27 October 2026 – Suspended Pretoria Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair has pleaded not guilty to all corruption charges against him in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court. Nair appeared in court on 26 October 2026, where the trial commenced with the state presenting its evidence through its first witness, an employee of a BOSASA subsidiary.
The witness testified about the alleged installation of security upgrades at Nair’s home.
According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, Nair is accused of allegedly receiving security upgrades valued at approximately R200 000 at his home in Gauteng in September 2016. Mamothame said the upgrades were allegedly provided by African Global Operations, formerly known as BOSASA.
“The upgrades reportedly included an electric fence, an alarm system, perimeter beams and a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system. The alleged gratification was intended to induce Nair to act dishonestly or improperly in the exercise of his influential position within the judiciary.
“The state commenced leading its evidence through its first witness, who provided testimony regarding the alleged installation of security upgrades at the accused’s residence,” he said.
The matter was postponed to 27 October 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
26 October 2026 – Seven accused are facing 46 charges, including corruption, fraud, money laundering and contraventions of the Municipal Finance Management Act in connection with an alleged R144 million municipal land fraud and a separate social housing funding scheme worth more than R100 million in Mahikeng. The accused, Hendrik Smith, Petrus van der Merwe, Barbra van der Merwe, Sarel van Niekerk, Brian Moholo, Tshepiso Moholo and Reggie Mutsi, appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting at the Molopo Regional Court on 22 and 23 October 2026.
According to a joint statement by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the accused were arrested on 22 and 23 October 2026, by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Crimes Against the State units. The first alleged scheme relates to the unlawful sale of municipal land valued at R144 million between 2007 and 2009.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Lindiwe Mabasa said the state alleges that the first and second accused acted together to defraud the then Mahikeng Local Municipality through a sale agreement that required the purchaser to pay the full purchase price. Mabasa said, however, only R5 million was allegedly paid, leaving an outstanding balance of R139 million.
“Investigators allege that the R5 million payment was made through an unauthorised arrangement involving the accused and other parties, without the municipality’s knowledge or approval. The payment was allegedly part of an attempt to amend the original sale agreement and reduce the purchase price.
“In February 2009, the land was transferred after the first accused lodged an application with the Deeds Registry in Vryburg. The state alleges that the transfer proceeded despite the outstanding balance and without the necessary municipal authorisation,” she said.
Mabasa further said the second alleged scheme involves more than R100 million in social housing funding obtained from the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) between 2011 and 2013. She added that the NPA and Hawks allege that the second to seventh accused participated in a scheme to defraud the SHRA using the land acquired through the alleged municipal land fraud.
“The accused allegedly applied for more than R100 million in funding to construct social housing units in Mahikeng. The fifth accused, Brian Moholo, who was the SHRA chief executive officer (CEO) at the time, allegedly facilitated and authorised the process through which the funding was obtained.
“Investigations allegedly revealed that the intended housing units were never completed. Instead, only structures were erected, allegedly to conceal the true purpose of the scheme. The SHRA reportedly suffered financial losses exceeding R100 million.
“All seven accused were granted bail. Six were granted bail of R10 000 each, while the fifth accused, Moholo, was granted bail of R5 000. The matter was postponed to 7 December 2026, for further investigations,” said Mabasa.
“The allegations have yet to be tested in court,” she said.
26 October 2026 – An accused, Ntombifuthi Mavis Rumo (37), has appeared in the Kwa-Thema Magistrate’s Court for allegedly staging her own kidnapping with two other people to extort money from her family. Rumo briefly appeared in court, while her co-accused, Bonginkosi Mndebele (27), appeared in absentia because he is in hospital.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said both accused are facing a charge of defeating the administration of justice. Mahanjana said the incident allegedly began on 7 October 2026, when Rumo, Mndebele and a third suspect, who has not yet been charged, met and discussed staging her kidnapping because they were experiencing financial difficulties.
