Author: The Bulrushes

Former IDAC Head Andrea “Gorgeous” Johnson is coming back to face the Madlanga Commission after she described it as “disrespectful and unprofessional”. “They laugh, talk to each other and make faces,” Gorgeous complained during a phone conversation with a subordinate, who discreetly recorded the call. In the recorded phone call played before the commission, she was also heard complaining about “the shit show”. The recording was provided by State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy, who revealed in her testimony on Thursday, 30 July 2026 that behind her back her boss was known as “Flip-Flop-Knee-Jerk”. She laid bare the dysfunction at the Investigating…

Geneva – FIFA’s announcement on Tuesday of a plan to create a $20 billion commercial subsidiary and sell minority stakes to private investors, including a firm linked to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, has ignited a fierce controversy in the world of football. The move, aimed at unlocking billions more for global development, has been condemned by UEFA as crossing a “sacred boundary” by effectively putting the soul of the game up for sale. (Source: reuters.com) The proposal centers on FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new wholly-owned subsidiary that would consolidate commercial and event operations, including rights…

After enduring a torrid time in the hot seat at the Madlanga Commission, Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Andre Johnson, who was forced to concede shortcomings in her decisions to probe top cops, has decided to quit. From admitting a misunderstanding of basic principles of law to accepting that she unfairly probed senior police officers at the behest of MP Fadiel Adams, Advocate Johnson’s attempts to explain her shortcomings at the Madlanga Commission were cringeworthy. The humiliation was unlikely to have a cure. On Friday, 24 July 2026, a newspaper columnist labelled it a “Crucification”. On Sunday, 26 July…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has announced that it has secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal ordering the preservation of two multimillion-rand properties linked to former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Group Chief Executive Officer Tshepo Lucky Montana. The order prohibits Montana from selling, transferring, leasing, encumbering or otherwise dealing with the properties pending the final determination of SIU’s civil proceedings. The preserved assets comprise: a Hurlingham, Johannesburg property purchased at R13.5 million; and a Waterkloof, Pretoria property purchased at R2.25 million. The Tribunal further directed the Registrar of Deeds to endorse the title deeds with…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has succeeded in his bid to interdict the Parliamentary impeachment process. Two of the three judges presiding over the matter in the Western Cape High Court found in favour of President Ramaphosa in the Judgement made public on Friday, 24 July 2026. President Ramaphosa has argued, among other issues, that he would suffer irreparable harm if Parliament’s impeachment committee began its work. President Ramaphosa successfully interdicted the impeachment process while he takes the adverse Section 89 panel report on review. The independent panel report, which found he had a case to answer in the Phala Phala matter,…

The next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) development should be shaped with Africa “rather than about or for the continent”, says Sunil Geness, SAP’s Director of Global Government Affairs and CSR for Africa. His comments follow the launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, announced yesterday, Thursday, 2 July 2026, by international leaders to expand access to AI, strengthen trust and accelerate its social and economic impact. The commission brings together representatives from governments, businesses and international organisations to identify practical approaches to unlocking AI’s potential while promoting equitable access to the technology. Its inaugural meeting will take place…

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States and Iran have reached an agreement to end their war, declaring the deal “complete” and ordering the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. (Source: npr.org) In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, 15 June 2026, Trump wrote: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of…

Ottawa- In a case that authorities have compared to a movie script, a former Air Canada captain stands accused of commanding hundreds of commercial flights carrying tens of thousands of passengers without the required captain’s license for almost two decades. Fifty-nine-year-old Geoffrey Wall, of Barrie, Ontario, was arrested on June 1, 2026, as part of a fraud investigation dubbed “Project Icarus” by Peel Regional Police. Wall began his career with Air Canada in 1998 and flew for a total of 27 years. He was promoted to captain in 2009, but, according to police, never obtained or properly held the mandatory…

