Ben Affleck’s new Netflix thriller, Animals, faces widespread criticism after an unconvincing, heavily AI-generated stunt scene went viral for all the wrong reasons.

A 54-year-old Mabopane man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 17-year-old girl with an intellectual disability in Mamelodi in February 2024.

ANCYL president Collen Malatji is demanding the removal of all DA ministers from the country’s cabinet. Malatji described the DA as a racist party that does not care about the best interests of the government of national unity (GNU). The ANC and the DA are the biggest partners in this governing arrangement. ANCYL demands In a press conference on Thursday, Malatji lashed out at the DA for criticising the ANC’s Constitutional Court challenge against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). “We are calling upon the president to immediately remove all ministers of the DA, and we are calling upon the president to reopen discussions with other political parties. “The EFF must start warming up and behave. If they can warm up and behave, they can join the government of national unity,” he said. Inclusion of the EFF in GNU Malatji said the only problem with the EFF is the behaviour of some of its leaders. “That is why we are ending up in a government of national unity with the DA, because [the EFF] is led by leaders whom we do not know whether they are red or green. But I think they are maturing now, they are becoming an older organisation. I am sure that they will behave better than how they behaved in 2016,” he said. According to Malatji, the ANC’s constituencies in many areas are not pleased with the ANC’s relationship with the DA. “The call is very clear, there is consensus on it, that the DA must be removed and the president must appoint new ministers who believe in our democratic constitution. The DA is clear, it does not believe in the constitutional democracy of this country,” he said. “They have even gone as far as instructing the president on how to reshuffle; that is how much they are disrespectful and how much they undermine black leadership in South Africa.” ANC internal battles Malatji said he notes the utterances of the secretary-general of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula concerning internal squabbles related to the rejection of 181 councillor candidates by the IEC. Mbalula claimed that he was facing internal backlash for the debacle surrounding the 181 councillor candidates. “Lets all focus on elections and fight for the victory of the African National Congress because because if the ANC loses elections there will be no need to worry about leading it because you will be leading an organisation that is our of power,” said Malatji. He also said now is not the time to discuss the party’s 2027 elective conference and the succession battle. “We know our leaders of the ANC when succession time comes, we will know who we support,” he said. Mbalula lashes out at DA Meanwhile, Mbalula has also lashed out at the DA for going against the ANC in the party’s battle with the IEC in the Electoral Court and in the Constitutional Court. “There are matters comrades that this movement will now have to sit down and discuss and one of those matters is our partners in the government of national unity and that is the DA, we must review the DA in the government of national unity,” he said. Mbalula claims the DA argued for the disenfranchisement of South African voters. But the DA has denied this.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to reinstate National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, saying his return comes at a critical time as the South African Police Service (Saps) pushes ahead with reforms aimed at restoring public trust and strengthening policing. Ramaphosa lifted the precautionary suspension that sidelined the country’s top cop for six months following his court appearance on charges linked to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The Presidency confirmed on Friday that Masemola will resume his full duties on 19 October 2026, after criminal charges against him were withdrawn. Saps reset Cachalia welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision to uplift the precautionary suspension. Police ministry spokesperson spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said the acting Minister also expressed his appreciation to Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane for her professionalism, leadership and dedicated service as Acting National Commissioner during this period. “The Ministry remains committed to strengthening the South African Police Service as we continue with the Police Reset Agenda, advancing professionalism, accountability, and ensuring that the organisation remains focused on its constitutional mandate to protect and serve all people in South Africa. “The return of the National Commissioner provides an opportunity for the leadership of the SAPS to maintain focus on operational priorities and the ongoing work to build a professional, capable and trusted police service as per the Police Reset Agenda,” said Mogotsi. Suspension Masemola was placed on precautionary suspension in April by mutual agreement with the president after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court to face allegations of contravening the PFMA. However, the legal cloud hanging over the police chief was lifted when the National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed on 15 September 2026 that the charges be withdrawn. The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court subsequently formalised the withdrawal of the charges on 22 September 2026. The decision cleared the way for Masemola to return to the helm of the country’s police service at a time when Saps faces mounting pressure to tackle violent crime, organised criminal networks, and corruption.

