensured that he is always ready to face all the hype and criticism that comes with playing for the club and being the son of Fabian McCarthy.

McCarthy has had an impressive full debut season at Chiefs. He helped the team secure a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership through hard work on and off the pitch.

It was important for McCarthy to ensure that he stepped up for the team as he knew that he was going to be regularly compared to his father, Fabian, who was always a rock-solid defender at the club.

In aim to meet those high expectations, McCarthy took the less-travelled path by footballers, spending time in the gym and doing physical work through boxing, while also visiting mental coach, Dr. Henning Gericke. This paid off as he was able to focus more mentally.

Speaking ahead of Chiefs’ season finale against Chippa United at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off), where McCarthy is expected to feature in the match, he revealed the motivation behind his form.

“I have done boxing for over a year, but I had to stop because the schedule is heavy. I also saw a mental coach, so I think I am strong mentally,” the left-footed defender said. “So, yeah, I think that’s what has helped me.

“Initially, I went to see the mental coach, Mr Henni, who’s actually with the team now. So prior to him joining the club, I saw him three or four times. It was more to prepare myself for the future, what’s to come, what will be out of my control, and how I can manage it.”

Thanks to more visits with Dr. Gericke after he joined Chiefs, McCarthy became mentally stronger and used criticism and comparisons to his father as motivation.

“I wouldn’t say there’s pressure (to being my father’s son), but there’s always been outside noise and comparisons since I started playing in the reserve team. But I have always turned that into motivation,” McCarthy explained. “I want to do better than he did. I want to take it to another level.”

McCarthy’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some admirers are already calling him to get a Bafana Bafana call-up in the near future. But again, thanks to his mental work with Dr. Gericke, McCarthy is not getting carried away.

“I am controlling what I can,” McCarthy said. “It has been a big thing in my mental journey to do that, on and off the pitch. It’s up to the national team coach, and any decision he makes will be respected.”

McCarthy’s strong mentality seems to have rubbed off on his defensive teammates, as Chiefs have managed the second-best defensive record in the league after conceding 18 goals so far, just six behind Orlando Pirates after 29 rounds of matches.

Much of the praise for the rock-solid defence has gone to goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, who has kept 15 clean sheets in only 24 games.

McCarthy, however, believes it is not only Petersen who has helped the team defensively, as the unit has come together to form strong bonds both on and off the pitch.

“From the pre-season tour that we did in the Netherlands, we did a lot of defensive work,” McCarthy said. “You can see it now on the field. Things that were happening then, the fruits are now showing with the number of goals conceded and Petersen’s clean sheets.

“At times, it was tough. It wasn’t easy defending in dribs and drabs. If you experience it, you’ll know that it’s not easy. We’ve tried our best to build a connection off the field as well, and I think that helped the team as a collective.”

Sedibeng police have intercepted an illicit cigarette haul worth an estimated R3.7 million and arrested two suspects in what authorities described as a major breakthrough against the illegal tobacco trade in Gauteng.

The operation unfolded on Wednesday afternoon after members attached to the South African Police Service’s Crime Intelligence unit in Sedibeng acted on tactical intelligence regarding a white UD truck allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes from Gauteng to QwaQwa.

According to police, the intelligence-driven operation was initiated after officers received information on May 19 indicating that the truck would be travelling along the R59 route through Vereeniging and Sasolburg carrying contraband cigarettes.

“At about 16:30 on May 20, members followed up on the information and established that the truck had already passed through Vereeniging towards Sasolburg. Sasolburg Infrastructure members were immediately alerted and provided with the truck’s particulars.”

Acting swiftly on the information, officers intercepted the truck at the intersection of the R82 and R57 before escorting it to Zamdela SAPS for further investigation and a detailed search.

During the search, police uncovered a substantial consignment of suspected illicit cigarettes concealed inside the vehicle, including 439 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes containing 25 packs each, 82 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes containing 50 packs each, as well as 78 boxes of Chelsea cigarettes containing 50 packs each.

The confiscated cigarettes are estimated to carry a street value of approximately R3.7 million.

Police said two men, aged 60 and 43, were taken into custody following the seizure. Initial investigations suggest the suspects were allegedly delivering the illicit cigarettes for an individual reportedly based in Springs. 

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon on charges relating to the possession and transportation of illicit cigarettes as investigations continue into the broader network linked to the operation.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

SHOULD Lamontville Golden Arrows striker Sede Dion remain unmoved as the Betway Premiership’s top goalscorer for the 2025/2026 season after the final matchday on Saturday, history will be rewritten in the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot race.

The season, ending with all matches kicking off simultaneously at 3pm on Saturday, is the 29th edition of the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

To date, a total of seven countries have been represented in the PSL Golden Boot history: Zimbabwe (three times), South Africa (17 times), Zambia (seven times, with Collins Mbesuma winning it twice), Namibia (three times, all belonging to Peter Shalulile), while Malawi, Senegal, and Brazil (once each).

Senegal and Brazil remain the only two countries outside the COSAFA region to feature on the PSL Golden Boot winners' list. Brazil is the only non-African country, while Dion’s exploits mean the Ivory Coast is close to becoming only the second West African country to be represented, after Senegal.

Six times the Golden Boot has been won with 16 goals, a tally that has only been shared once — by Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) and Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates). While Dion can reach that tally should he find the net twice against TS Galaxy on Saturday, his current haul of 14 is also a common number, having been recorded five times before.

The 10 goals scored by Kaizer Chiefs’ Bernard Parker in the 2013/2014 season remain the lowest winning haul, while Amakhosi’s Collins Mbesuma’s 25 in the 2004/2005 season remains the highest.

Sundowns lead the team standings with five Golden Boots, while Soweto giants Pirates, Moroka Swallows, and Chiefs are tied on four, and Manning Rangers sit on three.

Another piece of history that Dion stands to rewrite is becoming the first KZN-based player to win the award in 16 years, since it was claimed by the late Richard Henyekane in the colours of Arrows during the 2008/2009 season.

The two players closest to Dion, excluding Sundowns players, are Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng (on 10) and Oswin Appollis (on nine).

List of PSL Golden Boot Winners by Nationality

• Zimbabwe — Wilfred Mugeyi (1996/1997, 22 goals for Bush Bucks), Gilbert Mushangazhike (2000/2001, 19 goals for Manning Rangers), and Knowledge Musona (2010/2011, 17 goals for Kaizer Chiefs).

• South Africa — Keryn Jordan (1997/1998, 11 goals for Manning Rangers), Pollen Ndlanya (1998/1999, 21 goals for Kaizer Chiefs), Ishmael Maluleke (2001/2002, 18 goals for Manning Rangers), Lesley Manyathela (2002/2003, 18 goals for Orlando Pirates), Jackie Ledwaba (2003/2004, 14 goals for Zulu Royals), Richard Henyekane (2008/2009, 19 goals for Golden Arrows), Katlego Mphela (2009/2010, 17 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (2011/2012, 20 goals for Moroka Swallows), Katlego Mashego (2012/2013, 13 goals for Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (2013/2014, 10 goals for Kaizer Chiefs), Moeketsi Sekola (2014/2015, 14 goals for Free State Stars), Lebogang Manyama (2016/2017, 13 goals for Cape Town City), Rodney Ramagalela (2017/2018, 11 goals for Polokwane City), Percy Tau (2017/2018, 11 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Grobler (2020/2021, 16 goals for SuperSport United), Khanyisa Mayo (2022/2023, 12 goals for Cape Town City), and Tshegofatso Mabasa (2023/2024, 16 goals for Orlando Pirates).

• Zambia — Dennis Lota (1999/2000, 18 goals for Orlando Pirates), Collins Mbesuma (2004/2005, 25 goals for Kaizer Chiefs and 2015/2016, 14 goals for Mpumalanga Black Aces), Christopher Katongo (2006/2007, 15 goals for Jomo Cosmos), James Chamanga (2007/2008, 14 goals for Moroka Swallows), and Mwape Musonda (2018/2019, 16 goals for Black Leopards).

• Senegal — Mame Niang (2005/2006, 14 goals for Moroka Swallows).

• Malawi — Gabadinho Mhango (2019/2020, 16 goals for Orlando Pirates).

• Namibia — Peter Shalulile (2019/2020, 16 goals for Highlands Park; 2021/2022, 23 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns and 2022/2023, 12 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns).

• Brazil — Lucas Ribeiro Costa (2024/2025, 16 goals for Mamelodi Sundowns).

Bassline Fest

This renowned music festival is returning to the City of Gold this weekend with a stellar line-up of top talents.

Those who will perform at the annual gathering include Vusi Mahlasela. The former “Voice of South Africa” contestant will bring his poetic spirit and upcoming project, “Questions and Answers”, to the stage.

He will be joined by Maleh, the Sotho-soul queen, as well as Brandon Aura, a rising Afro-folk star.

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Bassline Fest year and attendees are in for a musical spectacular as well as a curated selection of high-end sustainable crafts, designer goods and delicious food and beverages.

Where: Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.

When: Saturday, May 23, from 2pm.

Mawhoo @ In The Park

Award-winning amapiano star Mawhoo will headline this week’s 4Ways Farmers Market, bringing her soulful and vibrant sound to the stage.

The market will also feature supporting acts and a DJ, several bars, curated food vendors and Afro-chic fashion.

This curated music experience will also be hosted in a beautiful open-air setting, allowing attendees of all ages to enjoy the Autumn sunshine with loved ones.

Where: Taroko Farm at Modderfontein Reserve .

When: Sunday, May 24, from noon.

The Kingsmead Book Fair

The 14th edition of this book fair is returning to Johannesburg this weekend. It has evolved over the years as one of the top events on the local literary calendar.

Book lovers are invited to a new realm of the literary world. There will also be in-depth discussion and heated debate. 

Where: Kingsmead College Campus in Rosebank.

When: Sunday, May 23, from 8:30am.

In South Africa, the dark shadow of targeted killings claim lives of those bravely standing up for human rights.

This troubling reality was highlighted by Genevieve Quintal, Amnesty International's South African Media and Communications Officer, who spoke out against the continued silencing of whistleblowers and activists working to expose corruption and injustices in the country.​

Consequently, on Friday, Amnesty International South Africa will hold its second nonviolent protest for human rights advocates outside the GCIS — Ronnie Mamoepa Media Center in Pretoria, where Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and police officials will present the quarterly crime figures.

Amnesty International South Africa is holding its second nonviolent protest outside the location where the crime statistics will be made public.

The first protest happened a month after the death of Zweli "Khabazela" Mhize, the leader of the Abahlali base Mjondolo, and the second will take place two days after the death of activist Thato Molosankwe in the North West.

''The authorities continue to fail to protect human rights defenders who play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and advancing human rights and social justice. Tragically, many of these brave individuals face intimidation, harassment, threats and attacks, sometimes even death, simply for their efforts to defend human rights,'' said Quintal.

She revealed that Amnesty International South Africa has written on numerous occasions over the past few years to the police ministry on the matter of human rights defenders in general, and specifically Abahlali baseMjondolo, who have had 26 activists killed.

'' And yet there have been only two convictions. We recently received a response indicating that an investigation is underway on the killing of Zweli. We call on the department to provide an update on the investigation into his killing, as well as on the killing of other human rights defenders.

''Corruption has direct and devastating consequences for human rights. Billions of rands that should be directed towards healthcare, water, and housing are instead lost through mismanagement of funds, inflated contracts and outright theft. While millions of people in South Africa live in absolute poverty and do not have access to basic services, brave individuals and movements continue to fight for human rights and expose the shadowy dealings that divert resources from vital social programs.''

According to Quintal, human rights defenders play an important role in ensuring that people across South Africa enjoy the rights enshrined in the constitution. ''When they are targeted, it has a silencing effect that prevents others from calling out wrongdoing.

''Amnesty International South Africa is urging the government to consider developing and adopting domestic legislation for the protection of human rights defenders in South Africa. South Africa currently has no legal or policy framework that recognises and protects human rights defenders. This gap must urgently be addressed.''

Human Rights Watch has compiled a list of some of the recent whistleblowers who paid dearly with their lives.

*Babita Deokaran (August 2021): A senior Gauteng Health Department official assassinated outside her Johannesburg home. She exposed R850 million in suspicious and irregular payments linked to Tembisa Hospital. While six hitmen were convicted, the orchestrators remain at large.

*Cloete & Thomas Murray (March 2023): High-profile insolvency practitioner Cloete Murray and his son, Thomas, were shot in a targeted hit on the N1 highway in Midrand. Cloete was instrumental in recovering state capture and corruption assets, including those tied to the BOSASA liquidation.

*Pamela Mabini (March 2025): A community activist shot outside her Gqeberha home in the Eastern Cape. She provided crucial support to victims and blew the whistle on local abuse and racketeering, playing a key role in the high-profile Timothy Omotoso case.

*Jimmy Mohlala (January 2009): The speaker of the Mbombela Municipality was gunned down at his home just a day before he was set to expose massive tender corruption and forged contracts related to the 2010 World Cup Mbombela Stadium.

*Moss Phakoe (2009): An ANC municipal councillor who exposed tender corruption and nepotism within the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. He was shot and killed in front of his home after compiling a damning dossier.

Last month, the government unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening protection for whistleblowers, acknowledging that fear of retaliation, financial ruin, and even death has deterred many from exposing corruption.

The Protected Disclosures Bill was made available for public comment by Mmamaloko Kubayi, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. Kubayi described the bill as a crucial intervention to protect people who come forward with information about wrongdoing.

Recognising that many people have been discouraged from exposing corruption due to fear of retaliation, financial ruin, or even death, the government's reforms are intended to improve protection for whistleblowers.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is satisfied that the necessary building blocks are in place for the international season as the team wrapped up their second and final alignment camp on Thursday before their on-field preparations begin in June.

The Boks kick off with a friendly against the Barbarians on June 20 before the busy July of Nations Championship fixtures.

The camp, which started in Cape Town on Tuesday, included a series of boardroom sessions presented by the coaches to ensure that the players are aligned on the structures, as well as a gym session before wrapping things up with a visit to SARU House on Thursday.

“Every year after an alignment camp, we say we are happy with where we are currently, but I guess it will only be clear when we start playing,” said Erasmus.

“What we’ve tried to introduce with the alignment camps was to bring in young players who haven’t been part of our system, and others who have only been to one or two camps, so in that sense, the players are starting to feel more comfortable. They also had the opportunity to get to know the coaches and a little more about the structures.

“There were also injured players who were not in attendance, and some guys who attended virtually, so there were different goals, but we believe most of them were achieved. That said, it’s easy to talk now. Obviously, it has to translate onto the field.”

Erasmus added, “I think there have been more than 60 players in the two alignment camps, so in terms of spreading the net and ensuring that everyone received a fair start, we feel that has been done.

“Then there are the on-field aspects, where some guys may still be playing, and others will be flying in from abroad. In general, however, I think we are in a good place as a group, and everyone knows what we expect of each other when we start training.”

Erasmus will name his training squad for next month’s camp in the next two weeks, when the Boks will begin their on-field preparations for the season-opening double-header between the Springboks and Barbarians, and the SA ‘A’ team against Zimbabwe, in Gqeberha on June 20.

This will be followed by three back-to-back Test matches against England in Johannesburg (July 4), Scotland in Pretoria (July 11), and Wales in Durban (July 18) as part of the Nations Championship, and a match against Argentina in Buenos Aires (August 8) before four Tests against the All Blacks in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series in August and September.

The Boks will then travel to Australia to face the Wallabies in Perth (September 27), before the second leg of the Nations Championship kicks off in Europe, with matches against Italy (November 7), France (November 13), and Ireland (November 21), ahead of the Finals Weekend in London (November 27 to 29).

The Springbok Women return to the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup this week carrying both the confidence of a breakthrough season and the challenge of building greater squad depth ahead of a demanding international calendar.

South Africa departed Cape Town for Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday determined to defend the continental title they won unbeaten in Madagascar last year – a campaign that laid the foundation for their historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance in England.

This year’s tournament in Kenya may not carry the same World Cup implications, but it remains a critical part of the Springbok Women’s long-term planning, particularly with major internationals against the Black Ferns and USA looming later this season. 

The #BokWomen have left for Kenya and are ready for the defence of their African crown, which starts against Madagascar in Nairobi on Saturday - more here: https://t.co/XLRuJiQwc5 🌍#BackHer pic.twitter.com/aDmO3LyOGL

— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) May 20, 2026

The Bok Women are set to face New Zealand during the upcoming Greatest Rugby Rivalry series, while they will host USA for the first time in a two-Test series in July, giving South Africa an opportunity to measure themselves against two of the sport’s traditional powerhouses. Their first major international competition since the World Cup will then come in the WXV Global Series in September and October.

That makes the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup an important audition for players hoping to establish themselves before those marquee Tests, with nine uncapped players included in the touring squad that will once again be led by lock Anathi Xolo.

The tournament provides another valuable platform for emerging talent to prove they can make the step up to international rugby as the Springbok Women continue to broaden the player base that served them so well during last year’s World Cup campaign.

Among the more experienced players in the squad is utility back Alichia Arries, who returns to the Springbok Women setup for the first time since 2021 after rebuilding her career through domestic rugby and the national sevens programme.

The #BokWomen squad for the @RugbyAfrique Cup in Kenya has been named - more here: https://t.co/98Hk0fewMX 🫡#BackHer pic.twitter.com/u2PvAoTAhm

— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) May 18, 2026

For Arries, the trip to Kenya carries extra significance. Her first appearances for the Springbok Women came against Kenya in Stellenbosch four years ago, shortly before she completed her matric exams.

“Yes, it started against Kenya and now I resume my international career in Kenya, so it is a nice way to complete the circle,” Arries said before the team departed.

The 24-year-old has since gained international sevens experience in destinations including Toulouse, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, while also overcoming injuries and balancing motherhood with her rugby ambitions.

“I think the big difference between that time representing my country and this time around is life experience and understanding what it means to play for your country and your family,” she said.

🇿🇦 South Africa arrives in Nairobi for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Performance Division 🏉🔥
Ready to compete. Ready to conquer.#RAWC2026 #RugbyAfricaAt40 #SpringbokWomen #RugbyAfrica pic.twitter.com/3T2GBjQMDW

— Rugby Africa (@RugbyAfrique) May 20, 2026

South Africa open their campaign against Madagascar, with Arries expecting the island nation to play an expansive style.

“I have faced them in sevens and they have a ball-in-hand-all-the-time approach,” she said. “I am not expecting anything else.”

But beyond defending their continental crown, the bigger picture for many players in Nairobi will be staking a claim for the far sterner assignments that await later this year.

“There will be good competition amongst this group to establish yourself in the squad that will face top-class international opponents this year,” Arries said. “That aside, we will need to make sure the team comes first and that we deliver the results we are capable of and trained for.”

Orlando Pirates will head into Saturday’s decisive Betway Premiership clash against Orbit College FC carrying the weight of history, pressure and expectation as they chase a 10th league title overall — and a fifth during the Premier Soccer League era.

The equation for the Buccaneers could hardly be clearer.

Victory at Mbombela Stadium would hand Pirates their first league crown in 14 years after rivals Mamelodi Sundowns completed their campaign last week.

Interestingly, Pirates are no strangers to final-day title drama.

In fact, each of their four PSL-era championships came with enormous tension, decisive moments and pressure-filled finishes.

Their 2000/01 triumph under Gordon Igesund remains one of the most emotionally difficult campaigns in club history.

𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓_𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇

🆚 @mswenkoboyz (A)
🗓 Saturday,23 May 2026
🏟 Mbombela Stadium
🎟 Sold Out
📺 @SuperSportTV | @Official_SABC1

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/MW9cdGKpZu

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 21, 2026

Pirates appeared to be cruising toward the title before tragedy struck South African football through the Ellis Park disaster, where 43 supporters lost their lives.

The emotional aftermath heavily affected the club and saw Pirates’ commanding lead dramatically reduced.

Despite outrage from sections of supporters — including shocking scenes where Igesund was assaulted at training — Pirates held their nerve and sealed the title with a crucial 3-0 victory over Cape Town Spurs, then known as Ajax Cape Town.

Two years later, under Roy Barreto, Pirates once again showed resilience to secure the 2002/03 title.

That campaign was built less on attacking football and more on defensive organisation, with Pirates conceding just 16 goals throughout the season.

☠️ ⏪ 𝗬𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗠 ⏪

🎤 Nkosinathi Sibisi
🆚 @DurbanCity_FC
🏟 Orlando Amstel Arena
🗓️ 16 May 2026

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/AsokyeYqgw

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 17, 2026

The decisive moment arrived through the late Lesley Manyathela, whose crucial equaliser against Wits University secured the point needed to clinch the championship.

Then came one of the most dramatic title conclusions in PSL history during the 2010/11 season.

Pirates defeated Golden Arrows through a late Isaac Chansa winner but still required Ajax Cape Town to stumble against Durban City FC, then known as Maritzburg United.

Ajax’s dramatic collapse eventually handed Pirates the title on goal difference under Ruud Krol, even though the Dutchman would depart the club soon after.

A season later, Pirates defended their crown in equally stressful circumstances.

Trailing 2-1 against Golden Arrows at one stage on the final day, the Buccaneers looked in danger of surrendering the title to Moroka Swallows with veteran development coach Augusto Palacios on the wheel. 

Instead, Siyabonga Sangweni restored calm before Benni McCarthy produced a match-winning brace, including one of the most memorable freekicks in Durban to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory and back-to-back championships.

Now, more than a decade later, Pirates once again stand one match away from league glory.

And if history has proven anything, it is that the Buccaneers rarely arrive at title success without drama attached to it.

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido says he would be honoured to earn a place in Bafana Bafana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following an impressive breakthrough season at Chloorkop.

The centre-back has emerged as one of Sundowns’ most reliable performers under coach Miguel Cardoso during the 2025/26 campaign.

Since arriving from Cape Town City FC in January 2025, Cupido has quickly established himself as a key figure in Sundowns’ defensive structure through a combination of composure, physicality and leadership.

The 28-year-old has played a major role in helping the Brazilians challenge strongly on both domestic and continental fronts this season.

Sundowns remain on course to retain the Betway Premiership title while also edging closer toward CAF Champions League glory after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over AS FAR Rabat in the first leg of the final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Cupido once again delivered an assured defensive display in that encounter despite continuing to manage a painful shoulder injury sustained during a heated league clash against Kaizer Chiefs several weeks ago.

The defender revealed he has even required injections simply to remain available for selection during the crucial closing stretch of the season.

He is expected to take the field alongside fellow Bafana considerations Grant Kekana or Khulumane Ndamane this weekend as the Brazilians look to claim continental glory in Morocco. 

With his performances continuing to impress, calls have intensified from supporters and pundits for Hugo Broos to include Cupido in South Africa’s final squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The emerging news of the possible exclusion of national team regular Siyabonga Ngezana has also opened a door for Cupido.

However, the defender himself has remained measured regarding the growing speculation surrounding a possible call-up.

“It’s up to the coach (Hugo Broos) to choose the team,” said Cupido.

“If I do get chosen, I’ll be honoured, and if I don’t, I’ll be happy for the other guys that are going to the World Cup.”

Cupido also acknowledged the growing depth currently available within South African football, insisting national selection should never be taken for granted.

If he was part of last year's Bafana AFCON squad, we would have won the AFCON 🤞🏿 https://t.co/0OJTgH4IFY

— Thingo05 (@SEEKINGRIGHT1) May 20, 2026

“You know, as a country, there is a lot of talent as well,” he continued.

“If I do get an opportunity, I’ll really be honoured to represent the national team.”

Broos is expected to officially announce his Bafana Bafana squad on May 27 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

For now though, Cupido’s immediate focus remains on helping Sundowns finish the season strongly as they continue balancing the pressure of both the Betway Premiership title race and the CAF Champions League final.

Orlando Pirates’ former striker Andries Sebola has backed Evidence Makgopa to lead the line in their title decider against Orbit College on Saturday afternoon, even though he and fellow striker Yanela Mbuthuma have struggled to impress at the club.

Pirates will face Orbit at Mbombela Stadium in a match they must win to secure the title, as anything less would see Mamelodi Sundowns crowned champions for a record-extending season in a row.

Given that Pirates will need goals to win the match, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou faces a big decision on who should lead the line between Makgopa and Mbuthuma.

The duo have had a below-par season, scoring 15 goals and registering four assists in 61 matches between them across all competitions.

Given Makgopa’s experience at this level, including with Bafana Bafana, Sebola believes he should get the nod despite criticism from supporters, while Ouaddou has also previously called on Hugo Broos to manage the striker’s game-time carefully.

“They just need to start with Makgopa on Saturday. He’ll bring them the presence,” Sebola explained.

Sebola, however, believes neither Makgopa nor Mbuthuma has fully delivered whenever given an opportunity.

“It has been an obvious thing that they are both not effective,” Sebola said. “Yes, Mbuthuma has tried to create spaces for the midfielders like Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng, but his positioning and first touch let him down.

“Makgopa’s first touch lets him down. His positioning at times lets him down. So, both are not the strikers we were looking for at Pirates. It’s just unfortunate that the coach decided to loan out Tshegofatso Mabasa – he was going to sort out the problem with the quality of players he’d have around him.”

One of the remaining members from the Kaizer Chiefs side that lost the league title on the final day of the 2019/20 season, Reeve Frosler, says he is pleased with the team’s progress since that heartbreaking finish during the Covid-19 campaign.

Chiefs have secured a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership – their best league finish since securing the runners-up spot during the 2019/20 season. They could also match the 57-point tally from that campaign if they beat Chippa United in their final league match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Amakhosi have endured turbulent years since narrowly missing out on the title during the 2019/20 season as they went through several coaching changes, appointing both interim and permanent coaches, but still continued to struggle for consistency and positive results.

Next Kaizer Chiefs Match!

🏆#BetwayPrem
⚽️Kaizer Chiefs vs. Chippa United
👕First Team
🗓️Saturday 23 May 2026
🏟Moses Mabhida Stadium
🕞15h00
📺SuperSport
🎟R60, Computicket, Shoprite https://t.co/NRVgSP2Vb5
🚗Toyota Zone#Amakhosi4Life #BetwayPrem #KCOneVoice #KCOneFamily… pic.twitter.com/DC2ICPSyrx

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 20, 2026

Chiefs also failed to qualify for the Top 8 in the last two seasons under coaches Cavin Johnson and Nasreddine Nabi. However, following Nabi’s departure, his former assistants, Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Yousseg, have helped steady the ship and guide the club towards a more encouraging campaign.

Their efforts have played a key role in Chiefs returning to the upper end of the table and moving closer to matching the achievements of the 2019/20 side.

Frosler, who remains at the club alongside Bruce Bvuma and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo from that 2019/20 squad, reflected on the team’s progress ahead of Saturday’s clash against Chippa.

“I think if you look at this season, you’ll realise that there have been a lot of improvements since 2019,” Frosler told the media during a pre-press conference at the club’s Naturena Village on Thursday morning.

“I think we are on track to reach the same points tally that we achieved that season.

“So, compared to previous seasons, there has been a lot of improvement and consistency from us as players regarding both results and performances.”

We know sport can be cruel, but spare a thought for the unfortunate Ruan Venter — instead of the Lions flank soaking up being part of the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town, he has been in hospital recovering from knee surgery.

On Wednesday Venter updated his supporters with an Instagram post from his hospital bed.

He said, “Extremely disappointed to end my season like this. Difficult to understand why, but I know that God has a bigger plan. Very thankful to have undergone successful surgery, and I can’t wait to get this journey started. This is only the beginning!”

The 23-year-old Venter injured his ACL, MCL, and the meniscus of his right knee just four minutes into his team’s 31-7 defeat to Leinster in their URC final round fixture in Dublin. He will spend the rest of this year undergoing rehabilitation, as it is a five-to-nine-month injury.

