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Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges at a defiant appearance in a New York court on Monday, two days after being snatched by US forces in a stunning raid on his home in Caracas.

Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan, "I'm innocent. I'm not guilty."

Smiling as he entered the courtroom and wearing an orange shirt with beige trousers, Maduro spoke softly.

"I'm president of the Republic of Venezuela and I'm here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday," Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. "I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela."

Maduro's wife Cilia Flores likewise pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered both to remain behind bars and set a new hearing date of March 17.

The presidential couple were forcibly taken by US commandos in the early hours of Saturday in airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment.

Thousands of people marched through Caracas in support of Maduro as his former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim president.

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado slammed Rodriguez, saying she was "rejected" by the Venezeulan people and calling her "one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narcotrafficking."

Speaking from an undisclosed location to broadcaster Sean Hannity on Fox News in her first public comments since the weekend, Machado added that she plans to return to Venezuela "as soon as possible" after leaving under cover last month to accept her Nobel Peace Prize.

After the raid, Trump declared that the United States was "in charge" in Venezuela and intends to take control of the country's huge but decrepit oil industry.

The 79-year-old president also dismissed the idea of Caracas having new elections in the next month.

"We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election. There's no way the people could even vote," Trump told broadcaster NBC News in an interview aired Monday.

However, US House Speaker and Trump ally Mike Johnson said he thinks an election "should happen in short order" in Venezuela.

'Access to oil'

Maduro became president in 2013, taking over from his equally hardline socialist predecessor Hugo Chavez.

The United States and European Union say he stayed in power by rigging elections - most recently in 2024 - and imprisoning opponents, while overseeing rampant corruption.

The crisis after a quarter century of leftist rule now leaves Venezuela's approximately 30 million people - and the world's largest proven oil reserves - facing uncertainty.

Trump has said he wants to work with Rodriguez and the rest of Maduro's former team - provided that they submit to US demands on oil.

And after an initially hostile response, Rodriguez said she is ready for "cooperation."

Brian Naranjo, a former US diplomat in Venezuela before he was expelled by Maduro in 2018, said that he has "not been so worried about the future of Venezuela, ever."

"There's a very real possibility that things are going to get much, much worse in Venezuela before they get better," he told AFP.

The deputy head of the US mission to Caracas from 2014-2018 pointed at two men who could try and usurp power from Rodriguez: Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and her own brother, Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's legislature.

"Delcy had better be sleeping with one eye open right now because right behind her are two men who would be more than happy to cut her throat and take control themselves," Naranjo said.

Cuba, Greenland next?

Trump, who has shocked many Americans with his unprecedented moves to accumulate domestic power, also now appears increasingly emboldened in foreign policy.

On Sunday, he said communist Cuba was "ready to fall", and he repeated that Greenland, which is part of US ally Denmark, should be controlled by the United States.

Brian Finucane, of the International Crisis Group, told AFP that Trump "seems to be disregarding international law altogether" in Venezuela and added that US domestic law also appeared to have been broken.

Details of the US operation in Caracas were still emerging on Monday, with Havana saying 32 Cubans were killed in the attack.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that nearly 200 personnel went into Caracas on the surprise raid. Some injuries and no deaths were reported by US officials.

*This article was first published by IOL News

KWAZULU-NATAL ANC members have warned the party against a proposal to look beyond the organisation for people to deploy into government roles, saying the move could trigger tensions at branch level. Some members demanded that, if pushed through, every leader of the party—from local government to national parliament—should be subjected to this rule.

The members, speaking on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media, were reacting to reports that the party is considering individuals from outside its membership for deployment to leadership positions. It was reported that, among the proposed changes, mayors of metros would no longer need to be drawn from regional leadership structures.

However, other party members said they believe the proposal could reignite excellence within the organisation. They argue the move is not controversial and is nothing new, as the party has done this previously.

In a recent interview, ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane said the party has already started the process of looking beyond just members of its national, provincial, regional, and branch executive committees for public representatives.

“So we’re looking at everything, [and] going broader than just [considering] those who are the chair of the province, or the chair of the region, or the branch chair and branch secretary becoming the ward councillor. We have to look at what is required for this particular metro or this particular municipality,” Mokonyane stated.

