Losing your temper at work could have serious consequences, but does one angry outburst justify dismissal? We unpack insolence, insubordination, provocation and the disciplinary process under South African labour law.

The City of Cape Town has secured a R5.1 billion contract with an Independent Power Producer to supply electricity over 20 years, aiming to reduce tariffs and enhance energy security amid concerns over potential impacts on residents and the need for public participation.

With punitive costs and a decisive high court rebuke, the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) leadership must now navigate intensified investigative reporting as ednews.africa and media allies push to expose governance failures and protect academic voices. Ednews.africa is part of Higher Education Media Services, an independent media start-up. The High Court in Pretoria last Thursday dismissed an urgent application by Unisa, led by vice-chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula, seeking to gag me as a journalist and the publication ednews.africa, marking a significant victory for media freedom during National Women’s Month in South Africa. The court struck the matter from the roll for lack of urgency and ordered punitive costs against Unisa, finding no basis for the institution’s attempt to force the removal of articles and restrict further reporting. The ruling protects a series of investigative reports published by ednews.africa detailing academic burnout, staff hospitalisations and deaths linked to Unisa’s workload crisis following sweeping staff cuts. Several media houses have since reported on Unisa’s failed gagging attempt, highlighting the growing governance issues at Africa’s largest learning institution. The publication, launched on 4 February, has rapidly become a notable new entrant in the African media landscape, amassing 454 subscribers and more than 100 000 views in six months, without advertising or external funding. Despite its modest size, ednews.africa has broken major stories across the continent, from governance failures and campus unrest to leadership scandals and inspiring profiles of women in academia. Leading South African outlets, including the Sunday Times, Mail & Guardian and IOL, have republished its reporting, as have media outlets in Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, eSwatini and Malawi. Some of the reports on ednews.africa have been credited by broadcast and online outlets when they followed up on breaking stories. The attempted gag order follows earlier friction between universities and the publication. Fort Hare threatened to personalise the arguments by taking to social media after multiple governance breaches reported in ednews.africa. It did not respond to media inquiries. Last week, Fort Hare was the subject of a complaint to parliament after the student representative council filed a complaint and three council members resigned last month. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) lodged a complaint with the press ombud over governance reporting, but the ombud dismissed the case, affirming ednews.africa right to publish. “Ednews.africa acted within the press code and was justified in reporting on governance breaches at CPUT. The complaint is dismissed.” Last week, the university shut down amid violent unrest, echoing the publication’s reports on declining governance in the sector. Students at CPUT have asked for a probe into the university’s finances. Media freedom organisations welcomed the high court’s decision. Nicole Fritz of the Campaign for Free Expression said journalists must be able to investigate public power “without unjustified legal restraints”, while SA National Editors’ Forum‘s Reggy Moalusi condemned the attempt to silence me, calling it “yet another case where our courts are abused”. According to Moxii Africa’s William Bird, the high court’s decision affirms a core democratic principle: journalists must be free to report on matters of public interest without intimidation or legal overreach. Power Law Africa’s Michael Power and Tina Power labelled it a victory for media freedom. For me and my three-person team, the ruling is both vindication and fuel. We will not be intimidated. Your stories are our stories. Media is critical in any democracy and passion, not deep pockets, is what drives impactful journalism. I continue to face legal threats, including a defamation suit from a school principal accused of racism, but I remain resolute: money can buy words, but not the truth. The Unisa case underscores the growing importance of independent, cross-border storytelling in a turbulent media era, where small, mission-driven outlets can still shape national debate and defend democratic accountability. Dirk Hermann, spokesperson for trade union Solidarity, said this is a victory for the truth and for Unisa employees. “Solidarity’s own survey among its members confirms every word that ednews.africa wrote. The truth must be published so that we can achieve a better Unisa as the outcome.” Unisa did not comment on the verdict.

