TimesLIVE - In The News

How a pastor & wife convinced their victim to take a blood test in life insurance murder

In order to explain how Pastor Melisizwe Monqo and his wife Siphosihle Pamba operated, we need to delve further into the audio recordings which were revealed in the high court during their murder trial. If you haven’t already, please visit the explainer video we have produced on this matter to…

10 Dec 2021 9AM 7 min

Gauteng education department hopes 4,712 pupils will be placed by end of Friday

The Gauteng education department is hopeful that 4,712 grade 1 and 8 pupils will be placed by the end of Friday. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said of the 335,091 grade 1 and 8 online applications received by noon on Friday for the 2022 academic year, 278,029 applicants had submitted proof…

10 Dec 2021 9AM 3 min

Omicron spreading faster than other variants, but don’t be alarmed — Health minister

Health minister Joe Phaahla said the Omicron Covid-19 variant is highly transmissible but cases don’t seem severe. He said Omicron is accounting for 70% of infections in Gauteng but there is no need to be alarmed. “Weekly cases in Gauteng have increased by more than 400%,” he said. The minister…

10 Dec 2021 3AM 3 min

Mobile applications play pivotal role in the fight against GBV

With the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) increasing in SA, more people are using mobile technology like applications to help in the fight against GBV. Apps have become an important stakeholder in this fight, allowing people access to emergency services and information.

10 Dec 2021 2AM 7 min

Government could hand black South African's title deeds for land without amending the constitution — expert 

The attempt by the ANC to push through the Constitution 18th Amendment Bill to allow land expropriation without compensation fell flat on Tuesday. However, according to founder and president of the Free Market Foundation Leon Louw, the bill was unlikely to benefit dispossessed black South Africans and would instead have…

8 Dec 2021 3AM 9 min

'SA nowhere near dealing with scourge of GBV', says NPA's Batohi

National director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi said gender-based violence and corruption are key priorities for the National Prosecuting Authority. She briefed the media on Monday morning.

6 Dec 2021 9AM 5 min

Human trafficking boom as SA kids sold for sex and labour

Twenty-eight day old Eastern Cape twins sold by their mother for R50; a 13-year-old girl sold for R30,000 by her stepmother, who runs a Bible study group in Heidelberg. These cases, currently before the Eastern Cape and Gauteng courts, are among scores feeding SA’s allegedly booming human trafficking trade.

4 Dec 2021 1PM 5 min

The world is her kasi

Mampho Brescia is glamorous. Even in a pair of shorts whilst tucking into some edamame beans, she exudes a worldly glow that speaks to her global outlook. The fact that she can break into Japanese and Italian with breezy insouciance adds to the general effect. She has a kind of…

4 Dec 2021 5AM 1 min

N3 truck protest follows government’s ‘failure’ to report back on employment of foreign nationals

The failure by government to provide feedback on November 3 to small truck operators regarding the employment of foreign national truck drivers working in SA resulted in the blockade of the N3 highway near Van Reenen on Friday.  Several sources within the trucking fraternity told TimesLIVE Friday’s truck protest followed…

3 Dec 2021 3AM 1 min

SA HIV studies paved the way for SA Covid-19 discoveries: scientists

Recently SA scientists discovered the B.1.1.529 variant of coronavirus, named Omicron by the WHO. B.1.351 (Beta), the first variant of concern in the world, was discovered by SA scientists in May last year, just two months after Covid-19 was first detected in the country. Prof Thumbi Ndung'u, director for basic…

2 Dec 2021 1PM 3 min

Sassa KZN issued R3.8m worth food vouchers to 5,518 families after unrest: Zulu

Social development minister Lindiwe Zulu appeared before the SA Human Rights Commission on Wednesday.  She outlined to the commission how her department helped the most vulnerable after the unrest. The minister said, “Sassa in KwaZulu-Natal issued food vouchers to 5,518 destitute families to the value of R3,862,000, benefiting more than…

1 Dec 2021 12PM 2 min

The war against Aids 'set to end by 2030'

The world has been fighting HIV and Aids for 40 years, with world leaders hoping to end the public health threat by 2030. Despite the strides made in the fight against the virus, there are still many challenges in the way of achieving this global vision.

1 Dec 2021 11AM 5 min

Police commissioner Sitole says he wasn't unavailable during unrest, raises concerns about police budget

The SA Human Rights Commission continued its national investigation into July's unrest and riots on Tuesday. National police commissioner Gen Khehla Sitole and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi gave evidence. Sitole told the commission that anyone who wanted to find him during the crisis could have found him.

30 Nov 2021 10AM 3 min

Gauteng 'well prepared' for rise in Covid-19 hospitalisations

The head of hospital services at the Gauteng Health Department, Dr Freddy Kgongwana, says the province is well equipped for a Covid-19 fourth wave. He said the province' hospitals has 4,407 beds and is well equipped with oxygen tanks. He said the province's hospitals have 4,407 beds and are well…

29 Nov 2021 12PM 3 min

What you need to know about the new Omicron variant

The emergence of a new Covid-19 variant known as the Omicron has rocked the world. TimesLIVE podcasts brings you a round-up of all you need to know regarding the new variant, including what is known about it, the politics of travel bans implemented against SA, and the readiness of the…

29 Nov 2021 11AM 6 min

FULL ADDRESS | President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation on SA's response to the Covid-19 pandemic

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday night. His address comes a few days after the announcement of a newly detected Covid-19 variant identified as B.1.1.529, given the name Omicron by the World Health Organisation. 

28 Nov 2021 1PM 28 min

LISTEN: What Ace Magashule’s PA told the Hawks

A leaked audio recording has shed light on how Ace Magashule’s former PA refused to implicate her ex-boss when she was interrogated by Hawks investigators in connection with the Free State asbestos case. This explains why the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) removed Moroadi Cholota from the witness list and intends…

27 Nov 2021 1PM 1 hr 39 min

Thembisa Mdoda Nxumalo talks surviving long COVID

Thembisa Mdoda Nxumalo has survived a year of repeat hospitalizations for long COVID - here she tells us what she has learnt from the ordeal and her second chance at life!

26 Nov 2021 7AM 2 min

Zuma's parole under spotlight on Tuesday as parties question his release

The decision to release former president Jacob Zuma on medical parole will come under scrutiny in the Pretoria high court on Tuesday. The questions are to come from the DA, AfriForum and the Helen Suzman Foundation. Zuma’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi, provided comment on the matter.

23 Nov 2021 12AM 1 min

Mapisa-Nqakula not happy with SAHRC's 'insensitivity'

The SA Human Rights Commission is in its second week investigating the July unrest that affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Before the commission today were national police commissioner Gen Khehla Sitole, Gauteng provincial commissioner  Lt-Gen Elias Mawela and former defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.  Mapisa-Nqakusa said she was not happy…

22 Nov 2021 12PM 4 min