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Justice Minister Mamoloko Kubayi believes the government’s decision to drag Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has thrust the country into a high-stakes geopolitical battle, declaring it would be “naive” to believe powerful interests would not fight back.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Kubayi stopped short of expressly accusing Israel of playing a role in last week’s anti-illegal immigration marches, suggesting that Pretoria’s genocide case has made South Africa the target in a broader campaign to strip the country of moral authority.

“Our presence and our taking Israel to the ICJ — if anyone underestimates that, [that person] is naive,” Kubayi said.

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In the clearest sign that he is a frontrunner to take over as Bafana Bafana’s next head coach, it has emerged that Pitso Mosimane presented his plan to the South African Football Association (Safa) last month.

Mosimane gave the presentation to the football governing body’s technical committee chaired by Jack Maluleka at Safa House. During the session, Mosimane outlined his vision for Bafana in a plan that also includes the junior teams.

The newspaper also has it on good authority that Benni McCarthy and Rulani Mokwena have expressed interest in succeeding Hugo Broos, the Belgian who led Bafana to the knockout stage of the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their history before they were eliminated by Canada in the last 32 on Sunday.

Read the full article here.

The world champions showed flair and brute strength in downing England 45-21 in their Nations Championship contest at a chilly Ellis Park last night.

There were heroes aplenty for the Springboks, particularly fullback Damian Willemse, earning his 50th cap with a superb performance that featured a solid pair of hands under the high ball on a night of aerial warfare.

Cheslin Kolbe, also playing his 50th Test, produced some dazzling moments as well, while up front captain Pieter-Steph du Toit put in a trademark show of heavy tackles, good lineout takes and popping up all over the field.

It was an impressive display by the Boks who lost their two most experienced players before the kick-off, with skipper Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth withdrawing because of injury issues.

Conveyor belt of players

The conveyor belt of players who coach Rassie Erasmus has created to fit seamlessly into different positions is still working well — the Boks won this with just one out-and-out lock in Ruan Nortje.

Du Toit, who took over the captaincy, played lock and when he switched to flank, substitute BJ Dixon took over the lock role in the scrum.

The Boks aren’t just a team, but a machine; if a part breaks or isn’t working at full capacity, they have a riches of spare parts. Except these spares also happen to be stars.

South Africa showed their attacking intent from the start, throwing the ball long at their first line-out deep in the English half. Kolbe ran in to take it in the air, and although he was tackled, the ball was carried on down the line and the Boks kept going forward, taking play onto the English tryline where Thomas du Toit forced his way over.

Then prop Ox Nche showed some pace as he broke the line and penetrated deep into the England half, and when Kolbe got the ball, he delivered a sidestep reminiscent of the one that left Owen Farrell grasping for air before his try in the 2019 World Cup final.

And when Kurt-Lee Arendse went over to make it 17-0, it seemed as if the English were in for a hiding.

Boks momentum shifts

But that’s when the momentum shifted and things started going wrong for the Boks: Nche went off injured, South Africa lost three of their own lineouts in a fairly short space of time and Arendse was yellow-carded for an intentional knock-on.

England took advantage of the extra man and, after a sustained period of pressure on the Bok line, prop Ellis Genge took a quick tap and forced his way over under the poles.

And then just before half time, once Arendse was back, England lock George Martin barged down the left touchline, breaking through two tackles to score in the corner.

Seeing their advantage shrink to three points at halftime might have sparked recollections of Australia’s comeback triumph here a year ago, but the Boks quickly buried that ghost. They cut down on the unforced errors and pressed the attack, grinding down the English, winning penalties and making ground.

Great game

Flyhalf Manie Libbok, one of the players in that Australian nightmare, delivered a necessary but controlled performance, doing his job effortlessly, even if he stayed out of the spotlight. Kolbe took the kicking duties.

Scrumhalf Grant Williams, who had a great game with his kicks into the box, found the gap to dart over and secure a fourth-try bonus point.

Centre Jesse Kriel went over soon afterwards.

England pulled one back through Alex Coles, their other lock, but two yellow cards to centre Tommy Freeman and substitute Guy Pepper reduced them to 13 men.

That was officially game over, with Malcolm Marx and Dixon completing the rout.

In the build-up to the match, Erasmus had played down the Henry Pollock factor, complimenting him as an awesome player but promising no extra attention.

The crowd of nearly 53,000 fans, however, booed the English loose forward loudly each time he appeared, either on the giant screen or in the flesh during the pre-match warm-up.

Impact minimal

He was standing behind the deadball line when England scored their first try and he ran onto the field to congratulate Genge and offer his teammates encouragement.

And when he finally came onto the field with his team behind 31-14 down, the fans continued booing him. His impact was minimal and by the end, when Kriel dotted down for a try that was ultimately disallowed at the end of the match, Pollock looked as beaten and disappointed as every other Englishman on the field.

Pollock is human, after all. The Boks looked super-human by comparison.

This was a great start to the Nations Championship by the Boks who play Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on yesterday.

Elsewhere, the All Blacks downed the Six Nations champions France — albeit it a basically second French team — 34-32 in a cracker in Christchurch.

Japan stunned Italy 27-10 in Tokyo, Ireland edged Australia 33-31 in Sydney and Wales outplayed Fiji 39-24 in Cardiff.

Argentina played Scotland in Cordoba later last night.

A new tournament and maybe, just maybe, a new trophy in the Springbok cabinet.

Scorers:

Springboks 45 (17)

Tries: Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Grant Williams, Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx, BJ Dixon.

Conversion: Kolbe (5).

England 21 (14)

Tries: Ellis Genge, George Martin, Alex Coles,

Conversions: Fin Smith (3)

Morocco took the lead on 50 minutes from a well-worked free-kick routine as Achraf Hakimi played a low pass from the right-hand side to Ounahi, who side-footed into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards.

Ounahi added a second on 82 minutes when a four-on-two break led to Brahim Diaz teeing the midfielder up to fire into the top corner.

Morocco added a late third via another lightning break as substitute Soufiane Rahimi crowned a convincing performance.

The Africans lost striker Ismael Saibari, who has three goals in the tournament, to a hamstring injury in the first half.

Morocco will face the winners of Saturday’s round of 16 clash between Paraguay and France in the quarter-finals on July 9.

Krueger, ranked a lowly 102 in the world, moved into the last 16 with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 win. She was one of eight American singles players working hard in southwest London on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, while their compatriots at home enjoyed a day off with festivities and fireworks.

However, it was disappointment for the Williams sisters who had to withdraw from their match against Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra of Argentina because of a knee injury suffered by Serena during her singles defeat by Australian Maya Joint on Tuesday.

Serena said in an Instagram post that she was “heartbroken to have to withdraw”.

The sisters, now aged 46 and 44, last played doubles together at the 2022 US Open. They won six Wimbledon titles between 2000 and 2016 among 22 titles and three Olympic gold medals.

Two other Americans were knocked out in early matches on Saturday. Emma Navarro, the 23rd seed, was beaten 6-2 4-6 6-1 by fast-improving 12th seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.

And in the men’s draw 23-year-old Zachary Svajda, on his Wimbledon debut, managed to take a set off fifth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur before bowing out 6-2 5-7 6-2 6-4.

Last year’s triumph ended years of questions about Swiatek’s ability to master the sport’s fastest surface, yet the 25-year-old arrived at the All England Club following an early defeat in the Bad Homburg tune-up event and still seeking consistency.

After battling past Taylor Townsend and sealing an assured win over Karolina Pliskova in her last two rounds, Swiatek came up against an inspired Eala in their Centre Court showdown and fell short under the blazing afternoon sun.

“I don’t know how to describe it,” said an emotional Eala.

“I mean, I’m in the second week of a Grand Slam, and it’s amazing for me. Iga’s a phenomenal player and nice person. So I’m grateful to be able to share Centre Court with her.

“Maybe for someone like Iga, who has won so many Grand Slams, or maybe someone like Serena or Venus Williams, this achievement may seem small.

“But for someone who grew up in the Philippines ... I went to training with my brother and my grandfather every day after school with my ruffled socks and my light-up shoes and chubby cheeks, so ... to her, this is everything.

“But because I’m emotional does not mean I’m satisfied, so yeah, OK, next round. Let’s go.”

After suffering a shock defeat to Eala in Miami last year, Swiatek gained revenge when they met again on the clay of Madrid but the Pole found herself in trouble after losing a high-octane opening set in which both players gave the other no quarter.

Swiatek smiled at the end of the set but was soon shouting at her entourage in the stands, before slamming her racket on a chair, while fan favourite Eala soaked up roaring applause from a thoroughly entertained crowd.

“This is one of the biggest matches of my life, for sure,” Eala added, before addressing fans. “This is my dream court, so I’m really happy with the atmosphere that you guys gave. Thank you so much for cheering me on.

“How many times have I dreamed of opportunities like this ... when I have my opportunities, I have to take them because they’re blessings. Being here is a blessing.

“I worked super hard to get here. If I have the chance I’m taking it.”

Left-hander Eala, whose powerful baseline shot-making rattled Swiatek early in the clash, ramped up the pressure at the start of the next set and earned a double break to go 3-0 up, before her opponent began to show signs of life again.

Swiatek retrieved a break but dropped serve again as Eala staved off the late comeback attempt and delivered the knockout blow in the form of a forehand winner to set up an intriguing fourth-round clash with 2024 runner-up Jasmine Paolini.

Reuters

Thomas Clarkson levelled the match at 31-31 with a late try and flyhalf Sam Prendergast’s conversion nudged the Irish ahead three minutes from time at Sydney Football Stadium.

The Wallabies fought hard to win possession and earn a penalty at the death but Donaldson’s 50-metre kick from the right touch-line sailed wide.

Ireland notched a sixth successive win over the Wallabies, though the hosts were much-improved compared to their 46-19 hiding by the Irish in Dublin last November.

“God, it was so tight, so intense, a proper Test match,” said Ireland fullback Hugo Keenan.

“But to be fair to the lads, we asked to make this crowd, these thousands in green, proud and that’s exactly what we did.

“We never gave up, we dug in deep and at the end of the day it just came down to a kick.

“So, hard luck to Australia. They were very unlucky. It could have gone either way.”

Hours after New Zealand won a nine-try thriller against France in Christchurch, Australia and Ireland had six tries between them by the 26th minute.

The Wallabies led twice early through tries to outside backs Dylan Pietsch and Jock Campbell but were pegged back by Cian Prendergast and Josh van der Flier’s five-pointers.

The Wallabies surged again, with lock Josh Canham diving over from a ruck and Max Jorgensen setting up Ryan Lonergan’s 26th-minute try with a brilliant interception and dash down the touch-line.

Tries either side of halftime to scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park and Keenan nudged Ireland in front before Tate McDermott snatched back the lead after taking a quick tap near the line and burrowing over through a forest of Irish legs.

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan nearly made it a seventh lead change when he thundered over from a line-out drive but the try was chalked off due to obstruction in the build-up.

Ireland’s forwards kept bashing away at the try-line and were finally rewarded when Australia went a man down for repeated offside penalties, with Lachlan Shaw given a yellow card.

That opened the door for Clarkson to barge over from a ruck as the Irish condemned the Wallabies to a fifth consecutive defeat after their winless tour of Europe in November.

“In patches we were really good. We had plenty of opportunities, we just weren’t good enough at the end of the day,” said Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott.

“And the Irish, to their credit, they’re a quality team.”

All Blacks scrumhalf Cam Roigard and winger Will Jordan both grabbed a brace of tries, while Sam Lakai also crossed for the hosts in front of a packed house at Christchurch’s new Te Kaha stadium.

