Mamelodi News

A Delayed Matric Certificate Of A Mamelodi Resident Leads to Unfair Dismissal and Unemployment. By Mamelodi News, August 28, 2025 MAMELODI – For seven years, France Swate has been fighting what he describes as a life-ruining injustice stemming from delays in receiving his matric certificate from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Umalusi. The 2005 high school matriculant, who returned to complete his senior certificate in 2015, claims bureaucratic hurdles led to his unfair dismissal from his job in 2018, leaving him unemployed and struggling. Mamelodi News has reached out to the DBE, Umalusi, the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO), and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for responses, but as of August 28, 2025, we are still awaiting replies. In a heartfelt complaint shared with Mamelodi News, Swate detailed his harrowing experience. "My heart is very heavy as I write this," he said. "I need someone to hear my case and help m...

Family of Slain Lesedi Secondary School Learner Shares Grief and Calls for Change in Exclusive Mamelodi News Interview. By Mamelodi News, August 27, 2025. The Lethabong community in Pretoria East continues to mourn the tragic loss of 19-year-old Grade 11 learner Lethabo Mokonyane Matula, who was fatally stabbed outside Lesedi Secondary School on June 17, 2025, shortly after completing his final midterm exam. In an exclusive interview with Mamelodi News, Matula’s sister and family shared their profound grief, their pursuit of justice, and their vision for preventing future tragedies, as the community rallies around them ahead of the next court date. Matula’s family remembered him as a vibrant soul who brought joy to those around him. “One of our favorite memories is when Lethabo would spend hours laughing and joking about his latest tech gadgets,” his sister shared with Mamelodi News. “He had a way of making everyone feel included and loved.” Lethabo’s passion for technology and trading...

Hello, Mamelodi News. My name is Koketso Mboweni, and I am reaching out in the hope of reconnecting with my aunt, Marry Mboweni. She is believed to reside in Mamelodi, specifically in the Marikana area. Unfortunately, I don't have much information about her current whereabouts, and it's been a while since we last connected. If anyone has any information about Marry Mboweni or knows her, I would be grateful if you could reach out to me. My contact number is 0661055643. I am looking forward to reconnecting with her and catching up. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Koketso Mboweni Pictured (Koketso Mboweni)

FOCUS Mamelodi Community NPO’s Anti-Abuse Campaign: A Day of Unity, Awareness, and Healing. On August 23, 2025, the FOCUS Mamelodi Community NPO hosted a powerful and impactful Anti-Abuse Campaign at Ikageng Community Hall, bringing together community members, organizations, and stakeholders to take a stand against abuse. Running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the event was a vibrant blend of education, engagement, and empowerment, aimed at fostering a safer and more supportive community for all. The day kicked off with an inspiring march from Ikageng Community Hall to the University of Pretoria in Mamelodi. The march united attendees in a powerful display of solidarity, raising awareness about the pervasive issue of abuse and signaling the community’s commitment to creating a safer environment. Participants of all ages joined in, carrying messages of hope and resilience, setting the tone for a transformative day. The second session transitioned into a formal program at Ikageng Community Hal...

SASSA Grant rumours: Will Sending Money to Your Grandma's Account Cancel Her Pension? Recently rumors have been spreading like wildfire stating that sending extra money, like a family gift, to your grandmother’s bank account could cancel her SASSA Old Age Grant. This claim, spreading on social media, is misleading. No "new SASSA rules" in 2025 automatically cancel pensions for one-off deposits, but here’s what you need to know. The Old Age Grant (R2,310/month for ages 60–74, R2,330 for 75+) is means-tested, requiring income below R8,110/month (single) and assets under R1.38M. SASSA monitors bank accounts to catch undeclared income, and unusual deposits might flag a review, not an instant cancellation. In 2025, SASSA reviewed ~210,000 beneficiaries, delaying payments for some until they verified eligibility with ID, bank statements, and income proof. If unexplained deposits push income over limits, grants may be suspended, but you can appeal within 90 days. Tips to Avoid I...

