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Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Loyiso Sidimba

Multimedia Journalist, Politics

Joburg Arts Gallery set for rejuvenation: A new era for cultural heritage

The City of Johannesburg is moving forward with plans to rejuvenate the long-neglected Johannesburg Art Gallery.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya to lead panel for new IEC commissioners

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya will oversee the nomination process for three new members of the Electoral Commission of SA, as current commissioners' terms come to an end. This article explores the nomination criteria and the implications for the upcoming local government elections.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Samwu considers legal action against ANC's reinstatement of convicted Free State mayor

Samwu is contemplating legal action against the ANC's decision to reinstate Matjabeng mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha, who has a conviction for assault and crimen injuria.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Bogus Gauteng 'doctor' loses VW Polo for fraudulent scheme

A Gauteng man, posing as a doctor, has been arrested for defrauding victims through a fake pharmacy scheme. His assets, including a VW Polo, are now subject to forfeiture as authorities pursue justice.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Safety concerns for Home Affairs staff amid security guard reductions

The Public Servants Association has raised alarm over the safety of Home Affairs officials following reports of violent incidents and a significant reduction in security personnel.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

National Treasury warns municipalities against misuse of water tankers

The National Treasury has issued a warning to municipalities regarding the misuse of water tankers amidst growing water scarcity issues. This caution comes as municipalities struggle with financial sustainability and the integrity of their water supply services.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

MKP's Floyd Shivambu defends Jacob Zuma's legacy at birthday event

At Jacob Zuma's 83rd birthday celebration, MKP secretary-general Floyd Shivambu praised the former president as a humble visionary, defending his legacy against distorted narratives.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Bodyguard shot in official vehicle: Questions mount over Emfuleni mayor's 3am activities

A police investigation is underway after the bodyguard of Emfuleni mayor Sipho Radebe was shot twice in the arm while in a council-owned BMW X3 at 3. 15am. The DA is demanding answers about why the mayor was out at that hour and why an unauthorised passenger was allegedly in the official vehicle. The incident, which occurred in January, has raised concerns about potential misuse of municipal resources.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Taxi body disavows intimidation tactics against waste collectors and scholar transport

The National Taxi Alliance has strongly condemned recent acts of intimidation against Pikitup workers that crippled Johannesburg's waste collection for two days. The incidents, which halted employee transport services due to taxi operators' claims of exclusive transport rights, have sparked similar concerns in Ekurhuleni where scholar transport operators have also faced intimidation. Both municipalities have taken steps to address these disruptions which affect essential services.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Thabo Mbeki: 'Our character is beyond price' in R167m TRC legal battle

Former president Thabo Mbeki and ex-Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla are fighting to clear their names in a landmark R167 million lawsuit brought by apartheid victims. The pair, who claim the allegations of political interference in TRC prosecutions are 'highly defamatory', warn that false findings could expose them to personal liability and damage their constitutional rights.

Cape Times News
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Demarcation board initiates public consultation for ward boundaries ahead of 2026 municipal elections

The Municipal Demarcation Board has commenced a two-month public consultation process for ward delimitation across South Africa, following the determination of councillor numbers.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Thabo Mbeki: 'Our character is beyond price' in R167m TRC legal battle

Former president Thabo Mbeki and ex-Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla are fighting to clear their names in a landmark R167 million lawsuit brought by apartheid victims. The pair, who claim the allegations of political interference in TRC prosecutions are 'highly defamatory', warn that false findings could expose them to personal liability and damage their constitutional rights. The case centres on why hundreds of apartheid-era crimes were never prosecuted despite TRC referrals.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Electoral irregularities prompt parties to demand IEC reforms ahead of 2026 polls

Following the Patriotic Alliance's victory in Johannesburg's Ward 82 by-election, multiple parties filed formal complaints alleging serious electoral irregularities, including suspicious voter registrations with up to 70 voters registered at a single three-bedroom house.

