MDN News

03/09/2026

Sharpeville massacre victims’ families take state to court for justice and compensation

Families of victims and survivors of the Sharpeville Massacre have filed a High Court application seeking to sue the state for justice, accountability, and compensation.

The case, brought in the Gauteng High Court by one survivor and two descendants on behalf of a wider group, asks the court to compel President Cyril Ramaphosa and the justice and police ministers to repeal the Indemnity Act of 1961. That apartheid-era law still bars civil claims and criminal charges over the 21 March 1960 killings.

Lawyers for Human Rights and UK firm Leigh Day also want a class action certified so about 70 survivors and relatives can sue together. Lawyer Charne Tracey said the community wants reparations to heal, and feels Sharpeville has been forgotten.

Police opened fire on unarmed protesters against pass laws, killing at least 69 people, researchers say as many as 91 and injuring more than 200. No officer was ever prosecuted. Survivor Abraham Mofokeng, 86, still has a bullet in his spine. "A win would bring complete healing," he said.

The justice department said it does not oppose families pursuing legal remedies. Applicants say that is no longer enough after 66 years.

03/09/2026

Nkota's Pirates return comes at perfect time as Buccaneers rebuild

Mohau Nkota is set to make his return to Orlando Pirates after just one season in the Saudi Pro League, rejoining the Buccaneers on a season-long loan from Al-Ettifaq. His July 2025 move to Saudi Arabia came off the back of an impressive breakthrough campaign. While his early departure raised eyebrows at the time, the winger quickly proved he could compete at a higher level, becoming an important option at Al-Ettifaq before injuries limited his involvement late in the season.

Now he returns to the club where he first made his name at a moment of major upheaval. Pirates have lost a staggering 17 players this transfer window, including key figures Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Sipho Mbule, alongside a host of contract expirations and mutual departures. That exodus has placed significant pressure on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to rebuild his squad, bringing in fresh faces like Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Sbangani Zulu, and Ghampani Lungu — though replacing the influence of Mofokeng and Maswanganyi will not be easy.

That is what makes Nkota's return so timely. He already understands the club, its expectations, and the demands of playing for one of South Africa's biggest teams. During his breakthrough 2024/25 season, he made 39 appearances, where he contributed 12 goals and assists, including a memorable brace against CR Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League.

His comeback gives Ouaddou another attacking option as Pirates defend their Betway Premiership title while also competing in the Champions League and for Nkota, it is a chance to reignite the momentum he built before heading abroad, arriving back with plenty to prove.

03/09/2026

Jomo Sono drops bombshell on his Bafana Bafana appointment

South African football legend and former Bafana Bafana coach Jomo Sono has lifted the lid on a remarkable chapter of his coaching career. He has revealed that he first learnt about his appointment to the national team through the media.

Sono made the startling revelation during an interview on Game On on Radio 2000, where he reflected on his time in charge of Bafana Bafana and congratulated newly appointed coach Pitso Mosimane.

According to Sono, the manner in which his appointment was handled left him questioning the leadership of the South African Football Association (SAFA) at the time. He said he only discovered from a newspaper that he had been appointed Bafana coach, before approaching then SAFA leadership for answers.

"My appointment as Bafana Coach was announced in the paper first before I was told about it. I asked Molefi Oliphant (then SAFA president) why did they do that," said Sono.

Sono believes his patriotism was used against him because those in charge knew he would struggle to turn down the opportunity to serve his country. "They knew that there was no way I could say no because I always put the country first. I was earning R100,000 a month. At least I could buy bread."

The football icon also used the interview to throw his full support behind Mosimane, saying the new Bafana coach's confidence and refusal to be influenced by critics could be crucial to his success. Sono acknowledged that Mosimane is sometimes labelled arrogant, but argued that such confidence can actually be an advantage in South African football.

"Some say he's arrogant like me but sometimes arrogance helps, especially in SA football. Arrogance is about believing in yourself and that's why Pitso has achieved so much. He's never swayed by critics or noise."

Sono also reignited the debate around the treatment of South African coaches compared to their foreign counterparts, revealing that local coaches have historically been paid less despite their commitment to the national team. "Coaches that come from abroad always get more money than local coaches. Me, Trott (Moloto), Shakes (Mashaba), Clive (Barker). They took advantage of our patriotism."

He believes Mosimane was therefore justified in standing firm during negotiations. "So Pitso was right to stand his ground. I knew he wouldn't take the R5 million. Even I would have said no, I want the same as the white man."

Sono's revelations have now placed fresh focus on how local coaches have been treated over the years, while his comments about his own Bafana appointment have opened another chapter in the long-running debate around SAFA's handling of national-team coaches.

03/09/2026

‘I’VE NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OF HIJACKING’: SHARNICK HITS BACK AT BIG FIVE CARTEL CLAIMS IN BAIL FIGHT

https://youtu.be/a5ejzJpjQsQ?si=zCTF1FHEHbLdwCYY via YouTube

Stuart James Sharnick has hit back at allegations concerning his cr...

03/09/2026

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03/09/2026

‘IT’S IMPOSSIBLE!’ STATE TEARS INTO GAGASH’S MONEY STORY IN BAIL FIGHT

https://youtu.be/KVlyf0Lh9_s?si=pZAP39pCLQH884-B via
YouTube

The State has launched its closing argument against bail for TMPD C...

03/09/2026

GAGASH BAIL BATTLE: DEFENCE TEARS INTO FLIGHT-RISK & INTIMIDATION CLAIMS

https://youtu.be/2nkkZitEmvs?si=etTnnPpiOFHIy-Sj via YouTube

03/09/2026

Happening Now 🚨

The Western Cape High Court is today hearing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to have the 2022 Section 89 Independent Panel report on the Phala Phala farm theft reviewed and set aside, as his lawyers argue that the panel applies the wrong legal test and fails to consider whether he acts in bad faith.

03/09/2026

Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and five co-accused are in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court today for their bail bid.

They face Schedule 6 murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice over the April 2022 killing of businessman Emmanuel Mbense.

Mbense was allegedly tortured at his Brakpan home; his body was dumped in Spaarwater Dam in Duduza. The State says Mkhwanazi instructed the disposal.

The State is opposing bail. Mkhwanazi argues today after four co-accused have already presented their applications.