The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has directed the director of public prosecutions in Pretoria to collaborate with the Hawks to identify who leaked a critical witness statement in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal case. This directive followed the media leak on Thursday of a revealing 77-page affidavit by former VBS chairperson, Tshifhiwa Matodzi, which outlined… Read More »NPA...

Almost 300 schools have sustained storm damage. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED)’s Bronagh Hammond said that since Friday, 30 schools had requested closure due to flooding or structural damage. “Two hundred and ninety-nine schools have now reported some form of damages or disruption, with 121 schools being regarded as urgent. The continued rain and winds… Read More »WCED...

Some might anticipate conflicts among parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) during their first Cabinet lekgotla this weekend. However, Dr. Ongama Mtimka, an analyst, believes these parties share enough common ground to ensure a smooth meeting. The statement of intent, agreed upon by the parties within the GNU, aligns with the country’s Constitution… Read More »GNU Parties Have...

ActionSA in Limpopo has requested a police investigation into Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), citing allegations of their involvement with the defunct VBS Bank. The request follows revelations from a leaked affidavit by the bank’s convicted former chairperson, Tshifhiwa Matodzi. Matodzi, who has been sentenced to 495 years but… Read More »Limpopo...

On Wednesday, 10 July 2024, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), hosted a celebratory event with partners, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, and funders to officially open the newly-built Education and Visitor Centre at its Cape Town premises. The new centre will enable the non-profit organisation to accommodate its ever-expanding… Read More »SANCCOB...

Kenyan President William Ruto dismissed nearly his entire cabinet on Thursday following weeks of widespread anti-government protests. The dismissals affect all ministers, including the attorney-general, but exclude Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi as well as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Ruto stated that this decision came after reflecting on public opinion and...

Mali’s ruling junta has lifted its ban on political activities, which had been in place since April and had been implemented to curtail political parties’ protests against an unpopular decision it took. The junta, which came to power in 2020, had set a March 2024 deadline for a return to civilian governance. It had then… Read More »Mali’s Ruling Junta Lifts Ban on Political Party Activities

The Nigerian parliament has called for an investigation into the Samoa Agreement, a pact the Nigerian government signed with the European Union, following concerns that some clauses could promote same-sex relationships. The government has since denied these claims and promised action against news organizations propagating them. Despite the denials, majority of the lawmakers voted for… Read...

South Sudan peace talks face collapse as opposition groups demand the removal of a newly passed security bill allowing detention without an arrest warrant. The bill, which was passed by parliament just last week, awaits President Salva Kiir’s approval within the next 30 days to become law. The objection came during meetings, hosted by Kenya,… Read More »South Sudan Peace Talks Hit Brick...

Guinea-Bissau and China have elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, following a meeting between President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on July 10. Embalo is on a five-day state visit to the East Asian country which is scheduled to end on July 13. During their meeting, President Xi emphasized… Read More »Presidents of Guinea-Bissau and...

A Ugandan court has sentenced Edward Awebwa, a 24-year-old TikToker, to six years in prison for insulting President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and their son Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a TikTok video. Awebwa had pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him, including hate speech and spreading “misleading and malicious” information. He had claimed… Read More »Ugandan...

Burkina Faso’s military junta has adopted a draft law which puts it on track to become the latest African country to criminalize homosexuality. Previously, the West African country was one of the few African nations that allowed same-sex relations, while many other countries on the continent impose severe penalties for homosexuality. Interim Justice Minister Edasso… Read More »Burkina...

Nigeria’s crude oil production in June 2024 rose to an average of 1.276 million barrels per day (bpd), up by 25,000 barrels daily from May’s 1.251 million bpd. This figure comes from OPEC’s monthly oil market report for June. While OPEC’s report is the official figure, secondary sources claim the country’s crude oil production dropped… Read More »Nigeria Produced 1.27 Million...

Ethiopia earned a record $1.43 billion from coffee exports in the 2023/24 fiscal year, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA). The country exported 298,500 tons of coffee, a 20% increase from the previous year’s 240,000 tons. According to the report, that 240,000 tons had generated $1.3 billion. In June alone, 46,000 ton… Read More »Ethiopia Earned Record Revenues from...

African mines in Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, and South Africa are projected to supply nearly 10% of the world’s rare earth elements by 2029, up from zero today. This significant increase will introduce new players into a market currently dominated by China, which mines 70% of the world’s rare earth elements and refines almost all of… Read More »African Mines to Supply 9% of Rare Earth Metals by 2029

NATO and Ukrainian leaders are to meet Thursday in Washington, a day after NATO allies bolstered support for Ukraine to join the alliance. The NATO summit’s final day will also include talks with leaders from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the European Union addressing security challenges and cooperation. A NATO communique released by… Read More »NATO, Ukrainian Leaders To...

Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday dismissed all his Cabinet ministers and promised to form a new government that will be lean and efficient following weeks of protests over high taxes and poor governance. In a televised address, the president also dismissed the attorney general and said ministries will be run by their permanent secretaries.… Read More »Kenyan President Dismisses...

An intense cold front has led the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to announce that schools in the Cape Winelands and Overberg education districts will be closed on Friday. Following discussions with Disaster Risk Management, it was decided that schools in all other districts will reopen. Education MEC David Maynier explained that the decision to… Read More »As Storms Batter Western...

There has been considerable discord among parties regarding Parliament’s schedule, with complaints that they have not been allotted sufficient time to examine departmental budgets. Opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the MK party, have voiced concerns that President Cyril Ramaphosa is overly dominating their agenda this month, prompting a call to...

Over 20,000 homes across 37 areas in Cape Town have been severely impacted by recent stormy conditions. A third cold front within a week hit on Wednesday night, leading to extensive flooding and property damage. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has been visiting some of the hardest-hit locations. “They are generally, unfortunately, in informal settlements where people… Read More »More Than 20,000...

Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader Kenny Kunene has stood up for Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie’s choice to disclose the list of artists who benefited from the State’s relief funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was revealed on Wednesday that the department had allocated over R72 million in financial aid to more… Read More »PA’s Kunene Defends McKenzie...