‘Jou ma se p**s” - those words have landed Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina in hot water after she allegedly directed a vulgar insult at a disabled resident during a chaotic community meeting in Loerie, Eastern Cape.

Pensioners of South Africa says the grant should increase from R2 400 to R5 000 a month, while SASSA says any increase must follow the national budgeting process.

A drug bust on the N1 highway in the Western Cape nabbed a consignment of drugs worth an estimated R5.8 million. The drugs were discovered in a vehicle during an intelligence-driven search operation by Western Cape Organised Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence and Beaufort West Police on Thursday. During the search, officers found 57 000 Mandrax tablets and five kilograms of cocaine. The 46-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. He is expected to make his first court appearance in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The ghost of tribalism has reared its ugly head again in the ANC’s largest region in Limpopo, Norman Mashabane, as party heavyweights battle over who should replace former Mopani District executive mayor Pule “Frelimo” Shayi. Sources within the ANC told The Citizen that an ANC regional meeting is currently underway, where the topic of tribalism is set to be discussed at length. Shayi was earlier this month elevated to the provincial government as MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) following Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s Cabinet reshuffle. His promotion has left a vacuum at Mopani District Municipality. The Citizen understands a fierce tribal tug-of-war is now unfolding, with senior regional leaders divided along Sepedi and Xitsonga lines, over who should succeed him. Tribalism plagues the region The region had long tried to confront the demon. In 2012, Norman Mashabane produced a ground-breaking discussion document titled The Monster of Tribalism in a direct attempt to stem its encroachment in the party. The document was presented at the ANC Limpopo Policy Conference and analysed the causes and consequences of tribalism. It argued that the problem with “tribesmen” is that they do not like democracy, freedom, and human rights. It said that while members have the right to belong to tribes, their tribal affiliation should not be brought into the ANC to advance narrow interests. It further warned that tribalism is mostly practised during deployment of cadres in government, in social gatherings, and in political discussion forums. In some cases, it noted, if the head of a state agency or government department comes from a particular tribe, most employees of that entity would belong to the same tribe. “The criterion that is used by some government departments to dish out services constitutes tribalism,” the document noted, adding that leaders who are tribalists do not like democracy and freedom. Not a tribal movement Former ANC Norman Mashabane regional secretary Bricks Manzini said the ANC is a national democratic movement and not a tribal movement. He said tribalism was affecting innocent people in Limpopo, especially in Mopani, where there have been complaints of tribalism in the workplace, in business and in the allocation of services. “It is often difficult to channel their tribal energy into the national agenda because they are highly preoccupied with tribal politics,” Manzini said on Thursday. He added that, in some instances, even tender awards were done through the tribal card. Bidders from the same tribe as those with powers to award tenders often get richer. The ANC discourages officials from overlooking programmes that need to be implemented in favour of parachuting projects into areas with tribal links to those in power. Battle lines are drawn The troubled Norman Mashabane region comprises five local municipalities – Greater Letaba, Maruleng, Ba-Phalaborwa, Greater Giyani and Greater Tzaneen – and one district municipality, Mopani. Long before the first democratic elections in 1994, the district was divided into two Bantustans, Gazankulu and Lebowa, with Sepedi speakers in the majority compared to Xitsonga speakers. It is understood that Sepedi-speaking lobbyists want current ANC regional chairperson Dagma Mamanyoha, who doubles as mayor of Greater Letaba Local Municipality, to replace Shayi, while some Xitsonga speakers want Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Basani Shivambu, who is also a member of the ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC), for the position. According to ANC tradition, a deputy ascends when the leader is elevated to a higher structure. But Norman Mashabane’s regional spokesperson, Peter Ngobeni, said the REC would choose a mayoral candidate from its rank and file. “As long as such a member meets the criteria adequately articulated in the ANC’s candidate selection rules, guidelines, and procedures. “Further, the ‘through the eye of a needle’ principles on leadership selection will also be applied.” He denied the tribal tensions. “The ANC in Norman Mashabane is not organised in a tribe. The ANC has always denounced tribalism wherever it rears its ugly head.” Both ANC regional chairperson Mamanyoha and regional secretary Sonia Ngobeni-Maswanganyi declined to comment. They referred all media queries to the party’s regional spokesperson Ngobeni. What some residents are saying The Citizen visited several areas in the region to gauge who residents believe should replace Shayi as the fight rages on. Botani Shilowa of Giyani said since the advent of democracy in 1994, Mopani District has always been led by Sepedi-speaking mayors. “First it was Humphrey Mokgobi, followed by Joshua Leswafo Matlou, then Nkakareng Rakgoale and now Shayi. Maybe it is time Xitsonga-speaking leaders are given a chance to lead,” he said. Patrick Baloyi of N’wamitwa echoed Shilowa’s sentiments. He said at provincial level, the province had also only been led by Sepedi-speaking premiers. “First it was Ngoako Ramatlhodi, followed by Sello Moloto, then Cassel Mathale, Chupu Stanley Mathabatha and now a Venda-speaking premier, Phophi Ramathuba. No leader from the Xitsonga-speaking tribe ever led the province as premier. I think the time is ripe for Tsongas to lead,” he said. But Kagiso Sekokotla of Lephepane village near Lenyenye had a different view. “Leadership should not be based on a tribal card. It should be based on merit, skills, qualifications, and the ability to deliver the end product with precision and distinction. “If Mamanyoha knows the politics of the ANC as they claim, he must be given a chance to lead. “But if Shivambu has similar skills, a track record and the ability to deliver basic services such as clean tap water, tarred and paved roads, and electricity connections to the people, why not? She must be given a chance,” said Sekokotla. Mandela’s warning In 2012, independent political analyst Elvis Masoga said former president Nelson Mandela warned that if not carefully treated, tribalism would divide the party down the middle and destroy the gains of freedom. Mandela, who was Xhosa, had wanted Cyril Ramaphosa- who is Venda- to succeed him, but he was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki, who is Xhosa. Changes next week Greater Letaba Local Municipality is set to appoint its Council Speaker as mayor on Tuesday, while Mamanyoha is set to be appointed mayor for the Mopani District Municipality on Wednesday, with directives from ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. On Wednesday, Mopani District Municipality said it was still waiting for the region to set a date and issue a directive on Shayi’s replacement. “Remember, Shayi was brought to Mopani by the regional leadership of the ANC in Norman Mashabane. His replacement will therefore be carved by the same region,” said municipal spokesperson Mildred Risaba. Both ANC regional chairperson Mamanyoha and regional secretary Sonia Ngobeni-Maswanganyi declined to comment. They referred all media queries to the party’s regional spokesperson Ngobeni.

