Latest news with #Newzroom405
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
FlySafair cancels more than 20 fights as pilots strike continues
FlySafair says its pilots are already among the highest-paid in the country. A FlySafair plane parked in a hangar as pilots continue with their strike. Picture: Supplied Low-cost airline FlySafair has grounded more flights as the pilots' strike enters a second day. FlySafair said it had to cancel 26 flights on Monday, which accounts for 13% of its operations amid the ongoing wage strike by its pilots. Strike More than 200 pilots have gone on strike. The airline's pilots have rejected the airline's 5.7% wage increase offer, sticking to their demand of a 10.5% hike. Highest paid pilots On Monday, the low-cost carrier's chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon, said that the airline's pilots were already among the highest-paid in the country. 'Our captains earn between R1.8 and R2.3 million annually. Many pilots earn more than members of FlySafair's executive committee.' NOW READ: FlySafair pilots down tools, travellers warned of delays and cancellations Cancelled flights However, the pilots are continuing with their strike for a second day, resulting in more flight cancellations. 'Due to the intensifying pilot strike, two of our flights departing on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, have unfortunately been cancelled,' FlySafair said. 'If your flight has been affected, we've put measures in place to assist you. All other flights will operate as scheduled for tomorrow.' [WATCH] FlySafair says it has put measures in place to reduce travel disruptions as over 200 pilots strike over wages. The airline has offered a 5.7% salary increase. Chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon weighs in on the impact and the way forward. #Newzroom405 — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 21, 2025 Refunds Gordon said they regretted having to cancel the flights. 'It is with deep regret that we had to cancel some flights. Although we had commitment from several pilots that they intend to operate these flights, we had a number of them withdraw from duty late last night, which was obviously unanticipated. 'As a result of that, we were forced to cancel 26 of 174 flights today [Monday], leaving people to find other options to get from A to B,' Gordon said. Gordon said they are processing refunds to passengers who have been affected by cancelled flights. 'I believe most of them have already been processed on our side, so it's just a matter of bank clearing.' More cancellations Solidarity spokesperson Helgard Cronjé said the delay in negotiations could lead to further flight cancellations. 'FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lockout would be. It is costing them too much, and the passengers are paying the price. 'Yet FlySafair has indicated that it is prepared to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands of passengers will still be affected before FlySafair comes to the table,' said Cronjé. Solidarity said it hopes that FlySafair's agreement to the mediation process will be the start of 'real solutions – solutions that approach its pilots' concerns with real seriousness and that could mean better working relations for the future.' ALSO READ: Planning to Fly? Acsa warns of flight delays at OR Tambo International Airport
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mayor convenes urgent meeting to resolve volatile Thembisa protest
The area remains volatile. Residents clash with officers hurling stones at their vehicles. Picture: Screengrab As the protest in Thembisa intensifies, Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has convened an emergency meeting with the relevant stakeholders on the electricity tariffs. Police fired rubber bullets at protesters in the township on Monday, where angry residents took to the streets over high electricity prices. Urgent meeting The area remains volatile as residents clash with officers, hurling stones at their vehicles. Xhakaza's acting spokesperson Ramatolo Tlotleng said the mayor has noted with serious concern the public outcry regarding the fixed charge on electricity tariffs. 'In an attempt to resolve the impasse, the executive mayor convened an emergency meeting with the relevant stakeholders. The emergency meeting resolved to direct the departments of energy and finance to finalise their comprehensive reports on what can possibly be considered. 'As part of the commitment to inclusive governance and accountability, a follow-up and feedback meeting will be held at 11am on 21 July between all relevant stakeholders. 'This includes local councillors, civic organisations and representatives from affected communities to ensure that there is an amicable way forward,' Tlotleng said. [WATCH] Police fire rubber bullets at protesting Thembisa residents in Ekurhuleni as they throw stones at the officers. The community is protesting against electricity tariff increases. #Newzroom405 — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 21, 2025 ALSO READ: Traffic delays after residents shut down Tembisa over electricity tariff hike [VIDEO] Calls for calm Tlotleng said Xhakaza remains committed to engaging openly with its residents and stakeholders while working diligently to resolve the current impasse. 