Inside hit on Hawks officer; MKP loses in court: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
MKP loses bid to force IEC to hand over election records... which it had already been given
- The MK Party, led by Jacob Zuma, has repeatedly challenged the results of the May 2024 national election, claiming widespread rigging without providing sufficient evidence.
- The Electoral Court dismissed the MK Party's application to compel the IEC to provide voter records, noting the party had been given access but failed to download the data.
- The judge found the MK Party's claims that it lacked access to election information 'incomprehensible' and 'baseless', as representatives had access to result slips on the NROC database.
Gigaba's bid to block ex-wife's tell-all interview postponed to July
- Malusi Gigaba's urgent application to block his ex-wife's TV interview, featuring claims of infidelity and misuse of funds, has been postponed to July.
- Gigaba argues the interview would harm his reputation and affect his children, while media companies have rejected his request for access to the episode before broadcast.
- The court has ordered both legal teams to submit final papers by 3 July, and the episode will not air until a decision is made.
Supplied/Hawks
Fake hijacking, ISIS abduction, Hollywood-style hit on Hawks cop: elite soldiers on trial
- Twelve members of the South African Special Forces have been arrested in connection with the 2023 murder of Hawks detective Frans Mathipa, who was investigating the kidnapping of two ISIS leaders.
- The accused allegedly staged a fake hijacking of a BMW used in Mathipa's murder and filed a fraudulent insurance claim to dispose of the vehicle and obstruct the investigation.
- Intelligence reports suggest the group was involved in other high-profile operations, and Mathipa was seeking access to classified military documents related to their activities before his murder.
Mandel Ngan/AFP
Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images
Tau pleads for time to probe reports of Mashatile family links to new lotto operator
- Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau is investigating reports of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's sister-in-law's stake in the new lotto operator, Sizekhaya Holdings.
- Tau is also looking into claims that a member of the NLC bid committee was sanctioned by audit regulators, seeking advice on potential political interference or conflicts of interest.
- The NLC previously investigated and dismissed concerns about Sizekhaya members having ties to the ANC, stating they didn't qualify as political office bearers under the Lotteries Act.
Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
FIRST TAKE | Not-so festive Boks choose Test quality side for BaaBaas 'exhibition'
- The Springboks' selection for the Barbarians match focuses on addressing current team weaknesses and evaluating potential players for the 2027 World Cup.
- Four uncapped players will audition to fill potential gaps at tighthead prop, blindside flank and hooker.
- The match also marks the return of Lood de Jager and provides an opportunity for Japan-based Springboks to reintegrate into the team.
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Qatar, regional airspace shutdowns could affect SA trips – even without Doha on your ticket
- Qatar's airspace has reopened after a brief closure due to an Iranian missile threat, but airlines warn of significant delays as schedules reset.
- Travellers are advised to build in extra connection time, choose flexible fares and monitor airline alerts to mitigate potential disruptions.
- South African travellers should consider alternative routes that avoid the Gulf region if flexibility is limited or delays would cause significant disruption.
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News24
6 minutes ago
- News24
Police say kidnapped businessman Jerry Boshoga is still missing
The South African Police Service has dismissed social media claims that the body of businessman Jerry Boshoga has been found. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe emphasised that the investigation into Boshoga's November kidnapping is at a sensitive stage. Reports of Boshoga's alleged death circulating online have further exacerbated the emotional trauma his family is enduring. Police have cautioned against misleading social media posts that falsely claimed kidnapped businessman Jerry Boshoga had been found deceased. According to the police, Boshoga remains missing. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe reaffirmed that Boshoga, who disappeared in November following a business meeting, has not been found - alive or deceased. Mathe said in the past 24 hours, unverified social media accounts have circulated false reports claiming that Boshoga was found dead. 'The South African Police Service (SAPS) can confirm that the investigation into Jerry Boshoga's kidnapping remains at a highly sensitive stage. The businessman has not been located, whether alive or deceased,' Mathe said. 'We therefore urge all social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information.' Since Boshoga's disappearance, a series of graphic videos have been sent to his family. These videos depict him being assaulted, with his hands tied behind his back and a T-shirt stuffed into his mouth to stifle his screams. In the footage, Boshoga is seen weeping and begging his family to pool together the R10-million ransom demanded by his kidnappers. News24 had earlier reported that on the day of his disappearance, Boshoga left a restaurant after meeting a business associate. He informed his younger sibling that he had to conduct an unexpected security site inspection and would return within 30 minutes. READ| 'R10m, nothing less': Kidnapped man's family shield mom from videos of son's torture After five hours, Boshoga had not returned. A sibling reportedly received a call from an unknown number, during which Boshoga informed them he had been kidnapped. A ransom demand of R60 million was made for his release, but this figure was later reduced to R25 million, and eventually to R10 million. Nearly nine months later, Boshoga's whereabouts remain unknown. Mathe urged social media users to think carefully about the impact of sharing unverified information on Boshoga's family. 'The spread of such misleading information has caused unnecessary trauma, panic, and anxiety to close family members, including his mother, wife, and children,' she said. 'The SAPS is in close contact with the family, and if there are any developments in the case, the family will be the first to be informed by the investigating team.'
