A leaked dossier alleges overlapping political, professional and business connections involving Patriotic Alliance figures appointed to national arts bodies and Johannesburg municipal entities. Several people named in the dossier dispute the allegations or say their appointments followed proper processes.

Speaking to journalists in Khayelitsha at Mew Way Hall in Khayelitsha during the party’s campaign trail in Cape Town on Sunday, Ramaphosa said the GNU remains intact and parties continue to work together.

The Stormers are set to rotate their team and juggle their Springboks over the next two United Rugby Championship (URC) matches going into the November international break. A Bok heavy Stormers team have picked up two home wins over the past two weekends, 39-22 over the Sharks in the URC and 49-12 over Bristol Bears in their Champions Cup opener this past Saturday. Of their Bok contingent, only Siya Kolisi has played an extra game, after he took an amazing journey from Australia to meet up with them on tour in Ireland, before featuring for the Stormers against Edinburgh in Scotland, while the rest had that weekend off after finishing their national team duties. But with the Springboks having four Nations Championship games in the Europe on their end-of-year-tour next month, it wouldn’t be right for the Stormers to play all their Boks over the next two matches. “We have to stick to the critical path. We need to give (Junior Springbok loosehead prop) Ollie Reid a game in the next two, because we can’t always rely on Ntuks (Ntuthuko Mchunu) and Vernon (Matongo),” explained Director of Rugby John Dobson about possible personnel changes. “At some stage Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) is going to need a break, otherwise we are going to destroy him for the (Springboks) Nations Championship games, and because of the amount of game time (for the Boks and Stormers) he’s had. So he clearly needs a break. “The same applies to Damian (Willemse), we have a plan with Paul (de Villiers) and others. So we will just stick to our plan. I don’t think we’ve seen anything this weekend that will cause us to panic (about changing the plan).” Perfect opposition Although they won’t admit it, the Stormers have the perfect opposition to rotate their team against this coming weekend in Welsh side Llanelli Scarlets, who are one of the URC’s regular strugglers, and though they can’t take any team lightly, they should be comfortable backing their wider squad against them. They then face a trickier challenge a week later against Irish side Ulster who they will likely want to have some of their big guns in the group for, while they will also want to make sure they continue winning all their home games in Cape Town. Another player who could get a go in his regular position is Wandisile Similane, who was a late call-up for the Bristol game at outside centre for regular Stormers captain Ruhan Nel, who picked up a calf injury in training and could possibly be out for a while. “We’ve got to get him more (game time). He covers 15 for us, he’s benched on the wing and handled the contestables last week (against the Sharks). He obviously wants a crack at 13, but it’s tough when your regular captain is there,” explained Dobson. “This experiment with (captaining) Paul (de Villiers) would allow us to give Wandi more opportunities. Ruan is 35, he’s not going to play every game, but Wandi does deserve more rugby than what we’ve probably given him, and he deserves to be in his position. “That’s why we call it the critical path. If we can just plan and say to him, ‘Wandi, you’re going to miss out this week, you’ve got two benches, you’ve got two starts’. The guys know where they stand.”

The rugby community came together as one, to stand in solidarity with the Lions, after the tragic sudden passing of Hyron Andrews at the team hotel on Friday before their first ever Champions Cup game against La Rochelle in France on Saturday. Andrews, 31, started his senior career with the Sharks in Durban, where he spent over a decade, before moving to Sale Sharks in England in 2024. He then joined the Lions in the most recent off-season. What was supposed to be a fantastic occasion for the Lions after qualifying for European Rugby’s (EPCR) top franchise competition for the first time, with a top eight finish in the United Rugby Championship (URC) last season, was instead a tragic affair. It looked like the game in La Rochelle would be called off due to the tragedy, only for the Lions to surprise many by saying they would still play – in honour of Andrews. Ahead of every EPCR game at the weekend, a moment’s silence was observed, with rugby coming together to beautifully honour one of their own. After the Sharks beat Lyon in France coach JP Pietersen dedicated the result to Andrews saying: “Today’s a really special win. Not just the rugby. But with Hyron passing away yesterday, it was quite emotional. Dedicate to Hyron “We definitely dedicate this win to Hyron. You could see with the fight and relentlessness that the group had, it was something really special today.” In La Rochelle, there were emotional scenes of Lions players in tears during the moment’s silence with the lock’s No 5 jersey laid in front of them, while the crowd was incredible in observing the silence, applauding in honour in the fifth minute of play, and giving the Lions a standing ovation at the end. Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen elaborated on the support they had received from La Rochelle. “On the Friday of Hyron’s passing, the owner of La Rochelle (Vincent Merking), CEO (Pierre Veneyre) and head coach Ronan O’Gara all visited the hotel in support. Five players from La Rochelle also visited the hotel in support. “The three South African players (Salmaan Moerat, Dillyn Leyds and David Kriel) were there all Friday afternoon and even two local players (Paul Boudehent and Matthias Haddad) joined us for dinner on Friday and even Saturday night after the game.” Although the result was secondary, the Lions showed tremendous bravery and heart to push the powerful internationally laden French giants all the way in the match, but were ultimately defeated. Andrews would have been proud of the effort and fight. RIP.

