POPCRU Members Under Attack at Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News | Pretoria, South Africa — October 29, 2025

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A tense standoff has unfolded at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) are protesting what they describe as a campaign of intimidation and repression by senior officials within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

The demonstration, taking place along Cullinan Road, follows weeks of rising discontent among correctional officers. POPCRU members say they have endured unlawful suspensions, harassment of shop stewards, and the unilateral imposition of a controversial shift system — a matter that remains before the labour dispute council.

According to POPCRU, instead of engaging with workers to resolve their concerns, Area Commissioner Khoza — who oversees both Kgoshi Mampuru and Baviaanspoort Correctional Centres — has chosen to escalate tensions. Protesters report that several union members have been arrested during what was intended to be a peaceful protest.

“Our members are being victimised for standing up for their rights,” POPCRU stated. “This abuse of authority cannot continue. We call for the immediate cessation of these anti-worker tactics and for the reinstatement of fair labour practices within the Department.”

The unrest at Baviaanspoort underscores deep-rooted tensions between management and organised labour within South Africa’s correctional services — where workers have long complained of excessive workloads, unsafe conditions, and the erosion of collective bargaining rights.

Labour analysts warn that if the current standoff continues, it could disrupt operations at key correctional centres and deepen mistrust between employees and senior management.

POPCRU has called on the Department of Correctional Services and relevant government authorities to intervene urgently, restore dialogue, and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

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Insight Jozi News delivers in-depth reporting on labour rights, governance, and social justice in South Africa.

Freedom Is Indivisible — Mandela Foundation Fires Back for Palestine

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News
Johannesburg — 26 October 2025 | Event: Sandton Convention Centre (25 October 2025)

The 23rd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the Sandton Convention Centre became more than a ceremony — it became a confrontation with power. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, delivered a bold call for justice that linked the Palestinian struggle to South Africa’s own fight against apartheid.

“Justice is indivisible,” Albanese declared. “Solidarity in struggles for justice is the political expression of love.”

Her words struck deep — naming the global financial and political forces that fuel oppression from Gaza to the Congo. But as the Nelson Mandela Foundation prepared for post-event engagements, the message was disrupted: members of Christians for Israel USA attempted to serve court papers on Albanese for alleged defamation.

The Foundation later confirmed the service was irregular, with South Africa’s Department of Justice apologising to Albanese, the UN, and the Foundation. Yet the attempt only amplified her message — proof that truth makes the powerful tremble.

Naledi Pandor: Standing Firm With Palestine

Chair of the Foundation and Minister Naledi Pandor used the platform to remind the world that Madiba’s legacy cannot exist in silence. She reaffirmed South Africa’s solidarity with Palestine, insisting that the struggle for freedom anywhere is inseparable from the struggle everywhere.

“Freedom is indivisible,” Pandor told the audience. “The denial of one people’s rights diminishes the freedom of all.”

A Legacy of Defiance

In a world where truth-tellers are served with lawsuits instead of respect, the Foundation’s stand was an act of defiance. It reasserted South Africa’s moral voice — loud, uncomfortable, and necessary. Mandela’s platform has once again done what he intended it to do: provoke, challenge, and awaken.

The message was clear — freedom cannot be negotiated. Not for Palestine, not for anyone.

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News

Labels: Nelson Mandela Foundation, Francesca Albanese, Naledi Pandor, Palestine, Sandton, Global Justice

Jacob Zuma Ordered to Repay R28.9 Million — A Harsh Yet Better Outcome Than Losing His Pension

 Jacob Zuma Ordered to Repay R28.9 Million — A Harsh Yet Better Outcome Than Losing His Pension

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News

The Gauteng High Court has ordered former president Jacob Zuma to repay R28.9 million in legal fees that were unlawfully funded by the state during his corruption battles. Should he fail to pay within 60 days, the State Attorney may attach his assets — and, if necessary, even his presidential pension.

The judgment has sparked mixed reactions. On one hand, it’s seen as a necessary step toward accountability after years of taxpayer-funded litigation. On the other, it feels ridiculous in its ambition — punishing a man for benefiting from a system the state itself authorised.

It’s difficult not to question the timing and tone of the ruling. For years, government departments freely approved Zuma’s legal bills, only to now demand the money back when politically convenient. Still, as unfair as the decision may seem, it’s far better than the Presidency’s earlier idea of stripping Zuma entirely of his pension — a move that would have set a dangerous precedent of political revenge disguised as justice.