She mentioned that the party would widen its search for mayoral candidates to include business leaders, strategic leaders from different sectors, women, and young people. She conceded this would not be an easy task, given that ANC members are also looking to fill the roles.

“The process will require objectivity and commitment to the voters, instead of just party members," according to the report.

An ANC member in the Midlands expressed discomfort with the proposal, saying, “We have not been canvassed on such a view; even at the national general council, I do not remember hearing that it was discussed there.

The first I saw of this was on social media. I believe that such action would be disruptive and cause tension in branches because we need someone who is part of the organisation and understands it to lead. If they apply this, it must apply to everyone, not just the leaders at lower levels; even the president must be subjected to this.

“We must be able to look outside; they cannot turn around and demand that the president of the party must come only from the ANC.”

Another ANC member was sceptical, stating, “I think we must stick to guidelines, not to people's perspectives. I don't think we should give general solutions to specific problems.”

An ANC leader in Durban expressed that this could be what the party needs to rebuild its performance and credibility.

“The people that will be deployed here will not be just anyone; they will be ANC members, even though they might be coming from outside the established structures,” said the leader, who acknowledged that the proposals might be very hard to sell to top members at branch level.

“The ANC is lacking an academic complement; that is what we are aiming to address with this move. It will not be the first time; the party has done this before and brought in people from outside who have performed outstandingly. This is something that we have to do if we are to get the municipalities to work again,” the leader added.

“Furthermore, this does not mean the leadership and branches will be frozen out; if they qualify for positions in the party, they will be appointed.”

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has tried this approach before. In the eThekwini Metro, the last two mayors were brought in from outside the regional leadership structures.

After the party decided to remove then-leader Zandile Gumede, she was replaced by Mxolisi Kaunda, who at the time was a member of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and MEC for Transport. Kaunda was later replaced by Cyril Xaba, who also came from outside the regional structure.

In Msunduzi, the party appointed an outsider, Themba Njilo, a successful businessman and philanthropist. However, the experiment did not work in this case, and Njilo was eventually removed as mayor.

In a recent interview with The Mercury, Njilo described his time serving as mayor of Msunduzi as among the worst and most unproductive periods of his life.

*This article was first published by IOL News

By Abigail Visagie

After more than 35 years in policing, Free State SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane is preparing to retire at the end of January 2026, leaving behind a legacy of historic firsts, institutional reforms and debate over crime-fighting outcomes in the province.

Motswenyane made history as the first woman in South Africa to be appointed an area commander. She later led policing in the North West province and served in several critical operational and support roles. In the Free State, she oversaw policing operations across 112 police stations.

Her tenure not only shaped policing strategies in the province but also inspired many men and women in blue to serve their communities with dedication and commitment in pursuit of a safer Free State.

Under her leadership, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, together with various dignitaries, paid tribute and expressed condolences to the families of fallen constables Cebekhulu Linda, Keamogetswe Buys and Boipelo Senoge, who tragically lost their lives in a car crash at the Hennops River in 2025.

Motswenyane also ensured that acts of bravery did not go unnoticed. Constable Macdonald Motete, who risked his life to save his wife and four children during a house fire in August 2024, was handed a fully furnished home after losing his own in the blaze.

Among her many achievements, the commissioner presided over the opening of the Sonskyn Police Station — the first police station established in the province in decades. She also introduced a schools drilling competition, which attracted enthusiastic participation from learners and enhanced police visibility within the education sector.

Recently, Motswenyane unveiled a Wall of Remembrance for fallen heroes and heroines at the Parkweg Police Station. Expressing pride in the milestone, she said the wall was a reminder that those who died in service did not do so in vain.

“This wall must remind us that these fallen heroes lived and did not go in vain. Continue to fight crime and make South Africa safe,” said Motswenyane.

However, her legacy has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Free State deputy chairperson Thomas Macingwane criticised her tenure, citing continued police station robberies, theft of firearms, lack of discipline and instability within the force.

“Under her term of office, we saw a continuation of police station break-ins where guns were stolen and later used in crimes. There was also a lack of discipline among members and overall instability,” said Macingwane.

He further criticised what he described as SAPS’s silence on drug abuse in the province.

“In Bloemfontein, Virginia, Welkom, Hoopstad, Kutlwanong, Kroonstad and Steynsrus, drug dealers operate openly near school gates and are known to SAPS. Yet there are no visible SAPS-led campaigns to combat drug abuse,” he said.