Jordan’s second try gave the All Blacks a nine-point cushion 10 minutes from time but France stormed back through flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert who burst over the line in the 77th minute.

Antoine Hastoy’s conversion trimmed the deficit to two points to set up a grandstand finish but the All Blacks held on to deny France a first win in New Zealand since 2009.

“The French, they’re very unpredictable. They love to play what’s in front of them,” said Roigard.

“Credit to the boys for hanging in there.”

Six Nations champions France were without captain Antoine Dupont and other first-choice players rested after playing in the Top 14 final.

But their replacements performed well in a match played at breakneck pace.

Winger Theo Atissogbe and Hastoy scored second-half tries to keep Les Bleus in the game after the hosts threatened to run away with it.

Rennie’s first Test in charge of the All Blacks started shakily, with an energised France scoring their first try through winger Damien Penaud barely a minute after kickoff.

Home flyhalf Ruben Love’s debut in the number 10 shirt also got off on the wrong foot, with a yellow card for high contact on fullback Max Spring in the build-up to Penaud’s try.

The hosts shrugged off the setbacks, though, with recently confirmed captain Ardie Savea lighting the fuse.

Savea won a turnover in scoring territory and Jordie Barrett heaved a long ball to Jordan who dived over at the right corner in the eighth minute.

Twelve minutes later, the All Blacks had their second try with a raid down the other flank, with Peter Lakai crossing after a neat one-two with winger Caleb Clarke.

France scrumhalf Maxime Lucu nailed two penalties to keep Les Bleus in touch but the All Blacks finished the half ascendant with a 19-13 lead thanks to set piece pressure.

Hooker Codie Taylor burst away from a scrum to be brought down two metres from the line but Roigard arrived quickly in support and ran over unopposed.

The try-fest continued after the break, with Hastoy coming off the bench and touching down at the right corner to complete a sparkling team try straight after the restart.

New Zealand hit back through Roigard, who grabbed his second try after being released by a Jordie Barrett off-load.

Atissogbe snatched back the lead for the French near the hour mark with a try near the right corner.

But Love’s 65th-minute penalty and Jordan’s second try gave the All Blacks just enough breathing room to close out a classic despite Jalibert’s late flourish.

The waiver, part of 60-day peace talks between Tehran and Washington, was issued on June 22 and expires on August 21.

Three Japanese buyers were looking at possible crude oil purchases from Iran, their first since 2019, said two Iranian sources, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Japanese and Iranian officials were in initial talks about possible oil sales, a Western industry source familiar with the matter said separately.

An official at Japan’s ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI), which oversees fuel supply infrastructure, said he was unaware of any such matter.

Japan’s foreign ministry and the US Treasury did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Japan, South Korea, India and European countries stopped buying Iranian oil when US sanctions tightened after President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from Iran’s nuclear pact in 2018.

China has been Iran’s main buyer in recent years.

Hormuz risks

Any Japanese purchases would be a matter for private companies, a separate METI official told Reuters in June but said it was unclear whether such deals would proceed given shipping times and existing contracts.

The safety of any tanker voyage would also have to be ensured, the official added.

A senior Iranian official said any deal would require the US to extend the current waiver given the shipping time between Japan and Iran.

The official added that cargoes would be loaded at Iran’s Kharg Island and use Japanese-operated tankers.

A senior Iranian oil ministry official told Reuters that Iran’s national oil company, NIOC, had approached traditional customers, including Japan, and told them that if a peace deal were concluded and sanctions were lifted, Iran would like them to resume their purchasing.

Iran’s oil ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

The Strait of Hormuz ship passage is still far from safe, and how it will operate once a lasting peace deal between Tehran and Washington is finalised is not yet known.

A container ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz last week by Iranian forces, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said all transits through the strait need to be cleared with them first.

The UN’s shipping agency estimates that there are 80 floating mines around the central part of the waterway.

Securing insurance would be the biggest challenge, a senior official with a major Japanese oil refiner said.

The current temporary US sanctions waiver was unlikely to draw orders from well-stocked Asian refiners, leaving independent Chinese refineries as the main buyer, trade sources and analysts have said.

Reuters

Founded in 2010, GrabAGun is one of the nation’s leading online-first gun retailers, though some competitors with physical retail operations also provide online ordering. Trump jnr helped take the online retailer known as the “Amazon of guns” public last year.

GrabAGun would be poised for substantial growth under the new ATF rule, but competitors including major outdoor shops and other retailers could also take advantage of the regulations, according to industry analysts, former ATF officials and gun shop owners.

If finalised, the rule would be among the most consequential changes to the US gun policy in two decades, potentially driving huge growth in online gun sales, according to 10 industry officials, shop owners, and gun-control advocates interviewed by Reuters.

The proposal would allow licensed dealers to ship firearms directly to in-state residents who undergo an online identity verification and background check, along with a seven-day waiting period after notifying local law enforcement. Currently, online buyers must pick up firearms at physical shops and undergo in-person background checks unless they have a permit.

A spokesperson for Trump jnr, Andrew Surabian, said the president’s son had no role in the ATF proposal.

Gun-control groups, including Everytown, Brady and Giffords, argue shipping millions of firearms to buyers’ homes is ripe for illegal gun trafficking, mail theft and straw purchases, where a legal buyer purchases a firearm on behalf of someone prohibited from owning one.

Reuters

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US President Donald Trump called on Americans to protect the freedoms the nation’s founders envisioned 250 years ago against what he has portrayed as the “communist” threat posed by progressive Democrats, speaking on the eve of Independence Day at Mount Rushmore.

“We stand beneath the monument of these heroes, a true group of unbelievable people, and we rededicate ourselves to being a nation as big, bold, noble, and as great as these American giants, and that’s not easy to do, but we’re going to do it,” Trump said at the granite mountain in South Dakota where the heads of four American presidents are carved.

“There is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land, including from newcomers to our country who embrace ideas totally opposed to our way of life and our great success,” he said. “We’re not going to let this happen.”

Trump has been making such points about gains by democratic socialists for a week now, but he made his most pointed and prolonged argument on that theme on Friday, coming as Americans grapple with persistent inflation and high fuel prices since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Increasingly uneasy that the conflict could cost the party control of at least one chamber of Congress in November’s midterm elections, Republican legislators have seized on a recent string of successes by left-wing Democratic candidates.

Trump said the threat also came from “newcomers to our country”, tying his anti-communist rhetoric to the anti-immigrant theme that fuelled his election and has been historically part of the criticism of communism in the US. Trump at one point on Friday said the newcomers need to be expelled.

“We resolve and swear for all to hear that the citizens of the US will vanquish communism quickly. We will send them quickly away, and we will continue to build our country bigger and better, stronger than ever before. America will never be a communist country,” Trump said, before segueing immediately into the issue at hand.

“We can only lose the midterms if we allow ourselves to lose the midterms.”

Four progressive candidates, including three democratic socialists, won ‌competitive Democratic primaries in New York City last week and in Colorado on Tuesday. Progressive candidates have also won contests in Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Trump last week called their victories “the greatest threat to our country since its founding”.

On Saturday, Trump was scheduled to address a crowd on the National Mall before a massive fireworks show amid a searing heat wave that has disrupted Fourth of July celebrations across a large swath of the country.

At Mount Rushmore the temperature was a cool 18°C.

Reuters

Sundowns announced the signing of the player on Saturday, ending huge speculation about the player’s future.

Ndlovu was believed to be on his way to the Buccaneers, with numerous media reports suggesting Arrows and the South African champions had agreed on club-to-club terms.

Further reports stated that the player had conducted his medicals at the Sea Robbers, and all that was left was for him to be announced.

However, Masandawana still managed to convince the player not to put pen to paper to officially join Pirates.

Ndlovu, 23, enjoyed an impressive campaign with Abafana Bes’thende under former Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngithi.

𝐒𝐈𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀 𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐔 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 👆

Siyanda Ndlovu has arrived! Welcome to the home of Champions 🏆

Masandawana, let's welcome him below💛⬇️#Sundowns #WelcomeNdlovu pic.twitter.com/sLAApk1wbU

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 4, 2026

In 31 appearances across all competitions last season, the winger managed four goals and eight assists as Arrows successfully secured the desired top-eight finish in the Betway Premiership.

After selling Relebohile Mofokeng to Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Pirates had earmarked Ndlovu as one of the possible replacements.

TimesLIVE

Jhon Arias scored Colombia’s only goal in the 14th minute, shortly after the African team were forced into a defensive reshuffle when right-back Marvin Senaya went off injured and was replaced by Alidu Seidu.

“I felt really quickly that some of the Ghanaian players were fearful. They were not cool, calm, and collected when the pressure hit,” Queiroz said.

“It’s a very young team. We need more experience; we need time for some players to gain what we call maturity.

“When you play this sort of competition at this level, you cannot only count on the enthusiasm of the youths,” the 73-year-old Portuguese manager added.

Queiroz said Colombia were the better team on the night and deserved to move forward.

“The goal came too early for us. It took some time for us to adjust and recover from that substitution, and the goal came at the moment we were trying to resettle our team,” Queiroz said.

The Ghana coach acknowledged his side improved in the second half but were never in control of the match.

Reuters

Messi had guided Argentina to a long-awaited title in 2022, the talismanic captain grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and providing the answers each time his teammates turned to him when the pressure mounted.

Messi scored seven goals in Qatar, a tally he has already matched in North America as he continues to bend the tournament to his will and break records at 39.

Questions about Messi’s longevity have long since been answered, but coach Lionel Scaloni’s conundrum remains: how long can Argentina go on letting one little genius solve their problems?

Miami had become a temporary province of Argentina as the sea of blue-white shirts bounced up and down as one, while a proud pocket of Cape Verde fans in dark blue held their corner.

The noise belonged to one nation, but the occasion belonged to one man as Messi scooped up another Man of the Match trophy.

From the outset, all of Argentina’s attacks flowed through Messi as they looked for openings in Cape Verde’s defence.

The hydration break interrupted Cape Verde’s rhythm, and when they lost focus for one second, Messi made them pay, plucking a long ball out of the Miami sky with a delicate first touch before firing home from a tight angle.

When the referee blew the halftime whistle, Cape Verde coach Bubista stayed in the dugout deep in discussion with his assistants, searching for a way to contain a man who has scored 20 World Cup goals.

To Cape Verde’s credit, they fought back as Deroy Duarte equalised just before the hour-mark.

Again, Messi made all the running as Argentina looked for a winner, his gravitational pull in the middle of the park too hard to ignore as his teammates struggled to make inroads into Cape Verde’s box.

Messi constantly won free kicks, and nobody else dared step up to take them.

When he failed to convert, even after trying to catch goalkeeper Vozinha off-guard while he was setting his wall, it was up to him to deliver from the corners.

The sight of him ambling to the flag every time they won a corner became a running theme, but that was how Argentina finally managed to find the net again — not once, but twice.

Lisandro Martinez benefited from a delivery that fell at his feet at the far post, while the winner, a deflected header from Cristian Romero, had come after Messi’s pinpoint delivery found the defender making his run.

The romance of 2022 lay in Messi finally receiving the World Cup he had pursued for a lifetime, but the reality is that Argentina needed him at virtually every critical juncture.

Again in 2026, Argentina do not merely have the tournament’s greatest player and scorer; they are leaning heavily on him with a faith bordering on dependency.

Reuters

The grant, meant to eradicate widespread child poverty, has been in place since 1998, evolving to become the state’s largest cash transfer.

Academics Tsepang Khumalo, Ronelle Burger, and Marisa von Fintel looked into the loss of this support, zooming in on nearly 8,000 adolescents tracked as they age out of the CSG.

To arrive at their outcomes, the researchers used the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a screening instrument for depressive symptoms that ranges from 0 to 30.

