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Here’s your daily news update for Thursday, 29 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Picture: iStock / The Citizen / Cheryl Kahla
In the news today, Joshlin Smith’s mother Racquel “Kelly” Smith and her accomplices, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, have been sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking.
Meanwhile, hundreds of young women have contacted authorities with information about two suspects who were previously arrested on separate charges before being linked to Olorato Mongale’s death.
Furthermore, the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%.
Weather tomorrow: 30 May 2025
A yellow level 2 warning remains for damaging coastal waves, while inland provinces like Free State and North West enjoy fine and cool conditions on Friday. Full weather forecast here.
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Joshlin Smith sentencing: Kelly and co-accused handed life sentences
Judge Nathan Erasmus has sentenced Joshlin Smith’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, along with her accomplices, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, to life in prison for human trafficking.
They also received 10 years for kidnapping. The three returned to the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha on Thursday.
Earlier this month, Judge Nathan Erasmus found the three guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. Six-year-old Joshlin disappeared from the family’s home in Saldanha Bay on 19 February 2024.
CONTINUE READING: Joshlin Smith sentencing: Kelly and co-accused handed life sentences
Olorato’s alleged killers out on bail and on the run, as hundreds of women come forward
The South African Police Service (Saps) has revealed that hundreds of young women have contacted authorities with information about two suspects who were previously arrested on separate charges before being linked to Olorato Mongale’s death.
This follows the recent addition of a third suspect to the murder case of the 30-year-old student.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Bongani Mthimkhulu, a friend of one of the primary suspects, is now wanted in connection with Mongale’s murder.
Mathe revealed that Bongani Mthimkhulu and Phila Makhanya were arrested last month, on 20 April, on charges of kidnapping and robbery in the Brockbunny area.
CONTINUE READING: Olorato’s alleged killers out on bail and on the run, as hundreds of women come forward
Reserve Bank cuts repo rate thanks to lower inflation, stronger rand
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, thanks to a lower-than-expected inflation rate and a stronger-than-expected rand.
Announcing the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) this afternoon, South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Lesetja Kganyago said global economic conditions have been volatile since the last MPC meeting in March.
“Higher tariffs on imports into the US have been announced, but then partly reversed. US assets have sold off, while alternative safe havens, such as gold and the euro, performed well.”
CONTINUE READING: Reserve Bank cuts repo rate thanks to lower inflation, stronger rand
Gauteng education announces 2026 school admission dates: Here is what you need
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has officially announced the dates for the 2026 online admissions for Grade 1 and Grade 8 pupils.
This was announced on Thursday by Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, during a media briefing at Greenside High School in Johannesburg.
The application window will open on Thursday, 24 July 2025, at 8am and close on Friday, 29 August 2025, at midnight. According to the department, all applications must be submitted via the GDE Online Admissions System.
Parents are urged to apply within the designated period to avoid limited school choices. It further highlighted that school capacities fill quickly.
CONTINUE READING: Gauteng education announces 2026 school admission dates: Here is what you need
R&B is alive and well: Sasha Keable and GoldLink join festival line-up in South Africa
The notion that Rhythm and Blues (R&B) is dying stems from the fact that the genre is no longer as prominent as it was in the 1990s.
However, organisers of the music concert Once Upon A Time Joburg say the genre is alive and well, as they announced UK singer Sasha Keable and US rap singer GoldLink to their lineup for this year’s edition.
“We’ve heard that narrative — that R&B is dying — but it doesn’t reflect what we’re seeing on the ground,” Once Upon A Time Joburg founder Onye Iheukwumere, tells The Citizen.
Once Upon a Time in Joburg is a locally owned live music mini-concert festival, organised by Dr Bird Productions. The concert has a strong focus on R&B and Neo-Soul.
CONTINUE READING: Gauteng education announces 2026 school admission dates: Here is what you need
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Bafana’s Broos – I can’t select Chiefs players
- WATCH: What happened when City Power cut illegal connections in Alex
- 1 police vehicle and 30 officers sharing 4 cellphones: Cape Town’s crime struggle
- EFF files urgent interdict to stop proposed fuel levy hike
- ‘Monument of corruption’: More suspects in court for Kimberley mental hospital scandal
Yesterday’s News recap
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