The Week That Was | 24 Oct 2025
JOHANNESBURG - Umkhonto Wesizwe Party announces new top leader, a group of pupils from Milnerton High School in Cape Town in court for assaulting a fellow Grade 10 pupil. These are some of the stories which made headlines this week.
YENGENI DEFECTS FROM ANC TO MKP
The Umkhonto Wesizwe Party has a new top leader. Former ANC NEC member Tony Yengeni has been announced as its second deputy president. Party president Jacob Zuma says Yengeni’s appointment strengthens the MKP's leadership. Yengeni will handle party affairs, while the party's first deputy president, John Hlope, will focus on parliamentary work.
PROBE AFTER ASSAULT VIDEO AT CAPE TOWN SCHOOL
A disturbing video of a bullying incident at a Cape Town school circulating on social media has sparked outrage. The video shows a group of pupils from Milnerton High School in Cape Town assaulting a fellow Grade 10 pupil. Six schoolboys who appeared in court on Thursday morning were granted R2,000 bail each, while two others were released on a warning. They are all charged with assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm after bullying a 16-year-old fellow pupil.
MCHUNU GRILLED AT AD-HOC COMMITTEE
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was questioned by Parliament's ad hoc committee into interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. Mchunu says he has never interfered in the work of the police. He further stated that the disbanding of the political killings task team was a political intervention, not reliant on legislation. Mchunu again denied any connections to Brown Mogotsi and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mchunu says he only knows Mogotsi as a comrade and insists he has never met Matlala.
CELE FACES THE MUSIC IN PARLIAMENT
Mchunu's successor, Bheki Cele, also appeared this week before Parliament's ad hoc committee. Cele says he's never received tenders from the state or money from alleged underworld kingpin Matlala. He says his relationship with Matlala was purely personal and not linked to any business or financial dealings. The former minister also said that the SAPS became a mess after he was removed as National Police Commissioner in 2012. He says this was a deliberate move to weaken the police service. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has retracted parts of the statement he made to the SAPS Ad Hoc Committee. He had alleged that Cele provided bank details to the notorious Vusi “Cat” Matlala through a third party.
ALLEGED KINGPIN FACING ADDITIONAL CHARGES
Alleged Big 5 cartel member, Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, will be facing additional charges. This was revealed in the High Court in Johannesburg, where he appealed the Alexandra Magistrates' Court decision to deny him bail. Matlala is accused of ordering a hit on his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane. He's also implicated in the R2-billion looting of Tembisa Hospital and a key figure in the attempt to disband the Political Killings Task Team.
LIGHTS OUT FOR AMAPANYAZA
Gauteng's controversial Crime Prevention Wardens will soon be disbanded. The wardens, known as Amapanyaza, have faced ongoing controversy over their legitimacy and role in law enforcement. Critics say the wardens lack proper training and authority compared to police officers. Now, the Amapanyaza are set to undergo training as part of their reassignment. They will be formally placed under the Gauteng traffic department to serve as Traffic Wardens. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi insists the unit is legal, established out of necessity.