The results of the study, titled “The mental health impact for adolescents ageing out of South Africa’s child support grant,“ found evidence that the cessation of the CSG increases depressive symptoms in adolescents.

To read the full story click here.

Egypt held their nerve to move into the World Cup last 16 with a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Australia on Friday after a 1-1 draw after extra time at Dallas Stadium.

Hossam Abdelmaguid rolled in the winning spot-kick after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed from 12 yards for the Australians as Egypt recorded their first win in a World Cup knockout match.

Emam Ashour had given Egypt the lead with a 13th-minute header before an own goal by Mohamed Hany 10 minutes into the second half levelled the scores.Mohamed Salah was an unexpected inclusion in Egypt’s starting line-up, the forward recovering sufficiently from a hamstring strain to take up his customary position on the right of the attack.

Cristian Volpato gave the African side an early scare with a dipping strike from distance that clipped the top of Mostafa Shoubir’s crossbar but Hossam Hassan’s side were soon in front.

Jackson Irvine needlessly gave away a free kick to the left of the penalty area when he upended Mostafa Zico and, with the defence only half-clearing Ashour’s initial centre, the winger popped up to head Karim Hafez’s cross beyond Patrick Beach.

Omar Marmoush threatened briefly and Australia’s Aziz Behich forced Shoubir to drop to his right to gather before Volpato, the Socceroos’ most creative outlet in the opening half, curled a stoppage-time strike wide.

The Australians were fortunate not to go further behind within 10 seconds of the restart when Marmoush slid his shot across goal with Beach beaten and they were soon level.

Aiden O’Neill picked himself up after being fouled on the left to deliver an inswinging free kick into the six-yard box, prompting Hany to flick a header into his own goal.

Beach pulled off a reflex save deep into stoppage time to take the match into sinkextra-time, the Melbourne City goalkeeper pawing Ramy Rabia’s header over the bar while Haissem Hassan’s effort was deflected to safety by Souttar’s outstretched knee.

An unmarked Mohamed Salah, who had been muted throughout regulation time, thumped Marmoush’s layoff over the bar three minutes into the extra period to grant Tony Popovic’s side a reprieve with Egypt increasingly dominant.

Beach made way for Mat Ryan between the posts as Popovic attempted to make use of the 34-year-old’s experience but Souttar fired the first spot-kick over the bar to hand the Egyptians an early advantage.

Mahmoud Saber, Ramy Rabia and Salah were all on target for Egypt with Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil converting for Australia before Herrington rattled the crossbar in the fourth round and Abdelmaguid stepped up to send Egypt into the last 16.

The Arena Holdings family threw a small send-off party for the legend at its Parktown offices on Thursday. Colleagues from various Arena titles praised Nhlapo, 65, for his 31 years of service at Sowetan.

Nhlapo earned much respect from his colleagues, politicians, entertainers and the sporting fraternity through his work.

“He is an incredible human being to be around. He has been a mentor and a coach to all of us ... I will forever remember the warm welcome I received from you when I arrived here in 2017,” said Sowetan’s deputy editor, Thabiso Thakali.

Thakali said Nhlapo’s dedication to his craft would forever be missed.

@sowetan1981 Colleagues gave a send-off to legendary photographer, Veli Nhlapo, who has been capturing SA images for over 40 years. Video: @Sinazo Magaba Kos #velinhlapo #southafricanews #fyp #photojournalism ♬ original sound - sowetan1981

Nhlapo, however, said his heart was not ready to retire and he would still be taking pictures even in retirement. “I did not think that this day would ever come. It is difficult. The editors should not be surprised when they see me walking in here carrying pictures.”

Some of his older colleagues shared jokes about how politicians such as Nelson Mandela, and Orlando Pirates boss Irvin Khoza, were so fond of Nhlapo that they would delay the start of a press conference if he was running late.

“Anywhere we travelled, whether it was a sports or entertainment event, a celebrity would greet him,” said fellow colleague Thulani Mbele.

Sowetan photo editor Darryl Hammond said he was honoured to have worked with Nhlapo for years.

“He has been here for decades and has made a large contribution to journalism in this country. You could probably name a person or event from the early 90s, and Veli [Nhlapo] has probably got a photograph of it. It has been my honour to work with you, sir,” said Hammond.

Sowetan

This kind of assessment means the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will make its tax return calculation based on the individual’s information supplied by third parties such as banks, including tax certificates from employers, medical aid certificates from medical schemes and retirement annuity certificates from funds.

Here are some important things you need to know about this process.

• If you want to know if you will be auto-assessed, you will have to visit the SARS website from July 1 and click on “My Auto Assessment Status”.
• SARS will send you the outcomes of your auto-assessment electronically.
• If you agree with the results, there is no further step to take on your part.
• Should you not agree with the auto-assessment, you can complete and file your tax return by visiting eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
• If a refund or debt is less than R100, the refund or debt is rolled over to the next tax year. This means that such a refund or debt is not payable immediately but remains as a balance on your account until it exceeds R100 and becomes payable.

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If you thought all talk of cowboys, country music, and the wild, wild West had been put to bed and written off as just a phase after Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album and Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road, think again. With 2026 dubbed the “Year of Yeehaw”, it’s no wonder cowboy core is having a moment — the Durban July’s theme, inspired by the country’s rugged landscape and equestrian heritage, is further proof.

The once all-American aesthetic has gone global, transcending multiple genres and cultures through country-inspired music by the likes of Beyoncé, Lil Nas X, and Shaboozey, bringing country music into the orbit of Black culture.

Locally, TV shows such as Showmax’s Outlaws, which uses cowboy tropes unique to our African soil like the Basotho herdsman or Zulu cattle-farming families, have allowed the popular cowboycore aesthetic to be interpreted in ways that bring our culture into an otherwise Western orbit.

The return of cowboycore also signals a global uptick in fashion inspired by Western culture, including Louis Vuitton’s Autumn Winter 2024 show and the runways at Isabel Marant and Schiaparelli. Beyond cowboy hats, boots, and fringed leather, the revival also speaks to the need for freedom, easy escapism, and self-reliance.

And then there’s the duality inherent to cowboycore and country, with everyday workwear staples such as denim and leather that are casual yet still put together.

Trending: Neo-Western

Leave the leather chaps at home and take a cool, non-performative approach to cowboycore with undone grooming

Nomadic skin: As seen at Acne Studios Men, skin treatment stepped away from the unattainable and glass-like and leaned towards a more natural-textured, weathered look that says you spend time outdoors. Taking inspiration from nomadic peoples whose skin has been tested by the elements, natural freckles, texture, and blemishes are left unconcealed while the skin still looks luminously matte, healthy, and undone.

Rugged ranger: The beard gang is taking some time off from perfection as facial hair becomes fuller and more rugged, with razor-sharp lines and precisely coiffed beards taking a back seat to more natural-looking beards. Think full beards with rugged edges, disconnected goatees and moustaches, or patchy growth without beard powder to fill the gaps. But this is no excuse to look unkempt — edges along the neck and cheeks are still neatened.

Frontier smoke: If you can imagine a cowboy’s eyes after a day riding through dusty terrain or an evening sitting by a bonfire, then you can see the inspiration for eyeliner with a little “rough-and-tumble” treatment. At John Richmond and Jean-Paul Gaultier, models’ eyes were adorned with a generous smudging of black liner. Apply black kohl to the lower waterline and smudge it, allowing the pigment to bleed and feather into the under-eye area.

Spur moment: Take inspiration from boot buckles and metal cowboy or horse spurs for a cool take on cowboy-inspired makeup embellishments. At Dior Homme, models were sent out with glints from silver hardware applied singly to the inner eye corner or along the lower lash line.

4 ways to: Rock a cowboy hat

Act like this isn’t your first rodeo by donning the coolest form of sun protection and reaching peak cowboy status

1. Don’t settle for a regular Stetson in a neutral shade — go for bold colours such as cobalt blue, green or even pink.
2. Add some rock’ n’ roll energy by pairing a cowboy hat with silver accents and accessories such as chains and metal-framed sunglasses with spiky or ornate details.
3. Looking to keep things low-key but not boring? Go the minimalist route with a white cowboy hat paired with an all-white outfit or a head-to-toe monochromatic palette.
4. Not a fan of the classic cowboy hat? Take your cue from Shaboozey and go for a shape that’s more abstract but has the same statement, wide-brimmed qualities.

Evidence leaders are expected to proceed with testimony in his absence. Khan was scheduled to testify on Monday, but was shot on Sunday, prompting a postponement.

Video courtesy of SABC

TimesLIVE

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eThekwini municipality has called on the public to stop “dropping off” foreigners at the decomissioned repatriation site at the Durban drive-in.

The city said despite confirming the site’s closure on Tuesday, a number of people were dropping off their employees in the hope of the government stepping in to assist.

By Friday a group of about 700 people were gathered on the side of the fenced-off site with their bags of clothes and other possessions.

“The public, employers and transport operators are urged to refrain from bringing foreign nationals to the site, as no services are being provided there.

“The temporary repatriation processing centre for undocumented foreign nationals has been centralised in Musina, Limpopo, under the co-ordination of the department of home affairs," the city said on Friday.

The municipality said all matters relating to undocumented foreigners fall under the mandate of the department of home affairs.

The last group of foreigners were transported to Musina on Tuesday, the day of national protests against illegal migrants and the deadline given by organisers for them to leave the country.

The city said the marches held on Tuesday were peaceful and orderly, with no major incidents of violence, loss of life or significant damage to infrastructure reported in the city.

They acknowledged the responsible conduct of residents, march organisers and law enforcement agencies in ensuring that the demonstrations proceeded without incident.

More than 20,000 Malawians were processed and repatriated through the Sherwood and Drive-In sites.

“To support the operation, government procured more than 300 buses, of which eThekwini municipality provided 150 on a cost-recovery basis.”

TimesLIVE

The commission read out Khan’s evidence statement in his absence on Friday. He was unable to appear in person due to his hospitalisation after being shot on Sunday night.

His evidence covered a series of topics, including corrupt tender activities revealed in WhatsApp exchanges between himself and Sayed.

Evidence leader Adila Hassim SC explained that certain topics would be omitted from the public testimony and potentially led in-camera (in private), as they involve sensitive material and ongoing investigations that could pose safety risks to individuals, including Khan. A new in-camera application will be filed after the commission rejected the initial one.

Hassim guided the commission through a series of WhatsApp chats extracted from Khan’s phone. Khan’s devices were seized by police on May 10 during his arrest on corruption charges linked to an illicit precious metals syndicate.

The downloaded chats showed how Khan allegedly facilitated a South African Police Service (SAPS) personal protective equipment (PPE) contract for Sayed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On January 12 2021, Sayed asked Khan who he should approach to secure a contract to supply face masks bearing SAPS logos. Khan instructed Sayed to send prices and samples, promising to speak to an official responsible for procurement. After this exchange, Sayed sent samples and a price list detailing Covid-19 PPE equipment.

Months later, on June 5 2021, Sayed messaged Khan asking him to find out from “Fanie” what the contract had been saved under. The “Fanie” in question was identified as Molefe Fani, the suspended divisional commissioner of supply chain management for SAPS. At the time, Fani held the position of acting head of procurement at the Treasury, suggesting he was involved in helping Sayed secure the contract.

By July 7 2021, the communications intensified. Sayed sent a voice note to Khan to determine the volume of Covid-19 test kits the department was looking to order. Khan subsequently forwarded a list detailing the specific mask requirements for various sections of the SAPS.

