Stay informed in just a few minutes with News Byte, your fast, reliable update on South Africa’s top stories.
In today’s episode, the Basic Education Department has been rocked by a major matric exam breach just weeks before results are due. The irregularity was detected during marking through internal monitoring systems and involves English, Maths and Physics papers. Minister Siviwe Gwarube says a task team has been established to investigate, warning that anyone who attempts to cheat the system will face consequences.
Government is also responding to national concern over witness protection after the murder of Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe. Cabinet says the protection framework is still being strengthened but has urged South Africans to allow investigations to unfold before condemning the current policy. Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the state is committed to ensuring whistle-blowers are safer going forward.
Meanwhile, South Africa will not be attending next year’s G20 engagements in the United States. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has confirmed that the South African delegation was not accredited for the 2026 planning meeting, which is being held at Donald Trump’s private resort in Miami.
The Special Investigating Unit has launched coordinated raids targeting a UIF-linked syndicate accused of siphoning R161 million from the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme. Sixteen companies and 35 individuals are implicated, with one raid taking place at the UIF’s Pretoria head office.
We’re also keeping an eye on:
• A 14-year-old in Mqanduli who shot and killed an 11-year-old using his father’s homemade gun.
• The court appearance of a 43-year-old Zimbabwean man found with almost 600 passports, some stuffed with cash.
SPORTS
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has criticised what he calls “unprofessional attitudes” among some South African players after Orlando Pirates’ promising youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi failed to report for national duty. Broos also questioned the club’s handling of the player, who has signed for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. In the Champions League, Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2–1, but manager Pep Guardiola was unimpressed with aspects of the performance.
AND FINALLY
A legendary underground anthem is finally seeing the light of day. Fatboy Slim’s ‘Satisfaction Skank’; long regarded as the world’s most bootlegged track due to its Rolling Stones riff; has been officially released after decades of legal hurdles. At 62,
Norman Cook remains booked and busy, performing more than 100 gigs this year and insisting he will never retire.
That is your News Byte for 11 December 2025. For developments on these and more, keep an eye on enca.com and watch us on DStv channel 403.