Tristan Perez – who stands accused of murdering girlfriend Elana Brooke – has been at the centre of ongoing postponements in recent court proceedings. A few weeks ago, Perez appeared in the Wynberg Regional Court, but following a procedural issue relating to documentation provided to the defence, the case was postponed until 15 October. Upon his latest appearance this week, the case was again postponed to 17 November, apparently to allow him a final opportunity to resolve outstanding legal fees which he owes his lawyer. According to Brooke’s ex-husband and family spokesperson, David, the court warned that no further postponement would be granted for this reason. His bail was extended. “The continued delays are obviously frustrating but we welcome the court’s firm stance and remain focused on seeing this matter progress and getting justice for Elana,” David commented. Tristan Perez stands accused of murder Back in March, police first apprehended Perez after suspecting his involvement in the murder of Brooke after what was reportedly suspected to be a heated argument. According to reports, police were granted permission to check Perez’s phone, where they found a recording of an escalating argument, and suspicions that it ended with the tragic killing of Brooke. She was 46.Perez reportedly told officers that Brooke had died by suicide. With Perez having been released on bail, and after a series of court appearances and postponements, David said there is still hope that progress is being made. “Thank you to everyone who continues to stand beside us,” he commented. “Your support means more than you know.” Well-known former club cricketer now awaits his fate Perez was a mainstay in Cape Town’s club cricket scene for several years, but Claremont Cricket Club had already abruptly ended his membership in mid-February due to “disciplinary matters arising from conduct deemed to be inconsistent with the ethos, values and spirit of the club.” According to the Club Cricket website, just before his arrest, Perez had just recently scored a record-breaking double century for Claremont Cricket Club’s second XI, smashing 237 runs off 113 balls.

A beloved name in Durban’s hospitality scene will be returning soon, with Thirsty’s Dockside Tavern targeting a reopening next year. After two years of searching for a suitable site, negotiating and changing plans, the team behind the iconic Durban name has finally signed a new lease. The reopening is still dependent on licensing, but co-owner Brett Michielin said the target is to have Thirsty’s back in business early next year. Michielin said he first approached former owner Bob Humphreys about bringing the venue back. “I asked him if I had his blessing and if he wanted to partner with me on this, and he said, ‘Yes, let’s go for it’,” Michielin revealed to IOL. The pair then began looking for a new site, with Michielin making it clear that Thirsty’s needs to retain one of the features that helped make it famous: It has to be near water. Bringing back a Durban institution Thirsty’s Dockside Tavern first opened in September 1995 at the site of the old King’s Gun Battery near Durban harbour. Humphreys had spotted a derelict building at the harbour mouth and saw its potential as an entertainment venue. Alongside business partners Tony Dickinson and Tony Bolt, he transformed it into a popular pub with a distinctive waterfront setting and views of the harbour. The venue quickly became a favourite among locals and international visitors, offering patrons the chance to enjoy a drink while watching ships move through one of South Africa’s busiest ports. Sadly, the hotspot closed its doors in January 2007, after the National Ports Authority (NPA) needed to demolish the building to widen the Durban Harbour mouth. Now, almost three decades after it first opened, the name could once again become part of Durban’s hospitality landscape. But for Michielin, the comeback is about more than reopening a restaurant. “I want that soul again” Announcing the news on Facebook, Michielin said he hopes Thirsty’s can play a small role in reviving the city’s restaurant and hospitality scene. “There was a time when Durban had a restaurant industry that was impossible to ignore,” he said. “It had characters. It had legends. It had chefs who were artists, restaurateurs who were larger than life and restaurants where people came together, celebrated, argued, laughed, fell in love and probably drank far more than they should have.” “It had soul. And I want to see that soul again.” A new chapter for Thirsty’s For former regulars, the planned reopening offers a chance to see a familiar Durban institution return. But Michielin has bigger ambitions for the new Thirsty’s. He wants the venue to encourage young chefs to open restaurants in Durban, inspire restaurateurs to take risks and help give people a reason to visit the city for its food and hospitality. He also hopes the return will bring together the old guard and a new generation. “I want the old legends to come out and show the youngsters how it was done,” he said. “And I want the youngsters to come along and show us old farts how it’s going to be done.” he added. The ultimate goal, he said, is to bring back some of the swagger that once defined Durban’s restaurant scene. The exact new location has not yet been revealed, but the team has signed its lease and is targeting March or April 2027, subject to licensing.

Amid sweeping layoffs, Netflix has replaced the content chief whose tenure included Squid Game and Bridgerton.

The shares and the purchase price paid to Kenya's government will stay where they are until a fast-tracked appeal is heard.