South African refugees have been urged to reach out for support after they arrive in the US. This follows the death of Carin Cilliers, who committed suicide this week, after experiencing mental health issues and struggling to find employment. The 49-year-old Boksburg woman had resettled in the state of Texas after arriving in her adoptive country two months ago. Her death came two days before World Suicide Day on Thursday, 10 September.  REFUGEES URGED TO ASK FOR HELP On social media, tributes have gone out to Carin Cilliers, who took her own life after arriving in the US as a refugee on 30 June. The Boksburg woman had struggled with loneliness, depression, and finding employment. She had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Lianda Alkema, a South African refugee and recruiter for a US employment agency, had been in contact with Cilliers, who left her equine business behind in South Africa.” “The [refugee] programme does not discriminate against mental illnesses,” Alkema told Caxton of the medical screenings that applicants had to go through during the process. Carin’s cousin, Yolandé Cilliers, also a refugee living in the US, admitted that adjusting to a US lifestyle had been challenging. She had been in contact with the South African can Women in the USA and Canada’s WhatsApp and  Facebook support group to establish connections Others, on social media, have urged South Africans to reach out for help X user @amreil7, also a refugee, urged others to get in touch with churches, refugee agencies and even mental health care institutions. She posted: “Please stay. Please tell someone. Let another person help carry this with you today. 🙏”” @MsIndyRay posted: “I wished she had asked for help. No one should go through all that alone.”, while @movingfwdinhope added: “I know, it’s hard, believe me 😭😭 But if anyone out there feels like giving up, don’t, people love you, you are worthy of a happy life. Reach out ❤️❤️”. Today, 10 September, is World Suicide Prevention Day. This heartbreaking story makes its message painfully close to home. 💔On Tuesday, 8 September, Carin Cilliers, a 49-year-old South African refugee, died by suicide in Houston, just over two months after arriving in the USA.…— Amreil (@Amreil7) September 10, 2026 RESOURCES AVAILABLE South African refugees receive practical support to help them establish a new life, particularly during their first months, from organisations such as the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), and resettlement agencies such as Church World Service and World Relief. This can include temporary housing, food and clothing, help accessing healthcare, enrolling children in school, transport, Social Security and other documents, English-language classes, employment assistance and help applying for eligible benefits. The aim is to help refugees become self-sufficient and integrate into their new communities rather than simply providing short-term financial assistance. Here is a list of resources available to refugees… ResourceWhat they can help withWebsiteLocal refugee resettlement agencyHousing, food, healthcare, employment, schools, documents and benefitsFind a resettlement providerOffice of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)Financial assistance, healthcare, employment and social servicesORRSettle InHelp understanding American life, housing, jobs, healthcare and cultureSettle In211Local help with food, housing, transport, bills, healthcare and mental health211988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineImmediate emotional support and suicide/crisis counselling — call or text 988988 LifelineSAMHSAFind local mental-health and substance-use treatmentSAMHSAUSAHelloPractical guides on housing, healthcare, work, English and life in AmericaUSAHelloUSA.govGovernment information on benefits, healthcare, work and other servicesUSA.gov

