Backed by new signing Sebastian Pedersen and winger Oswin Appollis, Orlando Pirates look to send an early statement against newly promoted Milford FC.

The monument, which stands as a tribute to the thousands of Indian indentured labourers who arrived in South Africa in 1860, was discovered with extensive damage.

A senior investigator has painted a picture of internal conflict within the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), telling the Madlanga commission that he was investigated after resisting further involvement in a controversial probe. Mantsha Raphesu testified on Friday, 31 July 2026, at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, where he detailed his concerns about the handling of investigations into the police’s Crime Intelligence division and the fallout that followed his objections. The probes stem from a Section 27 referral submitted in November 2024 by National Coloured Congress leader and member of parliament Fadiel Adams. Among the issues under scrutiny were allegations linked to the appointment of Dineo Mokwele, a former BMW employee, to a brigadier position. Idac investigator testifies at Madlanga commission Raphesu, who reported to suspended Idac chief investigator Dylan Perumal, told the commission on Friday that investigators like himself do not select cases, but cases are assigned to them through internal processes. “One is assigned to a matter and called to a meeting. The assignment is communicated by the chief investigator or the prosecutor working on the matter, or the project manager,” his affidavit read. He further described how former Idac head Andrea Johnson would sometimes directly allocate teams to specific investigations, including matters involving the political killings task team (PKTT), despite such decisions typically falling outside her office’s role. A key point in Raphesu’s evidence was his claim that Johnson misled parliament’s ad hoc committee during her testimony in November 2025. The investigator alleged that Johnson presented what he described as a “false” version of Adams’ Section 27 referral, omitting allegations relating to the PKTT’s alleged misuse of Crime Intelligence’s secret service account, known as the slush fund. “I was shocked because the Section 27 that I saw, that information was there,” he said. According to Raphesu, the way the Crime Intelligence investigation was initiated and handled raised serious concerns, prompting him to request removal from the matter. From objection to internal investigation Raphesu told the commission that he instead became the subject of disciplinary action. “It was a time when I was questioning or refusing to work on this matter. “The chief was not happy that I was also indicating that they cannot do any of the investigation without informing me, so he took issue with that.” He recounted being summoned to Johnson’s office on 10 February 2025, where he was formally notified of allegations that he had leaked sensitive information. “I didn’t even know what the investigation was about,” Raphesu remarked. The accusations centred on claims that he had alerted Cedric Nkabinde, former chief of staff to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, about an Idac investigation into him, including plans to subpoena his bank records. He was also accused of revealing the identity of the investigating officer. Raphesu rejected the allegations after having responded within the required seven-day period. He testified he urged Johnson, who recently resigned as Idac’s investigating director, to investigate suspended investigator Brian Padayachee and Perumal, whom he alleged called Nkabinde. Raphesu also offered to submit his cellphone for forensic analysis and undergo a polygraph test to prove his innocence. ‘Fabricated’ claims Supplementary allegations were added in a second letter dated 26 February 2025, while no formal statement was obtained from Nkabinde despite his request. “I knew he will not provide it because this thing was just concocted. It was just fabricated to look like it’s legit. “I wanted him to bind himself legally that he is saying I did that so that he can face the consequences, but he refused to write the affidavit.” Raphesu further raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, highlighting a close relationship between Perumal and the investigating officer linked to the case. He claimed that both individuals originate from East London in the Eastern Cape. “They are very close.” He argued that Perumal’s involvement blurred lines in the investigation. “It then means that Mr Perumal will be a referee and a player in this process.” Formal grievance Months later, with no apparent progress or clarity, Raphesu filed a formal complaint in October 2025. “I decided to file a grievance to say I have been investigated from this day and still today, no one is saying fokol about this thing.” He said it was only after lodging the complaint that developments followed, including efforts to obtain an affidavit from Nkabinde and the opening of a case against him. Raphesu further alleged that Padayachee had been spreading rumours within Idac that he had compromised operational safety. The investigator told the commission he believes the case against him was orchestrated. He said he intends to pursue criminal charges against Perumal and Padayachee and appealed for the commission’s assistance to ensure the matter does not “land in the wrong hands”.

