If you may have missed some news events, here you will find a selected collection of Maroela Media’s reports that were published throughout the week.
Lesufi sued after racial comments at school at the time
(Archive photo: Douglas Ngobeni/Facebook)
Rocco Oosthuizen, who was accused of racism four years ago during a riot at Jan Viljoen High School in Randfontein, is suing Panyaza Lesufi, now Gauteng premier, for damages of R750 000.
Lesufi, then the MEC for education, arrived at the school and made several comments about the Oosthuizen family. He threatened to have the HRC investigate their “racist actions”. It was videotaped and broadcast live by various media outlets. Read the full report here and all the other reports about the riot at the time here.
Fuel | Situation at ground level all the more distressed
(Photo: Suné van Heerden)
The South African fuel industry – and thousands of ordinary motorists – are in turmoil over sharp price increases, reports of diesel shortages and allegations of “unethical” business practices at petrol stations nationwide.
Also read: Fuel levies: the problem is political will, not money
As consumers desperately try to fill their tanks before Wednesday’s official price change – with another sharp rise in the offing – it seems as if the rules of the game have changed overnight. Read here.
Sanral now wants to decide who can do business along the road
(Archive photo for illustration: Dalene de Vente)
Owners and operators of businesses along South Africa’s main roads are furious about proposed amendments to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) policy for rest and service facilities along national roads.
They argue that Sanral is overstepping its mandate by trying to determine what kind of businesses may be operated, as well as where, how far apart and also the profile of the people running the business – and this on private land. Read here.
Foot-and-mouth disease rages on
(Archive photo: Department of Agriculture/X)
The High Court in Pretoria did not grant an urgent interim interdict – which prohibits the state from preventing private persons from administering the FMD vaccine themselves. The court did lay down strict timelines to allow the Department of Agriculture to finalize and properly announce its vaccination scheme. Read here some of the latest developments:
Also read: Farm murders | Almost 300 people killed in five years
Just one more | The sun is setting on Alles race
Race and race laws remain one of South Africa’s most persistent issues. For years it seemed that this policy would simply continue forever. Yet, finally, more and more signs are beginning to emerge that the tide may be turning. Is the sun perhaps setting on the preoccupation with all things race in South Africa? Chat with Connie Mulder, Nico Strydom and Christel Cornelissen.
AfriForum versus Fikile Mbalula
On Wednesday, AfriForum launched a comprehensive report, known as the Mbalula dossier, detailing various allegations of fraud, money laundering and corruption against Fikile Mbalula, secretary general of the ANC.
The report also describes how, according to AfriForum, Mbalula recklessly exposes South Africa to possible American punitive measures through, among other things, his provocative and insulting statements against Western countries, his support for expropriation without compensation and his liaison with the group Hamas.
Before the launch, Mbalula threatened legal action to prevent the planned media conference.
Also read: Mbalula threatens AfriForum with court action over dossier
The ANC subsequently also labeled it a political attack.
Worldwide | Somewhere Trump is going to draw the line
Will the US get its way, or will Iran get its way? Jaco Kleynhans explains what we know – and what we don’t know – about the conflict in the Middle East.
Reserve Bank keeps interest rate unchanged
The Reserve Bank’s latest projections point to a longer period of unchanged interest rates, which has delayed the previously expected easing cycle. Read here.
Also read: Unchanging interest rate ‘sensible’
Meta and YouTube responsible for social media addiction
(Photo: NordWood Themes/Unsplash)
Features such as endless scrolling, auto-playing videos, notifications and “likes” are deliberately designed to encourage compulsive use among young people.
Now a jury in Los Angeles has found Meta and YouTube liable for the harm a young woman suffered due to the addictive design of their social media platforms. The companies were ordered to pay more than R111 million in damages. Read the full report here.
Goat captain, World Cup winner and now UJ honorary doctor
Francois Pienaar boasts the Webb Ellis trophy. (Photo: Archive)
Francois Pienaar has proudly worn the captaincy jersey of the Golden Lions and the Springboks, while he was certainly in a neat suit for his boardroom duties as CEO of Saracens rugby club and the co-founder of the popular Varsity Cup series.
But on Wednesday – there at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Sanlam auditorium – the 59-year-old Pienaar was dressed in his green and gold jacket. This time, the accessories were a gown, a hood and a graduation gown or two. Read here and watch the video.
Security officer fired after van runs over woman
The husband of a Johannesburg woman who survived an incident when a bakkie from a private security company drove over her, describes the fact that she is alive as a “miracle that he will never fully understand”, but also one that wakes her up crying at night. Read here.
Young conductor lives passion for choral music
For Hano van der Walt, choral singing is the golden thread that interweaves sound, character and community. In January this year, he officially joined Akademia’s campus choir as principal conductor and is also involved in the junior and senior choir of Constantiapark Primary School.
Young voices get chance to shine in news reading competition
There are few things as infectious as a child who confidently stands in front of a camera and informs and entertains the world. This is exactly the spirit in which the Young News Reader 2026 competition invites young voices in South Africa to have their say.
The competition, which coincides with Youth Month, is open to children aged 13 and under. Participants must submit a one-minute video in which they present a news bulletin. The entry must maintain a balance between a real news event and a creative, original story.
Get all the details here.
Listen | What lies behind Martin Steyn’s dark imagination?
Martin Steyn, author of “Skimme and trace seekers”. (Photo: Christa Steyn-Bezuidenhout/Maroela Media)
Martin Steyn, one of the most popular suspense story writers in South Africa, believes that a glimpse from his imaginary world can be disturbing and dark for some people.
“I think the problem with people who write crime fiction is that you get excited about things that are actually very bad and negative. We see the story potential in serial murders, police investigations and other atrocities in the community.”
Read or listen to Christa Steyn-Bezuidenhout’s interview with the popular author here.
Sidewalks | Kurt Darren does this again with ‘6 7’
Say what you will about Kurt Darren, but this musician and songwriter knows how to write an earworm hit.
His latest release, “6 7”, has the whole country buzzing. Even before the song was released, social media users let it spread like wildfire.
Come visit with Kurt on Maroela Media’s stoep.