A group of pensioners and supporters marched to Parliament on Tuesday, demanding a full review of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), citing discrimination, poor treatment, and a system they say is failing the elderly.
Organiser Pat Lee said the protest was about more than individual cases.
“This is not for just a specific group of people, but for everybody who is a Sassa pensioner from all walks of life, colours, and creed, and we know that our voices will be heard. This is the time now to show up and to come together in unity,” Lee said.
She added that the agency needed fundamental reform.
“I think Sassa must be reviewed itself, because every person working for Sassa must reapply for their positions, and they must also have diverse cultures in these common places that serve the public because of communication problems that we have. Once we have the diverse cultural workforce that will eliminate the misunderstandings and the frustrations so that people with different languages can be understood. This is reverse apartheid,” she said.
The march began on the Grand Parade at the corner of Lower Buitenkant and Darling streets, before proceeding up Buitenkant Street and turning into Roeland Street, where participants gathered outside Parliament to hand over a memorandum.
They later returned via the same route to disperse.
Among the marchers was 68-year-old pensioner Joy Pinn, who recounted a case that left her shaken.
"I took a 92-year-old man there, a Jewish old man, and they refused to give him the grant because he’s white and they think he’s rich. They didn’t even look at his stuff. I took him three, four times, and they refused to give it. They were so rude. Unfortunately, he died, so he couldn’t tell his story," Pinn said.
She said this happened at the Sassa office in Wynberg.
"The issue people are complaining about is the money that gets deducted without consent. The reviews are illegal. They are not asked to give affidavits because children help parents, so they put money in the account so it reflects differently, and they think you’re over the threshold. That’s a problem, and they are teaching people to lie," she added.
Pinn said she was speaking out for others worse off than herself.
"These people are worse off than me. They take a taxi to the place, they stand in queues from four, five o’clock in the morning in the rain, sunshine, whatever. They get treated badly. The security is absolutely rude. There are no ablution facilities for the old people, for anyone really. And the officials must actually wear a uniform. You don’t know who you’re speaking to there. They are absolutely disrespectful."
Marcher Winston Fortuin said the protest was meant to send a strong message.
"We are representing the Sassa beneficiaries. That’s basically the primary objective here. Even the president of our country must know that we’ve had enough of our old people, our seniors, who have laboured so long and so much. In respect of that and in honour of our old people, we feel that by coming here today we are saying, listen, we’ve had enough of the unfair treatment," he said.
Fortuin emphasised that the issue went beyond race.
"Remember, this is beyond colour. No colour, no race, no creed. We are speaking to humanity today. We are addressing the needs of our Sassa community. And we are saying, if we can get help from our local government, we would highly appreciate it. Our prayers are basically to say, listen, we need your support."
He also highlighted the sacrifices made by pensioners just to attend the march. "Many of the old people here today took public transport to get here. They literally fight through that little pension that they get in the month, trying by all means to ensure we can have a better tomorrow," Fortuin said.
The group said they expect Parliament to respond to their memorandum and that they will continue organising if their concerns are not addressed.
DA MP for the Social Development Portfolio, Alexandra Abrahams, collected the memorandum.
"The Democratic Alliance received a memorandum of grievances from a group of approximately 150 senior citizens who marched to the gates of Parliament in Cape Town.
"Their list of grievances raises serious concerns affecting many seniors across the country. Issues include access to social grants, inhumane long queues, system breakdowns, unpaid grants, lack of communication, and the old age grant being inadequate to meet basic needs amid the rising cost of living.
"These grievances relate to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), an entity under the National Department of Social Development. The memorandum further outlines concerns involving the departments of Health, Police, and Transport.
"It also calls for the dignity, protection, and welfare of all seniors, regardless of race or creed, to be upheld in accordance with the Older Persons Act, 2006."
Abrahams said they will ensure this memorandum is handed over to the chairperson of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Bridget Masango, the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, and the CEO of SASSA, Themba Matlou, during a scheduled in-person committee meeting on Wednesday, which will address the termination of the contract between Sassa and Postbank.
"How much longer must the poor and vulnerable tolerate the indignity of Sassa, which is meant to provide social protection? We call on Minister Tolashe to urgently address the 62% staff vacancy rate and lack of resources at Sassa offices, roll out the self-help kiosks and other online appointment booking systems to improve queue management, and vastly improve their communication with beneficiaries."
