By Rachel Mohamed The public service is estimated to lose nearly R4 billion each year due to ghost employees. This figure was presented to Parliament and highlights the extent of systemic fraud currently being investigated by the National Treasury, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), and the Auditor-General
By Rachel Mohamed Deputy President Paul Mashatile is campaigning for the leadership position of the African National Congress (ANC) to become the party president by 2027. However, his campaign has faced setbacks due to a recent investigative report alleging that his two sons have significant connections to companies that benefited
An independent inquiry commissioned by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was released on Tuesday, 16 September 2025. Based on four of the five genocidal acts from the 1948 Geneva Convention, the report finds Israel guilty of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israel has denounced the
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has unveiled the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which uses artificial intelligence to combat corruption. Speaking at the Sun City Tourism Leadership Conference, he explained that the digital platform will automate visa applications, passport verification, and selfie-to-passport matching. Initially, the system will apply to
On the second day of hearings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warned that witnesses in political killings face severe risks, including intimidation, violence, and even assassination. Testifying in Pretoria, he described how fear has driven many witnesses to abandon protection programmes. Mkhwanazi continued his
The National Assembly has approved a motion focused on safeguarding the rights of South African Muslim pilgrims. The proposal, put forward by the Democratic Alliance (DA), seeks to safeguard pilgrims against possible price hikes that could arise from the newly implemented changes to the Hajj industry by the South African
Ayanda Hlatshwayo, National Treasury’s acting chief data analytics officer, has told Parliament that they are using a methodology that links biometric and photo data with the Home Affairs Department to flag officials who do not have valid ID numbers. According to Hlatshwayo, the system detects anomalies in salary and administrative
By Rachel Mohamed Amnesty International South Africa has welcomed the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, which found that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide. Amnesty International South Africa’s Executive Director, Shenilla Mohamed, told VOC News that
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has defended the classification of a report detailing the conduct of police officers during a covert operation to recover thousands of US dollars stolen from the president’s Phala Phala estate. On Monday, the Modimolle Regional Court began the trial of three individuals accused of
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.