Unions Tell Mkhwanazi to Arrest Criminals, Not Salaries. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has drawn sharp criticism from labour unions after claiming their wage demands contribute to South Africa’s 33.2% unemployment rate. Speaking in uMlazi on August 19, 2025, Mkhwanazi argued that union pressure for higher salaries limits police hiring, indirectly fueling crime. Unions hit back hard. COSATU’s Edwin Mkhize called the remarks “divisive,” blaming systemic underfunding, with the police budget cut from R125 billion in 2024 to R113.6 billion in 2025. SAFTU’s Zwelinzima Vavi accused Mkhwanazi of misdiagnosing the issue, pointing to a poor 1:423 police-to-population ratio. Popcru’s Richard Mamabolo urged him to focus on crime, not economics, while social media lit up with quips, one user posting, “If Mkhwanazi chased criminals with the same energy he chases unions, KZN would be crime-free by now.” Another remarked, “Commissioner, stick to arrests, not economic theories!” ...

  Why Nationals from Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe Feel at Home in South Africa. Nationals from Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe often view South Africa as an extension of their homeland, fostering a sense of entitlement to stay due to historical, cultural, and economic ties. Colonial borders split ethnic groups, creating shared identities across nations. Basotho and Swazis, for instance, share languages and customs with South Africans, while Zimbabweans cite shared anti-apartheid struggles. Economically, South Africa’s opportunities draw migrants. Lesotho’s enclave status and Eswatini’s limited economy push citizens southward, with many Basotho historically working in South African mines. Zimbabweans, fleeing crises since the 2000s, seek work or asylum, though programs like the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit ended in 2023, risking deportations. Land claims fuel tensions. Basotho claim parts of the Free State and other provinces, lost during 19th-century colonial conflicts, with Lesoth...

Tragic Shooting in Mkhuhlu: Two Killed, One Injured in Mercedes Benz Attack. Mkhuhlu, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga – A deadly shooting claimed the lives of two individuals and left a third person injured in Mkhuhlu, Bushbuckridge, on the morning of August 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 AM. The violent incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, has left the community with concerns about gun violence in the region. According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the victims were traveling in a Mercedes Benz when they were ambushed by unknown assailants wielding a high-calibre firearm. The hail of bullets resulted in the immediate deaths of two occupants, while a third person inside the vehicle sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The condition of the surviving victim remains undisclosed at this time. The identities of the victims have not yet been established, and police are working to confirm their details as part of the ongoing inv...

Kgaogelo Nnonu Morata, Daughter of HIV Activist, Tragically Killed by Boyfriend. In a devastating incident that has shaken the community of Maubane, Hammanskraal, 20-year-old Kgaogelo Nnonu Morata was brutally stabbed to death by her boyfriend, Mfana Ngwenya, in the early hours of August 21, 2025. The tragic event, which unfolded outside a local tavern, has left family, friends, and the nation reeling, highlighting the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. Kgaogelo was the daughter of well-known social media influencer and HIV activist Thabiso Seema, who has since shared his profound grief and the personal struggles that connected him to his advocacy work. Kgaogelo Nnonu Morata was discovered deceased at the scene by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS), having sustained multiple stab wounds. According to police reports, Ngwenya, 26, allegedly slashed Kgaogelo’s throat in a fit of rage, motivated by suspicions of infidelity. In a chilling act that sparked wide...

Jessica Radcliffe Orca Attack, Real or fictional? A viral video claiming that a marine trainer named Jessica Radcliffe was fatally attacked by an orca at the fictional Pacific Blue Marine Park has sparked widespread alarm across social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X.  However, fact-checking investigations have confirmed that the incident is entirely fabricated, with no evidence that Jessica Radcliffe exists or that such an attack occurred. The video, identified as AI-generated, draws inspiration from real past orca incidents, exploiting emotional narratives to fuel its rapid spread. The viral clip, circulating since January 2025, depicts a young woman, purportedly 23-year-old Jessica Radcliffe, performing with an orca before being dragged underwater and killed. Some versions claim the attack was triggered by “menstrual blood mixing with the water,” a sensational detail debunked as scientifically baseless by experts. Fact-checkers, including Vocal Media and India Today...

Johannesburg, 22 August 2025 – Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa have issued a stern warning, threatening to leave the country en masse if they continue to be denied access to public healthcare facilities. The community is also demanding the arrest of leaders of Operation Dudula, an anti-immigrant group accused of blocking foreign nationals from clinics and hospitals, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The controversy stems from incidents where Operation Dudula members have been reported to demand identification documents from patients, preventing those without valid papers from receiving medical care. On 25 June 2025, the group disrupted access to Johannesburg’s Hillbrow Clinic, targeting foreign nationals, including a woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo who was denied entry despite showing her asylum permit. Similar actions were reported at Diepsloot Ext 7 Clinic, where patients like Bheki Ndlovu were barred from collecting essential ARV medication. Zimbabweans, ma...