The chats also showed Sayed pressuring Khan to expedite the process. While Khan assured him he would, weeks passed without progress, prompting Sayed to keep pressing. Sayed eventually requested to speak to Fani directly; he was provided with Fani’s number and initiated direct communication. The chats also referenced another SAPS official with whom Sayed communicated, referred to simply as “Gen1”.

Hassim argued that the chats clearly demonstrated Sayed’s intent to gain improper access to SAPS mask orders, with Khan acting as a willing facilitator. She emphasised that, as a law enforcement official, Khan failed to distance himself from the illicit approach.

“The first thing to do would be not to facilitate the process,” Hassim said, noting that at no point in the chat history did Khan attempt to reject the arrangement. “Khan may have an explanation as to why he did this, but he didn’t stop this process or tell Sayed that it was not the way they operated. He didn’t report Sayed.”

Beyond the PPE scandal, the commission was presented with evidence of an IT contract between the Treasury and another private company, which Hassim noted was also facilitated by Khan and Fani.

Sayed is a director of Carnilinx, a tobacco manufacturing and distribution company. On Thursday, the company submitted a representation signed by co-director Adriano Mazzotti, responding to long-standing allegations that it is engaged in the illegal tobacco trade.

“The company is concerned that allegations affecting its business, reputation and commercial standing may ultimately be considered without the benefit of Carnilinx’s own explanation and the broader factual and regulatory context within which those allegations arise,” the statement read.

Carnilinx placed on record that it is a legally incorporated South African cigarette company holding all applicable licences.

Turning to the evidence before the inquiry, the company stated: “Information purporting to relate to that affidavit entered the public domain without Carnilinx’s knowledge or authority. Carnilinx is not in possession of versions presently relied upon or quoted by various media organisations and is unable to verify the authenticity, completeness, or accuracy.”

The document in question is a 2014 affidavit submitted to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), in which Mazzotti allegedly made admissions.

These included past customs evasion, tax non-compliance, failure to account for cash income, manufacturing cigarettes “off the books,” the unlawful exportation of tobacco under a false Swaziland pretext, illegal surveillance of SARS officials, purchasing leaked SARS documents for cash, and making improper cash payments to legal advisors.

However, Carnilinx urged the commission to separate its past regulatory issues from present-day accusations.

“The affidavit demonstrates that Carnilinx engaged with SARS concerning historical tax matters. It does not, without more, establish that Carnilinx presently conducts its affairs unlawfully or forms part of any alleged criminal enterprise,” the company argued, adding that following the resolution of those historical matters, it has continued to operate as a licensed manufacturer under strict SARS oversight.

TimesLIVE

The eroded standing of the vocational pathway, which he singles out, is the part of his argument I will defend least, because it is the part we’re working hardest to reverse.

The minister of higher education and training told the National Education Summit that we cannot build a future on qualifications that lead to dead-end jobs. I want to set out plainly what the department is doing about it, but a sound response begins with a precise diagnosis, and on two points the diagnosis in this piece needs correcting. Not to defend the system, but because the wrong diagnosis produces the wrong cure.

The first is the headline claim that we produce “too many graduates”. The most recent labour data tells a more precise story. In the first quarter of 2026, the unemployment rate for university graduates was 12.2% against a national rate of 32.7% and against rates above 47% for those who hold only a matric.

A qualification remains the strongest protection a young person has against joblessness. SA does not have a graduate surplus. It has a problem of composition, too many qualifications in some fields, too few in the engineering, data, and technical disciplines the economy is crying out for, and a problem of experience.

Those are different problems from “too many graduates”, and naming them correctly is what makes them solvable. The second is closer to my own desk. Smalberger writes of a vocational pathway in decline and of institutions that have seen little investment, and he refers to the technical stream as “formerly the technikon model”. Here the record needs straightening.

The technikons did not decline; they became our universities of technology. The TVET colleges are a separate stream with a separate history, and it is that stream, not the technikon lineage, where the standing and quality challenge sits. The distinction matters because it tells us exactly where the rebuilding must happen, and it is happening.

Smallberger is right about the consequence, though, and it is worth stating clearly. When the occupational pathway loses standing, demand pours into universities that cannot absorb it, and young people who would flourish as artisans, technicians, and engineering technologists are pushed toward degrees that suit neither them nor the industries meant to employ them. The answer to that bottleneck is not to lament the colleges. It is to make them good enough that families choose them on their merits.

That is the task we have set for ourselves, and it has four concrete parts.

First, we are rebuilding occupational qualifications and the governance of the colleges that deliver them. A national compact for vocational excellence is drawing together the bodies responsible for skills standards, artisan development, and trade testing so that what a college teaches maps onto a real occupation.

Smalberger cites the phasing out of nearly 1,500 legacy qualifications as a symptom of dysfunction. I would put it the other way: clearing out qualifications built for the economy of 30 years ago is the precondition for replacing them with programmes built for this one.

That work is under way, alongside a hard-edged overhaul of college governance, because no curriculum reform survives weak institutions.

Second, we’re closing the experience gap that Smalberger rightly calls decisive. The evidence tells us that young people with work experience move into employment at roughly four times the rate of those without it.

A qualification with no structured route into practice is, as he says, too often an expensive piece of paper. The remedy is not fewer qualifications; it is qualifications welded to the workplace.

This is the central purpose of the reform we’re driving through the SETAs, focusing a fragmented set of bodies and steering the training levies that employers already pay toward workplace-based learning, apprenticeships, and internships. Employers who want experienced graduates have to help build the experience. We’re building the machinery for them to do exactly that, and the colleges sit at the centre of it.

Third, we’re learning to see the labour market more clearly. Smalberger’s sharpest and fairest charge is that the sector has measured its inputs, enrolments and throughput, rather than its outputs. He’s right. We’re standing up a dedicated skills intelligence capability to match what the system produces against what the economy demands, closer to real time, so that the shortages he names are met by design rather than discovered after the fact.

Fourth, we are working to keep the pathway affordable and durable so that a young person who chooses the occupational route is funded to finish it and supported into work, rather than left to fall between the cracks of a system that was never built for them.

Durability has to start earlier than the college gate. Working with the department of basic education, we’re building a clear line of articulation from schooling into the TVET system through the Three-Stream Model.

Technical high schools and schools of specialisation are being strengthened in places newly built to anchor this model with grade 10-12 subjects aligned to NCV and National Accredited Technical Education Diploma-successor qualifications so that a learner is moving from a technical-vocational stream into a TVET college and continuing a programme, not starting one cold.

The honest measure of this sector is not how many young people we enrol but how many we set to work. That is the right measure.

• Zungu is the deputy director-general in the department of higher education and training responsible for TVET education branch.

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has cleared former chair and Sunday Times editor Makhudu Sefara of any wrongdoing under the organisation’s constitution and code of conduct following an independent legal investigation into allegations linked to the alleged misappropriation of National Lotteries funding.

The findings, announced on Friday ahead of Sanef’s elective AGM this weekend, follow an inquiry commissioned after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) issued a media statement that linked Sefara to the allegations.

Sanef said it had appointed independent legal counsel to determine whether Sefara had acted in breach of its constitution, code of conduct or organisational values, while making it clear that the process was not intended to duplicate or interfere with the SIU’s own investigation.

“After considering all available evidence — including direct communication from the SIU to Sefara’s lawyers — the investigation found that Sefara has not breached Sanef’s current constitution and code of conduct," the organisation said.

According to Sanef, the conclusion was supported by a letter dated May 21 from acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho to Sefara’s lawyers, stating that neither Sefara nor his company, Unscripted Communication, had been the subject of the SIU investigation and that no findings had been made against either.

The SIU correspondence, quoted by Sanef, states that Unscripted Communication “was never a subject of the SIU investigation” and that the unit “does not have any claim” against either the company or Sefara.

The SIU, however, said in response that Sanef’s statement gave the impression that the SIU had exonerated Sefara as a beneficiary of NLC funds.

“This is not a reflection of the letter sent to his lawyers,” the SIU said.

The SIU said it did not investigate or exonerate Sefara as a beneficiary and its communications were confined to NLC grant recipient Todi Media’s misuse of NLC funds and its “voluntary” repayment.

The SIU said its letter to Sefara’s attorneys stated that Todi Media’s director, Daniel Makwela, failed to provide evidence of how the R1.5m NLC grant was used. Instead, Makwela offered to repay R1.1m.

The SIU said it rejected the offer and demanded a full account of the funds in a sworn affidavit, along with supporting documents, before considering any settlement.

The SIU said when Todi Media could not account for the funds, it offered to repay the full R1.5m as the final settlement.

The SIU said its findings showed payments of R900,000 to Dungaree Communications and R550,000 to Sefara’s company Unscripted Communication.

“The SIU explicitly stated: ‘Unscripted Communication was never a subject of the SIU investigation and as such there is no finding against your client nor his company’. However, as part of the SIU investigation, the money was followed and found in Sefara’s business and personal bank accounts. Furthermore, Todi Media could not produce any agreement to justify the payment made to Unscripted Communication, a day after receiving money from the NLC.”

The SIU confirmed it had no claim against Unscripted Communication and that liability rested solely with Todi Media, which refunded the entire grant.

“However, the SIU did not say that Sefara did not benefit from the funds, as Todi Media or Makwela could not provide any evidence of how the funds were utilised, as stated in the grant application.”

The SIU said by ignoring these clear points, Sanef’s statement misled the public and undermined the integrity of the SIU’s work.

Sefara stepped aside as Sanef chair in April after the SIU publicly linked him to the alleged misuse of National Lotteries Commission funds. At the time, Sanef said it would conduct an independent legal review while respecting the SIU’s ongoing work.

Sanef said it would now review its own processes and policies to strengthen its governance and uphold media freedom, editorial independence and ethical journalism.

The organisation also confirmed that Sefara will not resume his position as chair and will not stand for re-election at Saturday’s AGM, where new leadership will be elected.

Sefara remains on special leave as Sunday Times editor while an independent investigation commissioned by Arena Holdings continues.

TimesLIVE

Based in Cape Town, CAV has spent more than 25 years building GT40-inspired performance cars, but says the GT MkII is a major evolution of its product line. Its unveiling coincides with the 60th anniversary of Ford’s historic 1-2-3 finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, where the original GT40 cemented its place in motorsport history.

Unlike CAV’s previous GT40 continuation-style models, the GT MkII moves beyond outright replication, retaining the proportions and visual identity of the original while incorporating modern materials, updated styling and substantially revised mechanical underpinnings.

At its core is a carbon-fibre and aluminium monocoque chassis designed to maximise rigidity while keeping weight in check. CAV claims a kerb weight of 1,350kg, which is relatively low for a vehicle featuring all-wheel drive and extensive performance hardware.

The bodywork is constructed entirely from carbon fibre and incorporates several styling references to the original GT40, including large side-mounted air intakes and circular rear light clusters. Aerodynamics also play a larger role, with the GT MkII fitted with an active dual-layer Gurney spoiler that deploys automatically at speed to increase downforce.

Power comes from an Audi-derived 4.2l V8 fitted with twin superchargers, producing close to 600kW and 880Nm. Drive is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed semiautomatic transmission, delivering performance figures expected to rival modern supercars.

CAV will offer extensive mechanical customisation. Buyers can choose alternative naturally aspirated V8 and twin-turbocharged V10 engine options, while transmission choices extend to manual and dual-clutch gearboxes depending on customer preference.

Suspension uses a fully independent setup at both ends, paired with three-way adjustable KW dampers aimed at balancing track capability with road usability. Braking is handled by Brembo eight-piston calipers, while carbon-ceramic brake discs are available as an option to reduce unsprung mass and improve thermal performance under heavy use.

