Category BreakingNews

Three men to appear in court for ‘human trafficking’ after 26 Ethiopians rescued from Joburg home


TimesLIVE


Three men arrested in connection with human trafficking ring after 26 Ethiopian nationals rescued in Gauteng. Hawks, police, and other agencies raided Sandringham home following tip-off. 15 undocumented nationals found naked in the house, 11 near the property. Dozens escaped. One victim linked to Benoni kidnapping case. Suspects demanded R180,000 ransom. Victims receiving medical treatment. Court appearance set for Monday.



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Rand slumps to nine-month low


BusinessTech


South Africa’s rand hits nine-month low against the dollar following strong US jobs data, raising concerns of further decline. Rand breached 19 to the dollar for the first time since June, trading at 19.12 per dollar in Johannesburg. It was the worst-performing major currency against the dollar on Friday.



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Monday’s weather: Heavy rainfall, storm warnings issued across several provinces


News24


Yellow level 5 alert issued for Limpopo and Mpumalanga due to disruptive rainfall, potential flooding, property damage, and traffic disruptions. Severe weather alerts for Monday include thunderstorms, fire danger warnings in various provinces. Localized flooding expected in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Eastern Cape. Severe thunderstorms forecasted in North West and Free State. High fire danger conditions in Northern Cape, North West, and Free State.



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Ramaphosa promises to tackle South Africa’s new crisis – could be worse than load shedding


BusinessTech


President Ramaphosa prioritizes tackling South Africa’s water crisis in 2025, comparing it to past power shortages. He emphasizes urgency in addressing the issue to prevent further escalation. Challenges include inadequate infrastructure, corruption, illegal connections, water scarcity, and climate change. Reports highlight poor water quality nationwide. Experts warn of severe risks to the country’s future.



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Survey finds that wealthy influence, racial inequality and education drive economic divide


The mail& Guardian


The Pew Research Centre report reveals that wealthy individuals, racial discrimination, and flawed education systems drive economic inequality globally. Views on this issue are more prevalent on the left, with concerns particularly strong in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. People are also pessimistic about their children’s financial future post-Covid-19.



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South Africa wants to make alcohol more expensive Heres why its a GOOD idea


The South African


Alcohol use causes 3 million deaths yearly, burdening healthcare systems. World Health Assembly endorses plan to reduce harmful alcohol use through taxation and pricing policies. South Africa considers raising excise taxes to curb excessive drinking. Evidence shows tax increases reduce consumption and harm, especially among lower-income groups. Urgent action needed to achieve global health targets. Industry lobbying against health-focused taxes should be resisted.



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Meta is abandoning fact checking


Daily Maverick


Meta has decided to end its fact-checking program in the US, citing “too much censorship” and a need to prioritize free expression. The tech giant will now rely on a “community notes” model, sparking concerns about the spread of misinformation online. Independent fact-checkers argue that fact-checking adds context and transparency, and Meta’s decision may hinder efforts to combat misinformation.



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Fish swim, birds fly, Zuma litigates


The mail& Guardian


Former president Jacob Zuma demands reinstatement as ANC member, threatening legal action. His desire to remain in the party causes tension in the MK party. The ANC anniversary event in Cape Town overshadowed by Zuma’s actions. MK party faces internal turmoil and funding disputes. Zuma’s efforts to rejoin the ANC met with resistance.



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Kaytranada headlines first Milk and Cookies Festival in South Africa


The mail& Guardian


Grammy award-winning artist Kaytranada headlines the Milk and Cookies Festival in South Africa, thrilling festival-goers with a dance frenzy in Cape Town. The festival founders discuss the event’s origins and the cultural connection to South Africa. The lineup features diverse artists, with a focus on positive music and bridging cultural gaps. The festival aims to showcase music that resonates with black communities and promote international and local talent.



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