Kouthar Sambo, Author at Voice of the Cape

Education experts question what the outcomes of the Western Cape pass rate truly mean for the province

Following celebrations over the record pass rate for the 2025 Matric exams, education analysts are calling for a closer look at what these outcomes really signify for the Western Cape. While high pass rates are often seen as evidence of effective education delivery, analysts are questioning whether the figures can be misleading. Speaking to VOC News, Professor Mbulu Madiba, Dean of the Faculty of Education and a teacher and an […]

28 January 2026

Featured

A self-identified preacher in Kenya will face charges concerning an additional 52 deaths

Prosecutors have announced that a self-identified preacher in Kenya, linked to a notorious starvation cult responsible for more than 400 deaths, will face charges related to an additional 52 deaths in a separate village. The incident, which attracted international attention in 2023, involved hundreds of deaths in what has been termed the “Shakahola Forest Massacre.” The event, considered one of the deadliest cult-related disasters, occurred in forests near the Kenyan […]

28 January 2026

Cape Town

Day 45 of Madlanga Commission of Inquiry – what to expect

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry resumed its public hearings on Monday morning. President Cyril Ramaphosa established the commission in 2025 to investigate allegations of corruption within the Gauteng criminal justice system. The claims were disclosed by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July. Speaking to VOC News, organised crime expert Chad Thomas explained the current state of affairs. “I didn’t think we could be any more shocked than we already […]

27 January 2026

Featured

Asya Andrabi, along with other Kashmiri prisoners of conscience, has been in detention for eight years without trial

Amid ongoing aggression in Kashmir, with Indian troops occupying certain areas, Kashmiri leader Asya Andrabi, along with other Kashmiri prisoners of conscience, has been in detention for eight years without trial. Speaking to VOC News, Chairman of the South African Kashmir Action Group (SAKAG), Salman Khan, said that since 2019, activists have been detained from their homes and taken away from their families without any information about their whereabouts. “Andrabi […]

27 January 2026

Cape Town

The City’s law enforcement agencies apprehended over 400 individuals last week

The City's law enforcement agencies apprehended over 400 individuals last week and imposed over 97,100 fines. The City’s JP Smith described the steep increase in the number of arrests as notable for enforcement agencies, while also noting the “payday phenomenon.” "Drunk driving arrests in the past week accounted for nearly 21% of all those who ended up in custody. Road accidents also increased for the first time in several weeks. […]

26 January 2026

Featured

Civil society groups calls upon President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene to protect the life of hunger striker Umer Khalid

Healthcare Workers for Palestine (HCW4P) and Global South Against Xenophobia (GSAX), together with other civil society organisations, have issued a statement urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene to protect the life of hunger striker Umer Khalid. Khalid has been on a hunger strike for 14 consecutive days and, as of 24 January 2026, has escalated his protest to a dry fast, refusing both food and water. The organisations condemned the […]

26 January 2026

Featured

Local reports alleges that Mosques and madrassahs in Kashmir are being “targeted”

Recent reports indicate that the Kashmir government has requested all mosques to submit information regarding their imams. The move has raised concerns among local communities, who view it as a measure that unfairly targets mosques and innocent Kashmiris. Speaking to VOC News, Southeast Asia analyst and Kashmiri activist Salman Khan said authorities have conducted searches at mosques across the region and that many moulanas have experienced harassment at their homes. […]

16 January 2026

Cape Town

UUCSA commissions a national survey of the Muslim community to better understand the challenges in the community

The United Ulema Council of South Africa (UUCSA) has initiated a nationwide survey of the Muslim community to gain deeper insights into the realities, challenges, and aspirations of Muslims throughout the communities. Speaking to VOC News, Moulana Sulaiman Ravat, Deputy Secretary General of UUCSA, mentioned that the survey aims to engage at the grassroots level and connect with the genuine feelings within the community. “The survey is meant to get […]

15 January 2026

Featured

Two Zimbabwean male nationals were arrested for facilitating the illegal movement of 33 undocumented minors across the border

Early reports indicate that 33 undocumented minors apprehended at the Beitbridge Border Post are now under the supervision of the Department of Social Development. The Border Management Authority (BMA) confirmed that the children, aged between four and 15, were discovered in a vehicle travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. Speaking to VOC News, BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said two Zimbabwean male nationals were arrested for […]

15 January 2026

Kouthar

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