Metro police chief defies orders, and McKenzie cuts arts festival funding

Today, 7 November 2025, the rand remained unchanged overnight at R17.38 to the dollar, the same as its close on Thursday.

While appearing in Parliament on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned vigilante groups for taking matters of illegal immigration into their own hands.

He labelled those attempting to remove foreign nationals from healthcare facilities as un-South African. However, the President also warned business owners who employ undocumented migrants.

Also in Parliament, the head of the Investigating Directorate against Corruption, Adv Andrea Johnson, told MPs that she had received death threats after her team arrested General Dumisani Khumalo.

Khumalo, who heads Crime Intelligence, appeared in court on Thursday facing fraud charges after allegedly appointing an untrained civilian to a senior police position.

In Limpopo, the South African Police Service arrested a 49-year-old suspect for allegedly selling elephant tusks in Bende Mutale village.

This followed a sting operation in which police successfully apprehended the suspect and seized two elephant tusks.

Here are five other big stories happening in South Africa today:

Acting EMPD head blatantly defied orders – EWN

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department head Isaac Mapiyeye said at the Madlanga Commission on Thursday that his subordinate, acting EMPD head Julius Mkhwanazi, defied orders to the benefit of criminally accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mapiyeye is set to resume his testimony in the commission today.

Gayton McKenzie defunds 2026 National Arts Festival – Daily Maverick

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said that the department has cut funding fr the 2026 event. The festival will continue, with the assistance of other sponsors. McKenzie said that the department’s funding would be allocated to new provincial flagship projects.

Bosasa’s Angelo Agrizzi avoids prison after plea agreement – Newsday

Former COO of Bosasa, Angelo Agrizzi, who was notorious during the state capture era, pleaded guilty in the Pretoria High Court on Thursday for three counts of corruption and one count of money laundering linked to contracts worth over R1.8 billion. His 10 year sentence was fully suspended for five years due to health reasons.

IDAC Head received death threats after Khumalo arrest – SABC

Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC) Head Adv Andrea Johnson says she received a message telling her and her team to “get the bodies bags ready” after Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo was arrested for fraud and corruption. 

Eskom granted licence to continue operating nuclear plant – MyBroadband

Eskom has been given a licence to continue operating Unit 2 of the Koeberg nuclear power station for another 20 years by the National Nuclear Regulator. This follows thorough safety assessments and public consultation processes. The licence was due to expire on November 9.