New Zealand’s first full-scale rugby tour of South Africa in 30 years will have significant benefits for them, head coach Dave Rennie said in Cape Town on Friday. He was speaking on the sidelines of an All Blacks welcome event at Cape Town Stadium, the venue for the team’s opening match against the Stormers next Friday. The All Blacks will play against South Africa’s four major professional franchises as well as four Tests against the world champion Springboks. South Africa edged the All Blacks 12-11 in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final to win the competition a record fourth time. After three Tests in South Africa from August 22, the teams will travel to Baltimore in the United States for the final clash on September 12. ‘Great for the whole squad’ “It’s completely different from a World Cup,” said Rennie. “We’ll be playing the same team four times, so you review and preview and hopefully learn a few things and hopefully do things better in the next game. “We’ve got midweek games so everyone gets a chance to play. Sometimes when you’re away on tour some guys will train but never get a chance to wear the jersey. So playing the provincial sides is great for the whole squad.” Rennie, 62, said he was pleased with the form of the All Blacks since becoming head coach in March. Like the Springboks, the All Blacks took full points from their first three matches in the new Nations Championship. Their wins included an impressive victory against a powerful Ireland team, but Rennie downplayed their achievement. “We’re building, we’re a new side. We’ve got a lot of new staff and we’ve got a lot of new young players. It was a good performance, but we’re well aware of how tough this challenge is.” Coach Dave Rennie spoke to the fans and media in Cape Town on Friday. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images All Blacks fans Rennie said he was impressed with the depth of the Springboks. “The team they put out against Scotland had a lot of changes,” said Rennie. “Scotland are an excellent side, but they (South Africa) won convincingly.” The only member of the 44-man squad not yet in Cape Town is Test captain Ardie Savea, who has been given time off after “a massive workload”. The loose forward will arrive before the first Test in Johannesburg on August 22. Hooker Codie Taylor, the tour captain until Savea arrives, said he was surprised by the number of All Blacks supporters who turned up for the welcome event. A crowd of more than 2,000, many wearing All Blacks jerseys, gave the New Zealanders a raucous welcome. “I knew we had fans here, but I didn’t expect this much support,” said Taylor. It is the first full tour involving rugby’s two leading nations since the All Blacks visited South Africa in 1996, and became the first New Zealand team to win a series in the republic. The upcoming series renews a tradition of reciprocal tours which started when South Africa toured New Zealand in 1921. There have been six series in New Zealand and six in South Africa. Touring teams have won only one series each on foreign soil – South Africa in New Zealand in 1937 and the All Blacks in South Africa in 1996.

