Husbands can now assume wives’ surnames, apex court rules
The Constitutional Court has ruled that men may now legally assume their wives’ surnames after marriage, ending a practice rooted in patriarchal norms.
Lifestyle
Local
Thabo Bester and Nandipha cry prejudice over Netflix documentary
Convicted murderer Thabo Bester and his partner Nandipha Magudumana want to block the release of the Thabo Bester Netflix documentary, claiming it will prejudice their ongoing court case.
Crime
Watch: Daughter goes on epic rant after Chinese mom gets 20 years for trafficking [video]
Nancy Xiao says her mother, one of seven Chinese nationals jailed for human trafficking, is not the real mastermind, claiming the true “big boss” is still free in South Africa.
News
‘Ms Mokoena’ takes DCS to court over rights to wear makeup and women’s clothes in prison
Nthabiseng Mokoena, a transgender inmate, is taking the Department of Correctional Services to court for refusing her gender-affirming healthcare and the right to wear makeup and women’s clothes.
Crime
Who is Umar Akbar? – ISIS cell arrested in Johannesburg has a checkered history
Alleged ISIS member Umar Akbar was arrested in Johannesburg with stolen goods, but his long history of terror-related cases in South Africa shows a pattern of arrests that never materialised into convictions.
Crime
Watch: Donna Adelson courtroom outburst after being convicted for plotting son-in-law’s murder
A Florida jury has found Donna Adelson guilty of orchestrating the 2014 murder of her son-in-law, Dan Markel, prompting an emotional courtroom outburst from the 75-year-old.
News
HPCSA places lifetime ban on serial sex offender, Dr Gregory Hough
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has permanently banned Dr Gregory Hough from practicing medicine after multiple sexual assault complaints, but the disgraced doctor is challenging the decision in court.
Crime
Former police sergeant and co-accused denied bail in insurance murders case
The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to former police officer Rachel Kutumela, her sister Anna Shokane and daughter Florah Shokane in the Rachel Kutumela insurance murder case.
Crime
Senzo Meyiwa trial watch: Judgement on Accused 4’s discharge application expected today
The Pretoria High Court is expected to deliver judgement today on accused number four, Mthokoziseni Maphisa’s request to be discharged in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
International
US appeals court declares Donald Trump tariffs illegal
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are illegal, setting the stage for a possible Supreme Court battle over his trade policies.
Crime
Judge rules Amber Lee Hughes planned to murder Nada-Jane Challita
Amber Lee Hughes has been convicted by the Gauteng High Court of raping and murdering four-year-old Nada-Jane Challita, with sentencing set for October.
News
Equality Court finds Julius Malema guilty of hate speech
Julius Malema has been found guilty of hate speech by the Equality Court in Cape Town following statements he made at a 2022 rally.
Local
Nandipha Magudumana’s father appears in Thabo Bester Netflix documentary
Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana have filed an urgent court application to stop Netflix from releasing its upcoming documentary, ‘Beauty and the Bester’, which features an interview with Magudumana’s father.
International
Drake reportedly at odds with ex-pornstar baby mother over co-parenting dispute
Drake and Sophie Brussaux were seen in Toronto family court, where Sophie reportedly told a judge she is struggling financially while accusing the rapper of traveling abroad with their son Adonis without her permission.
Viral
Menendez brothers suffer setback in parole bid
Lyle and Erik Menendez, known as the Menendez brothers, were both denied parole this week after more than 30 years in prison for the murders of their parents.
Crime
Katiso Molefe, accused in DJ Sumbody murder, denied bail
Sandton businessman Katiso Molefe, accused of organising the 2022 murder of DJ Sumbody, has been denied bail by the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.
News
Limpopo court freezes school nutrition tender contracts over alleged fraud
The Limpopo High Court has stopped companies from carrying out school nutrition tenders after serious concerns were raised about how the contracts were awarded.
News
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla 2021 July unrest trial date set
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla will stand trial in November 2025 for her alleged role in the deadly 2021 July unrest, after the Durban High Court confirmed the case is ready to proceed.
Crime
Joshlin Smith case: Lourentia Lombaard gets immunity, court throws out defence’s leave to appeal conviction
Section 204 witness Lourentia Lombaard has been granted immunity in the Joshlin Smith case, while a Western Cape High Court judge refused the defence’s bid to appeal the convictions of three accused.
Crime
Gauteng SAPS crime intelligence head due in court on graft charges
Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and six senior SAPS officers return to court over allegations of irregular appointments and bypassed vetting processes in the Crime Intelligence division.
Crime
Watch live: Joshlin Smith leave for appeal case continues on Day 2
The second day of arguments in the Joshlin Smith case leave to appeal is underway, with the defence set to finish submissions before the State responds and the court rules on both the appeal and a key witness’s immunity.
Crime
Joshlin Smith leave for appeal: We broke down what went down on Day 1
Day 1 of the appeal confirmed that while convictions may stand on paper, the battle over this case is far from over. Inside the court, legal teams are fighting for the future of three convicted individuals. Outside, the search for a little girl — and the truth — continues.
Crime
Joshlin Smith appeal hangs in the balance as defence attacks court’s application of the law
Day one of the leave to appeal in the Joshlin Smith case saw defence lawyers accuse the court of procedural errors and coercion, while arguments for a key witness’s immunity were also heard.
Crime
Amantle Semane killer intends to plead guilty, court hears
Nearly a year after the brutal killing of six-year-old Amantle Semane in Soweto, the accused, Phethe Simiao, has told the Johannesburg high court he plans to plead guilty to kidnapping, rape, and murder.
Crime
Iain Wares: Frail child sex abuser loses bid to throw out child abuse charges
Iain Wares, the 86-year-old former teacher accused of sexually abusing boys in South Africa and the UK, has lost his bid to have local charges dismissed, paving the way for his extradition to Scotland where he faces 74 more charges.
Crime
Eldorado Park parents return to court with charges upgraded to murder of their four-year-old daughter
The Eldorado Park parents accused of abusing their four-year-old child are back in court today, now facing upgraded charges of murder after the little girl died in hospital.
Crime
Watch live: Joshlin Smith case returns to court as mom and co-accused launch appeal
The Joshlin Smith case is back in the Western Cape High Court today as Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn try to overturn their convictions and life sentences for child trafficking and kidnapping.
Crime
Eldorado Park parents in court for attempted murder of four-year-old daughter
A four-year-old girl is in critical condition after an alleged assault in Eldorado Park. Her parents are due in court facing attempted murder charges.
Crime
Senzo Meyiwa trial watch: Defence kicks off its case with a discharge application
The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumes with the defence applying for a Section 174 discharge, arguing the State has not provided enough evidence to justify continuing the case.
Crime
DJ Sumbody murder case: State fighting tooth and nail to keep Katiso Molefe behind bars
Katiso Molefe appeared in court where the state opposed bail, arguing that the man accused of DJ Sumbody’s murder is a flight risk with ties to multiple killings.