'We urge calm and a cease of the protest as we navigate this process in the interests of the people of Ekurhuleni.' Residents started gathering at around midnight on Sunday. They blocked roads with rocks, burning tyres and debris. Taxis are currently not operating in the area. One disgruntled resident told the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) they want the fixed tariff hike scrapped. 'The imposed tariffs and the fixed charge that they are saying they're going to be touching residents for through deducting from their electricity kilowatt hours, we want all of that scrapped.' Affected routes EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele said that some routes have been affected, including Link Road, Sam Molele Drive, Brian Mazibuko Drive, George Nyanga Drive, RTJ Namane Drive and Jabu Mdunge Drive, which are still barricaded with rocks, burning tyres and mobile toilets. 'No participants have been reported thus far. Both EMPD and SA Police Service officers are on scene monitoring the situation.' Motorists have been warned to avoid the area and use alternative routes on Monday. ALSO READ: Calm in Tembisa after taxi drivers force passengers out of cars
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
MK party takes Ramaphosa to ConCourt over Mchunu special leave decision
MK party has approached the Apex Court to challenge Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Mchunu on special leave. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has approached the Constitutional Court seeking to have President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave set aside. The party made the announcement on Friday afternoon after intensifying its call for the president to fire Mchunu by leading marches in Pretoria. The marches were in support of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi following his explosive media briefing earlier in July, where he alleged a connection between Mchunu and crime syndicates. MK party escalates challenge against Ramaphosa in ConCourt The president placed Mchunu on special leave and appointed two acting police ministers in the space of four days. Ramaphosa first appointed Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister, then named Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe to fill the role for the next two weeks until Cachalia formally takes office. ALSO READ: Mandela Day marches: Avoid these streets in Tshwane as traffic congestion expected In the court documents shared with the media, the MK party said the president's decision to place Mchunu on social leave and appoint Cachalia as acting minister was 'irrational', 'invalid', and inconsistent with obligations in the Constitution and Presidential Oath of Office. 'Declaring that the conduct or decisions of the president to establish the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is irrational and/or inconsistent with the obligations in section 83(b) of the constitution and/or the Presidential Oath of Office, read with sections 84(2)(f), 177, 178(4) and/or 180 of the constitution and is invalid,' the court papers read. The party calls for each to be set aside with immediate effect. 'Mchunu must be fired' MK party MP David Skosana told broadcasters that the party has made it clear that Mchunu must be fired. 'We want Ramaphosa to resign, and we want Senzo Mchunu to be fired,' Skosana said. ALSO READ: 'Cyril must fall': Organisations march against Ramaphosa to Union Buildings on Mandela Day Meanwhile, the party's move comes after it issued an ultimatum to the president demanding that he resign by 8am on Friday, Mandela Day. The party warned that if Ramaphosa misses the deadline, it will respond with a motion of no confidence, nationwide mass action, and constitutional litigation. Party 'disappointed but not surprised' that president didn't resign on Mandela Day Ramaphosa did not resign by 8am on Friday morning. The party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela told the media on Friday that MK party was disappointed but not surprised that the president didn't resign. [BREAKING NEWS] MK Party approaches the Constitutional Court seeking to have President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave set aside.#Newzroom405 — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 18, 2025 'We believe that Ramaphosa is not fit to lead this country and must do the honourable thing, as comrade Nelson Mandela would have done. He would have told him to resign,' stated Ndhlela. Ndhlela accused Ramaphosa of using commissions of inquiry as political tools to avoid accountability and called for immediate action against those implicated in corruption. ALSO READ: 'Where's the proof?': Calls for Ntshavheni to answer for coup claims 'When crime is exposed, we say crime must be dealt with effectively immediately,' he said. The spokesperson also accused the president of violating the constitution by bringing in Cachalia 'through the back door'. Phala Phala and CR17 Ndhlela also called out the president for the Phala Phala scandal and mentioned the CR17 bank statements. 'Ramaphosa must also have his day [in court] like President Zuma,' he said. Ndhlela concluded by reinforcing that MK party has approached the Apex Court and confirmed that marches will continue throughout the country, as well as the motion of no confidence against the president. NOW READ: MK party gives Ramaphosa until Mandela Day to resign