While the GT MkII is clearly performance-focused, CAV says it has also been engineered with greater everyday usability than many low-volume supercars. Standard equipment includes power steering, electric windows, swan-wing doors and luggage space aimed at making the car more practical than traditional race-inspired exotics.

Safety features include ABS, electronic stability control, traction control, airbags and active aerodynamic systems.

Alongside the standard model, CAV will produce a 60th Anniversary Limited Edition restricted to 40 units globally. These cars will feature bespoke interior finishes, unique liveries and design details inspired by figures closely associated with the GT40’s racing success.

Among the commemorative finishes are Miles Blue Metallic, referencing Ford driver Ken Miles, and Carroll Black Metallic, named after legendary American racer and engineer Carroll Shelby.

The GT MkII will replace CAV’s long-running classic GT model as the company’s flagship offering. While not a limited-production vehicle in the traditional sense, output will remain highly exclusive, with CAV targeting production of about 10 units a year.

Pricing has not been announced.

The bus, operated by a private intercity service, was headed to national capital Islamabad from provincial capital Quetta, the agency said.

There were 48 passengers on board at the time of the accident, it added.

The eight injured were given first aid and then moved to a government hospital in Zhob city, about 75km from the accident site in Sherani district, the agency said.

The dead were also moved to the same hospital, the agency and Sherani deputy commissioner Hazrat Wali said.

In a separate incident in neighbouring Afghanistan, four people were killed and 10 others were missing after a truck carrying 22 Afghan refugees from Pakistan plunged into a river along the Kabul–Jalalabad highway, military spokesperson Wahidullah Mohammadi said.

Reuters

Miss SA 2020 Shudufhadzo Musida says sitting on the judging panel for this year’s top 24 Miss SA semifinalists gave her a renewed appreciation of how vulnerable and life-changing the pageant can be.

She speaks to Sowetan about her journey as a judge, completing her master’s degree at Columbia University and more.

Click here to read more.

WATCH | The industry has seasons - Sicelo Buthelezi on his TV return

Former Gomora star Sicelo Buthelezi says two years without TV work taught him patience and gave him room for personal growth.

Buthelezi returns in a new daily drama, The Four of Us, as Kopano, a role he believes he was able to approach with greater depth because of the Sepedi he learned while working on Skeem Saam.

View this post on Instagram

Click here to read more.

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Sowetan

The culprit was her boyfriend, Katlego Solomon Ledwaba.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said a sentence of life imprisonment for murder has been handed down against the 33-year-old by the Johannesburg high court.

“Evidence presented before the court revealed that Ledwaba and the deceased were in a romantic relationship and lived together as boyfriend and girlfriend.

“On November 10 2024, which was Thabane’s birthday, Ledwaba assaulted and strangled her at their residence in Hillside, Mapetla, causing serious injuries.

“Three days later, Thabane began experiencing seizures. Ledwaba subsequently took her to the hospital, where she was admitted. Despite receiving medical treatment, she succumbed to her injuries and died on November 14 2024.

“A post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was consistent with neck compression resulting from strangulation.”

During sentencing proceedings, senior state advocate Job Masina argued that Ledwaba had subjected Thabane to repeated acts of violence over two consecutive days, against the backdrop of a history of domestic abuse within the relationship.

Mohlatlole said the court rejected the defence’s contention that Ledwaba’s actions after the assault, including seeking medical assistance for the deceased, demonstrated genuine remorse. Instead, it found he had failed to accept responsibility for his actions.

In delivering sentence, the court underscored the seriousness of intimate partner femicide, describing it as the ultimate betrayal by a person who should have provided protection, safety and companionship. The court further held that neither jealousy nor alcohol consumption could be regarded as mitigating factors in the circumstances of the case.

“This sentence sends a strong message that perpetrators of violence against women will be held accountable and that the courts will continue to impose severe penalties in appropriate cases,” Mohlatlole said.

TimesLIVE

Video courtesy of SABC

TimesLIVE

The book, first published in 2012, has gained new attention after its Netflix adaptation.

As interest in the story grows, pirated PDF copies are being widely shared on social media and WhatsApp. Pirated printed copies have also appeared in Kenya with concerns the problem is spreading to other countries.

Chola Makgamathe, chairperson of the Copyright Coalition of South Africa and leader in Partners Against Piracy (Pap), said many people do not realise the damage caused by sharing illegal copies.

“Simply put, sharing the PDF of the text of The Polygamist, or any copyrighted work produced in print, digital or visual format, is theft and every share does incalculable damage to the African creative industry. While sharing it seems like an innocent act and appears to show support for a proudly African creative work, every person who passes on and reads the PDF document is committing a crime."

Makgamathe said writing a book takes years of hard work and supports many people, from authors and editors to publishers, booksellers and marketers. When readers choose pirated copies instead of buying a book, everyone in the chain loses.

She said piracy also puts future African stories at risk because producers often look at book sales before deciding whether to turn a novel into a film or television series. Publishers also use sales to decide whether to invest in more books from an author.

“We want more African stories, and for that we need more authors and writers to be able to dedicate time to nurturing them. We need production companies and publishers to bring them to life. We need distributors to get them into stores and onto online platforms. We need publicity and marketing teams to raise awareness of them.”

Makgamathe said readers have a responsibility to support African writers by paying for their work.

“For that to happen, we need people to stop pirating the content our creatives devote thousands of hours to creating for us to enjoy because every pirated copy, viewed or read, takes money out of the industry. As consumers, we have an ethical, moral and social responsibility to support our creatives so they can continue to tell the stories of the characters we love and take our culture to the world.”

Nyathi also appealed directly to readers to think twice before buying or sharing pirated copies.

“Writers can barely make a living from book sales alone and you buying [or sharing] a pirated copy is stealing from their livelihood. Please consider that before you buy [or share] a pirated copy. It takes years to write a book and the least you can do to support literary careers is to buy their work.”

TimesLIVE

Da Cruz arrived at the club this week and has already highlighted where he wants to work to improve the Soweto Giants ahead of the Betway Premiership season next month.

Da Cruz was announced as head coach in June but had to first finish up his role as technical director of the Moroccan Football Federation before joining the club. He arrives a couple of weeks into Chiefs’ pre-season.

“My focus now is on building a strong connection with the players, instilling a winning mentality and working together to achieve the success our fans deserve. The journey ahead will demand hard work and unity, but I’m confident we will rise to the challenge,” Da Cruz told the club media department.

“I’m very happy to be here. The club has always held a special place in my heart and I’ve kept a close eye on its journey over the past two years. Kaizer Chiefs is a massive institution with passionate supporters and a proud history.”

Chiefs are scheduled to depart for Germany for their pre-season in the next few days, where they will prepare for the new campaign.

The Frenchman brings a wealth of experience, having served as technical director for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation over the past two seasons.

Chiefs’ sporting director, Kaizer Motaung junior, explained why they brought Da Cruz to the club after he was part of Nasreddine Nabi’s technical team in the past.

“His arrival marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the club, and we look forward to seeing his vision take shape with the team. With the passion of our loyal supporters and the commitment of our players, we believe this partnership will bring renewed energy and success as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

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Sowetan

Speaking during a wide-ranging interview in the 111th episode of the Arena Sports Show with host Clauiee Grace Mpanza, football icon Radebe said he has been following the Chicago Fire defender.

Mbokazi, who was one of the best players for Bafana at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in Mexico and the US, where the South Africans reached the last 32, is believed to have attracted interest from big clubs in Europe.

“I watched ‘TLB’ at Orlando Pirates, and he is fearless, and that is a good characteristic of a defender,” said Radebe, who was part of the Bafana squad at the World Cup in France in 1998 and Korea/Japan in 2002.

“If you want to know a good quality of a defender, it is fearlessness. He is not scared of getting involved physically, but what is incredible about him is his positioning and strong tackles.

“He has not been at Pirates for long and already has a move overseas. It shows what he can be going forward; he is young, still learning and developing in the game, and when he gets that big move, he will be one of the best we have produced.”

TimesLIVE

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) said the number of defaulting companies has tripled since 2023, from 5,430 to 16,556 in February this year. The number of owed fund administrators escalated from 23 in 2023 to 75 by this year, said the FSCA.

“Total arrears are estimated to be R8.33bn, affecting about 590,000 retirement fund members. This represents an increase of R1.04bn (14.2%) from the R7.29bn reported as at March 31 2025. Notably, late payment interest accounts for 43.5% of total arrears,” said the regulator.

“Current data suggests the severity of arrears is increasing, with late payment interest increasing by 21.5%, compared with a 9% increase in the capital portion of arrears. This indicates outstanding contributions are remaining unpaid for longer periods and continuing to accumulate interest.”

Not paying over pension contributions of employees to administrators is a criminal offence.

The FSCA said municipalities account for 21.5% of total arrears, while those participating in bargaining council funds contribute 76.9%.

“Arrears by municipalities in the North West and Free State remain the most significant within the local government sector, collectively accounting for 79.4% of all municipal arrears,” said the FSCA.

It said interventions by the National Treasury to withhold equitable share allocations from persistently non-compliant municipalities have begun to improve the regularity of contribution payments.

“This underscores the value of continued inter-agency collaboration in addressing arrear contributions and protecting retirement fund members,” said the FSCA.

The regulator said it will continue to collaborate with other entities such as the auditor-general, National Treasury, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to strengthen enforcement to protect workers.

Since the FSCA’s first publication of defaulting employers, total recoveries are reported to have reached R1.01bn, about 12.1% of the estimated arrears.

“More than 200 employer records have moved into a more favourable compliance position since the previous publication in September 2025. This includes full or partial settlement of arrears, settlement arrangements, or voluntary termination after business closure.”

Members who are concerned their pension fund contributions may not have been paid should contact their employers and pension funds directly to confirm the status of their contributions. If members are still concerned, they can contact the FSCA.

In May, US and Nigerian forces conducted military operations in northeastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of IS globally. That followed a US strike on Christmas Day against the militants ordered by President Donald Trump, who said they had been targeting Christians in the African country.

Addressing a conference of African defence chiefs in Angola on Thursday, Africom commander Gen Dagvin Anderson described May’s joint US-Nigerian as a model for future security co-operation in Africa.

“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation, but are continuing the partnership that Nigeria has asked for to help continue with the intelligence sharing,” Anderson told journalists during a US state department-hosted briefing after the conference.

Anderson said the operation, in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin region, demonstrated Washington’s approach of providing specialised capabilities while allowing African partners to lead security operations.

He said co-operation with Nigeria had helped to significantly degrade IS’s leadership, adding that the effects had extended beyond West Africa because of the militant group’s international network.

The operation disrupted not only local commanders but also broader IS communications and operations, he added.

“Nigeria has been very active since that operation in May,” Anderson said. “They continue to prosecute targets themselves.”

He added that Nigerian military pressure, combined with efforts to publicise the operation, had encouraged additional defections and surrenders among IS fighters in northeastern Nigeria.

The three-day conference in Luanda was attended by military leaders from 35 African countries, alongside representatives from the US and Brazil.

Reuters

In this issue of High-Flyers, we explore that spirit of seasonal travel around Mzansi and beyond. From the crisp beauty of the Free State and the creative charm of Clarens to the vast, dramatic landscapes of the Northern Cape, we lean into places where space, silence and scenery do most of the storytelling.

Along the way we meet the individuals and stories that shape our world — from the calm authority of Ronwen Williams between the posts to the flavours and cultural moments that remind us travel isn’t only about distance but also discovery.

This is winter travel, reimagined, not fast, not fleeting, but deeply felt.

Raina Julies

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Sales of new vehicles in South Africa continued firing on all cylinders last month, achieving the best June performance in 19 years.

According to figures released by industry body Naamsa, domestic sales of new vehicles reached 54,482 units, the best overall monthly performance since 2007 and an increase of 15.3% on June 2025.

