Auditions for Big Brother Mzansi Season 7, titled Uphethen?, are open to South Africans, with applications closing on 1 January 2027. Here is what prospective housemates need to know.

Bafana Sindane, who has faced scrutiny over attempts to avoid testifying at the Madlanga Commission, appeared in the dock alongside his co-accused.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has temporarily suspended three specified requirements necessary on the Gauteng Public Transport Regulatory Information System (GPTRIS), for the next six months. This decision follows numerous concerns raised by different public transport operators, including scholar transport, metered taxis and e-hailing representatives. The ‘grace period’ The representations on the three requirements also came from the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), who requested a period of consultation and awareness before implementation as part of the new automated licensing system. The department has granted a grace period until 30 April 2027 to allow meaningful consultation and stakeholder awareness, and noted that after this date, the temporary suspension will no longer be valid. The temporary suspension specifically applies to the following requirements: Temporarily suspended requirements Police Clearance Certificates: The requirement for applicants seeking public transport operating licences to submit police clearance certificates. Labour Law Compliance Undertaking: The requirement for applicants to submit a formal undertaking confirming their commitment to comply with the provisions of the Labour Relations Act. Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs): The requirement for applicants who are exclusively business or operating licence owners, and who do not personally drive public transport vehicles, to hold a Professional Driving Permit. TOLABs to assist During the suspension period, all Transport Operating Licence Administration Boards (TOLABs) are directed to facilitate, consider and process applications for public transport operating licences without requiring applicants to comply with these three specified requirements. The GDRT emphasised that the temporary suspension is strictly limited to the three requirements identified above. “It does not constitute a general suspension of any other statutory, regulatory or administrative requirements applicable to the issuing, renewal or amendment of public transport operating licences.” After the suspension The GDRT also noted that Gauteng will also use the temporary suspension period to engage with the national and other provincial departments to standardise and have a uniform set of application requirements for operating licences for all modes of public transport. After the six-month period, the department will strictly monitor and enforce compliance across all modes of public transport. The GDRT concluded by stating that the relevant officials have been required to ensure that the necessary administrative and operational arrangements are implemented to give effect to the directive and ensure full compliance from the effective date.

The Department of Social Development must reinstate Lumka Oliphant and pay her more than R1.53 million in back pay after a bargaining council found her dismissal procedurally and substantively unfair. Commissioner Suria van Wyk issued the arbitration award on 17 October 2026, a year after the department dismissed its chief director of communications. The award requires Oliphant to report for duty on 1 November 2026. The commissioner ordered the department to restore Oliphant’s employment retrospectively, without taking away her benefits. The final order sets her back pay at R1 535 516.04, equivalent to 12 months’ remuneration. The department must pay two equal instalments of R767 758.02, the first by 15 November 2026 and the second by 15 December 2026. Department failed to prove dismissal charges The ruling went beyond finding fault with the disciplinary process. Van Wyk also found that the department failed to prove any of the five charges on which it dismissed Oliphant. These were gross violation of security clearance, contravention of the Government Communication Policy, gross insolence or disrespect, prejudicing the department’s administration, and bringing it into disrepute. The commissioner repeatedly identified the same weakness in the department’s case: its witnesses criticised Oliphant’s media interviews and social-media posts in general terms but did not identify the specific statements and evidence needed to establish the alleged misconduct. The department therefore needed to show which statements breached the policy and how they did so. Playing recordings of interviews without identifying the offending content did not meet that requirement, the commissioner found. “Based on the evaluation of the charges and the fact that the charges were not proven on a balance of probabilities, I find that the dismissal of the Applicant was substantively unfair,” said Van Wyk. How the dispute began Oliphant joined the department in June 2011 and later acted in senior positions, including deputy director-general. The department placed her on precautionary suspension with full pay on 1 September 2025 over alleged mismanagement involving the Integrated Justice System programme and the National Integrated Social Protection Information System. She subsequently spoke to journalists and posted on social media about her suspension and departmental affairs. The department then brought additional allegations against her, including claims that she had breached communication rules, disrespected the minister, and disclosed information improperly. Oliphant disputed the department’s explanation for her suspension. As The Citizen previously reported, she alleged that it followed suspicions that she had leaked information about then minister Sisisi Tolashe’s reported R3 million New York trip. The department maintained that the suspension concerned the programme-related allegations set out in its letter. Importantly, the commissioner recorded that the original programme-related allegations did not form part of the reasons for dismissal. Public accusations accompanied the labour dispute The dispute also played out publicly. In earlier reporting, The Citizen quoted the department accusing Oliphant of pursuing a campaign to undermine Tolashe after her dismissal. “This conduct is clearly aimed at diverting attention from the real reasons for her dismissal and sowing confusion in the public domain,” the department said at the time. Oliphant rejected the accusations and challenged the minister to substantiate them.