The rugged flank last week returned to South Africa for medical investigation, and surgeons confirmed the worst, although Venter had expected bad news. When the injury occurred, he lay prone on the pitch in agony for some time before a cart took him off, in some discomfort.

That Leinster match and last week’s game down the road from Dublin in Limerick, against Munster, have taken a heavy toll on the Lions. Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is back in Johannesburg with a bicep injury, and Richard Kriel failed an HIA against Munster.

He could be ruled out for next week’s quarter-final, back in Dublin against Leinster, while it is touch and go whether captain Francke Horn and centre Henco van Wyk will recover in time from injuries.

The influential pair have stayed in Ireland, where the team is preparing for the big playoff at the Aviva Stadium.

The Lions have also lost prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye to a doping suspension.

Venter was capped by Rassie Erasmus in the 2024 Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein, and would have been in the Springbok coach’s plans for the busy 2026 international schedule.

The robust Venter is a fraction short of 2m in height and is a muscular 118kgs, making him an exceptional ball-carrying and tough-tackling loose forward.

Junior Springboks head coach Kevin Foote has made sweeping rotational changes to his side for their opening-round clash of the SA Rugby Under-20 International Series against Chile at Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town on Thursday.

The match kicks off at 3pm and will be preceded by the clash between Fiji and Georgia at 1pm. Both encounters will be broadcast live on YouTube.

Only eight members of the match-23 that were named to face New Zealand in the closing encounter of the Under-20 Rugby Championship in Gqeberha have been retained for the clash against Chile.

They are former SA Schools ‘A’ captain Risima Khosa (flanker), who will lead the side on Thursday, Luan van der Berg (prop), Mahle Sithole (hooker), JD Hattingh (lock), Jayden Brits (scrumhalf), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Jade Muller (wing), and Akhahluwa Boqwana (fullback).

Foote explained that the changes are aimed at building squad depth and giving more players in the Junior Bok training group the opportunity to gain valuable international experience.

“We are giving players who were not heavily involved in the Rugby Championship an opportunity to play and gain experience of international rugby,” said Foote.

“They worked hard during training over the past week and now have a great opportunity to showcase their skills while representing our country.

“This series also presents another opportunity for us to continue our growth as a team and to build cohesion as we progress with our preparations for next month’s Junior World Championship in Georgia. We expect Chile to be a gritty and motivated opponent.”

Foote added that the SA U20 players are eager to make the most of the occasion: “We are very grateful for another opportunity to represent our country and to play in front of our passionate South African supporters. The players are excited about the tournament and are looking forward to Thursday’s opening match.”

Junior Springboks —  15 Alzeadon Felix, 14 Jade Muller, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Jayden Brits, 8 Vuyo Gwiji, 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Risima Khosa (c), 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Jaythen Orange, 3 Luan van der Berg, 2 Mahle Sithole, 1 Jordan Jooste. Bench: 16 Altus Rabe, 17 Kai Pratt, 18 Bongani Dlamini, 19 Thomas Beling, 20 Quintin Potgieter, 21 Jandrian Goosen, 22 Junaide Stuart, 23 Akhahluwa Boqwana.

U20 International Series fixtures

Thursday, 21 May (Rondebosch Boys’ High) 1pm: Georgia vs Fiji 3pm: South Africa vs Chile

Tuesday, 26 May (Wynberg Boys’ High) 1pm: Chile vs Georgia 3pm: South Africa vs Fiji

Saturday, 30 May (Paul Roos Gymnasium) 2:30pm: South Africa vs Georgia 4:30pm: Fiji vs Chile

The race for early Telkom Netball League supremacy shifts to Johannesburg this weekend, where Gauteng’s two powerhouse franchises will look to use home-court advantage to reel in the competition-leading Crinums at Power Week 2.

After an entertaining opening block of fixtures in Durban, the TNL moves to Ellis Park Arena from Friday for 10 days of high-intensity netball that could begin to shape the title race in both divisions.

Martha Mosoahle-Samm's unbeaten Crinums arrive in Johannesburg with momentum and confidence after a commanding Power Week 1 campaign. But the pressure now shifts to the Free State side as they enter the backyard of defending champions the Golden Fireballs and six-time title winners the Jaguars.

🆚 𝐅𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟐

See you soon! 🥳

🏟️ Ellis Park Arena, 22–31 May 2026
🎟️ Tickets available online 👉 https://t.co/hNhOOgSVsU
📺 Matches on SuperSport 👉 https://t.co/OOyJCqmrBP#TelkomStandTall #TNL2026 #TelkomNL@TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/qnyyswj7Pw

— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 4, 2026

For the Fireballs, the challenge is clear. Last season’s champions showed flashes of their quality in Durban, but consistency will become increasingly important as the season progresses and the chasing pack tightens. Returning to Gauteng could provide the spark Elsje Jordaan’s side needs, with Ellis Park expected to attract strong local support for one of South African netball’s most successful modern franchises.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, remain one of the league’s benchmark teams despite surrendering the title in recent seasons. With six championships to their name, they understand better than most how to navigate the demands of a long TNL campaign. Power Week 2 presents an opportunity for Rozanne Matthyse's side to build momentum and apply pressure on the early pacesetters.

The opportunity to lay down a marker at home comes as early as Saturday, when the Fireballs face a Flames team that stunned them 50-49 in the opening round, while the Jaguars take on the Crinums in a clash between the top two teams from Power Week 1. The Free State side ran out comfortable 56-36 victors in their first meeting, and the Jaguars will be eager for revenge on home soil.

Closing space, creating turnovers 🔒🔥

📺 See more highlights on https://t.co/WkaNnYac1V. Catch the Telkom Netball League action LIVE on @SuperSportTV your World of Champions.#TNLCrinumsStings #TelkomStandTall #TNL2026 #TelkomNL@TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/xOTbJT8Rag

— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 17, 2026

Durban’s opening week already showed how little separates the top Division 1 teams this season. Close contests, tactical adjustments and standout individual performances underlined the growing competitiveness of the league.

Coaches will now arrive in Johannesburg armed with fresh analysis and revised game plans after studying opponents throughout Power Week 1. That could make the second block of fixtures even more intense as teams attempt to exploit weaknesses and establish themselves as genuine title contenders.

Division 2 is also expected to produce fierce competition, with promotion hopefuls and emerging talent continuing to push for recognition. The unbeaten Tornadoes are the early pacesetters, with the Kingdom Queens not far behind.

Adding further intrigue to the Division 1 competition is the arrival of the Zambezi Eagles, who join an already competitive field and offer supporters fresh match-ups during the Johannesburg leg.

With the Crinums unbeaten, the Fireballs defending their crown, and the Jaguars chasing a return to the summit, Power Week 2 could prove to be one of the defining stretches of the 2026 TNL season.

For years, Afro-textured hair was rarely considered and under-represented in the hair transplant space, leaving many to assume that transplants were not suitable for them.

It was very common in my childhood to hear mothers and aunts recommend a "big chop" for receding hairlines. The belief was that cutting the hair would allow the hairline to regrow along with the new growth.

The primary reasons why a “big chop” was seen as the only solution was a lack of readily available information on hair transplants and the exclusion of people with Afro-textured hair as the procedure grew in popularity.

According to a recent press release, Afro-textured hair patients have a high failure rate in hair restoration procedures due to the overlooked unique structure of their hair.

In a conversation with "Independent Media Lifestyle", Dr Kashmal Kalan a surgeon and Afro-textured specialist at Alvi Amarni SA, highlighted the gap in the cosmetic industry and addressed the misconception that afro hair is difficult.

“I think the reason is that the notion that was always given to us in the past was because Afro-textured hair has a curl to it, so it becomes extremely challenging to extract those grafts. And because of those challenges, a lot of doctors, by their own accord, have decided to stay away from doing those cases because it is a lot more challenging, the results are often not great if not done correctly.

And in order to minimise the risk of even disappointing the patients, a lot of doctors in the past would have stayed away from doing cases where they knew they couldn't necessarily obtain the right results for the patient,” Dr Kalan shared.

He said that the emotional toll of consistent rejection is a common burden for many people who seek help at their clinic.

“The emotional toll from the past has been crazy because a lot of people lose hope, they become self-conscious about their issues. They also start becoming very limited in what they speak about since it's such a deeply personal sort of experience.

“A lot of times when patients come through to us, they come with a lot of hope.

"For so many years, they have been told, 'you're not a candidate' and 'just shave your head because you have curly hair'.

“So when people come here sitting in front of me, they're already coming with a lot of hope and a glimmer of excitement. But they also have a mild reservation as well because even though they are excited, they definitely still feel like it's been so many years I've been told no,” he said.

Dr Kalan added that the reason why a lot of doctors stayed away from Afro-textured hair patients is because of the curls beneath the scalp.

He emphasised that years ago when hair transplants became popular, they did not have the right tools and technology to help extract the curly follicles. 

For many black people, including myself, it's rare to go more than four months without braiding our hair. In fact, most of us engage in what is commonly called "monthly maintenance", which involves taking out the previous month's hairstyle and replacing it with a new one.

However, a drawback of this constant hair styling is that frequent braiding can damage our hair. Specifically, the tension from braids can damage our hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Dr Kalan emphasised the importance of taking a break from constantly doing our hair to avoid hair loss.

He added that choosing hairstyles with less tension or braiding your hair only when it’s necessary especially after your hair transplant procedure is very important if you don’t want to end up with hair loss or a receding hair line yet again.

“It's just about re-educating the patient rather than completely changing their cultural and historical backgrounds, letting them know that they can still utilise what they want to, but in a very safe manner,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of professionalism and regaining trust when dealing with patients with Afro-textured hair.

This is particularly crucial because these individuals may already feel let down by the medical system, as they were previously denied procedures.

“One of the biggest things that we need to develop with our patients and that's that ability of trust. Because at the end of the day, you are coming to me with a deeply personal problem. 

“But I think the way we deal with our patients is with the utmost amount of honesty, the utmost amount of professionalism, but most importantly, making sure that patients are aligned in their expectations,” he said.

To rewrite the Afro-textured hair narrative in medical and beauty industries, he believes the initial step is to remove the fear and misconception that patients with this hair type cannot be effectively treated.

“If you are experiencing hair loss, whether you have afro-textured hair, whether you have straight hair, we now have the tools and solutions to combat those problems for you. 

“So don't sit in silence. Start the journey by getting a consultation done. The notions of the past where things were not done or could not be done are no longer the notions of the present and the future,” Dr Kalan said.

He also shared a heartwarming message for patients who feel hopeless and dealing with hair loss. 

“Don't feel hopeless because I've dedicated my life to this industry. I have dedicated my life to understanding and ensuring that we can get back people's hair, especially when it deeply concerns you.

“The whole industry has moved in a very positive direction and specifically in South Africa because we deal with the majority of our patients having curly hair, we have developed an expertise that allows us to deliver proper results for them,” he said.

Three years ago, a prominent English rugby writer proclaimed on social media that the United Rugby Championship would be “dead” in three years.

Three years have gone by, and the Sunday Times writer would have been far closer to the mark had he had another competition in mind — Super Rugby, which currently reminds one of a lame horse waiting to be put out of its misery.

The final shot may yet ring out, according to legendary All Black Sir John Kirwan, who recently said on The Rivals podcast: “I think it’s over.” Kirwan has come to this conclusion based on the inescapable reality of half-empty stadiums, dwindling television audiences, and teams on the brink of insolvency.

It is deeply tragic that this has come to pass on the 30th anniversary of Super Rugby. When it kicked off in 1996 — the year after the 1995 World Cup signalled the dawn of the professional era — the Super 12 was red hot.

The original teams three decades ago were the Auckland Blues, Canterbury Crusaders, Wellington Hurricanes, Waikato Chiefs, and Otago Highlanders from New Zealand; the ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, and New South Wales Waratahs from Australia; and the Natal Sharks, Western Province, Transvaal, and Northern Transvaal from South Africa.

Auckland beat Natal in the inaugural final at Eden Park. The type of rugby played that year, and for a significant time to come, was explosive and highly entertaining — although the aforementioned English writer and many of his northern hemisphere colleagues routinely dismissed it as “basketball”.

Well, that unique blend of rugby produced by the enterprising New Zealanders, wily Australians, and physical South Africans was responsible for Super Rugby — and the Tri-Nations — producing every single World Cup winner bar one in 2003, right up until 2023 when the Springboks won the tournament while playing in the United Rugby Championship era.

Super Rugby lost its way because the organisers forgot the oldest adage in the book: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There seemed to be an internal feeling that continual tinkering with the format was required to prevent the tournament from going stale. The Super 12 became the Super 14 in 2006 with two additional sides. That expansion was still manageable, but in 2011 a further team was added and the tournament was rebranded simply as Super Rugby.

The plot was completely lost in 2016 when the Sunwolves (Japan) and the Jaguares (Argentina) were introduced. The competition ballooned from 12 teams to 18, and the introduction of complex pools and conferences made it messy and incredibly difficult for casual fans to follow.

In 2022, the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic ultimately forced the South African sides to migrate to the northern hemisphere — with a firm push from New Zealand. Super Rugby went back down to 12 teams, featuring five from Australia, five from New Zealand, plus a team each from Fiji and Samoa. The problem was that the competition had completely lost its mojo. With revenue declining, some teams went belly up, including the Melbourne Rebels and Moana Pasifika.

Kirwan, sounding very much like an undertaker, said: “Super Rugby has been amazing for us for the last 30 years, but I think it’s over. We need to redefine it, we need to understand what it is, and I believe we need to get back to tribalism and traditionalism with more Kiwi derbies. I would bring in another three New Zealand sides.”

Kirwan insisted that Super Rugby has to find its lost soul and simplify the format, or risk falling permanently behind Europe and South Africa.

“In the northern hemisphere, France is going great, and the English game is really buoyant with big crowds,” he said. “In the southern hemisphere, we’re getting smaller crowds, and I think we need to have some courage to make a change.”

It is a case of adapt wisely or die for Super Rugby. How ironic would it be if the South African franchises were eventually asked to return to save the day?

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that additional general access tickets for next year’s highly anticipated New Year's Test between the Proteas and England at Newlands will be released at a later stage.

The governing body has been under immense fire since Monday after tickets for the marquee fixture on the annual domestic cricket calendar appeared to sell out within minutes.

Only a limited number of general access tickets were initially released for sale on CSA’s official ticketing website, with all available inventory purchased significantly quicker than anticipated. Industry insiders suggest the platform may have been flooded by automated ticket-sweeping bots — leaving genuine supporters completely empty-handed.

Local fans, however, have been in an uproar following reports indicating that a substantial portion of the tickets had been pre-allocated to English tour groups and travel packages ahead of the South African public. The frustration was compounded when secondary retail sites began advertising tickets for over R4,000 shortly after the online sale opened.

CSA has since clarified that as part of its strategic focus on sustaining and growing South African cricket, it partnered with Tourvest Destination Management to launch South Africa Cricket Travel in December 2025. Through this initiative, 39% of the general access tickets were allocated to travel packages — specifically, 12% to international packages and 27% to domestic packages. CSA maintains this aligns with its broader strategy to stimulate local sports tourism.

Join @BarmyArmyTravel for the ultimate South Africa tour experience 🇿🇦

Official match tickets, optional international flights, handpicked hotels, coach transfers, exclusive events and loads more! 😍

Book now 👇

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) May 18, 2026

According to Daily Mail Sport, South Africa Cricket Travel has also incensed fans from England hoping to travel to South Africa for the three-match Test series. It is understood the new company has looked to maximise revenue by forcing fans to purchase bundled packages — which include tickets along with accommodation, transport, and sightseeing, incorporating their own cut into the final price — instead of selling seats directly to established tour operators.

Many English fans have also taken umbrage at the soaring costs, with corporate tickets reaching up to £270 (approximately R6,000) in some instances. Meanwhile, the Barmy Army, England's official supporters' group, has distanced itself from the controversy, releasing a statement clarifying that their pre-agreed ticket allocation is entirely separate from the public release and did not reduce the number of tickets available on general sale.

Temba Bavuma’s Proteas, riding high as the reigning 2025 ICC World Test Champions, and England are scheduled for a three-match Test series. The tour kicks off at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from December 17–21, moves to SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26–30, and concludes with the traditional New Year's Test at Newlands in Cape Town from January 3–7.

A few weeks ago, Kaizer Chiefs defender Reeve Frosler conceded that it would be extremely difficult for the team to stay motivated after securing a third-place finish in the Betway Premiership. That has seemingly been the case.

Chiefs once again needed the heroics of goalkeeper Brandon Petersen to secure all three points against AmaZulu in their penultimate clash due to being lacklustre and off-beat on the day. The lack of focus was telling, as goalscorer Glody Lilepo lost his composure by removing his shirt during his celebration — resulting in a second yellow card and a costly sending-off.

With Chiefs heading into their season finale against Chippa United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off), they will need to deliver one final professional performance before heading into the off-season. Here is why:

Possibly bidding farewell to Kaze and Ben Youssef

Co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef are set to learn their fate after the season ends this weekend. There is a strong possibility that their contracts will not be renewed when they expire at the end of June. Despite enduring a mixed spell both as Nasreddine Nabi’s assistants and recently as interim coaches, they have enjoyed more highs than lows this season. They guided the team to a top-three finish for the first time since Chiefs ended as runners-up during the 2019/20 campaign.

Having fallen well behind perennial rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in recent years, Chiefs have shown genuine signs of competing with the country’s top sides again — proving why they deserve to finish alongside them in the top three this term.

Matching their best points tally in recent years

Chiefs have slipped down the pecking order in recent seasons, to the extent that they uncharacteristically finished outside the Top 8 in each of the previous two campaigns under coaches Molefi Ntseki, Cavin Johnson, and Nabi. However, Kaze and Ben Youssef have significantly improved Chiefs’ fortunes this season, with the club set to finish third on the log and qualify for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup alongside Nedbank Cup champions Durban City.

Chiefs’ end to the season could become even more rewarding. Victory against Chippa would see them finish on 57 points — matching their best tally since they ended as runners-up under coach Ernst Middendorp during the 2019/20 season — a feat that could offer some genuine consolation for their trophyless campaign.

Repaying the faith shown by the people of Durban

The Moses Mabhida Stadium has been something of a fortress for Chiefs this season. They have won all five matches played there across all competitions, whether walking out as the designated home or away side. The decision to host their home match against Chippa United in Durban instead of their traditional venue, the FNB Stadium, was initially met with mixed emotions by regional supporters.

However, given the team’s excellent record at the venue, it may prove to be the perfect setting to conclude their season considering everything at stake. It will serve as an ideal appreciation match for the people of Durban, who have backed the team passionately throughout the campaign.

Although his administration has a plan to rebuild, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has cautioned that the city is finding it more and more difficult to meet the demands for housing, electricity, and basic services due to the fast expansion of informal settlements.

“We said we will electrify informal settlements. Informal settlements are increasing in the city. This challenge is impacting our backlog. No amount of complaining will help us,” Morero said during his State of the City Address on Wednesday.

The mayor said illegal land invasions were slowing down development and pushing the city deeper into crisis.

“When land is hijacked, development is set back by 10 years,” he warned.

Despite the mounting pressure, Morero said Johannesburg had managed to electrify 269 households in informal settlements while continuing efforts to expand basic services across affected communities.

His speech painted a picture of a city under severe strain, with ageing infrastructure, water shortages, financial difficulties, and electricity challenges threatening service delivery.

Morero revealed that Johannesburg’s infrastructure backlog has now exceeded R220 billion.

The city is also losing nearly half of its water supply through leaks, theft and damaged infrastructure, with non-revenue water losses sitting at 44.7%. Electricity losses have also climbed to 27.1%.

According to the mayor, Johannesburg currently supplies around 1 700 megalitres of water daily through more than 12 000 kilometres of pipes and infrastructure networks.

He said the city replaced more than 20 kilometres of water pipes during the year and provided sanitation access to nearly 1 800 additional households.

Morero defended his administration’s handling of the city’s finances, saying Johannesburg inherited deep financial problems.

“We inherited a broke city. Fact, not fiction,” he said.

The mayor announced that the city had adopted a fully funded R89.4 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year and expects an operational surplus of R4.1 billion.

He also confirmed that Johannesburg plans to sell non-strategic assets, including vacant land tied to unpaid debts worth R3.2 billion, as part of efforts to stabilise finances.

The speech also addressed growing concerns over the city’s dispute with Eskom.

Morero said the city would work with Eskom and the national government instead of entering into conflict.

“We will not fight Eskom,” he said.

The Star yesterday reported that Eskom warned that it may interrupt electricity supply to parts of Johannesburg from July 8 after accusing the City of Johannesburg and City Power of failing to comply with a court-backed repayment agreement linked to an escalating debt now exceeding R5.2 billion.

According to the power utility, the city had failed to repay both historical debts and pay its current electricity account, despite a settlement agreement that was formalised by an order of the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg in November 2025.

Morero revealed that the city was finalising a multi-million agreement with German development bank KFW to fund energy-related projects linked to City Power’s turnaround strategy.

The mayor also pledged tougher action against corruption and called on the National Treasury, Public Protector, and Special Investigating Unit to investigate the city’s finances.

Closing his address, the mayor urged residents to remain patient as Johannesburg attempts to recover from years of decline.

“Our journey is long. We must not tire,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts to project optimism and stability throughout the speech, the Organization Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) stated that the speech revealed the extent of Johannesburg's financial, infrastructure, and governance crises.

While OUTA welcomes the city's more open acknowledgement of Johannesburg’s serious challenges, including a reported R220 billion infrastructure backlog, severe utility losses, and growing financial pressure, the organisation says the address highlighted an increasing disconnect between a mayor’s political messaging and the lived reality experienced daily by residents.

“The speech attempted to present Johannesburg as a city on a path to recovery, yet many of the city's own admissions point to a municipality under severe strain,” said Julius Kleynhans, OUTA executive manager.

“Residents living through collapsing infrastructure, water outages, refuse failures, billing chaos, and deteriorating roads are unlikely to recognise the picture presented in this address.”

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

More than 16,000 Gauteng parents, teachers and residents have signed a petition demanding the reversal of controversial school budget cuts, as the Gauteng Department of Education admitted that infrastructure maintenance funds for the current financial year have already been exhausted, leaving schools scrambling to keep basic services running.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it has formally submitted the petition to the Gauteng Education Portfolio Committee, demanding an immediate reversal of what it describes as a 64% reduction in budgets allocated to Quintile 5 public schools.

The party said the cuts are already having severe consequences for schools across the province, with principals and governing bodies struggling to maintain basic services, including electricity, sanitation, infrastructure repairs and learner support programmes.

Across Gauteng, schools are battling to keep the lights on, maintain basic infrastructure, pay for municipal services, repair toilets, provide learner support programmes and sustain extracurricular activities.

The growing financial strain comes amid increasing concern over mounting debt at Gauteng schools. Recently, The Star reported that several public schools across the province collectively owed more than R600 million in unpaid municipal debt, with some schools facing threats of water and electricity disconnections due to spiralling unpaid accounts.

School governing bodies previously warned that rising operational costs, coupled with declining provincial support, were pushing many institutions towards financial collapse.

The DA launched the petition in January 2026 after visiting several schools and documenting what it describes as a deepening financial crisis in public education.

In the petition, the party is calling for urgent intervention, including the reversal of the 64% cuts, protection of school budgets from further reductions, prioritisation of frontline education spending, and structured engagement with affected schools and communities.

Michael Waters, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education, said the scale of public support reflects growing anger over the funding model.

“The people have spoken, and their message is clear: reverse the cuts now!” Waters said.

He added that the situation reflects a broader failure in education funding priorities, warning that schools and parents were being forced to absorb the impact of what he described as reckless financial decisions.

“It is unacceptable that the Gauteng Provincial Government expects schools and parents to absorb the damage while ordinary families are already struggling with a severe cost-of-living crisis,” he said.

Waters said the DA believed the cuts were directly affecting classrooms, learner safety and educational quality, adding that the impact would be felt for years if not addressed.

“The education of our children is non-negotiable - it is a right that must be protected at all costs,” he said.

The growing backlash comes as The Star has seen an internal Gauteng Department of Education letter sent to principals and School Governing Bodies confirming that infrastructure maintenance budgets for the 2025/26 financial year have been fully depleted.

The letter states: “We regret to inform you that the allocated budget for infrastructure maintenance for the current year has been fully depleted. As a result, the Department of Education Head Office will not be able to respond to requests for material work or maintenance projects at schools until further notice.”

The department further advised schools to explore alternative arrangements, including external funding and cost-saving measures, while prioritising urgent repairs that may pose health and safety risks.

Responding to questions, the Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana, speaking on behalf of Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile, said Quintile 5 schools had previously received additional support beyond what was prescribed under national funding regulations.

“The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) can confirm that Quintile 5 schools received funding at rates aligned to Quintile 4 schools as an administrative support measure by the Gauteng Department of Education,” Lubhelwana said.

“However, this arrangement was not legislated under the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF) due to increasing fiscal pressures and budget constraints.”

Lubhelwana said the department had since aligned allocations with nationally prescribed funding targets published in Government Gazette No. 54180 dated 20 February 2026.

“Accordingly, this was implemented to ensure equitable, sustainable, and legally compliant distribution of limited resources, while prioritising no-fee schools and learners from poorer communities,” he said.

He added that fee-paying schools were encouraged to apply for compensation linked to fee exemptions granted to parents and could also supplement funding through school fees and fundraising initiatives.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Orlando Pirates legend Andries Sebola says the team must stick to their tried-and-tested formula when they face Orbit College in their must-win Betway Premiership season finale at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Pirates were held to a goalless draw by Durban City at Orlando Stadium last Saturday. That result delayed their league coronation as they remained second on the log with 66 points, two behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have already completed their season.

Sebola, who won the league with Pirates in the early 1990s, pulled no punches when reflecting on the team’s recent setback in front of their home supporters during their title pursuit.

“They were overconfident. They thought they had already won the game before it was played,” Sebola told Independent Media. “They wanted glory against Durban City so that they could avoid facing Orbit, who are fighting to avoid relegation.

“The lack of experience also counted against them. They have never been in that situation before. There was no leader who could guide them through what was going to happen on the day.

“They put themselves under unnecessary pressure because they could have relaxed and played their normal football. They didn’t play according to the coaches’ plan or the way we know them, but for themselves that day.”

Not all is lost for Pirates. They will be crowned champions if they beat Orbit at the already sold-out World Cup venue on Saturday.

Given everything that transpired in Orlando, Sebola has warned the players against complacency, being overwhelmed by the occasion and chasing personal glory. He believes it will be important for the team to stick to their philosophy, especially with Orbit desperate to avoid relegation.

“They need to keep calm, knowing that it won’t be easy,” Sebola said. “Orbit want at least a point, especially looking at the result of the other team (Marumo Gallants).

“It won’t be easy, especially given the fact that the game is already sold out. They just need to play their normal game. They need to play as a team because they know each other well. They must not be selfish by chasing individual glory and wanting to boast that they won the league for Pirates after 14 years.”

Pirates are expected to win the game on paper. They boast superior depth in attack and defence, having scored 56 goals, while goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has kept a record-extending 20 clean sheets in the league this season.

Sebola admits that Pirates have goals in them, but stressed the importance of taking their chances early in the match to settle into the game.

“The team Pirates won the league against that particular year (2012) was Golden Arrows,” Sebola recalled. “Arrows were in a good position at the time, and now Orbit need at least a point to preserve their status.

“It’s going to be tough. As long as the referee is fair, we’ll see good football. The Pirates I know will create chances, but they must convert them as soon as possible so that they can settle their nerves and relax.”

Wayne Arendse has advised Mamelodi Sundowns to stick to their usual approach against AS FAR in Rabat, saying that is the only way they can win over hearts in foreign territory and improve their chances of victory.