The performance came even as consumer confidence contracted in the second quarter of 2026, Naamsa said. The market continued to outperform expectations, supported by essential mobility needs, replacement demand cycles, fleet renewal activity and stronger government procurement, it added.

“Contrary to broader cyclical pressures, whereby the economic environment became increasingly constrained during the second quarter of 2026, driven by a sharp increase in fuel prices, rising inflation risks, and tighter financial conditions, the domestic new vehicle market continued to demonstrate resilience,” said Naamsa.

“The performance was further underpinned by robust government fleet purchases, with passenger vehicle acquisitions increasing by 22.1% and light commercial vehicle (LCV) purchases rising by 41.8%.”

The best performer last month was the passenger car segment, with 38,393 sales, an 18.1% increase over June 2025. Car rental sales accounted for 9.7% of new passenger vehicles sold.

LCVs (bakkies and mini-buses) reported 13,171 units sold, an 8.4% gain over the same month last year.

Medium commercial vehicle sales, at 647 units, were 0.6% higher year on year, and heavy trucks and buses, at 2,271 units, were up 15.9%.

Exports remained under pressure, though, with shipments of 33,879 units down 6.9% compared with June 2025.

For the year to date, passenger car sales are up 14.2% and LCVs are 10.1% higher than in the same period last year.

Naamsa said there were encouraging signs that conditions may gradually improve for South African consumers.

“The latest Absa purchasing managers’ index suggests that some of the cost pressures experienced during recent months may have begun to ease towards the end of June, supported by lower global oil prices after the easing of geopolitical tensions and improved supply conditions,” it said.

“While manufacturing demand remains subdued, the improvement in forward-looking business sentiment points to the possibility of a more stable economic environment in the months ahead.

“Should these trends be sustained, consumers could benefit from moderating inflationary pressures, more stable fuel prices and improved affordability, all of which would support household confidence and create a more favourable environment for new vehicle purchases.”

Naamsa believes the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments are beginning to reflect encouraging signs of improving economic activity and business confidence.

“Demand for commercial vehicles remains closely linked to investment, freight movement, construction, mining, agriculture, and logistics activity,” it said.

Toyota maintained its long-held market share dominance last month, ahead of Suzuki and Volkswagen. The influx of relatively cheaper Chinese brands continues to challenge traditional brands, with five of the top 15 selling brands last month coming from the Asian country.

Top sales by brand, June 2026

• Toyota - 12,417
• Suzuki - 5,689
• Volkswagen Group - 5,613
• Hyundai - 2,986
• Ford - 2,961
• GWM - 2,608
• Chery - 2,602
• Isuzu - 2,121
• Jetour - 2,054
• Mahindra - 1,669
• Kia - 1,416
• Omoda and Jaecoo - 1,416
• Renault - 1,326
• BMW group - 1,314
• BYD - 800

Video courtesy of SABC

TimesLIVE

She speaks to Sowetan about her journey as a judge, completing her master’s degree at Columbia University and more.

What was it like returning to Miss SA as a judge?

It gave me more empathy because I know how difficult that moment is. Looking at the contestants, I saw a version of myself from six years ago. I understood how nervous they were, so I reminded them to breathe and reassured them that everything would be okay. Making it into the top 24 already means they’re deserving. I wanted them to remember that the people sitting in front of them were rooting for them.

What stood out for you?

I was amazed by the diversity they bring. You’re talking about business owners, actuaries, professors, entrepreneurs and content creators. Each woman brings something unique to the table. What impressed me most was how intentional they are about their lives, who they want to become and the impact they hope to make.

No matter who wins Miss SA, I believe every one of them will make a meaningful difference.

No matter who wins Miss SA, I believe every one of them will make a meaningful difference.

Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss SA judge

What were you looking for?

Authenticity. Everything else can be taught. People invest in people. As Miss SA, you’re asking South Africans, businesses, government and different stakeholders to believe in you and invest in the platform.

I wanted to know whether I believed what someone was saying. Who are you? What drives you? What’s your why?

What do you remember about your Miss SA journey?

I was nervous; I was expecting to answer one of those hard questions, but to my surprise, one of the judges asked me what my guilty pleasure was. I started talking about Woolworths’ chocolate caramel muffins. I completely lost myself describing them because I genuinely loved them.

When I later found out I’d made it through, I realised it wasn’t because I had the perfect answer; it was because I had been honest.

Do you have a favourite semifinalist?

No. Anyone in the top 24 can become Miss SA. Everyone has different strengths. When I entered the pageant in 2020, I wasn’t comfortable speaking in public. Today I can speak in front of thousands of people because someone believed in my potential beyond my shyness.

Different contestants will shine during different stages of the competition.

You recently graduated with a master’s in public administration in international finance and economic policy at Columbia University. What kept you going?

God. Everything I do is rooted in purpose. My grandparents always encouraged me to take education seriously because it’s about more than earning a qualification. Living in New York was lonely. You’re stripped of everything that’s familiar while trying to build a new life.

Outside of my studies, I was also building my podcast and my personal brand from scratch. I didn’t introduce myself as “Miss SA”. I wanted people to know me because of my work.

What became your guilty pleasure?

Pasta. There was a restaurant called Santa Rosa that became my favourite place. Every South African friend who visited me ended up eating there because of how much I enjoyed it. It’s a simple tomato-based pasta without meat.

Even my mother couldn’t believe I was ordering pasta with no meat until she tasted it.

Is it difficult adjusting to life back in SA after New York?

New York is much louder. I lived close to a major hospital, so there were sirens all the time. Coming back home meant adjusting to silence. I spent two weeks by myself before telling people I was back because I needed time to reconnect with myself.

What’s next?

I want to help drive private investment into Africa. Africa doesn’t need aid. It needs investment. Whether we’re talking about mental health, women’s empowerment or education, lasting change requires investment.

As we move into the era of artificial intelligence, many people are already being left behind. Education is where everything begins.

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For years, public servants have been told that the state cannot afford wage increases. Treasury constraints, fiscal pressures, and budget limitations have repeatedly been cited as the reasons. Yet, when senior office bearers receive a 3.8% increase on already substantial remuneration packages, the argument of affordability appears far less convincing.

Leadership demands sacrifice, particularly when the country is grappling with unemployment, rising living costs, failing infrastructure, declining service delivery, and deepening public frustration with government performance. Public confidence is eroded when those at the top appear insulated from the realities confronting ordinary citizens.

Rewarding senior office bearers while many departments continue to underperform creates the perception that mediocrity is being compensated rather than excellence being rewarded.

Public office should never be viewed as a pathway to personal enrichment. It is a position of trust. Those entrusted with leading state institutions should be held to the highest standards of performance, integrity, and accountability. Salary increases should be linked to measurable improvements in service delivery, not treated as routine entitlements.

In difficult times, genuine leadership means sharing in the sacrifices expected of the people you serve. When the government asks workers to tighten their belts while loosening its own, it undermines the moral authority needed to lead the nation through its many challenges.

The question South Africans are entitled to ask is simple: if there is money available for increases at the top, why is there never enough when nurses, teachers, police officers, and other frontline public servants seek fair recognition for the work they do?

Until that question is answered convincingly, decisions such as these will continue to be viewed as disconnected from the realities facing the citizens whom government exists to serve. — Thulani Dasa

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The ANC is sticking by its cadre Dina Pule in the midst of a public onslaught over her appointment as minister of social development.

Yesterday ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula defended President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint Pule, arguing that she has served her sentence over the malfeasance and ethical lapses she was found guilty of more than a decade ago.

Mbalula argued that Pule has come back into the political limelight a reformed individual who took responsibility for her actions. He said the criticism she has received since the announcement earlier this week has been a bit too harsh.

“To answer it honestly, we must speak not only of a sanction served but of the work of correction that has been done and that continues. The people of South Africa do not hand down life sentences, least of all where there has been accountability, redress and correction,” said Mbalula.

“Comrade Pule faced a process more than a decade ago. She was sanctioned by that process, and she accepted the consequences. She stepped aside before we even made it policy. She stepped aside — I call it aside, but she even stepped down from her responsibilities and positions. In government, she was sacked; in parliament, she stepped down. She never served in any structure of the ANC; she disappeared.”

He said the ANC and the country in general believe in redemption and that individuals found on the wrong side of the law have the capacity to self-correct and rebuild themselves.

Mbalula was speaking a day after Pule was sworn in as a cabinet minister, a move that has been widely criticised, with many saying the ANC showed it was not serious about its renewal process by appointing an individual who was previously removed from cabinet over ethical lapses.

After President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he had appointed Pule as minister of social development, ANC veterans leagues, political parties, civil society, and unions questioned why and how that decision was taken.

ANC Veteran’s League president Snuki Zikalala told Sowetan’s sister publication TimesLIVE that he was “not happy” with the decision to appoint Pule to the cabinet and that they were still consulting with Mbalula on how the decision was taken.

Zikalala agreed that people should not be punished forever but that at this crucial time the ANC had to do all it could to regain the trust of South Africans.

Pule was axed by former president Jacob Zuma as communications minister in 2013 over a string of scandals that centred on her allegedly channelling contracts to her then boyfriend, or his associates.

At the time of her firing, parliament’s ethics committee found that she had misled parliament by continuously denying her relationship with her then partner Phosane Mngqibisa and recommended that she be criminally charged.

Mbalula said Pule had worked on herself and worked to regain the trust of her ANC comrades, who put her back into the party’s highest decision-making body, the national executive committee.

“A person who has answered for her mistakes and served her sanction and rebuilt trust through the free choice of the electorate is not to be condemned in perpetuity.”

He said that the ANC fully supported Pule and backed Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint her.

TimesLIVE

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When 51-year-old Angela Mokasi graduated with a master’s degree in public management and governance from UJ, she chose to walk the stage in her Johannesburg metro police uniform instead of wearing elaborate attire.

According to Mokasi, operations director at JMPD, the uniform she wore under her gown as she walked on the stage was not just her work clothes. She said the uniform represented 30 years of serving the people of Johannesburg and also reminded her of the journey that brought her to the graduation stage.

“I prepared an elegant outfit for my graduation; however, I chose to wear my uniform because it’s part of my identity and a symbol of the journey I have walked as a metro police officer.

“I wore my uniform with pride, and it represented discipline, sacrifice and commitment to serving the citizens of Johannesburg.”

To Mokasi, wearing her uniform on her graduation day was also her way of showing that education and public service go hand in hand.

“I wanted to represent not only myself, but also my profession and the many women in law enforcement who continue to lead and inspire others,” she said.

Mokasi’s dissertation examined how artificial intelligence and digital technology can strengthen policing and governance in the city.

Her research argues that technology can play a practical role in improving policing. She points to CCTV systems as valuable tools for monitoring public spaces, deterring crime and providing evidence for investigations and court matters.

“CCTV systems act as the eyes of law enforcement in areas where officers cannot always be physically present. They enable real-time monitoring of public spaces, help deter crime by increasing the risk of detection and provide valuable visual evidence for investigations and court proceedings,” she said.

Mokasi said dash cams have already demonstrated how technology can improve evidence collection and operational oversight, while the planned introduction of body-worn cameras in the metro police could further strengthen transparency and accountability.

“Body-worn cameras have the potential to strengthen transparency in officer-public interactions and provide an objective record of incidents. This can help protect officers against false accusations while also ensuring misconduct is properly addressed where it occurs.”

She said these technologies support smarter policing by improving oversight, evidence collection, response capacity and public confidence.

Mokasi’s career in law enforcement spans more than three decades. She joined the then Soweto Traffic Department in 1995 as a traffic officer before the establishment of JMPD in 2001, where she was promoted through the ranks from sergeant to inspector, chief superintendent and later director of operations.

