Free State Targets Surgical Backlogs
The three-day Cataract Marathon, held over the weekend at Boitumelo Regional Hospital in Kroonstad, was a great success, with over 100 patients receiving treatment.
Screening was conducted last week Friday with cataract operations scheduled for Saturday and Su...
While there is always online harm against children, Emma Sadleir said that she had never seen anything on this scale before as over 1,000 photos and videos had been shared on these platforms.
Following an urgent application by the Digital Law Company, the Johannesburg High Court has ordered Meta Platforms to shut down a number of anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels distributing child pornography.
The company's Emma Sadleir said that she started receiving direct messages last week from children who had been affected by the creation of various anonymous Instagram accounts and WhatsApp channels, which had huge followings.
"To be honest, I wasn't that familiar with the concept of a WhatsApp channel, but it is a platform for one-way communications, completely anonymous and anybody following the channel receives those communications and these channels, they are quite distinct from a group. A group has a maximum participant number of 1,024, whereas there are WhatsApp channels with literally 600,000 people following those channels."
Sadleir said that the children were being asked to submit dirt, gossip and rumours about other children at their schools, and to also share child sexual material like photos and videos, sometimes obtained in a leak or filmed illegally.
"There was an awful lot of content and we obtained a court order late on Monday night against Meta to immediately disable those platforms, to remove them, to ban whoever it is creating them, which they have done to a large extent."
Sadleir said the high court also ordered that all identifying information of the owners of the accounts be disclosed, but this order had not been complied with.
"They were supposed to comply by midday yesterday. So far, we haven't heard really anything from them except a letter from a South African law firm saying if we want information from Meta, we need to go and sue them in America, so the discussion now is whether we rush off to court again in contempt proceedings, to force Meta to comply and it seems that they're giving us no option at this stage."
She said that there had been some progress since they approached the courts.
"It hasn't been an entirely hollow victory so far, we know of seven different WhatsApp channels, accumulatively over 100,000 participants on those channels that have been removed. The Instagram accounts are largely deleted, and, more importantly, the person behind this has been posting references to the order and therefore saying that they're now going to only publish verified information. The channels have all gone very quiet in the last few hours now that the information about the court order is filtering into those channels and onto those group chats and platforms. So there has certainly been progress, unfortunately, too late for some children because we have been told of a number of children who have attempted or completed suicide in the last few days because they were identified or affected."
While there is always online harm against children, Sadleir said that she had never seen anything on this scale before, as over 1,000 photos and videos had been shared on these platforms.
"What is unique about this is that they tag the handles of the girls depicted. Ninety-nine percent of the victims of these accounts are girls, and they give her full name, in this class, in this grade, at this school and this is her social media account... It's targeted and there's a lot of victim blaming, and it is very alarming to see that kind of victim blaming, shaming, no remorse from these children... It's absolutely terrifying."
The Digital Law Company is aware of children across the country who have been affected.
"So, it's mostly been Johannesburg. All of the platforms use the same keyword, which I am not going to share because I don't want listeners to go and look for it, because a lot of the content is still available. We started off dealing mostly with Johannesburg and Johannesburg South. Luckily, we got the court order just as Cape Town and Durban were ramping up."
Sadleir said that the most important lesson for all parents, as learnt in the last week, was that there are some terrifying aspects to WhatsApp.
"I think a lot of parents give their child a phone far too young. If it were up to me, I would ban children in primary school owning phones outright but a lot of parents give their child in primary school a smartphone and they say you can't be on Snapchat or TikTok because they are dangerous but you can be on WhatsApp so you can let me know if hockey is cancelled or so you can be on your class WhatsApp group so you can talk to your friends. What we've learnt with the emergence of these WhatsApp channels is that the risk posed by WhatsApp, for me, as it currently stands, I would rather my child was on Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram before they had WhatsApp because of these WhatsApp channels. The scale of them, that you could have so many hundreds of thousands of users and how Meta seriously doesn't seem to care about what kind of content is being circulated."
