Namibia, other nations urge vigilance and begin repatriations amid South Africa unrest
via The Citizen4 min read
Amid escalating anti-illegal immigrant protests in South Africa, Namibia has advised its citizens to remain vigilant and seek consular assistance if needed. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade Executive Director Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati confirmed no Namibian nationals have been reported affected but stated officials are monitoring the situation. Other countries like Kenya, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have also urged caution among their citizens. The Border Management Authority confirmed the repatriation of 933 Mozambican nationals, with 349 deported from the Lindela Holding Facility and 584 traveling from Mossel Bay facilitated by the Mozambican High Commission. Malawi announced a voluntary repatriation program for its nationals, following a similar initiative by Ghana, which also issued a travel advisory due to a rise in what it termed "xenophobic attacks against African Nationals." The United States Embassy and Consulates in South Africa issued a warning to its citizens regarding the Menlyn Park Shopping Centre after an explosion at a Woolworths store. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure Natjoints affirmed its commitment to enforcing the law, with chairperson Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili stating that operations will target criminal networks and ensure community safety, while urging the public to refrain from vigilantism. This follows violent unrest in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay, where 55 shacks were allegedly torched and two Mozambican me
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An intelligence-driven police operation in Pretoria resulted in the arrest of a 69-year-old man and the recovery of hijacked vehicles and suspected explosives. Crime Intelligence officers, supported by Gauteng Highway Patrol and specialized units, raided a property in Silverton after receiving information about a planned heist. They discovered hijacked cars, false registration plates, and a bag of explosives believed to be connected to a series of robberies across Gauteng. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko stated that a cash-in-transit robbery was allegedly being planned in the Pretoria area. Officers recovered a Mercedes-Benz, reported stolen in Villieria, and a Toyota Fortuner, stolen in Hartbeespoort, both fitted with false registration plates. A five-liter container of petrol was found in the Mercedes-Benz. A white Toyota Quantum on the premises contained a bag with suspected explosives, which were seized for forensic analysis. Preliminary investigations suggest the vehicles may have been used in several cash-in-transit robberies and attempted robberies, including an incident in Silverton on May 30. The 69-year-old suspect is expected to appear in court on charges related to the possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles and explosives, with further charges possible as investigations continue.
The Western and Eastern Cape provinces have been impacted by mudslides, rockfalls, road closures, electricity outages, and flooding, leading to the closure of schools this week. In Bitou, Western Cape, a Mercedes-Benz was reported half-submerged, and residents were warned to avoid the municipal office on St. Patrick’s Avenue due to a lifted septic tank. Mudslides along the R340 between Wittedrift and Plettenberg have closed the road, isolating Wittedrift. Healthcare service routes in Herold, George, and Uniondale were canceled from June 3 to June 5, 2026, due to unsafe roads. The Knysna Municipality has closed several roads due to localized flooding, and water treatment facilities in Sedgefield are under pressure from ongoing Eskom power outages. Flooding has been reported at the Groot River Bridge and low-lying areas, with the Kalanderkloof River overflowing. Rockfalls and a landslide in the Western Pass have created hazardous travel conditions, leading to the suspension of emergency operations. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, adhere to road closure signs, and stay alert for hazards. Stormy weather is expected to clear towards the weekend, with schools reopening on Friday, and partly cloudy conditions with isolated to scattered rain anticipated for Friday and Saturday.
Must ReadEskom is defending its nuclear-powered electricity generation plans for Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape or Bantamsklip in the Western Cape, asserting that nuclear energy is crucial for South Africa's future energy mix. This proposal, which has faced environmentalist resistance for over a decade, has re-emerged following the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2025. Eskom states that this is a continuation of a long-term strategy, having purchased the sites specifically for potential nuclear development, aligning with the government's energy blueprint. While the affordability of a new nuclear build program has been questioned, Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena stated that it is too early to determine a price, as no final project scope, technology selection, or procurement decision has been made. Various internationally proven reactor technologies, including modular deployment approaches, are being explored to improve affordability and reduce construction risks. No technology suppliers or financing partners have been selected yet. The Thyspunt Alliance, a coalition of residents and environmental activists, remains a significant obstacle, warning that a nuclear power station at Thyspunt could endanger sensitive marine ecosystems, squid spawning grounds, wetlands, and the Seal Point surf break. Mokwena confirmed that independent specialist studies are being conducted as part of the environmental impact assessment process to assess potential impacts before any final decisions. Eskom also
Selebalo Mokoena, a 38-year-old Lesotho national, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murders of Tsolo Tsonamatsie and Khwezi Sishuba on a Komani farm in the Eastern Cape. Mokoena was also convicted of unlawfully entering and remaining in South Africa. The Makhanda High Court, sitting as the Komani Circuit Court, heard that Mokoena, a shepherd, harbored a grievance against both victims following a payment dispute and an altercation with Tsonamatsie. Motivated by anger and revenge, Mokoena first assaulted Tsonamatsie with an axe on May 13, 2025, causing fatal skull and brain injuries. After fleeing, Mokoena threatened Sishuba, damaging his vehicle and attempting to burn his home. Undeterred, Mokoena returned to the farm on May 25, 2025, confronted Sishuba, and fatally stabbed him multiple times. Mokoena then fled to a neighboring farm where his girlfriend alerted the police, leading to his arrest. State Advocate Thandiwe Kaleni presented extensive evidence, including post-mortem reports, crime scene photographs, DNA evidence, and victim impact statements. The court accepted the State's argument that the murders were planned, brutal, and executed with extreme violence, and found no compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence. Mokoena received life imprisonment for each murder count, with concurrent two-year sentences for immigration offenses. Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana