An 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued after spending a cold and wet night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch, following an emergency during a solo hike on the challenging Panorama Circuit Trail.
The teenager, who had researched Cape Town hiking routes online, began his hike at 10am on Thursday, Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) said.
“While he was equipped for the trail under normal conditions, he did not anticipate the intensity of the rainfall or how significantly it would transform the landscape.”
By late afternoon, worsening weather had turned paths into shallow streams and rendered some sections of the trail impassable. His route was ultimately blocked by a torrent of water surging down the mountain. Unable to proceed, he attempted to retrace his steps. At about 4pm, he managed to send a message to a friend saying he was tired and in trouble. His phone battery died before he could share more details.
With no shelter and temperatures dropping overnight, the resourceful hiker sought refuge among rocks, using the natural cover to protect himself from the harsh conditions.
WSAR Western Cape, along with members from CapeNature, mobilized more than 20 volunteers and professionals when the alarm was raised on Friday morning. Using GPS data from his last known phone location, a search team was dispatched into the reserve.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says he will act in due course on recommendations contained in a report on medical aid schemes.
The Section 59 Investigation Panel into allegations of racial discrimination by medical aid schemes against black healthcare providers concluded that the right of procedural fairness of some individual practitioners was violated.
Dr Motsoaledi has confirmed that Discovery, Gems and Medscheme are among the medical aid schemes implicated in the report.
“Today they were now releasing the final findings that indeed they found it to be true that there’s racial profiling and racial action taken against black doctors, Africans Indians and Coloureds. They concentrated mostly on three medical schemes that is Discovery, Gems and Medscheme. The three of them constituted 80% of all the members of medical schemes in the country and if you are able to make findings on 80% statistically it means the other 20% will fall in place.”
*This article was first published by SABC News
The leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) in Mpumalanga, Mary Phadi, is back at the High Court in Mbombela.
The party has filed a new application to remove Phadi from her position.
The latest bid follows the court’s decision to reinstate Phadi as the party’s provincial convener and leader in the legislature in December last year.
Phadi was removed from her position after allegations that she misappropriated party funds.
The party argued that the matter should be treated as urgent because Phadi continues to represent the party despite her expulsion.
*This article was first published by SABC News
The ANC says Mkhwanazi's allegations must be investigated fully as they paint the country as 'lawless' and a 'banana republic'.
The African National Congress (ANC) says it's expecting a report from its deployee, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, on the corruption allegations levelled against him.
On Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made startling allegations against Mchunu, saying he is working with a syndicate to cover-up high profile investigations.
The ANC said Mkhwanazi's allegations must be investigated fully as they paint the country as 'lawless' and a 'banana republic'.
ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, said Mchunu will have to appear before the party's integrity commission soon.
"We have not met with comrade Senzo in this particular instance. I am fully confident he will engage with the leadership of the ANC and in particular, Luthuli House on the allegations that have been made. He owes it to the ANC, he doesn't have to be commanded. The ANC itself has its own processes, integrity commission and all of that. There is officials of the ANC, so he will brief us."
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
The illicit alcohol industry is a R25-billion industry, operating in the shadows, and threatening public health while robbing the fiscus of much-needed revenue.
This is according to the latest report from EuroMonitor termed Understanding the Illicit Alcohol Market in South Africa.
The study shows the illicit alcohol market is costing the fiscus a staggering R16.5 billion annually in lost taxes, thriving on poor law enforcement, tough economic conditions and addiction.
The study highlights that illicit alcohol now accounts for 18% of the total alcohol volume consumed in South Africa.
This translates to roughly one in every five alcoholic beverages consumed being illicit.
Illicit alcohol refers to any alcohol not compliant with the laws of South Africa, including counterfeit products, stock that evades duties or that enters the market illegally.
It also includes potentially dangerous products that may be homemade or industrially produced concoctions.
Researcher at EuroMonitor, Benjamin Rideout says the problem extends beyond just financial loss but directly impacts public safety and consumer confidence.
Health implications
Dangerous ingredients that can have serious health implications were found in samples of illicit alcohol that were tested.
Dr Shamal Ramesar of the Drinks Federation of South Africa says chemicals found in tested samples can lead to death.
The study shows that 83% of consumers are unaware that purchasing counterfeit alcohol could lead to health concerns.
About 49% of respondents knew someone who had experienced serious health effects from illicit alcohol and 29% of them knew someone who had died from it.
Unfair playing field
Meanwhile, the illicit trade creates an unfair playing field for legitimate businesses.
South African Breweries CEO Richard Rivett-Carnac says there’s a price difference of more than 30% between legal and illicit alcohol on average.
He says this price disparity, coupled with consumers facing financial pressure, makes illicit alcohol an attractive option.
Unlike legitimate businesses, illicit operators do not pay taxes and do not comply with regulations.
The National Consumer Commission’s Hardin Ratshisusu has urged consumers to report suspicious products and encouraged retailers to empower themselves with knowledge to avoid inadvertently dealing in illicit goods.
*This article was first published by SABC News
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has warned municipalities to use disaster funds promptly and for their intended purposes and not to pay salaries or fund trips.
He made these remarks during a briefing yesterday in Sandton where he provided information on the release of the funds following floods and heavy snowfall that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and the severely affected Eastern Cape.
A total of R1.255 billion has been allocated for the 2025/26 financial year with the funds to be released in phases. The bulk of the money, about R500 million will go to the Eastern Cape which suffered the most damage to infrastructure and homes.
In KZN, R139 million in disaster relief grants has been allocated for 17 municipalities including the eThekwini Municipality, which suffered extensive damage in recent storms.
In June, a total of 107 lives were lost due to disasters. Of these, 103 were in the Eastern Cape, three in KZN, and one in the Western Cape.
In accordance with applicable legislation, business plans, and approved processes, the municipal disaster response grants will be transferred in phases during this month. The Department is currently awaiting transfer dates from the National Treasury, with preliminary dates set for July 11 and 18.
The minister noted that the majority of the municipalities received the Response or Recovery Grant and the Municipal Disaster Response Grant in March 2025 and have not started implementing the projects. KZN municipalities that will benefit include:
Zululand: R13m (in addition to R9m received in March 2025)
Abaqulusi: R12m (in addition to R5.4m received in March 2025)
Inkosi Langalibalele: R11m
Newcastle: R11m (in addition to recovery and response grants allocated in March 2025)
eThekwini metro: R9m (in addition to R8m and R1.4 billion previously allocated)
Edumbe: R10m (in addition to R6.8m received in March 2025)
He added that the Disaster Management Act highlights the importance of self-funding for disaster risk management, requiring state organisations to utilise their own resources for disaster interventions. In instances where public infrastructure is damaged, the relevant state organ bears the responsibility for financing the repair costs.
“With regards to disaster grants, adherence to Section 12 of the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) is crucial. The funds disbursed must be utilised exclusively for sanctioned purposes and may not be redirected to unrelated expenditures, such as employee travel,” Hlabisa stated.
The minister said, “We appreciate the efforts made to utilise the grants appropriately; however, we have identified several key areas of concern regarding their implementation. These include poor infrastructure planning and execution, inadequate workmanship, diversion or alteration of the scope of work, delays in appointing service providers that lead to municipalities underperforming, and the misallocation of funds towards operational matters instead of the designated projects."
He also noted a significant lack of monitoring and contract management by implementing agents, as well as projects being underdesigned, which makes the infrastructure vulnerable to further damage.
Zululand mayor, Michael Khumalo, welcomed the municipality's allocation.
“This will bring much-needed relief to the people of Zululand. The grant will go a long way in accelerating efforts to mitigate disaster risks. Zululand has previously experienced challenges due to heavy rain, which resulted in significant damage to water infrastructure. As the municipality, we pledge to utilise this grant promptly and responsibly by following procedures and protocols to ensure accountability and transparency,” he said.
ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said it was imperative is that the funds are used promptly and in a cost-effective manner.
"For far too long, disaster grants have been plagued by time delays and dubious procurement. Cogta must ensure there is proper accountability for these grants and that there are serious consequences when these grants are not used as intended.”
KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said the allocation for the province followed applications from KZN municipalities which had been impacted by incidents resulting in damage that would cost billions of rand to fix.
"The grant will provide much-needed relief to communities, facilitating the installation of new disaster mitigation measures and the improvement of roads, as well as water and sanitation infrastructure. This allocation also underscores the national government's commitment to supporting the province's ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts."
*This article was first published by IOL News