AVBOB Funeral Services has confirmed that a recent disruption to its digital platforms and services was caused by external malicious actors. The company is treating the incident as a serious cyber attack and has mobilized technical teams and specialist partners to restore functionality. Adriaan Bester, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at AVBOB, on Monday, 8 June 2026, said: “The matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness, and our technical teams, together with specialist partners, are working around the clock to restore functionality.” He added that while investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the breach, including whether…

Johannesburg – Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has earned a reputation as someone who can transform a country’s economic fortunes. After launching Nigeria’s only oil refinery in 2024, the country’s annual GDP growth jumped from 2.74% in 2023 to 3.4% in 2024,and is projected to hit 4.3% in 2026. Analysts estimate the refinery could boost Nigeria’s economy some $400 billion by 2030, driven by a revival of the country’s manufacturing sector. Perhaps most importantly, the refinery has proved that Africa can build and operate world-class industrial infrastructure. After the war in Iran strangled oil exports from the Gulf, Dangote’s refinery upped its output…

Durban – South Africa has hosted its first national round of the international engineering competition HackAtom, bringing together university students from across the country to compete in solving technology and energy-related challenges. The winning team from the University of Zululand will now advance to the international final in Moscow alongside participants from 15 countries. From 5 to 6 May, South Africa hosted its first-ever national selection round of the international engineering hackathon HackAtom, bringing together 7 teams from the University of Zululand, Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University, the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg, University of Limpopo, and…

Pretoria – The Presidency has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation tonight at 20:00 regarding the judgment of the Constitutional Court that ordered Parliament to initiate an impeachment inquiry. The matter relates to the case brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters challenging the National Assembly’s decision with respect to Section 89 proceedings against the President. The President will address the nation as follows: Date: Monday, 11 May 2026 Time: 20:00

In contemporary South Africa, debates about the future tend to split into separate conversations. Energy specialists talk in megawatts and emissions; cultural practitioners in narratives and identities. Yet both spheres, in different ways, are grappling with the same question: what kind of future do we consider acceptable, and what will power it — materially and imaginatively? Last year in October, Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa stated that South Africa could have cleaner energy and an end to load-shedding in 14 years. Ramokgopa was presenting the Integrated Resource Plan 2025, outlining the country’s future electricity strategy. The plan envisions adding 105 gigawatts of…

The University of Zululand will host the South African Global HackAtom on 5-6 May 2026 at its Kwadlangezwa Campus. HackAtom is an international 24‑hour hackathon where students who study different disciplines at the same university develop practical solutions to real challenges in the nuclear and high‑tech sectors. The organisers invite students from across South Africa to form teams and take part in this intensive marathon. “South African students have enormous potential to shape the future of clean and reliable energy,” noted CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa Ryan Collyer. “Global HackAtom is more than a competition – it is…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has initiated legal action against the City of Johannesburg to halt what the party claims is the implementation of an unfunded R10 billion salary agreement. Councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, said her party, ”served the City with legal papers to stop the implementation of an unfunded R10 billion salary agreement concluded with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU), which threatens to push the municipality deeper into a financial and service delivery crisis”. Earlier this year, 2026, the City of Johannesburg approved salary hikes for top officials, aligning…

Pretoria – The controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) has been put on hold pending the outcome of a ruling by the Constitutional Court. The litigation that has been initiated by various parties against the President and the Minister of Health. These cases relate to the public participation process that led to the adoption of the NHI Bill by Parliament. Following consultations with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, President Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to delay the proclamation of any sections of the NHI Act until the Constitutional Court has handed down its judgments in challenges due to be heard from 5 to 7…

Kimberley – Ekapa Minerals Joint Shaft Mine in Kimberley, Northern Cape, has suspended operations and intensified search and rescue operations for five missing miners. The mine workers went missing earlier this week when a mudslide hit the mine and trapped them underground. RELATED: Ekapa Mine Mudslide: 5 Miners Remain Trapped, NUM Calls For Urgent Rescue – The Bulrushes Five mine workers have been trapped underground since Tuesday, 17 February 2026, on level 842, due to the mudrush. “The immediate priority remains the intensive 24-hour rescue operation aimed at locating and bringing to safety the five mine employees who are currently unaccounted…

Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA), South Africa’s leading social insurer, has officially launched its flagship STEAM Project at Botlhabelo High School in Brits, in the North West province, marking a major investment in South Africa’s future skills pipeline. The initiative, funded by RMA in partnership with the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA), the North West Provincial Department of Education, and Northam Platinum Mines, represents a multi‑million‑rand commitment to strengthening science, technology, engineering, accounting, and mathematics (STEAM) capabilities among learners in rural and underdeveloped areas. As part of RMA’s broader Social Insurance mandate, the project highlights the organisation’s commitment to…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission’s interim report. In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Thursday, 29 January 2026, President Ramaphosa revealed that the interim report had found serious wrongdoing and that immediate action should be taken against implicated individuals. “The Commission, in accordance with its terms of reference, makes several referrals concerning matters that require immediate further investigation by the relevant and impacted law enforcement institutions, including criminal investigations,” the statement said. “President Ramaphosa expects all…

Mettus, a collective of data and analytics businesses that includes credit bureau Xpert Decision Systems (XDS), has launched the Splendi app to help consumers understand their credit profile, build healthier money habits, and approach the year ahead with more confidence rather than more debt. Splendi is a South African credit wellness platform geared towards younger, digitally active individuals who may be new to credit or juggling multiple small account. It provides users with free access to their most up-to-date credit information, including an automatically calculated credit score every time they log in. Consumers can also view their full credit report…

Johannesburg – A selected group of 50 South African students is travelling to study e-commerce in China. The graduates selected from 21 Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) colleges will receive training in e-commerce and global exposure in international retail standards and trade trends. The students will depart from OR Tambo International Airport on Monday, 12 January 2026, to participate in a one-year e-commerce programme fully funded by the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA). In a statement on Friday, 9 January 2026, W&RSETA Spokesperson Vukani Mnyandu explained that the programme was mainly aimed at equipping South African youth in digital…

The Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA), South Africa’s pioneering social insurer, has participated in the three-day South African Local Government Association (SALGA) National Members Assembly. The SALGA conference, which took place in Durban from 25 to 27 November 2025, is a cornerstone event in the local government calendar that brought together leaders, policymakers, and partners to address the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities. RMA said its attendance underscores its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and supporting municipalities with tailored insurance solutions. As the voice of local government, SALGA plays a critical role in strengthening service delivery, promoting cooperative governance, and ensuring…

The increasing reliance on advanced technologies capable of operating all day and all night has heightened fears of possible job losses at mining companies. Commenting on mounting concerns about how this development is impacting employment and local communities, Deputy Chair of Corridor Mining Resources (CMR) Praise Ragimana, said: “Technology should be implemented responsibly in the mining sector”. Ragimana, who is also a seasoned entrepreneur, said technology should complement workers’ output and not replace them. “New mining technology, which can mine and produce more efficiently and operate around the clock, must not be used as a reason to replace local communities,”…

AfriForum has brought a court application challenging the City of Johannesburg’s by-law that seeks to regulate and control CCTV networks installed in public spaces and private property. AfriForum says it brought the court application in the High Court in Johannesburg on Friday, 18 July 2025, to challenge the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality’s controversial CCTV by-law. The by-law seeks to regulate and control CCTV networks installed in public spaces and private property of which the range and angle of coverage include public space. “The use of traditional CCTV cameras, drones, automatic number plate recognition systems and even body-worn cameras will be regulated…

FlySafair has cancelled some flights owing to a pilot strike prompted by the impasse over salary hikes. Solidarity, the union that represents most of the pilots, warned last week of an impending strike after FlySafair’s final offer – a 5,7% salary increase along with some additional adjustments to compensation – was rejected by the vast majority of Solidarity members. RELATED: Strike Looms At FlySafair: Salary Negotiations Deadlock – The Bulrushes On Monday, 21 July 2025, the low-cost airline issued a notice on its website saying: “We’re sorry to inform you that due to the intensifying strike action, some of our flights…