ActionSA has proposed dissolving the Hawks and transferring their functions and resources to a more independent Investigating Directorate Against Corruption as part of its “Scorpions 2.0” plan.

Two awaiting-trial prisoners, Tafara Zangarai, 30, and Ndalamo Nemakhavhani, 35, facing separate robbery with aggravating circumstances cases escaped from Waterval Police Station after allegedly cutting through burglar bars and iron grills.

Bernard Parker has distanced himself from the Instagram post announcing the end of his relationship with Kacha Stepanovic. This came after broadcaster Robert Marawa said the former Bafana Bafana star told him the statement was not his. Parker has since issued a formal statement of his own, asking for privacy and discretion while he deals with what he calls a “private matter”. ‘Somebody had access to his phone‘ Speaking on the Wednesday evening episode of Marawa Sports Worldwide on 947, Marawa said he had spoken to Parker earlier that afternoon. He was responding to a caller who asked whether Parker had been fired from TS Galaxy, having noticed someone else on the bench in the spot Parker usually occupies. “I’ll clarify one thing, the rest I’m sure he will do himself whenever he does decide to do that,” Marawa said. “I had a chat with him this afternoon and one thing I can tell you on the record is that he says whatever statement was put out yesterday is not a statement from him.” According to Marawa, Parker has not had his phone for 14 days. “Somebody had access to his phone and he’s even gone to the telco involved,” Marawa said. Marawa said he understood Parker was hoping for a 48-hour turnaround to get the phone back. Parker also reportedly told him he would address the contents of the original statement once he had consulted his legal counsel about what was said about him in it. Marawa did not say who may have accessed the phone. Parker attending to the matter privately In a statement dated 15 October and released through The Bernard Parker Foundation, Parker said he was aware of “statements circulating publicly concerning my personal circumstances and relationships”. He said any communication attributed to him should be treated as official only if he confirms it or issues it through his authorised representative. Robert Marawa says Bernard Parker told him the split statement posted to his Instagram was not from him. Parker has since issued a statement asking for privacy. Picture: Instagram, @bernard_parker_25 Parker asked the media and public to refrain from “circulating unverified information or speculation” about his private life and said he was attending to the matter “privately and responsibly”. The coach also said he was considering the “wellbeing and dignity of everyone concerned, particularly the children”. He declared that he does not intend to engage in public exchanges or comment on the details at this stage, reserving his position on “any statements or allegations circulating publicly”. He thanked his supporters, colleagues and the football fraternity for their understanding. The statement does not refer directly to the earlier Instagram post, the phone or who may have posted it. The original post, shared on Instagram Stories, announced the end of Parker’s three-year relationship with Stepanovic and spoke of “mistakes” and “personal addictions”. Stepanovic also posted several messages around the time that did not name Parker. Neither Parker nor his representatives have confirmed which, if any, parts of the original post he stands by. The status of his marriage to Wendy Parker also remains unaddressed. Read The Citizen’s original report here.

