News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on May 20, 2025
Good evening, IOL News family!
It's Tuesday, May 20, 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.
Calls mount for progressive budget as Godongwana prepares for budget speech
As Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to deliver the national budget on Wednesday, there is growing pressure for a fiscal plan that prioritises economic growth, job creation, and strengthening of social support systems. To read on, click here.
Cape Town mayor urges protection of municipal funding amid budget cuts backlash
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to protect municipalities from further budget cuts during his upcoming National Budget speech. To read on, click here.
Former Global Strike Security employees released on R30,000 bail following R6.3 million fraud allegations
Three Global Strike Security Company employees arrested for allegedly defrauding Anglo American Platinum of R6.3 million have been granted bail of R30,000 each. To read on, click here.
Severe weather warning: Localised flooding hits Cape Town
Parts of Cape Town experienced localised flooding on Tuesday morning as heavy downpours swept across the Western Cape, prompting the City's Disaster Risk Management teams into action. To read on, click here.
Johann Rupert pulls the strings in Ramaphosa-Trump White House meeting
In a significant development on the diplomatic front, Johann Rupert, South Africa's wealthiest man, is reportedly in Washington, DC, potentially accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa for a pivotal meeting with US President Donald Trump. To read on, click here.
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IOL News
30 minutes ago
- IOL News
Three suspects caught stealing eThekwini Municipality's electrical assets
Three suspects were arrested in Buffelsdraai for stealing eThekwini Municipality's electrical infrastructure. Image: Supplied Three suspects are expected to appear in court soon after being caught in Buffelsdraai with eThekwini Municipality's electrical infrastructure valued at just under R100,000. In a statement, the municipality said the suspects were caught with two sealed drums of electrical cable, along with brand new streetlight poles and fittings, and all these were confirmed to be municipal property. The city said it received a tip-off about a private residence, and the successful operation was carried out with the South African Police Service, the Revenue Protection Branch, the metro police, and the eThekwini District Economic Infrastructure Task Team. 'Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects are part of a broader illegal electricity connection syndicate targeting the city's infrastructure. The vehicle used in their operation, a Nissan NP200 bearing the name 'Isithebe Electrical', was also impounded,' read the statement. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Additionally, it said the trio has been charged under Section 36 for possession of suspected stolen property. It said it would be adding charges of fraud for misrepresentation and impersonation of a municipal contractor – an act that brings the city's name into disrepute. 'The city is continuing its internal investigation to determine how municipal infrastructure landed in the hands of criminals. Further arrests are expected as efforts intensify to dismantle the syndicate and recover stolen assets.' The city said this successful operation was one of many to come as it strengthens its resolve to safeguard critical infrastructure. Theft of municipal assets not only incurs financial loss but also directly compromises the directorate's ability to deliver essential services to communities.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
A tribute to David Mabuza, the quiet general of principle
Late former deputy president David Mabuza was more than a leader; he was a comrade who rose through struggle, not shortcuts, writes Andile Lungisa. Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL By Andile Lungisa, ANC NEC Member In the rhythm of revolutionary time, there are comrades who do not shout to be heard, but who leave behind a silence so profound that it echoes louder than any speech. Today, we pause as a nation, as a movement, and as comrades, to bow our heads and raise our hearts in honour of Comrade David Dabede Mabuza, a giant who walked among us with humility, courage, and principle. DD was not a man of theatrics, he was a man of substance. In a political culture often dominated by noise, spectacle, and self-promotion, DD chose a path that was quieter, but infinitely more difficult, the path of discipline, restraint, and strategic conviction. We did not always agree. At moments, and particularly around the heated and history-shaping 2017 Conference, we found ourselves on robustly opposite ends of internal battles. Our disagreements were real, and I will not pretend they were minor. But I have come to understand that DD's politics were never personal. He stood his ground not to win for himself, but to defend what he believed would preserve and strengthen the ANC. 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 ✕ Even in disagreement, one could not help but respect him. Because his posture was never rooted in malice, it was anchored in a deep, quiet loyalty to the organisation. He believed in the ANC not as a convenience, but as a conviction. And when the dust of internal contest settled, DD emerged not bitter, not triumphant, but loyal. He stood by the movement. Unshaken. Unbought. Ernesto "Che" Guevara teaches us that "A true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary without this quality." This was Comrade DD Mabuza, he was precisely that, a revolutionary guided not by volume, but by vision. Not by ambition, but by love for his people. Not by fear, but by discipline. He was not consumed by uncontrollable ambition. He did not chase positions for their own sake. Even when his name rose to national prominence and the glare of high office settled on him, he remained grounded. And when the time came to bow out, DD did not cling. Like a great dancer who knows when the music is about to change, he stepped off the stage with grace, with his dignity intact, and with his conscience clear. What truly defined DD's political life was his unbreakable bond with the people of Mpumalanga. Alongside comrades like Mathews Phosa, Thabang Makwetla , Fish Mahlalela and Boy Nobela Mahlangu, he belonged to a generation of freedom fighters who did not wait for development to come, they fought fearlessly to bring it. Together, they carried the hopes of a province once sidelined, and turned it into a theatre of transformation. DD's leadership in Mpumalanga was not built on promises, but on the hard, gritty work of delivery. Roads that connected the forgotten. Schools that empowered the previously excluded. Clinics that reached deep into rural soil. He did not govern from air-conditioned offices alone, he governed from the ground, among the people, with the people, for the people. He believed that governance was a sacred act, and that no community, however remote, should be beyond the reach of dignity. Even when his health tested him, he did not retreat into comfort. He campaigned. He served. He endured. Because for DD, to serve the ANC was not an obligation, it was an act of faith. We must say this clearly: he was not perfect. None of us are. But in him, we saw the rare combination of quiet strength, political patience, and deep commitment. In him, we witnessed what it means to wield power without being intoxicated by it, to leave the stage without being pushed, and to disagree with comrades without betraying the movement. Chris Hani in lessons to us he teaches us 'It is not the kings and generals that make history, but the masses of the people.' Comrade DD never sought to be king, but he served like a general, always with the people, always for the people. Today, we say goodbye to more than a leader, we say goodbye to an era. An era of comrades who rose through struggle, not shortcuts. Who knew that unity is not the absence of contestation, but its disciplined management. Who could stand still in the storm and still point north, when others were losing direction. Go well, of in strategy, dove in for development, disciple of unity. May we who remain carry forward your example: of loyalty without arrogance, ambition without destruction, and service without spectacle. * The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Email your views to opinion@ and be sure to include your full name, physical address, and contact details (not for publication).
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
President Ramaphosa to address the nation on national security concerns
President Ramaphosa to address the nation on national security concerns President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on July 13 regarding critical national security issues, following public allegations made against senior political leaders and SAPS officials. This was confirmed by the presidency in a statement released on July 10. According to the South African Government News Agency, the upcoming address follows a media briefing held by KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on July 6, during which he presented several serious allegations implicating high-level officials. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa reflects positivity during Wits dialogue for the upcoming elections At the time, Ramaphosa was attending the Brics summit in Brazil. 'The president undertook to attend to this development on his return from Brazil, given the implications for national security,' a statement from the presidency read. It confirmed that Ramaphosa has since been engaged in consultations regarding the matter and will now take the nation into his confidence. 'Ramaphosa has been seized with this matter in recent days and will, following various consultations, take the nation into his confidence on Sunday.' The address will be broadcast on major television and radio channels and streamed across various digital platforms. South Africans are encouraged to tune in for the official update. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