Sundowns will visit AS FAR at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday night (8pm kick-off). They already hold the advantage in the tie after securing a slender 1-0 victory in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld last Sunday.

Given that, anything other than a defeat in Rabat will crown Sundowns champions of Africa, ending the club’s 10-year drought, with their last triumph coming under Pitso Mosimane in 2016.

Sundowns cannot afford to leave anything to chance in Morocco, as the hosts’ supporters – including fans of arch-rivals Wydad Casablanca and Raja Casablanca –  are expected to rally behind AS FAR, creating a hostile atmosphere for the Brazilians and a boost for the home side.

Former defender Arendse, who was part of the 2016 title-winning team that beat Zamalek SC 3-1 on aggregate after a 3-0 home win and a 1-0 defeat in Cairo, explained what Sundowns need to do to reign supreme.

“In North Africa, I think they respect Sundowns and quality football. They appreciate that,” Arendse told Independent Media. “If Sundowns continue to play the way they normally do – with flair, quick movement and interplay – I am sure they can win a few supporters over.”

Miguel Cardoso is eager to be third-time lucky and win his first continental crown after falling short in his previous attempts with Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Sundowns.

Given Sundowns’ familiarity with North African conditions, Arendse believes the team must adopt a strong mentality to withstand whatever comes their way.

“They need to focus on their business and not worry about the noise outside. The Moroccan crowd can be very hostile,” Arendse said. “Their hostility can be seen through their flares and fireworks.

“There’ll be a massive crowd. A lot of players in the squad are already used to the atmosphere … you’ll see supporters knocking on their bus.”

𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗟 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 💪

Bafana Ba Style speak on the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL final, the belief in the team, and the mission ahead. Everything comes down to this moment 🔥 🙌 #Sundowns #AreyengMasandawanaUntilItsDone pic.twitter.com/K3xEK0Tntr

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 20, 2026

The mind games between the two teams appear to have started long before kick-off. It was reported that Sundowns players and coaching staff were left stranded at O. R. Tambo International Airport and had to return home on Tuesday after their chartered flight to Rabat was reportedly not granted permission to land in Morocco.

Sundowns reportedly departed South African shores on Wednesday. However, they still lost a day in their preparations and recovery plans.

Arendse was also fascinated by the fact that left-back Aubrey Modiba scored in the first leg, replicating the feat achieved by 2016 teammate and left-back Tebogo Langerman. He believes Sundowns must continue playing to their strengths.

“The two left-backs managed to score. So, yeah, it’s going to be a very interesting one because I believe that whenever Sundowns play, they always have a goal in them,” Arendse said. “So, they must play to score. An extra goal will give them an extra cushion.

“I think they must stick to the positives because they know AS FAR have to come at them and score. If things stay the same, Sundowns will win. In doing that, there are expected to be gaps and spaces.

“Everything is in Sundowns’ hands and in their favour. They have played the first half of the tie, and now it is about finishing the job.”

Two players who have been at the heart of the Lions’ resurgence in the United Rugby Championship — Morne van den Berg and Asenathi Ntlabakanye — are no longer part of their team’s play-off hopes and are also likely to be removed from the Springboks’ plans.

For tighthead prop Ntlabakanye, it looks like a long-term removal from both teams — unless he successfully appeals his 18-month ban for a doping offence — while the situation with scrum-half “Krappies" is less clear. We know only that he returned home from URC action in Ireland with a torn biceps. That would suggest he is in serious danger of missing out on July’s Nations Championship.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is used to players succumbing to the various vagaries of the sport, and at tighthead prop and scrum-half, he will be examining his depth. We know the wily coach likes to have players stacked up in each position as his immediate favourites, his next-in-lines, and his long-term possibilities.

At the beginning of this year, the Bok options at nine centred around Cobus Reinach, Van den Berg, Grant Williams, and Jaden Hendrikse as the leading contenders, with Faf de Klerk a back-up in case of emergency, and Embrose Papier knocking on the door. Long-term replacements then — and now — were Junior Boks Haashim Pead and Imad Khan.

Right now, the leading four scrum-halves are injured — Reinach, Van den Berg, Williams, and Hendrikse. There are still about six weeks until the Boks’ opening match against England on July 4 for the front-runners to recover, but Reinach is out with a serious groin injury, and both Williams and Hendrikse remain injury-prone. The Sharks duo have played very little in Durban in recent months.

Countering the worry over the front-line scrum-halves is the return to favour of Papier, whose sensational URC campaign with the Bulls has been rewarded with an invitation to the current alignment camp.

Furthermore, Erasmus is rumoured to have given his approval for Ivan van Zyl’s return to South Africa from Saracens to play for the Sharks. Erasmus picked Van Zyl for six Tests in 2018, but has ignored him since. There is also the under-rated Nico Steyn, who is mostly ahead of Pead in the Lions' pecking order. The 24-year-old Steyn played for the Junior Springboks in 2021 and 2022.

At tighthead prop, the Boks are seldom short of options even if stalwarts such as Frans Malherbe and Vincent Koch are entering the twilight of their careers. The spearheads at the moment — Wilco Louw and Thomas du Toit — are in fantastic form, but who will back them next year in Australia now that Ntlabakanye is out?

Stormers veteran Neethling Fouche is an obvious candidate. He is a superb scrummager and gets around the field industriously. Former Lions prop Carlu Sadie is having a superb season with Bordeaux and would be a like-for-like substitute for Louw should there be a need. He could well take over from Ntlabakanye.

The long-term future in the position is currently booked by Stormers prospect Zachary Porthen, who was capped three times last year.

Comment

Mamelodi Sundowns have faced every possible negative headlines this week ahead of their CAF Champions League final second leg against AS FAR.

After winning the first leg 1-0 courtesy of an Aubrey Modiba wonder freekick in Tshwane on Sunday, there has been a shortage of positive headlines.

Even immediately after Sunday's match, the screaming reaction was that they had squandered chances when they should have scored more goals to cement their home advantage.

Indeed, that criticism is warranted considering that Sundowns really should have won by a more respectable scoreline given the chances they created.

However, you have to feel for Sundowns. While they were dealing with that criticism, they were subjected to airport delays when they were denied a landing permit in Rabat — "special treatment" coming courtesy of their beloved hosts, the "brotherly" Moroccans.

With the assistance of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Sundowns finally jetted off to Rabat on a charter flight on Wednesday — thanks to their deep pockets, as they are owned by the billionaire Motsepe family.

To top it all, there were two headlines that must have been weighing heavily on coach Miguel Cardoso's mind. Sundowns fans have been trolling him on social media, directing serious outbursts at Cardoso with reference to a statement he made some weeks ago.

The Portuguese mentor blurted out that some people from South Africa had handed AS FAR video intelligence of their match preparations after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kaizer Chiefs in the league match that brought Pirates back to the title race.

It was the second time this season that Cardoso had made such remarks; in February, a member of the Sundowns technical team, Mario Masha, was suspended after Cardoso accused him of sending their match plans to former coach Rulani Mokoena, who was leading MC Alger at the time.

This has been perceived by some football followers as Cardoso's way of making excuses just in case they fail to win the Champions League and possibly end the season trophyless, as they look set to lose the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates.

That is where the other sting comes from; for Sundowns to finish their league matches early and leave Pirates with a chance to take the title, it was always going to require serious mental strength to forget about matters relating to the domestic league.

Sundowns were supposed to fly out on Tuesday, and that 24-hour delay meant losing a day of training. If there is a silver lining to this, it is hard to see.

At least Sundowns are not new to all this. This is Sundowns' second Champions League final in a row, and Cardoso’s third consecutive. There could be no better combination.

A Johannesburg MMC and her bodyguard were arrested after a 16-year-old boy opened a criminal case alleging kidnapping, pointing of a firearm and common assault, in a matter that has now been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions despite the complainant later withdrawing the case.

Police confirmed on Wednesday, May 20, that MMC for Economic Development Nomoya Mnisi and a second suspect, aged 36 and 43, were arrested and appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court following the incident.

“According to the case number provided, a case of common assault, kidnapping, and pointing of a firearm was opened at Doornkop Police Station on 16 May 2026,” police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said.

“Two suspects, aged 36 and 43, were arrested and appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on 18 May 2026.”

Sibeko said although the complainant later indicated an intention to withdraw the case, prosecutors are still considering the matter.

“The complainant indicated an intention to withdraw the case; however, the matter has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision,” Sibeko said.

The arrests have triggered political fallout inside Johannesburg’s coalition politics, with ActionSA demanding that Mayor Dada Morero immediately remove Mnisi from the mayoral committee.

“This raises serious questions about the breakdown of the rule of law, where politically connected individuals abuse their power to undermine the rights and dignity of ordinary South Africans.”

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba and Johannesburg mayoral candidate said the party condemned what it described as criminal conduct by a senior public representative.

“ActionSA demands that Mayor Dada Morero institute disciplinary action to remove this criminal MMC from the Council’s Executive,” he said.

“The days of the ANC undermining the rule of law without consequences are over.”

The Star approached both the office of the executive mayor and the office of the MMC for comments. Both declined to comment on the matter.

However, The Star received a detailed response from Mnisi’s attorneys, RAMS Attorneys, who denied allegations that the MMC or her bodyguard kidnapped, assaulted or threatened the teenager with a firearm.

In correspondence sent to The Star, the attorneys said the incident arose after Mnisi discovered that her minor daughter had left home with a teenage boy despite her objections to their relationship.

“On or about 15 May 2026, at approximately 20h00, our client returned to her residence accompanied by her bodyguard,” the attorneys said.

The attorneys said Mnisi and her bodyguard later tracked down her daughter while she was walking with the teenage boy before stopping the pair and confronting them over the relationship. According to the legal team, “They stopped the vehicle, and the minor boy was briefly asked to stay so that the situation could be addressed.” 

The attorneys insisted no offence had been committed.

“At no stage was the minor boy held against his will, nor was he assaulted or threatened with a firearm. Following a brief discussion, the minor boy left peacefully and returned home,” they said.

According to the attorneys, Mnisi voluntarily handed herself over to police after learning authorities were searching for her.

“Our client was thereafter surprised to learn that the police were looking for her. She voluntarily presented herself at the police station, where she was arrested,” the statement read.

The legal team further maintained that the complainant later withdrew the matter and insisted Mnisi never appeared before the court, despite police confirming that two suspects had appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court following their arrests.

“The complainant subsequently withdrew the case, the matter was never enrolled in court, and our client therefore never appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.”

The attorneys also appealed for privacy, saying Mnisi was mourning the recent death of her mother.

“Our client is currently undergoing an exceptionally difficult and emotionally distressing period following the recent passing of her mother. We request that you afford our client the necessary space and dignity to mourn her mother and attend to funeral preparations and arrangements,” the attorneys said.

Despite the withdrawal request, police confirmed the matter remains under consideration by the DPP.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

J'Something (João da Fonseca) is all about connection, whether it's through music, family or food.

The legendary Mi Casa frontman, who has built a career defined by versatility and authenticity, has successfully evolved into not only a celebrated performer, but also a respected entrepreneur, television personality and passionate food enthusiast, earning admiration for his ability to resonate with audiences both on and off the stage.

It was this same energy that he brought to Artistry, where guests were treated to an experience reflecting his signature warmth, creativity and effortless ability to bring people together through culture, conversation and shared moments. 

The multi-experience lifestyle and entertainment venue in Sandton was co-founded by J'Something in partnership with BlackBrick.

After opening its doors in September 2022, Artistry has evolved into a dynamic space that fuses exceptional food with live music, theatre and nightlife.

The rooftop restaurant, theatre and listening bar have also been lauded for their cultural impact through various initiatives, and now the venue has even more praise to its name.

Earlier this month, Artistry was named Best Rooftop Restaurant at the 2026 LUXE People's Choice Awards.

For J’Something, who has also been busy releasing new music as part of his solo career, the accolade is especially meaningful because it was voted for by the public.

“It means a lot because it comes from the people and when you build something from the heart, there’s something deeply affirming about people choosing it,” he explained during an interview with “Independent Media Lifestyle.” 

He also reflected on how important the restaurant venture has become to him - a project to which he has devoted himself fully.

“Artistry has been one of the hardest and most beautiful journeys of my life,” he admitted. “There’s the dream … then there’s the reality … and then there’s everything in between.”

“Hospitality teaches you humility very quickly, so for people to see us, support us and vote for us means more than an award, honestly. It means the energy is landing.”

The musician also stressed the importance of “building a home for creativity, connection and culture in the middle of Sandton.”

He described Artistry as a “place where people can eat, feel, discover and belong,” adding: “This award feels like encouragement to keep going and keep dreaming.” 

For him, hospitality is storytelling.

“At Artistry, we never wanted food to feel like something happening upstairs while music happened downstairs. We wanted everything to feel connected - the lighting, the playlist, the pace of service, the cocktails, the conversations, the performance - all of it contributing to one feeling. That’s when I realised a menu isn’t just food. It’s rhythm. It's a memory. It's an emotion.”

Meanwhile, J'Something remains proud of Artistry’s growing cultural impact, particularly through the Leading Vibe Initiative hosted in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning artist Tems.

Held at the venue on Human Rights Day, the programme aims to uplift and amplify women shaping the future of music by bringing together a dynamic community of both emerging and established creatives, including Uncle Waffles, Zoë Modiga, Kamo Mphela and Moonchild Sanelly, among many others.

When asked what new insights he gained about what it truly takes to create and hold space for women in music and creativity, J’Something responded: “I think one of the biggest lessons was realising that creating space is not the same as simply inviting people into a room."

“Real space requires intention, safety, listening and trust.”

He added, “What inspired me most was seeing how different all these women are creatively, yet how powerful they become when they are fully themselves. It reminded me that the role of platforms like Artistry is not to shape artists into something commercially acceptable, but rather to protect the conditions that allow authenticity to thrive.”

And with initiatives like the Leading Vibe Initiative, he sees Artistry as a cultural argument he is continuously expressing in different forms.

“Artistry was never meant to just be a venue; it’s a belief system in many ways.”

He elaborated: “A belief that creativity deserves beautiful spaces. A belief that culture should not be separated into categories. A belief that food, music, design, conversation and community all belong together.

“So yes, Artistry is a restaurant and a venue, but it’s also us continuously expressing an idea about what modern African culture can feel like when it’s intentional, collaborative and emotionally honest.”

If Orlando Pirates stars Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis have one of their best days in the Betway Premiership when they visit strugglers Orbit College on Saturday, the Buccaneers will dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as league champions.

The title race has gone down to the last day after Pirates suffered a defensive upset against 2026 Nedbank Cup champions Durban City, who held them to a 0-0 draw at Orlando Stadium last weekend.

Mofokeng and Appollis failed to add to their goal contributions (goals scored and assists), as Siphamandla Ncanana, a contender for Defender of the Season, led City from the back to pull off yet another defensive masterclass.

Both Mofokeng and Appollis have numbers on their side to position them as contenders for the 2026 PSL Footballer of the Season and PSL Players’ Player of the Season, and they will be eager to add to them in the Mbombela Stadium encounter.

Their league numbers read:

• Mofokeng — 10 goals scored, six assists and six Player of the Match awards.

• Appollis — nine goals scored, six assists and five Player of the Match awards.

These numbers pit them against each other and compel each individual to pull their socks up in this remaining match, especially when looking at how they have performed in all competitions this season.

Appollis has played more matches, with 42 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists. Mofokeng follows with 35 matches played, scoring 11 goals and also providing nine assists.

In addition to the Footballer of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season, Mofokeng and Appollis are also strong contenders for the PSL Midfielder of the Season, considering that they are mostly deployed on the wings and behind the strikers.

For Defender of the Season, Pirates will most likely be represented by Lebone Seema, while Sundowns have Grant Kekana, with City’s Ncanana also in the mix.

For Coach of the Season, the two front-runners are Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso and Orlando Pirates’ Abdeslam Ouaddou; whoever wins the league between the two will most likely take the crown.

It is, though, notable that Cardoso made history this season by being crowned Coach of the Month three times in a row, which was a first in the PSL.

Due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, which Bafana Bafana open against Mexico on June 11, the PSL Awards are most likely to take place after the global showpiece. It was the same story last season, as the PSL allowed the FIFA Club World Cup, in which Mamelodi Sundowns participated, to pass before holding the virtual awards ceremony.

Both Pirates and Sundowns are expected to dominate Bafana selection ahead of the World Cup.

Some notable numbers below:

Most clean sheets:

20 Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

15 Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)

13 Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

13 Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC)

Most Player of the Match awards:

6 Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

5 Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)

5 Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs)

Most goals:

14 Sede Dion (Lamontville Golden Arrows)

12 Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)

10 Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Police have launched a high-level manhunt after Mahikeng crime activist and traditional healer Thato Molosankwe was shot dead at his home in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The killing has sent shockwaves through Mahikeng, where Molosankwe had become widely known for his anti-crime activism, community mobilisation campaigns and vocal stance against corruption and gender-based violence.

Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has now ordered maximum resources to be deployed to track down those behind the murder.

“The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, to ensure maximum resources are deployed to hunt down the killers of vocal Mahikeng-born crime activist and traditional healer, Mr Thato Molosankwe,” SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.

According to Mathe, Molosankwe was attacked at his home in Lomanyaneng village and sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Lieutenant General Dimpane strongly condemned the killing and vowed that investigators would leave no stone unturned.

“Lieutenant General Dimpane has strongly condemned the brutal murder and assured the community that no stone will be left unturned until those responsible are found and brought to book,” Mathe said.

The Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit has since taken over the investigation.

Molosankwe was widely known across Mahikeng and other parts of the country for his activism against crime, corruption and gender-based violence.

Over the years, he became recognised for embarking on long-distance walks and community campaigns aimed at confronting violence against women and children, while also advocating for moral regeneration in communities.

In 2017, Molosankwe undertook a gruelling walk from Cape Town to Mahikeng to raise awareness about the abuse of women and children and encourage men to take responsibility within their families and communities.

He later launched a continent-wide “Moral Regeneration Walk”, travelling across South Africa and parts of Africa campaigning against gender-based violence, crime and social decay.

Molosankwe also earned recognition during the July 2021 unrest after helping mobilise residents and local volunteers to protect businesses and prevent looting in Mahikeng.

At the time, he said he had dedicated his life to fighting crime and corruption after years of being dismissed by some community members as “crazy” for speaking out.

Police described him as a community-minded activist who played a significant role in strengthening relations between communities and SAPS while assisting efforts aimed at combating crime and corruption.

“Mr Molosankwe has been described by local police as a community-minded individual who played an important role in assisting police efforts aimed at fighting crime and corruption as well as strengthening relations between the SAPS and communities,” Mathe said.

Police are appealing to anyone with information linked to the killing to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit anonymous tip-offs through the MySAPS App.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Africa’s manufacturing sector stands at a defining moment. As global supply chains shift, industrial priorities evolve, and African markets continue to expand, the continent has a unique opportunity to position itself as a globally competitive manufacturing powerhouse.

Against this backdrop, the Manufacturing Indaba 2026 will take place on 14–15 July 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg under the theme: “Made in Africa: Scaling Growth, Shaping Trade.” 

Recognised as one of Africa’s leading industrialisation platforms, the Manufacturing Indaba brings together manufacturers, investors, policymakers, technology providers, logistics companies, financiers and industrial leaders from across the continent.

The event combines a high-level conference with a vital industrial exhibition that showcases the latest manufacturing technologies, industrial solutions, machinery, automation systems, energy innovations and supply chain capabilities driving Africa’s industrial growth.

The 2026 conference programme will tackle some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector today. Discussions will explore how Africa can move from being primarily an exporter of raw materials to becoming a value-added manufacturing hub capable of competing globally.

Key plenary sessions will focus on Africa’s industrial future, financing industrialisation, enabling technologies for manufacturing growth, and the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in unlocking a US$3.4 trillion market for “Made in Africa” products. 

Infrastructure and energy security remain central to industrial development, and the event will examine how transmission expansion, rail modernisation, ports, logistics and regional trade corridors can improve competitiveness and reduce the cost of doing business across Africa. Sessions such as “The Infrastructure–Manufacturing Nexus” and “Trade Corridors and Logistics: AfCFTA in Action” will address practical solutions to strengthening industrial supply chains. 

Technology and innovation will also feature strongly. Industry leaders will debate the impact of AI, automation, digitalisation and smart manufacturing under the Industry 4.0 agenda, while innovation-focused discussions will highlight African-led research and development solutions designed specifically for the continent’s manufacturing environment. 

Sector-specific discussions will cover automotive manufacturing, FMCG expansion, agro-processing, mining beneficiation and critical minerals processing — all industries with major growth potential under AfCFTA. At the same time, the event will examine the importance of vocational training and workforce development in preparing Africa’s labour force for the factories of the future. 

Importantly, the industrial exhibition forms a core pillar of the Manufacturing Indaba. The exhibition floor provides companies with a powerful platform to showcase products, technologies and services directly to decision-makers, procurement teams, governments and investors actively seeking industrial partnerships and solutions.

Combined with structured B2B networking and business matchmaking opportunities, the event creates an environment designed to stimulate investment, partnerships and real commercial outcomes.

As Africa accelerates its industrialisation journey, Manufacturing Indaba 2026 is set to play a critical role in shaping conversations, fostering collaboration and driving the continent’s manufacturing future forward.

Three decades in, it’s safe to say that I have witnessed some of the best FIFA World Cups in modern generations. While there might be some controversy around the upcoming global showpiece next month, the football on the pitch is set to be nothing short of thrilling.

However, I still have to go back and reflect on some of the best players who I’ve managed to watch shine on the biggest football stage in the last five editions.

Here are my five picks:

Lionel Messi – Argentina (2022)

Messi finally won the World Cup with his native Argentina in the last edition held in Qatar, crowning off what has been an outstanding career. The 38-year-old wasn’t handed the crown on a silver platter. He fought with sweat, tears, and blood for it. He had a superb final, scoring two goals, en route to legendary status that rivals the great Maradona.

Kylian Mbappe – France (2018)

At 19 years of age, Mbappe won his first World Cup with Les Bleus. He was the star of the show in Russia, whizzing past defenders with ease. Mbappe’s exploits didn’t only announce him to global football, but they laid a solid foundation for what has been a fantastic career. He worked hard to retain the title in the last edition, only for France to lose to Argentina in the final, in which Mbappe scored a hattrick.

Mesut Ozil – Germany (2014)

Ozil announced himself to world football in 2010. However, it was in the 2014 Brazil edition that he hit peak form, inspiring his nation to the title. Operating as a playmaker, Ozil aced the role to a tee. He made the German attack tick going forward, offering passes to his marksmen that were easier to score than to miss.

Diego Forlan – Uruguay (2010)

Forlan won hearts in the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. His love affair with the event’s match ball, Jabulani, was evident as he could score from all sorts of angles. His exploits at the World Cup were so impressive that locals even forgave him after a crushing brace in their second group stage match as Uruguay won 3-0 to book their spot in the knockout stage with a game to spare.

Zinedine Zidane – France (2006)

Zidane will famously be remembered for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final as he was shown a straight red card in extra-time before France lost on penalties. However, “Zizou” was duly crowned the best player of the tournament. He was France’s main man, thanks to his dazzling skills on and off the ball, which made him embarrass some of the best players around the world at that moment.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is facing a major media backlash after tickets for next year’s Proteas and England New Year Test match at Newlands in Cape Town were sold out within minutes of being placed on sale.

Tickets were released on Monday morning at 9am for the three-match series between the World Test Champions — the Proteas — and England. Matches are scheduled for the Wanderers in Johannesburg from December 17–21, SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26–30, and Newlands in Cape Town from January 3–7.

The Newlands Test is the marquee event of the international cricket summer. The iconic venue, with its backdrop of Table Mountain, did not host any men’s international cricket last season along with the rest of the stadiums around the country due to the upgrading of facilities for the hosting of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. South Africa last hosted the tournament back in 2003.

Local cricket fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration at the fact that Newlands had reportedly sold out within seconds of going on sale. The Grandstand at Centurion was also snapped up instantly — leaving only spots available on the grass banks.

England have traditionally arrived in South Africa with a large travelling fan contingent, with their premier supporters' base known as the "Barmy Army", whilst there have also been many further travelling tour groups in attendance.

It is understood that the majority of the Newlands tickets have been pre-sold to these England tour groups, particularly as Cricket SA’s financial stability has a major reliance on ticket sales, travel packages, and tourism partnerships — generating between 35% and 45% of CSA’s annual revenue.

The furore around tickets for the Proteas and England New Year Test in Cape Town is a regular occurrence. During the last England tour in 2020, 50% of the tickets were allocated to local South African supporters and 50% to English fans.

The Proteas ultimately lost that 2020 Newlands Test, with former captain Faf du Plessis making reference to the large number of English fans in the stadium, stating: “Next time hopefully we can put a block on the amount of tickets we give away.”

Newlands’ capacity was traditionally 22,000, and on previous England tours, this number has been increased to facilitate the huge demand for tickets by the erection of a temporary stand between the existing Railway Stand and North Stand.

However, due to the transformation of Newlands into a multi-faceted development — with Varsity College now among its tenants — there is no longer physical space for any temporary seating.

Cricket SA and the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) were contacted, but both were unwilling to comment at this stage.

Eskom has warned that it may interrupt electricity supply to parts of Johannesburg from July 8 after accusing the City of Johannesburg and City Power of failing to comply with a court-backed repayment agreement linked to an escalating debt now exceeding R5.2 billion.

The power utility said the city had defaulted on both historical debt repayments and the payment of its current electricity account, despite a settlement agreement that was formalised through an order of the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg in November 2025.

In a formal notice issued to the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and City Power, Eskom said it would proceed with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) consultation process ahead of planned electricity supply interruptions to bulk supply points across the city unless the matter is resolved.

“The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and/or City Power is currently indebted to Eskom in the amount of R5 255 421 994.16, excluding the current account due on 05 June 2026,” Eskom said in the notice.

Eskom said itself, the city and City Power had previously concluded a repayment settlement agreement regulating the payment of historical debt and current electricity accounts.

However, the utility accused the city of failing to comply with the terms of the agreement, despite the arrangement being made an order of court.

“Despite the existence of the aforementioned court order and the indulgence granted by Eskom through the repayment arrangement, CoJ/CP has failed to honour the terms of the court order,” Eskom said.

The utility warned that the growing debt burden was placing “enormous strain” on its cash flow and financial sustainability.

The latest development follows a similar notice issued by Eskom in November 2024, when the utility warned of possible electricity supply interruptions over billions of rand owed by the City of Johannesburg and City Power.

That process led to negotiations between Eskom, the city and City Power, culminating in a structured repayment agreement that was later formalised through a High Court order in 2025.

At the time, Eskom argued that Johannesburg’s arrears were contributing to the broader municipal debt crisis facing the utility nationally, while also accusing the city of withholding portions of its monthly payments over claims of overbilling.

Now, only months after the court-backed agreement was reached, Eskom said the city has once again fallen behind on both historical debt repayments and current electricity obligations.

ActionSA mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba said the renewed threat highlighted serious failures in Johannesburg’s financial management and governance.

“Residents and businesses who pay for services timeously continue to bear the brunt of incompetent and negligent leadership,” Mashaba said.

He warned that any electricity interruption would have devastating consequences for households, hospitals, schools, businesses and the broader economy.

“Johannesburg is a strategic and global economic mecca. Any interruption to electricity supply will have devastating consequences for households, hospitals, schools, small businesses, and the broader economy,” he said.

Mashaba added that the city risked undoing progress made after Eskom recently celebrated more than 365 days without load shedding.

“Yet, as the country celebrates progress in stabilising electricity supply, the City of Joburg risks plunging its own residents back into darkness because, simply because it has failed to pay its bills,” he said.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the utility was aware of the outstanding debt issue, which had already been discussed with Eskom through the Intergovernmental Relations Forum.

