News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on July 1, 2025
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It's Tuesday, June 30, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know
SAPS flooded with over 67,000 applications for just 5,500 training posts
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that more than 67,000 applications have been received for its new e-Recruitment drive, which only has space for 5,500 trainees. To read on, click here.
Correctional Services expands national bakery programme to cut costs and promote offender rehabilitation
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says its bakery programme is playing a critical role in reducing costs, promoting self-sufficiency, and providing offenders with skills training and work experience. To read on, click here.
Interpol warns: West Africa emerging as a hub for human trafficking scams
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has released new findings stating West Africa is emerging as a potential regional hub for human trafficking-fueled scam centres. To read on, click here.
Judicial Service Commission to interview candidates for Deputy Chief Justice position
The process to choose the country's next deputy chief justice starts on Wednesday when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of political parties and others within the legal fraternity will interview three possible candidates. To read on, click here.
South African sailor contributes to USS Constitution's legacy during US Independence celebrations
As the United States celebrates 249 years of independence, Hospitalman Rose Mugova from Cape Town, South Africa, stands among the more than 60 sailors serving aboard USS Constitution, the Navy's oldest commissioned warship. To read on, click here.
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IOL News
21 minutes ago
- IOL News
DA accuses Simelane of corruption during heated budget vote
Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane reminded the DA of its public representative, who was allegedly accused of murdering her sister, whom the party never suspended nor issued a press statement. Image: Hunk Kruger / Independent Newspapers Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane on Wednesday complained of being tried in public by the DA in order to degrade the work she was doing in government. Simelane maintained that she was not amazed by what was happening to her because a person stands in front of a judge when charged with an offence. 'I am undergoing a trial without being charged. You are trying me in public because you think this is the only way to degrade the work I am doing,' she said. Simelane responded to the DA's blistering attacks during the budget vote for her department. The DA, which had its former deputy minister, Andrew Whitfield, dismissed for taking a trip to the US without authorisation from President Cyril Ramaphosa, has vowed not to vote in support of the budgets of departments left by compromised ministers and deputy ministers. On Tuesday, the DA claimed that Simelane was under investigation after it laid charges with the SAPS for the alleged theft of more than R700,000 by fraudulently billing Eskom when she worked for a company named Vitrovian. Speaking during the debate, DA MP Luyolo Mphithi said the Human Settlements Department was saddled with a catastrophic collapse of governance across its several housing entities. Mphithi recalled that Simelane was previously accused of receiving a R575,600 'loan' from Gundo Wealth Solutions, linked to the unlawful investments of municipal funds into the VBS Mutual Bank, while she was the mayor of the Polokwane Municipality. 'It seems that the president does not at all take issue with the fact that a person accused of corruption sits in his Cabinet and will have to look after the budget with R30 billion set aside for South Africans,' he said. Mphithi also said that although the department's budget and department have many challenges, it would under normal circumstances be supported. 'However, we are faced with a minister who has corruption allegations against her and has not been accountable to the South African public, which makes it difficult for us to support this budget,' he said. Mphithi's colleague, Conrad Poole, was more brutal. He took to the podium as he took jabs at Simelane. Poole said that when Simelane was accused, she should be in the dock before a judge and not be an MP entrusted with R33 billion of taxpayer funds. 'I certainly would not bet any money on this minister doing anything to clean up shop. If the allegations of corruption are true, she would rather buy coffee shops. She may, in fact, be planning to convert the Department of Human Settlements for her grand relaunch of her 'coffee' enterprise. 'We cannot trust that the precious taxpayer money allocated to this budget will be implemented or cared for by this compromised minister, who was only redeployed to this department under the darkest of clouds. She simply cannot be trusted with R33 billion of hard-earned taxpayer funds meant to house the vulnerable, when her failures are so stark and so many,' Poole said. In response, Simelane reminded the DA of its public representative, whom she identified as Msebenzi Radebe, who was allegedly accused of the murder of her sister, whom the party never charged. 'In 2016, when I managed to place charges against him, it was only then that the DA suspended him. Even on my calls to get the DA to get a statement of murder against my sister, they did not. In 2019, three years later, she died. 