*This article was first published by IOL News
South African communities have been marred by incidents of mob justice, which have left a trail of destruction and burnt bodies as frustrated community members “punish” alleged criminals.
On Tuesday, IOL reported that police in Mpumalanga have strongly condemned the brutal murder and torching of two individuals in incidents of mob justice around Barberton.
According to preliminary reports, police received information at around midday about a mob justice incident in Barberton Extension.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of an individual who had allegedly been assaulted then set alight using vehicle tyres.
“A short while later, at around 12:20 pm, police were alerted to a second, similar incident at the (Barberton) Extension 13 sports ground, where another victim was also found burned,” said provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.
It is alleged that both deceased individuals were suspected by some community members of being involved in a series of house robberies in the area.
Speaking to IOL, seasoned crime analyst Calvin Rafadi condemned the acts of mob justice, warning communities of the grave consequences and criminality around taking the law into their own hands.
Rafadi stressed that mob justice is a “serious crime” committed by community members against suspected offenders.
He cautioned that those involved in such vigilante violence can be prosecuted and face charges such as murder.
“This type of act reminds us of the kangaroo courts during the apartheid era, where even innocent people were prosecuted without evidence or trial, and ultimately killed,” Rafadi said.
He reminded communities that citizens’ arrest is legally recognised in South Africa’s justice system, urging people to familiarise themselves with the correct legal procedures instead of resorting to mob violence.
Rafadi further warned that while crime affects everyone in South Africa, many instances of mob justice stem from individuals seeking personal revenge, hatred, or social tensions.
“Some innocent people are being falsely accused,” said Rafadi, who is a Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg.
“Nowadays, with many of our young people struggling with drug abuse, there is a danger that communities will turn against one another, mobilising mobs to brutally kill instead of seeking justice.”
On the other hand, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has stated that acts of vigilantism are a crime, and those who commit such activities should be treated as criminals.
Macie said that although community involvement in the fight against crime is always encouraged by the government, mob justice will never be accepted.
"Taking the law into your own hands as communities can never be tolerated in this country. That is why we have courts all over the country. Your role as communities is to bring evidence forward and testify against those suspected of securing a sentence that will put them behind bars.
"Vigilantism is a crime, and once you commit it, then you become equally a criminal, and unfortunately police will do their work and put you behind bars too.
Let us not be discouraged to report those causing troubles in our communities. Continue to work with the police and community forums to bring about stability and a crime free community," he said.
Macie has also called for calm in the community of Barberton, while police continue with their investigations into the murders.
*This article was first published by IOL News
By JN Reporter
Five individuals are set to appear in court in connection with the 2022 Jagersfontein dam collapse, which claimed three lives, displaced dozens of residents, and caused widespread environmental devastation.
Authorities confirmed that criminal charges have been filed following a lengthy investigation into the failure of the tailings dam, operated by Jagersfontein Developments in the Free State.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, the investigation — conducted in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) — has resulted in criminal charges being laid against employees of an engineering company.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has instructed that the suspects appear in the Jagersfontein Magistrate’s Court on 10 September 2025. The accused — including engineering company employees, a compliance officer, and an operations manager — will face charges of murder, malicious damage to property, and contravention of the Health and Safety Act,” said Mohobeleli.
The tailings dam collapse unleashed a torrent of toxic sludge that surged down the slopes, swallowing homes, vehicles, livestock, and everything in its path.
Families scrambled for safety as the grey wave obliterated decades of memories and livelihoods.
The disaster is now regarded as one of the worst mining-related environmental catastrophes in democratic South Africa. At the heart of the tragedy stood a towering tailings dam, built precariously on a slope above the densely populated black communities of Charlesville and Itumeleng — just a stone’s throw from the historic Jagersfontein pit.
By: JN Reporter
The embattled Ngwathe Local Municipality has launched a series of interventions to address persistent water challenges that have left many communities without consistent access to clean water.
In response to mounting concerns from frustrated residents in Parys and Tumahole Township over erratic water distribution, the municipality’s technical team - accompanied by Municipal Manager Dr Tseko Mothamaha and led by Director of Technical Services Patricia Morokolo, Water Manager Mokete Phele, Public Safety Manager Polla Chochoe, and Water Operator Moiloa Monyane - undertook urgent action on Monday morning to restore supply.
According to municipal spokesperson Steve Naale, the technical team was dispatched to the local water purification plant on Sunday to improve water quality and ensure the resumption of water distribution.
