Lephalale Express Online News

17/11/2025

Ramaphosa critics to formalise leadership challenge

JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday defied factional opponents within the ruling African National Congress, declaring at a tense National Executive Committee meeting that he would resign immediately if formally requested – but demanded critics "name the date" publicly rather than plot privately. The challenge follows months of internal ANC discord after the party lost its parliamentary majority in May 2024 elections, forcing a coalition government....

JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday defied factional opponents within the ruling African National Congress, declaring at a tense National Executive Committee meeting that he would re…

11/11/2025

PRETORIA– South Africa’s unemployment rate fell to 31.9% in the third quarter of 2025, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous quarter, as employment gains in construction and social services offset a shrinking labour force, official data showed on Tuesday. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) reported a net increase of 248,000 employed persons, lifting total employment to 17.1 million, while unemployment declined by 360,000 to 8.0 million....

PRETORIA– South Africa’s unemployment rate fell to 31.9% in the third quarter of 2025, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous quarter, as employment gains in construction and social services …

11/11/2025

BELÉM, Brazil — Just 30 countries have incorporated food loss or waste reduction into their climate pledges ahead of COP30, NGOs warned on Tuesday, missing a critical opportunity to curb 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions linked to discarded food. ReFED, The Global FoodBanking Network, and WRAP will host a dedicated session at the UN climate summit on November 12 to push for broader adoption of food waste mitigation strategies....

04/11/2025

NEW YORK — The U.S. has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution proposing an International Security Force (ISF) to govern Gaza for at least two years, with authority to disarm Hamas and manage the territory security through 2027, according to an Axios report confirmed by the Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA) on Tuesday. The resolution, circulated Monday, designates the ISF as an “enforcement force” rather than a peacekeeping mission, granting participating nations — potentially including Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Turkey — direct governance and security oversight....

NEW YORK — The U.S. has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution proposing an International Security Force (ISF) to govern Gaza for at least two years, with authority to disarm Hamas an…

04/11/2025

JOHANNESBURG — Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) retained its market dominance in October, selling 13,559 vehicles and capturing 24.2% of South Africa total new vehicle sales of 55,956 units, according to Naamsa data released on Tuesday. The passenger car segment surged to 39,610 units — its strongest October since 2014 — marking a 14.8% annual increase. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose 23.9%, while medium commercial vehicles grew 9.3%....

04/11/2025

JOHANNESBURG — Mining input costs in South Africa rose 2.5% year-on-year in September, the steepest increase this year, driven by surging prices for copper, iron, steel, and transport services, the Minerals Council South Africa said on Tuesday. Intermediate mining and quarrying inputs led the uptick, while transport and storage costs climbed 4.6% annually amid higher road and rail freight charges. Electricity remained the largest cost burden, rising 15.5% year-on-year — exceeding the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) approved 12.74% tariff hike for 2025/26....

JOHANNESBURG — Mining input costs in South Africa rose 2.5% year-on-year in September, the steepest increase this year, driven by surging prices for copper, iron, steel, and transport services, the…

04/11/2025

POLOKWANE — Police arrested a 54-year-old man, brother of former police sergeant Rachel Kutumela, on Tuesday in Molejie near Seshego as the fourth suspect linked to a R10 million murder-for-insurance scheme. He will face murder, fraud, and money laundering charges in Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Kutumela, 43, her sister Anna Shokane, 47, and daughter Florah Shokane, 23 — arrested in October 2024 and denied bail before abandoning further applications — remain detained as their case moves to Polokwane High Court....

POLOKWANE — Police arrested a 54-year-old man, brother of former police sergeant Rachel Kutumela, on Tuesday in Molejie near Seshego as the fourth suspect linked to a R10 million murder-for-insuran…

04/11/2025

Limpopo police are investigating a culpable homicide case after the body of Baaitsi Molimisi (31), the acclaimed Lekompo music producer and performer, known as Dr. Nel, was discovered along Phetogo Drive in Botshabelo Village, Ga-Seleka during early hours on Sunday. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene following a passerby report, authorities confirmed. Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, provincial police spokesperson, said Dr....

Limpopo police are investigating a culpable homicide case after the body of Baaitsi Molimisi (31), the acclaimed Lekompo music producer and performer, known as Dr. Nel, was discovered along Phetogo…

31/10/2025

Informal traders, predominantly migrants, rallied outside Johannesburg High Court on Friday opposing municipal evictions targeting unauthorized CBD vendors. Clashes erupted between Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters and rivals from the African National Congress (ANC) and ActionSA before the hearing – postponed to Monday – on the legality of the crackdown. The Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) contends the removals violate constitutional protections by displacing over 20,000 operators without alternative income avenues....

30/10/2025

Volvo Car South Africa all-electric EX30 Cross Country became the first battery-powered vehicle to ascend the treacherous Sani Pass on Thursday, replicating a 1969 feat by its combustion-engine predecessor using a 1,566-meter-altitude solar charger. The compact 315kW SUV navigated the Drakensberg mountain route's 35-degree gradients and hairpin turns, demonstrating EV viability in extreme terrain. A solar-powered charging station installed by CHARGE at Premier Resort Sani Pass enabled the zero-emission climb, with plans to add battery storage by Q2 2026 for overnight charging capability....

Volvo Car South Africa all-electric EX30 Cross Country became the first battery-powered vehicle to ascend the treacherous Sani Pass on Thursday, replicating a 1969 feat by its combustion-engine pre…

30/10/2025

Israeli airstrikes overnight on Tuesday left at least 104 Palestinians dead in Gaza, according to Drop Site News reports. Among the deceased are 46 children and 20 women, with an additional 253 individuals wounded, including 78 children and 84 women. Amidst this violence, Institute of Public Accuracy (IPA) cited U.S. President Donald Trump insisted that “Nothing is going to jeopardise” the ceasefire, insinuating that Hamas would face severe consequences if they did not comply....

26/10/2025

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has intensified its criticism of judiciary following police claims that Acting Gauteng High Court Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba accepted bribes to sway court decisions. Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela declared the allegations confirm systemic corruption risks the party has long warned could destabilise democratic institutions. Central to the controversy is Ledwaba’s attempt to testify before Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a colleague overseeing a judicial commission—a move the MK Party calls a glaring conflict of interest....

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has intensified its criticism of judiciary following police claims that Acting Gauteng High Court Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba accepted bribes to sway court …