Seven Emfuleni Municipality employees stand accused of running a cash‑for‑reconnection scheme that allegedly netted R150 000 through fraud, theft, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure and will remain behind bars until their next court appearance. David Seneekal (31), Caroline Smangele Maduna (39), Kenneth Zongezile Mahobe (35), Hlawutelo Baloyi (29), Pule Meshack Masilo (36), Andries Bafana Maduna (48) and Sibusiso Patrick Tshabalala (46) made their first appearance in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August 2026. Charges The group faces charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure. It is alleged that between February 2024 and June 2026, the Emfuleni Municipality disconnected electricity to businesses and individuals whose accounts were in arrears. The accused allegedly approached affected owners and residents, offering to reconnect supply in exchange for payment. Reconnection After receiving money, they allegedly unlawfully reconnected the electricity and manipulated records to reflect reduced amounts owed. In subsequent months, accounts reverted to the original amounts owed, but electricity remained connected due to the illegal reconnections. Arrest National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said complainants reported the matter to the municipality, which conducted internal investigations before referring the case to police. The seven were arrested on 21 August 2026. “Their electricity, however, would remain connected due to the illegal connection. The complainants reported the matter to the municipality. After internal investigations, the municipality reported the matter to the police, and the seven accused were arrested,” Mahanjana said. The case was postponed to 31 August 2026 for a formal bail application, with all accused remanded in custody. NPA ‘committed’ Mahanjana added that the NPA remains committed to prosecuting corruption, fraud, and crimes that undermine essential public infrastructure and service delivery. “Such offences erode public trust and prejudice communities that rely on municipal services, and the NPA will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to hold those responsible accountable,” he said. Investigations are continuing.

Reabetjoe Mokoko, a vibrant team dietician for Mamelodi Sundowns FC, opened up about the players diet during a recent episode of the King David Studio Podcast. Her passion for food and nutrition goes beyond cooking; she is pedantic about “how it is cooked, how it is eaten, and how much of it is eaten.” She holds three degrees from Wits University, and her business partner oversees her side business while she works her magic in the Sundowns kitchen. WHAT DO MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS EAT? Speaking on preparation methods, Reabetjoe explained the importance of a versatile menu that caters to the players different tastes. She broke down the menu into categories, outlining what players generally eat. Match Day Minus One: On the day before the big match, players start carb-loading with breakfast that includes starches like breakfast potatoes, hash browns, and waffles. For lunch, players continue to enjoy a wide range of carbs, such as spaghetti, rice, burger rolls, pizza, and fruits. Pre-Match: This phase includes a fueling station stocked with carbs like dried nuts, fruits, and sweets to boost the players energy before the game. Through a partnership with Biogen, players also refuel with high-quality supplements during halftime. Recovery Hour: Immediately after the game, Rea personally hands out the Recovery Smoothies that help with healing and recovery. The Golden Hour: During this final phase, players indulge in what Reabetjoe refers to as “real food.” THIS IS HOW REABETJOE BAGGED A JOB AT SUNDOWNS  Reabetjoe’s path to joining Sundowns was carved by divine intervention, as she had aspired to venture into the world of football. That dream came true when she met coach Rhulani Mokwena on The Braai Show (SABC 1), where she worked as a food stylist. During their chat, Rhulani shared his concerns about the nutrition at Sundowns and said he needed someone like her to raise it to the best level. RADICAL CHANGES YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS Reabetjoe made radical changes in the Sundowns kitchen, starting with the breakfast menu. She replaced processed staples such as Russians with healthier alternatives such as mince, chicken strips, beef patties, and chicken livers. This new diet struck a chord with the players, leading to weight loss and improved energy and performance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Mashabela (@david_mashabela)

Springbok and Sharks player Vincent Tshituka is a proud new dad after welcoming a baby with his wife, Katlego. The 27-year-old – who made his national team debut last year – and his partner recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. VINCENT TSHITUKA IS A FIRST-TIME DAD! On his Instagram account, Vincent Tshituka made an exciting announcement –  his wife, Katlego, had recently given birth to their first child. Posting pics of both mom and dad embracing their baby, Vincent shared: “It’s so much bigger! Thank you God for a new purpose to live”. The post was inundated with well-wishes, including those from fellow Springboks Ox Nche, Jese Kriel, and Jordn Hendrikse, amongst others. The Tshitukas have yet to announce the baby’s gender or name. Last month, the couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary. In May, they announced that they were expecting a baby. COUNTDOWN FOR SPRINGBOK RG SNYMAN Meanwhile, fellow Springbok RG Snyman and his wife, Saskia, are also awaiting the birth of their baby. The player, nicknamed “The Viking”, and his partner have shared glimpses of her pregnancy on their social media accounts. Like Vincent Sthituka, RG – who has returned to Ireland amid an ACL injury – is also set to become a first-time father.

MTN Group faces a R3.9-billion write-down, cash it cannot move and a stake it cannot sell, just as Washington escalates.

New shareholders have taken up shares in Frogfoot, Vox and Hypa in a transaction valuing the businesses at R14.4-billion.