馃嚳馃嚘South AfricaSouthern Africa
Geordin Hill-Lewis describes Ekurhuleni as a "gangster's paradise" amid corruption allegations
via The Citizen2 min read
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis stated in Boksburg on Wednesday that the City of Ekurhuleni has become a "gangster's paradise" for corrupt politicians and officials. His comments follow new information emerging from the Madlanga Commission concerning maladministration and the alleged looting of municipal funds through a sophisticated corruption network. Hill-Lewis asserted that "everything in Ekurhuleni is corrupted" and that "State Capture never ended in Ekurhuleni," describing the city as the "epicentre of what is known as the Gangster State." He linked current service delivery issues, such as broken roads, substations, and water systems, to the alleged pillaging of state resources. Hill-Lewis urged voters to support the party's mayoral candidate, Khathu Rasilingwane, in the upcoming elections on November 4, stating that she offers the "strong medicine" needed to restore honesty and combat corruption in the city. He expressed belief that Ekurhuleni can be improved, citing examples of DA governance in other areas like Cape Town and the Western Cape as proof that a government can be clean.
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Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba affirmed that the ANC is undergoing renewal and is capable of resolving local government issues, stating the party has not betrayed former President Nelson Mandela's legacy. Speaking at the Limpopo ANC鈥檚 Mandela Legacy Rally in Thohoyandou, Ramathuba referenced Mandela's 1993 warning that voters should abandon the ANC if it failed the people. She argued that infrastructure projects, such as a water purification project completed ahead of schedule and under budget in Ga-Phasha, demonstrate the ANC has not met the criteria for Mandela's warning. Ramathuba emphasized the party's commitment to addressing poverty, student fees, youth unemployment, and economic transformation to create jobs. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, also present, urged the provincial executive to prioritize economic growth and infrastructure development, highlighting the importance of strong leadership in municipalities for service delivery. Ramathuba concluded by noting the ANC's 114-year history, asserting its resilience and ongoing efforts to fix challenges.
The Economic Freedom Fighters EFF have announced their mayoral candidates for the upcoming 2026 local government elections. Leader Julius Malema made the announcement on Saturday at the party's manifesto launch and 13th birthday celebration at Thohoyandou stadium. Among the candidates, former Ekurhuleni Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivenga will run for Ekurhuleni, and parliamentarian Omphile Maotwe will contest Tshwane. Malema also named candidates for other municipalities, including Lawrence Mapoulo for Polokwane, Godrich Gardee for Mbombela, Israel Monaise for Rustenburg, and Lerato Tito for Sol Plaatjie. Malema emphasized the need for more funding for local government and highlighted what he described as the EFF's successes in municipalities, such as providing sanitation, water, and stabilizing finances in Ekurhuleni, and improving cleanliness in Tshwane.
South Africa is facing a growing crisis of missing persons, with organizations like Missing Children South Africa and ACT Africa reporting a significant increase in disappearances. Families across the country are using social media to search for loved ones, from children vanishing on their way to school to adults disappearing without explanation. This situation highlights the country's vulnerability to organized crime, human trafficking, online grooming, and violent crime. The large number of cases has also raised concerns about the South African Police Service's Saps ability to respond quickly during the critical initial hours after a disappearance. While many missing persons are eventually found, a substantial number of families endure prolonged uncertainty. Missing Children South Africa estimates that about 77% of missing children are located, but nearly one in four are not immediately reunited with their families. Criminologist Bianca van Aswegen, national co-ordinator for Missing Children South Africa, noted that official statistics do not capture the full extent of the problem as many cases go unreported, and she observed an increase in child disappearances due to escalating kidnappings and human trafficking. Van Aswegen also highlighted social media as a major danger for children, especially teenagers vulnerable to grooming. Poor supervision and a lack of basic safety precautions also contribute to children disappearing. ACT Africa co-founder and chief executive Hilary