“I know that we have been paying through the city’s finance department, and the areas should be reduced from where they were. The city is best positioned to respond to the said letter and alleged threats by Eskom,” he said.

The renewed debt dispute comes as City Power continues to battle widespread electricity losses, illegal connections and infrastructure vandalism across Johannesburg.

Last month, the utility uncovered large-scale electricity theft in Alexandra, where all 384 households on a single street were found to have tampered with or bypassed newly installed prepaid electricity meters.

City Power has repeatedly warned that illegal connections, meter tampering and non-payment are severely affecting revenue collection, damaging infrastructure and placing additional strain on the city’s electricity network.

Eskom said affected residents and stakeholders would be given until June 17 to make written submissions under the PAJA consultation process before a final decision is taken on whether electricity supply interruptions will proceed from July 8.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

On Tuesday, demonstrators gathered outside the Union Buildings under the banner of Friends of Senzo Meyiwa, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to exert pressure on law enforcement to give the prosecution and investigation of the soccer player's 2014 murder top priority.

They specifically called on Ramaphosa to ensure that the South African Police Service (SAPS), Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and the National Prosecuting Authority speed up the investigation into the five people present when Meyiwa was shot at his singer girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s family home in Vosloorus. 

Their spokesperson, Herbert Maphumulo, said the demonstration's purpose was to hand over a memorandum of demands because they are tired of the State’s alleged cover-up of the murder case.  

He said two cases have been opened against the prosecutor and the investigating officer for allegedly fabricating evidence in Meyiwa’s murder.  

The murder trial of the five accused - Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Sifisokuhle Ntuli, Mthobisi Prince Ncube, Bongani Ntanzi, and Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa - is currently under way at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.

When asked what the picketers hoped to achieve by coming to the Presidency, Maphumulo said: “We are hoping that the president will give this case the same attention he gave to Phala Phala when his dollars were stolen, and state resources were used to recover them. We would like the president to give this case the same attention he gave to the Marikana case, where people were killed for demanding a fair wage increase.”

Participants also claimed that the SAPS and IPID were delaying investigations into the cases opened against the police and the State prosecutor.  

They called on the government to ensure the Hawks investigate such cases.  

Maphumulo said the call to refer the matters to the Hawks had previously been made to suspended SAPS Commissioner Fannie Masemola, but he was reluctant to do so. 

“The question is: why are they reluctant to refer these matters to the Hawks? It is a high-profile case. Approximately 10 witnesses have been assassinated in connection with the case. Our request to the Minister of Police and the president is that they prioritise this matter and refer it to the Hawks.”  

He said the protesters also called for those responsible for Meyiwa’s murder to be arrested, arguing that the people currently on trial are not the correct suspects. 

He believed that the people who should have been charged with murder are those who were inside the house when Meyiwa was shot.

“The State is busy protecting the five people who were inside the house,” Maphumolo said.

One of the cases was opened in March 2026 by Meyiwa’s older brother, Sifiso Meyiwa. 

Sifiso said: “We are here because we want justice for Senzo. It is clear that the State does not want the right accused arrested. They are busy with the wrong suspects in court, and that is why I ended up opening a case for defeating the ends of justice.” 

He said he wanted the Hawks to investigate the case because the police investigation was moving at a snail’s pace.

“We want the president to take action and put pressure so that the two cases opened against the State are investigated.” 

Sifiso alleged that police confiscated the phone of one of the accused, Ntanzi, and fabricated evidence to build what he called a non-existent case.

One protester, Bongiwe Mkhize, expressed disappointment that after almost 12 years, no justice has been served for Meyiwa’s death. 

She said the case was frustrating because those inside the house when Meyiwa was shot seemed unwilling to tell the truth about what actually happened.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

There is currently a stark discrepancy in accountability in South Africa: the Zondo Commission's recommendations regarding the prosecution of prominent politicians have largely stagnated, while the Madlanga Commission's investigation into police corruption has resulted in prompt, high-level arrests.

This is as concerns grow that the Madlanga Commission had triggered rapid criminal law enforcement action, while high-profile politicians implicated in the Zondo Commission are yet to face the music. 

The Madlanga Commission, established in July 2025, has so far led to the suspension and ongoing criminal prosecution of 18 top police officials within the SAPS, including  National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. 

Masemola, Sibiya, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Major-General Lesetja Senona, and SAPS Employee Health and Wellness Head, Major-General Busisiwe Temba, are facing criminal charges related to a R360 million SAPS health tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, owned by businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Other officers suspended and being investigated in connection to the Medicare 24 contract are Captain Brian Neville, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, Brigadier Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema, Brigadier Patrick Nethengwe, Brigadier Kirsty Jonker, Brigadier Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono, Brigadier Onica Ofentse Tlhoale, Colonel Nonjabulo Nomfundo Mngadi, Colonel Anton Paulsen, and Colonel Natsenge Johannes Monyai.

Head of Counter and Security Intelligence, Major-General Feroz Khan, and Gauteng provincial head of the Hawks, Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa, were arrested for their involvement in an illicit precious metals syndicate and obstructing justice.

On the other hand, while the Zondo Commission recommended the prosecution of over 200 individuals and entities, only former PRASA head of engineering, Daniel Mtimkulu, former Bosasa COO, Angelo Agrizzi, and the late SAA board chairperson Dudu Myeni were convicted and sentenced. 

Despite many officials being processed through the courts, progress remains frustratingly slow, with few high-profile convictions.

Asked why the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was able to act so quickly on senior cops implicated at the Madlanga Commission, while no progress has been made on the prosecution of politicians implicated at the Zondo Commission and other politicians implicated in alleged corruption, spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago did not respond. 

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson, Palesa Rammitlwa, also did not respond, saying questions must be sent to the NPA.

Following his appointment in February, National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi assured the public that the NPA remains deeply committed to prioritising and fast-tracking State Capture prosecutions. 

Mothibi acknowledged a prevalent public perception that the NPA protects high-profile individuals while primarily convicting ordinary citizens. He disputed that the authority is not working hard enough, stating that changing this narrative through “significant execution”, is a core focus. 

He vowed to restore the NPA's institutional credibility by pursuing impactful, high-profile matters to the full extent of the law. 

However, political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said the disparity between the two commissions sends a message of institutional bias, selective justice, and a case of “some animals being more equal than others”. 

Ndlovu added that this will leave many questioning the fairness of the criminal justice system. 

“One gets the sense that some politicians are being protected,” he said. 

Ndlovu stated that former President Jacob Zuma was made a scapegoat and a poster boy for corruption in the arms deal, even though many other politicians were equally guilty.

“This sends a very bad message. It suggests that some people are above the law,” said Ndlovu, adding that ANC factional battles also play a role in this.

“Ramaphosa is protecting those in his faction. Mchunu is a case in point. Remember how Mbeki protected Jackie Selebi? So this is not new,” he said.

Another political analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, said there have always been political elements in how state capture cases are handled by the NPA.

He said there was always a concern that there seems to be politicisation of these cases, adding that this has compromised the integrity of the NPA. 

“This also shows the nexus between politics and law. Who knows if Ramaphosa will not be prosecuted when his term is over, like they instituted charges against the former speaker of Parliament (Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula) and Zizi Kodwa,” he said. 

Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one of money laundering related to allegations that she accepted R4.5 million in kickbacks from a defence contractor between 2016 and 2019. 

She denies all charges, saying she has no propensity to commit crimes. 

Kodwa, the former ANC spokesperson, faces charges of fraud and corruption for allegedly receiving payments from Jehan Mackay, a former executive at the technology outsourcing firm Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings (EOH), to influence the irregular awarding of government IT software contracts. 

He denied the charges, stating that the funds he received were non-transactional loans from a close friend rather than bribes.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za

The United Rugby Championship (URC) organisers have heeded the complaints of the South African clubs and given them lighter overseas travel loads for the new season, which kicks off on Friday, September 26 this year.

The complete fixture list for the 2026/27 season was released on Tuesday, 128 days before the first match, which is the Stormers away to Connacht. That first weekend sees the Lions hosting Leinster at Ellis Park, the Sharks beginning in Durban against the Ospreys, while the Bulls’ first clash is away against Zebre in Italy.

According to the URC press release, the fixture list has been designed to provide greater balance across the regular season, with a more even spread of home and away fixtures and “an optimised touring model for South African teams, who will each complete three two-game URC tours during the (eight-month) campaign.”

The 2026/27 Fixtures are LIVE 🙌

🗓️ https://t.co/PDfug3wz6y #BKTURC | #URCFixtures pic.twitter.com/EK5dOyy2xP

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 19, 2026

The competition will begin with fixtures across Ireland, Italy, South Africa, and Wales on the opening weekend, with all five competing territories in action across the first round. The pick of the opening round sees the 2023 URC champions, Munster, host the 2024 champions, Glasgow Warriors, at Thomond Park on 26 September.

Festive derby rounds will again form a major part of the season, with Rounds 7, 8, and 9 staged across December and early January, while the Race to the Eight will build from Round 13 as the battle for knock-out rugby intensifies.

The format of the competition remains unchanged, with the Top 8 teams progressing to the play-offs. The quarter-finals will begin on Friday, 28 May, with the semi-finals taking place from Saturday, 5 June, before the Grand Final on Saturday, 19 June.

Martin Anayi, URC CEO, said: “After the closest-ever Race to the Eight in 2025/26, we are preparing for another incredibly dramatic URC season.

"The level of competitiveness across the league continues to grow, and we know every round will have a major impact on the battle for Play-Off places, European qualification and, ultimately, the title.”

Orlando Pirates could officially be crowned the Betway Premiership champions if they beat Orbit College in their season finale at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). 

A victory would see the Buccaneers finish the season on 69 points, leapfrogging current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (68 points from 30 games) and ending a 14-year league trophy drought.

Given the magnitude of the game, superior squad depth, and unbeaten streak, Pirates are expected to do the business in Mbombela – win the title and possibly further subject Orbit College to the relegation quagmire. Orbit College currently sits in 15th place with 24 points, level with Marumo Gallants, desperately fighting to avoid the Promotion Play-offs.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed that the team must stick to plan and not get carried away, unlike most supporters, who prematurely celebrated a triumph over Durban City in the penultimate game before the match got underway at Orlando Amstel Arena.

That’s why below, we look at three areas that Pirates must do correctly on the day to be crowned the champions of the land for the first time in 14 years.

Bring scoring boots

Pirates have been the second-best scoring team in the league this season, netting 56 goals – one behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (57 goals). But despite their ruthlessness, they were off-beat against City, with the match ending goalless. Given the fact that anything other than a win against Orbit won't be enough to secure the title, they can’t be blunt in front of goal.

Keep solid defence

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has been outstanding this season, keeping a record-extending 20 clean sheets – thanks to his exploits and the solid work of his defence. Chaine has to ensure that he adds another clean sheet to his already impressive tally, as that would also ensure that Pirates do not lose the game.

 Don’t concede first

While Chaine has been fantastic in goal, in the last three games in which he conceded first, Pirates have failed to bounce back and win the matches. Instead, they’ve only been able to secure a point. It will be crucial that Pirates take the game by the scruff of the neck from the outset against Orbit, as that will allow them to quickly settle and ensure that they play according to their plan, instead of being forced to alter their structure and chase for the equaliser and winner.

Kaizer Chiefs have always found a home away from home at Moses Mabhida Stadium this season, which is why there wouldn’t be a better venue to chase one of their best finishes to the season in recent years.

Chiefs will host Chippa United at the iconic World Cup venue in their season finale on Saturday (3pm). A victory from that match would see them end the season with 57 points, the same tally they recorded during their runners-up finish in the 2019/20 season.

Amakhosi will be confident of bagging all three points and finishing the season on a high in Durban. They bagged a crucial 1-0 win in their penultimate game of the season against locals AmaZulu at the same venue last Saturday.

The win over Usuthu ensured that Chiefs had won all five matches in all competitions they played at the venue this season, whether as a home or away team.

As the venue is likely filled with spectators whenever they come into town, coach Cedric Kaze has expressed his gratitude to the fans, saying that they’ve been the fuel behind the team.

“I would say that Moses Mabhida has been very good to us. Durban has been very good to us throughout the season in the Confederation Cup and in the league,” Kaze explained. “The fans are always there. They cheer us on, they give us that extra energy to go that mile above.”

“The only thing that I can say is that I’m very, very humbled by the support that we get from our fans,” he added.

The clash against Chippa could also be a deciding factor in the future of both co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef, and some fringe players such as Tashreq Morris.

The future of Kaze and Ben Youssef is set to be under review at the end of the season, as they are in the final two months of their contracts. They were appointed as interim coaches after Nasreddine Nabi’s departure until the end of the season.

There have been reports that the club’s bosses are tossed between parting ways with the duo, as they don’t boast strong coaching pedigrees, while there are also considerations of keeping them beyond the current season due to their secured third-place finish. This finish confirms their qualification for next season's CAF Confederation Cup.

Kaze and Ben Youssef have been vocal about the fact that they’d leave the club ‘happier’ if they qualified for a continental spot, something that they’ve now achieved.

However, the satisfaction could even heighten if they bag the 57-point tally and match the team’s recent best season, which would be a huge improvement from their last two campaigns where they finished outside the Top 8.

To get that result, Kaze knows that they’ll need their 12th man to rally behind them against Chippa United, who’ll be eager for three points as they try to avoid the relegation/promotion play-offs this season.

“We are doing everything on the field to make them happy. I want to make a plea to them to please come out in numbers in our final home game of the season here in Durban,” Kaze said. “They must come out to support the club of their life, and we’ll do everything to put a smile on their faces as well.”

Sixteen African National Congress councillors from the embattled Vaal region have escalated their rebellion against party leadership, marching to Luthuli House on Monday to submit a damning memorandum accusing senior regional leaders of political purging, governance interference, corruption, and collapsing service delivery.

The dramatic escalation follows an unsanctioned press briefing held last Thursday, May 14, where the councillors publicly admitted that service delivery in Emfuleni, Sedibeng and Lesedi municipalities had collapsed, while pleading with President Cyril Ramaphosa to authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into alleged corruption and maladministration.

In a memorandum addressed to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and the party’s National Executive Committee, the councillors accuse the ANC Sedibeng Regional Executive Committee of undermining internal democracy through intimidation, victimisation and entrenched factional control. 

“This climate has effectively collapsed internal democracy within the region and reduced the organisation into a machinery of intimidation, patronage, and factional control,” the memorandum reads.

The councillors further allege that ANC Sedibeng regional secretary Jason Mkhwane unlawfully interfered in municipal governance processes and orchestrated the removal and redeployment of councillors without following proper procedures.

“We are speaking about maladministration. We are speaking about the issue of corruption,” one councillor said during last week’s explosive media briefing.

The memorandum also raises allegations of membership manipulation, abuse of disciplinary processes and political interference in municipal administration, claiming outspoken councillors were sidelined for raising concerns about failing service delivery.

Among the councillors allegedly targeted were Moipone Modikeng and Lulama Gamede, who the memorandum claims faced disciplinary action after challenging their removals through the courts.

The group further alleges that wards represented by councillors viewed as critical of regional leadership were deliberately disadvantaged in service delivery programmes and municipal interventions.

The councillors have now demanded that the ANC national leadership urgently dissolve the current Sedibeng Regional Executive Committee and launch independent investigations into allegations of corruption, governance failures and organisational misconduct.

They also called on Ramaphosa to urgently sign an SIU proclamation into Emfuleni Local Municipality, arguing that communities continue to suffer while infrastructure collapses.

“It’s very painful to be a ward councillor when you move in your community,” said Ward 36 councillor Mpho Kodisang during last week’s briefing.

Residents across Emfuleni have for years complained about sewer spillages, water leaks, potholes, illegal dumping and deteriorating infrastructure.

Mkhwane previously distanced the party from the media briefing, warning that the councillors’ conduct was not sanctioned by the organisation.

“All ANC councillors are bound by organisational discipline, caucus processes and the code of conduct signed by public representatives,” Mkhwane said.

The councillors, however, insist their actions are aimed at defending the integrity of the ANC rather than weakening the organisation.

“We do not seek to weaken the movement, but rather to defend its historic mission, constitutional character, and moral standing before society,” the memorandum states.

Responding to the allegations contained in the memorandum, Mkhwane rejected claims that he had improperly interfered in organisational or municipal governance processes.

“The ANC is a democratic organisation governed by its constitution, organisational processes, collective leadership, and established disciplinary and governance frameworks,” Mkhwane said.

He denied accusations that decisions relating to deployments, governance and disciplinary matters were manipulated by individuals acting outside party structures.

“I categorically dispute claims that I have interfered improperly in organisational or governance processes or acted outside of established procedures,” he said.

Mkhwane described some of the allegations as “distorted” and “politically motivated”, adding that several of the matters raised were already subject to internal organisational processes.

“Any suggestion that a single individual can independently manipulate these processes misrepresents both the nature of ANC organisational practice and the institutional governance framework within municipalities,” he said.

He also cautioned against internal political disputes being played out publicly, saying it risked undermining organisational unity and public confidence in democratic institutions.

“It is regrettable that internal political differences are increasingly being projected into the public domain in a manner that risks undermining both organisational unity and public confidence in democratic institutions,” Mkhwane said.

Despite the growing tensions in the region, Mkhwane said the ANC in Sedibeng remained focused on organisational renewal, governance stability, service delivery and preparations for the upcoming local government elections.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Orlando Pirates’ relatively young squad is a double-edged sword for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. While he is pleased with their energy and hunger, he laments that their lack of experience can sometimes work against the team.

Pirates have to beat Orbit College in their last game of the season at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off) to win the Betway Premiership, ending a 14-year drought.

Given that fellow title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns wrapped up their league campaign earlier due to continental matters, Pirates went into their penultimate match needing to beat Durban City to be all but crowned champions.

But it wasn’t to be. City held Pirates to a draw at a buzzing Orlando Amstel Arena last Saturday, ensuring that the title race goes down to the wire in Mbombela on Saturday.

☠️ ⏪ 𝗬𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗠 ⏪

🎤 Nkosinathi Sibisi
🆚 @DurbanCity_FC
🏟 Orlando Amstel Arena
🗓️ 16 May 2026

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/AsokyeYqgw

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 17, 2026

Pirates’ lacklustre performance in front of goal against the Citizens led to the setback. Their attackers failed to be clinical due to lack of timing, awareness of their surroundings, and schoolboy errors.

Ouaddou took note of that, stressing why having a largely youthful squad sometimes works to their advantage, and sometimes against them.

“You must verify, but I think we have the third youngest team in the PSL,” Ouaddou said. “So you have an advantage of having a young team – there’s freshness and a lot of qualities. But sometimes there’s a disadvantage when dealing with these kinds of games of pressure.”

“When you have a young team, you need to keep working. So, I hope that we will respond against Orbit College.”

Ouaddou went all out on youth and unfamiliarity against City. He handed 21-year-old Simphiwe Selepe his first start of the season, while introducing fringe player Abdoulaye Mariko as one of his impact players from the bench.

The Moroccan defended his selection criteria, while revealing why the duo were best suited to play a part in one of their most important games of the season.

“There’s no right or wrong time to bring in a certain player,” Ouadou said. “There are a lot of factors contributing – such as the fitness of the player and what you see during training and training matches.

“I think at the beginning of the season we gave a chance to Mariko against Marumo Gallants. He started his journey at Pirates. So, he had seven months to adapt to the aggressiveness, pace, and environment of the PSL.

“He did very well. You can see improvements since we saw him last time. He came in against City, showed some dynamism, and made an extra final pass inside the box.”

On Selepe, Ouaddou said: “You know Selepe from last season. We thought it was the right time to bring him on. He showed us some great things at training. It was a profile that we needed today – find space between the lines. He did well.” 

A lot went against Pirates against City. They even failed to convert their set-pieces, notably 19 corners, into goals. However, with the team needing goals against Orbit, Ouaddou stressed that they needed to improve.

“If you can check the data now, Pirates is one of the best teams in either defending set-pieces or attacking set-pieces,” Ouaddou said. “It means that we’ve worked hard as the technical team in that area.

“But still, there’s a large area to improve. When you have that many set-pieces and don’t manage to score at least one goal, it means that we still have a lot of work to be done.

“People think that it’s the height of the players that contribute to converting set-pieces, but I think it’s the timing, judging the flight of the ball, and aggressiveness to convert. There are many factors contributing in this area.”

The Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town kicked off on the perfect note on Tuesday when coach Rassie Erasmus was honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Gold by the Presidency on the same day.

Mark Alexander, the President of SA Rugby, congratulated Erasmus on being selected for the prestigious award.

The Order of Ikhamanga recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport. According to the Presidency, Erasmus was nominated to receive the Order for his “inspirational leadership in national and international rugby that has propelled the Springboks to repeated Rugby World Cup championships.

“Victory on the field of play has advanced social cohesion among South Africans and raised the nation’s esteem in the international community,” said the Presidency.

[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa bestows the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold on Springbok Coach Rassie Erasmus. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/i3zBa2fmFt

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 19, 2026

Alexander said: “On behalf of SA Rugby, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Rassie Erasmus on the announcement of his receiving the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold. This prestigious honour is a fitting recognition of his outstanding contribution to rugby and to the promotion of social cohesion in our country.

“Rassie’s achievements have united South Africans across communities — instilling pride and inspiring a spirit of togetherness through the game we love. His leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on the sport and on our nation.

"We are honoured to celebrate this milestone with him. Rassie Erasmus is a true son of the South African soil, and this accolade reflects the immense impact he has had both on and off the field.”

The national accolade adds to a growing list of non-sporting honors for the World Cup-winning mastermind.

In March 2024, Erasmus received an honorary doctorate from the North-West University (NWU), in recognition of “his innovative and exceptional management of the Springboks during their victorious 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup campaigns, his significant standing in the international rugby coaching arena, his strong drive and focus on diversity and inclusion, and his commitment to social responsibility.”

The Newlands New Year’s Test match is not merely an event on the South African sporting calendar; it is a sacred institution.

For generations, the sight of the sun rising over Table Mountain, illuminating the historic oaks and the unique festival atmosphere during the Cape Town holiday period, has represented the pinnacle of the domestic cricket season.

It is where families gather, where memories are forged, and where the soul of South African cricket resides. Yet, ahead of the highly anticipated clash against England, that soul feels as though it has been packaged, priced, and sold to the highest bidder.

The announcement that the fixture is entirely sold out should, under normal circumstances, be a cause for celebration. Instead, it has left local cricket enthusiasts with a profound sense of abandonment.

Tickets for the Test match went on sale on Monday at 9.30am and within a few minutes the sold-out signs went up — leaving thousands of disgruntled local cricket fans completely stranded.

Reports suggest that Cricket South Africa (CSA) may have systematically funnelled the vast majority of the stadium’s capacity directly to international tour operators and travelling England supporters. Nothing has been confirmed as yet, but it appears that CSA chased the British pound and potentially selling these tickets at inflated prices to those overseas fans.

While the financial injection of the "Barmy Army" and foreign currency is undeniably lucrative for local tourism and CSA’s perennially strained coffers, it comes at a devastating spiritual cost for the cricket-loving South African.

When a national federation prioritises corporate greed and short-term financial windfalls, it enters a dangerous ethical deficit. Local fans, who haven’t seen their World Test Championship-holding Proteas on home soil since January 2025 because of the SA20 league, have been told in no uncertain terms that their loyalty is worth less than the British pound.

The domestic summer has already been hollowed out to accommodate lucrative short-form leagues and commercial broadcast windows, reducing the ultimate format of the game to a seasonal novelty. Test cricket requires continuity and a deep connection between the team and its community.

By playing so few matches and then locking locals out of the showpiece event of the summer, CSA is actively severing that umbilical cord.

There is already a worrying trend at domestic level, where even semi-finals and finals fail to generate interest because nobody seems to care to market fixtures outside of the SA20. It already feels as though the local game is playing second fiddle to a franchise league that has been filling stadiums on the back of well-organised marketing strategies.

How are the next generation of fast bowlers and top-order batters supposed to fall in love with the longest format when they cannot see their heroes live, or when those heroes only wear white clothing on home soil once every 12 months?

The administrative narrative that Test cricket is an unsustainable financial burden becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when the board refuses to market it properly to its own people.

CSA is currently putting short-term financial survival ahead of long-term sporting heritage. Securing the bag from travelling English fans might balance the ledger for this quarter, but it bankrupts the culture of the sport.

The New Year’s Test belongs to the kids from Langa, the club cricketers from Milnerton, and the families from Rondebosch. To strip them of their annual pilgrimage in the name of corporate profiteering is a betrayal that will resonate long after the final ball is bowled.

Mamelodi Sundowns are ready to face the hostile conditions awaiting them at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, but coach Miguel Cardoso is hoping that the spirit of sportsmanship prevails on the day — both on the pitch and in the stands.

Sundowns are just one match away from winning the CAF Champions League, having beaten AS FAR 1–0 in the first leg of the continental final at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld last Sunday. Their slender lead means anything other than a defeat in regulation time will be enough to secure the title for the first time in 10 years. For Cardoso, who lost his previous two continental finals, the match represents a shot at being third-time lucky.

The second leg will be an immense test for the Brazilians. AS FAR's ultras are expected to pack the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium — creating an intense, hostile environment intended to spur on their team and stifle the South Africans’ attacking threats.

Given his extensive knowledge of African football, particularly in the north after starting his continental coaching tenure at Tunisian giants Esperance, Cardoso says it will be an honour to be part of interclub football’s biggest match.

“We know the difficulties that we are going to face in the second match,” Cardoso said. “Of course, we want to close the season on a high note. We need to understand that the environment we’ll go into is a privilege. There are not many people who get to enjoy playing in such a beautiful stadium. There’ll be an electrifying ambience. We’ll take our passionate supporters in our hearts, and they’ll be the strength that we need in difficult situations.”

AS FAR supporters demonstrated poor behaviour in the first leg at Loftus Versfeld, having been involved in a brawl with security personnel and police in their designated area. This incident has fuelled suspicions that they could prove to be sour losers if they fall short at home, potentially resulting in objects being thrown onto the pitch.

Cardoso, however, remains optimistic that football principles will prevail — as demonstrated when both teams agreed to continue playing without VAR in the second half at Loftus Versfeld due to technical glitches, regardless of the stakes.

“I am not worried about the ambience that can happen in Morocco in terms of going beyond the limits of a football match,” Cardoso continued. “I think both teams want to create a football spectacle. I hope the spirit of sport will prevail. Myself and my assistants will have our families in the stands. More than 50 people will be coming from Portugal to watch the match. So, I am pretty sure that what we do on the pitch will shape the direction of the contest.”

Cardoso knows his team cannot enter the stadium fearing retaliation from angry supporters if they dominate the game. That’s why he has called on his troops to play as a compact unit.

“We’ll try to reduce their strengths as much as possible,” he said. “We’ll control our team as much as possible. When we have the ball, we’ll try to be compact and be strong collectively, because that is the only way we can win the Champions League.”

Cardoso has ample belief in his troops, confident they can gather the mental strength to fight back even when AS FAR dominates possession and atmosphere.

“We will fight the right way for the trophy. We need to stick to the rules and the principles of the game,” Cardoso concluded. “It will be a different match. We need to be ready for the fact that we are going to suffer. But it’s important that we apply ourselves accordingly so that the opponent doesn't feel they can come with everything while we are not there.”

IN recent seasons, KwaZulu-Natal teams have been showing signs of rising to the top table of the Betway Premiership, and this season may prove to be their moment of passage.

The province, which has over the years been synonymous with relegation, stands this year to finish with three teams in the Top 8, while the only outsider, Richards Bay, is safely away from the drop zone.

Lamontville Golden Arrows will host TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium, and a win would take them to 43 points and seal their spot in the Top 8 bracket.