“The trio allegedly contacted Rumo’s family and demanded money in exchange for her release. When the family was unable to pay the demanded amount, the suspects allegedly released Rumo on 12 October 2026, and left her along Vlakfontein Road.
“They then reportedly asked her family to collect her from the location. Following an investigation into the reported kidnapping, Rumo was arrested on 20 October 2026, after her husband brought her to the police,” she said.
Mahanjana further said a her arrest, she allegedly pointed out Mndebele to the police. She added that the matter was postponed to 29 October 2026, for bail investigations and for Mndebele to appear in court.
“The state intends to oppose bail for both accused,” said Mahanjana.
26 October 2026- The police in Mooinooi are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Katlego Constance Nkotswe (19), who has been missing since 25 September 2026. Nkotswe resides in Matameng Section, Mooinooi and was last seen by her grandmother in Tornado Section on the morning of her disappearance.
According to information received by the police, Nkotswe allegedly told her family that she was going to attend graduation ceremonies in Pretoria. She has not been seen since.
The North West police spokesperson, Constable Thuto Bobelo said the police have launched a search and conducted extensive investigations, but these have so far yielded no positive results. Bobelo said Nkotswe is described as tall, with a medium build and long black hair.
“The clothes she was wearing when she disappeared are unknown. The police are urging anyone who may have information about her whereabouts to contact the investigating officer, Constable Wendy Mazolwana, on 083 563 3972 or 014 574 5014.
“Members of the public can also contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the MySAPS application on a smartphone,” he said.
26 Diphalane 2026 – Babelaelwa ba le bane ba kwa Reivilo ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mabapi le go teketa Keneilwe Molatlhwa (44) ka maikaelelo a go mo ntsha dikgobalo. Se, se tla morago ga dipego tsa gore babelaelwa ba, ba latofatse Motlatlhwa ka boloi.
Go ya ka dipego, bangwe ba maloko a lelapa la babelaelwa, ba ile ba itatlhela ka dikago tsa seteishene sa sepodisi, le go ipelaetsa gore barwa rrabone ba gololwe. Go begwa fa ba ile ba tshosetsa motlhankedi wa sepodisi o neng a le mo tirong ka nako eo, le go mo goga-goga ka diaparo.
Go begwa fa motlhankela o wa sepodisi, a ile a patelesega go dirisa gase ya dikeledi go okobatsa seemo.
26 October 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said last week, the Minister of Finance, Enock Godongwana, presented the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament, which showed just how far they have travelled along the path of restoring the health of the public finances. Ramaphosa said for many of them, the state of the country’s public finances might feel like something far removed from the struggles of daily life.
He further said the truth is, the decisions they make about how they raise, spend and manage public money have a direct impact on their lives. Ramaphosa added that they determine whether the children get a good education, if their local clinics and hospitals actually work, if their roads are kept in good shape, and if their economy can finally create the jobs people so desperately need.
“Over the last few years, we have been walking a difficult path to both stabilise our public finances and tackle the high levels of poverty and unemployment in our country. We have been working to recover and clean up the mess left behind by state capture, which weakened our institutions, hurt economic growth and drove up our public debt.
“The COVID-19 pandemic made this worse, as the government had to implement a stimulus package to protect workers, communities and businesses from the worst effects of the subsequent economic contraction. As our debt went up, so did the cost of paying interest on it,” he said.
Ramaphosa said every rand they spent on interest was a rand that could not be used to build a school, build houses, equip a hospital, fix a road or provide essential services. He said they simply could not let that continue forever.
“For the first time in nearly two decades, public debt has stabilised and it is now beginning to decline. Since 2023, we have maintained a primary budget surplus, meaning that, excluding debt service costs, we have been spending less than we have been earning. This allows us to further reduce our debt and lower the cost of borrowing, while increasing confidence in our economy.
“These improvements are part of a bigger economic recovery. The end of load shedding, our improved fiscal position and our removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list have contributed to the rise in public confidence and our first sovereign credit rating upgrade in over 16 years,” said Ramaphosa.
