The state has no reasonable grounds to prosecute or keep National Cape Congress (NCC) Fadiel Adams in custody and appears intent on punishing him, his lawyer, Bruce Hendricks, says. Hendricks made the argument during Adams’s first appearance in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Adams, who is an MP and a member of parliament’s portfolio committee on police, was remanded in custody and is expected back in court on Wednesday for a bail application. “Everybody is equal before the law and Mr Adams should be treated the same way,” Hendricks argued. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the state has been sitting with the matter for more than a year but today they are seeking a postponement. What we have here is that the state is upset by the media briefings that Mr Adams has held.” Hendricks, who pushed for the bail application to be heard on the same day, also submitted to magistrate Wendalyn Robinson that the state had claimed Adams’s life was under threat, while seeking to keep him in custody. “The very same state that said it had safety concerns for Mr Adams says he must be kept in custody and further endanger his life. Mr Adams is not accused of murder or war crimes. It cannot be in the interests of justice to keep him in custody,” he said. Hendricks also criticised the manner in which Adams had been transported, saying his client was driven 1 600km from the Western Cape to Durban in the back of a van. He argued that Adams, who is married and has two minor children, needed to be at home with his family. Adams, 49, faces three counts of fraud and two counts relating to the administration of justice. He entered the courtroom appearing relaxed before warmly embracing his mother, who was flanked by NCC members. Nearby, his wife stood quietly in the public gallery. The state fired the opening salvo through prosecutor Zwelethu Mata, who said that while the state had initially not intended to oppose bail, it had since changed its position because of Adams’s conduct. “He openly said that he is a fugitive, someone running from the law. It concerns us,” Mata submitted.  “He goes further to say, among his press briefings, ‘if you want to find me, you can come find me’. This is indicative of a catch-me-if-you-can attitude.” Mata said the state needed time to obtain recordings and other material relating to Adams’s media briefings. He further argued that Adams had used profanity directed at the justice system and had interfered with state witnesses. Robinson granted the remand, saying that although she had questions of her own regarding the state’s request, it was not unreasonable. At the centre of the state’s case are allegations that Adams made unauthorised trips from Cape Town to Durban on 2 November 2024 and 24 January 2025, during which he visited Westville Prison. The state alleges that Adams conducted separate interviews with two awaiting-trial inmates during the visits. One of the inmates was Sibusiso Ncengwa, alleged to be a key figure and hitman in the high-profile assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary Sindiso Magaqa, who at the time of his killing was a councillor at uMzimkhulu Local Municipality. Magaqa died from gunshot wounds on 4 September 2017 at Durban’s Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital. He had been ambushed and critically wounded on 13 July 2017 while travelling in a car with two other councillors, who survived the attack. The state also alleges that Adams abused and misrepresented his status as an MP, misleading the SAPS and eThekwini Metro Police into escorting him in a convoy with blue lights from King Shaka International Airport to Westville Prison.  According to the state, Adams told prison officials he was conducting parliamentary oversight duties. It is further alleged that Adams kept his Durban trips secret because he wanted to persuade Ncengwa to change his confession statement and implicate Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, the divisional commissioner of crime intelligence.  Sources claim Adams was working with individuals seeking to discredit Khumalo. Ncengwa, who has since been sentenced for his role in Magaqa’s assassination, allegedly intended to reveal who masterminded the hit.

