In March, the west African nation adopted new legislation doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations to up to 10 years in prison.

Kiwibank has sparked a free-speech row and accusations of censorship after sending copyright takedown notices to suppress viral, " explicit" social media memes targeting its new green-woolled sheep mascot, " Buck".

Mamelodi Sundowns have no time to rest on their MTN8-winning laurels as they travel to face Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday evening. Masandawana gained a psychological boost in the title race by beating reigning Premiership champions Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Aside from retaining the CAF Champions League, however, winning back the Premiership crown has to be the main ambition for Miguel Cardoso’s side. Sundowns’ Mokoena plays through inner turmoil Teboho Mokoena got the winning goal for Sundowns in Saturday’s final, and revealed afterwards the trauma he has been playing through for both Bafana and the Tshwane giants. “It’s been tough two weeks for me, I lost my grandfather two weeks ago,” Mokoena told SuperSport TV. “I almost lost my brother who got stabbed the day before we played Guinea. They stabbed him multiple times, it’s been tough, but I’d like to dedicate this game to him, he is in the hospital bed. I hope justice will be served, “I’m happy that we won but inside I’m not really okay because it’s sad what happened to my family. You always have to show up, it doesn’t matter how you’re feeling. I dedicate this game to him, my brother and I hope he recovers.” Sundowns are currently top of the Premiership, with a one point lead over Pirates, though the Buccaneers have a game in hand. Miguel Cardoso’s side couldn’t really have had a better start to their campaign – they also beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal to lift the African-Asian Pacific Cup, and the only game they lost in any competition was the first leg of the MTN8 semifinal against Golden Arrows. A hectic schedule That didn’t matter in the end as Sundowns turned the tie around in the second leg, and went on to win their first MTN8 trophy since 2021. Cardoso may decide to ring the changes against the Natal Rich Boyz, as Sundowns have a hectic schedule – on Sunday, they are set to start the defence of their Champions League title against Angolan side Wiliete SC. Richards Bay have yet to win a game this season and are 14th in the Premiership, with just three points from seven matches.

The South African Police Service (Saps) in the Eastern Cape and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit are appealing to the public for assistance in locating 14-year-old Allegra Styles, who has been missing since last week. Police say Allegra was last seen on 8 October 2026 at approximately 6pm. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a beige top and blue jeans. Missing A family member reported her missing on 10 October 2026. Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said information provided to investigators indicates that Allegra had gone to Kamma Park to attend a party after an alleged altercation with her boyfriend. “The family member told police that Allegra had gone to Kamma Park to attend a party following an alleged altercation with her boyfriend. Allegra and her boyfriend have not been seen since,” police said. Leads Van Rensburg said officers have followed several leads to find the teenager. “Police have visited several addresses and contacted people known to her but have not yet been able to locate her,” police said. The FCS Unit in Gqeberha is leading the investigation and has urged community members to come forward with any information that could help trace Allegra. Police appeal In a separate appeal, investigators are also seeking Brent Naidoo (25), who may have information about Allegra’s whereabouts. “The investigating officer is appealing to the community to share any information that could help locate her. Investigators are also seeking Brent Naidoo, who may be able to assist the investigation with information about Allegra’s whereabouts,” police said. Police stressed that the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact investigating officer Captain Grant Measures on 072 732 4220, Lt Col Plaatjies on 071 352 4542, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Information can also be shared anonymously through the MySAPS app.

