The Madlanga Commission will seek a statement from Serge Cabonge after an audio recording played in court allegedly linked him to claims that police connections were used to help withdraw charges against a man’s daughter.

Rebuilding his form at Kaizer Chiefs, defender Thabo Moloisane remains confident his performances against top sides like Stellenbosch will earn him a Bafana Bafana recall.

Two department of home affairs officials accused of selling South African passports to foreign nationals for up to R100 000 have been granted bail for R5 000 each. David Motsamai, 35, and Lufu Mulaudzi, 39, appeared before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with an alleged syndicate that fraudulently acquired South African passports. Home Affairs officials accused of selling SA passports to foreign nationals The department’s Counter Corruption Unit and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation conducted a joint investigation. They investigated a syndicate discovered in 2021 that exploited a system loophole. Through “photo swapping”, the syndicate allegedly used the identity details of South African citizens unlawfully. It did this by replacing their photographs with those of foreign nationals. Motsamai and Mulaudzi were stationed at the Home Affairs office in Germiston. The duo faces counts of fraud, with alternative charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Immigration Act. Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the investigation into the alleged passport fraud syndicate started in 2021 under Project Humulani. “The state alleges that the scheme was intended to enable foreign nationals to fraudulently obtain South African passports and conceal their true identities and immigration status,” Mohlatlole said. Investigation started in 2021 under Project Humulani Prosecution also alleges that Motsamai and Mulaudzi acted in common purpose with other people, some of whom the state doesn’t know yet. “The charges relate to multiple alleged incidents involving the fraudulent use of South African citizens’ identity details in passport applications processed at the Germiston Home Affairs office,” Mohlatlole said. The court granted both accused bail of R5 000 each and postponed the case to 26 October 2026 for transfer to the regional court. NPA applauds Project Humulani Mohlatlole said the NPA applauded Project Humulani’s ongoing efforts. These efforts combat alleged corruption and criminal conduct related to the illicit purchase of South African identity and travel documents. “The integrity of South Africa’s identity and passport system is critical to maintaining public confidence and protecting the country’s immigration and identity-management systems,” Mohlatlole said. “Those who allegedly abuse positions of public trust to facilitate fraudulent access to official documents must be held accountable where the evidence supports prosecution.” The NPA said it remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal syndicates. It also wants to protect the integrity of the country’s identity-management systems and ensure that persons implicated in criminal activities are brought before the courts to face charges. Earlier on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the case underscored the need for fundamental reforms within the department. “For years, outdated manual processes created loopholes that criminal syndicates could exploit to fraudulently obtain South African passports,” Schreiber said. “Through our digital transformation, we are closing these loopholes by introducing secure biometric verification and automated systems that remove opportunities for human manipulation.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African Legal Professionals Association (ALPA) have challenged parliament’s decision to withdraw advocate Thandazani Griffiths Madonsela’s nomination as chief evidence leader in the impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal, arguing that the move was irrational and unlawful. The Western Cape High Court in Cape Town heard arguments from the two organisations on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, as part of a two-day hearing into their review applications against the Section 89 impeachment committee. Phala Phala impeachment committee rescinds evidence leader nomination At the centre of the dispute is the committee’s decision last month to reverse its earlier recommendation in favour of Madonsela, following objections raised by Ramaphosa over his suitability for the role. In correspondence sent to the committee on 18 August 2026, the president questioned Madonsela’s previous involvement in the matter, including his provision of legal advice to the African National Congress (ANC) on the impeachment issue. The president also referred to Madonsela’s removal from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in 2022, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding the matter could give rise to a potential conflict of interest. Following Ramaphosa’s objection, the committee withdrew its recommendation and reopened the nomination process. It has since put the selection of a replacement evidence leader on hold pending the outcome of the court proceedings. The committee is opposing the applications brought by the EFF and ALPA, both of which are seeking to have its decision reviewed and set aside. EFF argues president’s objection prompted reversal Appearing for the EFF, advocate Mfesane Ka-Siboto questioned whether the committee was legally entitled to reverse a decision it had already taken. He argued that the timing of Ramaphosa’s objection was significant, particularly because the president had allegedly been aware of the circumstances now being cited as the basis to challenge Madonsela’s appointment. “I think that’s a crucial fact. The president knew he appointed Mr Madonsela to the JSC. He knew that,” the lawyer told the court. Ka-Siboto also questioned why the ANC had not objected to Madonsela’s nomination, given that the party was aware of his previous legal work for the organisation. The EFF’s legal representative maintained that the manner in which the committee exercised its power was irrational and in bad faith, even if it possessed the authority to reverse its decision. “All that simply happened is that the president complained. “That’s the upshot of our contention, that there is nothing that changed factually that warrants the deviation.” ALPA wants decision sent back to committee ALPA’s legal representative advocate Michael Bishop also challenged the reasoning behind the committee’s decision, arguing that it could not selectively rely on one consideration to justify reversing its earlier recommendation. He emphasised that ALPA was not seeking to “dictate” the outcome of the process of selecting the evidence leader nor asking the court to compel the committee to appoint Madonsela. “We do not ask for substitution. The relief we ask for will not mean advocate Madonsela will be appointed. “What we ask for is setting aside this decision and the effect would be to remit the question to the committee. “It will have to reconsider and take a unlawful, rational decision about whether to finish the appointment of advocate Madonsela or not,” Bishop explained. The hearing is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, 14 October, when the court is expected to hear further arguments in the matter. Section 89 committee chair defends decision-making process Elswhere in the courtroom, committee chairperson and Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana rejected the characterisation of events presented by the EFF and ALPA during their arguments. Gana told the media he believed the applicants had misrepresented aspects of what transpired during the committee’s meeting on 1 September, when the decision to reverse Madonsela’s nomination was considered. He expressed confidence that the committee would successfully defend its position, insisting that it had been made in accordance with the rules governing the National Assembly. Gana also denied that he had acted independently or made decisions “behind closed doors” to reverse the nomination. “It was the decision of the committee to refer the letter to the legal services to show that everything that we do will always be transparent so that each and every South African can see every step of the way in how we execute our duties in parliament,” the chairperson said. The Rise Mzansi MP further revealed that the committee was in the final stages of preparing its terms of reference. WESTERN CAPE HIGH COURT DAY 1Proceedings adjourned until tomorrow 9am. We will respond to the submissions by EFF and ALPA. We remain confident that the court will agree with us.#ImpeachmentCommittee pic.twitter.com/SrA3WSyIU1— Makashule Gana – RISE Mzansi (@Makashule) October 13, 2026