Changan South Africa’s importer has confirmed an expansion of its product line-up with three new models, including a new sub-brand, heading for the local market in 2027. Welcome Nevo Debuting in European-spec at the Paris Motor Show this week, Jameel Motors formally approved the Nevo sub-brand from the third quarter of next year. Founded three years ago as a dedicated new energy vehicle division, the initial product roll-out for South Africa will comprise the Q05 and Q06 SUVs, the former being an EV and the latter motivated by no less than three powertrain options. Locally, the pair will be marketed under the Changan banner as Changan Nevo instead of simply Nevo, with final specification only due in the new year. Nevo Q05 Opening the so-called Q line-up, the Nevo Q05 entered its second generation last year after replacing the original that lasted for less than three years. Q06 made its market debut at last year’s Guangzhou Motor Show. Picture: Changan China Designed in accordance with a styling language called Digital Smart Wing 2.0, the Q05 rides on a dedicated EV platform with the following dimensions: Length: 4 435mm; Wheelbase: 2 735mm; Height: 1 600mm; Width: 1 855mm. Underpinned by a 400-volt electrical system, the Q05 develops 120kW/190Nm supplied by a 51.9-kWh battery pack. Driving the front wheels only, the Q05 has a limited top speed of 160km/h and will get from 0-100km/h in 11.7 seconds. Taking centre stage is a 17.1-inch infotainment display. Picture: Changan China The claimed range, based on China’s CLTC cycle, is 506km, with a 15 minute waiting time from 30-80% needed from 30-80% using a DC charger. Prices range from 89 900 to 101 900 yuan, which equates to between R223 287 and R253 091 when directly converted and without taxes. Exact specifications and pricing for South Africa will only be announced closer to the eventual launch date. Nevo Q06 Launched in its home market in July, the Q06 incorporates styling elements from the Ferrari Purosangue and Xiaomi YU7, in addition to riding on a new platform supporting either 400 or 800-volts. Reported by carnewschina.com in September as having received 35 000 orders in 24 hours, the Q06 has the following dimensions: Length: 4 837mm; Wheelbase: 2 940mm; Height: 1 670mm; Width: 1 970mm. Q06 made its debut in July as one of the newest Changan Nevo models. Picture: Changan China Starting the range off, the so-called 602, in reference to its CLTC distance of 602km, utilises a 66-kWh battery powering a single rear-axle-mounted electric motor rated at 225kW/290 Nm. Its claimed top speed is 200km/h, with 0-100km/h taking 7.1 seconds. Supporting ultra fast charging will take between nine and 12 minutes from 30-80% using a DC charger. Up next, the 670 not only comes with a larger 80-kWh battery pack, but a second electric motor, though oddly, it remains rear-wheel drive. Q06 has a similar side profile to the Ferrari Purosangue and Xiaomi YU7. Picture: carnewschina.com The result is a total output of 330kW/730Nm, a top speed of 230km/h and 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds. As per its name, the claimed CLTC range is 670km. Completing the EV line-up, the Q06 700 has retains the same battery pack as the 670, but only with a single electric motor that sees power drop to 245kW. Torque is unchanged at 730Nm. As per its n name, the claimed CLTC distance is 700km, with its top speed being limited to 200km/h. The 0-100km/h sprint time takes 7.1 seconds. Interior of the Q06 is equipped with a 17.7-inch display. Picture: Changan China At the range’s sharp-end, the range-extending Q06 pairs a 28.3-kWh battery pack with two electric motors for a combined 270kW/730Nm. Used solely as a generator is the 72kW/125Nm provided by the normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine. Capable of 220km/h, the Q06 REEV has a claimed CLTC EV-only range of 200km and 1 600km when combined with the petrol engine. The 0-100km/h sprint is said to take 5.8 seconds. In China, pricing for the Q06 starts at 139 900 yuan and ends at 169 900 yuan, the figures acquitting to between R347 544 and R422 071 when directly converted and without taxes. Deepal S07 REEV Shown earlier this month in Greece, the latest confirmed entries are the plug-in hybrid S07 and a facelift version of the current EV model. Offered on a single electric variant locally, the revised S07 is unchanged dimensionally, but, in addition, to a revised exterior and interior, receives a more extended array of powertrains. For the EV, three battery pack options are available: 66-kWh, 77.9-kWh, and 86.7-kWh, all powering a single electric motor. Deepal has made a number of visual changes to the S07. Picture: Deepal China While torque across all variants is 290Nm, both the former and latter develop 210kW versus the middle derivative’s 190kW. At the same time, the 77.9-kWh will get from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds versus the other two’s 6.8 seconds. The respective ranges are 600km, 630km and 725km, according to the CLTC cycle. Although called a plug-in hybrid, the new partially electrified S07 is in fact a range-extender in which the 70kW/125Nm produced by its normally aspirated 1.5-litre engine is used solely as a generator. Subtle changes have taken place inside, mostly on the instrumentation and infotainment fronts to accommodate the range-extending powerplant. Picture: Deepal China Principal power, therefore, comes from a 31.7-kWh or 39-kWh battery pack powering a single electric motor apiece, the former outputting 190kW/290Nm and the latter 200kW/290Nm. The claimed EV-only range, based on the WLTP cycle, is 170km and 216km respectively, with 0-100km/h taking 7.5 and 7.6 seconds. Using a DC fast charger from 30-80% will require a waiting time of 15 minutes. In China, prices for the EV range from 155 900 to 174 900 yuan (R387 715 to R434 967), and from 159 900 to 176 900 yuan (R397 662 to R439 940) for the range extender. Final details will, however, only be announced in 2027. November conclusion for 2026 While only arriving next year, Jameel Motors will conclude 2026 in November with the debut of the hybrid version of the Changan Uni-S shown at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring in August. The same applies to Deepal, whose first full year end in the same month with the debut of the range-extending S05, also revealed at the Kyalami showpiece.

