A key witness in the corruption trial of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has told the Pretoria High Court how discussions around a senior military appointment allegedly became linked to a request for money. Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, the state’s star witness, testified that Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly sought financial benefits from her while she was serving as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu, the sole director of defence logistics company Umkhombe Marine, told the court that she delivered R150,000 to Mapisa-Nqakula…

uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party President Jacob Zuma has assumed direct control of the party’s finances after revoking all signing authority on the party’s bank accounts from all officials, including the secretary-general and treasurer-general. Newsnote has seen a letter dated 23 July in which Zuma informed all national, provincial, regional and other relevant party structures of his decision. In the letter, Zuma wrote: “With immediate effect, all signing powers and authority to operate any and all MK Party bank accounts are…

Motorists traveling between Mogwase and Sun City in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the North West can expect some relief as President Drive (Road P53/1) has been partially reopened to traffic. The vital corridor was closed over a month ago due to a massive sinkhole and culvert/bridge damage, forcing road users to use lengthy and costly detours via the R510 and R556. The road was among those severely affected by the torrential rains and heavy storms across parts of…