Founder of @propublicaSA is @tebogokhaas

HAWKS SECURE ADDITIONAL ARREST FOR R160 000 FRAUD The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) in Phalaborwa has arrested a 33-year-old suspect for theft and fraud, linked to a case involving R160 000.00. It is alleged that a woman applied for a loan at a bank in Namakgale on 11 January 2021, using a forged salary advice. The figures were inflated to qualify for a higher amount. The bank then approved a loan of R150 000.00 and an access facility of R10 000.00. After the funds were deposited, the money was allegedly transferred to other accounts, including R33 000.00 and R78 000.00 to two beneficiaries. The matter was reported to the Hawks. An intensive investigation was conducted by the SCCI team in Phalaborwa, and the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). A warrant of arrest (J50) was authorised. On 26 October 2026, the suspect handed himself over to the police. The warrant was executed, and he was charged accordingly. The suspect is expected to make his first appearance before the Namakgale Magistrates’ Court on 27 October 2026. The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, applauded the investigating team for the additional arrest and the excellent work done.

HONOURED AND GRATEFUL FOR THIS RECOGNITION Thank you Public Interest SA for the Whistleblower Champion Award 2026. We at @TaxJustice_SA are deeply honoured to receive the recognition. We will continue to expose crime and corruption, fighting the illicit trade, promoting accountability and standing up for the public interest. Through Tax Justice SA and as the founder, be assured that we will continue to highlight the devastating impact of the illicit trade and other illegal activities on our economy, our communities and the country as a whole. Speaking out against wrongdoing is not always easy. It often means confronting powerful interests, challenging the status quo and shining a light on issues that some would prefer to keep hidden. But it is necessary. Silence is not an option when the future of our country is at stake. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue asking difficult questions, exposing wrongdoing and demanding accountability. We must protect those who speak out, support whistleblowers and build a society where integrity, transparency and justice prevail. Out thanks to everyone who continues to support this work and stands alongside us in the fight against crime and corruption. The fight continues. We must never stop speaking out, and we must never stop holding those in power accountable. #WhistleblowersAwards2026 @propublicaSA

And congratulations to all the other award recipients. @SAPoliceService

And the @NPA_Prosecutes

Congratulations @pule_jones Well deserved.

Fallen Heroes of Integrity Awards @propublicaSA The first award recipients of the night were honoured posthumously as we remembered the whistleblowers and witnesses who lost their lives for speaking up. This year’s Fallen Heroes of Integrity Awards were presented in honour of: Mpho Mafole, Ekurhuleni Municipality Frans Mathipa, DPCI Martha Rantsofu, Emfuleni Municipality They paid the highest price for doing what was right. We honour their courage and their legacy, and we keep their families in our thoughts. 🕯️ Honouring Courage. Inspiring Integrity. #WhistleblowersAwards2026 #HonouringCourage #InspiringIntegrity #PublicInterestSA

Biccard and Stiemens Streets..

TRAFFIC DISRUPTION: M1 FREEWAY CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AT SMIT STREET (JOHANNESBURG CBD/ BRAAMFONTEIN @JoburgMPD The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) advises motorists of severe traffic disruptions currently taking place in the Johannesburg CBD and surrounding areas due to ongoing protest action by members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) regarding wage disputes. There's a complete road closure in both directions on the M1 Freeway north and southbound at the Smit Street off-ramps and on-ramps (Braamfontein / Joburg CBD area). Heavy traffic congestion and severe delays are expected along the M1 corridor. JMPD officers have been deployed to the affected area to manage traffic flow, direct vehicles safely away from the protest, and monitor the situation. Active diversions are currently in place. Motorists travelling towards or through the CBD are urged to avoid the M1 around the Braamfontein interchange and consider using alternative routes: Motorists travelling southbound on the M1 from Sandton or Rosebank are advised to divert off at Empire Road or Jan Smuts Avenue and proceed via Parktown into outer CBD routes. Those travelling northbound on the M1 from Booysens or the South should divert via Booysens Road or join the M2 East / Joe Slovo Drive to bypass the CBD core. Additionally, east-west commuters are encouraged to utilise the M2 Highway, M11 (Victoria Avenue / Joubert Park), or the N1 Western Bypass to clear the central district entirely.  Motorists are advised to approach all diversions with caution and obey instructions given by traffic officers on the scene. Expect significant delays during peak travel hours and allow for extra travel time.