“The work was completed on Monday. The team found the water quality to be poor, prompting urgent measures such as optimizing the water purification plant,” said Naale.
Naale also revealed that the team had been alerted to tampering incidents involving known individuals interfering with external valves on the water network—an act he described as sabotage.
“These are the same individuals who later film and distribute videos about the situation. The municipality will continue to take legal action against anyone who spreads misleading information about our operations,” he warned.
Despite ongoing interventions, Naale noted that the Parys water treatment plant remains under refurbishment. Several sections of the facility are still non-operational, leaving the plant capable of producing only 10 megalitres of water per day—less than half the daily demand of 22 megalitres required to supply Parys and Tumahole.
Tupperware, a household name in South Africa and beyond, is rewriting its story once again, this time by swapping its iconic plastic for durable glass.
With the launch of “Voila Glass”, the company is introducing oven-safe, non-toxic containers that can take you from freezer to oven to table.
It’s a bold shift for a brand long associated with school lunchboxes and pantry storage, and one that puts it in direct competition with familiar favourites such as Pyrex.
Since 1946, Tupperware has been a fixture in kitchens across the world, including in South African homes where “Tupperware parties” became a cultural staple.
After a rocky financial patch and a brush with bankruptcy, the brand is back with a fresh strategy - one that’s shaking off its plastic-only image.
The launch of “Voila Glass", its first ever range of glass containers, signals a new era for the company.
Officially launching in the United States on September 18, 2025, the “Voila Glass” line will roll out internationally in the months to follow, meaning South African shelves should see the collection before the festive season.
This puts it squarely in competition with glass kitchenware brands such as Pyrex, but with one major advantage: Tupperware’s airtight lids and steam-vent system, which combine durability with convenience.
The new collection comes in three sizes
A round container (1.7 L) for pies and single-dish meals;
A square (1.6 L) ideal for desserts
A large rectangular dish (3 L), perfect for lasagna or family casseroles.
Product features
Each piece is made from tough borosilicate glass, capable of withstanding –25 °C to 300 °C, making them safe to move from freezer to oven without cracking.
The design also features grippy rims for easier handling, built-in measurement markers, and airtight lids that lock with a press. A clever steam-release vent on each lid allows for clean, even reheating in the microwave.
Pricing
Pricing in the US starts at $24 (about R432) for the smaller dish, rising to $34 (around R612) for the largest.
A bundle of all three is offered at $74 (roughly R1,332), making it competitive with existing premium glass storage sets in South Africa.
To showcase the versatility of the range, Tupperware has even developed recipes like a Berry Cobbler Cake that bakes directly in the dish, highlighting how the containers can transition seamlessly from oven to dining table, then straight into the fridge for leftovers.
As Tupperware shifts its focus to sustainable innovation, “Voila Glass” marks an important milestone in keeping the brand relevant in today’s kitchens.
*This article was first published by IOL News
Botswana declared a public health emergency on Monday after hospitals ran out of essential medicines due to depleted government coffers and steep cuts in US aid.
The diamond-rich southern African country has relied heavily on mining to fuel its economy but faces persistent challenges that have eaten into its gem revenue, leaving most of its 2.5 million people grappling with unemployment and high poverty rates.
President Duma Boko said in a televised address on Monday that the country's medical supply chain had failed and announced over $18 million in emergency funding to restock clinics and hospitals.
"This scenario is not sustainable. We are taking bold steps to ensure that never again will Botswana suffer due to broken systems," he said, adding that the military would oversee drug distribution.
Earlier this month, Botswana's health ministry warned that the system was "severely strained" with $75 million owed to private health facilities and suppliers.
It cited shortages of medicines for hypertension, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, asthma, mental and sexual health, and stated that elective surgeries were postponed.
Botswana's vast diamond reserves, discovered just after independence from Britain in 1966, make up about 80% of the country's foreign earnings.
But sales have weakened in recent years, pushing a cash-strapped government to suspend certain ministerial purchases last month.
Sweeping cuts in US aid under President Donald Trump have further strained the economy.
Before the cuts, the United States funded a third of Botswana's HIV response, according to UNAIDS, and provided $12 million through the Global Fund to fight malaria and tuberculosis.
The United Nations agency for children (UNICEF) said "urgent action" was needed to address the deepening medical crisis in the country, adding that one in five children was underweight in a western district near the Namibian border.
*This article was first published by IOL News
