Lee-Yandra Paulsen

Labour lawyer Michael Bagraim is advising South African workers to avoid withdrawing from their retirement savings unless absolutely necessary. This follows the implementation of the Two-Pot Retirement System, which was signed into law in September last year. Since then, over R57 billion has been paid out to more than 3.5 million workers. Bagraim said the system has introduced a positive change, allowing workers limited access to their retirement funds without […]

South Africa continues to grapple with the grim realities of kidnappings and human trafficking, with children often the primary targets. On Tuesday, VOC News welcomed criminologist Bianca van Aswegen from Missing Children South Africa unpacked the disturbing trends, root causes, and how communities can help address this growing crisis. Van Aswegen emphasised that many people still hold the dangerous belief that such crimes won’t affect them. “The misconception we are […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave of absence following serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The commissioner accused Mchunu of political interference in police operations, links to criminal elements, and involvement in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team in KZN. During a national address on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa announced that Professor Firoz Cachalia, from the University of the Witwatersrand, […]

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called for an urgent, independent commission of inquiry into explosive allegations of corruption involving top officials in policing, the judiciary, and correctional services. This comes after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made public claims implicating high-ranking figures, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, in political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS). COSATU’s parliamentary coordinator, […]

Communities in Heideveld and Manenberg are grappling with a concerning rise in crime, as residents report a surge in gun violence believed to be linked to ongoing gang activity. While the exact cause of the recent shootings remains unclear, many locals suspect the violence stems from turf wars between rival gangs. Vanessa Adriaanse, a member of the Heideveld Community Police Forum (CPF), confirmed widespread suspicion of gang involvement. “We don’t […]