On 25 October 2026, members of the Tshwane Metro Police Department’s Drug Unit arrested a 58‑year‑old man in Olievenhoutbosch for dealing in heroin. During a routine patrol in the area, TMPD members observed a suspicious adult male and conducted a search. The suspect was found in possession of 48 wraps of heroin. The suspect was arrested and detained at a local police station on charges of possession and dealing in drugs. TMPD commends the team for their continued efforts in arresting drug dealers. @TMPDSafety

Does anyone recognise this lady? She is currently at Pretoria Central Police Stations and, unfortunately, appears to have lost her memory. She is unable to recall her name or where she lives. If anyone recognises her or can help us identify her family, please get in touch with the station so we can reunite her with her loved ones.

INFORMATION REGULATOR FINES CJC AND FNB R1.5 MILLION FOR POPIA VIOLATIONS The Information Regulator has fined Central Johannesburg TVET College (CJC) R500,000 and First National Bank (FNB) R1 million for contraventions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). 🔴 Central Johannesburg TVET College: The college was fined after failing to comply fully with an enforcement notice relating to the unlawful sharing of personal information belonging to three individuals. Failures included not properly reporting a data breach, failing to develop a POPIA compliance framework and delays in issuing an apology to the complainants. 🔴 First National Bank: The bank was fined following an assessment triggered by reports of customer information being exposed through its digital home loan application platform. The Regulator identified shortcomings in the bank’s handling of repeated security incidents, safeguards against unauthorised access and governance around the retention of personal information. The Regulator found that FNB’s failure to implement the required security safeguards constituted an offence under POPIA. Organisations have a legal responsibility to protect personal information. Failure to do so, or to comply with regulatory directives, can result in significant financial penalties. The Information Regulator has urged public and private institutions to strengthen data security, improve compliance programmes and ensure that Information Officers fulfil their statutory responsibilities.

The M1 at this hour…

Missing

UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY — UPDATE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 26 OCTOBER 2026 | 16h15 UPDATE: M1 FREEWAY REOPENED FOLLOWING DISPERSAL OF PROTEST ACTION AT SMIT STREET (JOHANNESBURG CBD / BRAAMFONTEIN) The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) informs motorists that Public Order Policing (POP) units were deployed to the M1 freeway near the Smit Street on- and off-ramps in Braamfontein, where they successfully dispersed the protesting crowds. Earlier today, members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) engaged in protest action regarding ongoing wage disputes. Demonstrators marched onto the M1 freeway, forcing a total closure in both directions at the Smit Street on- and off-ramps near Braamfontein. The blockade caused severe back-ups along the main north-south arterial corridor, impacting travel into and out of the Johannesburg CBD. All lanes on the M1 northbound and southbound have now been reopened to traffic. While the road is clear, residual congestion remains in the Braamfontein precinct and surrounding CBD routes. JMPD officers remain on site to monitor the area and ease traffic flow. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution as residual delays clear. @JoburgMPD

MMISSING PERSON: FATIMA ARENDSE, 38 Fatima was last seen near Shack in Cape Town on Sunday, 25 October 2026. She is approximately 165cm tall, slim, with long black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a black dress and had a cardigan with her. 📞 Anyone with information is urged to contact 071 491 9090. Please share to help find Fatima. #MissingPersonSouthAfrica