South African stargazers have another reason to look up this October, as two familiar sights in the night sky are set to appear unusually close together in a celestial event that requires no expensive equipment to enjoy. The Moon and Saturn will appear side by side this month, and it’s going to be a sight to behold. While the two are separated by an enormous distance in space, their apparent closeness will offer skywatchers an opportunity to spot the ringed planet alongside Earth’s natural satellite. The pairing will take place just days before October’s full Moon, adding another reason to keep an eye on the night sky. When to see the Moon and Saturn together The pairing will be visible during the night of 24–25 October, with the two celestial objects appearing to move across the sky together as the night progresses. Saturn should look like a steady, golden point of light near the much brighter Moon. Both can be seen without specialist equipment, although a telescope will offer a better view of Saturn. For the best chance of seeing the pairing, choose a spot with a clear view of the sky and check the local weather forecast before heading outside. Why do the Moon and Saturn appear close together? The event is known as a conjunction, which occurs when two celestial objects appear close together from our perspective on Earth. The Moon and Saturn are not physically close to one another. Saturn is a planet roughly 1.2 billion kilometres away from Earth, while the Moon is our nearest natural celestial neighbour. Their apparent proximity is the result of their positions in the sky, rather than an actual meeting in space. Saturn is also putting on a show this month October is a particularly good month for stargazers to see Saturn because the planet reached opposition on 4 October 2026. Opposition occurs when Earth lies between the Sun and a planet, placing that planet opposite the Sun in our sky. Saturn consequently appears brighter and remains visible for much of the night around this period. The Moon–Saturn pairing is therefore an opportunity to spot the ringed planet while it is well placed for observation. The pairing will also take place shortly before October’s full Moon, traditionally known as the Hunter’s Moon. The Moon will reach its full phase at approximately 06:11 on Monday, 26 October, South African time.

Kaizer Chiefs are flying out to Ndola, Zambia to visit Red Arrows in a CAF Confederation Cup second round preliminary qualifier. The first leg game kicks-off at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Saturday at 15:00. KAIZER CHIEFS NAME 23 PLAYERS FOR RED ARROWS CLASH Notable additions in Fernando Da Cruz’s squad include the returning Rushwin Dortley, teenage goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba, and the recently promoted midfielder Thulani Mabaso. Notable injuries: Lebohang Maboe, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Khanyisa Mayo, Langelihle Phili and Adolf Mtasingwa. Goalkeepers: Ronaldo Leaner, Bruce Bvuma, Takalani Mazhamba Defenders: Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, Kabelo Nkgwesa, Inacio Miguel, Rushwin Dortley, Zitha Kwinika, Reeve Frosler, Bradley Cross, Thabo Moloisane Midfielders: Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Thulani Mabaso, Mduduzi Shabalala, Ethan Chislett, Mfundo Vilakazi Forwards: Luke Baartman, Asanele Velebayi, Faiz Abrahams, Flavio Da Silva, Wandile Duba, Etiosa Ighodaro. Kaizer Chiefs will host the return leg at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium next weekend. Last season, Amakhosi narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals, finishing third in their group behind Zamalek and Al-Masry instead of securing one of the top two spots needed to progress. LAST SEASON’S CAF CONFEDERATION CUP RUN Preliminary Qualifying Rounds First Preliminary Round (first and second legs) Kabuscorp S.C.P. 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 Kabuscorp S.C.P. (Amakhosi won 5-4 on penalties) Second Preliminary Round (first and second legs) AS Simba 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 AS Simba (Amakhosi won 3-1 on aggregate) Group Stage (Group D) 2-1 loss to Al Masry SC 1-1 draw with Zamalek SC 0-1 win over ZESCO United 1-0 win over ZESCO United 2-1 win over Al Masry SC 2-1 loss to Zamalek SC. Amakhosi missed out on the quarterfinals after finishing third behind Zamalek and Al Masry. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM COACH FERNANDO DA CRUZ’S TEAM THIS TIME? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

Paratus Zambia has connected 18 Family Legacy schools in Lusaka using Starlink satellite internet.

Cybersecurity has moved from a technical matter to a question of national security, writes DCDT's director-general.