Update@Noon

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya has told the Madlanga Commission that his relationship with Paul O’Sullivan was cordial until he refused to disclose details of the Phala Phala investigation. Lebeya says O’Sullivan contacted him for an update on the case while in Chauke’s presence. He says he could not understand O’Sullivan’s interest in details of a matter under the Directorate’s purview.

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya told the Madlanga Commission he never knew or spoke to Katiso Molefe. He said Molefe did not ask him to send Hawks members to stop a police operation at his house in Sandton. Lebeya blamed poor planning and weak leadership for many police units arriving at the same scene. He said he only asked two managers to check claims that people were pretending to be Hawks members acting on his orders.

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya told the Madlanga Commission it is probable that Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi knew about serious organised crime in November 2024, When He approved Lieutenant General Khumalo's request to send members from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng after the killing of Q-Tech Engineer, Armand Swart

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya says attempts were made to remove him from his position through complaints he believes were driven by people with ulterior motives. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, Lebeya cited complaints by self-proclaimed whistleblower Patricia Mashale, who challenged his appointment and retirement status. He also described an incident involving his wife being recommended for promotion, saying he recused himself and referred the matter to another senior officer.

Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya has told the Madlanga Commission that knowing a police official does not protect anyone who breaks the law. He says the Hawks have arrested informants who later claimed police knew about their crimes. Lebeya also says that on 6 December 2024, Malcolm X warned him that people were pretending to act on his behalf during a Political Killings Task Team operation at Katiso “KT” Molefe’s home.

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele says only now has he found out that his comrade Musa Phewa had been abducted and killed by the Apartheid police when he was initially told he was in exile. Bheki Cele was responding to Evidence Leader at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Cases Inquiry, Advocate Howard Varny....

The Gauteng Department of Health is warning officials and members of the public against bribery and queue-jumping at public healthcare facilities. The department says it has received complaints that some patients may be paying officials to bypass queues, access patient files or collect medication. It says such conduct amounts to corruption and will not be tolerated. The Department says Patients are urged to report officials demanding bribes to facility CEOs, Quality Assurance Offices, or through the department’s reporting channels. Steve Mabona is the Department's spokesperson 

The pre-trial hearing in the prison escape matter of rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, is expected to take place in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein tomorrow (Friday). The court will establish whether all the outstanding legal matters have been concluded and whether the matter is trial-ready. Bester and his co-accused, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, who is charged with aiding him to escape prison, last appeared virtually in June. Bester is currently incarcerated at the eBongweni super-maximum prison in KZN. He escaped from the Mangaung Prison, which was privately managed by security company G4S, in 2022. Kamogelo Seekoei reports...

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities says women’s economic empowerment is critical to reducing gender-based violence and strengthening women’s independence. This was highlighted at a Distinction Dialogue hosted by the National Press Club in Midrand, commemorating 70 years since the historic 1956 Women’s March under the theme “Empowered Women Empower the Nations.” Luyanda Danca has more....

Gift of the Givers says it is on standby to assist after devastating floods in Nepal, where at least  six South Africans and several international tourists are reportedly missing. The organisation says helicopter surveillance is currently the only means of accessing affected areas, while a possible dam collapse poses further danger. Its eleven urban search and water rescue team members, four SAPS dog handlers and four dogs are ready for deployment.  The organisation says  is liaising with Nepalese authorities, the embassy, airlines and DIRCO as preparations continue.