He said the recovery of the South African Revenue Service following the era of state capture has enabled better collection rates. Ramaphosa said this is revenue being used to deliver tangible benefits to the South African people as more resources are made available for social and development spending.
“It is being used to build more schools and clinics, improve public services, deliver social grants and invest in public infrastructure that communities rely on. We are allocating more funds to combat gender-based violence and femicide.
“This includes additional funds to hire more than 3,500 social workers and to improve the capacity of our forensic and investigative services to ensure gender-based violence cases result in successful prosecution and conviction,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the social wage, which covers health, education, social development and services for low-income households, makes up around 60% of non-interest spending. He said it funds free basic services for over 11 million households, school meals and grants to more than 18 million beneficiaries.
“We know the rising cost of living is putting a massive strain on households. The temporary reduction in the fuel levy announced by the Minister is one of the ways we are trying to provide some relief. The improved fiscal position allows us to invest more in infrastructure, which is an essential driver of inclusive economic growth and job creation. Payments for capital assets are the fastest-growing item in our budget, and new measures have been put in place to increase private sector investment in infrastructure.
“The improved financial position is being supported by the reform of the budgeting process. We are fundamentally changing how public money is being spent, monitored and accounted for,” said Ramaphosa.
He said, however, fixing their finances is not just about collecting more tax or cutting debt. Ramaphosa said it is also about making sure every single rand of public money is spent wisely, honestly and effectively.
“We are eliminating waste and inefficiencies in government programmes. We are phasing out programmes that perform badly or lack clear outcomes. This process is already producing measurable savings.
“More than R11 billion in savings has been identified in the medium term from rationalising low-priority programmes. This means that we are making targeted savings rather than indiscriminate cuts to departmental budgets to reduce overall spending,” said Ramaphosa.
He said as part of this approach, they are reviewing the Infrastructure Conditional Grant to assess why provinces and municipalities underspend, why projects are not delivered on time and within budget and why the quality of deliverables is poor in many cases. Ramaphosa said their aim is not to spend less, but to spend smarter.
“Beyond the funds that have been dedicated over the next three years to growing the economy, creating jobs and fighting poverty, this MTBPS signals confidence and stability. It shows that we have made significant progress along the path of recovery and demonstrates our commitment to continue along that path.
“In doing so, we are steadily improving the conditions for far greater investment, growth and job creation. We know that many South Africans haven’t felt the benefits of this economic recovery yet. Unemployment is still far too high, too many families are struggling to get by and too many communities are dealing with poor services,” he said.
Ramaphosa said they should not mistake financial stability for the end of the road. He said there is still a lot of work to do.
“But we should recognise how far we have come. A country that manages its money responsibly is better equipped to protect its most vulnerable citizens, handle economic shocks, attract investment and build for the future.
“The progress we are seeing gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction. It also puts a bigger responsibility on the government to make sure these financial gains turn into real improvements that South Africans can actually see and feel,” said Ramaphosa.
He said their job now is to turn financial stability into economic opportunity and a better quality of life for everyone. Ramaphosa said at the end of the day, that is what responsible management of public money is all about.
“Not just a healthier balance sheet for the government, but a better life for the people of South Africa,” he said.
26 October 2026 – The Gauteng High Court sitting in Johannesburg has reserved judgment until 26 November 2026, in a Section 342A application brought by accused persons in the Transnet corruption case. The application was heard by the court, with the state opposing it.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the accused include former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, Siyabonga Gama, Garry Pita and Phetolo Ramosebudi, as well as Regiments Capital directors, Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonhya, Trillian Asset Management director Daniel Roy of Novum Asset Management, Kuben Moodley and Albatime (Pty) Ltd owner. Mamothame said during the proceedings, the state outlined proposed arrangements to ensure that the accused could access electronic disclosure data required to prepare for trial.