'So good, you can find the nearest door to the police station. Where it matters, you don't even know where the door is,' she said. Simelane insisted that the investigation was about accountability. 'I availed myself of accountability. Now the investigation is done, and you reported the case, but you now can't wait for the investigation to conclude. I fear I am going to disappear after this. I mean really,' she said. ANC MP Albert Seabi pleaded with Simelane not to be distracted by the amount of noise, no matter how loud it may be, including the noise about an allegation not tested in court. 'You have our support minister because of your strong work ethic, your dedication, your diligence, and your consistent commitment to transparency, accountability, and transforming the sector,' said Seabi. Although some of the opposition parties indicated they would not support the budget, they did not launch any personal attacks at Simelane. EFF MP Babalwa Mathulelwa said they rejected the budget not because 'we are extortionists like the DA'. Mathulelwa said the rejection of the budget was based on the empty promise wrapped in inflation and false hopes. She said the department's budget was increased in nominal terms. 'It does not build more homes. It does not address the ever-growing backlogs, and it certainly does not restore the dignity of our people. It does not speak to housing backlog, which now exceeds 2.3m units,' Mathulelwa said. ActionSA's Malebo Patricia Kobe said they rejected the budget not because of who occupies the office, though it was deeply concerning that Simelane was under investigation for questionable VBS loans. 'The budget fails to honour the dignity of millions still waiting for a place to call home,' Kobe said. Rise Mzansi's Makashule Gana maintained that 'I will debate the budget and resist the temptation to debate or play the woman'.
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
More than 67,000 police trainee applications received in 24 hours for 5,500 posts
The SAPS has received 67,774 applications for 5,500 police trainee vacancies within 24 hours. Applications for the 2024/2025 financial year opened on Monday — the first time the system has gone online. 'The SAPS website continues to receive large volumes of applications for the basic police learning development programme through its e-recruitment system,' it said. SAPS noted technical glitches on its website and urged applicants to be patient. 'The SAPS is aware that the website is experiencing a delayed response due to traffic volumes. The technology management services, inclusive of IT experts, are monitoring the volume of applications. Applicants are advised to be patient and continue to refresh the careers page.' Applications are submitted through the SAPS website. Men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 without a criminal record or pending criminal case are urged to apply. The closing date is July 18. Applicants will go through a selection process that involves psychometric testing, integrity assessments, physical fitness assessments, screening and medical evaluation. Successful candidates will undergo a nine-month training programme and be paid a monthly stipend of R4,500. TimesLIVE
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Case of Tshwane workers linked to R7 million transformer theft postponed
The case of three City of Tshwane municipal workers, who appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, has been postponed to Friday for a bail application. The accused were arrested this week by the SAPS, who linked them to a transformer theft case from last year as part of an ongoing investigation. Image: Supplied The case of the three City of Tshwane municipal workers arrested on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a transformer worth around R7 million at the Laudium electricity substation has been postponed to Friday for a formal bail application. The suspects appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday after being arrested by the SAPS as part of an ongoing investigation linking them to the theft of a transformer last year. The trio, Sphiwe Mahlangu, 45, Thomas Baloyi, 41, and Daniel Kubayi, 50, appeared in court on charges of theft of essential infrastructure and will remain in custody pending their next court appearance. The SAPS in Gauteng reported that the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation launched in November 2024, which initially led to the arrest of 11 suspects. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Of these, 10 subcontractors were released due to a lack of evidence, while one municipal worker remains in custody and is set to appear in court on August 8, 2025. The Gauteng Organised Crime Unit's investigation led to the arrest of three municipal employees, according to police. They also said transformer theft is not a new issue in the metro, and while this case involves a large sum specific to Tshwane, smaller transformer thefts have been reported elsewhere. Police expect more arrests as investigations continue. Tshwane district Commissioner, Major General Samuel Thine, said police are making progress because theft of essential infrastructure cripples the country's economy and affects households, leading to electricity shortages when the infrastructure is stolen and diverted. The city said the arrested individuals are employees linked to the incident, which significantly compromised the power infrastructure and security. Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the arrests are a crucial step towards accountability and deterrence, emphasising that residents deserve uninterrupted services and infrastructure protected from deliberate damage and sabotage.