Cape Times News
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Hlabisa's IMSI Bill threatens decade in prison for obstructing municipal rescue efforts

Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is proposing harsh new penalties under the IMSI Bill that could see individuals jailed for up to 10 years if they obstruct government interventions in dysfunctional municipalities. The legislation aims to strengthen national and provincial authority when stepping in to address service delivery failures at local government level. The bill includes penalties for hiding information, intimidating officials, or disrupting legally mandated interventions.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Electoral irregularities prompt parties to demand IEC reforms ahead of 2026 polls

Following the Patriotic Alliance's victory in Johannesburg's Ward 82 by-election, multiple parties have filed formal complaints alleging serious electoral irregularities, including suspicious voter registrations with up to 70 voters registered at a single three-bedroom house. As the IEC acknowledges these objections, parties warn that system improvements are essential before the 2026 local government elections to ensure electoral integrity.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Public Protector finds ex-Free State premier misused state resources in ANC campaign

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has ruled that former Free State premier Sisi Ntombela improperly used state resources when she allocated an RDP house to the wrong beneficiary during an ANC Letsema campaign event.

Cape Times News
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Joburg residents to receive waste collection this weekend as Pikitup ends work stoppage

Johannesburg waste management will resume this weekend as Pikitup launches an urgent recovery plan after a two-day strike. Workers at all 12 depots had downed tools over transport service disputes with the taxi industry, causing widespread disruption across the city. Residents should check the revised collection schedule and place bins outside on designated days.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Public Protector orders recovery of ANC councillor's dual government salaries

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has ordered the Limpopo Department of Health to recover funds from ANC councillor Mothibe Rhodes Msiza, who for years drew dual salaries from both the department and Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality without proper authorization. Officials who failed to address the issue promptly now face disciplinary action.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Public Protector finds ex-Free State premier misused state resources in ANC campaign

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has ruled that former Free State premier Sisi Ntombela improperly used state resources when she allocated an RDP house to the wrong beneficiary during an ANC Letsema campaign event. The investigation found a clear violation of the separation between state and party activities, with a R130 000 government-funded house being used to advance party interests. While President Ramaphosa was cleared of wrongdoing, officials have been given strict timelines to rectify the housing allocation and address constitutional violations.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

SA government rejects tit-for-tat approach to Trump's steep trade tariffs

Trade Minister Parks Tau has revealed South Africa's strategic response to Donald Trump's 31% tariffs, rejecting a retaliatory approach in favour of export diversification and WTO reform. With agricultural and automotive sectors most affected, the government will implement trade defence mechanisms while seeking new markets across Africa, Asia and beyond before the tariffs take effect next Wednesday.

Saturday Star
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

After DA defection: ANC strategically deploys regional chair to lead Cape Town caucus

The ANC has responded decisively to last month's defection of its Cape Town caucus leader by appointing influential Dullah Omar regional chairperson Ndithini Tyhido to the role. The 52-year-old Khayelitsha community leader brings significant grassroots experience and has been given an explicit mandate to challenge the DA-led municipality on service delivery failures in working-class areas. This strategic appointment signals the ANC's renewed commitment to confronting what it describes as Cape Town's 'unequal, divided' governance system.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

SA government rejects tit-for-tat approach to Trump's steep trade tariffs

Trade Minister Parks Tau has revealed South Africa's strategic response to Donald Trump's 31% tariffs, rejecting a retaliatory approach in favour of export diversification and WTO reform. With agricultural and automotive sectors most affected, the government will implement trade defence mechanisms while seeking new markets across Africa, Asia and beyond before the tariffs take effect next Wednesday.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Patriotic Alliance unseats DA in crucial Joburg ward by-election

PA leader Gayton McKenzie declared his party 'the fastest growing in South Africa' as they prepare to contest upcoming Northern Cape by-elections with new momentum.

Cape Times News
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

48-hour rapid response: Government's new strategy against building hijackers

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is launching an unprecedented strategy to reclaim over 1,600 hijacked and abandoned government buildings across South Africa. The plan includes early detection systems, 48-hour eviction protocols, arrests of illegal occupants including undocumented foreign nationals, and inter-governmental coordination to address what officials describe as 'insufficient and ineffective' current measures.

News South Africa
Loyiso Sidimba|Published

Pretoria government buildings breach safety laws, putting thousands of workers at risk

Government departments in Tshwane are violating occupational health and safety regulations by forcing over 1 000 staff to work in hazardous conditions. Multiple buildings, including the Department of Home Affairs' Hallmark Building and the Government Printing Works, face serious structural issues, electrical hazards, flooding, and poor ventilation. Despite formal complaints and contravention notices issued by labour authorities, management has been slow to address these life-threatening conditions.

The Star News
Loyiso Sidimba|Published