As South Africa stands at this juncture, the choice of the next service rifle is not an isolated decision; it is a cornerstone of national security and industrial sovereignty. The spectre of previous procurement disasters looms large, and as the nation embarks on this delicate path, the clarity of purpose and commitment to accountability will determine whether we escape the cycle of failure or succumb to it once more.

Cape Town has plenty planned for Heritage Day, from a family braai and street festival to live music, cultural experiences and a local theatre production.

Political fixer Oupa Brown Mogotsi will remain behind bars after the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court rejected his fourth attempt to secure bail. Magistrate Annelise Tlhapi dismissed his latest application on new facts, finding that concerns surrounding his residential addresses and the alleged risk of him fleeing custody had not been adequately addressed. The judgment was handed down on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. Brown Mogotsi bail denial Mogotsi’s first bail application was dismissed on 4 June after concerns were raised about his residential address. He had provided three different addresses, including 4544 Mohatlhga Street in Mmabatho, North West, which he identified as his primary residence. A second application based on “new facts” was rejected on 29 June after the magistrate found that no new evidence had been presented. He subsequently approached the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg in an attempt to obtain leave to appeal the earlier decisions, but that application was dismissed on 29 July. Court scrutinises new addresses A central issue in the latest bail application was Mogotsi’s proposed residential addresses. Tlhapi indicated on Tuesday that Mogotsi had presented a new address at 3385 Unit 10 in Mmabatho after his wife moved to the rental property on 5 August. “It was brought to his attention by his wife, Dorothy Lekhoaba, after the initial bail application that the person that signed the previous lease agreement was not the lawful owner of that property,” the magistrate said. While the defence submitted a valid lease agreement and proof of payment to the court, Mogotsi also provided an alternative address based in Johannesburg. Investigating officer Alfred Odendaal told the court that both the Mmabatho and Johannesburg addresses were rental properties. He also raised concerns that Mogotsi had not previously disclosed the Johannesburg address, which the former police informant claimed he used while testifying at the Madlanga commission in Pretoria. “The reason for providing the Johannesburg address was that it would assist him in facilitating consultations with his lawyer more easily, which is essential for the preparation of his trial,” Tlhapi remarked. Alleged escape plan The court also considered allegations that Mogotsi had been planning to escape from custody. It was alleged that he intended to disguise himself as a correctional services official and flee from the court cells. According to the information before the court, an official at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre, also known as Sun City Prison, alerted police to the alleged plan on the morning of 20 August. Mogotsi denied the allegation. He has also accused Odendaal of having a “personal agenda” against him and argued that the allegations about his alleged escape, as well as an earlier claim that he attempted to bribe the investigating officer, formed part of the reasons why the officer was opposing his release. However, Tlhapi disagreed and contended that the court could not “ignore or overlook” information relating to a possible escape risk. “The applicant’s allegation that the investigating officer bears a personal vendetta against him and routinely makes false allegations is farfetched and unsupported by any evidence,” the magistrate added. ‘Applicant cannot be trusted’ Tlhapi further noted that Mogotsi had never personally lived at the latest Mmabatho address because he remained in custody while his wife moved into the property. “There is nothing tying or binding him to the said address.” She agreed with the state that Mogotsi had failed to disclose the Johannesburg address to the court. This undermined his reliability when providing information about where he would reside if released. “The court found that the applicant cannot be trusted and he failed from the beginning to be a trustworthy applicant who can provide a reliable and provable residential address. Mogotsi will remain in custody after his fourth bail application was dismissed. The case was subsequently postponed to 1 October for the arrangement of a trial date. Charges Mogotsi stands accused of staging his own attempted assassination on 3 November 2025, a claim he has repeatedly denied. The state alleges Mogotsi was the one who opened fire on his Chevrolet Aveo in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, before telling authorities that he had come under attack from unidentified gunmen. He was subsequently arrested on 15 May and charged with defeating the ends of justice, perjury, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as discharging a firearm in a public or municipal area.