South African pensioners have to deal with the rising cost of living like everyone else. But, unlike many of their younger counterparts, pensioners live on a fixed income. Whether it’s a retirement annuity or the older persons’ grant, there’s only so much pensioners have to spend. These are the discounts that help that money go further. Where to Find Pensioner Discounts Despite pensioners being in a vulnerable financial position, very few shops offer dedicated pensioner discounts. This isn’t the case at these gems, where you can get discounts up to 10%. Makro Makro offers a 10% pensioner discount on general merchandise and a 5% discount on their grocery items. The offer runs all week and is available to pensioners over 60. You’ll need to sign up for the mPensioners card to use it. Game Unlike Makro, Game offers pensioners 10% off general merchandise and groceries. The discount is available every day on purchases under R3 000. To access the deal, you’ll need to sign up in store for the programme. Builders Warehouse If you need to do some work on your home, consider heading to Builders Warehouse on a Wednesday. They offer pensioners 10% off their merchandise. Show your identity document (ID) at the till to get it. Absolute Pets and Pet Box Pensioners can get 20% off pet grooming on Tuesdays at Absolute Pets. Over 60s qualify for a 10% discount every Wednesday on pet accessories, toys, treats, and food at Pet Box. Food Lovers Market Select Food Lovers Market offers mid-week discounts to pensioners. To find out if your local shop offers deals, you will have to contact them directly. Clicks and Pick n Pay You can’t get a discount, but you get double Club Card points if you shop at Clicks on Wednesdays. Clicks also offers the Helping Hand clinic service on Wednesday, where you can get select clinic services for free. At Pick n Pay, pensioners can get double Smart Shopper points on Wednesdays. ShopDiscount (%)DayGame10%EverydayMakro5% – 10%TuesdayAbsolute Pets20% on groomingTuesdayBuilders Warehouse10%WednesdayPet Box10%Wednesday Butcheries with Deals for Older People Meat has experienced some deflation since the start of the year, but it still isn’t cheap by any means. To get your meat cheaper, this is where you can go. Johannesburg: Tip Top Meats Factory Shop in Turffontein offers a 10% discount on Wednesdays. Pensioners must register in-store, and the special doesn’t apply to already reduced or promotional items. Pretoria: Hokaai Meat Market offers a 10% discount on Wednesdays. You can stop at their locations in Centurion, Lynnwood, or Silverlakes to access the deals. Cape Town: Die Wieveld Slaghuis, in Vredekloof, offers a 10% discount on Tuesdays. The promotion is valid on full-priced items, excluding half and whole lamb. Vanderbijlpark: La Oma offers pensioners 10% off their meat on Wednesday. Shopping Centres with Pensioner Discounts If you don’t want to use your fuel driving from shop to shop to get your specials, choose shopping centres where you can visit several shops and maximise the discounts. Gauteng Centurion Mall: Over 55 and living in Pretoria? Centurion Mall has specials. From 10% off on Sketchers every third Wednesday of the month, to 5% off Poetry purchases on select merchandise. End your shop with a treat at Milky Lane. The ice cream shop offers 5% off every Wednesday. Address: 1269 Gordon Hood Rd, Centurion Central, Pretoria, 0046 Western Cape Table Bay Mall: Pensioners residing along the R27 or N7 in Cape Town can visit Table Bay Mall on Wednesdays. While specials vary from store to store, if you don’t feel like cooking, Cafeteria, a restaurant on the Ground floor, offers 25% off all menu items to pensioners over 65. Address: R27, Corner of Berkshire Blvd, Sunningdale, Cape Town, 7441 Willowbridge Mall: If you’re in Cape Town’s northern suburbs, Willowbridge offers older persons discounts on Tuesdays. You can get all kinds of discounts in the mall, including daily deals at Sweetbeet, Wordsworth, and the Bed Centre. Address: 39 Carl Cronje Dr, Tyger Valley, Cape Town, 7440 KwaZulu-Natal South Coast Mall: In Margate? You can go to South Coast Mall. Wednesday is the day to get discounts for over-60s. The deals range from 10% at Volpes on linens to free frames at Specs Savers with the purchase of an eye test. To access these deals, you must sign up for the Golden Club Membership Card. Address: Izotsha Rd, Shelly Beach, Margate, 4265

Friday’s PowerBall jackpot has climbed to an estimated R52 million, with PowerBall Xtra offering an additional R24 million, for a combined R76 million on the line. The draw takes place at 21:00, broadcast live on e.tv and SABC, with ticket sales closing at 20:40. BOOKMARK | Find every PowerBall and PowerBall XTRA draw result in South Africa HERE How to play Friday’s PowerBall PowerBall costs R10 per board. Players match five numbers from a pool of 50, plus a PowerBall number from 1 to 16, either self-selected or via Quick Pick. Adding PowerBall Xtra costs an extra R5 per board, giving a second shot at winning from the same numbers. Why Friday’s PowerBall jackpot has grown to R52 million Tuesday’s draw produced no Division 1 winner, with the numbers 3, 12, 27, 36 and 47, plus PowerBall 15, failing to match a single ticket, pushing the jackpot to its current R52 million. PowerBall Xtra tells a similar story. Its last big win came on Tuesday, 30 June, when the entire R139 million jackpot was shared by three players under Sizekhaya’s cascading jackpot rule. Since then, rollovers have carried it to R24 million. Where to buy your PowerBall tickets Tickets are available at authorised National Lottery retailers, on the National Lottery website and app. You can also use USSD by dialling 1207529#. If you’re playing through a banking app, Capitec, FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, TymeBank and African Bank all let you select numbers or Quick Pick directly from your phone before the cutoff. Winners of R50 000 or more receive free trauma counselling and financial advice, and all National Lottery winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner’s account. Whichever way you play, Friday’s PowerBall jackpot is one of the bigger prizes on offer this month. I’ll be keeping an eye on the numbers the moment they drop tonight. The South African is the first to deliver PowerBall results. Check back tonight for the results. Are you a regular PowerBall player? Tell us in the comments below …

Eskom recorded a daily energy availability factor of 80.24% on 20 July, its best single day since 20 September 2017.

The transmission operator will own the assets outright, reversing a plan approved by the energy minister in December.