Visit North West University press office South Africans are no longer just living in suburbs. They are living in defended zones. High walls, cameras and private security may protect some South Africans, but they are not solving crime – they are displacing it onto more vulnerable communities. Crime in South Africa is no longer treated as temporary. Fear has become embedded into daily life, reshaping how people move, socialise and even perceive strangers. South Africa’s “suburban arms race” is turning cities into fragmented islands of protection, where access, exclusion and fear increasingly define urban life. Violent crime in South Africa is rampant, with the country frequently ranked as one of the most dangerous in the world, as well as among the most unsafe in Africa. Citizens are afraid, and justifiably so, adapting to crime as though it is no longer temporary but permanent. This fear has, for decades, quietly been redesigning suburban South Africa. Across the country, cities are being turned into defended zones as defensive living becomes the norm. Spiked palisade walls, mounted cameras and roaming private security firms are not just a common sight in the country’s suburbs, they are increasingly defining them. According to Prof Gideon van Riet from the North-West University’s (NWU) School for Government Studies, this fear of crime is not irrational, but barricaded homes are not addressing the issue. They are displacing it. “Fear of crime in South Africa is not irrational. Violent crime is a lived reality for many, shaping how people think, move and protect themselves. Fear is reasonable. South Africa has a high crime rate. Crime is often violent, both inside and outside the non-continuous laager,” he explains, referring to the fragmented social boundaries that separate those with access to commercial security infrastructures from those without. Yet, he argues that the way society interprets and responds to crime may be just as important as crime itself. “The narratives we choose to attach to crime, however, are something we can and should control more carefully and urgently.” It is a difficult task as, it can be argued, many South Africans have institutionalised attitudes towards this disruptive pandemic. For many, crime is no longer an occasional concern but a constant factor in how their daily lives are organised. Routes are planned around perceived danger, certain streets are avoided after dark and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups function as informal early-warning systems. Security becomes less of a precaution and more of a routine. Fear begins to influence behaviour long before crime itself occurs. People gradually reorganise their lives around the possibility of victimhood, creating habits that become normalised over time. Cities are turning into fragmented protected zones He further states that as fear becomes embedded into routine, urban space itself has changed. South African suburbs increasingly resemble fragmented islands of protection, noting how these security infrastructures create what he describes as a “non-continuous laager” – a patchwork of defended spaces rather than a single protected boundary. “This means suburbs become divided into pockets of access and exclusion. Security infrastructures allow enough integration between those inside and outside the defended zone to maintain an elementary sense of legitimacy, but they also reinforce separation,” he explains. Inequality and exclusion remain central drivers While fear shapes behaviour, crime itself cannot be separated from deeper structural conditions. South Africa’s high levels of unemployment, inequality and social exclusion create environments where crime becomes more likely, even necessary for basic survival. “Crime should not be viewed purely as an individual moral failing. Instead, it is often linked to economic frustration and limited access to opportunity. In contexts where symbols of success are highly visible, but legitimate means of achieving them remain limited, strain and resentment become powerful forces,” he says, pointing to inequality as a critical underlying driver – one that cannot be resolved through walls, alarms or armed response alone. The unintended consequences of protection The suburban arms race creates a difficult paradox. As homeowners invest in stronger security, crime is not necessarily eliminated; it may simply move elsewhere. Van Riet warns that security upgrades can unintentionally redistribute vulnerability. Homes protected by multiple layers of expensive security infrastructure become harder targets, pushing criminal activity towards areas with fewer resources and weaker protection. “The problem of crime is not resolved. Instead, it is merely moved to those with less access to relatively effective security infrastructures.” The effects of fear extend beyond architecture and security spending. They also reshape how communities interact, who belongs in certain spaces and how strangers are perceived. Prof Van Riet says that suspicion often becomes tied to appearance, movement or perceived belonging. “People who appear ‘out of place’ may increasingly be viewed as threats rather than fellow residents. This reshaping of public space has wider implications for trust, social cohesion and the shared experience of city life.” Fear may be reasonable, but its consequences are not neutral He also makes a distinction between fear itself and what fear produces. While concern about violent crime is understandable, the long-term systems built around fear can deepen fragmentation. “The growth of private security, surveillance and fortified suburban life may create short-term reassurance, but it also risks reinforcing division. Again, fear is reasonable, but the narratives and structures that grow around fear deserve closer scrutiny.” What would change look like? If crime is rooted partly in exclusion and inequality, then long-term solutions require more than individual protection. Prof Van Riet suggests that reducing fear sustainably depends on building stronger social cohesion, improving access to economic opportunity and addressing deep structural divides. “Crime should be understood as a shared concern rather than a problem divided along class, geography or identity. Greater empathy and support for shared concerns across lines of division are required,” he says, “so that we may one day finally relegate the concept of the laager to the history books.” The answer to South Africa’s suburban fortifications, which insulate rather than address the issue of crime, is not a call to arms, but a call to understanding. Time will tell which one is heard. • Follow the link to the published article here:

SISTER Paddy Chettiar, a registered nurse, is no stranger in the healthcare sector and communities, having dedicated the last five decades to improving people's lives.