“However, defence software experts presented opposing views on the proposed arrangements, prompting the judge to reserve judgment on the application. The accused face charges including contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a locomotive procurement transaction.
“The case stems from a transaction advisory tender awarded in 2012 to a McKinsey-led consortium, which resulted in the procurement of 1,064 locomotives valued at more than R54 billion,” he said.
Mamothame further said Regiments Capital was allegedly irregularly brought into the contract, benefiting from its appointment and contributing to an increase in the contract’s value and scope to more than R305 million. He added that the company’s services included sourcing loans on behalf of Transnet from the China Development Bank and through the Club Loan, amounting to $2.5 billion, equivalent to approximately R30 billion at the time.
“The accused also face charges relating to a payment of R93.4 million made to Trillian Asset Management in 2015. The court is expected to deliver its judgment on the Section 342A application on 26 November 2026,” said Mamothame.
Setshwantsho: Bangwe ba balatofadiwa mo kgetsing ya polao
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
26 Diphalane 2026 – Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le bane ba kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Taung go fitlha ka di 11 Ferikgong 2027. Bakang Katong (33), yo o atlholetsweng dingwaga di le robedi kwa kgolegelong mo kgetsing ya petelelo, ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae mo kgetsing ya polao, Thabang Lenyai (24), Katlego Mosimege (32), le Phenyo Katong (35), ba ne ba tshwarwa dingwaga di le nne tse di fetileng morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya Thabiso Mothibedi (35), setlhogo.
Go begwa fa ba ile ba mo teketa le go mo golegelela mo generateng. Seno se tla morago ga gore ba mo latofatse ka go ba utswetsa madi a seatleng a lekang ka R20 000 le diritibatsi tsa R1200.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, mokaptein Sam Tselanyane, o ile a tlhalosetsa ba lekwalo-dikgang la The Guardian Newspaper gore dipatlisiso di shupa fa tiragalo e, ele ya di 29 Moranang 2022. Tselanyane are go ile ga begwa fa moswi a ile a siela kwa motseng wa Longaneng.
“Fela, go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tswa letsholo le go mo latela. Go begwa fa go gorogeng ga bone kwa motseng wa Manthe, ba ile ba mo gokelela mo generateng, mme ba mo teketa go fitlhelela a tlhokafala.
“Go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba ile ba tabogisetsa moswi kwa kliniking ya selegae fa ba bona a neela mowa. Baoki ba ne ba tlhalosa fa go se sepe se ba ka se dirang go boloka moswi, gonne one a setse a balelelwa le badimo,” Tselanyane wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ile ba bolotsa mogwanto kgatlhanong le balatofadiwa, mme ba ile ba fisa matlo a bone a le mararo mo tiragalong e. Gape, baagi ba ile thuba le go senya ntlo-maitiso ya balatofadiwa, mme ba itseela le nnotagi.
Go fitlha ga jaana, dipaki tsa puso di setse di ntshitse bopaki go akaretsa le mooki yo o neng a amogela setopo sa moswi kwa kliniking ya Manthe.
Setshwantsho: Balatofadiwa, Phemelo Patrick Maine ga mmogo le Onkemetse Phatlhanyane
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
26 Diphalane 2026 – Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi, Phemelo Patrick Maine (46) ga mmogo le Onkemetse Phatlhanyane (28) e buseditswe morago ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Taung. Kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha 17 Ngwanatsele 2026, go tla go tsena mo dipuisano tsa pele ga tsheko.
Maine le Phatlhanyane ba kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, gaufi le Pudimoe, ba latofadiwa ka go thopa ka dikgoka le go bolaya Boingotlo Makaota (16). Go begwa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se bonwe kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng kwa motseng wa Matlhako 2, moragonyana.