Daily Maverick
27-06-2025
- Daily Maverick
Crime Intelligence division rocked by another scandal as its boss is arrested
South Africa's controversial Crime Intelligence unit is facing a fresh scandal. Its head, Dumisani Khumalo, has been arrested. While still a developing matter, the arrest has echoes of what happened to a former head of the division, Richard Mdluli, who is now a convict. Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, the head of the beleaguered Crime Intelligence (CI) division that he was meant to 'rejuvenate', has become the latest SA police officer to be arrested. Khumalo was taken into custody on Thursday. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed this, saying: 'Yes, he has been arrested, but we cannot provide details until he and others appear in court.' [WATCH] National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola confirms the arrest of crime intelligence boss Maj-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo. #Newzroom405 — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 26, 2025 It was not immediately clear in which court, and when, Khumalo would appear. While News24 reported that Khumalo was arrested in Gauteng, allegedly over unlawful senior appointments, several other controversial issues have cropped up before in relation to his name. More controversy, more accusations Khumalo's arrest is yet another clear indication that SA's critical Crime Intelligence arena remains in trouble — controversy, infighting and accusations of criminality have dogged it for years. This is especially concerning given its role. The South African Police Service's (SAPS) 2025/2026 annual performance plan describes this as being to: 'Manage crime intelligence and analyse crime information and provide technical support for investigations and crime prevention operations.' A Crime Intelligence division rocked by arrests and accusations weakens law enforcement. About two weeks ago, Crime Intelligence's chief financial officer, Major General Philani Lushaba, handed himself over to Idac. Lushaba and three other police officers face charges of corruption, perjury and defeating the ends of justice. News24 reported: 'The case is linked to an alleged cover-up of the theft of Lushaba's cellphone, police laptop and police-issued firearm in 2022. 'News24 understands Lushaba made misleading statements to the police initially, claiming his house was burgled. It later emerged [that] a sex worker took the items after a party at Lushaba's home.' Other suspicions hover above the Crime Intelligence arena. Luxury hotel and 'lacking transparency' On 6 June, the DA issued a statement referencing Lushaba and Khumalo and an Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) probe. The statement said: 'The IGI has now completed this investigation, which centres on the purchase of a luxury boutique hotel in Pretoria North for R22.7-million, and a commercial property in Berea, Durban for R22.8-million — both funded by Crime Intelligence, allegedly without the required approvals. 'These purchases were reportedly authorised by Lushaba and Crime Intelligence head, Major General Dumisani Khumalo, without consulting the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. 'The scale of spending, the lack of transparency, and the irregular process raise serious questions about possible corruption and abuse of public funds.' Earlier this year, Khumalo's name also cropped up in a policing scandal involving cocaine. Daily Maverick reported that Major General Feroz Khan, the head of counterintelligence and security at Crime Intelligence, had been cleared in that saga, which was tied to a 2021 cocaine interception in Johannesburg. Khan had said that Khumalo used the drug interception to try to get rid of him because of his investigations, with possible links to Khumalo, into the abuse of secret service funds. Police bosses, via court processes, denied that Khan was being dubiously targeted. Corruption and Crime Intelligence Khumalo became the head of Crime Intelligence in December 2022. Up until then, the division had been without a permanent boss for about two years. When National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced Khumalo's appointment, he said there was a perception that 'the whole of Crime Intelligence is corrupt'. Masemola countered that this was inaccurate because there were decent officers in the unit. He added that Khumalo, in his role as Crime Intelligence boss, would be supported, and that he was 'looking forward for [Khumalo] to rejuvenate that environment'. Based on the recent arrests and the accusations made about Crime Intelligence