NPA SECURES CONVICTIONS OF THREE PUBLIC ORDER POLICE OFFICIALS FOR ASSAULT JAN KEMPDORP, NORTHERN CAPE – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured the conviction and sentencing of three South African Police Service (SAPS) Public Order Police (POPS) officials in the Jan Kempdorp District Court for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, read with the doctrine of common purpose. The convictions follow a protracted trial arising from an incident that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic on 10 November 2020. Each accused was sentenced to a fine of R8 000 or eight months’ imprisonment, of which R6 000 or six months’ imprisonment was wholly suspended for four years, on condition that they are not convicted of the same offence committed during the period of suspension. The charges stem from an incident in which the complainant was at the N18 bus stop in Jan Kempdorp with his partner, younger brother and a friend, waiting for transport to Pampierstad. A marked SAPS Public Order Police vehicle stopped near them, and one of the officials allegedly indicated that only women would be allowed into the vehicle. When one of the officials allegedly grabbed the complainant’s partner and her bag, the complainant intervened. The group, concerned about the circumstances, took photographs and videos of the police vehicle. Upon noticing this, the officials allegedly returned and demanded the complainant’s cellphone. When he refused to hand it over, he was assaulted. The complainant testified that he was slapped, punched and kicked by the officials until he lost consciousness and sustained injuries. The officials subsequently left the scene. The complainant reported the incident to the police and sought medical attention. During the trial, he identified the accused through an identification parade and again in court. All three accused pleaded not guilty and disputed the allegations. At the close of the State’s case, they applied for a discharge, but the court dismissed their applications. Two of the accused elected to close their cases without testifying, while the second accused testified in his own defence. The State maintained that the evidence presented proved the case against all three accused. During sentencing proceedings, the defence asked the court for leniency, citing the accused persons’ personal circumstances and their employment as police officials. The defence further requested that the court not declare them unfit to possess firearms and sought non-custodial sentences, given the nature of their work. District Court Prosecutor Tsholofelo Mhiko argued that assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was prevalent within the court’s jurisdiction and emphasised that members of the public expect police officials to protect them, not subject them to violence. Mhiko further submitted that the seriousness of the offence was aggravated by the fact that it occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country was facing exceptional public health challenges. She argued that the accused had acted contrary to their oath of office and violated the complainant’s constitutional right to freedom and security of the person. In imposing sentence, the court expressed its disappointment at the conduct of the accused, particularly given their profession and the public’s expectation that police officials will uphold the law and protect members of the community. The NPA reiterates that no one is above the law, including those entrusted with enforcing it. Police officials are expected to uphold the Constitution, respect the rights of members of the public and exercise their authority within the confines of the law. Where law-enforcement officials abuse their authority and commit criminal offences, they will be held accountable through the criminal justice system. @NPA_Prosecutes

SUSPENDED PRETORIA CHIEF MAGISTRATE PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN HIS BOSASA LINKED TRIAL The Suspended Pretoria Chief Magistrate, Desmond Nair, appeared before the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on charges of corruption. He pleaded not guilty to all charges levelled against him. The trial commenced with the state leading it’s evidence in chief through it’s first witness who was an employee of a BOSASA subsidiary, providing evidence on the alleged installations of security upgrades at the accused’ home. Nair is facing charges of corruption for allegedly receiving security upgrades, valued at approximately R200 000 to his Gauteng home, provided by African Global Operations, formerly known as BOSASA in September 2016. The upgrades include an electric fence, alarm system, perimeter beams and CCTV system. The gratification was allegedly offered and received by Nair in order for him to act in a dishonest or improper manner in his influential position as the officer of the judiciary. The matter was adjourned to 27 October 2026 for further trial.

#WhistleBlowerAwards2026 @propublicaSA

SUSPECT TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR MURDER OF A POLICE OFFICIAL A 32-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the George Magistrates’ Court, on 27 October 2026, following the murder of a 44-year-old police sergeant who was found with a stab wound in Pacaltsdorp, George. It is reported that on Sunday, 25 October 2026, members attended a crime scene in Hedge Road, Pacaltsdorp, where a neighbour found the victim with a stab wound to his chest. The suspect, who is the victim’s girlfriend, was seen leaving the victim’s house. An investigation led to the arrest of the girlfriend. The police officer was off duty at the time of his death.