JOHANNESBURG - A month after her assassination, Martha Mani's family are still looking for answers.
The eMfuleni municipal worker had allegedly previously told her family that she feared for her life.
READ: Slain Emfuleni worker had raised fears for her safety
She was gunned down near a police station in Vanderbijlpark. Mani worked in the finance department and had allegedly uncovered corruption linked to tenders.
A school principal who was kidnapped on Sunday in Durban South was rescued on Monday
The 55-year-old woman was found tied up inside a house in Inanda and has since been taken for a full medical examination.
It is alleged that she was followed home by five men who attempted to hijack her at her gate.
READ: Kidnapped Durban school principal found tied up in Inanda house
When they failed to steal her vehicle, the suspects reportedly took valuables and cash from her home before forcing her into their car.
They then drove her to several ATMs, withdrawing money from her accounts throughout the night.
The woman was later taken to a house in Inanda, where she was held overnight. Police discovered her tied up on a mattress. Two suspects fled the scene as police arrived.
The Pretoria Magistrate's Court has rejected Sergeant Fannie Nkosi's request to be placed at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility's hospital wing.
The Organised Crime Unit member said he feared he might be poisoned in prison. He also flagged concern over his health as he is diabetic.
READ: Court rejects Nkosi’s bid for prison hospital wing placement
Magistrate Thandi Theledi explained that the placement of a prisoner in a prison hospital wing is reserved for detainees who require medical treatment, observation, or nursing care.
Nkosi will be kept in the general population, where safety will be ensured.
READ: Hijackings, cash-in-transit heists | Inside dockets found in Nkosi's Wendy house
Nkosi was arrested after being found in possession of state-owned ammunition and a hand grenade, six case dockets, R50,000 in cash and seven unsecured licensed firearms at his house.
He implicated himself and senior police officials in alleged ties to organised crime figures when he testified before the Madlanga Commission.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that it has found sufficient grounds to institute criminal prosecutions against key individuals involved in the Life Esidimeni tragedy.
READ: A decade of waiting: Life Esidimeni families hope justice is finally within reach
In a statement, the NPA said charges are expected to include culpable homicide against those deemed responsible for the unlawful and negligent actions that lead to the deaths.
They described the decision as a critical step toward accountability and justice for the families.
A 58-year-old Dobsonville man was arrested after the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl over the Easter weekend.
The man made a brief appearance at the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court and the matter was postponed to 22 April for further investigation.
READ: ANC distances itself from man accused of raping 12-year-old in Dobsonville
The man, believed to be a clergyman at the Methodist Church, and serving at the ANC executive in the region, had gained the trust of his community.
READ: Community leader says lack of electricity in Dobsonville left children vulnerable to alleged rapist
According to Community leader Mandla Nyaqela, the area has not had electricity for a few months.
READ: Political parties slammed for 'campaigning' at Dobsonville rape case
The man had the means to have electricity at his house and had Wi-fi. Children would go to do their homework and school research at his house, gaining the trust of his community.
The aftermath of the sexual assault was caught on video and went viral over social media.
READ: Parents urged to vet access to children as grooming risks rise, says expert
The ANC distanced itself from the man and said they were working to revoke his membership.
Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi had a rocky return to the Madlanga Commission.
The Commission questioned the death of his mother who is 10 years older than him. In a funeral programme, it was noted that he was her second child out of seven.
READ: Mkhwanazi accused of misleading Madlanga Commission to secure postponement
Home Affairs documents obtained by the Commission, including Mkhwanazi’s birth certificate, proved otherwise and listed another woman as Mkhwanazi’s biological mother.
Mkhwanazi maintained he did not mislead the Commission. He said the woman who had died was his stepmother, who raised him.
READ: 'She raised me' : Mkhwanazi defends 'mother's' funeral amid scrutiny
Mkhwanazi denied any involvement with the Big Five cartel and having a curious relationship with Mike van Wyk. He has also distanced himself from the kidnapping of Ekurhuleni Metro Police spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa.
Acting Gauteng Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba said he's willing to testify at the Madlanga Commission if called to do so.
READ: Acting Gauteng judge president willing to testify at Madlanga Commission
Ledwaba was implicated at the Commission for allegedly receiving a bribe to release alleged crime boss, Katiso KT Molefe, on bail.
READ: Mkhwanazi accused of misleading Madlanga Commission to secure postponement
Ledwaba has, however, refuted the claims, saying he's ready to clear his name.
Ledwaba appeared before the Judicial Service Commission in Johannesburg, where he is being interviewed for the top post.
North-West businessman Suleiman Carrim will not appear before the Madlanga Commission as scheduled this week.
This comes after he was hospitalised following a suspected heart attack.
Carrim was expected to testify before the commission on Thursday, but given his health condition, his testimony at the Commission was delayed.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said they are now waiting for Carrim's lawyers to submit a formal communication.
READ: Carrrim's testimony at Madlanga Commission delayed amid hospitalisation
Michaels said once the commission has received it, it will then be able to consider the certificate.
President Cyril Ramaphosa defended the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa's ambassador to the United States of America.
The 78-year-old has been a minister in both Apartheid and democratic South Africa. He was also a key role player in the negotiations that led to the end of Apartheid.
READ | US Ambassador to SA demarched over 'undiplomatic remarks'
Meyer's appointment has drawn criticism, particularly over his political affiliation. Ramaphosa said all envoys are expected to represent and uphold government policy, regardless of their background.
READ: From negotiator to diplomat: Roelf Meyer set for US post
The move to appoint Meyer comes as South Africa looks to strengthen diplomatic ties with the United States.
South Africa has not had an ambassador in Washington for over a year since Ebrahim Rasool was expelled for his comments about President Trump.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was found guilty on five charges relating to the Firearms Control Act.
He appeared over two days at the East London Magistrate's Court in KuGompo and was sentenced on Thursday.
He immediately filed an application for leave to appeal both his conviction and sentence, but Magistrate Twanet Oliver granted him leave to appeal his sentence and not his conviction.'
Malema was sentenced to five years' direct imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to two years for the unlawful possession of ammunition.
He was given the option of a R20,000 fine or face six months imprisonment for discharging a firearm in a public place, reckless endangerment of people or property and failing to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger.
READ: Sentenced but not jailed: Malema’s five-year term sparks firestorm
The sentences would run concurrently with the five-year direct imprisonment.
Malema's seat in Parliament hangs in the balance because Parliament policy does not allow anyone sentenced to longer than 12 months, without the option of paying a fine, to be an MP.
Should he lose on appeal, he could lose his seat. However, Malema said he would take the matter to the highest court if he had to.
READ: EXPLAINER | Malema granted leave to appeal sentence, not conviction
Malema fired shots in front of a crowded area during the party's fifth birthday celebration in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape in July 2018.
EFF supporters gathered at various locations around the country, in the North West, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and other parts of the country.
Malema had very strong words for Magistrate Twanet Olivier, calling her racist and incompetent.
"They are trying by all means to silence this voice," he said to the crowd gathered outside of the court.
READ: Julius Malema sentenced to 5 years in prison in firearm discharge case
"They will never win."
Accusing the magistrate of racism, he said: "We are fighting the enemy and the enemy is white supremacy."
READ: Arrests, theft and an alleged rape at EFF's KuGompo night vigil
But Olivier insisted that "the decision to break the law has been made and it was made with the approval of the accused person and the leadership".
Malema "knew that it may cause harm to persons or property", she said.