Atlantis-born opera singer Conroy Scott reflects on his nostalgic journey as he takes on the role of Camillo in Bizet's Carmen, drawing from his six years in Spain and his diverse musical background. Discover how his experiences shape his performance at the Artscape Theatre.

Cape Town’s drag scene is back in the spotlight. Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 2 goes live on DStv Stream as a bingeable season from Tuesday, 12 May 2026, and if the first season was anything to go by, viewers are in for a ride. Produced by Pop24, the creative team behind The Mommy Club franchise, Tollie & Manila and Bae Beyond Borders, the South African Film and Television Awards-nominated reality series offers an unfiltered look into the lives of seven drag queens navigating Cape Town’s vibrant performance scene. Behind the lashes and the “lewks,” the show explores the hard work, personal trials, wins, and – inevitably – the drama that define life in drag. Season 2 picks up where the first left off, with alliances shifting, tensions simmering and, according to the cast, a few revelations that viewers will not see coming. The channel caught up with the queens ahead of the premiere to find out what’s in store. BB Vahlour Though she has been doing drag for only a few years, BB Vahlour has quickly established herself as one of the industry’s rising stars. She is also one of three cast members who are trans women. Reflecting on her return, BB says the second season represents an opportunity for growth, both personal and collective. BB Vahlour. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice “Returning for a second season feels like an opportunity to deepen the work we started and to grow alongside the audience and the ‘characters’ we are on the show. It is both an honour and a responsibility to keep the story authentic and true to ourselves, while also showing where our drag is in our lives now, what and who we represent, and the importance of uniting all drag queens,” she said in a statement. Emogan Moore Multi-pageant winner Fabian van Schalkwyk, known in drag as Emogan Moore, promises viewers that Season 2 delivers on every front. “There is so much to look forward to this season, with many new and unexpected friendships forming… and way more lashes, wigs, garments and drama,” he said. Multi-pageant winner Fabian van Schalkwyk, known in drag as Emogan Moore. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice Ina Propriette Wade Khoosal has been doing drag for seven years and has already earned a feature in Vogue. Performing as Ina Propriette, a Miss Sovereign Western Cape titleholder, he sees the show as a platform with a purpose beyond entertainment. “Returning for a second season means drag gets another moment in the culture at the forefront. It’s been a dry spell, and I’m just extremely excited to have my art form be a beacon for our community because we seriously missed and needed this.” Wade Khoosal dressed as his drag persona, Ina Propriette. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice Kat Gilardi Miss Cape Town Pride winner Carl Richards, who performs as Kat Gilardi, is one of the most seasoned queens on the cast. With years in the industry behind him, he brings a sharp, unsentimental perspective to the new season’s dynamics. “Of course, there are [new dynamics], major ones. You will see how some people reveal who they really are, but it should not come as a shock. They are simply showing you who they have been all along.” Miss Cape Town Pride winner Carl Richards, who performs as Kat Gilardi. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice Madison Scarr Television personality and trans woman Madison Scarr is looking forward to viewers seeing more of her personal journey this season. “I’m excited for the audience to see the evolution in my trans journey and the personal challenges I’ve overcome, as well as the fun, playful moments I’ve had with growing my drag,” she said. Madison Scarr. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice Manila Von Teez SA’s Got Talent runner-up and Tollie & Manila host Veon Wentzel, known on stage as Manila Von Teez, says the show has been genuinely transformative. “I am a completely different human being – this show has changed me in so many ways and offered me opportunities I never could have dreamed about.” SA’s Got Talent runner-up and Tollie & Manila host Veon Wentzel, known on stage as Manila Von Teez. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice Maxine Wild Miss Gay Western Cape winner Maxine Wild brings 13 years of drag experience to the series. As a trans woman, she is clear about why shows like Beaulah matter. “Beaulah has been, and continues to be, an incredible platform for us to showcase who we are,” she said, adding, “As a trans woman, its importance lies in allowing people who feel the same way about their gender and their journey to see that there are others out there living their truth unapologetically in society.” Miss Gay Western Cape winner Maxine Wild. Picture: Supplied/Multichoice Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap Season 2 begins streaming on DStv Stream on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

