A letter dated May 11, presented by evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello SC, showed that IDAC formally requested certified copies of all travel records for PKTT members involved in the operation between April 30 and May 8, 2026.

The ANC has centralised its mayoral candidate selection process ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with Fikile Mbalula saying candidates will be assessed on competence, ethics and fitness.

Commissioner Sesi Baloyi questioned why the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) had not investigated allegations regarding former minister Bheki Cele, even though it was the one complaint within the institution’s mandate. On Tuesday, the Madlanga commission zoomed in on the investigations within the Idac, including the appointments and promotions of Crime Intelligence and PKTT officials. In his affidavit, National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams stated that he suspected that money was unlawfully taken from the secret fund and given to Cele. The other allegation was that the former police minister was also involved in appointing Dumisani Khumalo as the divisional commissioner of Crime Intelligence without an interview process and without Khumalo having worked as a senior manager in Crime Intelligence. Evidence leader Mahlape Sello asked former Idac head Andrea Johnson how Khumalo’s appointment fell within the mandate of the investigative unit. Johnson conceded the matter was not within Idac’s mandate, yet the institution went on to investigate it. “I think I did recollect touching on it and indicating that this would become one of those matters regarding vetting and appointment… it doesn’t fall within the mandate and the matter would have to be dealt with, as we discussed commissioners, with the Mokwele matter, the standing order and a recommendation of what must happen with that,” conceded Johnson. She said she would note the issues down and hand them over to Idac to resolve them. “Okay, but just for our purposes, what’s set out in paragraph 5 does not relate to vetting. It’s a slightly different issue. It’s his appointment generally as a divisional head of Crime Intelligence,” said Sello. Why not investigate Bheki Cele matter? Commissioner Baloyi said the suspicion that funds were unlawfully taken from the secret fund to be given to Cele fell within Idac’s mandate to investigate. “Was anything done about it? Were any further statements taken? Was any investigation initiated on this allegation?” she asked. “Commissioner Baloyi, I am not sure how far the investigation team has gone or what they would have done in relation to this matter,” responded Johnson. Baloyi said it was fair to conclude that had any investigation been launched into the matter, the investigators would have briefed her. That there was no briefing could mean that nothing had been done about the matter. “You would know if an investigation was conducted. I mean, you know about the others. It’s fair to say you would know if there was an investigation into this as part of the briefings that you are getting arising from this Section 27,” said Baloyi. “Until there is evidence that there was an investigation, it is fair to surmise that nothing came out of this.” Why the misdirection? Baloyi questioned why Johnson never asked about the Cele matter when it seemed serious and fell within the Idac mandate. “I didn’t ask questions about how far they were with each investigation. They presented each leg of an investigation as they got to their completion. I didn’t specifically ask about this, but I do know it forms part of the authorisation of the investigation,” responded Johnson. “You see, it’s the one allegation that I would have expected or thought it would catch your attention, because it is the most serious of the allegations. But more importantly, it is the one allegation that squarely falls within your mandate,” continued Baloyi. “And yet, you went to your investigators, including you, because you were getting briefings, you signed off on a prosecution memorandum, you signed off on whatever was happening, the formal steps that needed to be taken. But the one allegation in this affidavit that falls squarely within your mandate or would fall within your mandate, if there is any merit to it, is quite curious that it is the one that you don’t get involved with, that you are unable to speak to, that you don’t seem to have paid attention to. “And that’s quite a curiosity in the circumstances, considering that the rest of the affidavit has nothing to do with Idac, right? The other allegations, they have absolutely nothing to do with the mandate of Idac. But the one that has is the one that nothing is done about. And again, it raises the question: what, in fact, was going on? Why this misdirection? And it cannot be oversight. It can’t be. There was a deliberate decision to focus on the others. Hopefully, we will find out why.” ‘I don’t recall’ Baloyi suggested that the events at Idac pointed to selective investigations. “I hear what you are saying, Commissioner Baloyi. I’m not going to absolve myself and just agree that I may not have been briefed. I may not recall. But at no stage was there any instruction from my office that any part of any of these matters should not be dealt with.”

Relatives of Chinese passengers of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which went missing 12 years ago in one of aviation’s greatest enduring mysteries, showed up at a Beijing court on Tuesday to demand answers. The court began hearing their appeal against an earlier ruling to order compensation, which the families say disregarded crucial questions. The Boeing 777 carrying 239 people — two-thirds of them Chinese — vanished from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite multiple searches, including the largest in aviation history, the aircraft, passengers or black boxes have never been found. A court in Beijing ordered Malaysia Airlines in December to pay eight families of Chinese passengers 2.9 million yuan ($410 000) each. Frustrated by what they say is a lack of substantive answers about their tragedy, two families have lodged an appeal. “When I received the judgement and read the first-instance ruling, my first thought was that the court was insulting the families of the passengers, that it was mocking us,” Li Eryou, 69, whose son was on the flight, told AFP outside the court on Tuesday. The hearing was closed to the media. Looking for the truth “In 12 years, no one has ever apologised to us. I feel immense anger,” he said. “This is an international case… but the first-instance judge treated it like nothing more than an ordinary local traffic accident, which is why the compensation amount ended up being so pitifully small.” Experts have put forward several theories over the years to explain the mysterious disappearance, from pilot suicide or hijacking to missile fire or a technical malfunction. According to one theory, a fire could have broken out in electronic components, which produced smoke that filled the plane and led to the passengers and crew falling unconscious. The plane then continued on autopilot over the Indian Ocean, where search efforts have been focused, before running out of fuel and crashing, the theory goes. “The main reason why some families are appealing is that the first-instance court did not clearly establish the facts of the case, nor did it criticise or correct Malaysia Airlines’ inaction” since 2014, said Jiang Hui, whose mother was on the plane. The court had “merely ruled on the amount of compensation, which is not everything we, the families, are looking for”, he told AFP. “What matters to us is the establishment of the facts. That’s our biggest demand.” Search extended Nationals of 14 countries were on board the flight, including 50 passengers and crew members from Malaysia, where there were no pending cases against the airline. Malaysia announced last month that the search for flight MH370 will be extended through June 2027, an operation led by private firm Ocean Infinity. The most recent search took place in two stages, beginning in March 2025, but the firm returned empty-handed. Jiang Hui said he was thankful to the Malaysian authorities for the extension, and asked that families be allowed to organise their own search missions. “The plane isn’t going to rise to the surface all on its own,” he said. “Only by searching would we be able to find it.”