Amanda du-Pont has had a great start to the year, with her career taking her into new projects while her skincare business continues to grow. The actress and media personality said she has been working on a new series and an independent film. She has also been nominated for the South African Voice Over Awards. Away from the screen, her skincare brand, lelive, has also reached a new milestone, with the brand earning a nomination at the South African Fashion Awards. Now, Du-Pont is taking on another challenge as one of the contestants on the 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure, filmed on Réunion Island. “It really has been a busy year. I’ve been in production on a new series as well as an independent film, and I’ve also been nominated for the South African Voice Over Awards,” she said. “My skincare brand has grown tremendously and was nominated for the South African Fashion Awards, which was such an incredible honour.” Du-Pont said she is also hoping to take on more acting roles. “I’m also hoping to do more in the acting space. I’ve missed it so much, and I’m excited to get back into that world and explore some new roles. There’s a lot I’m looking forward to.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda du-Pont (@amandadupont) Taking on ‘Tropika Island of Treasure’ Du-Pont said she is preparing to test herself physically and mentally on Tropika Island of Treasure. “I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time to challenge yourself. If not now, then when?” she said. “I love challenging myself every so often because it reminds me of what I’m capable of and what I can achieve when I really put my mind to something.” She said she maintained her usual fitness routine before taking part in the competition, while adding running and cycling to improve her endurance. “I took a slow-build approach, gradually increasing my stamina rather than trying to do everything at once,” she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Siya Molefe | Hybrid Athlete (@siyagetfit) Her preparation also included working on her mental strength. “I’m a big believer in God, and much of what I do starts and ends there. I have a strong belief that Christ will carry me when my body fails me, so my faith was a huge part of my preparation,” she said. She also worked on puzzles and brushed up on her general knowledge ahead of the competition. “The pressure and uncertainty are things you can’t completely prepare for. At some point, you have to rely on your character and how deeply you’re willing to dig,” she said. Finding the right partner The show requires contestants to work in teams, and Du-Pont said she hopes to be paired with someone who can complement her strengths. “I’m praying to find someone who also stands strong in their faith,” she said. “Ultimately, though, I think a great partner is someone who knows when to lead and when to listen. You need both.” Even though she has prepared for the challenge, the TV star said she is expecting some obstacles. “The fact that I’m short! If there are any high-reaching or jumping challenges, I might struggle,” she said. She also expects long-distance running and swimming to test her. “I can do both at a cute level, but nowhere near an athletic level and there are some serious athletes in this competition!” she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda du-Pont (@amandadupont) Beyond the competition Away from the challenges, Du-Pont said she is looking forward to spending time near the ocean. “Honestly, just being at the beach. I love the ocean so much, and I’ve dedicated a lot of time to trying to protect it through my work and missions with Greenpeace,” she said. She also hopes the experience will give her an opportunity to learn more about herself. “I’m hoping to come away knowing myself even better. I think challenges like this have a way of stripping away the noise and forcing you to be present and authentic,” she said. “I want to embrace the experience wholeheartedly, learn from it and hopefully discover parts of myself that I don’t always get to access in everyday life.” The 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure, filmed on Réunion Island, premieres on SABC1 on Wednesday, 23 September at 9pm. A repeat will air on S3 on Thursday, 24 September at 6pm.

The South African Police Service says more victims could come forward after detectives arrested a 59-year-old Lieutenant-General accused of raping an 18-year-old woman and grooming a 16-year-old girl. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said on Tuesday that a specialised team was ready to receive further complaints or information linked to the senior officer. “We cannot rule out the possibility of more victims coming forward,” Mathe said. She urged other possible victims not to remain silent and assured them that investigators would treat their information confidentially. “If there are any victims out there, they should not be afraid,” she said. The Lieutenant-General faces allegations that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026 and raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May. Members of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) arrested him on Monday after investigators gathered evidence in the case. SAPS SAYS TEAM GATHERED ‘OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE’ Mathe said the sensitivity of the allegations and the officer’s senior rank led investigators to handle the case with particular care. “You are not just talking about any police officer. You are talking about a high-ranking police officer,” she said. She said the CRTT conducted what amounted to an undercover investigation while protecting the integrity of the case and the identities of the 16-year-old and 18-year-old complainants. According to Mathe, investigators worked until they believed they had gathered sufficient evidence to take the matter to court. She described the evidence as “overwhelming”, but stressed that the court must decide the officer’s guilt or innocence. “There is a case to answer to, but let’s leave it to the courts and let us not obviously pronounce on whether a person is innocent or guilty,” she said. FCS EXPERTS ROPED IN SAPS has also brought in members of its Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations Unit to assist. Mathe said SAPS operates 177 FCS units across the country, but investigators had to consider the rank of the accused and the sensitivity of the allegations when deciding how to handle the initial investigation. The CRTT, which arrested the Lieutenant-General, was established to deal with recommendations and criminal referrals emerging from the Madlanga Commission process. The officer has also featured in corruption-related investigations, according to reports. Mathe said the task team includes experienced detectives and specialists drawn from different policing units. ‘WE ARRESTED OUR OWN’ Mathe said the arrest showed that seniority would not shield an officer from investigation. “The fact that it is us that arrested our own and we brought the matter before court does showcase that we are quite serious with obviously dealing decisively with GBVF within our ranks,” she said. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane also condemned the allegations, saying police officers carried a heightened responsibility to protect women and children. “Police officers are entrusted with protecting women and children. They cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines this responsibility,” Dimpane said.