Jean Pieterse, a Western Cape man, says the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant is not enough to keep food on his family’s table. Pieterse has received the SRD grant for between three and five years and shared his story in The South African’s SASSA grant survey. His household has gone without food in the past month, despite the grant arriving each month. SRD grant runs out before month-end Pieterse spends his entire grant on food and groceries. Even so, he regularly struggles to make ends meet and runs out of money before the month ends. When asked what he would say about SASSA grants, Pieterse did not hold back. “Give more money to the people,” he said. If he could change one thing about SASSA, he would increase the grant amount. Job seeker battles unemployment and grant problems Unemployment remains Pieterse’s biggest financial concern. He is actively looking for work and has experience in retail and customer service. Alongside his job search, Pieterse has faced problems with the grant itself. He lists payment delays and issues with his SASSA card among his biggest challenges. He has also dealt with a declined or lapsed application and says he struggled to understand why it was rejected. He has not applied for additional government support, explaining that he did not qualify for anything else. Poor communication adds to the frustration Pieterse rates SASSA’s communication with recipients as poor. For grant recipients already stretching every rand, unclear information about payments and application outcomes adds another layer of stress. His experience reflects the reality facing many SRD grant recipients who rely on the grant as a lifeline while searching for work in a tough job market. For Pieterse, the message to government is simple: the support needs to go further. Win R2 000 in the South African SASSA grant survey If you receive a SASSA grant and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Take part in our survey and stand a chance to win R2 000. Your responses help us tell the stories that matter.

LIVE UPDATES 14′ ⚽️ Blocked! Vilakazi weaves around Stellenbosch’s defence but his shot is denied by Msimango. The score remains Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Stellenbosch FC. 12′ ⚽️ Offiside! Shabalala is flagged after a quality ball from Vilakazi down the left channel. 5′ ⚽️ That was close. An inviting cross from Monyane is cut out before reaching Duba in a dangerous area. 2′ ⚽️ Wide! Frosler’s shot goes wide after picking up a rebound from a free kick. 1′ ⚽️ We’re underway at the FNB Stadium! KAIZER CHIEFS VS STELLENBOSCH FC CONFIRMED STARTING LINE UPS Kaizer Chiefs: Leaner, Monyane, Miguel, Moloisane, Cross, Mako, Frosler, Mthethwa, Vilakazi, Shabalala, Duba. Substitutes: Bvuma, Kwinika, Nkgwesa, Mabaso, Da Silva, Chislett, Velebayi, Baartman. Stellenbosch FC: Stephens, Lebitso, Nkwali, Msimango, Vena, Mashego, Blom, Matlou, Kwayiba, Du Preez, Plaatjies. Substitutes: Garrow, Sibande, Taunyana, Andrieas, Johannesen, Lateef, Daniels, Butsaka, Grobler.

iOCO's profit rose 39% to R357-million in FY2026, but net cash from operating activities fell 44%.

Apple has unveiled the HomeView, a $299 smart-home hub built around Siri AI, as it takes on rivals in the connected home.