A 59-year-old SAPS lieutenant general has been arrested on charges of alleged sexual grooming involving a 16-year-old girl and the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman, police say. He is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Visual timeline of the major South African protests against gender-based violence and femicide, from #EndRapeCulture and #TotalShutdown to renewed calls for accountability in 2026.

The acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (Saps) has stressed that there is no room within the Saps for officers who violate the rights of women and children, as a lieutenant general was arrested on sexual offences charges. Members of the Commission Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) arrested a 59-year-old senior police officer with the rank of Lieutenant General on charges of sexual offences. Lieutenant general allegedly raped woman, 18, and groomed teen, 16 Police national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the senior officer allegedly sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026. The Lieutenant General also allegedly raped an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton in May 2026. The senior officer will appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. “The arrest demonstrates that Saps will not shield members facing serious allegations of criminal conduct, irrespective of their rank or position,” Mathe said. The arrest of a high-ranking officer in the police comes amid a series of murders that claimed the lives of nine women in Gauteng and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a pressing issue in South Africa. Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane condemned the officer’s alleged conduct, particularly in the context of the country’s ongoing fight against GBVF. Officers must protect women and children – Dimpane She emphasised that Saps members have a heightened responsibility to protect women and children from violence, abuse and exploitation. Dimpane said police officers are entrusted with protecting women and children. “They cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines this responsibility. As the country continues to confront the scourge of GBVF, there can be no room for anyone within the police service who is alleged to abuse their position or violate the rights of women and children,” said the acting commissioner. Dimpane also stressed that the fight against GBVF must start with accountability within the police ranks. “Our commitment to combating GBVF must apply equally within our own organisation. Rank, position or seniority cannot place anyone above the law. Where credible allegations of criminal conduct are brought against a police officer, they must be investigated without fear or favour,” she said. The acting commissioner said the Saps will continue to take swift action against members who are suspected of criminal conduct, while upholding due process and the independence of the criminal justice system.

We bring you a visual snapshot of the day’s news events, featuring Ukrainian firefighters battling a blaze at Zaporizhzhia National University following a Russian drone strike, eight broken traffic lights lying on the ground at a busy intersection in Weltevreden Park, President Cyril Ramaphosa at an ANC Veterans League fundraising golf day in Johannesburg, and two accused appearing in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court in connection with the murder of Jabulile Ntimba. These are some of the compelling images from South Africa and around the world. (For best view, click on image for fullscreen) Ukrainian firefighters extinguish a fire at a building of Zaporizhzhia National University following a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia on September 21, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Darya NAZAROVA / AFP) Broken traffic lights are seen at the intersection of JG Strydom Road and 9th Avenue in Weltevreden Park, 21 September 2026. Eight robots are all lying on their side at this intersection and have been like this for months, with frustrated residents asking why and how this happened, and when will it be fixed. 9th Avenue is a major throughfare which passes under the N1 highway connecting Weltevreden Park and Fairland with this intersection causing daily traffic chaos. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Runners compete in the Buenos Aires International Marathon as they pass in front of a mural depicting Argentine football legend Diego Maradona at La Boca neighborhood in Buenos Aires, on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP) A Ferris wheel is pictured at the Sindbad Amusement Park in eastern Baghdad near sunset on September 21, 2026. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) A woman holds an umbrella as she walks across a pedestrian crossing in Kyiv on September 21, 2026. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) President Cyril Ramaphosa tee off at the ANC Veterans League Fundraising Golf Day at Johannesburg Country Club in Woodmead on September 21, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is part of the ANCVL ongoing efforts to mobilise resources to strengthen its election programmes and initiatives while fostering stronger partnerships between the organisation and the business community. (Photo by Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) Fortunate Masilela and Tsakane Nester Msithini appear at the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court in Ekurhuleni, 21 September 2026, facing charges of premeditated murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice in connection with the death of Jabulile Ntimba. Ntimba was the ninth body discovered in Villa Liza near Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 17 September 2026. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen A model displays a creation from the DI PETSA Spring/Summer 2027 collection at London Fashion Week in London on September 21, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP) This photograph shows the Celestial Sphere, also known as the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Sphere, at the United Nations Offices in Geneva, on September 21, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) A devotee carries an idol of the elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesha for immersion at a temple tank during the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ festival in Bengaluru on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Idrees MOHAMMED / AFP) Mcfoolen Ford, 26, appears at the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court, 21 September 2026, for a bail hearing after his arrest as the fourth suspect in the Reiger Park shooting case. The charges stem from a fatal shooting in Reiger Park on 7 August 2026, in which four people were killed, including civilians Roleen Lessing and Jayden Magerman, and South African Police Service (SAPS) Anti-Gang Unit officers Constable Tomatsane and Constable Sibeko. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Saint-Emilion jurats, members of the Saint-Emilion Bacchic wine brotherhood or jurade, in formal attire take their positions for an induction ceremony at the monolithic church, in Saint-Emilion, south-western France on September 20, 2026. The Saint-Emilion jurade symbolically proclaims the start date of the harvest in September during a day marked by processions, a mass at the Catholic church and an induction ceremony at the monolithic church. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