Rassie Erasmus somewhat surprisingly has handed Andre Esterhuizen the Springbok captaincy for Sunday’s one-off Test against Australia, giving the experienced centre his first opportunity to lead South Africa at international level. Erasmus named a new-look Springbok team for the clash against the Wallabies, with Esterhuizen’s appointment one of the biggest talking points from the selection. The Sharks star has previously captained his club side and has become an important member of the Springbok squad. Erasmus said Esterhuizen had earned the opportunity through his contributions both on and off the field. “He captained the Sharks, and he has brought so much to our squad off and on the field, both at centre and in the loose trio, and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” Erasmus said. Building the Springbok leadership group Erasmus also believes giving Esterhuizen the captaincy will strengthen the Springboks’ wider leadership group. Several players have captained South Africa in recent seasons, and the coach said Esterhuizen’s opportunity would further develop that depth. “It will also help build our leadership core even more within the team with several players having captained the side over the last few seasons,” Erasmus said. “We trust that he is the right man to take over the captaincy in this match.” Andre Esterhuizen, who will be playing his 36th Test, will become the 68th Springbok skipper of all time. He will lead two former captains in Handre Pollard and Eben Etzebeth. Add another milestone The appointment comes as Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting team following their intense four-Test Rugby Championship series against the All Blacks. Andre Esterhuizen will now have the opportunity to add another milestone to his international career when he leads the world champions against the Wallabies. The one-off Test against Australia takes place on Sunday, 27 September as the Springboks continue their campaign on the international stage. Kick-off is at 11:45 (SA time). Springbok team 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn Springbok captains in chronological order NumberCaptain1H.H. Castens2Bob Snedden3Alf Richards4Francis Myburgh5Ferdie Aston6Fairy Heatlie7Alex Frew8Jackie Powell9Paddy Carolin10Paul Roos11Dougie Morkel12Billy Millar13Uncle Dobbin14Boy Morkel15PK Albertyn16Phil Mostert17Bennie Osler18Phil Nel19Danie Craven20Felix du Plessis21Basil Kenyon22Hennie Muller23Stephen Fry24Basie Vivier25Salty du Rand26Johan Claassen27Des van Jaarsveldt28Roy Dryburgh29Avril Malan30Abie Malan31Nelie Smith32Dawie de Villiers33Tommy Bedford34Hannes Marais35Piet Greyling36Morné du Plessis37Theuns Stofberg38Wynand Claassen39Divan Serfontein40Naas Botha41Jannie Breedt42Francois Pienaar43Tiaan Strauss44Adriaan Richter45Gary Teichmann46Corné Krige47Rassie Erasmus48Joost van der Westhuizen49André Vos50Bobby Skinstad51John Smit52Victor Matfield53Johann Muller54Jean de Villiers55Schalk Burger jnr56Fourie du Preez57Adriaan Strauss58Warren Whiteley59Eben Etzebeth60Pieter-Steph du Toit61Siya Kolisi62Duane Vermeulen63Schalk Brits64Handré Pollard65Bongi Mbonambi66Salmaan Moerat67Jesse Kriel68Andre Esterhuizen

Most organisations use AI, but only 37% can tie it to earnings, write Jason Molesworth and Biase De Gregorio.

Sigfox South Africa has applied to join Anthropic’s Model Hardware Standard research preview.