South Africa deserves accountability, yes — but also consistency and fairness. Justice cannot be selective, and power must never be used to humiliate former leaders for the theatre of it.

The real lesson in this saga is simple: the state must stop playing both lawyer and judge. If it wishes to recover money, it must also own up to the system that made such abuse possible in the first place.

Bafana Bafana Face Possible Two-Year Suspension Over Dudula Allegations

 FIFA Investigates South Africa: Bafana Bafana Face Possible Two-Year Suspension Over Dudula Allegations

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News

Johannesburg — South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, could face a devastating two-year suspension from international football following shocking allegations involving the controversial Dudula Movement and its leader, Zandile Dabula.

According to reports, FIFA has launched an investigation after allegations surfaced that members of the Dudula Operation planned to demand identity documents from fans attending the upcoming South Africa vs Zimbabwe World Cup qualifier match. The alleged intention was to verify the nationality of supporters entering the stadium — a move that FIFA has condemned as discriminatory and politically motivated.

FIFA maintains a strict policy that prohibits political interference in football. The world football governing body’s code is clear: no political, racial, or national discrimination shall be tolerated in the sport. If found guilty, the South African Football Association (SAFA) could face harsh sanctions, including a two-year suspension from all international competitions and hefty fines.

A source close to SAFA expressed concern that these allegations, if proven, could "undo years of progress in building an inclusive football culture in South Africa."

The Dudula movement, known for its anti-immigrant stance, has previously clashed with the government over issues of border control and illegal migration. FIFA, however, insists that politics and xenophobia have no place in football.

> “Football should unite people — not divide them. Politicians and social movements must stay out of the game,” said a FIFA spokesperson, emphasizing that any political interference will attract severe punishment.

If suspended, South Africa would not participate in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, nor in any international friendlies or tournaments under FIFA’s umbrella. Such a ban would deal a massive blow to local players, clubs, and fans who have worked tirelessly to rebuild the country’s football reputation.

SAFA officials have yet to issue a formal response, but sources say internal meetings are underway to assess the potential fallout. Meanwhile, many South Africans are expressing outrage online, calling for government and political movements to stop using sport as a battleground for identity politics.

As the investigation continues, the nation waits anxiously — aware that the beautiful game might pay a heavy price for political interference.

Sizok’thola Host Xolani Khumalo Announced as ActionSA’s Mayoral Candidate for Ekurhuleni

Sizok’thola Host Xolani Khumalo Announced as ActionSA’s Mayoral Candidate for Ekurhuleni

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News

insightjozinews.blogspot.com

In a move that has stunned both political circles and television audiences, Sizok’thola presenter Xolani Khumalo has officially been announced as ActionSA’s candidate for Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni. The announcement was made earlier today by the party’s president, Herman Mashaba, signaling what could be one of the most intriguing political shake-ups in recent local government history.

Khumalo, best known for his fearless work on the Moja Love reality show Sizok’thola, where he exposes drug dealers and confronts crime in communities, has built a strong public image as a man of action — unafraid to tackle corruption and social decay head-on. His transition from television to politics seems to align naturally with his passion for community justice and accountability.

In his new political role, Khumalo is expected to bring the same direct, uncompromising approach that made him a household name. ActionSA’s President, Herman Mashaba, praised Khumalo’s courage and integrity, calling him “a leader who represents the voice of ordinary South Africans who are tired of corruption, lawlessness, and failed leadership.”

Ekurhuleni, one of Gauteng’s key metros, has long battled service delivery challenges, unemployment, and allegations of maladministration. Khumalo’s candidacy injects fresh energy and symbolism — a crusader from the streets now stepping into the corridors of power.

Whether Khumalo’s popularity will translate into political success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his entry has already shifted the conversation about what kind of leadership South Africa needs — leadership that is visible, bold, and rooted in the realities of the people.

Insightjozinews.blogspot.com 

Julius Malema Found Guilty: A Question of Law or Selective Justice?

 Julius Malema Found Guilty: A Question of Law or Selective Justice?

Noko Maleka|insight jozi news 

The East London Magistrate Court yesterday delivered a striking verdict against EFF leader Julius Malema, finding him guilty on all charges related to firing a firearm into the sky at a political rally in 2018.

But this judgment raises serious questions: Is shooting a firearm into the air inherently criminal in South Africa, or is it a matter of selective enforcement?

