1 hour ago

Thapelo Morena Urges Stronger Defense in Bafana's Afcon Qualifier Against Congo

Bafana Bafana defender Thapelo Morena has called for an improved defensive performance ahead of Friday's crucial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Congo in Gqeberha.

Currently second in Group K with four points from two matches, South Africa needs a solid result to strengthen their campaign. In their opening qualifier against Uganda, defensive errors led to a 2-2 draw, with Thalente Mbatha scoring late to rescue a point. Similar issues occurred against South Sudan, where Bafana also conceded but managed a 2-1 win thanks to another late Mbatha goal.

Morena emphasized the need to eliminate these defensive mistakes and execute a professional performance against Congo.

"The coach has provided us with detailed information about Congo, and we've identified areas for improvement," Morena told Safa media. "The key is to tighten up defensively and capitalize on our chances. We've been strong away, but it's crucial to also perform well at home."

Morena acknowledged that coach Hugo Broos has focused on improving the team's attitude and learning from past mistakes, especially after reviewing their recent AFCON performance.

"We've doubled the number of goals we're conceding since AFCON, and that's something we, as players, need to address to restore hope for South African fans," the Mamelodi Sundowns defender said.

Bafana Bafana's match against Congo will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

1 hour ago

'We Will Be Back': DA Vows to Reclaim Tshwane Before or During 2026 Local Elections

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has pledged to retake the Tshwane Metro following ActionSA's Dr. Nasiphi Moya's victory as mayor with 122 votes.

Dr. Moya triumphed over her former colleague, Cilliers Brink of the DA, who received 86 out of 208 total votes cast. There were no spoiled ballots in the election.

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga emphasized that the fight is not over.

"We're returning to the opposition benches and will launch our 2026 campaign earlier than expected. The people of Tshwane need to hear our message, and we will be preparing to return to government, whether it happens before or during the 2026 elections," said Msimanga.

The Tshwane council is composed of 214 members elected through a mixed-member proportional representation system. The DA aims to regain control of the metro, despite their recent setback.

1 hour ago

Tutuka Power Station Inspector and Brother Arrested for Eskom Copper Cable Theft

A 44-year-old man is set to appear in the Standerton Magistrate's Court on Thursday following his arrest by the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) for stealing copper cables from Eskom.

According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the Hawks' spokesperson in Mpumalanga, the man also faces an additional charge of possession of stolen property.

"The suspect was arrested in connection with the theft of copper cables from Tutuka power station," said Sekgotodi.

The man is the brother of Refilwe Motloung, 36, the principal inspector at Tutuka power station. Motloung was remanded in custody by the Standerton Magistrate's Court on Friday and is scheduled for her next court appearance on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 44-year-old suspect played a significant role in coordinating and escorting trucks involved in the theft of Eskom property. He will join two previously arrested individuals in court on Thursday, raising the total number of arrested suspects to seven. Four more suspects will face charges related to the Standerton case.

Motloung's arrest occurred after a delivery truck owner, responsible for transporting copper cables from Tutuka to Kriel power station, reported being redirected to a farm. The Hawks located Motloung at her residence following a search at the power station. During her arrest, authorities seized an Eskom control register, a removal permit, an Opel Corsa used for escorting the stolen copper, and a cell phone.

Motloung and her brother face charges of theft and are at the center of an ongoing investigation into copper cable theft at Eskom.

1 hour ago

Intense Heatwave Warning Issued for Parts of South Africa

The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a heatwave alert affecting several regions of the country starting Thursday.

Saws forecasts that temperatures will soar in inland areas, with extreme heat expected to last until Monday.

"A heatwave with consistently high temperatures is predicted for the extreme northeastern areas of the Eastern Cape until Sunday. From Friday, the heatwave will extend to Gauteng, parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, eastern Northern Cape, and northwestern KwaZulu-Natal, persisting through at least Monday," the forecaster reported.

Residents in northern Gauteng, western Northern Cape, northeastern Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and central to eastern KwaZulu-Natal are urged to take precautions. Staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities, and protecting oneself from direct sunlight are crucial measures.

Coastal winds will be fresh to strong from the north to northwest, shifting west to southwest along the south coast. By evening, moderate southwesterly winds will prevail north of Lambert's Bay, while northwesterly winds will dominate along the south coast.

The rest of the country can expect partly cloudy to clear skies with warm conditions, while isolated thundershowers are possible along Limpopo's escarpment.

Heatwave Safety Tips:

- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Ensure pets have access to a cool, shaded area and fresh water.
- Avoid direct sunlight when possible.
- Wear appropriate clothing and apply sunscreen.
- Limit outdoor activities, and if necessary, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.