Gregory Harington #M1BridgeCollapse

Two brothers killed in Mpumalanga home invasion as father fights for his life iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/new…

MATLALA PAYMENT TO CELE Vusi “Cat” Matlala has told the Madlanga Commission that he gave former Police Minister Bheki Cele R300,000, not the R700,000 referenced in his statement. Matlala denies that Cele offered to assist him with his Medicare24 contract, claiming this was inserted into his statement by IDAC. He also says nobody stayed in his luxury Pretoria apartment and that he allowed Cele to use it because Cele had previously helped him. Matlala confirmed arranging withdrawals of R500,000 on 9 January 2025 and R200,000 on 10 January 2025 from Medicare’s account at Menlyn Maine. However, he now claims the entire R700,000 was not intended for Cele, as he wanted additional cash available. The conflicting versions raise further questions about the alleged payments and the relationship between Matlala and Cele.

MINISTER FAILS TO CONFIRM DNA ANALYSIS PROGRESS IN 12 EKURHULENI MURDER CASES The Acting Minister of Police has failed to provide clarity on the progress of DNA analysis linked to 12 murder cases in Ekurhuleni, raising concerns about delays and accountability within the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Laboratory. The issue was highlighted by MP Ian Cameron, Chair of the Police Portfolio Committee. who questioned the Minister about forensic exhibits connected to the murder investigations and whether the necessary DNA analysis had been completed. In his parliamentary response, the Acting Minister indicated that the total number of exhibits still awaiting analysis was “not readily available” from the Forensic Science Laboratory. The response also failed to provide details about when the exhibits were received, how long they had been waiting for analysis or when the outstanding forensic work was expected to be completed. Instead, the Minister stated that accurate reporting would only be provided once the entire analysis had been completed, promising accountability at an “opportune interval”. Cameron has criticised the response, describing it as unacceptable, particularly given the seriousness of the murder investigations and the importance of forensic evidence in securing convictions. He said Parliament had been left without sufficient information to establish what work had been completed, what remained outstanding and whether the investigations were progressing with the urgency required. While acknowledging the sensitivity of DNA evidence and the need to protect ongoing investigations, Cameron questioned why SAPS could not provide an aggregate progress report or arrange an appropriate confidential briefing. He also raised concerns about whether the information was available but being withheld, or whether SAPS was unable to produce an accurate account of the outstanding forensic work. Cameron is now calling on the Minister to provide a dated progress report detailing the analysis completed, the exhibits still awaiting examination, their current stage of processing and the reasons for any delays. He further wants expected completion dates and the identification of the senior official responsible for ensuring that the forensic work is finalised. Where information cannot be made public because of investigative sensitivities, Cameron says the Minister should explain the specific concerns and arrange a confidential briefing with a fixed reporting date. The controversy places renewed focus on the capacity and efficiency of SAPS forensic laboratories, particularly the role DNA evidence plays in complex murder investigations. Families affected by these cases deserve answers, while Parliament must be able to hold the police service accountable for delays that could affect the progress of investigations and the pursuit of justice. Cameron insists that accountability cannot be postponed until all forensic analysis has been completed. @IanCameron23