TimesLIVE - In The News

'Laws don't mean anything if they are not enforced' — experts weigh in on GBV bills

On Monday an announcement from the desk of President Cyril Ramaphosa was released to the public. It briefly detailed a R1.6bn emergency response action plan to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in the country. The announcement comes just over a year since thousands marched to parliament to protest against…

9 Sep 2020 6AM 4 min

Why did shooter not first assess the situation?: cleric on Nathaniel Julies

On Monday community members picketed outside the Protea Magistrates court in Soweto where two police officers were set to appear in connection with the death of Nathaniel Julies.

31 Aug 2020 7AM 2 min

Five steps to fight fake news and false information on WhatsApp

On Tuesday liquor outlets across the country were jam packed when a WhatsApp voice note began to circulate, causing a wave of panic buying. "Fake news", was the simple response from the Presidency. But in 2020, when so called fake news and real news can look so similar, how do…

27 Aug 2020 7AM 3 min

Social development deputy minister defends comments that cancer contributes to GBV

Social development deputy minister Hendrietta Bagopane-Zulu has defended claims made by herself and the department about a link between cancer and gender-based violence (GBV). A tweet posted by the department on Friday claimed cancer contributes to GBV. It sparked anger and confusion among South Africans. The deputy minister was in…

24 Aug 2020 7AM 4 min

'If we do not support the current jobs in the sector now, there will be nothing to monitor'

The Covid-19 People’s Coalition — Early Childhood Development (ECD) stream is calling for the department of social development (DSD) to redirect funds to support and sustain long-term jobs that now exist in the sector. In a statement speaking to this matter, the coalition has highlighted their disappointment in the departments…

20 Aug 2020 10AM 3 min

TRIBUTE | Asithandile “Kwasa” Zozo's friends remember her

Her friendly voice and infectious, bubbly personality are no more. The devastated roommate of murdered Wits University student Asithandile “Kwasa” Lugalo told TimesLIVE on Wednesday that she would miss her “funny, crazy, adorable” friend. “I am going to miss her every day. She was so kind,” said Yonela Zatshikila.

19 Aug 2020 8AM 5 min

'It's been a roller-coaster ride': bottle stores get back to business

Alcohol sales resumed on Tuesday following the lifting of the ban under level 2 of the lockdown regulations. Liquor store owners and employees are grateful to be able to get back to business. Here is what they had to say.

18 Aug 2020 9AM 3 min

FULL ADDRESS | Lockdown level 2 implemented

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will be moving to alert level 2 with bans on travel between provinces and the sale of alcohol and tobacco products being lifted. The easing from level 3 is effective from Monday midnight. The move follows a special cabinet meeting on Saturday…

15 Aug 2020 2PM 27 min

Mask sewing initiative injects over R1m into township economy

Seamstress Aletta Mashao and others do not spend much time thinking about distribution channels, market linkages or exchange rates. As the main breadwinners in their households, what they do know is that when they make face masks for the COVID-19 pandemic, they and their extended families have food on the…

15 Aug 2020 9AM 3 min

Shooting scatters Saturday morning shoppers at Pretoria Mall

Shooting scatters Saturday morning shoppers at Pretoria Mall. Centurion resident Neil Hosken was in the mall when the robbers hit. This is his story.

8 Aug 2020 6AM 1 min

Department to take disciplinary action against staff involved in baby swap incident

The Gauteng Department of Health will be instituting disciplinary proceedings against staff involved in the swapping of newly born babies at Tambo Memorial Hospital, in Boksburg. The two babies, a boy and girl were born 24 July 2020. The baby girl’s mother realised at around 9pm when she changed the…

6 Aug 2020 9AM 1 min

Something must be done to save 2020 school year, say experts

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of schools and the extension of the school year last week, but at what cost to South African students and the larger economy? Dr Nic Spaull, a senior researcher at Stellenbosch University, and associate professor Maximus Sefotho at the University of Johannesburg outline the…

30 Jul 2020 2AM 10 min

'Please help me': mom struggling to submit maternity claim

During her last week of pregnancy, an exhausted Neo Mokgautsi stood in a queue at the labour department in Roodepoort on the West Rand for more than five hours, hoping to submit her maternity leave claim. Fast forward and baby will soon be three-months-old. Mokgautsi, a sales assistant at a…

27 Jul 2020 10AM 4 min

FULL ADDRESS | School year disrupted & relief funding increased

All public schools must close for a month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday, with matrics taking a week off, and grade 7s two weeks. “Cabinet has decided today [Thursday] that all public schools should take a break for the next four weeks,” he said. This means that schools will…

23 Jul 2020 2PM 29 min

SA’s early Covid-19 patients bring relief to thousands

Fame and the limelight have never been on Megan Smith’s radar. Neither has the thought of being a go-to person for thousands of anxious, overwhelmed and frightened South Africans. But because of Covid-19 her life changed overnight. The disease has thrust her into new directions as thousands of South Africans,…

20 Jul 2020 3AM 10 min

Parties, booze and living carefree under lockdown: a dangerous gamble

Lunga from Gauteng has spoken candidly, and with regret in hindsight, about the personal consequences of ignoring the lockdown regulations. He knew he was breaking the law, but so were his friends. He ended up in hospital.

16 Jul 2020 10AM 4 min

Josina Machel keeping up fight against her abuser for GBV 'victims' sake'

When her boyfriend took her to hospital after allegedly punching her so hard in the face that he destroyed an eye, Josina Machel summoned the courage to tell the doctors that he did it - while he tried to convince them that she injured herself in a fall.

16 Jul 2020 10AM 11 min

Uncertain times for artists working in the entertainment industry

Friday catch-up sessions and weekend nights out have turned into Zoom meetings with a cup of ginger and lemon concoctions.  Since the implementation of lockdown, the entertainment industry has been put on standby as human contact is prohibited. Online platforms, however, have seen a huge surge with more people streaming…

16 Jul 2020 3AM 6 min

Blanket liquor ban is not a solution – DA

In light of the ban on the sale of liquor and gazetting of updated lockdown regulations, the DA has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of paying lip-service to public participation. The DA in the Western Cape said: “The blanket liquor ban fuels criminal syndicates, results in job losses and will do…

15 Jul 2020 5AM 1 min

Voices from the frontline in the war against COVID

As the pandemic gathers pace in SA, pressure on the country's doctors has become intense. Boitumelo Makaulule, who works in a government hospital, and Suhayl Essa, who does shifts in private clinics, shared their stories with Sunday Times reporter Paul Ash

14 Jul 2020 5AM 11 min