Zimbabwean stars Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat scored as Scottland FC secured a 2-0 victory over Angola’s Petro de Luanda in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie. The Zimbabwean champions claimed the advantage at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Sunday, 18 October, with the experienced forwards finding the net in the second half. According to CAF, the victory puts Scottland in a strong position ahead of the return fixture, with a place in the group stage at stake. Billiat and Musona deliver for Scottland Scottland struggled to break down their opponents in the first half despite enjoying a numerical advantage for almost the entire match. Petro de Luanda goalkeeper Hugo Marques was sent off within the opening minute after fouling Panashe Mutimbanyoka outside the penalty area, leaving the Angolan side with 10 men. However, the visitors remained organised defensively, frustrating Scottland as the teams went into the break without a goal. The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 67th minute when Billiat finished a cross from substitute Walter Musona, who had come on for Emmanuel Jalai. Billiat then helped create the second goal, drawing defenders towards him before setting up his long-time friend Knowledge Musona to score in the 80th minute. The two goals gave Scottland a valuable cushion before Friday’s return leg in Angola, according to The Herald. Former Kaizer Chiefs stars make their mark South African football supporters are familiar with the Zimbabwean duo’s time at Kaizer Chiefs. Billiat established himself as an influential attacking player during his spell at Amakhosi, while Musona previously captained the Soweto club. Their contributions against Petro de Luanda underline the value of their experience as Scottland pursue a place among Africa’s leading club sides. Scottland coach Norman Mapeza praised the pair’s contribution, describing their experience as priceless as the club targets qualification for the group stage. The result is particularly significant for Scottland, who are competing in Africa’s premier club competition after winning Zimbabwe’s domestic league. Scottland face decisive test in Angola Despite the two-goal advantage, Scottland must complete the job in the second leg to secure progression. Petro de Luanda will have home advantage in the return fixture and will need to overturn the deficit to keep their Champions League campaign alive. Scottland, meanwhile, will look to protect their lead and take another step towards a historic group-stage appearance.

The Hawks have rescued three Peruvian women from a Gqeberha lodge after uncovering a suspected human trafficking and cybercrime operation linked to fraudulent job offers. The Hawks and Home Affairs immigration officials raided the property in Bluewater Bay on Friday, 16 October, after the Peruvian government raised concerns about an 18-year-old woman who had allegedly travelled to South Africa for a call centre job. Instead, she reportedly found herself at a lodge where people allegedly carried out online scams targeting victims in Peru. Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the woman’s father played a crucial role in helping authorities track down the property. FAKE JOB OFFER LEADS WOMAN TO GQEBERHA According to Mhlakuvana, the 18-year-old arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on 2 October before travelling to Gqeberha the following day. Recruiters had allegedly promised her employment at an online call centre. However, when she arrived at the Bluewater Bay lodge, she discovered that the operation differed significantly from the job she had expected. Investigators believe those running the operation used the premises to conduct online scams targeting people in Peru. Participants allegedly had to communicate in Spanish. The young woman contacted her father in Peru and shared information about her location. Her father alerted authorities, prompting the Peruvian government to raise the alarm through the National Human Trafficking Hotline. “The information was relayed through the appropriate channels, leading to the law enforcement intervention,” Mhlakuvana said. HAWKS FIND 26 PEOPLE DURING RAID Hawks investigators and Home Affairs officials arrived at the lodge at approximately 17:00 on Friday. They found 26 people, including 14 Peruvian women and 12 men. The men included two South Africans allegedly working as drivers, two Chinese nationals identified as tenants linked to the online business and eight Peruvian nationals. Investigators are still trying to establish each person’s role in the suspected operation. Officers removed the 18-year-old and two other Peruvian women who had reportedly arrived in South Africa on the same date. Authorities took the three women to a place of safety, where they will receive further assistance and support. POLICE SEIZE COMPUTERS AND CELLPHONES During the operation, investigators seized laptops, desktop computers and cellphones as they pursued allegations of human trafficking, fraudulent recruitment and cybercrime. Police also took the remaining 23 people to various police stations to verify their immigration status and investigate their possible involvement in criminal activities. Mhlakuvana confirmed that the Hawks had not arrested anyone by Sunday, 18 October. The investigation remains ongoing. Eastern Cape Hawks acting provincial head Brigadier Romeo Petrus praised the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the joint operation that led to the women’s rescue. Investigators will now examine the seized electronic devices and establish whether those involved committed any criminal offences.

Telecoms companies, fintechs and retailers will be able to connect directly to the national payments system.

The Reserve Bank wants all of South Africa's ATMs white-labelled, with free transactions below a threshold, starting with a pilot in January.