A 36-year-old pastor accused of murdering a four-month-old baby and raping her mother is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 12 October. The suspect’s two wives are also expected in court in connection with the case, which has shocked Gauteng. Police arrested the pastor on Saturday, 10 October, after tracking him to an informal settlement in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg. His arrest followed a manhunt after officers discovered the infant’s body buried in a shallow grave near the Hennops River last Wednesday. PASTOR ARRESTED AFTER MANHUNT Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that detectives and Crime Intelligence officers tracked down the suspect. “He was found hiding in a backroom in Diepsloot informal settlement, with injuries,” Nevhuhulwi said. The arrest brought the number of suspects in custody to three. His two wives appeared before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 9 October, with proceedings postponed to Monday. Police are investigating kidnapping, rape and murder. HOW DID THE FOUR-MONTH-OLD BABY DIE? The incident unfolded on Wednesday, 7 October, when the 43-year-old mother accompanied the pastor and his 24-year-old wife to the Hennops River near the R511. According to police, the woman believed they were going to perform a spiritual cleansing ritual. The pastor’s wife allegedly remained with the baby while he took the mother towards the river. Police allege that he raped the woman and tied her up. She managed to free herself and ran to a nearby construction site, where workers helped her alert a private security company and police. Officers launched a search for the missing infant. The operation involved detectives, search-and-rescue teams, Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences investigators, and drone operators. Police later located and questioned the pastor’s 24-year-old wife. She allegedly led investigators to a shallow grave where they discovered the baby’s body. The circumstances surrounding the infant’s death remain under investigation. MOTHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER BABY’S DEATH The child’s mother has since spoken publicly about the ordeal. In an interview with Sowetan, she alleged that the pastor had contacted her days before the incident, claiming he had experienced a troubling dream about her family. He allegedly told her she needed prayers and a cleansing ritual. The woman said she had known the pastor for nearly four years and trusted him. Her daughter, identified as Promise, was reportedly due to be buried on Tuesday. LESUFI WELCOMES PASTOR’S ARREST Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi welcomed the arrest on Sunday, describing it as an important step towards securing justice for the mother and her family. “We trust that the criminal justice system will also ensure that it takes its course and that the family will find some measure of justice,” Lesufi said. The premier previously condemned the killing and urged police to ensure those responsible faced the law.

Boxer Retail CEO Marek Masojada will retire in February 2027 after more than three decades with the South African discount retailer, which has grown from a five-store operation into a 600-store business under his tenure. The retailer announced that Masojada, 61, will step down at the end of February 2027, marking the conclusion of its FY27 financial year. READ | Pick n Pay poaches Woolworths executive as next CEO Justin Galloway, an internal successor who has spent 14 years with Boxer, has been appointed CEO-designate with immediate effect. He will formally assume the position on 1 March 2027. The succession process was established when Boxer listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in November 2024. The board considered both internal and external candidates before selecting Galloway. From five stores to 600 Masojada joined Boxer in 1993, when the business operated just five stores and generated annual turnover of R120 million. During his more than 30 years with the retailer, he played a key role in its expansion while helping maintain its focus on affordable prices. He spent 25 years heading the finance function before becoming managing executive in 2019 and CEO in 2024. One of the major milestones during his leadership was Boxer’s successful JSE listing in November 2024 and its transition to a publicly listed company. “I am incredibly proud of how Boxer has grown, and I will retire knowing that the business is in a strong position,” Masojada said. He also praised the people who contributed to the retailer’s development and said he was confident the business would continue to grow. “Having worked alongside Justin for many years, I know Boxer will continue its momentum,” he said. Who is Boxer’s incoming CEO? Galloway is a chartered accountant who joined Boxer in 2012 and became a member of the group executive in 2020. His experience spans finance, store operations and supply chain management, giving him a broad understanding of the retailer’s business. He contributed to the development of Boxer’s discount retail format between 2014 and 2020 before taking responsibility for supply chain operations. In that role, he helped expand the distribution infrastructure supporting Boxer’s growing store network, while focusing on operational efficiency. The Boxer board said Galloway’s leadership experience and knowledge of the business positioned him well to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Galloway said he was honoured to take on the role and build on the foundations established under Masojada’s leadership. “It is a privilege to be able to lead a business valued by so many South Africans,” he said. “Over the past 14 years, I have had the opportunity to work across different areas of Boxer and gain a deep understanding of our business, our customers and our people.” Five-month leadership transition planned The two executives will work alongside each other for five months to support continuity, knowledge transfer and the retailer’s ongoing strategy. Although Masojada will retire as CEO at the end of February 2027, he will remain with Boxer until November 2027 to support Galloway and the group executive team. The phased handover is intended to maintain momentum as the retailer moves into its next stage of growth. Masojada’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Boxer, which has expanded substantially since he joined the business in 1993.

Four of Africa Bitcoin's six directors have resigned after a shareholder group moved to remove them.

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