The Kiffness – real name David Scott – has publicly supported UK muso Ed Sheeran, who has come under fire for his decision not to “pick sides” in the Israel-Palestine conflict.  This follows the Grammy-winning artists’ support act, Macklemore, being dropped from his US concert tour after he pledged allegiance to Gaza. Over the weekend, Sheeran tearfully apologised for his previous “complicit”, apolitical views, calling the conflict “unjustifiable”. THE KIFFNESS SHOWS LOVE TO ED SHEERAN On his Facebook account, The Kiffness showed love to Ed Sheeran, who has come under fire over his decision not to address the Israel and Palestine conflict, particularly as his support act for the US concert tour – Macklemore – pledged his allegiance to Gaza. The Cape Town muso shared that he had related to the backlash on a personal and professional level. Tagging the UK singer, The Kiffness shared: “Dear Ed Sheeran, I’m not sure if you’ll ever see this, but I wanted to send some encouragement your way. Last year, a small but very vocal group of Pro-Palestine activists tried to cancel me, too, but they failed. The online noise and intimidation tactics were intense, and there were definitely moments I wondered if doing the show I was booked for was worth it, but I’m glad I followed through.  He continued: “Please don’t let them win. You’re an incredible talent and a genuinely good person. When I faced backlash, I at least expected it because I’ve been vocal about my Christian views in the past. It’s so much more unfair that you’re receiving this hate simply for choosing to stay out of it and mind your own business. “You have a massive amount of support behind you. Don’t let the noise bring you down!” The Kiffness also shared his admiration for Ed Sheeran after he publicly apologised over his stance at a concert in Philadelphia. The South African shared: “People don’t realise how terrifying it is to walk out on that stage when you’re facing thousands of death threats, losing friends and family, and a wall of media and activist pressure trying to silence you. Standing your ground and showing up for the fans takes true bravery”. BACKLASH, BOYCOTT OVER ‘ISLAMOPHOBIC’ VIEWS In recent years, The Kiffness was accused of promoting Islamophobia and was hailed as an “Apartheid apologist” over his outspoken X posts. He has been critical of the views of former DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor, Gift of the Givers CEO Imtiaz Sooliman, and former South African Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, whom he claimed “do the [Muslim] community no favours”. In December 2025, pro-Palestine activists called for the Cape Town musician’s concert at Kirstenbosch Gardens to be axed amid the backlash. The outspoken artist – who accused DIRCO of trying to “sabotage” his event – was the headline act at the Summer  Sunset Concerts. 

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hit back at club legend for critizing his style of plan. In recent weeks, the Moroccan coach has lashed out at his players for showboating. He even threatened to quit the club if the players refused to listen to him. Some of the ex-players critizised the coach, saying he should be allow players the freedom to express themselves. “I heard some ex coaches from Pirates, some let’s say “legends” saying that coach Ouaddou cannot come here to teach us football,” said Ouaddou as per iDiski Times. “I don’t teach football to nobody. I’m very humble. I respect the culture. I respect this fantastic country. I like it. I love it. I love South Africa. I love these people. “But these people who were ex-coaches, they have to understand that I am here for a mandate. I am here to get results. I am here to take the best for my team and to win games.” Ouaddou on Pirates players showboating The former Fulham star invited some of the legends to watch Pirates train. “There is difference between skills to play forward, to score goals, to be efficient, and entertainment,” Ouaddou added.   “Entertainment is not for me, so I think they have to be careful because we have to work together. You know these ex-legends that they think they are working with us; they have to work with us. “They have to help the coach. They have to help the team, and not speaking on the side like that because it doesn’t help the team.” Ouaddou says he will give Pirates legend “It’s easy to speak and they can come; I am happy to bring them these ex-legends. They can come to have one week of training. I’m happy to see what they are going to do. “I give them the whistle. I can give them the tracksuit and come on the bench, and we are going to see if it’s easy for them. But they cannot speak like that.” Do you agree with Ouaddou?

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