Top 10 stories of the day: Mom arrested for ‘smoking' toddler
In the news today, a Joburg mother is in custody after a video of a three-year-old boy allegedly smoking drugs went viral.
Meanwhile, acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga's inquiry into KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations is expected to cost taxpayers an estimated R147.9 million.
Furthermore, more than half a million white South Africans have left the country in the last two decades.
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Mother in custody after video of 3-year-old boy allegedly smoking drugs [VIDEO]
A community uproar led to an all-night ordeal to save a young child from potential abuse.
Community activists on Tuesday night went on a crusade to rescue a three-year-old boy who was filmed allegedly inhaling narcotics through a makeshift pipe.
Image for illustrative purposes: iStock
The activists broadcast much of their mission to find the boy's family and get assistance from police and medical professionals.
Community anti-drug activist Curt van Heerden, founder of the Institution of Grace, described how the pipe was lit before the adults encouraged the small boy to inhale.
CONTINUE READING: Mother in custody after video of 3-year-old boy allegedly smoking drugs [VIDEO]
Madlanga inquiry: How much probe into Mkhwanazi's allegations will cost
Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga's inquiry into KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal infiltration into the South African justice system is expected to cost taxpayers an estimated R147.9 million.
This was revealed to The Citizen by the department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson Terence Manase on Tuesday.
Deputy Chief Justice and chair of the commission, Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Picture: X/@centralnewsza
'Regarding your specific inquiry, we can confirm that the department of Justice and Constitutional Development is responsible for the procurement process for services for the Commission in consultation with the Commission Chairperson and Secretary,' Manase told The Citizen.
Manase said that due to the timeframes, the department has applied for a 'deviation from standard procurement processes' with the National Treasury for the Madlanga Commission and 'is awaiting feedback.'
CONTINUE READING: Madlanga inquiry: How much probe into Mkhwanazi's allegations will cost
Half a million white South Africans have left the country in 25 years
More than half a million white South Africans have left the country in the last two decades, according to Statistics South Africa (StatsSA)'s latest Mid-Year Population Estimates report for 2025.
The data, which includes net international migration assumptions by population group, reveals that 555 497 white citizens have emigrated from South Africa between 2001 and 2026, with consistent net losses recorded every five years.
Image used for illustration. Picture: iStock
The report shows that South Africa experienced a loss of 99 574 white South Africans between 2001 and 2006, followed by 106 787 between 2006 and 2011, 111 346 between 2011 and 2016, 90 957 between 2016 and 2021, and 94 898 expected between 2021 and 2026.
By contrast, black African, coloured and Indian/Asian population groups all show net gains from international migration over the same period.
CONTINUE READING: Half a million white South Africans have left the country in 25 years
WATCH: Charges dropped against Mnisi in Likhona Fose murder case
Mduduzi Mnisi walked out of the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court a free man on Wednesday after the state withdrew murder charges against him in the killing of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, a former pupil at Ikusasalethu Secondary School.
The case, which had gripped the West Johannesburg community since Fose's death, took a dramatic turn after prosecutors received new information that cast doubt on Mnisi's involvement in the crime.
Mduduzi Trevor Mnisi at Roodepoort Magistrate's Court. Picture: Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle
A presiding magistrate confirmed that the withdrawal of charges followed the emergence of crucial evidence that was not available during Mnisi's bail application.
CONTINUE READING: WATCH: Charges dropped against Mnisi in Likhona Fose murder case
Nomzamo Mbatha shuts down Paul Mashatile dating rumours with Airbnb receipts
South African actress and Shaka iLembe executive producer Nomzamo Mbatha-Nxumalo has clapped back at explosive social media rumours.
The rumours linked her romantically to Deputy President Paul Mashatile. However, she produced evidence that she had independently booked the luxury Constantia mansion through Airbnb years ago.
Nomzamo Mbatha attends the Steve Irwin gala to support the Wildlife Warriors conservationist organization at Bellagio Resort & Casino on May 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture:This booking was even completed before Mashatile became deputy president in 2023.
The drama erupted after an X (formerly Twitter) user, @sanelenkosiii, shared images of a R28.9 million Constantia property. The property was recently declared by Mashatile as his home.
CONTINUE READING: Nomzamo Mbatha shuts down Paul Mashatile dating rumours with Airbnb receipts
Here are five more stories of the day:
Yesterday's News recap
READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Tiffany Meek denied bail | More murders linked to Molefe | Life expectancy rises in SA
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The decision of the court, which has denied Zuma and the party direct access, after the party approached the apex court to challenge the appointment of Cachalia as acting police minister and Mchunu's being placed on a leave of absence, has not been welcomed with its spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela saying the party will let South Africans determine their next cause of action. Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave after serious allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that he colluded with a criminal syndicate, accepted illicit payments, interfered in investigations and disbanded a specialised task force into political killings. 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 The court ruled that the MKP had erred when it took the matter to the apex court, adding that the matter failed to engage the court's exclusive jurisdiction. Justice Rammaka Mathopo said no case had been made out for direct access to the Constitutional Court and that full reasons for the order would follow. "It is clear that the application of the law in this country has eyes, and unfortunately, this is something that the people of South Africa must take into their own hands. We might have to consider taking the matter to the street. However, to be honest, this is a travesty of justice. We will have to consult as this is a very serious issue, as to what the next steps are. But in this country, to be honest, more than anything else, this is a travesty of justice," said Ndhlela outside court. Reacting to the judgment, MKP legal representative Dali Mpofu indicated that the party's legal team would be studying the judgment while also considering some of the options the team and the MKP leader have before making a final determination. "It's a shock. However, we will be consulting with our client. I can't deal with the merits of the case now for obvious reasons. No case is pending as we speak. I do not know what is going to happen concerning this matter. We might return to this court, or we might go elsewhere. "The only issue that I can comment on is the fact that the issue of direct access seems to be confusing for everyone. Direct access is only meant for cases that should otherwise be going to the high court. That question does arise in this case. That question could have been asked on the Nkandla case, and when we were here on a secret ballot and an impeachment case. But most of all, it should have been asked when the Zondo commission came here directly, but nobody seems to have asked those questions," he stated. Reacting to the judgment, constitutional law expert Richard Spoor indicated that the Constitutional Court places a premium on its jurisdiction and it was expected that the case would be dismissed. "It was expected that the case would be dismissed. All I can say is that this happens quite frequently. The Constitutional Court is very jealous of which cases it allows to come to it. It is not going to hear every case that comes its way. It will look into whether the matter is of any constitutional significance. If it is not, it will dismiss it. It is not surprising, as this court is overloaded, and you have to make a very good case to approach it directly," he said. Reacting to the judgment on social media, former Eskom CEO, Matshela Koko said:" This is the same Constitutional Court that granted Justice Zondo direct access and allowed Zuma to be jailed without trial. Zondo was not asked why he did not go to the magistrate's court first."