AmaZulu need to win against local rivals Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday to finish in the Top 4 — where club president Sandile Zungu has mandated coach Arthur Zwane and his technical team to finish.

They can still finish in the Top 4 even if they fail to win, should Sekhukhune United lose against Siwelele at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

The Durban derby between Usuthu and the Citizens is not expected to be too tricky an affair, since City are almost certain to finish in eighth position with 39 points, even should they lose against Usuthu.

City have a three-point gap over ninth-placed Stellenbosch FC, and the Durbanites have a far superior goal difference which will keep them safely within the Top 8, even if they lose and the Capetonians win.

To leapfrog City, Stellenbosch will have to win by at least five unanswered goals against relegation-threatened Marumo Gallants at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Saturday.

It is not only the Top 8 prospects that are making this a special season for the KZN sides, but also the fact that they have finally ended a 16-year silverware drought.

It is perhaps the headline of the season that new boys Durban City beat Galaxy early this month to be crowned the 2026 Nedbank Cup champions.

What makes their triumph even more interesting is the fact that this is their first season back in the South African top flight, even though they were relegated some seasons ago as Maritzburg United.

On top of being new to the Premiership, they are among the teams that at some point showed signs of instability, considering that sometime this season they changed coaching personnel three times in the space of three months.

They started the season with seasoned coach Gavin Hunt; he was replaced by the young Sinethemba Badela, who left after a short stint to be replaced by interim coach and incumbent, Pitso Dladla.

From relegation candidates to champions — Durban City are only the third KZN side to win top-flight silverware in the PSL era.

The first were Manning Rangers, who won the inaugural Premiership title in the PSL era in 1996/1997.

It took 13 years for Golden Arrows to put KZN in the headlines for the right reasons again, winning the MTN8 title in 2009, and it has been a dry spell ever since.

Last season, the province was again in the news for the wrong reasons as they were disgraced by Royal AM, who were expelled from the league after complicated administrative matters.

Football supporters will be hoping that this season’s spirited showing will spell change and steer the province in the right direction going forward.

The cherry on top is that Arrows striker Sede Dion is set to win the province the PSL Golden Boot as he leads the goal charts with 14 league goals this season.

As the Professional Soccer League (PSL) season comes to an end, we take stock of it.

At this point, champagne is on ice for the incoming champions, while others congratulate themselves on making it into the Top 8.

Others, on the other hand, are struggling to avoid relegation while fighting for their lives.

The three men on the pitch (the referee and his two assistants) decided their fate and current position on the log, and in some cases, not without controversy.

Some fans, coaches, sports pundits, and even players remain disappointed and unhappy because of the circumstances surrounding the results they received (a loss or draw) that they deem unfair or incorrect.

Referees' rulings on everything from corner kicks to penalties, goals to disallowed goals, and red cards to unpunished tackles have set tongues wagging throughout the season.

Because they are human, referees make mistakes. But there's a lot on the line.

The league brings in more than R1.19 billion a year. More than R717 million in prize money and monthly grants are given to the rival clubs.

It gets even better: the 16 clubs have a combined squad market value of R3 billion, and the league winners receive R20 million. We could go on and on about specific club sponsorships involved.

Soccer has a significant impact on livelihoods and helps to build nations.

This raises the question of why the wealthiest soccer league in Africa still lacks the technological advantage of Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Technology is required to identify "clear and obvious errors" or "serious missed incidents."

Thankfully, the South African Football Association is preparing to introduce the technology following government backing.

The announcement that the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture has set aside money for the VAR rollout in anticipation of a soft launch and the technology's incorporation into the Betway Premiership is timely, even though it comes too late for those who feel hard done by as a result of human error.

We hope that VAR will save football in the nation, help the sport reach international standards, and rebuild confidence in officiating.

Award-winning actor Bonko Khoza has broken his silence over serious sexual assault allegations made by actress Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, denying wrongdoing and insisting investigations into the matter found no evidence to support the claims.

In a public statement Khoza said he supports victims of sexual violence but rejected allegations that he violated Nokwe-Mseleku during the filming of Red Ink in September 2023.

“I stand by victims of sexual assault; however, (I) deny that I sexually assaulted, thrusted upon or committed any misconduct in respect of Ms. NokweMseleku and the production,” he said.

This follows emotional social media posts by Nokwe-Mseleku, who accused Khoza of crossing agreed-upon physical boundaries while filming a violent assault scene.

The actress alleged that despite prior discussions around consent and choreography, Khoza thrust his pelvis against hers during filming after she had explicitly stated she was uncomfortable with such actions.

“My co-star violated physical boundaries, emotional as well as psychological, too,” Nokwe-Mseleku said in one of the videos shared online.

The actress also shared screenshots of emails, recordings, and audio clips relating to the incident, saying the ordeal traumatised her and permanently altered her relationship with the entertainment industry.

“I’m never going back to acting. I will never put myself in a position where I am being told that my body is not mine,” she said.

Khoza, however, maintains the scene was professionally handled and rehearsed beforehand with all relevant parties present.

“The incident pertains to a fully clothed violent stunt scene, which was discussed beforehand and choreographed and rehearsed with Ms. NokweMseleku, director of photography, the director, and stunt-coordinator,” he said.

He added that a stunt double had been offered to Nokwe-Mseleku before filming, but she declined.

“Every action I performed on set that night was strictly in line with the script, the choreography agreed upon with the directors and stunt coordinator and under the supervision of senior production personnel.”

According to Khoza, more than 12 crew members, including the director, producer, stunt coordinator, and camera crew, were present during filming, and none reported behaviour resembling the allegations later made against him.

The actor further revealed that meetings were held with production executives, agents and senior crew members after the complaint surfaced.

“In this regard, on 30 November 2023, representatives from Red Ink Productions, MNET, SWIFT, senior crew members, and both mine and Ms. NokweMseleku’s respective agents viewed the unedited material. 

“All parties confirmed that no thrusting, sexual misconduct, or criminal behaviour occurred. The footage simply did not support the allegation,” he said.

Khoza also disclosed that Nokwe-Mseleku later opened a criminal case against him with the South African Police Service in May 2024.

“I became aware early last year that the police investigated the matter, and after considering the facts, the authorities did not prosecute the matter,” he added.

Despite denying the allegations, Khoza acknowledged the seriousness of sexual violence and said concerns raised by performers should always be treated with care.

“The concerns raised by Ms. NokweMseleku deserve proper attention, more so knowing that we live in a society that is plagued by sexual violence,” he said.

However, he described the allegations against him as “false accusations” that had deeply affected his family and career.

“The past two and a half years have been deeply painful. Being falsely accused of a sex crime is devastating for anyone,” he said.

“My integrity, my career, and my role as a parent were all placed under a cloud because of an allegation that has been disproven by footage, by witnesses, and by the legal process.”

Khoza reiterated that he will continue defending himself through legal channels while advocating for safer working environments within the entertainment industry.

“I remain committed to safe, respectful, and professional working environments for all performers,” he said.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Sifiso Mahlangu has been announced as the new national spokesperson for the Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party. 

He takes over the role from Nhlamulo Ndhlela, who held the fort as the inaugural National Spokesperson of the party. The MK Party added Ndhlela has also stepped down as a party MP with immediate effect. 

"Mahlangu is an academic and former news editor. He is a highly experienced journalist and renowned media personality, and brings invaluable technical and professional insights to the party," read a statement from the MK Party. 

It added, "The national leadership of MK Party urges the media fraternity, general public and members of the party to provide Cde Sifiso Mahlangu with the usual and necessary support.

"The National officials also take this opportunity to thank Cde Nhlamulo Ndhlela. His contribution in building the MK Party's media and public footprint is highly appreciated."

IOL

COMMENT

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

If there was ever proof needed of the dismantling of the English Premier League "big six", then Tottenham Hotspur's away clash against Chelsea on Tuesday night is it, with stakes that stretch far beyond the London rivalry.

For Spurs, survival is now painfully close yet still not mathematically secured. For Chelsea, meanwhile, the latest managerial reset has once again thrown one of English football’s biggest clubs into uncertainty.

It all adds up to a showdown loaded with tension, desperation and intrigue.

After West Ham United slipped to defeat against Newcastle United over the weekend, Tottenham know a single point would be enough to guarantee their Premier League status and avoid what would have been one of the most astonishing relegations in modern English football.

Defeat for @WestHam means @SpursOfficial can secure Premier League safety with a victory against Chelsea on Tuesday 👊

How it currently stands 👇

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 17, 2026

That such a sentence can even be written about Spurs underlines the scale of the collapse.

A club that began the season speaking confidently about Uefa Champions League aspirations and long-term rebuilding, instead finds itself clinging nervously to survival after months of defensive chaos, injuries, inconsistency and managerial uncertainty. The atmosphere around the club has turned toxic at times, with supporters openly questioning the direction of the project and the mentality of a squad that has too often looked fragile under pressure.

Yet, Chelsea make their latest stand at The Bridge carrying turmoil of their own.

The Blues confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new head coach on Sunday, handing the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss a four-year contract in the latest attempt to end the club’s relentless cycle of instability.

The irony is impossible to ignore. Chelsea’s announcement should have been a moment of optimism and renewal. Instead, it has only reinforced the perception of a club permanently trapped in transition. 

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men’s Team.

The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Welcome to Chelsea, Xabi!

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 17, 2026

Since the arrival of the BlueCo ownership group, Chelsea have lurched from one managerial experiment to another. Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior have all come and gone in rapid succession, while interim appointments have become almost routine at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso now effectively becomes the sixth permanent manager of the BlueCo-era – and another symbol of a club still searching desperately for identity and stability.

What makes the appointment especially fascinating is the reaction it has triggered across English football.

Many Liverpool supporters had long viewed Alonso as a dream future manager given his legendary status at Anfield – and Arne Slot's recent struggles – making Chelsea’s capture of the Spaniard particularly painful for sections of the Liverpool fanbase. Online reaction has ranged from disbelief to frustration, especially given Alonso’s reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches despite his turbulent spell in Madrid.

Chelsea are gambling that Alonso can finally bring coherence to an expensively assembled but deeply inconsistent squad.

Victory for @NUFC leaves @WestHam in the relegation zone 🏁 pic.twitter.com/RL51oMBIsg

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 17, 2026

But before Alonso officially begins his rebuild in July, Chelsea must first navigate one more emotionally charged night against wounded opponents fighting for survival.

That is what makes this fixture so compelling.

Neither side arrives with confidence. Chelsea's season had long floundered in the mist of mid-season mediocrity, with Saturday's FA Cup final defeat against Manchester City the latest blow. A European spot is not out of reach – but the one that truly matters is long gone. 

Neither side looks structurally sound. Both clubs are carrying the scars of disastrous campaigns that have raised serious questions about recruitment, leadership and long-term planning. Yet for all the dysfunction surrounding them, Tuesday night still carries enormous consequence.

For Tottenham, it could finally bring relief. For Chelsea, it may offer the first glimpse of what the Alonso era could eventually become – or another reminder of how far one of England’s biggest clubs has strayed from stability.

Earlier in May, South Africa marked 30 years since adopting a Constitution that redefined the relationship between the state and its people. In the water sector, this is evident in expanded access to water and sanitation, and in recognising water as a fundamental right.

 In 1994, water access reflected apartheid’s deep inequalities. Millions of black South Africans, especially in rural areas and informal settlements, lacked safe water. Women and children walked long distances to often contaminated sources, while sanitation was undignified and hazardous. Infrastructure investment had been racially skewed, excluding entire communities from this basic necessity.

The 1996 Constitution confronted this injustice by enshrining socio-economic rights, including access to sufficient water, making it a constitutional obligation rather than a policy choice. It also provided a legal basis to protect against environmental harm, such as pollution and sewage spillages, affirming that a safe environment is inseparable from water and dignity.

At its core are the values of dignity, equality, accountability and human rights. Water is fundamental to life, health and economic participation. Denying water or sanitation undermines dignity, equality and justice. The Constitution, therefore, obliges the state to take reasonable measures to realise these rights while safeguarding water resources for future generations.

Over the past three decades, this constitutional mandate has driven a major expansion of basic services. Since 1994, access to clean water has grown from about 55% of the population to roughly 92–95%, with most South Africans now able to access water at least at a basic level. Sanitation services have also improved significantly, reducing reliance on unsafe systems and restoring dignity to previously marginalised communities. While reliability challenges persist in some areas, these are being actively addressed.

For many South Africans, access to a flush toilet, a reliable tap, and safe wastewater systems represents more than infrastructure. It represents inclusion, recognition and restoration of dignity. It is a tangible expression of freedom. It affirms that those who were excluded by our past are now recognised as full citizens, entitled to services that support a decent quality of life.

These gains have not occurred by chance. They are the result of deliberate policy choices, sustained investment and a governance framework anchored in constitutional principles. The introduction of free basic water for indigent households, targeted infrastructure programmes for underserved communities, and the strengthening of local government as a delivery agent all reflect the Constitution in action.

The courts have played a key role in giving effect to these rights by holding the state accountable and ensuring policies are reasonable and inclusive, reinforcing the principle that water provision is a constitutional issue, not merely a technical issue. This extends to environmental protection, where legal oversight helps address pollution, enforce compliance, and respond to sewage spillages that threaten communities and ecosystems.

Yet, while there is much to acknowledge, the water sector also reflects the unfinished work of the constitutional project. Access does not always mean reliability. Ageing infrastructure, governance weaknesses, financial constraints and climate pressures continue to affect service delivery. In some areas, communities still face intermittent supply and inadequate sanitation, while pollution and sewage discharges undermine both environmental integrity and public confidence.

These challenges underscore the urgency of fully implementing the Constitution. The Constitution was never a guarantee of instant transformation. It is a framework for sustained progress. When water systems fail, or pollution persists, this is not a failure of constitutional design, but a failure of execution, accountability and capacity. This is where institutions such as the Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) play a critical role.

AWSISA works to strengthen collaboration across government, water boards, municipalities, the private sector and civil society to ensure that the water right is translated into lived experience. By promoting best practice, supporting institutional capacity, advocating for sustainable investment and fostering partnerships, AWSISA contributes directly to building a water sector that is capable, resilient and aligned with constitutional imperatives.

At the same time, AWSISA is working closely with academic, professional and global institutions to build capacity and strengthen professionalism across the sector. This includes developing skills, supporting knowledge exchange and promoting standards that ensure long-term institutional stability and excellence in water and sanitation services.

AWSISA’s work is grounded in the understanding that realising the water rights requires more than policy. It requires coordination, innovation and sustained commitment. It is about ensuring that infrastructure investments are effective, that governance systems are strengthened, and that communities ultimately benefit from reliable and safe services.

Recent and upcoming initiatives led and supported by AWSISA illustrate this commitment. At the AU Africa Water Investment Summit, AWSISA joined governments, development finance institutions and private sector leaders to advance discussions on mobilising large-scale investment into Africa’s water infrastructure. This engagement is critical in addressing funding gaps and accelerating the delivery of services, particularly in underserved areas.

Looking ahead, AWSISA will host the AWSISA Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue 2026 from 23 to 26 November under the theme: “Accelerating Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Solutions for Africa and the Global South – Every Drop Counts.” 

This initiative will focus on the urgent need to build climate-resilient systems that can withstand environmental pressures while ensuring equitable access. It reinforces the principle that sustainable water management is inseparable from social justice and economic development.

Thirty years on, the story of water in South Africa is one of meaningful progress, but also of unfinished work. In the end, the true measure of our Constitution will not be found in its text alone, but in whether every South African can turn on a tap, access safe sanitation, and live with dignity. That is the promise of 1996. And that remains our collective task.

Ramateu Monyokolo is Chairperson of Rand Water and AWSISA

South Africa no longer experiences politics as governance. It experiences politics as an atmosphere. A permanent national fog of allegations, leaks, denials, commissions, intelligence whispers, press briefings, factional briefings disguised as truth, and truths disguised as factional briefings.

Every week, it arrives carrying another revelation. Every revelation arrives wrapped in performance. Somewhere between the courtroom, the television studio, and the political rally, the line between accountability and theatre has become dangerously thin.

That is why the arrest of Brown Mogotsi, shortly after his appearance before the Madlanga Commission, has ignited far beyond the narrow confines of a single criminal case.

Formally, the matter is straightforward. Police allege Mogotsi was linked to defeating the ends of justice and an allegedly staged assassination attempt in Vosloorus. He denies wrongdoing. His lawyers insist the state’s case will be challenged vigorously. In constitutional terms, that distinction matters. Democracies do not convict through headlines. Courts exist precisely because public emotion is unreliable, political hysteria is contagious, and suspicion alone cannot become a substitute for evidence.

But South Africans understand instinctively that this moment is about much more than one accused individual.

Because in this country, arrests no longer arrive as simple legal events. They arrive carrying symbolic weight. They become proxies for a larger national argument about whether institutions still possess integrity, whether consequences still exist for the connected, and whether the state acts from principle or pressure.

Before any judge has spoken, the country has already split into its familiar psychological camps. Those who see overdue accountability.

Those who see selective prosecution. Those who see factional warfare disguised as law enforcement. And then the largest group of all: citizens so exhausted by scandal that they no longer know what version of reality deserves their trust.

That exhaustion is the true political crisis of modern South Africa.

The damage of the state capture years was never only financial. Yes, billions were lost. Institutions were hollowed out. Networks of patronage metastasised through the state. But the deepest destruction occurred in the democratic psyche itself. South Africans were taught, repeatedly, that formal authority and real power are often not the same thing.

Cabinets spoke while networks operated. Institutions appeared functional while authority quietly migrated elsewhere. The public was told to trust the process while the process itself was being manipulated.

That is why commissions such as the Madlanga Commission carry such unusual emotional gravity. Officially, the commission exists to investigate allegations of criminality, corruption, and political interference within the criminal justice system. But psychologically, it represents something larger and more desperate: an attempt to convince South Africans that the republic can still distinguish between power and impunity.

At its heart lies a terrifying democratic question:

What happens to a constitutional state when citizens begin to suspect that the visible government is only the front office of invisible power?

That question now hangs over the country like humidity before a storm.

And this is why the timing of Mogotsi’s arrest matters so profoundly in the public imagination. Reports indicate it came shortly after his testimony before the commission. Legally, timing should not determine truth.

But politically, optics shape legitimacy. In societies where trust is healthy, institutions benefit from credibility. In societies where trust has collapsed, even legitimate action immediately attracts suspicion.

South Africa now lives in that dangerous territory where every prosecution is interpreted politically before it is interpreted legally. That is the long shadow of institutional decay. We demand accountability while distrusting those tasked with delivering it. We call for arrests while suspecting choreography. We ask for transparency while assuming manipulation.

We want justice, but we no longer entirely believe in the machinery meant to produce it. And perhaps that is the most devastating inheritance of the democratic era’s failures: not merely corruption itself, but the slow corrosion of belief. A society can survive a scandal. It struggles to survive when citizens lose faith in the very idea of neutral institutions.

Still, scepticism cannot become a national ideology.

A republic cannot function permanently suspended between rumour and paralysis. Serious allegations cannot remain trapped forever in the swamp between gossip and consequence. If the state possesses evidence, it must present that evidence openly before a court of law. If the allegations collapse under scrutiny, that too must happen publicly. But what cannot continue is the South African tradition of endless smoke without institutional resolution.

Because the unresolved scandal has become one of the country’s governing systems.

Too much has lingered unfinished. Too many politically connected figures have drifted between accusation and impunity. Too many explosive revelations have entered public life only to dissolve into procedural fog. The result is a population trapped in permanent democratic uncertainty, never fully informed, never fully convinced, never fully trusting.

South Africa has become a country where people no longer struggle to identify corruption. They struggle to identify reality itself.

That is why this moment matters.

Not because one arrest changes the country. It does not. Not because one commission suddenly restores institutional legitimacy. It cannot. But moments like this test whether democratic institutions still possess the seriousness to separate justice from spectacle.

• Can the state investigate without performing?
• Can prosecutions proceed without becoming factional instruments?
• Can institutions pursue accountability without getting themselves into political theatre?
• Can truth emerge without requiring choreography first?

These are no longer intellectual governance questions. They are now existential democratic questions.

Because what South Africans hunger for is no longer outrage. The country has exhausted outrage. Citizens are starving instead for consistency. They want to know whether the rules still apply beyond political convenience. They want proof that consequence is not reserved only for the politically vulnerable while protection remains available to the politically useful.

Above all, they want evidence that the republic still possesses moral seriousness.

For too long, governance has resembled a rotating stage production where scandals replace one another before resolution ever arrives.

Each week introduces new villains, new evidence, new outrage, new denials. The lights flash. The cameras gather. The nation argues. Then the set changes, and the next episode begins while accountability disappears backstage.

And somewhere in that endless performance, public trust quietly bleeds to death.

That is why the phrase “kuzokhala amadoda” suddenly carries a different and heavier meaning in this political moment. For years, it has often functioned as political theatre itself, a phrase soaked in intimidation, bravado, and the performance of masculine consequence. But in a constitutional democracy, its meaning must be rescued from the culture of spectacle.

It cannot mean vengeance. It cannot mean trial by gossip. It cannot mean social media conviction masquerading as justice. It must mean that serious matters are finally being dragged from the shadows of whispers into the unforgiving light of evidence, legal scrutiny, and institutional accountability.

Because that is the only form of toughness a democracy can survive.

Anything else is not justice.

It is merely another season of the show.

Qwesha is a trade finance consultant with expertise in global commerce and risk management and regularly contributes to a number of publications

More than R145 million spent on waste management in Emfuleni has come under renewed scrutiny after the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs admitted illegal dumping, overflowing refuse and deteriorating conditions continue to plague communities, while the Democratic Alliance accused the municipality of wasting over R112 million on refuse collection services that never materialised.

Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, revealed that Emfuleni had spent more than R33 million on waste management between 2021 and 2026, yet communities across the Vaal continue to battle worsening refuse collection failures and growing dumping sites.

The crisis has now triggered renewed political pressure and public outrage, with the Democratic Alliance claiming the municipality may have spent as much as R112 million on refuse collection services without waste being properly collected.

The DA’s Emfuleni mayoral candidate, Kingsol Chabalala, alleged that millions were spent on contractors, overtime and fleet rentals while residents continued living among piles of uncollected rubbish.

“Emfuleni residents are being financially abused. There is absolutely no value for money spending R112,000,000 on the non-collection of waste,” Chabalala said.

He further questioned whether procurement processes were properly followed and whether corruption or mismanagement could be linked to the municipality’s ongoing waste crisis. Despite previous clean-up interventions by the provincial government, including the deployment of infrastructure teams under the “Phakama Vaal” programme, illegal dumping and refuse accumulation have continued to spread across parts of Emfuleni.

Mamabolo admitted that previous progress had not been sustained through the municipality’s own waste management systems and warned that stronger coordinated action was now required.

“We are currently finalising consultations with national, provincial and municipal stakeholders as we prepare for a coordinated intervention in Emfuleni,” said Mamabolo.

The MEC said the provincial government was deliberately shifting away from political point-scoring and focusing instead on stabilising service delivery failures affecting residents.

“We have taken a deliberate decision to move away from the blame game. The challenges we face are complex and require the full cooperation of all three spheres of government,” added Mamabolo.

Previously, The Star reported that illegal dumping in Emfuleni had escalated to the point where waste was spilling into roads and public spaces, while dumpsites near community facilities raised growing health concerns. During an oversight visit in Sebokeng Zone 11, refuse was found piled near a clinic, with residents describing unbearable conditions caused by the stench, flies and persistent dumping. Residents also complained that waste had spread into parks and roads, forcing motorists and pedestrians to navigate around rubbish.

Chabalala said communities were being forced to live in conditions that posed serious health risks.

“Our suburbs, CBDs, and townships remain buried under piles of uncollected refuse, while illegal dumping sites continue to spiral out of control,” he said.

Previously, municipal spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni defended the municipality’s waste management interventions, saying additional compactor trucks had recently been added to the fleet to improve refuse collection.

The provincial government said its intervention in Emfuleni forms part of the broader Local Government Turnaround Strategy aimed at improving governance, infrastructure management and service delivery across struggling municipalities in Gauteng.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Firoz Cachalia , the Acting Police Minister, has come under scrutiny for his recent remarks urging the ANC and other parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) to unite in shielding President Cyril Ramaphosa from potential removal.

Cachalia, who made these remarks during an interview with eNCA, stated that impeaching Ramaphosa will destabilise the country, adding that the ANC and its partners in the GNU must protect him.

While the ANC announced its support for Ramaphosa, the DA stated its commitment to the GNU saying it will not trade accountability for political power. 

Ramaphosa faces a newly established parliamentary impeachment committee investigating his conduct in the Phala Phala farm scandal. 

This major development follows the Constitutional Court  (ConCourt) ruling, which declared Parliament’s previous 2022 block of the inquiry unlawful. 

The court ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally by dismissing a Section 89 Independent Panel report, which found ‘prima facie’ evidence of serious misconduct regarding $580,000 in cash hidden in a sofa on Ramaphosa's farm.. 

Governance expert and political analyst Sandile Swana said there is political bias coming from Cachalia’s remarks, as he had been close to Ramaphosa during their anti-apartheid activism within the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 1980s. 

Swana added that Cachalia’s statement could also imply that Ramaphosa should never be investigated and punished, regardless of what he has done. 

Swana added that although there was chaos when former President Jacob Zuma was arrested in 2021, this cannot be used as an excuse for not punishing Ramaphosa. 

He called on Cachalia to identify the instigators of any possible form of instability and report this to the intelligence services and arrest them. 

“It is Cachalia’s job to make sure that there is no chaos if Ramaphosa is removed. He should protect the internal stability of the country,” Swana said.

Cachalia's spokesperson, Kamo Mogotsi said the Minister could not respond to queries on his remarks as he was preparing to table his 2026/27 Budget on Tuesday (tomorrow). Mogotsi added that the Minister was willing to discuss the rationale behind his comments.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza last week established a 31-member Section 89 Impeachment Committee to investigate and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to impeach Ramaphosa.

Political parties have until May 22 to submit their finalised member nominations. 

The 31 seats are allocated among 16 political parties as follows: ANC (9 seats), DA (5), MK Party (3), EFF (2), and one seat each for the IFP, PA, FF Plus, ActionSA, ACDP, UDM, RISE Mzansi, BOSA, ATM, Al Jama-ah, NCC, and UAT.

Political analyst Kim Heller said constitutional accountability cannot ever be  ‘destabilising’, adding that political accountability must always trump the shielding of political elites. 

Heller added that Cachalia’s utterances add to the perception that state institutions are protecting Ramaphosa, instead of defending the Constitution. 

“These remarks disrespect the democratic processes and add to political disillusionment among South Africans,” she said. 

Professor Sipho Seepe said that this set a dangerous precedent that Ramaphosa is above the law, adding that the country has seen law enforcement failing to do their job to hold him accountable.

“The NPA has been unwilling to charge in the face of prima facie evidence pointing to the fact that he has a case to answer,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) said, regardless of lingering societal concerns, constitutional and parliamentary processes must be allowed to run their course. 

The organisation said the public must respect these constitutional frameworks and manage the subsequent outcomes as they unfold. 

“We imagine it is this economic instability of political changes that the Acting Minister Cachalia is referring to, but we can’t be certain. What we are certain of is that no matter what the fears or concerns in this regard, the legal and parliamentary processes must proceed, and we - as a nation - cannot usurp those processes, and thus must deal with the outcomes as they happen,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenhage. 

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za 

The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has raised fresh concerns over the province’s deepening water crisis after revealing that municipalities spent as much as R264 million on outsourced water tanker services over the past three years, even as communities continue grappling with recurring outages, collapsing infrastructure and deteriorating water quality.