Sadleir personally reported each of the channels more than 50 times each and nothing happened until the court order was granted.
She has this advice for parents: "Know what your children are up to, monitor how much time they are spending. Please don't let them sleep with their phones in their bedrooms, so much of this content is going down in the middle of the night. Children need to sleep, so you take the phone away at night, monitor what platforms they are on and speak to your children, and if they come to you and say they've come across dodgy stuff, don't just confiscate the phone because that means the next time it happens, they won't tell you. Try as far as possible to have open conversations with your children and educate yourself."
In response to queries from EWN, Meta confirmed that it had shut down accounts it was able to identify and that it had submitted reports in line with the applicable laws.
"We have zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation and are committed to ensuring the safety of all users on our platforms. We can confirm that the accounts we have been able to identify have been shut down and we have submitted reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in line with applicable laws. We will continue to engage with law enforcement and respond to valid legal requests."
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
Prof. Firoz Cachalia, set to take over the Police Ministry in August, says Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi may have had no choice but to go public with serious allegations involving the dismantling of a political killings task team.
Soon-to-be acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia says he will meet with KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to discuss his "unusual" but “serious” allegations of political interference in police operations and protection of criminals.
Cachalia, who is set to take over the Police Ministry in August after retiring from the University of the Witwatersrand, made these remarks during an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Gwede Mantashe as acting Minister of Police, while he retains his role in Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
This follows explosive allegations in which Mkhwanazi accused Deputy Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya of colluding with information dealer Brown Mogotsi and Mchunu to dismantle the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team.
He claimed Mchunu disbanded the unit in March, halting 121 active dockets tied to political murders.
Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages, SAPS documents, and cellphone records as evidence.
Mchunu, in a December 2024 letter to Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, stated that the unit had “outlived its usefulness.”
However, Masemola has since denied dissolving the unit.
In response to the scandal, President Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave and established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
Sibiya was also placed on special leave by Masemola while an internal police investigation proceeds.
When asked whether Mkhwanazi overstepped his role by publicly airing the allegations, Cachalia acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“I think when I meet him, I will say to him, I will ask him, because his decision to call that press conference was highly unusual.”
“Certainly, in the ordinary course of his duties and responsibilities, a person in his position should not act in that way,” he said.
“But in the circumstances that he found himself in, he decided that he needed to make these allegations public.”
“They're very serious…and if it turns out that there was merit to these allegations, then we will be able to see in retrospect that he was perfectly justified in doing what he did,” he added.
IOL News previously reported that Cachalia said he could hear his mobile phone ringing, but he ignored the incessant incoming calls as he was glued to the television, watching the Wimbledon final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
On Tuesday, Cachalia relived the time he finally answered the phone call by the Presidency, and Ramaphosa informed him about the epic appointment into Cabinet.
"It was Sunday. I was relaxing, watching sport, Wimbledon, and I was looking forward to football. I have a loft upstairs where the phone was being charged and it has a very slight ring tone. I heard the ringtone from time to time but I ignored the call because I was charging the phone. It turns out that the Presidency had been trying to get hold of me for much of the day," Cachalia spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
"Eventually, they got hold of my brother, Justice Cachalia, he called, but I was ignoring the phone actually. I am not gonna be able to do that anymore. Then they got hold of my wife, and my wife happened to be sitting with me in the lounge, watching the tennis with me. From then on, we were able to understand that the president was trying to get hold of me.
“I believe at around 6 or 6:30 (pm) he got hold of me and explained to me that he was going to appoint me in this portfolio. I had to explain to him that in fact I am currently the director of the Mandela Institute at Wits in the law school, and that I was retiring in the institute at the end of this month, which is why he had to make the appointment effective from August," he said.
The 66-year-old said once Ramaphosa informed him of the appointment, there was no hint of hesitation on taking up the new challenge.
“It was a surprise of course, I didn't expect something like this. I have been an academic for, I think, 15 years or so, after serving about 15 years in the Gauteng government. Before that, from a very young age, I gave my all really to the priority which was always political change in the country.