New York commemorates the 25th anniversary of the devastating 11 September 2001 attacks on Friday with a ceremony marked by US President Donald Trump’s absence and right-wing outrage at the attendance of the city’s first Muslim mayor. Trump will pay his respects at the Pentagon, not New York, where hijacked planes destroyed the World Trade Center and killed most of the 2 977 total victims on that world-altering day. Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s four living predecessors – Republican George W. Bush, who was in office during the attacks, and Democrats Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton – are all expected at the “Ground Zero” site in lower Manhattan. Bell will be rung No one will give speeches at the ceremony, while bereaved family members will read out the names of all of those killed and a bell rung to mark major moments during the attack. “Memorials like this and discussions about those events are an important part of keeping it alive and understanding how we prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again,” said Robert Kafka, a Chicagoan in his 60s visiting the 9/11 Memorial. Alongside the former presidents will be Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Big Apple’s first Muslim mayor, despite a campaign urging him to stay away spearheaded by the right-wing New York Post and former mayor Rudy Giuliani. Petition A petition, which has gathered more than 100 000 signatures, accuses Mamdani of associating with unspecified individuals who are “dismissive of American institutions or insufficiently critical of extremist ideologies.” “It’s concerning to me that the mayor is being treated differently simply because he is Muslim,” city council member Shahana Hanif told CNN. Mamdani won plaudits however for recently revealing thousands of documents showing what city officials knew about toxicity levels of the air in Lower Manhattan following the attacks. After the initial dust cloud that followed the collapse of the World Trade Center, months of pollution and lingering dust ensued, causing cancers from which thousands of New Yorkers still suffer today. ‘Toxic air’ “People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air,” Mamdani said on Tuesday. Nineteen Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four planes on that nearly cloudless day in 2001. Two jets slammed into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, causing the iconic 110-story buildings to collapse. A third plane struck the Pentagon, while a fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought back. Beyond those killed on September 11, more than 9 400 other people have died from 9/11-related illnesses, according to the federal programme established to provide medical care to those affected. Too young to remember Some 100 million Americans were not even born or are too young to remember the tragic events. Logan Miller, 32, lost his uncle during the attacks, and his grandfather to 9/11-related illness in the aftermath. “I think the next generation just can’t fathom what actually transpired and how someone could be impacted by that, and so I actually find them asking more questions,” he told AFP. Huge crowds are expected to gather in Lower Manhattan for the memorial service. The Secret Service has erected a security ring of steel around the site of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Police commissioner Jessica Tisch said an anti-drone team would be deployed as a precaution, but stressed there was no intelligence of a specific threat to the gathering. Al-Qaeda meanwhile has marked the anniversary by releasing a video showing images of late leader Osama bin Laden and his son Hamza, who Trump said in 2019 had also been killed. Ahead of the memorial, a drone show with 2 977 lights rose above New York Harbor, one for each person killed in the attacks. Where in the world were you on 11 September 2001? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below … By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Caxton has told shareholders it is piloting AI in its newsrooms for copy editing as newspaper revenue keeps falling.

What self-hosted n8n is, what businesses use it for and why some are running it on their own virtual private servers.