The warning by Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, comes as the South African Human Rights Commission prepares to launch a formal inquiry into Gauteng’s worsening water challenges, including recurring supply interruptions and poor water quality affecting residents across the province.

Municipal managers from across Gauteng are expected to appear before the commission during a two-day hearing in Braamfontein on Tuesday, May 19 as pressure intensifies over failing municipal infrastructure, growing maintenance backlogs and escalating dependence on temporary emergency water interventions.

Mamabolo said while water tanker services remained necessary in communities experiencing shortages and within informal settlements, municipalities needed to urgently reduce their reliance on outsourced contractors and invest in building and maintaining their own tanker fleets.

“We are encouraged by the investments some municipalities are already making towards procuring their own portable water tankers. While this is a welcome development, we believe more resources must be directed towards expanding these capacities, as outsourced tanker services continue to drive significant expenditure,” said Mamabolo.

The revelations are likely to fuel growing scrutiny over municipal governance, infrastructure planning and public spending as residents across Gauteng continue enduring dry taps, water shedding, inconsistent supply and worsening service delivery failures.

The crisis is particularly severe in Johannesburg, where the city faces a staggering R32.5 billion backlog in water infrastructure upgrades. Reports indicate that 22% of the metro’s water assets are already classified as being in poor or very poor condition, raising fears over the long-term sustainability of the city’s water network.

In Tshwane, a recent council report warned that the metro urgently requires R29 billion for critical upgrades to its ageing water and sanitation infrastructure. The metro has already spent R621 million on outsourced water tanker services during the 2024/25 financial year alone.

Despite billions allocated nationally for water projects, municipalities across Gauteng continue facing mounting criticism over ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, delayed upgrades and recurring service interruptions affecting residents and businesses.

The provincial government has defended its response to the crisis, crediting collaboration between national, provincial and local government for preventing a total collapse of Gauteng’s water system.

Mamabolo said Gauteng CoGTA continued engaging municipalities to strengthen interventions aimed at stabilising water supply and improving service delivery across the province.

Through the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, the provincial government is working with municipalities and national departments to improve governance, infrastructure management and service delivery outcomes.

The MEC’s remarks also come amid increasing public anger over allegations of wasteful expenditure and poor planning within municipalities despite rising infrastructure spending and continued dependence on emergency water measures.

Mamabolo said Gauteng’s provincial government and all 11 municipalities would soon brief residents on ongoing service delivery and infrastructure interventions across the province. 

“On Sunday, 24 May 2026, the province, together with all 11 municipalities, will provide the public with updates on progress made across various areas, including governance, financial management, infrastructure development, and ongoing efforts to improve service delivery across the province,” he added.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

The latest Springbok alignment camp offers more than just tactical meetings and conditioning sessions. For several players, it represents a valuable chance to strengthen their standing in the national setup and show they are capable of taking the next step toward Test rugby.

Here, are five players whose performances in the URC have earned them growing attention from the Springbok coaches, with injury ruling out a number of other exciting prospects.

Zekhethelo Siyaya (Sharks)

Still only a teenager, Siyaya has emerged as one of the Sharks’ most exciting young prospects after a rapid rise through the ranks in Durban. The utility back has impressed with his composure, attacking instincts and adaptability, featuring at both fullback and flyhalf during the latter stages of the URC season and scoring a first try.

His willingness to attack the line and confidence under pressure have stood out despite limited senior experience. What makes Siyaya especially intriguing from a Springbok perspective is his versatility, with Rassie Erasmus traditionally valuing backs capable of covering multiple positions at international level.

Siyaya in the fast lane! 🚐💨@vodacom #urc pic.twitter.com/sZ6eavppqg

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 18, 2026

Sibabalwe Mahashe (Lions)

Mahashe has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Lions, establishing himself as a dynamic and hardworking loose forward in a side that exceeded expectations to reach the URC play-offs. The flank has impressed with his mobility, defensive work rate and ability to compete effectively at the breakdown against more experienced opposition.

He has also shown a willingness to do the unseen work that often catches the attention of national selectors. With the Springboks constantly seeking to build depth and versatility in the back row, Mahashe’s rise has come at the ideal time. 

Rassie Erasmus has invited two exciting youngsters amongst a group of new players to the next #Springboks alignment camp - more here: https://t.co/HLz2kCyLY5 🤝#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/FWpXjPP2bu

— Springboks (@Springboks) May 13, 2026

Nthuthuko Mchunu (Stormers)

Mchunu has steadily emerged as one of the Stormers’ most promising young front-row prospects during a demanding URC campaign. The loosehead prop has impressed with his scrummaging discipline, mobility around the park from his loose-forward days and growing confidence against seasoned opposition, showing signs of a player capable of handling the physical demands of elite rugby.

Still early in his professional career, Mchunu’s rapid development has not gone unnoticed by the Springbok coaches, who continue to prioritise depth and succession planning in the front row. The alignment camp now offers him a valuable opportunity to continue that progression within the national setup.

Batho Hlekani (Lions)

Hlekani’s rise at the Lions has been built on relentless physicality and a strong presence at the breakdown. The powerful loose forward has brought energy and aggression whenever given opportunities for the Joburg side, quickly earning a reputation as a player capable of shifting momentum with dominant carries and defensive intensity.

His profile fits the modern Springbok loose-forward mould – mobile, abrasive and effective in collisions. The alignment camp gives Hlekani an opportunity to show whether he can translate his growing URC influence into the higher tactical and physical demands of international rugby.

Jaco Williams (Sharks)

Williams may not yet be a household name, but his pace and finishing ability have made him one of the Sharks’ most dangerous outside backs this season. The former Junior Bok star winger has taken his opportunities impressively in the URC, showing sharp instincts in broken play and an ability to create scoring chances from limited space.

His acceleration and attacking confidence bring a different dimension to the Sharks’ backline, while his alignment camp call-up reflects growing recognition from the national coaches. In a highly competitive position, Williams now has a chance to prove he belongs in the wider Bok conversation. Like Siyaya, he also boasts versatility, having also featured at fullback this season.

The alignment camp – which comprises 25 forwards and 15 backline players – will run from Tuesday to Thursday. 

Gun Free South Africa has warned that South Africa is developing a dangerous culture of reckless firearm glorification after police arrested two men linked to viral videos showing women casually handling unlicensed firearms.

The warning comes after the South African Police Service tracked down and arrested two suspects in Tembisa following outrage over social media footage showing women waving and posing with firearms in what police described as reckless and negligent behaviour.

During the operation, police not only seized the firearms seen in the video, but also discovered the suspects were in possession of a hijacked vehicle.

Gun Free South Africa spokesperson Stanley Maphosa said the incident exposed a growing normalisation of firearms in social spaces despite the country’s ongoing gun violence crisis.

“The incident really reveals some troubling realities. First of all, there is a misconception that firearms are symbols of safety, power, and status, and they can even be used for entertainment, when actually, firearms were designed to kill and to inflict harm,” said Maphosa.

He warned that the casual display of weapons for amusement and online attention reflected a dangerous erosion of public safety awareness.

“Secondly, it shows how normalised and unsafe the firearm behaviour has become in some of the spaces,” he said.

Maphosa said the incident also challenged the commonly used argument that responsible gun ownership alone was enough to prevent firearm-related harm.

“It also exposes the limits of relying on the notion that says there are people who are responsible gun owners.

“Because people make mistakes, they act emotionally, they behave recklessly, and they become negligent and therefore, public safety must account for all those realities,” he said.

He added that the incident reflected a broader societal problem around firearms in South Africa.

“From the standpoint of Gun Free South Africa, this is not simply one reckless incident. It's about a broader culture that will become comfortable around lethal weapons in a country that is already having intolerable burdens of gun violence.”

The incident comes amid growing national scrutiny over the public display and reckless use of firearms involving politicians and public figures.

Last month, Bitou Municipality Deputy Executive Mayor Nokuzola “Noksi” Kolwapi was criminally charged after a viral video allegedly showed her firing multiple shots into the air during a celebration in KwaNokuthula.

The charges relate to alleged contraventions of the Firearms Control Act and the negligent handling and discharging of a firearm in a public place.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema was also convicted in 2025 for unlawfully discharging a firearm during the party’s anniversary rally in Mdantsane, with prosecutors arguing that the reckless public use of firearms normalised dangerous behaviour.

Against growing concern over the reckless public use of firearms, police moved swiftly to track down the men linked to the latest viral gun video. 

The arrests followed a tracing operation by SAPS Gauteng Crime Intelligence after the videos circulated widely on social media.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said officers tracked the suspects to Tembisa, where they were arrested and the firearms confiscated.

“Following the circulation of the video, SAPS Gauteng Crime Intelligence launched a tracing operation which led officers to Tembisa, Gauteng, where the suspects were located and arrested.

“The firearms seen in the video were seized by police and preliminary investigations reveal that the firearms are unlicensed,” said Mathe.

Police said the two suspects, aged 21 and 34, now face charges relating to the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, contravention of the Firearms Control Act and possession of a hijacked motor vehicle.

Gauteng Crime Intelligence is also continuing investigations to identify and trace the women seen in the viral footage.

Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said the arrests sent a strong warning that reckless firearm handling and public displays of weapons would not be tolerated and that police would act decisively against those breaking the law.

Police have also warned members of the public that reckless handling and public display of firearms constitutes a serious criminal offence that places lives at risk.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court this week.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

The Gauteng Department of Health has raised alarm over a sharp increase in hypertension cases among adults under 45, revealing that more than 26,000 young people across the province were diagnosed with the “silent killer” in the past financial year alone.

According to the department, Gauteng recorded 69,125 new hypertension cases between April 2025 and March 2026, with 26,088 of those cases involving adults aged between 18 and 44.

Health officials warned that hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, remains one of the leading causes of strokes, heart disease, kidney failure and premature death, often developing without noticeable symptoms.

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the growing number of younger adults being diagnosed was deeply concerning.

“Hypertension frequently presents without symptoms, which is why routine screening remains essential. Many residents only discover they have high blood pressure after developing severe complications,” said Mabona.

The department attributed the increase in cases among younger adults to unhealthy eating habits, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and a lack of physical exercise.

The figures were released as part of Gauteng’s commemoration of World Hypertension Day, observed annually on May 17. This year’s theme, “Controlling Hypertension Together!”, focuses on improving awareness, prevention, early detection and effective management of hypertension.

As part of efforts to strengthen early detection, the department screened approximately 8.7 million adults for hypertension across Gauteng during the 2025/26 financial year.

“In the 2025/26 financial year, approximately 8.7 million adults were screened for hypertension across Gauteng. Public healthcare facilities continue to provide free blood pressure screening and integrated chronic disease management services,” Mabona said.

The department said many residents remained unaware of their blood pressure status, resulting in delayed diagnoses and severe medical complications such as strokes and heart attacks.

Ward-Based Outreach Teams and Community Health Workers have continued conducting awareness campaigns across communities to encourage residents to undergo regular blood pressure screening and adopt healthier lifestyles.

Residents were urged to exercise regularly, reduce salt intake, stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reduce their risk of developing hypertension.

The department also encouraged people diagnosed with hypertension to take their medication consistently and make use of the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution Programme, which allows patients to collect chronic medication closer to their homes and avoid long queues at healthcare facilities.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

Leinster head into the business end of the season on the verge of making history as they chase an unprecedented EPCR Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship double.

The Irish giants were unbeaten throughout the Champions Cup league phase, often resting frontline players in the URC to ensure their squad peaked for Europe. That strategy has paid off handsomely, with Leo Cullen’s side powering into Saturday’s final in Spain against defending champions Bordeaux Bègles.

Leinster’s route to the final has underlined their status as Europe’s form side. They swept through the pool stages before overcoming Harlequins, French heavyweights Toulouse and English club Northampton Saints in the knockout rounds.

Heading back to Bilbao ✈️ pic.twitter.com/FXJTG94q6j

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 17, 2026

Should they add a fifth title in Europe’s premier competition this weekend, attention will quickly turn to the URC, where South African teams could yet spoil the party.

Leinster finished second in the league standings behind the Glasgow Warriors, ensuring a home quarter-final and semi-final should they progress. A final in Scotland would then await should the top two seeds both advance.

Should Leinster achieve the first part of their dual mission in Bilbao, a URC quarter-final against the Lions awaits in Dublin next weekend, with the Johannesburg side aiming to continue their breakthrough season after qualifying for the play-offs for the first time in the URC era.

Should Leinster progress, a likely semi-final against the Stormers looms. The Cape side remain dangerous knockout opponents and one of the few teams with a proven record of troubling Irish opposition in recent seasons.

No team has previously lifted both the Champions Cup and URC trophies in the same campaign, leaving Leinster within reach of a landmark achievement.

Sharks owner Marco Masotti has defended his commitment to the Durban-based franchise after a turbulent season that ended in yet another major disappointment for one of South African rugby’s most expensively assembled squads.

New York-based Masotti responded on social media after a supporter questioned whether his investment in the Sharks had become one of the worst in professional sport, after the team’s failure to qualify for the United Rugby Championship play-offs and their underwhelming European campaign.

No. It is an absolute joy to invest in this amazing team. Tough tough season but 3 trophies over the last few and happy to see our team planning for the future. Plus it is a pleasure to contribute to the great city of Durban. There is never going to be a better investment. Go… https://t.co/05bVFnTJ8P

— Marco Masotti (@MarcoMasotti_) May 17, 2026

“In the world of sport investing, has there ever been a worse investment than @MarcoMasotti_ in @SharksRugby? No URC playoffs, lost to Sale, all-round terrible,” supporter Jaun-Pierre Pretorius posted on X.

Masotti, however, remained firmly supportive of the project.

“No. It is an absolute joy to invest in this amazing team. Tough tough season but three trophies over the last few and happy to see our team planning for the future. Plus it is a pleasure to contribute to the great city of Durban. There is never going to be a better investment,” he replied.

While the Sharks did lift silverware in recent seasons, expectations were far higher this year for a squad packed with Springboks and international talent. Instead, inconsistency, injuries and instability once again undermined their campaign.

The biggest turning point came with the coaching reshuffle that saw John Plumtree step aside before former Sharks winger JP Pietersen initially took over in an interim capacity. Pietersen later earned the role permanently as the franchise looked to reset its direction after another underwhelming season. 

The Sharks were also crippled by injuries to several senior players throughout the campaign, especially in the backline, preventing the side from building momentum or consistency in selection. Jordan and Jaden Hedrikse,

Grant Williams and Ethan Hooker are just some of the Springbok backs forced to miss large chunks of the season, while the experience of veteran lock Eben Etzebeth was sorely missed due to suspension and later injury.

Yet, amid the frustration, there were encouraging signs for the future.

Young backs such as Zekhethelo Siyaya, Vusi Moyo, Jaco Williams, Bradley Davids and Litelihle Bester emerged as bright prospects, while teenage fullback Luan Giliomee impressed sufficiently to secure a move to the Bulls ahead of next season. Centre Jurenzo Julius has also shown glimpses of his enormous potential when given opportunities.

Is this the future of the @Springboks ? 😮

Zekhethelo Siyaya making his mark in his debut @Vodacom #URC season 💥

Don’t miss a minute - LIVE on SuperSport 🔥#SHAvZEB pic.twitter.com/uoJAshZlKo

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 16, 2026

The franchise is also entering a period of significant transition, with Springboks Siya Kolisi, Marvin Orie and Grant Williams among the experienced players departing Kings Park. Williams’ exit, however, has already been addressed with the signing of former Saracens scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl, as the Sharks continue reshaping their squad in pursuit of long-awaited consistency.

For Masotti, despite another painful campaign, the belief remains that the Sharks’ long-term future is still worth backing.

North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, made a brief court appearance at the Johannesburg magistrate's court. 

He was arrested on Friday evening in connection with allegations that he faked a hit on himself in Vosloorus in November 2025.

He was arrested shortly after testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Friday.

When Cyril Ramaphosa ascended to the presidency, he carried the immense weight of national and global expectation. Touted as the architectural saviour who would dismantle the architecture of State Capture, he promised a "New Dawn" anchored in transparency, institutional renewal, and the rule of law.

Yet, looking back at his tenure, that myth has utterly collapsed. Ramaphosa has not saved South Africa; instead, he has presided over deep institutional decay, moving from the moral catastrophe of Marikana to the absurdity of the Phala Phala scandal, leaving a legacy defined by devastating cover-ups.

The tragic irony of Ramaphosa’s presidency is that the very state agencies meant to hold power accountable appear to have been repurposed to shield him. As President, Ramaphosa holds the direct power to appoint the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Public Protector, and the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). When the Phala Phala "Farmgate" scandal exposed hundreds of thousands of undeclared US dollars hidden inside a sofa on his private Limpopo ranch, these exact institutions engineered a series of bureaucratic acrobatics to clear his name.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) cleared Ramaphosa by utilising a convenient legal loophole, concluding there was "no perfected transaction" and therefore no violation of exchange control regulations, because the buyer had never actually collected the livestock. Simultaneously, the Office of the Public Protector cleared the President on narrow ethical grounds, focusing heavily on the technicalities of his involvement rather than on the glaring question of why foreign currency was stashed in domestic furniture. This structural alignment of state oversight body findings created a protective wall around the executive, a pattern deeply reminiscent of the political shielding seen during the height of historic state capture.

Nowhere is the absurdity of this defence more apparent than in the narrative surrounding the alleged purchase of the buffalo. Major media operations, notably under the Media24 umbrella, widely publicised a narrative featuring Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa, who claimed to have bought buffalo from the farm on Christmas Day in 2019. This narrative has been treated with widespread public scepticism and mockery. To this day, no verifiable evidence, official tax records, or credible commercial invoices for these buffalo have been provided to the media or the public. In fact, SARS later found "no record" that the businessman had even declared this massive influx of cash upon entering the country, making the media-amplified transaction story look like an insult to public intelligence. Ramaphosa’s defenders often ask the public to judge him purely on his polite demeanour and investor-friendly rhetoric.

But a nation cannot be governed by good manners alone. Long before the couch at Phala Phala was stuffed with cash, Ramaphosa’s political record was stained by the 2012 Marikana massacre, where his private business interests collided tragically with the lives of striking miners. By transitioning from the corporate boardroom to the highest office in the land, he brought with him a brand of elite insulation that protects the powerful while ordinary citizens face systemic collapse.

The recent landmark Constitutional Court ruling, which invalidated the parliamentary manoeuvres the ANC used to block an investigation, has finally stripped away the administration's legal shields. With a formal parliamentary impeachment committee now mandated to investigate the matter, the true scale of the Phala Phala cover-up will be subject to rigorous scrutiny. Ramaphosa was sold to the world as South Africa’s ethical rescue. Instead, history may well judge him a disastrous president—a leader who proved that even the ruling party's most polished face could not save the country from entrenched political accountability failures.

President Cyril Ramaphosa looks set to interdict the Phala Phala impeachment, aimed at stalling the Section 89 committee process following a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling. 

ANC sources revealed that Ramaphosa has decided to stall the impeachment proceedings, with the party throwing its weight behind the move.

The sources said Ramaphosa is planning to file an urgent court interdict, which aims to block the establishment of an impeachment committee following the ConCourt ruling on the Phala Phala scandal. 

This is after National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza announced the formation of a 31-member impeachment committee to process the Section 89 report. The committee consists of members from the majority of the political parties in the National Assembly. 

The parties must submit their nominations for the committee by May 22 with this committee responsible for conducting an inquiry to determine if there are sufficient grounds for the President's removal. 

The Speaker’s decision comes after the ConCourt ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally in December 2022 when it used the ANC majority to block an impeachment inquiry against Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal. 

The court ordered Parliament to revive the process and refer the Independent Panel’s report directly to an impeachment committee. 

The source in the ANC confirmed that Ramaphosa wants to challenge the proceedings, adding that the party has already pronounced its position. 

“The party has already declared its position and everyone must toe the line,” said the source.

During his address last week, Ramaphosa announced that he will not resign and will instead launch an urgent judicial review to legally challenge the Section 89 independent panel report regarding the scandal.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party is not aware of any “plan” by  Ramaphosa to halt parliamentary processes.

She added that ConCourt judgment dealt with parliamentary procedure and process, not with any criminal finding or impeachment ruling against the President.

"Attempts to deliberately misrepresent that judgment as proof of wrongdoing are misleading and irresponsible. The ANC remains committed to constitutionalism, accountability and the rule of law, including respect for parliamentary and judicial processes," she said.

Following the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last week, the party’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, announced that the NEC unanimously reaffirmed its full and continuing support for Ramaphosa. 

Mbalula stated that the NEC was not asked to consider a recall or resignation for Ramaphosa and said Ramaphosa's mandate from party branches remains intact until the next national elective conference in 2027.

Mbalula added that the NEC fully endorsed Ramaphosa’s decision to launch a High Court review against the Section 89 independent panel report regarding the Phala Phala farm scandal.

Asked to confirm the President will interdict the impeachment proceedings, Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “Let’s wait for papers to be filed”. 

Legal expert Advocate Zwelethu ‘Mighty’ Madasa said Ramaphosa will have to show that he has a right to make the application and that there is a risk that if the action against him is not stopped, he can suffer irreparable harm to his rights. 

Madasa added that the interdict is the more convenient route to take. 

“On this criteria, clearly the President has a right to make the application because the impeachment concerns his personal reputation and has implications if successful to negatively impact his right to pension benefits,” he said. 

Madasa added: “As to whether the impeachment process can cause irreparable harm if not stopped is a moot point that the court will have to weigh. Because the impeachment is an enquiry. Depending on the evidence, it does not mean that he will be found guilty.

"In addition, stopping the process may violate Parliament’s constitutionally entrenched duty to oversee executive action. Also, impeachment is a procedure provided in the Constitution, so a court may not stop the exercise of constitutional provisions. Therefore, the court may say the President cannot use courts to avoid subjecting himself to accountability to Parliament (a separate organ of state).”

Political analyst Professor Andre Duvenhage said a possible application for an interdict against Parliament shows that Ramaphosa is in a difficult position. 

Duvenhage said this could be Ramaphosa’s strategy to buy time. 

Another political analyst, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, said that although Ramaphosa has the right to take the report on review, he is not acting in good faith, adding that he could have challenged the report immediately after it was released. 

Cape Times

As the world commemorates International Museum Day on 18 May, the City of Johannesburg is reflecting on the important role museums play in preserving history, protecting heritage, and connecting communities to their collective identity.

This year’s commemoration comes at a significant moment for Johannesburg, as major upgrades continue at Museum Afrika and the adjacent Pink Building in Newtown to prepare the facilities to international museum standards for the temporary relocation of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) collection.

Johannesburg is a city shaped by movement — of people, ideas, and histories. At the centre of this dynamism lies the Johannesburg Cultural Arc, a symbolic and physical pathway connecting the city’s major heritage, arts, and human rights institutions.

Stretching from Constitution Hill, across the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge, and into the vibrant Newtown Cultural Precinct, the Cultural Arc reflects South Africa’s journey from struggle to democracy and its enduring commitment to cultural expression.

The temporary relocation of the JAG collection into Newtown is more than a logistical intervention — it is a strategic cultural repositioning that strengthens the interconnectedness of Johannesburg’s heritage institutions while reinforcing Newtown’s role as a centre of creativity, memory, and urban regeneration.

Museum Afrika, housed in the historic 1913 fruit and vegetable market building on Lilian Ngoyi Street, serves as Johannesburg’s premier history museum and remains one of the city’s most important custodians of social and cultural memory. The museum houses extensive collections of books, artefacts, archives, and historical records chronicling Johannesburg’s evolution.

To support this transition, significant infrastructure interventions implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency are currently underway at both Museum Afrika and the Pink Building.

Key upgrades include:

• Installation of modern HVAC systems with real-time monitoring to regulate temperature and humidity in line with museum preservation standards;
• Comprehensive roof rehabilitation and waterproofing to prevent water ingress and strengthen the building envelope;
• Installation of new polycarbonate roof sheeting to improve insulation and durability;
• Ongoing installation of a new 1MVA transformer to ensure stable and uninterrupted power supply;
• Upgraded security infrastructure including CCTV surveillance, biometric and fingerprint access controls, reinforced access points, and 24-hour security presence;
• Gas-based fire suppression systems designed to protect artworks without the risk of water damage
• These interventions are not only critical to safeguarding valuable artworks but also represent a long-term investment in Johannesburg’s cultural infrastructure.

The relocation of the JAG collection into this environment creates renewed opportunities for cultural tourism, increased public activity, and deeper collaboration between Johannesburg’s institutions of art, heritage, and memory.

The Newtown precinct is also home to major cultural landmarks including the Market Theatre, the iconic Newtown Heads public art installation, and nearby heritage destinations such as Chancellor House, commemorated by Marco Cianfanelli’s Nelson Mandela: Shadow Boxer sculpture.

By positioning the JAG collection within this broader cultural ecosystem, the City is strengthening the Cultural Arc as a cohesive and accessible spine of arts and heritage while ensuring that Johannesburg’s artistic legacy remains visible and protected.

As Johannesburg commemorates International Museum Day, the City reaffirms its commitment to preserving the stories, artworks, and heritage that define its identity — ensuring that future generations continue to learn from and engage with the city’s rich cultural legacy.

Content by the City of Johannesburg

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has officially announced Mlungisi Mabaso as its mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg.

Upon his nomination this past weekend, Mabaso vowed to restore Johannesburg to its former glory. Notably, his name, "Mlungisi," is IsiZulu for "the fixer" or "the one who sets things right," reflecting the mission he intends to undertake for the city.

As he prepares to challenge several key candidates, including Herman Mashaba and Helen Zille, Mabaso has outlined his intended approach and objectives for the upcoming campaign.

He announced his 10-point rescue plan to turn the City of Johannesburg around. The plan includes a specific focus on economic recovery, visible policing, water, infrastructure, roads, housing, land, finances, smart billing, and the protection of whistleblowers.

Mabaso told delegates gathered at Jabulani in Soweto that he intends to bring order to the City of Johannesburg.

"I am a servant of the people and an IFP volunteer," he said.

He is serving as the Mayoral Committee in Johannesburg, in charge of the Human Settlement portfolio.

“Johannesburg must once again become a city where people are proud to live in. The IFP will restore the culture of safety, discipline and excellence in local government. The IFP believes that clean streets matter, safe neighborhoods matter.”

Mabaso has gained significant attention for his campaigns to reclaim hijacked buildings in Johannesburg and his efforts to address fraud in state housing allocations. He continues to align himself with the IFP’s strict stance on undocumented migrants and illegal immigration.

Recent reports in The Star, supported by a viral video, indicate that Mabaso has vowed his department will not use South African taxpayer funds to provide services to informal settlements primarily occupied by illegal immigrants.

Specifically, he stated that services would not be provided to settlements housing over 10,000 foreign nationals, suggesting that such services might only be considered after his term in office concludes.

“If it’s more than 10 000 foreign nationals, we take the money of South African taxpayers and go to service foreign nationals in informal settlements - I said that is not going to happen.

“That will happen while there’s another MMC, because I will also not stay in these positions forever. I will be removed one day, and that’s when they will get the services - but not while I am still the MMC,” The Star reported.

Party president, Velenkosini Hlabisa, who announced Mabaso's candidacy said the he is the best candidate to serve the people of Johannesburg.

Limpopo police have arrested the grandparents of missing two-year-old Omphile Sethole on charges of alleged child negligence, as the search for the toddler enters a critical phase more than two weeks after she disappeared without a trace.

Limpopo police provincial spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, said the arrest of the 52-year-old grandmother and 55-year-old grandfather was made on Friday, May 15, by members of the Mokopane Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, which has now taken full control of the investigation as it intensifies.

Omphile Sethole disappeared from her home in Ga-Mabuela village under the Tinmyne policing area in the early hours of Saturday, May 2, triggering an extensive police search that has so far yielded no breakthrough.