Jetour international hosted its annual media conference as part of the Beijing Motor Show last month. Media partners of Jetour had the opportunity to test drive some of its latest hybrid models such as the G700 that will be coming to South Africa in the second quarter of 2027, and the plugin hybrid (PHEV) T2 i-DM launched in April. We also drove the Soueast S08 DM-i, is another subsidiary of Chery and the company that owns the factory where Jetours are built. Soueast will also be entering the South African market in 2027, but the company did not confirm which models it plans to launch. These three vehicles were very different although they fall under the same group, with the G700, a large SUV, being the more premium of the three. Of the three vehicles, the T2 i-DM was my favourite SUV to drive. Although it is smaller than the G700, the handling and the performance resonates with me. I also like the styling of the T2, being a smaller, more compact SUV. A Jetour T2 i-DM at the Jetour media conference in Beijing. Picture: Shaun Holland But that doesn’t take away from the more premium feel of the G700 that has the ability to compete with larger premium SUVs on the market. The future is electric In South Africa we have a huge outdoor/camping culture and many South Africans modify their vehicles to take on the rough terrain. In the past it has always been about who has the biggest bakkie with the most torque. But since the fuel price increase over the last two months, diesel has become extremely expensive and this has caused a change in the mindset of people internationally, forcing us to look for ways to save every penny we can. With the PHEV technology that Jetour is introducing, I think this is a major step in the right direction by driving our future and creating a platform for consumers to travel worldwide. I am also impressed at how Jetour is building its brand around the travel lifestyle and somewhat creating a glamping experience built around its vehicles, using accessories you can find at the Jetour dealership instead of aftermarket accessories. A Jetour F700 bakkie, featuring a tent and motorbike stand on display at China Auto Show in Beijing. Picture: Shaun Holland Jetour is the only brand that I have seen with such a wide range of accessories that meet the whole family’s needs. From coolers that fit into your boot are powered by the 12-volt source in the boot, to improved suspension components such as adjustable coil overs and even toy cars for the kids to play with. These products may also influence your wife, who might not like camping, to go camping because the accessories make the outdoor life more glamorous. I can’t wait to see more of these outdoor products in South Africa. Well done Jetour on the direction you are taking, you are the first brand I see that has been doing this. Is it a boat? Is it a car? No it’s a G700 Video: Shaun Holland/The Citizen I am not sure if you guys know what fording is? And no, I am not speaking about the other car brand.When I was told we would be seeing a G700 fording experience, I did some research. Fords are generally shallow stream beds and low banks. Vehicles such as cars and trucks can drive through them provided the water is low enough. If you guys watch Ultimate Trucker on Discovery channel you would have seen that trucks often need to cross rivers or fords. A fording demonstration event at Yangzi lake was absolutely amazing, I didn’t get the opportunity to go into the car during the fording experience, but it was absolutely marvelous to see. I like what the Jetour team was saying about why they created this feature. It’s not a feature one will use to cross the ocean from Morocco to Spain, which is only a 13-14km span by the way… this feature was created to help save lives in life threatening situations such as floods. Especially in Africa where we often have floods and people lose their lives when they try to cross rivers, this is a product that emergency service and fire and rescue teams will find useful. I am looking forward to seeing how Jetour and Soueast will drive our future, specifically with some of the other models in their stable such as the F700 and S10 that was on display at the show. The technology and innovation from these two brands are ground breaking and with Jetour announcing it will start producing models in South Africa, when they take over the Nissan, Rosslyn plant, the future looks bright for the Chinese carmaker. IN PICTURES: 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition

Siya Kolisi will soon leave the Sharks to return to the Stormers, although his comeback game for the Cape side will only take place next season as the Springboks’ 2026 campaign will soon get underway. When making the announcement earlier this year that Kolisi would be coming back to the Cape, the Stormers made it clear that it was also motivated by family and a desire to serve as a mentor for the younger generation. Stormers coach John Dobson has now revealed how Kolisi was willing to take a pay cut to fulfil his dream move. “Siya was desperate to come back and made a massive financial sacrifice to be here,” he said while hosting a Stormers TV Q&A. “That gesture is appreciated. He said all I want to do is play for the Stormers and come back to Cape Town. “When you have a Springbok captain who has made a great contribution to the country, make that gesture; it would be unfair to him to reveal the numbers, but that showed where his heart is. There is not one element of financial gain.” Full understanding of role for Siya Kolisi at the Stormers Dobson also explained that talented openside flank Paul de Villiers would benefit rather than battle when Kolisi is available for selection. “Siya told us he is not here to take the place of Paul de Villiers or for a pay cheque. He wants to help bring youngsters through and when he is needed by the Stormers, he will put his body on the line as he does for the Springboks.” Farewell to the Sharks Kolisi will make his return to the Stormers after this season in what will be a full circle moment as the iconic leader’s professional rugby journey started in Cape Town after he left school, and he is now poised to add to his 118 Stormers caps. “On a personal note, this is a difficult time as I prepare to say goodbye to the Sharks,” he commented. “This has been such a special place for me. I want to sincerely thank the people of KZN for the way you have welcomed my family and me. “My children love it here; they love the team, the city, and the community. Thank you for making us feel like part of the family. We will return as often as we can and will always support the boys from afar. “I am immensely grateful to the Sharks for everything they have done for me – not just in my career, but in supporting my family and helping me stay close to my children. I am going to enjoy these final two weeks in this wonderful city and look forward to seeing the supporters one last time so I can say a proper goodbye.”

Several South African educational institutions, including the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and Stadio, have been caught up in a global cyberattack targeting the Canvas learning management platform. The attack has been claimed by ShinyHunters, an international cyber-extortion group known for several major data breaches in recent years. The group says it breached Instructure, the American company behind Canvas, and stole data linked to educational institutions using the platform. Message appeared on Wits platform Wits getting hacked is sooo funnyyyy😭😭my ancestors are doing too much. pic.twitter.com/pIsJYVTcEj— bab’sibiya💗 (@_lizwe) May 7, 2026 At Wits, students reported seeing a message from ShinyHunters displayed directly on the university’s Ulwazi platform, which uses Canvas as its core system. “Shinyhunters has breached Instructure (again),” the message read, accusing the company of ignoring attempts to negotiate. Wits later removed the notice, and Ulwazi currently shows that it is under maintenance. The platform is central to teaching and learning at the university, supporting coursework, assignments and communication between students and lecturers. Data allegedly stolen Shinyhunters claims it extracted large volumes of private data from Canvas and institutions using the system. According to the group, the breach affects around 275 million individuals worldwide, including students, teachers and staff members. It alleges that roughly 3.65TB of information was obtained, including private messages exchanged on the platform. The group is threatening to publish the data unless affected institutions negotiate settlements before a deadline of 12 May 2026. Instructure confirmed on Friday that it had experienced a cyber incident and said investigations are ongoing. The company stated that the exposed information appears to include names, email addresses, student numbers and user messages. However, it said there was currently no indication that passwords, financial information, ID numbers or dates of birth had been compromised. SA institutions listed According to lists published by Shinyhunters, affected South African institutions include: Wits University Stadio Milpark Education Invictus Education Group SPARK Schools Wits was reportedly the only major public university in South Africa named by the group. Shinyhunters has previously leaked stolen data on dark web forums when ransom demands were not met. At this stage, it remains unclear whether any South African institution has entered into negotiations with the group or whether any local data has been leaked publicly.

Airtel Africa has delayed its mobile money initial public offering to late 2026, citing war-driven margin pressures.

Stability is needed as Sita looks to re-establish itself as a trusted service provider for government IT services.