🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
Brazilian drug trafficking suspect arrested at OR Tambo airport with R8.7 million in cocaine
via The Citizen2 min read
A 26-year-old transgender suspect from Brazil was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, April 26, 2026, after police, acting on intelligence, found cocaine valued at R8.7 million concealed in their luggage. The suspect arrived from Brazil and was apprehended upon arrival. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that the suspect will appear at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, facing charges of drug trafficking. This arrest is part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations targeting transnational drug trafficking networks at the airport. OR Tambo International Airport police have recently achieved several successes in intercepting drug traffickers. These efforts aim to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and strengthen the fight against organized crime. Recent incidents include the arrest of five South African drug mules on March 28, 2026, found with drugs worth over R5 million en route to China via Dubai, and drug busts on March 4 and 5, 2026, where crystal meth worth R2.2 million destined for the Philippines and dagga worth R672,000 from Morocco were discovered in cargo warehouses.
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Limpopo's cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs MEC Basikopo Makamu presented BMW X5 vehicles to the Bapedi Kingship and Balobedu Queenship, with new models valued between R1.9 million and R2.2 million. Queen Regent Manyaku Thulare and Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII each received a vehicle. Makamu stated that these luxury cars were overdue and would enable traditional leadership to perform their responsibilities with dignity. The department plans a three-phase approach to procure more vehicles for senior traditional leaders, with R110 million approved for 2023/24 for a two-year purchasing and allocation plan. In Phase 1, R55 million was allocated for 102 vehicles, and in Phase 2, R38.5 million for 60 vehicles. Senior traditional leaders can choose vehicles up to R550,000 and can top up for preferred models. The MEC noted that vehicles are purchased directly from dealerships for a five-year period. Both queens welcomed the gesture, citing the need for vehicles in their daily work. However, the move drew criticism. EFF Limpopo provincial chairperson Makgabo Lawrence Mapoulo called the gesture an "election gimmick," arguing that luxury cars do not address community needs like poverty, potholes, or water access. The Bolsheviks Party of South Africa BPSA condemned the purchases as "reckless and insensitive," with general secretary Seun Mogotji stating it reflects political patronage and neglects broader community needs, especially given the lack of basic
Must ReadA looming jet fuel supply crunch in Southern Africa is causing concern among airlines, with operators warning that uncertainty over availability beyond May could disrupt schedules and increase costs across the region. The Airlines Association of Southern Africa AASA stated that the lack of certainty on fuel supply is now a greater threat than pricing alone. AASA chief executive Aaron Munetsi highlighted that airlines require certainty on jet fuel supplies beyond a six-week horizon to maintain schedules and fulfill customer obligations. This concern follows ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and Munetsi warned that recovery would not be immediate even if the route reopens. Jet fuel prices in Southern Africa have more than tripled, with landlocked countries like Malawi experiencing prices over R50 a litre. Airlink, which operates the largest regional network in SADC, has adjusted capacity and reduced some rotations due to the fuel crisis, though it has avoided route cancellations. Airlink has also implemented measures to recover costs through pricing while trying to manage the impact on passengers. Some carriers have already implemented fuel surcharges and reduced flight frequencies. Munetsi emphasized the need for clearer communication from governments and suppliers regarding fuel stocks, deliveries, and the possible release of strategic reserves. Airports Company South Africa Acsa stated that jet fuel supplies in South Africa remai
Must ReadTrust in the Electoral Commission of South Africa IEC has significantly declined, reaching a low of 20% in KwaZulu-Natal KZN, the lowest nationwide. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya acknowledged this crisis during a media briefing, citing the 2026 Human Sciences Research Council’s voter participation survey. The national average trust level in the IEC stands at 32%. This decline is part of a broader democratic disillusionment in KZN, where satisfaction with democracy fell from 54% in 2004 to 6% in 2025. Professor Theo Neethling, a research fellow, suggests the IEC is an "unintended victim" of a larger legitimacy crisis affecting nearly all political entities, exacerbated by low civic awareness and misinformation. Political analyst Professor Andre Duvenhage from North West University attributes the low trust in KZN to the MK party's sustained campaign questioning the IEC's credibility, despite a lack of evidence. Duvenhage warns that questioning electoral outcomes is becoming a broader feature of South African politics, potentially adopted by other parties facing losses. Moepya defended the IEC's integrity, detailing transparency measures and challenging critics to identify flaws in the system, while also noting steps taken to address concerns from the 2024 elections.
Must ReadGauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has denied claims that he requested police dockets, including sensitive cases and those with arrest warrants, calling the allegations "misleading." His denial follows testimony by suspended Sedibeng District Commissioner Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu at the Madlanga commission. Nkhwashu testified about his relationship with murder-accused businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe and stated he was instructed to collect dockets with J50 warrants of arrest to submit them to Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Detective Services, Major General Dumisani Khumalo. Nkhwashu claimed General Khumalo was to oversee investigations as directed by Premier Lesufi, and these instructions applied to many dockets across Gauteng. Lesufi responded on Friday night, asserting he never requested police dockets and found Nkhwashu's testimony "baffling and misleading." He cited a letter from Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General DT Mthombeni, which he says confirms it was the provincial commissioner, not the premier, who requested the dockets. The letter also reportedly confirms that coordinating wanted suspects and processing J50 warrants falls under the mandate of the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Khumalo, in consultation with Crime Intelligence. Lesufi has asked Nkhwashu to provide a written copy of the alleged directive and suggested Nkhwashu might be confusing internal police directives with briefings on crime prevention strategie