Concerns about tourist safety in Cape Town have once again resurfaced following reports of a smash-and-grab attack involving a foreign national near Cape Town International Airport. The incident over the weekend prompted VF Plus councillor Emre Uygun to raise concerns about the reported frequency of attacks near the airport and the difficulties visitors may face when trying to access emergency assistance. READ | City of Cape Town to proceed with concrete wall along N2 Distressed individuals Uygun said he had received several messages from distressed individuals who contacted him through social media after incidents in the area. “The problem is that many visitors from other parts of South Africa and abroad are unfamiliar with our emergency contact numbers,” he said. He called for highly visible billboards displaying emergency contact information to be installed at the airport exit, arguing that visitors should know where to turn if they become victims of crime. “Both local and international visitors must know exactly who to contact for assistance if they fall victim to these attacks near the airport! We cannot expect visitors to know where to turn for help if we fail to make this information readily available to them,” Uygun said. N2 and Airport Approach under scrutiny The latest reported incident follows another smash-and-grab attack recorded near the Airport Approach turn-off onto the N2. The route is a key connection for motorists travelling between Cape Town International Airport, the city and destinations such as Somerset West. Uygun said the area remained a concern for motorists and pledged to keep the public informed about developments. “This route continues to be a serious safety concern for motorists, but we will continue to fight this evil on our roads! I will keep you guys updated,” he said. The reports have renewed calls for practical measures to help protect motorists and ensure that visitors can quickly contact the relevant authorities after an incident. What should tourists know? While the reported attacks highlight a safety concern in the airport corridor, the incidents alone do not establish the overall level of risk faced by tourists across Cape Town. Visitors can take precautions when travelling by road, particularly when approaching traffic lights, intersections and congested routes. Motorists are advised to keep doors locked, windows closed where practical and valuables out of sight. Bags, phones and other belongings should not be left visible on seats, especially when vehicles are stationary. Drivers should also remain alert to their surroundings and avoid confronting suspects if an attack occurs. Anyone who witnesses a crime or needs urgent police assistance can contact the South African Police Service on 10111. In a medical emergency, the national emergency number from a mobile phone is 112. Uygun’s proposal for clear emergency information at the airport exit is intended to help visitors understand where to seek assistance without having to rely on social media. The latest reports underline the importance of road safety awareness and accessible emergency information for both local and international travellers using Cape Town’s airport routes. How safe do you feel travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined €255 (R4700) and suspended for 30 days by the Portuguese Football Federation. Cristiano Ronaldo given fine and suspension Cristiano Ronaldo earns approximately €4 million a week with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. This equates to around €400 per minute. The fine he’s been ordered to pay would therefore take him approximately 38 seconds to recuperate. It comes off the back of a national team walkout in Portugal’s recent UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark. Shame. Our hearts truly bleed for this man. The five-time Ballon d’Or, five-time Champions League and 2016 European Championships winner has four goals in seven Saudi Pro League outings this season. Best known for his exploits with Real Madrid, Cristiano famously scored more goals than he made appearances for Los Blancos, with 450 strikes in 438 outings. The great man also has 146 goals from 234 Portugal appearances. 🚨🇵🇹 OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days plus fined for €255.The decision has been made by Portugal Federation after he left the national team’s camp in Denmark.Cristiano himself had suggested a punishment after apologizing for that. pic.twitter.com/oXEXM4JaI7— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 19, 2026 Does Messi stand above Ronaldo in the GOAT convo? Not literally, no. However, these days, one can’t have a conversation about Cristiano Ronaldo without mentioning his long-time rival Lionel Messi. The Argentine recently called time on his fabled international career, one in which he won the World Cup, two Copa América titles, four Champions League crowns and eight Ballon d’Or gongs. Messi scored 672 goals and supplied 303 assists in 778 outings for Barcelona between 2005 and 2021. For Argentina, he scored 126 times in 208 appearances. Will CR7 play for his beloved Portugal national team again? Add your thoughts by clicking the red comments banner below!

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Datatec shareholders took two-thirds of a R7.05-billion special dividend in new shares instead of cash.