earlier this year, this does not seem to have happened. The division, meanwhile, has a much deeper history of scandal. Zuma's legacy Former president Jacob Zuma was inaugurated in 2009. Two months later, Richard Mdluli was appointed as head of Crime Intelligence. That did not go well. In 2011 he was arrested and faced 18 charges, including murder, kidnapping, intimidation and defeating the ends of justice relating to a 1999 killing. In 2019, Mdluli was convicted of kidnapping and assault. Mdluli is facing further charges linked to fraud and corruption, related to the looting of the secret service account. Last month, the National Prosecuting Authority issued a statement saying Mdluli and his co-accused had pleaded not guilty and included a brief description of the case. It said: 'Mdluli, together with the former … SAPS … Supply Chain Manager Heine Barnard and Chief Financial Officer Solomon Lazarus are facing charges of corruption, fraud and theft relating to the police's secret slush fund from the time they were employed by the … SAPS … in the Crime Intelligence Unit, between 2008 and 2012.' Suspended, transferred, 'targeted' There have been several other Crime Intelligence controversies. One of them involved Lieutenant General Peter Jacobs, who in 2018 was appointed as national Crime Intelligence head. Two years later Jacobs was suspended, along with a few other Crime Intelligence officers, over allegations of personal protective equipment procurement irregularities involving the secret service account and reportedly totalling nearly R1-million. In 2021 Jacobs' suspension was lifted, but instead of being allowed to return to work as national Crime Intelligence head, he was told to return as Inspectorate head. This was widely viewed as Jacobs being sidelined. In an affidavit at the time, Jacobs said he felt he was being targeted because of protected disclosures he had made relating to corruption within the police service, including 'wide-scale' corruption in Crime Intelligence involving millions of rands. The transfer of Jacobs from the post of national Crime Intelligence head in 2021 paved the way for Khumalo to fill the position. Khumalo's arrest adds to the Crime Intelligence controversies. It also leaves questions about the leadership of the division meant to be actively preventing crime and cracking down on criminals. DM
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Floyd Shivambu has been 'a total failure as a politician'
After being removed as the MK party secretary general earlier this month, Shivambu was dealt another blow. Former MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has been described as 'a total failure.' Shivambu was removed from his position earlier this month and was expected to be sent to serve in Parliament. However, he was left off the list of names announced by the party on Saturday. The former EFF deputy president soon after made a public appeal for progressive volunteers. ALSO READ: Zuma's point man touted to replace Shivambu as MK party SG 'Failed politician' Columnist Bhekisisa Mncube told Newzroom Afrika, Shivambu has 'squandered leadership opportunities.' 'Fraud Shivambu, as he's normally called in some circles, is a total failure as a politician. I wrote about this very first week when he ditched his home in the EFF for the wilderness in the uMkhonto weSizwe party, something that really is held together by mixed tape. 'We all know he doesn't have a future. We all know that it is dependent on the help of the leader, Msholozi, the one who achieves nothing and says he's going to tell us all the secrets, but he never does. So, it was quite clear from the beginning that this was the beginning and end of Shivambu's political career,' Mncube said. WATCH: Floyd Shivambu being described as a 'failed politician' Columnist Bhekisisa Mncube says Floyd Shivambu has been 'a total failure as a politician,' claiming he has squandered leadership opportunities. #Newzroom405 Watch: — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 22, 2025 'No charisma' Mncube says Shivambu 'lacks what other politicians have.' 'Something that is taken for granted, it is called charisma. Shivambu doesn't have that'. The Citizen has reached out to Shivambu for comment, and this will be included in the story once received. Despite being removed as secretary-general and not making the Parliament list cut, Shivambu last week said that he would not be leaving the MK party or forming a new political party, but instead would engage with community leaders on a possible way forward. Support In a video address posted on Sunday morning, Shivambu spoke of the positive response he had received since his announcement on Thursday. 'We want to take this opportunity to convey our most sincere thankfulness and gratitude to the millions of South Africans for the messages of solidarity and support that we received after the press conference on Thursday,' said Shivambu. The former MK party secretary-general said the appetite for another political option was strong, and that he would be widening the consultative process. ALSO READ: MK party removes Floyd Shivambu as SG