We have all witnessed occasions, especially at funerals of military personnel, police officers, or prominent figures, where ceremonial gun salutes are performed. This involves discharging firearms into the sky as a mark of respect. Similarly, in rural areas and even urban townships, people fire warning shots into the air to disperse crowds or protect their families. Are all these acts to be considered unlawful too, or does the law apply differently depending on who pulls the trigger?

The case against Malema seems to hinge not merely on the action itself, but on who performed it, and where. If the law is clear that no firearm should be discharged outside of designated environments, then surely countless other cases of gun salutes, warning shots, and community rituals should have attracted the same legal wrath. Why then does the state appear to be applying a harsher standard to a political figure than to other social or cultural practices?

One could argue that Malema’s act, though reckless, mirrors practices that are normalized in our society. In that case, is the law outdated and in need of reform, or is it being wielded selectively as a political weapon?

South Africa is a constitutional democracy where the principle of equality before the law is sacred. Yet this verdict leaves many wondering whether “equality” is truly the benchmark, or whether our justice system bends to the winds of political expediency.

The judgment may be legally sound in the strictest sense of firearm regulations, but it also exposes a deeper inconsistency: What is celebrated in one context is condemned in another. If Malema’s conviction sets a precedent, then consistency demands that the same standard be applied across the board — from soldiers at funerals to police officers firing warning shots. Otherwise, we risk sliding into a system where justice is not blind, but rather sharply focused on silencing particular voices.

The question remains: Is Malema guilty of breaking the law, or guilty of being Malema?

Insightjozinews.blogspot.com 

#MalemaVerdict #SelectiveJustice #EFF #FreeStateHighCourt #GunSalute #SouthAfricaPolitics #EqualityBeforeTheLaw #JusticeOrPolitics #MalemaTrial #SAJusticeSystem

This Is Not the First Mysterious Death of an ANC Member in France

 This Is Not the First Mysterious Death of an ANC Member in France

By Noko Maleka|insight jozi news

History has a way of repeating itself, often in the most chilling of fashions. South Africans woke up yesterday to the shocking news that Nathi Mthethwa, former cabinet minister and now South Africa’s ambassador to France, was found dead—his body plummeted from the 22nd floor of a Paris building. While French police have not yet ruled out suicide, to many observers, the incident bears the eerie marks of something far more sinister: an assassination masked as self-inflicted death.

But this is not the first time an ANC member has met a mysterious end on French soil.

In March 1988, anti-apartheid activist Dulcie September, the ANC’s Chief Representative in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, was gunned down in broad daylight outside the ANC office in Paris. Five bullets ended her life. At the time, many fingers pointed to the apartheid government, whose long arm of terror reached far beyond South Africa’s borders. Yet, decades later, no one has ever been convicted for her murder. The case remains an unresolved scar on both South African and French history, buried beneath political diplomacy and unanswered questions.

The parallels are too striking to ignore.

Dulcie September, a voice of resistance, silenced in Paris.

Nathi Mthethwa, a seasoned politician and diplomat, found lifeless in the same country, under circumstances too bizarre to simply accept as suicide.

Both deaths speak to a haunting truth: that France, for ANC figures, has not always been a safe haven but rather a stage where unresolved shadows of South African politics seem to re-emerge.

The murder of Dulcie September was officially pinned on apartheid operatives, yet the absence of arrests and the lack of conclusive evidence has left historians and activists divided on what really happened. Was she silenced because she knew too much? Was there collusion beyond what the ANC or South Africans were ever told?

Now, with Mthethwa’s sudden and brutal fall, another question rises: could history be repeating itself in plain sight?

If Dulcie’s assassination was never fully solved, how then can South Africans be expected to trust that Mthethwa’s death will be handled with full transparency? Might these two deaths—nearly four decades apart—be connected by more than coincidence? Perhaps the ghost of Dulcie September has returned, not as a memory, but as a warning.

This tragedy should not be brushed aside with a premature conclusion of suicide. It should be the catalyst for a reopening of old wounds and old files, starting with September’s unresolved case, to understand whether there is a pattern of political silencing still haunting ANC members in France.

For now, French police continue their investigations. But South Africa, too, must demand answers—not just for Nathi Mthethwa, but for Dulcie September, whose death still lingers in the fog of mystery.

Because if these are not isolated events, then perhaps the truth has always been far darker than we were led to believe.