Tiger Brands Recalls Benny Beef and Chicken Stock Cubes Over Labelling Error. Johannesburg, 22 August 2025 – Tiger Brands, South Africa’s largest food producer, has issued a precautionary voluntary recall of its Benny Beef and Chicken Flavoured Stock Cubes due to inaccurate nutritional labelling on the packaging. The recall, initiated in consultation with the National Consumer Commission (NCC), affects 12, 24, and 48 cube pack sizes with a best-before date of 31 July 2027 or earlier, which have been on sale since 2023. The company identified that the sodium content in the affected stock cubes may be higher than what is stated on the packaging, potentially impacting consumers’ ability to make informed dietary choices. Despite no consumer complaints being reported, Tiger Brands is taking proactive measures to ensure product safety and compliance with quality standards. The stock cubes are manufactured by a third-party supplier for Tiger Brands’ Culinary Division. Consumers are urged to r...

Anele Mda Ordered to Retract Defamatory Posts Linking Fikile Mbalula to Bozwana Murder. By Mamelodi News, August 20, 2025 Pretoria – Gender activist and political commentator Anele Mda has been given 24 hours to remove social media posts and issue a public apology to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula for falsely implicating him in the 2015 murder of businessman Wandile Bozwana, according to a ruling by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.  Judge Selby Baqwa declared Mda’s tweets “false and defamatory,” ordering her to retract the statements and apologize for alleging Mbalula’s involvement in Bozwana’s killing. The court found no evidence to support Mda’s claims, which included accusations that Mbalula was linked to the suspects involved in the murder. Mda was also directed to pay legal costs, with the judge noting her refusal to desist despite prior requests.  Bozwana, a prominent North West entrepreneur, was gunned down in a targeted attack along Garsfontein Road in Pretor...

Alarming Crisis In Mamelodi As Learners Skipping School for Drugs and Alcohol. Mamelodi, 20 August 2025 – A disturbing trend is sweeping through Mamelodi and other South African townships, where learners as young as primary school age are bunking school to engage in drinking, smoking, and unsupervised socializing in private homes, unbeknownst to their parents. This truancy crisis, driven by peer pressure, poverty, and easy access to alcohol, cannabis, and even drugs like nyaope, is threatening the future of countless young people. In Mamelodi, adolescents aged 12 to 18 are skipping classes to gather in private residences, consuming substances from nearby liquor stores or shebeens. This behavior, fueled by absent parental oversight, disengagement from school, and mental health struggles, leads to poor academic performance, addiction risks, and anti-social behaviors like violence and risky sexual activity. The ripple effects are devastating communities, with schools struggling to maintai...

A New Condom Detects STIs with Colour-Changing Technology. Johannesburg, South Africa – A groundbreaking condom that changes colour to detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been developed, according to reports by Kaya 959. The innovative prophylactic is designed to identify infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, offering users a discreet way to monitor their sexual health. The condom’s lubricant is infused with special agents that react to proteins associated with these STIs, triggering a visible colour change to alert users. For example, it may turn green for chlamydia, blue for syphilis, or yellow for gonorrhea, inspired by a 2015 concept called S.T.EYE, developed by UK teenagers. While still in early stages, the technology aims to reduce invasive testing and promote safer sexual practices. Experts caution that such condoms are not yet commercially available and require rigorous testing for accuracy. The development marks a significant step in combating STIs,...

Three Suspects Shot Dead in Mamelodi East Police Shootout. Mamelodi East, Tshwane – On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, two suspected criminals were fatally wounded during a dramatic shootout with South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in Mamelodi East, a township northeast of Pretoria in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The incident, which unfolded during an intelligence-driven operation targeting criminal activity in the area, resulted in the recovery of high-calibre rifles at the scene. No police officers were injured in the confrontation. According to SAPS, the operation was launched in response to ongoing violent crime in Mamelodi East, a community that has faced significant challenges with contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, and armed robberies. The township, established in 1953 under apartheid policies and known for its vibrant yet troubled history, has been a focal point for police efforts to curb crime through initiatives like Operation Shanela. High-...