Mandilakhe Tshwete

Multimedia Journalist

Winter fires devastate informal settlements, leaving over 120 residents homeless

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Urgent support is mobilised as winter fires devastate informal settlements in Cape Town, displacing over 120 residents and highlighting the growing risk of fire ...

Unexpected elephant seal sighting in Gordon’s Bay leaves residents amazed

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

An elephant seal's surprising journey through Gordon’s Bay captivates residents, leading to a swift rescue operation by local officials.

SA adjusts social grants budget to combat rising living costs

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

The South African government has extended the social relief grant until March 2026.

Godongwana injects much-needed boost for frontline healthcare services in public hospitals

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana responds to a heartfelt plea from a UCT medical student, pledging to restore critical health services and address the ongoing healthcare ...

Fire at Cissie Gool House displaces dozens

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

The fire has left close to 50 people without shelter, bedding, or clothing, just as winter begins to bite.

Authorities respond to ongoing water crisis in Knysna

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Amid a worsening water crisis, Knysna Municipality has activated its Joint Operations Centre to coordinate emergency relief efforts, as thousands of residents face ...

Intercape urges Parliament to act against escalating violence on buses

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Intercape, a long-distance bus operator, appeals to Parliament for action after winning nine court orders against government inaction regarding violence and intimidation. ...

Outrage as accused rapist of 9-year-old girl fails to appear in court

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Residents of Hanover Park expressed their anger and disappointment after the accused rapist of a 9-year-old girl failed to appear in court.

Community outraged as missing girl, 9, found in parolee's home in Hanover Park

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

A desperate search for a missing nine-year-old girl ended in chaos when she was found in the home of a recently paroled man, igniting community outrage in Hanover ...

Overstrand Municipality elects Archibald 'Archie' Klaas as its first black mayor

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Archibald 'Archie' Klaas's election as Overstrand's first black executive mayor marks a significant political shift, with the Land Party demanding accountability ...

3GAR's McLaren crash: Why is the investigation taking so long?

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

While a case of reckless and negligent driving is under investigation, Western Cape police confirmed that no arrests have been made.

George tragedy survivors left out in cold

Mandilakhe Tshwete and Nicola Daniels|Published

One year after the tragic George building collapse, survivors and families express deep scepticism over Minister Macpherson's promises of accountability, as they ...

How ex-FIFA referee and wife allegedly embezzled R13 million in PetroSA scandal

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Aldrin Ncobo, a former FIFA referee, and his wife face serious allegations of fraud and money laundering. They are accused of embezzling R13 million intended for ...

Arson suspect returns to court over Kelly Smith's shack fire

Mandilakhe Tshwete and Staff Reporter|Published

Monique Kekana, accused of burning down Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith’s home, is set to return to court next week after her appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court. ...

Community holds its breath as Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial reaches verdict

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Judge Nathan Erasmus is set to deliver judgment in the high-profile case that has gripped the Saldanha Bay community and beyond.

Judge questions State's evidence in Joshlin Smith trial

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Judge Nathan Erasmus scrutinises the State's case in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, revealing significant contradictions in witness testimonies ...

'Your life is on the line, literally', says Judge Erasmus

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Judge Nathan Erasmus paused proceedings to offer firm guidance on how questioning should be handled, emphasising fairness, simplicity, and comprehension.

Appollis claims officer coached him to implicate his co-accused in Joshlin trial

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

During cross-examination at the Western Cape High Court, sitting at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis said ...

Joshlin Smith case: Defence lawyer claims police recorded confession while accused was asleep

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

The court must first determine whether confessions made by Van Rhyn and his co-accused were freely and voluntarily given before deciding whether they are admissible ...

Confession footage reveals accused 'limping, exhausted' amid police conduct scrutiny in Joshlin trial

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Video evidence in the Joshlin Smith case reveals one accused 'limping and struggling to sit' during his confession, prompting a judge to question why police continued ...

Police accused of fabricating confessions in Joshlin case

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

A defence lawyer in the Joshlin Smith disappearance case alleges police coerced a confession from one of the accused, raising serious questions about the integrity ...

Steveno van Rhyn told detective 'Maka Lima' knows what happened to Joshlin

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

A detective said he sat down with Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn when van Rhyn revealed that a woman named Maka Lima knew what happened to Joshlin. ...

Joshlin’s mom never followed up, says detective

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Detective Captain Wesley Lombard testified in court on Wednesday about the troubling behaviour of Joshlin Smith's mother during the investigation into the little ...

Key Joshlin trial witness falls ill during grueling cross-examination

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

As Lombaard was pressed further, particularly regarding her confession to Captain Cilliers at Saldanha Bay police station in March 2024, the witness suddenly reported ...

Lombaard reveals threats and torture during testimony in Joshlin Smith case

Mandilakhe Tshwete|Published

Witness Lourentia Lombaard recounted an incident in March when a group of armed individuals in balaclavas and bomber jackets stormed the safe house, demanding to ...