A recent report by a background screening provider has raised fresh concerns about learner safety in South African schools. Nearly 3% of school staff screened between March 2024 and February 2025 were found to have criminal records—including for violent and sexual offences. Speaking on VOC’s PM Drive, NAPTOSA Executive Director
President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the progress of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), which has created vital job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young South Africans—particularly in underserved communities. In his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa confirmed that around 200,000 youth began working in schools on 2 June as
By Rachel Mohamed Yagyah Adams, Chairperson of the City of Cape Town’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), is facing allegations of concealing fraud and waste amounting to R120 million. It is claimed that Adams covered up financial mismanagement, assisted family members in obtaining government tenders, and inflated costs for local
The community of Lavender Hill is set to host a special Child Protection Initiative this Thursday, 5 June. The initiative brings together local schools, organisations, and children to champion the safety and well-being of the area’s youth. The event, which takes place during National Child Protection Week, will feature a
Two suspects are scheduled to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on allegations of human trafficking. According to Siyabulela Vukubi, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (commonly known as the Hawks), they received information about a possible trafficking victim being held against her will at a
The City of Cape Town has revised its proposed ‘Invested in Hope’ Budget for the 2025/26 financial year following mounting public pressure and criticism over proposed increases in municipal bills. One of the most contentious elements was the initial decision to link property values to utility fees, sparking fears of
Following the verdict that Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn have each been sentenced to life in prison over the disappearance of Smith’s young daughter, Joslin, Shaheda Omar, the Director of the Teddy Bear Clinic, told VOC News the sentence serves multiple purposes, including public assurance. “The sentences
Economist Raymond Parsons said the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee made the right decision by resuming its interest rate-easing cycle. On Thursday, the committee announced a 25-basis point reduction in interest rates. As a result, the prime lending rate drops to 10.75 percent and the repo rate
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee is expected to announce its latest decision on the repo rate today. The rate currently stands at 7.5%, following a pause in March after three consecutive cuts. Speaking on VOC’s NewBeat show, Professor Waldo Krugell, an Economics Professor at North-West University, shared
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
