Gauteng Newspaper News

16/09/2026

SOL PHENDUKA APOLOGISES AFTER BACKLASH OVER KEMPTON PARK JOKES ON PODCAST AND CHILL

Media personality Sol Phenduka has apologised after backlash over insensitive jokes made on Podcast and Chill with MacG about the Kempton Park killings and runner Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo. Moselakgomo, 38, went missing while out running and was later found dead in Kempton Park. Her body was identified by police on Monday, 15 September.

In the episode, recorded on Sunday and broadcast on Monday, host MacG warned women not to go to Kempton Park, saying there could be a serial killer on the prowl. Phenduka responded with a pun about Moselakgomo being snatched from the woods while running, referencing the race numbers on her chest. The hosts were heard laughing before moving on to another topic.

At the time of recording, Moselakgomo was still missing. After news of her death was confirmed, clips of the episode circulated online, drawing widespread criticism that the hosts had failed to read the room amid South Africa's femicide crisis.

In a video apology posted to X, Phenduka said: "We recorded the latest episode which normally drops on Monday, we recorded on Sunday and at the time of recording there was a lady who was missing. I made an unfortunate pun/joke. We laughed, but it's not funny anymore, because when the story developed, it was discovered that the lady's body was found in Kempton Park.

I profusely apologise to South Africans, Chillers and the family. Deriving a joke about a situation around a missing person is distasteful because it is a traumatic situation especially in the context of South Africa and the unfortunate high femicide we have." He also offered condolences to Moselakgomo's family and condemned gender-based violence.

16/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS | ATTORNEY CHARLOTTE TIBANA SUSPENDED

The Limpopo High Court has suspended attorney Charlotte Tibana from practising law. The court granted the Legal Practice Council's urgent, unopposed application for her suspension.

16/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a sick leave and he will not be participating in public engagements.

16/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: CLLR DORAH MPHETHI ELECTED NEW MAYOR OF FETAKGOMO TUBATSE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality has entered a new chapter in its political leadership following the election of Cllr Dorah Mphethi as the new Mayor of the Municipality, while Cllr Jeffrey Mashoeu has been elected as the new Chief Whip of Council.

The elections took place during a Special Council sitting held on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at the Apel Council Chamber in Ga-Nkwana.

The sitting was also attended by former leaders of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, including former Mayors Eddie Maila, Choris Phokane, Naume Phala, Nkosi Mahlake, Kukie Sefala-Makgolane and Coleman Marota, as well as former Speaker Reneilwe Pholwane. Also in attendance was the Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality, Cllr Minah Bahula.

Mayor Mphethi is no stranger to the affairs of Council and brings with her extensive experience accumulated over two decades in local government. She has served as a councillor since 2006 and has, over the years, been entrusted with various leadership responsibilities within the Municipality.

Her leadership journey has seen her serve as Chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Infrastructure Development and Technical Services, and Chief Whip of Council, before her election as Mayor.

Her election places at the helm of the Municipality a councillor with extensive institutional knowledge and experience across both the oversight and executive structures of Council.

As Mayor, Cllr Mphethi will lead the political executive of the Municipality and work together with Council, the administration and other stakeholders in advancing the Municipality’s developmental priorities and accelerating the delivery of services to communities.

Cllr Jeffrey Mashoeu, who recently joined Council as a PR Councillor, will now assume the responsibility of Chief Whip of Council. In this role, he will support the effective functioning of Council and coordination within its political structures.

The Municipality congratulates Mayor Mphethi and Chief Whip Mashoeu on their election and wishes them well as they assume their new responsibilities.

16/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: DUTERTE APPEARS IN PERSON AT ICC FOR FIRST TIME OVER 'WAR ON DRUGS' KILLINGS

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his deadly "war on drugs".

The 81-year-old appeared in the courtroom in The Hague on Wednesday, dressed in a dark suit and white shirt with no tie, sitting with his chin resting on his hands as proceedings opened. It is his first public appearance since he was arrested and transferred to the ICC in March 2025.

Duterte had previously appeared by video link and had skipped subsequent hearings, with his defence team claiming he was too ill and suffered from significant memory impairment and cognitive decline. Judges ruled in January that his health was good enough for him to follow proceedings.

He faces three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors accusing him of creating, funding and arming death squads that targeted drug users and dealers. Prosecutors allege involvement in at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018, but say as many as 30,000 people may have been killed in the crackdown between 2011 and 2019. Police officially recorded 6,200 suspects killed in anti-drug operations.

Duterte denies the charges, saying he only ordered police to act in self-defence.

Presiding Judge Joanna Korner noted his first in-person appearance and set November 30 as the start date for his trial. Duterte is the first Asian former head of state to face trial at the ICC.

16/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: Former SABC Sports Presenter Owen Ndlovu Found Dead After Alleged Kidnapping in Katlehong

Former SABC sports presenter and music rights activist Owen Ndlovu, 54, has been found dead after he was allegedly hijacked and kidnapped in Katlehong on Tuesday night. Ndlovu was attacked while fetching his wife, Portia, from a church service. Police say three unknown men, one armed with a fi***rm, approached the couple, pushed his wife aside and forced Ndlovu into the back seat of his Ford Raptor bakkie before driving off with him.

His body was discovered by residents in Thokoza, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday morning. According to the family, he had sustained gunshot wounds and his bag was found a few metres from where his body was discovered. The family confirmed his death in a statement on Wednesday through spokesperson Eugene Mthethwa. Ndlovu's wife has since identified his body at the mortuary.

The vehicle was later recovered abandoned in Walkerville. Police in Katlehong have launched a manhunt for the three suspects. The family says it is awaiting further information from authorities on the circumstances surrounding his death and has appealed for privacy during this time.

16/09/2026

LIVE: The Electoral Commission of South Africa media briefing led by Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo on the finalisation of candidates contesting the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The briefing will also provide an update on the next phases of the Election Timetable as the country prepares for the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.

16/09/2026

16/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: ANC LOSES ELECTORAL COURT CASE OVER CANDIDATE SUBMISSIONS

The African National Congress (ANC) has lost its case in the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein, Free State. The matter between the ANC and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) was brought after the party cited technical glitches on the commission's system for failing to submit its councillor candidates.

The commission had refuted the claim. The court has now ruled against the ANC, a decision that could have significant implications for the party's participation in upcoming elections where 181 candidates were not submitted on time.

16/09/2026

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma insists that Fikile Mbalula bought his way up to the Secretary General of the ANC. “You know who is my strongest witness? It’s his conscience,” ~ Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma 👇🏽