Macingwane alleged that requests by the EFF in Matjhabeng for police assistance in schools to address substance abuse were refused, raising concerns about policing priorities. He called for improved visibility, discipline and leadership stability within SAPS.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Free State leader Roy Jankielsohn, meanwhile, commended Motswenyane and her team for conducting successful roadblocks and operations during the 2025 festive season. However, he warned that crime remains under-reported due to weaknesses in the criminal justice system.

“Stock theft and cross-border crimes remain a crisis in rural communities but are under-reported because of low conviction rates. Rape and gender-based violence are also significantly under-reported due to an unsupportive system,” said Jankielsohn.

He further noted the growing reliance on private security, arguing that it reflects an under-resourced SAPS rather than policing success.

“The spread of drugs in rural communities, particularly by foreign nationals, and the reluctance to enforce the law where sources are known, undermines the social fabric of the province and public trust in SAPS,” he added.

Jankielsohn acknowledged that while many SAPS members perform their duties with integrity, corruption among some officers damages the reputation of the service.

He declined to comment on whether Deputy Provincial Commissioners Generals Solly Lesia and Arthur Peter Adams would be suitable successors. However, Macingwane argued that the post should be opened to other credible officers outside the current leadership.

Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane will officially retire at the end of January 2026. Before her departure, the province will host National Police Day and the SAPS Excellence Awards, both to be presided over by Motswenyane.

By Abigail Visagie 

On 20 December 2025, the notorious Rapport newspaper, known for its controversial yet compelling stories, nearly ruined Christmas for thousands of congregants when it announced the divorce of beloved Pastors At and Nyretta Boshoff, leaders of the Christian Revival Church (CRC) with its main branch in Bloemfontein.

The publication revealed that the pastors had been divorced for nearly a year, with court documents circulating on social media confirming that the divorce was finalised in October 2024.

The mystery that remains is why Pastor At has not disclosed this information to his congregants and even allowed the CRC London branch to celebrate their anniversary.

The church boasts over 12,000 members across 90 locations worldwide, yet the news came as a shock to many.

An anonymous Christian believer, who also has legal expertise, stated that it was Pastor At Boshoff's duty to oppose the divorce rather than sign the papers.

"God says in Malachi 2:16, 'For I, God, hate divorce. For whatever I have put together, let no man separate,'" the anonymous believer said. He further mentioned that in cases of abuse or marital issues, a couple may need to separate to regroup and address their problems.

The expert also pointed out that the pastor of an international ministry should have refused to sign the divorce papers, which would have led to an automatic default divorce.

“In the eyes of the Lord, he would have done the right thing by refusing to sign. How can someone who defies God preach His word?” asked the expert.

Various media outlets report that the church still refers to Pastor At as married to Nyretta, and his official Instagram bio states: “Married to @ngaretta_boshoff,” despite the fact that it has been nearly a year since their divorce.

“Pastor At can no longer preach to the masses; he should step down because he cannot even respect or follow the word of God that he preaches to his congregants,” concluded the Christian legal expert. 

Refilwe Mochoari

The newly appointed Chief Director of Communications for Free State Government Communications Services in the Office of the Premier, Matshediso Setai stepped into office on 1 January 2026 and promises a media makeover for the province.

With a complete revamp on the cards, Setai takes the helm with a clear mandate, pledging to solidify a coherent community media approach.

She says that under her stewardship, 40% of the media budget will be spent on community media and 60% will go towards mainstream media, a policy directive set by the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS).

With her wealth of experience as a media and communications professional Setai says her top priorities are to create an impactful digital media content hub.

She says through a community media summit that took place early last year, the government managed to resuscitate the Free State community forum with an interim structure which will ensure that the sector is well coordinated and that the media speaks in one voice.

“The media is a crucial vehicle that is going to help us bring the government executive committee (Exco) closer to the people.

“It will help us to shape the narrative of the FSPG service delivery story within our communities and unmediated as compared to mainstream media.

“Governments’ sole purpose when creating community media, was to have unmediated engagement with communities.

“So we will ensure that as part of the commitment made at the community media summit, 40% of the media budget will go towards community media because as a province, we are highly dependent on community media as compared to mainstream media.

“When the government created community media, through the Media Development and Diversity Agency ( MDDA) this resolution was a policy directive that 40% of the media budget must be spent on community media.