According to Ledwaba, the child’s grandmother discovered her missing at about 6 am, after noticing that a window in the room had been left open. At the time, Omphile who was wearing a pink jersey and black tights was nowhere to be found.

Omphile’s father, Khutso Bradley Mabuela, described how the family rushed back to Limpopo after hearing about the disappearance and remains traumatised and desperate for answers.

“When we heard about this incident, we had to come back immediately. It has been very difficult to process what happened. We are traumatised and still asking ourselves what really happened that day,” he said.

Mabuela added that the family believes the disappearance may have been planned, pointing to a suspicious vehicle reportedly seen in the area the day before.

“I believe someone knows what happened… whoever did this must have known which room she was sleeping in. Nothing else was taken - even phones left in plain sight were untouched. They came specifically for my child,” he said.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrests, saying specialist investigators are working “around the clock” to trace the child and establish what happened.

“We have assembled experienced investigators from the Mokopane FCS Unit who are working around the clock to trace the missing child and establish all circumstances surrounding her disappearance. We remain committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to book,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

She also urged members of the public to assist police with credible information, while warning against the spread of misinformation that could compromise the investigation.

Authorities said community cooperation remains critical as search operations continue across Mokopane and surrounding areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mokopane FCS Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Chuene Selolo, on 082 469 2594, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit anonymous tips via the MySAPSApp.

The grandparents are expected to appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 18.

Police investigations are continuing.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

The Presidency has officially received its request for President Cyril Ramaphosa to authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the explosive R2 billion Ekurhuleni billing scandal, as pressure mounts for urgent action against what opposition parties say is one of the biggest municipal cybercrime and corruption scandals to hit Gauteng.

This follows shocking revelations before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) that cybercriminals allegedly infiltrated the City of Ekurhuleni’s billing system over several years, manipulating municipal accounts, unlawfully writing off debt and issuing fraudulent tariff clearance certificates while billions disappeared from the metro’s finances.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that it first raised concerns with the SIU in July 2025 after uncovering evidence of funds allegedly being siphoned from the municipality through compromised billing and IT systems. Recent developments emerging from SCOPA, together with a Hawks investigation into several municipal officials, have intensified calls for a full-scale criminal probe.

DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane said the party’s request to Ramaphosa was facilitated by DA Parliamentary Leader George Michalakis MP.

“Our direct request to Ramaphosa, facilitated by DA Parliamentary Leader, George Michalakis MP, relates to this scandal. The president must authorise an SIU investigation immediately, so that those responsible can face justice,” Rasilingwane said.

Evidence presented before SCOPA revealed that hackers allegedly exploited unsecured Wi-Fi infrastructure at the Bedfordview Licensing Department, where spyware was reportedly installed to steal passwords and manipulate municipal debt records from vehicles parked outside the building.

An independent forensic report issued in July 2025 reportedly warned that internal collusion and weak cybersecurity controls had enabled the attacks, yet opposition parties claim the ANC-led administration failed to act decisively while residents continued enduring failing service delivery, power outages, deteriorating roads and rising municipal tariffs.

“The DA’s stance is clear: Ekurhuleni is not for sale. If the Presidency and the SIU allow this opportunity to act against massive corruption, and a clear attack on a major municipality’s ability to deliver services go past unchecked, we have entered dangerous territory,” Rasilingwane said.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) also weighed in on the scandal, describing it as proof of deep-rooted governance failures within the metro.

“This incident of cybercrime is no accident; it is the direct consequence of years of cadre deployment, incompetent appointments, inadequate oversight and an utter lack of accountability under ANC rule,” the party said.

The party called for “a thorough, independent forensic investigation into all IT transactions, account manipulations and payments over the relevant period” and demanded that implicated officials, contractors and political leaders be publicly identified and prosecuted.

The scandal has further reignited scrutiny around the murder of senior forensic audit official Mpho Mafole, who was reportedly involved in investigations linked to the missing funds before he was killed in 2025. The DA previously raised concerns that Mafole may have compiled sensitive evidence connected to the matter, although investigators have not confirmed any direct link.

“This matter goes beyond a technical breach. Under Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza oversight and accountability within the city has collapsed and weak controls have been allowed to persist, creating an environment in which public funds can be looted with little consequence,” the DA said.

Recently, mayor Xhakaza’s acting spokesperson, Ramatolo Tlotleng, told The Star that all political parties must follow established council procedures instead of seeking political advantage through the media, adding that the city remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

Opposition parties warned that the alleged theft has severely weakened a metro already battling financial strain and growing public frustration over deteriorating basic services.

The DA added that it will not allow the public purse to be the go-to for criminals.

“The message, and request to Ramaphosa is a simple one, to help us to catch criminals. We must convict them, and clean up our municipalities,” Rasilingwane said.

The ANC has since defended its record on fighting corruption, saying it supports all lawful investigations into allegations linked to the City of Ekurhuleni billing scandal.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said Ramaphosa’s administration had signed numerous SIU proclamations targeting corruption, fraud and maladministration across government institutions.

“The ANC has consistently championed the fight against corruption and maladministration in all spheres of government, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa,” Bhengu said.

She added that the ANC supported “all lawful and credible efforts to investigate allegations of wrongdoing wherever they may arise, including within local government”, while accusing opposition parties of using governance failures for “narrow political gain”.

Bhengu said the ANC had also established a Local Government Intervention Team aimed at strengthening governance systems, improving financial controls and accelerating service delivery in struggling municipalities.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

The Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has opted to remain silent amid claims suggesting that alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has made an offer to provide information in exchange for leniency regarding his corruption case.

The case relates to the R228 million tender irregularly awarded by SAPS to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District.

This follows media reports claiming Matlala felt used and let down after suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and top police officials failed to shield him from arrest during the SAPS raid at his residence and offices.

Matlala recently appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court with senior police officers who face corruption and fraud charges over the tender. 

Suspended SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, a co-accused, faces four charges, including breaches of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, money laundering, and other financial misconduct.

According to reports, Matlala’s lawyers reached out to IDAC with information allegedly linking senior police officers and potentially politicians, to wrongdoing.

When asked about allegations that Matlala was providing information to IDAC, spokesperson Henry Mamothame declined to comment, stating: “IDAC won’t be commenting on your enquiry.”

This occurred despite media reports that he had confirmed consultations with Matlala were finished, and that new information from those discussions led the state to open further investigations.

Sithembiso Mshengu, Mchunu's spokesperson, did not respond to a request for comment. 

Brown Mogotsi, a controversial North West businessman and political fixer arrested on Friday, told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry last year that Matlala had sought to meet Mchunu during the ANC’s January 8, 2025 celebration in Cape Town. 

He also alleged that Matlala financed ANC members' travel expenses to attend the event.

Mogotsi faces charges for allegedly orchestrating a staged assassination attempt in the Vosloorus matter and for defeating the ends of justice.

Mogotsi previously stated that Matlala paid R149 000 to Gotlhe Travel, a travel agency run by Mogotsi’s fiancé.

Matlala previously claimed he paid former Police Minister Bheki Cele R500,000 in cash on two separate occasions with a view to prevent police harassment and facilitate the return of his seized firearms.

This was revealed during Matlala's testimony before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee in November, where he alleged that Cele solicited a R1 million bribe, part of which was reportedly handed over in Woolworths shopping bags. 

He testified that Cele’s initial demand was R1m, but only R500,000 was paid.

Attempts to get a comment from Cele were unsuccessful.

In commission testimony last year, Mogotsi alleged that Cele accepted a R2 million payment from Matlala, whom he referred to as “John Wick.”

“John Wick” is reportedly linked to Boko Haram, a gang known for extorting local businesses in Mamelodi, Pretoria.

Meanwhile, in a media statement yesterday, IDAC said it was concerned about rumours and enquiries suggesting it had issued a J50 warrant of arrest for KwaZulu-Natal SAPS chief Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

He urged the public to be vigilant against false information circulating on social media that aims to destabilise and discredit law enforcement in the country. 

Some members of the ANC have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign amid soaring unemployment figures under his leadership. 

The members, who are in the anti-Ramaphosa faction in the party, said the unemployment rate has worsened since Ramaphosa took office in 2018.

This is after Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) last week confirmed that the unemployment rate increased to 32,7% in the first quarter, up from 31,4% in the previous quarter. 

A source in the party said this was a concern to every member of the ANC. 

“This has been discussed and it is a concern for everyone,” said the source, adding that Ramaphosa should resign. 

When Ramaphosa took office in 2018, the national unemployment rate was around 26,7%. According to the latest figures from Stats SA, the unemployment rate now sits at 32,7%, representing 8,1 million jobless individuals. 

The economy also experienced an extended period of stagnation and regression under Ramaphosa, largely characterised by elevated unemployment, structural crises in energy and logistics, and a sustained decline in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita relative to population growth.

The latest Stats SA poverty data also indicates that approximately 23, 2 million people, roughly 37,9% of the population, live below the lower-bound poverty line of R1,300 per month. Additionally, about 10,8 million people or 17,6% of the population survive below the food poverty line of R777 per month.

Another source said Ramaphosa must resign as the economy has been doing badly.  

“The cost of living has reached unmanageable proportions, and that happened under his leadership. The economy is going down, the ANC is declining, and everything is deteriorating under his leadership,” said the source. 

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said it was dishonest to discuss unemployment in South Africa 'without acknowledging the impact of state capture, the destruction of state institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflationary pressures, supply-chain disruptions, wars affecting oil and food prices, and a sluggish global economy which has negatively affected developing nations across the world'.

"Despite these realities, South Africa has seen important signs of economic stabilisation, including periods of consecutive GDP growth, improved energy availability, declining intensity of load shedding, increased investor confidence in key sectors, growth in renewable energy investment, and improved fiscal indicators, " she said, adding that the ANC will not apologise for interventions aimed at protecting millions of vulnerable South Africans from complete economic exclusion.

"Public employment programmes, youth employment initiatives and social interventions are not evidence of policy failure; they are evidence of a developmental state responding to social realities while long-term economic reforms take effect."

In a statement issued May 13, the ANC stated it is “deeply worried” by the data, noting that the numbers are not yet where they need to be to pull South Africa out of its chronic employment challenges.

The party reaffirmed its dedication to resolving the issue through the macroeconomic interventions embedded in the current Government of National Unity (GNU) policy framework.

In his address at the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ramaphosa said the government is working to tackle poverty and address the high cost of living that is putting strain on individuals and households, particularly the poor and vulnerable.

He said the government will be investing R1 trillion to build energy, water, transportation, logistics, IT and other essential infrastructure over the next three years.

Ramaphosa said this program will create jobs, support local businesses and supplier development, and develop new value chains.

“We are on a concerted drive to attract investment into our economy. These potential investors need to know that they are bringing their investments to places that have reliable basic services, are well-regulated and managed, and that are safe and secure,” he said.

Governance expert and political analyst Sandile Swana said Ramaphosa’s term was worse than those of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.

“He does not invest and do anything that is required. Our investment is half of what it should be. It is at 15% while it should be at 30% and above,” he said.

He said that while Zuma reduced the unemployment rate, Ramaphosa has worsened it, adding that he has also taken unemployment to record levels.

Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said that while Zuma left a mess behind, Ramaphosa failed to make the situation better.

“Ramaphosa's handling of foreign affairs has been disastrous and is harming the economy,” he said.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za

The education system in Gauteng is teetering on the brink of collapse. With municipal debt approaching a staggering R600 million, the repercussions for schools across the province are severe and escalating. 

Electricity and water disconnections are threatening to disrupt learning across hundreds of schools already crippled by overcrowding, ageing infrastructure and mounting financial pressure.

This follows a press briefing held on Sunday, May 17, where Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile delivered a comprehensive overview of the growing crisis surrounding water and electricity provision at schools, while also assessing the future of the province’s controversial decentralisation model.

The briefing came just days after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the City of Tshwane must restore electricity to schools disconnected over unpaid municipal accounts and barred municipalities from carrying out further power cuts at schools.

At the centre of the crisis is a staggering R583.9 million debt owed by Gauteng schools to municipalities, with the City of Johannesburg accounting for the largest share at R390.7 million, followed by Ekurhuleni at R75.1 million and Tshwane at R51.7 million. Schools also owe Eskom R6.32 million.

Maile said the crisis had been worsened by historical debt, weak accountability systems and ongoing disputes over municipal billing, with many schools battling inflated charges, estimated readings and escalating tariffs they could no longer afford.

“Municipalities in Gauteng have increasingly been accused of over-charging public schools through incorrect billing, inflated tariffs, estimated readings, historical debt transfers, and unlawful charges on municipal accounts,” said Maile.

The MEC warned that the growing financial strain was having devastating consequences for teaching and learning across the province.

“Schools without electricity cannot operate computer labs, lighting, or administrative systems, while water cuts create sanitation and health risks for learners and staff,” he said.

Maile further admitted that Gauteng’s decentralisation model which transferred responsibility for paying municipal services from the department to schools and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) had exposed serious governance and financial management failures.

“Many schools, especially no-fee and low-income schools, struggle to pay increasing municipal tariffs using limited state allocations,” he said.

The decentralisation system was initially introduced to improve financial autonomy and reduce bureaucratic delays by allowing schools to manage their own budgets and procurement processes. However, the system is now under review after years of mounting debt, disputes over historical accounts and repeated service disconnections.

“For this reason, we are reviewing the de-centralisation model. This has been made necessary by the impediments that it has posed, particularly as it pertains to challenges with financial management and sound governance, which result in the non-payment of municipal services.” Maile said.

He also revealed that Gauteng’s learner population had nearly doubled from 1.4 million in 1995 to more than 2.8 million in 2026, placing enormous pressure on school infrastructure and provincial finances.

While the Gauteng Department of Education’s infrastructure budget increased from R1.63 billion in the 2021/2022 financial year to R2.84 billion in 2025/2026, Maile said the increase remained inadequate when measured against rapid in-migration, overcrowding and infrastructure backlogs.

He warned that vandalism, crime, ageing infrastructure and the challenge of building schools on dolomitic land were compounding the crisis facing the province’s education system.

Addressing the recent High Court ruling against the City of Tshwane, Maile defended the constitutional right to education and insisted schools should never become casualties of municipal debt disputes.

“Education services are not a privilege that is extended on the basis of financial ability. Education is a Constitutionally enshrined right that is extended to all children in our country regardless of their socio-economic background or their geography,” he said.

“Schools are and must remain a public good. Basic education is a fundamental human right that provides equitable access to opportunities, fosters democracy, and serves as a cornerstone for societal development and poverty reduction.”

The growing crisis comes after the Democratic Alliance earlier this month accused the Gauteng Department of Education of misleading the public about the extent of electricity disconnections at schools.

In a statement issued on May 4, DA Gauteng spokesperson for education Michael Waters said official replies from the department contradicted repeated public claims that no schools had experienced power cuts.

“The Gauteng Department of Education has misled the public by claiming that no school has experienced electricity disconnections, a claim directly contradicted by its own official reply to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature,” said Waters.

According to the DA, schools including Bedfordview High, Laerskool Welgedacht and Laerskool Morewag experienced electricity disconnections for more than 120 days.

Waters said the number of affected schools had escalated sharply from three schools in 2024 to 31 in 2025, while 16 schools had already been affected in the first four months of 2026.

“The truth is simple: schools have been left in the dark, and the department tried to hide it. This is not a communications failure; it is a failure of governance and accountability,” Waters said.

The DA has since called for a Public Protector investigation into the matter.

Despite mounting criticism, Maile insisted the department was working with municipalities to ensure compliance with the High Court ruling while assisting schools trapped in billing disputes and historical debt battles.

“Ultimately, schools must focus on the core mandate of delivering the curriculum successfully,” he  added.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

JP Pietersen believes the Sharks’ emphatic season-ending win over Zebre Parma offered an encouraging glimpse into the future, as the Durban franchise begins an important rebuilding phase ahead of next season, with the arrival of scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl from Saracens the latest piece in the puzzle.

The Sharks ended a frustrating United Rugby Championship campaign on a high with an entertaining 54-19 victory at Kings Park on Saturday, but the result also marked the end of an era for several senior players leaving the union. Among those saying goodbye were Siya Kolisi, Le Roux Malan, Marvin Orie, Jean Smith and Grant Williams.

Pietersen paid tribute to the departing players and the impact they made at the union.

“When people put value into the jersey, the union and the organisation, you can only say thank you,” he said after the match. “It was special seeing Siya get that standing ovation when he came off. The contribution he made to this group and this union was massive.”

The Hollywoodbets Sharks are pleased to announce the arrival of scrum half Ivan Van Zyl to the Shark Tank from the 2026/27 season! 👏

The experienced halfback joins us from Saracens!

A warm Durban welcome, Ivan! 🖤🦈 pic.twitter.com/mzpiQaClw2

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 17, 2026

While the departures bring significant experience to an end, Pietersen believes the emergence of several young players throughout the campaign has softened the blow.

He described the final-round debuts and performances from the next generation as proof that the Sharks’ long-term planning is beginning to take shape.

“It’s sad because some guys are leaving, but at the same time it’s exciting because new players are starting their journey,” he said. “As I always say, this is the end and the start. That’s the circle of life in rugby.

“The balance of this group is beautiful. We’ve got the pieces now, it’s just about how we put it together.”

The arrival of veteran scrumhalf Van Zyl also fills a critical void created by the departure of Springbok scrumhalf Williams to Japan. The former Bulls player is expected to provide valuable cover and experience alongside Jaden Hendrikse in a squad that also boasts promising young No 9s Bradley Davids and Ross Braude.

A word from Coach JP pic.twitter.com/p57kWiHTX1

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 16, 2026

Pietersen said the squad would now benefit from a mental and physical reset after a demanding season before returning with a renewed mindset.

“It’s important for the players to get away from rugby and spend time with family,” he said. “But when we come back, the challenge is not just to compete – it’s to win.”

The coach also urged supporters to remain patient as the Sharks continue to develop a young squad capable of becoming genuine contenders in the coming seasons.

“It’s a process,” Pietersen said. “We’re building in the right direction and I’m confident we’ll be in a much better place next season with a proper pre-season.”

The IDAC has rubbished rumours that it has a J50 warrant of arrest for KZN provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as “false”.

This comes after reports circulated on social media alleging that the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) had prepared a J50 arrest warrant for Mkhwanazi.

However, despite the claims being false, the charge for which Mkhwanazi was allegedly going to be arrested remains unclear.

IDAC said it had noted with concern the rumours and enquiries claiming it had a J50 warrant of arrest for Mkhwanazi.

“This information is false and dismissed with the contempt it deserves.”

“These rumours are clearly started to disrupt and distract the work of IDAC, as well as the responsibilities that Gen Mkhwanazi is discharging in the fight against crime,” said IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame.

He called for vigilant use of social media.

“Members of society are urged to be vigilant against false information circulated in social media platforms, aimed at destabilising and discrediting law enforcement in the country.”

Mkhwanazi is no stranger to headlines, often making explosive allegations and drawing public attention.

He has long been regarded as a no-nonsense law enforcer with an unflinching stance on corruption.

On July 6, 2025, the top cop held an explosive media briefing where he blew the whistle on alleged corruption, political interference and institutional capture within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

During the briefing, Mkhwanazi implicated several senior officials, including police minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on special leave, and suspended deputy national commissioner for crime detection Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya.

Mkhwanazi has for several times maintained that Mchunu, who was new to the portfolio at the time, had been “captured” to write the December 2024 disbandment letter of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

President Cyril Ramaphosa previously said he did not approve the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team and was dissatisfied that he had not been consulted beforehand.

Ramaphosa said that in written responses submitted to the Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, which was investigating the allegations made by Mkhwanazi.

He said the decision was taken by Mchunu and should have fallen under the authority of the now suspended national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

Ramaphosa said he was informed of the move on or about February 1, 2025, by Masemola, who indicated that Mchunu had instructed that the unit be disbanded.

Masemola also made it clear that he disagreed with the decision, Ramaphosa said.

Wait a minute… Who is Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi?

He joined SAPS in 1993 as a student constable at the age of 20, initially serving in public order policing.

In 2005, he was appointed head of the Special Task Force, the service’s elite operations unit responsible for specialised operations, including the National Air Wing and National Intervention Unit.

In 2011, he was appointed component head of specialised operations at major-general level. Later that year, he was named acting national police commissioner by former president Jacob Zuma, replacing Bheki Cele, who had been suspended.

In December 2018, Mkhwanazi was appointed KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner by Cele, a position he still holds. His contract expired on March 30, 2026.

He claimed his move to KwaZulu-Natal was voluntary and not financially motivated.

Meanwhile, the now-suspended national police commissioner, General Masemola, has since extended Mkhwanazi’s contract, and he will remain in his post for another five-year term.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has been pleased with the team’s overall performance this season, even though he believes there is still room for improvement.

Chiefs will face Chippa United in their final Betway Premiership match on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) at Moses Mabhida Stadium. A win would see Chiefs further consolidate third place on the log, after already securing qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Moreover, they would also match their best points tally (57) in recent seasons, having achieved that feat during the 2019/20 campaign when they finished second under coach Ernst Middendorp.

Granted, Chiefs’ third-place finish marks an improvement from last season, when they ended outside the Top 8. However, considering they were in contention for at least three trophies – the league, Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederation Cup – their season could certainly have been better.

90 + 6’| #AMA 0 : 1 #CHI 🟥

Full-time score: AmaZulu FC 0 : 1 Kaizer Chiefs (Lilepo 68’)

Betway Man Of The Match: Brandon Petersen #Amakhosi4Life #BetwayPrem #KCOneVoice #KCOneFamily #LoveAndPeace. pic.twitter.com/IJg922Ktc0

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 16, 2026

“It was a good season, it could have been better, that’s for sure,” Kaze said. “We know that we have laid a solid foundation for better things in the future.

“We wanted to be high up and compete for the title until the end. But we couldn’t do that, although there are lessons that have been learnt. So, they’ll need to be taken into consideration going forward.”

One player who will have few complaints about his season is Brandon Petersen. The Kaizer Chiefs captain has enjoyed his best campaign at the club since arriving, keeping 18 clean sheets and conceding 23 goals in 35 matches across all competitions. Kaze revealed what has been the turning point for the 31-year-old, who had fallen down the pecking order last season.

“Firstly, it’s the number of minutes because he didn’t play much last season. He only played in the final of the Nedbank Cup,” Kaze explained.

Betway Man Of The Match: Brandon Petersen #Amakhosi4Life #BetwayPrem #KCOneVoice #KCOneFamily #LoveAndPeace. pic.twitter.com/KGIwMupXa3

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 16, 2026

“Secondly, he works hard with the same attitude, mentality and energy. I would like to say to players that good things happen to good people. He’s a player with tremendous human qualities. I am happy that this is happening to him. He deserves everything.”

Petersen picked up yet another Player of the Match award when when Chiefs beat AmaZulu 1-0 in their penultimate game of the season at Moses Mabhida – a performance that strengthened calls for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to include him in his final World Cup squad on May 25. Without sounding too persuasive toward the Belgian regarding the goalkeeper, Kaze said Petersen’s qualities have spoken volumes this season.

“I don’t want to comment on whether he’ll get a call-up or not. We are going to know soon enough,” Kaze said. “The national team coach is an experienced coach who knows what he wants for his team.

“We need to let him choose the players that he wants in a transparent way. I just wish to see Brandon Petersen going to the World Cup because he deserves it based on his qualities.”

Chiefs will head into their final game of the season without talisman Glody Lilepo. The Burundian scored the winner against Usuthu and took off his shirt in celebration, resulting in him receiving a second yellow card after having been cautioned earlier in the match.

“It’s an unfortunate situation that happened to Lilepo. He’s an experienced player, so he should know better,” Kaze said.

“It’s football, so I understand his emotions when he scored. A human being without emotions is not a human being.

“We got the three points, so everything is good. We just need to concentrate on the last game against Chippa.”

Despite securing a coveted home quarter-final in the United Rugby Championship (URC), the Stormers head into the play-offs with more questions than answers after an underwhelming finish to the regular season.

John Dobson’s side sealed third place on the log with 60 points, and the right to host a quarter-final at Cape Town Stadium, but recent performances have lacked the fluency and physical dominance that made them one of the competition’s most dangerous teams.

Last weekend’s dramatic 38-38 draw with Ulster was followed by Friday night’s 22-16 defeat to Cardiff. Both displays exposed worrying inconsistencies on both sides of the ball.

The attacking rhythm and defensive edge that defined their 2022 title-winning run – and the form that carried them through an unbeaten opening eight matches this season – has faded in recent weeks. 

Their forward pack, traditionally a major weapon, has struggled to impose itself consistently, while injuries to key players such as skipper Deon Fourie have disrupted continuity at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Defensively, the Stormers have looked vulnerable out wide and around the fringes, with opponents repeatedly generating momentum through quick ball and direct carries. Cardfiff exploited those weaknesses effectively and are likely to target them again when the sides meet in the quarter-final on May 30.

The Welsh side shaded the ruck battle and the statistic for number of defenders beaten, while the Stormers failed to capitalise on their superior number of line breaks and will need to work on both areas.

We've got Cardiff coming to Cape Town for a @Vodacom #URC Quarter-Final.

Tickets are on sale, so get yours now and be there for this big knock-out game at DHL Stadium.

🎟️https://t.co/hfrcqRDDOr #inittogether pic.twitter.com/Xywz4HEdrQ

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 16, 2026

“It was our first URC away loss this year outside the country, and a very disappointing one at the wrong time,” Dobson admitted afterwards.

However, there is still the belief that the Stormers can raise their intensity when knockout rugby arrives. Their squad contains significant play-off experience and few teams in the URC can match the atmosphere generated in Cape Town.

“We know what’s in this group and we will rebuild and regroup quickly,” Dobson said.

Much will depend on whether players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Evan Roos can rediscover top form, and the team can rediscover their attacking cohesion.

The Stormers remain contenders, but right now they hardly look like champions-in-waiting.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation has issued a public warning over a website allegedly misrepresenting itself as being linked to the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP), raising concerns that vulnerable members of the public could be misled into paying for services that are meant to be free.

The Foundation said it is not affiliated with Stop Gambling SA or its related social media platforms, which claim to offer gambling-related support services at a cost. 

It stressed that all services provided through the NRGP, including counselling, self-exclusion support and account freezing assistance, are offered free of charge.

“We are deeply concerned by the misrepresentation housed on the website and its related materials as we have not authorised the use of the NRGP name, mandate or contact details by them,” said Sibongile Simelane-Quntana, Executive Director of the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation.

The Foundation warned that the alleged misuse of the NRGP’s identity risks exploiting people seeking help for gambling-related harm and could undermine trust in legitimate support structures.

“Members of the public should also be aware that services relating to self-exclusion through the NRGP are provided free of charge and any operator cooling off or account freezing are also provided free of charge by relevant operators. Where a member of the public requests the NRGP to facilitate on their behalf either a cooling off period or account freezing we do so in line with the protection of personal information act,” Simelane-Quntana added.

In response, the Foundation said it has approached the relevant domain registrar to seek the removal of the website’s allegedly misleading information and services, with efforts also under way to identify those responsible.

The organisation said it would pursue all appropriate legal avenues where necessary.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation said its mandate remains focused on promoting responsible gambling through public education, harm reduction and access to professional support services for individuals and families affected by problem gambling.

“The Foundation remains committed to responsible gambling education, support, counselling and lawful harm reduction interventions. We are taking the necessary steps to address this matter and protect the integrity of the NRGP and the public we serve,” Simelane-Quntana said.

The Star

The Lions may have left Limerick in southern Ireland bruised after their defeat to Munster, but coach Ivan van Rooyen believes his side’s historic qualification for the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs marks another important step in the franchise’s steady rise.

The Johannesburg outfit secured a Top 8 finish for the first time in the URC-era, setting up a daunting quarter-final clash against Irish giants Leinster at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on May 30.