"To be appointed in this portfolio is a great honour for me. I am very appreciative that the president has expressed some confidence in my ability. I do feel humbled, slightly daunted, but I am going to tackle the challenge with all my energy,” Cachalia said.
A mother is fighting back after her daughter's suicide attempt, claiming that the school's actions contributed to the incident. Now, she is taking her case to the Equality Court and the CCMA in search of justice.
A REELING mother believes that the alleged interrogation of her child by staff at a southern suburbs primary school may have contributed to her 13-year-old daughter attempting suicide.
The child’s mother, who is also a former teacher at the school, was fired over the incident and is now fighting back, turning to the Equality Court and the CCMA. Meanwhile, the child has been moved to a different school.
The issue stems from allegations that the daughter had shared confidential information that her mother had been privy to. It's unclear what this information relates to.
“My daughter attempted to take her own life day after being questioned alone by the Deputy Principal without my knowledge or consent. Prior to this, there had been a serious breach of confidentiality and a failure by school management to act in her best interest."
She said after the incident in March, her daughter was at home a few weeks, diagnosed with PTSD ”still without access to the promised psychological support”.
“Adding to our distress, the principal held a meeting with staff, where she shared a letter naming my daughter - disclosing private details about the matter. I was excluded from the staff mailing list and only received the letter through a concerned colleague. Staff members who were called into that meeting later spoke openly about my daughter and one teacher even questioned another learner about whether she was comfortable playing with my child. These actions placed a harmful stigma on her, further violating her dignity and rights."
According to the mother, she had written to the School Governing Body (SGB) and lodged a complaint with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to no avail.
“No written findings or outcomes have been given to me to this day.”
The case is now before the Equality Court, where she is seeking redress under: Section 9 (Equality), Section 10 (Dignity), and Section 28 (Best Interests of the Child) of the Constitution, as well as The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA).
The mother said she was fighting for equality, she wanted the department to train school staff in how to handle trauma and change the culture of the school for everyone to be seen as equal.
She also sought an apology for her daughter as well as their family for what they had been put through.
WCED spokesperson, Millicent Merton said: “The matter was first reported to the district office in late March 2025, and was investigated by the Department. The school reported that the SGB took disciplinary action against the parent, who was an SGB employee, for misconduct. The learner was questioned about a transgression, that ultimately revealed the parent's misconduct. In addressing the learner's transgression, the school took a restorative approach and provided support to the learner through a school counsellor.
“The district also offered sessions with a psychologist, although the parent reportedly cancelled two of the sessions. The district assisted, at the parent’s request, with a transfer of the learner to another school.”
The National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) Western Cape confirmed they were representing the mother at the CCMA.
“The educator was charged with misconduct for breach of confidentiality...our considered view and position, is that our member was dismissed without a disciplinary hearing or the opportunity to test the evidence through cross examination of relevant witnesses. Guilty finding and outcome of dismissal (was) based on written statements and argument only. The matter is deemed further to be sub judice as NAPTOSA referred the matter to CCMA for arbitration claiming unfair dismissal. At conciliation the employer did not attend, and the matter is now awaiting set down for arbitration.”
The 55-year-old Zimbabwean man allegedly called the 12-year-old girl into his backroom on three separate occasions, raped her, and gave her money ranging from R24 to R50 to buy kotas.
The Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria has denied bail to a 55-year-old Zimbabwean national based in Saulsville, who was charged with three counts of raping his landlord's 12-year-old daughter.
The horrific rape incidents allegedly happened in March.
“The NPA’s firm opposition to bail underscores its unwavering commitment to combating gender-based violence (GBV) and protecting vulnerable children,” said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
The name of the alleged rapist has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor victim.
Mahanjana explained that the accused man had been a tenant at the girl’s family home in Saulsville for 12 years as of March.
He allegedly called the 12-year-old girl to his back room in the yard on three separate occasions, raped her, and gave her money ranging from R24 to R50 to buy kotas.