Between 2020 and 2024, she became the first woman appointed as acting chief of JMPD, before returning to her position as director of operations.

Among the highlights of her career, Mokasi recalls providing a security escort for former US first lady Michelle Obama, after which she received a letter of appreciation from the White House.

Looking ahead, Mokasi hopes to continue researching the barriers to adopting artificial intelligence in policing.

“I just don’t know yet whether it will be at the level of another master’s or a PhD, but I want to continue researching what is hindering the implementation of AI within the law enforcement space,” she said.

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Consumers should remain confident in the country’s banking system despite the Constitutional Court’s latest ruling in the long-running rand manipulation case, according to a University of Johannesburg economist.

The apex court this week narrowed the Competition Commission’s case against banks accused of colluding to manipulate the US Dollar/South African Rand (USD/ZAR) exchange rate between 2007 and 2013.

The court cleared several local banks while allowing proceedings against a smaller group of international banks to continue before the Competition Tribunal.

University of Johannesburg economist Peter Baur said allegations of currency manipulation had to be investigated because of the potential impact on consumers and confidence in SA’s financial markets.

However, he added that it would be very difficult to prove that the banks intentionally manipulated the rand in their favour.

“Banks generate wealth by trading, including through currency markets. The challenge is proving whether banks actually colluded with one another. That is very difficult to prove, and that is why this case has gone on for so long,” he said.

“I would not go so far as claiming that the banks were deliberately trying to manipulate the exchange rate. There is always a possibility that market participants could try to take advantage of trading opportunities, but the key question is whether there is enough evidence of collusion.”

The court, in the judgment delivered on Tuesday by Justice Owen Rogers, dismissed the case against several local banks, citing a total lack of evidence to prove a single overarching conspiracy.

However, it ruled that the case can finally proceed to a full hearing on its merits against a handful of global investment firms and one local entity.

Allegedly, during the seven-year timeline, currency traders used private Bloomberg and Reuters online chatrooms to co-ordinate trades. Traders fixed bid-ask spreads, falsified market signals, and shared confidential customer information.

Some entities bypassed this litigation long ago: Standard Chartered admitted to prohibited conduct and settled for a R42.7m fine in 2023, while Citibank settled for R69.5m in 2017. Absa and Barclays previously secured leniency in exchange for co-operating with the investigation.

Baur added the chances of getting away with manipulation under such rigorous oversight are unlikely.

“If we simply said there was no evidence and never investigated, that would create another problem. These allegations must be properly examined because it demonstrates transparency, accountability and due process

“It is about our savings, our pensions and our investments. If the rand was not properly protected and regulated, our money could lose its value. Consumers should take comfort in knowing regulators are monitoring the system and that our judicial system follows due process,” he said.

Baur added that the judgment should reinforce confidence rather than create panic.

“We’ve got to believe in our judicial system. Transparency and accountability are what give the South African financial system and the rand their stability.”

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The Boks are set to go head to head against their arch rivals, England, at Ellis Park, Joburg, on Saturday in a clash that kicks off the Nations Championships.

Here are a few things you need to know if you are going to the stadium:

• Kick-off for the main match is scheduled for 5.40pm, with a curtain-raiser between the Springbok Women and the US kicking off at 1pm. You are advised to arrive early.
• Due to significant road closures around the stadium precinct, park & ride services will be available to transport people to and from the stadium.
• The service will run from 1pm to 9pm.
• The availability of the service is limited and early booking is strongly recommended.
• Tickets for the service can be bought online from parkandridesa.com and cost between R250 and R295. Park & ride ticketholders will receive an email before the event containing a detailed map of their departure point, parking and boarding instructions and essential on-the-day operational information.

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While Safa president Danny Jordaan is planning to meet with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to discuss his future, minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie has urged the association to hire Pitso Mosimane instead.

Broos’s future with the team is not clear despite him revealing before the World Cup that he would retire to spend time with his grandchildren.

Speaking to SABC Sport during Bafana’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, McKenzie said there was only one coach who should lead Bafana, and that was Mosimane.

“The next coach should be Mosimane. We need a person who understands our voice.

“I’ve put my weight, as the minister of sport, behind Mosimane.”

Mosimane has already submitted his CV for the head coach position and McKenzie said he had already held discussions with Safa about Mosimane’s appointment.

“I’ve had a conversation with Danny Jordaan, and I have had a conversation with Pitso. He has received many offers. I’m the one who said to Pitso, don’t take them.

“We need Pitso now in our football. You want to bring somebody here that speaks French, the players don’t know English, they don’t know French, he doesn’t know English, no we can’t have that.”

McKenzie did not attend the press conference at the airport to elaborate on his opinion.

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City Power’s acting CEO has raised concerns about the increasingly hostile environments in which the utility’s workers are expected to perform their duties.

Staff, security guards and contracted workers have come under attack, with some taken hostage, beaten and robbed at gunpoint.

In the latest incident, a security officer at the Lenasia Service Delivery Centre had a car drive over him and was seriously injured when he and his friend were attacked by residents after an outage in the area.

This is the fifth incident in just two weeks involving City Power officers, and the third involving a hostage situation.

City Power security team leader from the Lenasia depot, Marks Tshifhiwa, described the tense negotiations between utility officials and residents who had trapped workers and vehicles inside the depot on Tuesday, before the violent attack.

During the attack, security officers were injured when a group of about 20 to 25 people stormed the depot after a prolonged power outage in Murray Avenue, Lenasia Ext 10.

Speaking to Sowetan, Tshifhiwa said he had responded after receiving a distress call from security officers stationed at the depot.

“It was around 2pm when I got the call from my officers on the ground. My understanding was that community members had blocked the gates with vehicles and were refusing to allow anyone to enter or leave.

“When I arrived, the gates were still blocked. It was just after 3pm. There were no police on the scene,” he said.

Tshifhiwa said City Power officials tried to negotiate with the residents.

“We engaged with the community, explaining we were there to help them. Even the electricians were on site. They refused to open the gate.

“They said they would open it when the electricity was restored. We were willing to send our electricians in to assist immediately,” he said.

However, the residents wanted to keep some officers inside the depot until power was restored, which Tshifhiwa said raised obvious safety concerns.

“Our priority was to help the customers. It was never about simply getting ourselves out. We were trying to negotiate so that we could help them while also allowing our vehicles and teams to leave and attend to other communities who needed our essential services,” he said.

“If we send our electricians into a community that has already held us hostage, how can we be certain those electricians will not also be held hostage? So they agreed, but there were terms and conditions attached.”

Tshifhiwa said residents refused to remove the blockade, leaving officials concerned for the safety of security personnel and technical staff.

“That was when the situation became violent. They started attacking the security officers and throwing stones. We called the JMPD (Johannesburg Metro Police Department again, and they arrived after the windows had already been broken. One security officer was seriously injured and another was assaulted.

“When the JMPD arrived, some of the suspects tried to flee in their vehicles. One of our security officers tried to stop one of the vehicles, which drove over him,” he said.

Tshifhiwa said the officer was taken to the hospital and has been discharged but is still receiving medical treatment.

He added that although it was normal for a community to block a depot and cause disruptions, this was the first time it had become violent.

“It is common for frustrated residents to come to the depot demanding answers. It is also not the first time the gates have been blocked. However, this is the first time the situation has escalated to this level of violence,” he said. “I am concerned about the safety of my officers, but we also have to service the community.”

According to City Power, in the 2024/25 financial year they had 12 hostage incidents, nine armed robberies, three hijackings and four shooting incidents involving personnel.

CEO Charles Tlouane said City Power would not allow its employees to be terrorised or its network to be sabotaged.

“Whether our employees and contractors are being held hostage while restoring electricity to communities or our security guards are being attacked by criminals stealing critical infrastructure, the outcome is the same. Lives are placed at risk, essential services are disrupted and communities suffer,” he said.

“We will continue working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that everyone responsible for these criminal acts is identified, arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

Johannesburg metro police have arrested four suspects in relation to the latest attack. They have been charged with attempted murder, assault, public violence and property damage. More arrests are expected.

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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is continuing its investigation of Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane’s allegedly fraudulent master’s degree despite a court ruling in his favour on Thursday.

The unit said the high court judgment, which declared Mabuyane’s de-registration from the University of Fort Hare unlawful, will not have an impact on its probe of his university admission.

SIU spokesperson Selby Makgatho said the unit was working towards finalising its report into Mabuyane’s alleged academic and qualification fraud related to his university enrolment and being awarded a master’s degree in public administration.

“We will not comment on [the judgment]... we are working on finalising the report on the proclamation,” said Makgatho.

On Thursday, the Eastern Cape High Court sitting in KuGompo City declared Mabuyane’s deregistration by the university unlawful and constitutionally invalid and set it aside. It said the university failed to follow a fair process before striking him from its register in 2021.

Judge Lindiwe Rusi set aside the university senate’s decision to deregister Mabuyane from his master’s degree programme and ordered the university to restart the process of reviewing his admission in accordance with its own rules.

The university, Rusi said, must reconsider evidence of Mabuyane’s prior learning and experience before deciding whether he qualified for admission.

It was also ordered to pay the costs of the application, including the cost of two counsels.

Central to Rusi’s ruling was her finding that Mabuyane had not been given an opportunity to make representations before the decision was taken to deregister him.

The deregistration of [Mabuyane] was...unlawful...[and] irrational and unreasonable.

Judge Lindiwe Rusi

“An ineluctable finding is that the deregistration of the applicant was unlawful for failure to afford him an opportunity to make representations before the decision was made, and on account of being irrational and unreasonable,” Rusi said.

The judgment also contains a sharp criticism of the university’s handling of the matter and points to broader administrative failures within its department of public administration.

Rusi referred to admissions made by Fort Hare vice-chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu during a senate meeting after Mabuyane’s deregistration, in which he acknowledged that serious administrative failures had affected the department.

She said those admissions supported Mabuyane’s claim that he had not acted improperly.

“On the admission of professor Buhlungu, the applicant was one of the victims of the maladministration together with many other students whose reputation and careers were adversely affected,” Rusi said.

The judge said it would be unfair for students to bear the consequences of administrative failures where there was no evidence that they had acted improperly or in collusion with university officials.

She said the consequences extended beyond Mabuyane’s case, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds whose studies and employment prospects had been delayed because of uncertainty surrounding qualifications issued by the university.

Rusi stressed that Mabuyane’s public office did not place him above the law.

“This matter concerns Mr Mabuyane in his capacity not as premier of the province but as the student of the university who is bound by its laws in the same way as any other student.”

She said if there had been evidence of wrongdoing on his part, he should have been held accountable.

However, in the absence of such evidence, his rights could not be sacrificed.

Rusi also found that the review before the court was not concerned with whether Mabuyane ultimately met the requirements for recognition of prior learning but with whether the university had followed the correct process in considering his admission.

She concluded that the appropriate remedy was for the university to restart the review process in a procedurally fair manner while protecting both Mabuyane’s rights and the integrity of the university’s academic qualifications.

Mabuyane welcomed the ruling.

“From the beginning, I believed that this issue should be dealt with through the appropriate channels and not through public debate or speculation,” he said.

“This has been a challenging and personal journey, but I have always had faith in the legal process and in the importance of fairness and due process.”

Mabuyane described Fort Hare as an institution that had shaped his life and career.

“My relationship with Fort Hare goes beyond this case. It is an institution that gave me an education, broadened my horizons and helped shape the person I am today.”

University spokesperson JP Roodt said the institution was studying the judgment before deciding on its next course of action. — Daily Dispatch

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Spain, who have yet to concede a goal at the tournament, produced a dominant display as Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice and Pedro Porro once to underline their status as one of the favourites.

