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🇿🇦The Citizen·2 hours ago
President Ramaphosa secures interim interdict against Phala Phala impeachment committee
President Cyril Ramaphosa has successfully obtained an interim interdict to pause parliamentary impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala scandal. The Western Cape High Court in Cape Town delivered its ruling on Friday, 24 July 2026. Ramaphosa sought to prevent the impeachment inquiry from starting until his separate review challenge against the Section 89 independent panel’s report is finalized. The president is seeking to overturn the panel’s findings, which concluded he has questions to answer regarding the theft of approximately $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. His legal team argued that without the interdict, the impeachment committee could begin its work before a ruling on the panel's findings, causing "irrefutable harm." While one judgment initially found Ramaphosa failed to establish a case, the second and third judgments granted an interim interdict for a limited duration. As a result, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and the chairperson of the impeachment committee have been instructed to halt proceedings pending the outcome of the review challenge. The issue of legal costs was deferred. Ramaphosa welcomed the outcome, reaffirming his respect for judicial independence. This legal battle follows a Constitutional Court ruling in May that found Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa in December 2022, compelling the National Assembly to establish a formal impeachment committee. Ramaphosa’
2 min read
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🇿🇦The Citizen·5 hours ago
Wealthy families accused of fraudulently claiming student financial aid in South Africa
Tens of thousands of middle and upper-class families are reportedly misusing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Nsfas in South Africa, diverting funds intended for impoverished students. Witness Maluleka, head of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Limpopo, described this as "black-on-black criminality." Benjamin Rapanyane, a political lecturer at North-West University, warned that this issue could lead to nationwide student protests if not addressed, as deserving students are being denied funding. A final-year public management student at Mthashana TVET college, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of having her Nsfas application rejected within hours, despite her family's financial struggles. She has returned to class without funding for her final year and faces a R5,000 balance to write her exams. Nthatile Selebi, a civil engineering student at Tshwane South college, highlighted the suffering of genuinely needy students due to delays and missing allowances, while others exploit the system. She also noted that accommodation payment delays lead to eviction threats for students. Selebi expressed concern over the inconsistency in Nsfas funding, particularly the defunding of engineering students in occupational programs while other fields receive full support. Many students are stressed by late payments, sudden defunding, and a lack of communication from Nsfas, impacting their academic performance. A Facebook support group for Nsfas is
4 min read
🇿🇦The Citizen·6 hours ago
Month-old rhino calf rescued after poachers kill mother near Middelburg
A month-old rhino calf was rescued after its mother was killed by suspected poachers on a private game reserve near Middelburg. The rhino, named Behati, was found shot and dehorned between July 22 and July 23 at UBhetyan-O-Africa. The calf, whose birth was celebrated less than a month ago, was located around 14:30 on July 23 after a farm-wide search. Farm owner Deon Cornelius confirmed the calf's discovery and arranged for its airlift to a rehabilitation facility, believed to be in Bela-Bela. Middelburg SAPS members are investigating the scene. Separately, two men were arrested on the N12 near the Phola/Ogies off-ramp on July 23. Police stopped their vehicle and found two rhino horns, a hunting rifle, and live ammunition. The suspects, who could not produce permits for the horns or firearm, face charges related to illegal possession of protected species products and an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. They are expected to appear in the Ogies Magistrate’s Court on July 24. Susan Cornelius, co-owner of the reserve, believes one of the recovered horns belongs to their poached rhino, though this has not been officially confirmed.
2 min read