“On 25 June 2025, in the evening, while the complainant (the young girl) was on the phone in the house, her mother asked her who she was talking to, and when she could not respond, the mother requested to go through her phone. While going through the phone, she saw conversations where the accused (tenant) was asking the complainant when she will be going on her periods,” said Mahanjana.
The mother confronted the tenant in his back room, where he denied the allegations and requested that they take the child to Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane for examination.
While at the hospital during examination, one of the nurses called the police, and the accused was arrested on the scene.
“During the bail hearing, the accused, through his legal representative, asked to be released on bail, claiming that the state’s case was weak and citing his responsibilities to support his wife and six children. He further stated that, as a self-employed individual, detention would hinder his income and ability to afford legal fees,” said Mahanjana.
However, state prosecutor Katlego Manana opposed bail, arguing the severity of the charges and the high prevalence of such offences in the court’s jurisdiction.
Manana highlighted the risk of the Zimbabwean man interfering with the investigation, due to his familiarity with the victim and her mother.
The prosecution also noted the accused man’s lack of immovable property in South Africa, increasing the likelihood of him evading trial.
The magistrate said the Zimbabwean man did not produce any proof that he is self-employed and that there is no evidence that shows whether he stays with his family in the country or has left them in Zimbabwe.
The magistrate added that in his bail application, the accused man only listed his responsibilities and no substantial circumstances.
Moreover, the magistrate said if the accused suffers financially while in custody and cannot afford a legal representative, he can apply for Legal Aid. Therefore, bail was denied.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority in Gauteng has welcomed the court’s decision, commending the vigilance of the victim’s mother, whose swift action led to the tenant’s arrest.
The NPA also saluted the vigilant staff at Kalafong Hospital who facilitated police involvement.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren has also commended prosecutor Manana for the fight against the accused man’s bail bid.
“The denial of bail sends a clear message: the NPA will vigorously oppose release for those accused of heinous GBV crimes, prioritising the safety of victims and communities,” she said.
The NPA urges families and communities to remain vigilant, report suspected abuse promptly, and support survivors through Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), which offer medical, psychological, and legal assistance.
The NPA has called on South Africans to unite against gender-based violence, fostering safe environments where children’s constitutional rights to dignity and safety are upheld, and perpetrators face the full might of the law.
The case against the Zimbabwean man was postponed to 23 July for regional court allocation.
Last year, IOL reported that a 32-year-old Olievenhoutbosch father was found guilty of the rape and attempted murder of his 11-month-old daughter, as well as defeating the ends of justice in the High Court in Pretoria.
At the time, the NPA said the father and the mother of the baby were in a love relationship, and on the evening of April 30, 2023, the couple was at their place of residence when a neighbour came and asked the mother to come and help her cook.
The neighbour who asked for help was hosting an overnight ceremony. The child’s mother then departed with the neighbour, leaving the baby under the guardianship of her father.
“The following day, in the early hours of the morning, while the mother was still assisting the neighbour, she saw her partner on the streets. When she asked about the whereabouts of the baby, he told her that he had left the baby sleeping,” Mahanjana said at the time.
Floyd Shivambu’s Mayibuye Movement has made a bold statement that it targets to oust the liberation movement African National Congress (ANC) and takeover as the governing party in South Africa.
Speaking at Free State’s first consultation meeting of the movement held in Bloemfontein this week, former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Deputy President and former uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) Secretary General, now Mayibuye national convener, Shivambu said they will not be contesting for political power or to become an opposition party post the next national government elections.
“We will not be contesting for political power or becoming an opposition, but a movement that will be the government of South Africa. Young people must be at the forefront of the struggles and must define the pace and character of every revolution,” said Shivambu.
He was addressing representatives from the province’s five regions, he said the movement will focus on giving the previously disadvantaged groups a chance to fight for equality in the country.
He said that black majority and Africans were promised their freedom during the 1994 election, but they never fully had it.
“1994 happened as the first inclusive elections for all people who reside in this part of the African continent. That came with a promise that such is going to be accompanied by a better life for all, but it appears 31 years after that it is no better than apartheid,” said Floyd.
