The Daily Plug

🟩 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 | 𝗧𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗝 𝗣𝗢𝗚𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗥 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗨𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛
Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar has undergone successful surgery on his left clavicle after a crash forced him to abandon the Vuelta a España while leading the race.

The five-time Tour de France champion crashed during Stage 8, suffering a displaced fracture of his left clavicle, a stable C7 cervical fracture, concussion and multiple abrasions. He was taken to hospital for treatment and monitoring.

Pogačar’s team confirmed that the clavicle operation went well. He will remain in hospital for several days for post-operative monitoring as he begins his recovery.

The crash ended Pogačar’s bid to win the Vuelta, the only Grand Tour title missing from his career record. His prospects of returning for upcoming races will depend on his recovery.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗣𝗢𝗚𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗬𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for more updates on Pogačar and the world of cycling.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟩 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 | 𝗡𝗞𝗢𝗧𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦
Mohan Nkotha returned to This former team Orlando Pirates in a season loan from Al-Attifaq

Will he succeed in Orlando Pirates?

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟦 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 | 𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗔 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗟𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗞𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗢 𝗔𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗜𝗨 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho as the permanent head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), effective 1 September 2026.

Lekgetho had been serving as acting SIU head since February, following the departure of Advocate Andy Mothibi, who moved to the National Prosecuting Authority as National Director of Public Prosecutions.

Lekgetho has more than 19 years of experience at the SIU. He joined the unit in 2007 and has served in several positions, most recently as Chief Operations Officer. He also previously worked as an investigator with the former Directorate of Special Operations, known as the Scorpions.

The Presidency says his permanent appointment is intended to provide stability and strengthen the SIU’s ongoing efforts to fight crime and corruption.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗟𝗘𝗞𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗢’𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗨’𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗨𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for more updates on South Africa’s fight against corruption and developments within the SIU.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟦 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 | 𝟱𝟰𝟲 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
A total of 546 political parties will contest South Africa’s 2026 local government elections, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The IEC says 142 072 candidates have been nominated to contest 10 526 council seats across the country, representing an increase of about 43% compared with the 2021 elections.

Johannesburg has the highest number of participating parties at 80, followed by Tshwane with 72, eThekwini with 70 and Ekurhuleni with 69.

𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝟱𝟰𝟲 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for trusted, timely news and updates.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟨 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧 | 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟴𝟵 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s legal representative, Advocate Wim Trengove SC, has argued in the Western Cape High Court that the Section 89 Independent Panel did not meet the required evidence threshold.

The panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, produced a report that led to impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa is challenging the report in court, with Trengove arguing that there was not enough evidence to warrant a public inquiry.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟴𝟵 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for trusted, timely news and updates.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟥 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘 | 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥-𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗭 𝗞𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗦
The South African Police Service has confirmed the dismissal of suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan.

Khan was dismissed after failing to attend disciplinary proceedings before the designated senior officer overseeing his expedited disciplinary process.

SAPS said the dismissal was effected in terms of the SAPS Discipline Regulations and reaffirmed that all members, regardless of rank, are subject to the same disciplinary framework.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥-𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗭 𝗞𝗛𝗔𝗡?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for trusted, timely news and updates.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟦 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 | 𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗟
Retired Hawks head Dr Godfrey Lebeya has denied knowing about the alleged Big Five Cartel or its suspected members during his time as head of the Hawks.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, Lebeya said he was unaware of the alleged syndicate and had no knowledge of criminal activities reportedly associated with the late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi.

The commission has heard evidence about people allegedly linked to the group, including murder accused Katiso “KT” Molefe, businessmen Ze Nxumalo and Steve Motsumi, alleged criminal Ignatius Mothakathi and the so-called Nyambose Mthethwa.

Lebeya’s evidence is being tested against testimony from senior police officials, including former KZN Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona and Crime Intelligence head General Dumisani Khumalo, who have previously raised concerns about some individuals allegedly linked to the group.

Lebeya also denied interfering with a 2024 Hawks operation targeting Molefe. He said he deployed Hawks officers to verify the arrest operation after receiving a call from a civilian known as Malcolm X.

Lebeya has since concluded his testimony before the commission.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗬𝗔’𝗦 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗪?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for more updates from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟨 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧 | 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘
A Cape Town operations manager has lost his bid to overturn his dismissal after the Labour Court upheld an arbitration ruling that found his dismissal fair.

The manager, identified as RL, was dismissed by DSV Solutions following a December 2022 workplace confrontation with a female subordinate. During the argument, he admitted swearing at her and physically turning her around by the shoulders as she attempted to walk away.

The employee argued that his dismissal was too harsh, citing the heated nature of the confrontation and what he described as provocation. He also argued that there was no evidence that the relationship of trust with his employer had irretrievably broken down.

The Labour Court rejected these arguments, finding that his conduct was aggressive and that physically turning the employee around constituted assault. The court also said his position as a manager made his conduct particularly serious.

The court upheld the arbitrator’s finding that dismissal was a fair sanction and dismissed the manager’s review application.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗥’𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for more court and workplace law updates.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.

🟦 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 | 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟲 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗧
As the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) prepares for its next national congress this month, questions are emerging over whether the federation could repeat the political divisions that shaped its 2006 congress.

In a Sowetan opinion column, S’Thembiso Msomi reflects on the highly contested 2006 Cosatu congress, when competing factions aligned themselves with different camps in the ANC’s leadership battle between Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki.

The 2006 contest contributed to deep divisions within Cosatu. Willie Madisha narrowly retained the presidency, while Zwelinzima Vavi became a prominent supporter of Zuma’s campaign. Madisha was later ousted, while Vavi eventually left Cosatu and helped form the South African Federation of Trade Unions.

Msomi argues that Cosatu has since lost members amid rising unemployment and the growth of independent unions. He says the federation now faces another important political choice, with affiliates expected to consider whether Cosatu should support the ANC or the SACP in the upcoming local government elections.

The column warns that allowing alliance politics and factionalism to determine Cosatu’s direction could weaken the federation further.

𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦’ 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦?

Follow 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒖𝒈 for more South African political and labour developments.

𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝙋𝙡𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙙.