Here’s your daily news update for Friday, 19 September 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
In the news today, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has informed the Madlanga commission what led to the breakdown in his relationship with former police minister Bheki Cele.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to douse the flames of controversy over his instruction to ANC councillors to learn from the DA.
Furthermore, Sibusiso Zitha has escaped a life sentence for the murder of his partner, celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape, known as the “Pastry Princess”.
Weather tomorrow: 20 September 2025
The South African Weather Service has warned that severe winds could threaten coastal regions, while extreme fire danger grips three provinces. Full weather forecast here.
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Dodgy calls and shielding officials? – Mkhwanazi’s shocking claim against Bheki Cele
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has informed the Madlanga commission what led to the breakdown in his relationship with former police minister Bheki Cele.
On Friday, Mkhwanazi continued with this testimony, where he accused Cele of attempting to interfere with an investigation and subsequent disciplinary hearing against Major General Feroz Khan, who heads the Counter-Intelligence and Security Intelligence division.
Mkhwanazi said while investigations into Khan were ongoing and before the matter sat for a hearing, Cele called him to say that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had approached him to help fight crime in the province.
Cele’s call was mainly to request that Mkhwanazi release district commander Major General Jabu Khumalo to Gauteng.
“My surprise was, but when General Cele was in the police, he did not like General Khumalo. He didn’t like him at all. Now that he’s out of the police, why does he trust Khumalo to come and work with him in Gauteng? It was just strange,” Mkhwanazi said.
CONTINUE READING: Dodgy calls and shielding officials? – Mkhwanazi’s shocking claim against Bheki Cele
Ramaphosa makes admission over ‘copy the DA’ comments
President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to douse the flames of controversy over his instruction to ANC councillors to learn from the DA.
His remarks at an ANC roll call meeting on Monday sparked debate, with some analysts saying he had admitted that DA municipalities are better run.
However, three days later, Ramaphosa said not everything the DA does in its municipality is perfect. Ramaphosa admitted that he should have explained his position on this matter more comprehensively when he met with councillors.
“I should have talked about the full equation. The full equation is that there are compliance issues and there are the transformative issues. Both need to go hand in hand, and when I made the example, I should have made a comprehensive one,” said Ramaphosa.
CONTINUE READING: Ramaphosa makes admission over ‘copy the DA’ comments
Thembekile Letlape murder: Pastry Princess’ killer avoids life sentence
Sibusiso Zitha has escaped a life sentence for the murder of his partner, celebrity chef Thembekile Letlape, known as the “Pastry Princess”.
On Friday, the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg handed Zitha a 15-year prison term.
Letlape — the daughter of ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape — was fatally stabbed by Zitha at her residence in Fourways, Johannesburg, more than a year ago, in the presence of their 10-year-old child.
CONTINUE READING: Thembekile Letlape murder: Pastry Princess’ killer avoids life sentence
Newborn baby’s body found discarded, legs allegedly consumed by dogs
Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions which may be upsetting or triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
A woman’s daily work duties were disrupted by the gruesome discovery of a lifeless newborn baby’s body on the side of the road in Mt Moriah, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), on Friday morning.
At around 7.50am, defence company Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) received a call informing them of what the woman had stumbled upon on Idolifiya Road.
“She stated that she was engaged in cleaning duties when she discovered a bag containing a t-shirt stained with blood and bank statements discarded on the side of the road,” Rusa said in a statement on Facebook. However, another bag about 2m away revealed a more sinister situation. The bag contained a fully developed female foetus, Rusa said.
CONTINUE READING: Newborn baby’s body found discarded, legs allegedly consumed by dogs
Samro chairperson Nicholas Maweni resigns a week after musicians storm press briefing
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has accepted the resignation of its chairperson, Nicholas Maweni.
Friday’s statement from Samro said Maweni, who was with the organisation for seven years, was at the helm during a challenging period.
“He took on the challenge of leading this organisation during a difficult period and, through his unwavering commitment to good governance and his strategic vision, delivered remarkable results,” said Vice Chairperson and Lead Independent Director of SAMRO Sisa Mayekiso in a statement.
Maweni’s resignation comes a week after disgruntled musicians, who are members of Samro, disrupted a press conference held by the Samro board headed by Maweni, to address some of the controversies at the organisation.
CONTINUE READING: Samro chairperson Nicholas Maweni resigns a week after musicians storm press briefing
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Serial rapist receives five life sentences for terrorising Limpopo villages
- Mkhwanazi: ‘Brown Mogotsi knew about task team disbandment and 121 dockets before me’
- City Power warns of fake staff targeting Joburg homes
- Nafiz Modack gets 10-year sentence for bribing police officer
- Mercedes-Benz recalls 102 cars due to steering wheel issue
