Masabata Mkwananzi

Senior Multimedia Journalist at The Star

Emfuleni municipality refutes pollution claims as municipal manager prepares for court

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Emfuleni Local Municipality has rejected claims of worsening environmental pollution and defended its sewer infrastructure interventions, as Municipal Manager April ...

Gauteng Health moves to fill CEO vacancies as leadership gaps persist in hospitals

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

The Gauteng Department of Health says it will fill most vacant hospital CEO posts within two months, defending its reliance on acting leaders, while the DA warns ...

Police recover human remains from crocodile as acting national commissioner praises officer’s bravery

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Police have recovered human remains believed to be those of a missing Gauteng businessman from a crocodile in Mpumalanga’s Komati River. Acting National Commissioner ...

The surprise return of Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka reveals shocking abduction details

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Police are investigating after 27-year-old Mazwi Mpumelelo Kubheka reappeared at Vosloorus police station almost a month after he was reported missing on 2 April ...

Mazwi Kubheka found alive after 30 days, walks into Vosloorus police station

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

After nearly 30 days missing, Vosloorus businessman Mazwi Kubheka has been found alive after presenting himself at a police station. His disappearance, which sparked ...

Family fears grow as Vosloorus spaza shop dispute linked to missing Mazwi Kubheka

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

The Kubheka family in Vosloorus faces a heart-wrenching struggle as they search for 27-year-old Mazwi, missing for 21 days amid fears tied to local business disputes. ...

Political turmoil erupts as false arrest claims surround Emfuleni’s 'ghost fleet' scandal

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

False claims that Emfuleni MMC for Finance Hassan Mako was arrested have sparked a political storm, with Mayor Sipho Radebe dismissing the allegations as a coordinated ...

Gauteng's crackdown on unsafe taxis reveals alarming safety risks — over 100 vehicles taken off the road

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A week-long enforcement blitz across Gauteng has exposed widespread violations in the transport sector, with over 100 taxis discontinued, hundreds of fines issued, ...

SIU probes multimillion-rand misuse of public funds, implicating senior media figure

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A major investigation by the Special Investigating Unit reveals a concerning scheme involving the misuse, leading to significant allegations against a senior editor. ...

Public safety MMC condemns targeted killings in Johannesburg CBD

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Two deadly shootings within 24 hours in Johannesburg’s CBD have raised alarm over targeted violence, prompting strong condemnation from city officials and mounting ...

Young girls in South Africa break barriers in tech innovation

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

The second annual Girls in ICT Day initiative, hosted by HONOR and ACT in Johannesburg, brought together young girls from township communities to build digital skills ...

Gauteng health officials sound alarm over alarming drop in childhood vaccinations

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

The Gauteng Department of Health has raised concern over declining childhood immunisation rates, warning that fewer children are being protected against preventable ...

Reflecting on Freedom Day: The enduring struggle for economic equality in South Africa

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

On this Freedom Day, we celebrate our past but confront the stark reality of ongoing economic disparities.

Three men gunned down in brazen McDonald's attack in Johannesburg

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A devastating shooting inside a Johannesburg McDonald's has left three men dead, propelling police into action and igniting fear over escalating violence linked ...

Over R15 million spent on overtime as Emfuleni's refuse collection lapses

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

The Emfuleni Local Municipality is facing mounting scrutiny after more than R15 million was spent on overtime in February and March 2026 while refuse collection ...

Brazilian national arrested at OR Tambo with cocaine worth R8.7 million

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A 26-year-old Brazilian national has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after police intercepted cocaine valued at an estimated R8.7 million concealed ...

Gauteng social development department faces scrutiny over R220 million irregular spending

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

The Gauteng Department of Social Development is under pressure after more than R220 million in irregular expenditure was flagged across two financial years. The ...

Madlanga Commission turns its attention to Johannesburg security tenders

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has expanded its probe to the City of Johannesburg, demanding full records of Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department security ...

Electricity theft in Alexandra: 384 households in same street tampered with or bypassed meters

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

City Power has since moved to enforce penalties. Households are required to pay R14 408, while pensioners face a reduced fine of R4 605 before electricity can be ...

Public outrage grows as Dobsonville church elder abandons bail in shocking child rape case

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A 58-year-old Dobsonville man has abandoned his bail bid as outrage grows over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. Acting Johannesburg Mayor Loyiso Masuku has ...

Eleven arrested in NSFAS fraud and theft scheme targeting funds for needy students

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

Eleven individuals and four companies have appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court in Polokwane over an alleged fraud and theft scheme involving National Student ...

Gauteng's crackdown on unroadworthy taxis exposes alarming road safety issues

Masabata Mkwananzi|Published

A major enforcement blitz across Gauteng has uncovered shocking levels of non-compliance in the taxi industry, with more than 80 unsafe vehicles taken off the roads ...

South Africa mourns the passing of cultural icon Cynthia Shange at 76

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Shange was a defining figure in South Africa’s cultural and entertainment landscape, with a career that spanned decades across modelling, television and film, where ...

Outrage as R24m is paid to Emfuleni officials for sitting at home: one suspended accountant earns R6m

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

Emfuleni Municipality is facing renewed scrutiny after millions were paid to suspended employees over several years. With disciplinary cases dragging on, concerns ...

Tragic road rage incident in Emmerentia turns deadly in front of children

Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated

A road rage confrontation in Emmerentia turned fatal when gunfire erupted between motorists, leaving one man dead and a woman injured. The incident, witnessed by ...