Former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi and three associates allegedly travelled to London aboard a private jet costing R3.5 million, reportedly failing to declare the trip as a gift in breach of municipal rules. Within a year of that flight, fellow passenger and pharmacist Dineo Seletswane secured a R10-million fuel-supply contract from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Both Mashazi and Seletswane, along with co-passenger Dr Tebogo Maleka, have declined to provide straightforward answers regarding who footed the bill, with Mashazi insisting the outing was nothing more than a "private social event" with no conflict of interest.
Meanwhile, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has halted evacuation operations for South African nationals stuck in various parts of the Middle East after Iranian missile strikes forced airspace closures across the region. A number of South African citizens — including travellers transiting through Dubai and religious pilgrims in Mecca — find themselves stranded amid mass flight cancellations, facing rising costs and deepening anxiety. Several South Africans in the UAE have described witnessing missile impacts and receiving emergency alerts, with many pleading for government intervention to bring them home.
In a landmark financial penalty, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority has slapped former Steinhoff head of treasury Stehan Grobler with a R358.75-million fine for spreading false, misleading or deceptive information through the company's financial statements. The FSCA investigation covered the financial years from 2014 to the first half of 2017, finding that Steinhoff's accounts contained material misstatements or omissions during that period. Grobler, who departed the retail giant in 2018, is currently out on bail and is due in court again in May to face a separate criminal fraud case linked to the group.
Controversial former British intelligence operative Paul O'Sullivan has been called back before a parliamentary committee this week after walking out of a hearing last Thursday. He received an "invitation" to return on 5 March to continue providing testimony on alleged criminal infiltration of South Africa's justice system, with a formal summons prepared should he refuse to appear voluntarily.
Three senior officials from the national Department of Health were arrested on Monday morning in connection with a corruption investigation involving fraud and theft. The probe centres on allegations that more than R1 million was irregularly directed to a service provider, and all three are expected to appear before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
On the sporting front, the Lions captured the SA Shield title for the first time with a composed 24-10 victory over the Stormers, whose losing streak extended to three matches, prompting coach John Dobson to apologise to fans. The Bulls also impressed with a dominant 41-12 dismantling of the Sharks, showcasing the disciplined structure brought by coach Johan Ackermann. In motoring news, Janine van der Post discussed the arrival of Lepas — a Chinese car manufacturer entering the South African market with its L4 SUV launching in March 2026 — while AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede commented on the Chery crash test safety findings and Brad Binder previewed the 2026 MotoGP season.