“I have many reasons to be happy today. First because of the victory, we won significantly and the image of the team was fabulous,” De la Fuente said.

“But there is still room for improvement. Perhaps you think you have seen the best of us, but this team has not yet reached its capabilities. There is more to do.”

Take a minute to appreciate this Cucurella assist 🅰️🤌#SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zjHutVcZOr

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 2, 2026

De la Fuente said Spain’s progress had been built on a long-term process rather than one standout performance and stressed that the knockout rounds would demand even higher standards.

“Today’s performance should be the foundation for what comes next. We are going to keep improving and doing things better. We are not yet satisfied, we are going for more.”

De la Fuente cautioned against believing Spain had reached their peak after another impressive defensive display in which Austria failed to register a shot on target.

“There were situations where we lacked high pressure. You need to keep improving all the time.

“When you get flattered and believe it, you become weaker. Satisfaction can kill you.”

The 65-year-old was full of praise for his left back Marc Cucurella, who provided two assists for Oyarzabal, calling him “invaluable” and “a top-notch player”.

28 goals in 57 apperances for his country 🤩🇪🇸

Mikel Oyarzabal is always within the action ⚽💥

📺 Stream #FIFAWorldCup2026 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/cg11oO93UV

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 2, 2026

“The next phase will be increasingly demanding,” De la Fuente added. “We have wonderful players, but the only focus is to exceed our own expectations.”

Spain cruised past Austria in a display that reinforced their status as one of the favourites for the World Cup.

Forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, once in each half, both assisted by Marc Cucurella.

Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead in the 66th minute with a header from an Alex Baena cross.

Spain will face Portugal in last 16 on Monday at Dallas Stadium.

Also on Thursday (early hours of Wednesday South Africa time) A stoppage-time winner from Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos gave his side a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Croatia to move them into the last 16.

Substitute Ramos headed home a pinpoint cross from Rafael Leao in the 94th minute to give Portugal the lead.

𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐁 ⚡

Gonçalo Ramos rises highest in stoppage time 🤩#SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/z8Q4NkJ0Cv

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 3, 2026

Croatia’s late equaliser from Josko Gvardiol was ruled out for offside.

Ivan Perisic’s strike fired Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute. Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 68th after a VAR review to bring Portugal level.

Switzerland eased past Algeria 2-0, with Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye on target.

The Swiss opener was crafted by 20-year-old talent Johan Manzambi, who surged down the left flank before drilling a low ball across the face of goal for Embolo to convert.

The assist was Manzambi’s second of the tournament. The youngster has also scored three goals in four World Cup appearances despite making only two starts.

Switzerland doubled their advantage a minute into the second half when Ndoye produced a composed finish beyond Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane after the ball broke kindly to him on the edge of the box.

Switzerland, who were eliminated in the round of 16 in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022, will hope this time to break that cycle of disappointment. The three-times World Cup quarter-finalists have not reached the last eight since 1954.

Switzerland will remain in Vancouver, where they will face either Colombia or Ghana in the last 16 on Tuesday.

• All the World Cup fixtures here
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• All the group profiles here
• Star player profiles here
• Bafana news here

Municipal maintenance crises — manifesting in potholes, load-shedding and water shortages — have become part of daily life, largely due to inconsistent governance and weak accountability. Over time, standards have eroded, inefficiencies have become entrenched and corruption has taken root. Chronic water shortages pose a slow-onset disaster, requiring urgent, co-ordinated action to avoid scenarios such as Cape Town’s “Day Zero”.

Effective planning, management and citizen engagement at the municipal level are essential. Roads also demand immediate attention. Freight and commuters are affected by neglected streets, many in need of full rehabilitation, resurfacing, drainage upgrades and structural repairs, as patches no longer suffice. Meanwhile, climate change and a deepening fossil fuel crisis underscore the urgent role renewable energy, solar and wind, must play in South Africa’s future.

In this issue, we explore solutions, from infrastructure financing and the adaptation of global best practices to public-private partnerships expanding connectivity in underserved communities. We also examine the construction sector’s urgent safety and compliance challenges, from weak regulation and poor supervision to the use of inexperienced contractors, and we discuss how the industry can rebuild trust and resilience.

Rodney Weidemann, editor

TimesLIVE

Iran’s supreme leader was killed by US and Israeli strikes in their first attack of the war. The funeral events will begin in Tehran at the weekend, with mass processions planned next week in Qom and Mashhad and ceremonies in Iraq.

“The large public turnout at the funeral procession of the martyred leader and the other martyrs will, in effect, be another referendum for the Islamic Republic,” Qom Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Saidi told state media.

If they do see it as a referendum, authorities are not leaving the result to chance.

They hope to mobilise millions of supporters to flood Iran’s cities, laying on transport, accommodation and food, to proclaim the might of their theocratic state after it survived what they saw as an existential war.

Khamenei’s death, and the succession of his son Mojtaba as Iran’s third supreme leader, in a conflict with its greatest foes, mark an epochal moment in the Islamic Republic’s 47-year history. Mojtaba, dangerously wounded in the strike that killed his father, has not been seen in a new image since the war began.

However, behind the veneer of unity and devotion, public support for the Islamic Republic has worn paper thin, analysts said.

Across the country, many Iranians are tired of decades of sanctions throttling their economy and angry at the repression meted out in the name of a 1979 revolution only older people in a mostly young population can remember.

When people poured onto the streets in December and January in demonstrations triggered by inflation, many were chanting for the death of Khamenei and authorities could only crush the unrest by shooting thousands of protesters.

After news of Khamenei’s killing began to circulate in the first days of the war, Tehran residents reported sounds of cheering erupting from houses and apartments in parts of the city.

Now Tehran is tense and quiet, a sharp contrast with the emotional last burial of a supreme leader, the father of the revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Then, millions of sobbing people mobbed Khomeini’s funeral procession and some climbed on the ambulance, the dead leader’s naked leg spilling from his shroud as Revolutionary Guards battled to push back the crowd.

Samira, 35, whose husband owns a restaurant in Tehran, said her family did not plan to attend funeral events and was leaving Tehran for the week. “It is like life has stopped and there are Basijis everywhere,” she said, referring to the voluntary militia organisation affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards.

Mass processions planned in several cities

In Iran’s theocratic system, Khamenei was not only head of state and leader of a revolutionary movement, but the representative on earth for Shi’ite Islam’s 12th Imam, who disappeared in the ninth century.

Khamenei’s death in an enemy attack plays into a powerful Shi’ite tradition of martyrdom and mourning, in which processions of black-clad flagellants beat their chests or backs during annual religious commemorations.

That potent symbolism has been evident in the black funeral flags hanging over city streets since his death and in mourning ceremonies for him referencing the martyrdom of Shi’ism’s third imam, Hossein.

On Thursday, workers were stringing up new posters in Tehran proclaiming support for Mojtaba, with the images of the late Khamenei and a raised revolutionary fist behind him.

For supporters of the Islamic Republic, the talk of martyrdom is no mere rhetoric.

“These are the hardest days of my life,” said Mohsen, 24, a Basij member in Tehran who asked not to give his family name.

“I do not remember the time when Imam Khomeini passed away but my father says the entire country was engulfed in grief and mourning. Today, too, people are in mourning, especially because our leader was martyred,” he said.

Officials and foreign dignitaries, including from Russia and China, will offer condolences in events on Friday.

On Saturday, Khamenei’s remains will be taken to a Tehran mosque for the first stop in a national funerary tour. The bodies of his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and Mojtaba’s wife, who were all killed in the same strike, will be carried alongside.

Hotels are offering 50% discounts, schools, mosques and sports halls have been prepared to house mourners, and bus and rail networks are being diverted to serve the main events.

After what authorities are billing as a massive procession in central Tehran on Monday, the remains will be taken to the seminary city of Qom, the centre of Iran’s Shi’ite hierarchy, for ceremonies on Tuesday.

Ceremonies will then be held in Iraq’s shrine cities of Najaf and Kerbala on Wednesday with prominent attendees from Iran’s regional network of Shi’ite proxies. He will be buried on Thursday, after another procession, in Mashhad near the tomb of the Imam Reza, a figure of great devotion in Iran.

Security will be tight, with temporary airspace restrictions in place over Tehran and other cities and threats of a powerful response if the US or Israel resume attacks.

“We are showing our power to America and others in our own way,” said Hossein Kheiri, 63, a veteran of the 1980-88 war with Iraq, standing under a poster of Khamenei in Tehran.

Reuters

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is continuing its investigation of Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane’s alleged fraudulent master’s degree, despite a court ruling in his favour on Thursday.

The unit said the High Court judgment, which declared Mabuyane’s de-registration from the University of Fort Hare unlawful, will not have an effect on its probe of his university admission.

SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the unit was working towards finalising its report into Mabuyane’s alleged academic and qualification fraud, related to his university enrolment and being awarded a master’s degree in public administration.

• Click here to read the full article.

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LISTEN | ‘We were held hostage’: City Power warns of violence against crews

City Power’s acting CEO has raised concern about the increasingly hostile environments in which the utility’s workers are expected to perform their duties.

Staff, security guards and contracted workers have come under attack, with some taken hostage, beaten and robbed at gunpoint.

In the latest incident, a security officer at the Lenasia Service Delivery Centre had a car drive over him and was seriously injured when he and his friend were attacked by residents after an outage in the area.

• Click here to read the full article.

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Broos made us believe again, but it’s time for him to go in peace

For a man who has always spoken his mind, Hugo Broos’ ambiguity about his future with Bafana Bafana is puzzling. A few months ago, the Bafana coach was clear he would vacate the seat after this World Cup, bringing an end to his five-year reign because, to quote him verbatim, he wants to play with his grandkids.

After Bafana’s elimination from the tournament by Canada last weekend, Broos seemed to have backtracked on his promise to retire peacefully, suggesting it was inadvisable to make a hasty decision on the back of a defeat.

But this can’t be a haphazard decision. It is what Broos promised, unprovoked. His contract has come to an end with Bafana’s departure from the World Cup, so we should be talking about who should replace him.

• Click here to read the full article.

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Sowetan

The affected vehicles are the Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar, as notified by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) SA. The affected vehicles were made available for sale nationally during the following periods:

• F-Pace: March 2024 to January 2025
• Defender: March 2024 to April 2026
• Discovery: March 2024 to April 2026
• Range Rover: March 2024 to June 2024
• Range Rover Sport: March 2024 to June 2024
• Range Rover Velar: March 2024 to April 2026

According to JLR, a concern has been identified on certain AJ20-D6 engines where the front-end auxiliary drive (FEAD) belt idler pulley may over-rotate following a high-torsion input. This may cause the pulley to clash and damage the engine oil pressure and temperature sensor.

A damaged oil pressure and temperature sensor may result in an engine oil leak, creating a potential slip hazard for other road users.

Consumers who own the affected vehicles are asked to visit their nearest Jaguar Land Rover dealership to arrange for an inspection. The FEAD idler pulley will be replaced free of charge.

Discussions include looking ahead to the 2026 Fifa World Cup where Bafana Bafana are in tough Group A with co-hosts Mexico, Czechia and South Korea.

South Africa play the opening match against co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Thursday (1pm in Mexico City, 9pm SA time).

Matlaba and Mphahlele talked about tactics and trends they are expecting in this ever-changing world of modern football and how they think Bafana will fare at the tournament.

They reflected on their respective journeys in football, the importance of players doing corrections in the form of video sessions and analysis to meet the demands of the modern football.

They also zoomed into their crystal balls to predict who is going to win the tournament. − TimesLIVE