Go ya ka moagisani, one a utlwa segajaja sa lekgarebe mo bosigong jwa Labone kwa ntlung ya ga Maine. Go begwa fa moagisani o, gape a tlhalositse fa a ne a bona Maine ga mmogo le ditsala tsa gagwe ba kgorometsa kereibaye e go bontshang fa ene e pegile sengwe mo teng mo mosong wa Labotlhano.
Sebueledi sa maloba sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are: “Sepodisi se ile sa tswa letsholo, mme seo se ile sa lebisa kwa go epololweng ga setopo sa ga Makaota. Go begwa fa setopo seo, sene se thatilwe ka kobo, mme moswi one a supiwa ke ba lelapa la gagwe.
“Dipatlisiso di shupa fa setopo sa ga Makaota, se ne se na le dintho mo tlhogong, mo diropeng ga mmogo le mo maotong. Dipatlisiso di ile tsa bolodiwa kwa lelapeng la ga Maine, mme diaparo tsa moswi di ile tsa fitlhelwa teng.”
Mokgwabone are, Maine o ne a tshwarwa morago ga go ineele kwa sepodising. Are monna o, o ile a isiwa kwa sepodisi ke morwa rragwe, mme one a tshwarwa.
“Sepodisi se ile sa botsolotsa Phatlhanyane o bonweng a tsamaya le Maine fa a ne a kgorometsa kereibaye, mme le ene o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.
Mokomishinara wa Sepodisi wa nama o sa tshwere wa nako eo mo Bokone Bophirima, Major General Patrick Asaneng, o kgadile ka bogale tiragalo e. Asaneng are polao eo ya go tlhorontshiwa ga bong e kabo e efogilwe fa baagi ba ne ba le malala-a-laotswe.
Kgabagare, kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha di 20 Diphalane 2026, mme e tla nnelwa disanyana pele ga tsheko.
Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa mo kgetsing ya polao le maiteko a polao, Tshwaro Mangwegape
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
26 Diphalane 2026 – Ditheetso mo kgetsing ya polao le maiteko a polao kgatlhanong le Tshwaro Mangwegape yo e leng mogwebi o itsegeng gape ele mong wa lefelo le le rekisang bojalwa la The Meat Brother’s Pub, di buseditswe morago go fitlha di 11 Ferikgong 2027, ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Taung mo letsatsing la maabane. Se, se tla morago ga gore mmueledi wa gagwe a se iponatse kwa kgotlhatshekelo ka ntlheng ya bolwetsi.
Mangwegape o latofadiwa ka go thuntsa le go bolaya naledi ya kgwele ya dinao ya setlhopha sa NWU Soccer Institute, Undivile “Vila” Mdi (28) le go gobatsa tsala ya gagwe, Aobakwe Ernest Kokwe (34).
Go begwa fa Mdi le Kokwe, ba ne ba etela lefelo la The Meat Brother’s Pub mono Taung ka di 16 Sedimonthole 2023, go ya go ijesa monate. Fela go begwa fa lefelo leo le ne le tletse phetelelo.
Go ya ka dipego, Mdi le Kokwe ba baneng ba le mo gare ga lefelo leo, ba ile ba tswela kwa ntle, mme batlhokomedi ba ile ba ba lemotsha fa ba se kitla ba kgona go boela mo teng, gonne go tletse.
Go begwa fa go ile ga tsoga tlhatlharuane magareng ga Mangwegape le banna ba, gonne ba ne ba batla go tsena ka kgang. Go begwa fa Mangwegape a ile a ntsha sethunya le go thuntsa Mdi, ga mmogo le Kokwe.
Go begwa fa Mdi a ile a tlhokafalela kwa bookelo, mme Kokwe ene o ile a amogelwa le go kgaolwa leoto. Mangwegape, yo o neetsweng beile ya R5000 ke kgotlha-tshekelo kgolo ya North West, o boela kgotlha-tshekelo gompieno go tswelela ka ditheetso motshekong.
Kgabagare, dipaki di le mmalwa, go akaretsa Kokwe, di se ntse di neelane ka bopaki.