Fox News
9 minutes ago
- Fox News
Senate bill looks to box out future presidents who may try to skirt immigration enforcement laws
EXCLUSIVE: Congressional Republicans are pushing to close a loophole that prevents illegal immigrants convicted of DUI from being automatically deported — a gap they say has been overlooked and could be exploited by less aggressive administrations. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., will introduce a measure this week to prevent illegal immigrants convicted of DUI from entering the U.S. and also make those living here clearly deportable. The Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act would clarify existing law under the Immigration and Nationality Act that already makes illegal immigrants deportable for aggravated felonies and "crimes of moral turpitude." Not every DUI case is the same, as some are misdemeanor offenses, some are charged as felonies, though all are considered crimes of moral turpitude. Hagerty's bill would make any DUI conviction a deportable development regardless of misdemeanor or felony charges. Immigration hawks have long been concerned that administrations less eager to deport illegal immigrants may utilize loopholes or vague categorizations in existing code to make the argument they don't have to or cannot deport certain people. The bill makes clear that "any alien" who has been convicted of or admits committing "acts constituting the essential elements of an offense for driving while intoxicated or impaired … regardless of whether such conviction or offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony under Federal, State, tribal, or local law" is deportable. "During the Biden administration, our nation saw a surge in violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants, and they were not held accountable," Hagerty told Fox News Digital. "It is unconscionable that illegal immigrants who break our laws and endanger our communities would be allowed to remain in the U.S. While President Trump is delivering on his promises and deporting criminal illegal aliens quickly and effectively, this bill would ensure that future administrations are on notice—aliens who drive drunk do not belong in our communities." "I'm pleased to introduce this commonsense legislation that would strengthen President Trump's ability to hold illegal immigrants accountable and protect our citizens." In that regard, former President Joe Biden threatened to fire ICE agents who deported criminal illegal aliens that had not committed felonies – adding he didn't "count" DUIs as felonies. "[ICE should] only arrest for the purpose of dealing with a felony that's been committed," Biden said. Speaking about such legislation on the House floor in June, Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said that "Republicans say 'of course not'" to allowing a "guest in this country [to stay] who endangers Americans while driving drunk." "The Democrats say 'sure'," he added, going on to cite Biden's remark. Sens. Ted Budd, R-N.C., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., James Lankford, R-Okla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, have all signed onto Hagerty's legislation. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., drafted companion legislation in the House.
News24
37 minutes ago
- News24
‘Please Call Me' case back to SCA; Rates relief: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. No, the US did not confirm AfriForum's farm murder claims in an official investigation - A US State Department's human rights bureau X thread on South African farm attacks is being misrepresented as a formal investigation, with AfriForum claiming it confirms their stance. - The X thread draws heavily on AfriForum's data, omits the group's own report of a sharp decline in attacks in 2024, and makes politically charged assertions without sufficient evidence. - The Human Rights and Labour's future is uncertain due to potential budget cuts and internal turmoil, raising questions about whether its messaging is being influenced by political priorities. ConCourt dismisses Zuma, MKP's urgent legal challenge over Mchunu's special leave - The Constitutional Court dismissed the MK Party's legal challenges regarding Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's special leave and the Madlanga Inquiry. - The court found the MK Party failed to prove it alone could decide on litigation and didn't justify direct access to the Constitutional Court. - The ruling allows Professor Firoz Cachalia's appointment as acting police minister to proceed, but Jacob Zuma and the MK Party can still challenge the matter in the High Court. Mashatile's man, ANC leaders party with Cat Matlala at corruption-accused Sodi's mansion - Underworld figure Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala attended Edwin Sodi's 50th birthday party, mingling with high-ranking ANC politicians. - Matlala faces criminal charges for a botched hit and his company won a R360 million police tender that was later cancelled amid fraud claims. - The presence of Matlala and his connections with influential figures have raised concerns about political influence and corruption. Vodacom victory sends 18-year 'Please Call Me' battle back to Supreme Court of Appeal - The Constitutional Court has ordered the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to rehear the 'Please Call Me' case between Nkosana Makate and Vodacom. - The Constitutional Court found that the SCA failed to provide proper reasoning in its previous ruling, which directed Vodacom to pay Makate 5-7% of the product's revenue. - Makate remains confident and Vodacom is reviewing the judgment to determine its next steps in the long-standing legal battle. Interest rates cut to lowest level since 2022 - The SA Reserve Bank lowered interest rates by 25 basis points, reducing the repo rate to 7% and the prime rate to 10.5%. - Inflation has been below 3% since March, but is expected to rise to 3.3% by year-end due to factors like higher fuel prices. - The SA Reserve Bank downgraded its growth expectation for the year due to the impact of US trade tariffs, which are set to increase on South African goods. Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images 'A unifying factor': 20 000 in Paarl brace for world rugby's biggest schoolboy derby - Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Boys High will compete in their annual Interschools derby, a major schoolboy rugby event. - Gimnasium is aiming for an undefeated season, while Boys High seeks to break their two-derby losing streak. - The derby is a unifying event for the schools and the town of Paarl, drawing a crowd of over 20 000.