Van Rooyen admitted to a mixture of pride and relief after navigating a long and demanding campaign to finally achieve one of the squad’s key objectives, after their 24-17 loss to Munster this past Saturday.

“Obviously, it was a goal from the beginning,” he said, of finishing in the Top 8. “I think we’ve gradually been getting better.

Such a long season with so many challenges and ups and downs. So, to come at the end of the normal season and to be in the top eight is obviously a proud moment for us. Hopefully, we can keep on building momentum and just keep on getting better.”

The Lions pushed Leinster and Munster hard during their two-match tour, but once again paid the price for missed opportunities and lapses in execution at critical moments. Van Rooyen pointed to costly defensive errors against Leinster and poor accuracy in the set-piece against Munster as major reasons why the Lions failed to turn competitive performances into statement victories.

“(Saturday night) we had some opportunities again to score one or two tries more. We just didn’t,” he said. “And in the attacking zone, we lost a couple of line-outs, and then you can’t apply that attacking pressure.

Still, the coach believes there was significant value in facing two elite Irish sides immediately before the play-offs.

“We are talking about quality opposition, tough conditions and quality teams,” Van Rooyen said. “That is definitely Leinster away, Munster away.

"Like I said, consistently just not good enough for us to capitalise on that, but there is also enough positives to really get excited about that opportunity. I think in both fixtures, there were some good glimpses of good physicality, momentum, quick ball at stages because they can put you under so much pressure in these conditions." 

Regular Season ✅

The Quarter-Finals are HERE 🔥@Vodacom #URC | #REPRESENT pic.twitter.com/ysf2S4P9ot

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 16, 2026

The Lions now face an anxious wait over several injury concerns ahead of their return to Dublin.

Powerful loose forward Ruan Venter appears unlikely to feature again this season after suffering what Van Rooyen described as a potentially serious knee injury, while prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has also been a major loss.

“Both of them are part of our momentum givers and momentum stoppers,” Van Rooyen explained. “They’re really special in that regard. So if you lose that kind of player, obviously he does leave a void.”

The coach also confirmed concerns over injuries to Henco van Wyk and skipper Francke Horn, while Richard Kriel failed his HIA assessment but could still return for the Leinster clash.

Despite the setbacks, Van Rooyen backed the depth in the squad, calling on players such as Siba Qoma, Sebastian Lombard and RF Schoeman to rise to the challenge.

The Lions were still weighing up whether to remain in Ireland for the week or return to South Africa before the quarter-final, with recovery and injury management likely to determine the decision. But regardless of travel plans, Van Rooyen believes the enormity of facing the defending champions  in Dublin will provide all the motivation his side needs.

"It’s just can we rise to the occasion and can we find a way to play our game against them,” he concluded.

As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new football campaign is shifting the spotlight away from star players and onto the workers who keep the game running behind the scenes.

From grounds staff preparing pitches at dawn to stadium crews checking equipment and securing goal nets, the campaign focuses on the unseen labour that makes every match possible.

Rather than relying on dramatic football moments, the film captures the routine work that happens long before kick-off, highlighting the discipline, precision and consistency required to stage the world’s biggest sport.

Carling Black Label said the campaign was created to recognise the individuals whose contributions are often overlooked despite playing a vital role in football culture.

“There are many individuals who operate with discipline and consistency but rarely receive recognition for the role they play. This campaign was about acknowledging their contribution and placing a spotlight on the people behind the scenes,” said Kerryn Greenleaf, brand director for Carling Black Label.

Produced in collaboration with Romance Films and directed by Nthato Mokgata, the campaign adopts a grounded and realistic approach, focusing on everyday preparation instead of match-day spectacle.

As attention builds toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the campaign highlights football as more than what happens during 90 minutes on the pitch, drawing attention to the workers whose efforts help make the game possible.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za

The claim that “the boy child is being left behind” has gained increasing traction inpublic discourse. Yet, as it is currently used, the phrase obscures more than it reveals.

It suggests a passive process of exclusion, without naming the systems, norms, and institutional design choices that actively produce that exclusion.The question is not whether boys are being left behind.

The question is: left behind by what, and by whom? Practical evidence, particularly from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund’s multi-provincial programmes, reveals that boys do not disengage from support systems out of indifference or resistance.

Instead, they are excluded because these systems are not designed to accommodate their vulnerability. Across education, child protection, and mental health services, boys are systematically socialised into forms of masculinity that demand silence, endurance, and control.

Emotional expression is framed as weakness. Help-seeking is stigmatised. Disclosure is rendered socially costly. In this context, the absence of boys from support services is not evidence of resilience. It is evidence of structural failure.

This failure is not incidental. It is produced at the intersection of patriarchy and institutional design. Boys are simultaneously positioned as potential perpetrators ofviolence and denied recognition as recipients of harm.

As a result, interventions oftenengage boys only at the point of discipline or correction, rather than at the point of care,prevention, or healing. The consequences are predictable. Boys who experience violence without access to safe processing spaces are more likely to externalise that harm through aggression, disengagement, or self-destructive behaviour.

In school contexts, this manifests in behavioural responses that are disciplined rather than understood. Boys are suspended, excluded, or criminalised, effectively pushed out of systems that could have served as sites of intervention.

The trajectory from unaddressed harm to reproduced violence is not inevitable, but it is structurally patterned

.Programme-level data disrupts the persistent myth that boys do not speak. Within gender-inclusive interventions, boys disclose at significant rates when conditions of trust, safety, and non-judgement are intentionally constructed. In one such programme,66 of 114 recorded child-protection cases were reported by boys.

This is not a marginal figure. It is a clear indication that the issue is not boys’ unwillingness to speak, but theabsence of spaces that make speaking possible.Silence, in this context, is not a personal choice. It is an institutional outcome.

What shifts this dynamic is not rhetoric, but programme architecture. Interventions thatare effective do not treat boys as a homogeneous risk category. They engagemasculinities as sites of intervention.

They create structured, facilitated spaces in whichboys can interrogate identity, emotion, and power without punitive framing. They connect these spaces to psychosocial support systems, to community-level normchange, and to co-educational engagement with girls.

This is not an additive exercise. It is a reconfiguration of how violence prevention isunderstood. The evidence emerging from interventions such as O.U.T.T.R.A.G.E.D in Tembisa illustrates this clearly. Boys identified as perpetrators of bullying traced their behaviourto unresolved grief and exposure to violence.

Within facilitated spaces, these same boys reported shifts towards non-violent forms of expression. The outcome was not simply behavioural compliance, but a reorientation of identity. In one cohort, this translatedinto a measurable reduction in suicide attempts among participants.

What is being produced here is not only individual change. It is the disruption of arelational system in which harm circulates between boys, girls, families, andcommunities.

This is why the framing of boys’ inclusion as a diversion from girls’ empowerment is analytically weak. It misunderstands the relational nature of gender-based violence.Girls’ safety cannot be secured in isolation from the socialisation of boys.

Nor can boys’ wellbeing be addressed without engaging the structural conditions that shape gendered power.

A feminist approach to violence prevention does not rank whose suffering matters more. It interrogates the system that produces harm and asks what interventions arerequired to transform it.From this perspective, engaging boys is not a concession.

It is a necessary extension of gender justice work. The implications for policy and programming are immediate. Investment must shift towards interventions that are multi-level and integrated: safe spaces for boys, co-educational programming, caregiver engagement, and strengthened referral systemsthat recognise boys as legitimate recipients of care.

Equally, institutional actors such as schools, social workers, and law enforcement require training that is explicitly gender-responsive to boys’ experiences of violence.

Without this, the cycle remains intact: boys are harmed, unsupported, disciplined, andlater reappear in systems as risks to be managed rather than children who were failed.The language of “leaving boys behind” is therefore insufficient.

It implies a gap that canbe closed through inclusion alone. What is required is more fundamental. It is are thinking of how child protection systems conceptualise vulnerability, how they engage power, and how they allocate care. Boys are not absent from these systems because they do not need them.

They are absent because the systems have not been built to recognise them. Until those changes, the question will persist, not as rhetoric, but as a structural indictment: who is being protected, and who remains invisible within the architecture of protection?

Aluta Sneke and C. Anzio Jacobs – Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund – Child Safety & Protection 

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said they were disappointed not to collect three points against Durban City in their penultimate game of the season — rather than the fact that they failed to wrap up the Betway Premiership title.

Pirates and Durban City played to a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, dropping two invaluable points that left them second on the log with 66 points, two behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Given the fact that Sundowns have wrapped up their domestic season, a win for Pirates would have seen them draw level with the Brazilians, but move to the top of the log due to a superior goal difference.

As such, the script has now changed. Pirates need to beat Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium in their season finale to leapfrog Sundowns and finish top of the standings with 69 points — ending a 14-year league title drought.

Abdeslam Ouaddou and the Bucs are ready to go all the way in Mbombela next week ⏩🏆#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/hvLK3OwDqx

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 16, 2026

Resplendent in a sharp new suit, Ouaddou seemed dressed for the confirmation of their championship status against the Citizens. However, he denied having title thoughts before the game, unlike most supporters.

“We wanted to collect maximum points, and I want to be clear that we were not thinking about the title because a lot of people were celebrating before the game even started. They got out the champagne before the end,” Ouaddou said.

“We are clear: the target was three points in front of our fans. It didn’t happen. But if you remember what I said before the start of the season, the title would probably be decided in the last game. And we are still in that conversation.”

Pirates’ trip to Mbombela won’t be easy. Orbit need all three points to try and salvage their top-flight status as they occupy the relegation play-off spot with 24 points — three ahead of bottom-placed Magesi FC and just one behind 14th-placed Marumo Gallants.

JP Pietersen believes the Sharks finally gave supporters a glimpse of the team they are striving to become after ending a disappointing United Rugby Championship season with an emphatic 54–19 victory over Zebre Parma at Kings Park on Saturday.

The Sharks produced one of their most entertaining attacking displays of the campaign in a match that doubled as an emotional farewell for several departing players — including Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

Pietersen said it was important for the side to reward loyal supporters after a difficult campaign.

“I think it’s a good ending for the fans that have been with us through difficult times,” said Pietersen.

“That’s what I asked from the boys — to give the fans something they can talk positively about. We don’t have to look back at the last game negatively now and hopefully we can take this feeling into pre-season.”

“It’s beautiful to see the young guys put their hands up,” he said.

“Sometimes opportunities come through injuries and then players have to step in and take their chance. Vusi Moyo was nervous early on, which is normal, but then he grew into the game and really put his hand up," he said of the teenage fly-half who scored a try and kicked five conversions on debut.

“You look at players like Jurenzo Julius, Jaco Williams, Lilli Bester, and Zekhetelo Siyaya — that’s exciting for us. Our depth is much better than it was earlier in the season.”

Pietersen also believes the Sharks are slowly beginning to establish a clearer identity. “I think we showed resilience throughout the season,” he said. “We were fast, physical, and relentless today — and that’s the identity we want to build going into next season.”

Thank you, Siya Kolisi 🖤🦈 pic.twitter.com/epsHBgaJLX

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 16, 2026

The emotional post-match scenes also left a mark on the former Springbok wing, particularly as several long-serving players bid farewell to the Durban outfit.

Kolisi received a standing ovation after scoring twice in his final appearance in the black and white jersey, while departing players such as Jean Smith, Le Roux Malan, and Grant Williams were also acknowledged.

“When people put value into the jersey and make the organisation better, you can only thank them,” Pietersen said. “It’s sad saying goodbye, but it’s also exciting because while some players leave, others make their debut. That’s the circle of life in rugby.”

Pietersen’s message to supporters was one of patience and optimism. “It’s a young group and we’re building in the right direction,” he said. “Sometimes the progress may not happen as quickly as people want, but it’s a process. I’m very confident we’ll be in a much better place next season.”

A word from Coach JP pic.twitter.com/p57kWiHTX1

— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 16, 2026

The Sharks fielded a youthful match-day squad, with Pietersen revealing that roughly 60% of the group was under the age of 23. That youthful energy was evident throughout the contest as the home side played with pace, ambition, and physicality, while experienced figures such as skipper Andre Esterhuizen and Bok prop Ox Nche helped provide balance.

“The balance was beautiful,” Pietersen said. “The young guys brought energy, but then you also had the experienced guys controlling things when needed. Ox looked like one of the young players out there with the way he was moving and carrying.

"There will always be errors, that’s part of rugby, but it’s beautiful to see what this group can become. We’ve got the pieces now — it’s about putting it together.”

Despite the Sharks failing to reach the URC play-offs, Pietersen insisted the campaign had not been without progress. He pointed to the emergence of several exciting youngsters as a major positive heading into next season.

Orlando Pirates’ dream of winning their first Betway Premiership title in more than a decade will go down to the wire against Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium on the last day of the season next Saturday afternoon.

This comes after they dropped two crucial points during a goalless draw with Durban City at a sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Pirates remain second on the log with 66 points, two behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, whose fate is still out of their hands as they have completed their season and possess an inferior goal difference. City, meanwhile, will be pleased with the result. They consolidated an impressive return to top-flight football by securing a top-eight finish, having already won the Nedbank Cup a few weeks ago.

Pirates’ inability to wrap up the title at home will sting. The Ghost had filled the stadium in anticipation of witnessing the team win the trophy for the first time in 14 years. The Bucs arrived with clear intentions: win the match and go big on the celebrations ahead of the Orbit clash in Mbombela. But City had ambitions of their own — to delay and possibly spoil the party.

Abdeslam Ouaddou and the Bucs are ready to all the way in Mbombela next week ⏩🏆#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/Ozx2GqbuD2

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 16, 2026

The Citizens stuck to their mandate, holding Pirates from start to finish. City’s game-plan was based on defensive discipline as they allowed Pirates to dominate possession, only to break up play in the final third and look to catch the hosts on the counter-attack.

Clad in a sharp black suit and crisp white shirt, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was dressed for a celebratory occasion. He did not undermine City either, notably introducing Siphiwe Selepe into the starting line-up in place of Makhahleni Makhaula.

Making his first appearance of the season, the midfielder repaid the faith shown in him. After shaking off some early jitters, he blended well in the engine room alongside Thalente Mbatha to bring defensive stability.

Standing restlessly on the touchline, Ouaddou cajoled his troops. Oswin Appollis seemed to heed the instructions, unleashing two thunderbolts at goal, but neither yielded the breakthrough as the City rearguard stood firm to block the danger.

Pirates’ search for an opener needed a change of plans when Yanela Mbuthuma limped off the pitch to be replaced by Evidence Makgopa. Makgopa tried to bulldoze his way past the Citizens’ defence, but he was stopped in his tracks, forcing the two teams to head into the break level.

Pirates returned for the second half with renewed vigour, with usual suspects Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng taking the game to the visitors. However, the Sea Robbers still could not sail into the calmer waters of a lead. Frederick Asare, who had been impressive since the first whistle, continued his fine exploits by making crucial saves to salvage an important point for his team.

Pirates are now left with no choice but to beat Orbit College in the final game of the season if they are to be crowned champions of the land.

Siya Kolisi left Sharks fans with the perfect parting gift at Kings Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Durban, with the veteran loose forward producing a vintage display capped by a first-half brace of tries in a 54–19 victory over Zebre Parma in their final United Rugby Chmapionship match of the season.

The Bok skipper sparked the home side into life with a lung-busting 50-metre surge after a cagey, error-strewn opening threatened to put a damper on his farewell appearance.

Kolisi was hauled in just short of the line, but the touch paper had been lit and the Sharks suddenly looked a different side on attack, carrying with far greater purpose under the inspirational leadership of skipper Andre Esterhuizen.

With the Zebre defence stretched, winger Jaco Williams crossed in the far right corner in the 14th minute to hand the hosts a deserved 5–0 lead. But a defensive lapse allowed the visitors to hit back through a well-worked try by Malik Faissal in the 20th minute.

The ultimate send off 🫡

With JP smiling from the booth, Siya Kolisi is saying goodbye to @SharksRugby in style 😎

Watch it all unfold LIVE on SuperSport 👀@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvZEB pic.twitter.com/oNAZjjzB9U

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 16, 2026

Where earlier Sharks sides this season may have allowed the match to drift, Kolisi responded emphatically — powering over from a line-out maul five minutes later to restore the lead. Debutant flyhalf Vusi Moyo added the extras to make it 12–7.

Home supporters were then treated to a stunning debut try by teenage full-back Zekhetelo Siyaya, whose brilliant sidestep carved open the Zebre defence after slick handling from prop Ox Nche in the build-up.

Kolisi struck again from another powerful line-out drive just before half-time as the Sharks carried a commanding 26–7 advantage into the break. The home fans rose to cheer him when he was substituted after the 60th minute, his sterling effort earning him the Player of the Match honours.

Williams nearly grabbed his second try shortly after the restart, but Moyo crossed two minutes later after another strong carry from Esterhuizen. The Junior Bok star capped an impressive debut with five successful conversions as the Italians struggled to contain the Sharks’ momentum.

Is this the future of the @Springboks ? 😮

Zekhethelo Siyaya making his mark in his debut @Vodacom #URC season 💥

Don’t miss a minute - LIVE on SuperSport 🔥#SHAvZEB pic.twitter.com/uoJAshZlKo

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) May 16, 2026

There was still time for tries from Emmanuel Tshituka, departing centre Le Roux Malan, and replacement scrum-half Ross Braude as the home side piled further misery on Zebre despite two late consolation scores.

Replacement flyhalf Jean Smith slotted both late conversions in his final outing for the Durban outfit as the Sharks finally ended a disappointing season on a high with a comprehensive win.

Points Scorers

Sharks — Tries: Williams, Kolisi (2) , Siyaya, Moyo, Tshituka, Malan, Braude. Conversions: Moyo (5), Smith (2).

Zebre — Tries: Faiissal, Gesi, Quattrini. Conversions: Montemauri (2)

Orlando Pirates’ attempt to win the Betway Premiership in their penultimate clash against Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday (3pm) will require cool heads, which is why the team can’t afford to get carried away before the final whistle.

Pirates will host City at home sitting second on the standings with 65 points. However, they have a superior goal difference of eight over leaders and current champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who lead by three points.

Given that Sundowns have wrapped up their league campaign to focus on continental matters, a win for Pirates against the Citizens should be enough to ensure they finish top of the standings for the first time in 14 seasons with a game to spare.

𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓_𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇

🆚 @DurbanCity_FC
🗓 16 May 2026
⏰ 15:00
🎟 SOLD-OUT
🏟 Orlando Amstel Arena
📺 @SuperSportTV | @Official_SABC1

⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/XB6GeJdVZr

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 14, 2026

With Pirates set to enjoy home-ground advantage in front of a sold-out crowd, most of the Ghost and neutrals believe they will be crowned kings of local football come Saturday night as they have won the domestic treble, having lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup as well.

Thulasizwe Mbuyane, who was part of Pirates’ famous squad that won the team’s last league title and domestic treble during the 2011/12 season, has cautioned the team against getting carried away when they face City.

“They must just go in, play their usual game and target a win. They mustn’t be flashy or attempt to do anything spectacular. They must approach the game like any other on Saturday,” Mbuyane said.

“They mustn’t put themselves under pressure by trying to do things they aren’t used to. The most important thing is for the players to enjoy themselves.

“They mustn’t force things because there’ll still be another game (against Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium on May 23) to play, even though the easier option would be to win against Durban City. That way, they’ll head into the last game in celebration mode.”

Pirates have not found themselves on the cusp of illustrious success by chance. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been the mastermind behind Pirates’ outstanding season, which is why Mbuyane lauded the management for backing him after a sluggish start.

“Most importantly, I think it’s been the patience shown by management that stood out,” Mbuyane said. “The coach was new and, when he arrived, he lost the first two league games (against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants).

“Everyone started criticising the coach, and that gave opponents the impression that things weren’t stable at the club. But management kept faith in the coach.”

Mbuyane stressed that the coach wouldn’t have succeeded without the players, which is why he believes newcomers such as Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi and Lebone Seema adapted seamlessly at the club and blended well with senior players such as Makhehleni Makhaula, Deon Hotto and Thalente Mbatha.

“The consistency of the core group of players the coach worked with proved decisive because they worked hard for him,” Mbuyane said. “They also understood how much they wanted to win the league.

“The technical team also made good signings. Giving opportunities to young players showed that these youngsters could deliver for the team, and they didn’t disappoint.”

Pirates’ jewel Relebohile Mofokeng has enjoyed a fantastic second half of the season, reaching double figures (10 goals) for the first time since his promotion, after a slow start to the campaign.

However, during his below-par start to the season, players such as Appollis and Moremi carried the baton, guided by experienced campaigners such as Hotto and Mbatha. 

“This team has talent and senior players who were there to guide the youngsters,” Mbuyane added. “So, the combination worked very well. The youngsters didn’t let them down, especially those who were promoted.”

Euphoria could sweep across most parts of Soweto and the country as Orlando Pirates stand on the brink of returning to the pinnacle of South African football by Saturday night.

Pirates will face Durban City in their penultimate Betway Premiership match at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). Should they win, they will climb to the top of the log with 68 points, level with Mamelodi Sundowns, who would trail on goal difference.

Given that Sundowns have already wrapped up their league campaign, the standings would ultimately mean that Pirates finish as champions of the land regardless of what happens in their season finale against Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium next Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Winning the league title would complete Pirates’ domestic treble, having already lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup. Coincidentally, the last time Pirates won the league and completed a domestic treble was during the 2011/12 season.

A successful treble pursuit would speak volumes about the coaching credentials of Abdeslam Ouaddou, who would have won all three trophies at the first attempt.

Granted, Ouaddou inherited greater squad depth than most of his predecessors, including Jose Riveiro, but it still required planning, strong synergy and a never-say-die attitude for him to get the best out of his players.

The duo of Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng has flourished under the Moroccan this season, and winning the league would be a testament to their exploits, strengthening their cases as frontrunners for the coveted PSL Footballer of the Season award at the end of the campaign.

Kaizer Chiefs may have already reached their target of qualifying for continental football, but their professionalism and desire to improve on their last impressive points tally (57) compels them to grind for results in the last two matches, though it will be hard.

Chiefs are currently third on the log with 51 points – a tally that was enough to ensure that they cement the spot and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

Given their shortcomings in the past few campaigns, including finishing outside the Top 8 in the last two seasons, Amakhosi have done relatively well to be where they are on the log this season.

Thank you Khosi Faithful ❤✌ #Amakhosi4Life #AlwaysHome pic.twitter.com/3F2u5wzZbR

— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 11, 2026

Things could get better for Chiefs. They could reach 57 points and equal their best recent tally from the 2019/20 season when they finished second on the log under coach Ernst Middendorp.

To achieve that feat, they need to win their last two games against AmaZulu FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm) and Chippa United at the same venue, same kick-off time next Saturday.

Reeve Frosler, who’s one of the few surviving members from that squad which lost out on the title to Mamelodi Sundowns on the last day of the season, revealed why it will be important to try and match the 57-point tally this season.

“It’s going to be a good building block for us,” Frosler said. “We haven’t reached that amount of points in the last five or six years. If we can win these last two games, they’ll take us to 57 and we’ll be on par with what almost got us the league.

“We’ll also know what will be at stake for next season. So, if we can build on that, we’ll also go on to improve and move higher up the log standings.”

Given that Chiefs have already overcome criticism and negativity to achieve the third-place finish, they understandably feel that they’ve done well this season. Frosler, though, highlighted that it’ll be crucial to maintain their momentum.

“It’s going to be difficult to stay motivated – our aim was to finish in the top three, and we have successfully managed to do that now,” Frosler admitted. “It will be a little bit challenging, but I think as professionals, we’ll still do the job.

“The more we continue to win games, the better for our club. The more we continue doing well, the sooner we’ll be able to start the next phase of things.”

Chiefs won’t have it easy in the last two games, starting with the clash against AmaZulu, who are fighting to consolidate their fourth-place finish on the log, aligning with the vision of club president Sandile Zungu, who wants the club to be among the Top 4 in the country.

“We just need to continue to do what we need to do; how we’ve practised and prepared throughout the week. We need to stick to our plan and go out there,” Frosler said.

“We know that they are going to come out and play because they are fighting for their position on the log. So, it won’t be easy. We just need to be ready and do what we’ve been practising by sticking to it on Saturday.”

If most people could understand that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, I would imagine that it’s also clear to them that “empires do not collapse overnight, but rather deteriorate over time”. Yet here we are: people still questioning the qualities of Ronwen Williams.

Let me start by conceding that Williams hasn’t been at his best for Mamelodi Sundowns lately. As such, conceding seven goals in their last two Betway Premiership matches of the season was uncharacteristic of him.

His weaknesses not only tainted his image, but he also somewhat played a huge role in handing Orlando Pirates the title on a silver platter, as a win against Durban City on Saturday would crown them champions, ending Sundowns’ eight-year reign.

But be that as it may, Williams didn’t concede simply because he became poor overnight. Far from it. In fact, he had already proven why he is Bafana Bafana’s No 1 and duly deserves to lead the team at the Fifa World Cup next month.

We're not done yet and we've still got to fight! 👆

This is more than a final. It’s a story still being written 🙌#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #AreyengMasandawanaUntilItsDone pic.twitter.com/xJEY6ljRLs

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 15, 2026

Williams’ rise to the top wasn’t easy. He needed to dig deeper and find himself, blocking out the outside noise of comparisons between him and former Bafana Bafana No 1, Itumeleng Khune.

Importantly, he had to allow himself to grow and evolve without being attached to stigmas of the past, such as being labelled an awful goalkeeper after conceding five goals in the 5-0 drubbing by Brazil a few seasons ago.

He has allowed himself to become a knight in shining armour for Bafana, clearly using his previous shortcomings as lessons. So much so that when he conceded five goals again in the thrashing by then world champions France, it wasn’t the scoreline that made headlines, but the number of saves he made.

His growth and maturity as the leader of the Bafana team were further evident at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he inspired the team to a podium finish for the first time in two decades, producing crucial saves in open play and penalty shootouts.

Williams’ efforts didn’t go unnoticed. He was crowned CAF Goalkeeper of the Year after Afcon, both locally and abroad – an achievement previously attained by his Sundowns teammate, Denis Onyango.

Williams’ achievements in Africa reached the global stage, as he became the first Africa-based goalkeeper to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy. He finished ninth.

The travelling between Africa and Europe while playing for Sundowns and Bafana took a toll on Williams. And now the signs are beginning to show – he’s exhausted and bound to experience a dip in form from time to time.

Granted, it must be a hard introspection after the recent two games, especially when his naysayers are celebrating his struggles. But he can’t afford to drop his head now and be eaten by the wolves. Williams must stand up, as the moment to wear his heart on his sleeve for both Sundowns and Bafana has duly arrived.

Sundowns will need Williams as they try to conquer Africa for the first time in nearly 10 years when they face AS FAR in the two-legged CAF Champions League Final, starting at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday (4pm) and ending in Rabat on May 24 (8pm).

This is a tie Sundowns have to win at all costs. It would make up for the team’s blemish in the league and likely spare coach Miguel Cardoso – who is in his third successive Champions League final – from being sacked.

2026 FIFA World Cup hosts, the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, wished Bafana Bafana and the South African Football Association well as they prepare to depart to the global tournament this month. The event was held at the nation's capital in Pretoria. #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/HTkyBiGrne

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 11, 2026

A triumph for Sundowns would go a long way. It would boost the morale of Williams and his teammates heading into the World Cup with Bafana in North America next month.

Williams and his troops are set to return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, and they will want to showcase their talent and ambition by at least reaching the knockout stage.

Williams will be central to that mission. He has been one of the driving forces behind the team, guiding players who arrived in the set-up as boys and have since grown into men. That’s why it is shocking when people say he has lost his spark, given what he has already achieved and still looks destined to accomplish.