Orlando Pirates’ new signing, Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, is already making headlines in South Africa. At 27, he brings experience, a strong scoring record, and an interesting football journey that fans will want to know about. Here’s a look at five things to know about the rising soccer star. SEBASTIAN PEDERSEN SIGNS WITH ORLANDO PIRATES Orlando Pirates signed Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen on 27 July from Sogndal Fotball in Norway. The rising star joined on a two‑year contract, with an option for an extra season, as part of the Buccaneers’ push to strengthen their attack before the new Betway Premiership campaign. FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEBASTIAN PEDERSEN 1. HE STARTED IN NORWAY’S TOP LEAGUE Pedersen began his professional career with Stromsgodset in Norway’s top division. He initially struggled to secure a permanent starting role but those early years gave him valuable experience against strong competition. He later moved to clubs like Moss and Sogndal, where he found more consistency. 2. HIS MARKET VALUE HAS RISEN SWIFTLY For years, Pedersen’s value stayed at an estimated €50,000 (R925,000). However, after his strong performances in the second division, his swiftly value climbed to €300,000 (R5.7 million). 3. HIS SCORING RECORD Pedersen has proven he can score regularly: 2024/25: 8 goals in 14 matches 2023/24: 13 goals in 28 matches 2022/23: 11 goals in 30 matches These numbers highlight his ability to convert chances, even if he hasn’t yet played in Europe’s biggest leagues. 4. HE GREW UP ALONGSIDE ERLING HAALAND Pedersen was part of the same youth system as Manchester City star Erling Haaland. Both stars represented Norway at youth level, from U16 to U21. Haaland went on to attain global fame. 5. HE IS 27 YEARS OLD Pedersen was born on 8 June 1999, which makes him 27 years old. He currently has just over 26 000 followers on Instagram.

The Springboks have made a perfect start to the 2026 season, which saw the world champions kick off with a big win over the Barbarians before brushing aside England, Scotland and Wales. However, things are about to get a lot more challenging as a four-Test series against the All Blacks looms on the horizon, with this highly-anticipated ‘Greatest Rugby Rivalry’ sandwiched in between a one-off Test against Argentina and Australia respectively. At the end of the year the Nations Championship resumes, and for the Springboks, this will include games against Italy, France and Ireland. With this in mind, here are all the kick off times to jot down in your rugby diaries for the rest of the season. SPRINGBOKS’ REMAINING 2026 FIXTURES AND KICK OFF TIMES (IN SA TIME) Once-off Test Saturday 8 August: Argentina v Boks Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires Kick-off: 21:00 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (v All Blacks) Saturday 22 August: Boks v All Blacks Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg Kick-off: 17:00 Saturday 29 August: Boks v All Blacks Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Kick-off: 17:00 Saturday 5 September: Boks v All Blacks Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Kick-off: 17:00 Saturday 12 September: Boks v All Blacks Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA Kick-off: 18:00 (Expected) Once-off Test Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Boks Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth Kick-off: 11:30 Nations Championship (End of Year Tour) Saturday 7 November: Italy v Boks Venue: Venue TBC Kick-off: 16:00 Friday 13 November: France v Boks Venue: Stade de France, Paris Kick-off: 22:00 Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Boks Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Kick-off: 19:30 27–29 November: Finals Weekend Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London Kick-off: TBC Boks not slowing down Recently, in a fascinating interview Eben Etzebeth conducted with The Verdict podcast, the veteran lock explained how Rassie Erasmus continues to best prepare the Springboks. “I don’t know if you’ve watched Prison Break, but there’s a guy on there, Michael Scofield. He was always one step ahead. “Every time people thought they were going to catch him, he’d already planned for it. That’s how Rassie is with the way he does things. He’ll do something today, but he’s already thinking about what’s coming next. He says even if you think it’s a bad plan, if everyone buys into it and everyone does it, it can actually become a good plan,” Etzebeth said. “With all the different things he tries and all the different moves, we just buy in. “It’s not like in some environments where a coach comes with a suggestion and senior players think one thing, junior players think another and then it doesn’t work. “With him, we just buy in. Most of it works.”

An Aerospace Village, a drone corridor and satellite research anchor the multibillion-rand airport development's plans.

South African businesses are spending millions on cloud – and many have very little to show for it.