“But that has not been realized to date and it is very few provinces that can do that, and as a government of the seventh administration we have committed to this and I am going to implement this.

“We need to support community media as a critical vehicle to deliver messages, especially because we are approaching local government elections this year.

Setai says she also aims to ensure that every district in the province has a community media outlet in both broadcast and print.

“As it stands right now, we only have four districts that have some form of media representation, and in Xhariep we totally do not have any community media footprint, and this is a conversation that we are going to have with ICASA as government on how we can help the district in the next round of applications.

Setai says another critical area that she will be focusing on during her tenure is the alignment of communications structures within the different departments.

“There is a guideline provided by GCIS that guides through the communications policy on how government should structure their communications within the different spheres of government both nationally and provincially.

“Currently there are many disparities within the different departments.

“It is expected that every department must have a head of communications at a director level, but at the moment you will find that the head of communications is at an assistant director level and others at a deputy director level.

“So if you are intentional about raising the bar, in terms of how you articulate government messaging it has to be pitched at that level.

“We also need to ensure that we have human capital within those departments that is adequate and fit for purpose to ensure that our government communications is effective.

“Human Capital in terms of skilled and competent communicators which is what we have right now as per our skills audit that was done.

“We will ensure that we solicit adequate budget allocations across all government departments to ensure that our government communications is effective.

 “There is no point in having a Rolls-Royce communications strategy but we do not have both human capital and the financial resources to implement that strategy, she said.

Setai says her first 100 days in office, to enhance media relations she will ensure that the province has a provincial media sector forum that will consolidate all media role players consisting of all media platforms including digital media that have not yet been regulated by ICASA.

“To make sure that we engage on issues that are disturbing to the provincial government.

“This is also to ensure that some of these online media platforms that have made it their duty to tarnish the reputation of the leaders of the seventh administration are regulated.

“I am also engaging the South African National Editors’ forum on having provincial chapters as opposed to only having a national office.

“I also want to look at the possibility of re-establishing a media press club in the province.

“Where it will allow the government to address the media

“Another factor is to continue with what I have already started, which is to engage national broadcast media through quarterly media networking sessions where the national media can engage communicators to understand how the media and the newsrooms work, and to understand how to put together a story that will be able to attract an editor.

Setai says these networking sessions have helped the communicators to write meaningful press releases that were published on different national and international media platforms.

When asked how she will build relationships with fellow communicators, following allegations of corruption and plagiarism in various media reports, Setai says it is not about the people but it is about the vision for the provincial government and how service delivery messages will be communicated to the members of the communities.

“I took on this role because I am a product of the Free State, and I need to plough back.

“With this role, I will leave a legacy of excellent communications.

Setai has over 20 years experience as a communicator. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Science from the University of Free State. She also holds a National Diploma in Public Administration from the Tshwane University of Technology.

Her work experience include being the Chief Director of Communications (Acted –Deputy Director General of Communications) at the National Department of Transport, Ministerial Advisory Task Team Member and Chair at the Department of Communications, Director of Marketing Events and Stakeholder relations in the Department of Public Enterprises as well as Head of Communications and Spokesperson for the Department of Finance and Economic Development.

The search for a missing SANDF member has resumed in Mpumalanga on Monday morning.

The man is one of two soldiers who were swept away on Christmas Day when their patrol vehicle was caught by strong currents in a flooded section of the Komati River during Operation Corona, the SANDF’s ongoing border safeguarding mission.

Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the pair attempted to cross a flooded river during border control operations in the area.

Mdhluli added that divers managed to retrieve one body last Friday, while the search for the second soldier continues.

“The search for the missing SANDF member is continuing. This is a collaborative effort whereby the search and rescue team is working together to ensure that the missing member is found.”

The multi-agency operation has included aerial and aquatic search resources. He added that technological apparatus, such as drones, is also being utilised.

On Saturday, search teams recovered the SANDF patrol vehicle from the river.

“The SANDF bakkie was retrieved from the river where two rifles, a mobile phone and other items were found, but the missing SANDF member has not yet been found,” Mdhluli said.

He also acknowledged the support of the local community.

“The community is playing a crucial role where one member of the public used a crane to pull the SANDF bakkie out of the river,” he said at the time.

*This article was first published by SABC News