Home Affairs has rolled out an upgraded online booking system with significant security and efficiency enhancements. For years, syndicates made block bookings to extort clients for this free service. We’ve clamped down and delivered an improved UX! 🇿🇦
https://t.co/PyEC1lJzNs
THE FAMOUS ID APPLICATION HOSTAGE THAT HAPPENED LIVE ON RADIO @Yfm@djsbu 👇🏿
Kabelo Thibedi is a man remembered for his dramatic hostage taking at a government office to obtain his long delayed identity document.
On the 30 November 2005 the 21 year old walked into the Department of Home Affairs regional offices in central Johannesburg and held a female staff member Lanelle Small, hostage inside an office for around six hours. Armed only with a toy gun, Thibedi demanded the immediate issuance and delivery of his ID book. His extreme action stemmed from years of deep frustration ,he had waited more than 2 years, submitted 9 unsuccessful applications, and had already lost a job because he lacked the required document.
The standoff captured national attention. Radio stations across the country received calls from listeners who expressed strong sympathy for his battle against bureaucratic inefficiency. While barricaded in the office, Thibedi called in the popular youth station YFM and spoke live with DJ Sbu, who suddenly found himself acting as an on air negotiator, trying to calm the young man and warn him of the potential consequences. The broadcast dramatically heightened public awareness, drawing thousands of supportive reactions.
To end the crisis Home Affairs officials arranged for Thibedi’s completed ID book to be flown by helicopter from Pretoria to Johannesburg. Once it was handed over, police used stun grenades to storm the room and arrest him. In 2006, he was convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to five years in prison.
He later appealed the sentence. In October 2009, the South Gauteng High Court backdated it, allowing him to avoid serving time in actual jail.
Ami Faku fights for control of her music catalogue
Award-winning singer-songwriter Ami Faku born Amanda Faku has turned to the Johannesburg High Court in a bid to stop music executive Raphael Benza and his company, The Vth Season, from allegedly interfering with the release and distribution of her music while a broader contractual dispute remains before the courts.
The "Asibe Happy" hitmaker has filed an urgent application seeking an interim interdict against Benza and his company, arguing that their conduct is causing significant harm to her career and preventing her from fully commercialising her latest work.
According to court papers, Ami wants the court to bar The Vth Season from claiming exclusive rights to her music catalogue and from communicating with distributors and publishers in a manner that could discourage them from doing business with her.
Ami claims that several major industry players, including music distributors and publishers, have been warned that she remains contractually tied to agreements signed with The Vth Season in 2018.
She alleges these communications have created uncertainty around her music rights and affected plans to release her latest projects, including her album Ezikude and the single Ndisize.
"The conduct has made it increasingly difficult for me to secure distribution partners for my music," she stated in her affidavit.
At the heart of the dispute are artist, publishing and management agreements signed eight years ago. Ami maintains that the artist and management agreements have already expired, while the publishing agreement was lawfully terminated in 2025 after what she describes as repeated failures by The Vth Season to provide royalty statements, financial records and payments owed to her.
She argues that despite launching legal proceedings last year to obtain clarity on the status of the agreements, the matter has not yet been finalised.
Benza and The Vth Season strongly reject Ami's claims and insist that the agreements remain binding and enforceable.
One of the key points of contention relates to whether Ami fulfilled all her obligations under the artist agreement. The Vth Season argues that the contract remains active because a second album required under the deal was never delivered.
Ami disputes that interpretation, arguing that the agreement cannot be extended indefinitely on that basis.
She further alleges that distributors who initially showed interest in working with her later became reluctant after concerns were raised about possible legal action and ownership disputes surrounding her music.
"The delays are causing ongoing damage to my career and livelihood," she argues.
The urgent application is expected to be heard in the Johannesburg High Court on 30 June.
Reports state that Benza and The Vth Season will oppose the application and that a settlement proposal had previously been presented to Ami but declined to disclose its contents.
https://t.co/uv927GYJGH
🤗 good morning, beloveds!
as a personal mission, because it lowkey ticked me off that i couldn't find it, i FINALLY found both parts of the oprah and iyanla interview and merged them together for everyone.
GET INTO THIS HEALING! 🧡
A young woman in East Texas gives birth in her car. When rushed to the hospital, doctors will quickly realize that the baby is not her own and neither is the blood she’s covered in.
Maternal Instinct — a new documentary — is now on Netflix.
My guys… I don’t even know where to start.
I have a group of friends I’ve known for over 10 years. From secondary school to now. On the outside, we look like normal, cool guys, always hanging out, clubbing, spraying money, taking pictures. But behind the scenes?
Murder-accused Bafana Mahungela, who is representing himself in court, is cross-examining a state witness during the trial into the killing of Johannesburg teacher Kirsten Kluyts.
BRANDS:
Anele Mgudlwa's Company Acquires Iconic Media Giant
Rose and Oaks Media has acquired Rapid Blue from BBC Worldwide.
The acquisition is led by Rose & Oaks Media founders Anele Mgudlwa, Frankie du Toit and Paul Buys, who have produced international films Don’t, Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight, The Last Ranger, Ludik and as well as TV show The Masked Singer South Africa.
The Masked Singer South Africa has been renewed for a third season and is currently in production.
Rapid Blue was founded by television pioneers Duncan Irvine and Kee-Leen Irvine, and acquired by BBC in 2016.
It has been responsible for some of South Africa's most iconic television productions, including The Weakest Link, Strictly Come Dancing, Come Dine With Me South Africa, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Family Feud South Africa, The Bachelor South Africa, Shark Tank South Africa.
Rose and Oaks Media, with Anele Mgudlwa, née Mdoda, as CEO, has been in business for the past 9 years.
#KgopoloReports
#MadlangaCommission releases Annexure C, a list of 17 names linked to the summons of Major General Feroz Khan (SAPS Crime Intelligence deputy head).
Names include Julius Malema, Mathipandile Sotheni, Adriano Mazotti and others.
Khan is due to testify from 1 July 2026.
Vacancies | We’re Hiring📣📣
Ready to grow your career and make a real impact?
@DOAgov_ZA is opening doors to exciting opportunities across the department.
🗓 Applications close: 22 June 2026 at 16:00
👉 Apply today: 🔗https://t.co/5iBouPULfl
Be part of a team that works for food security, sustainability, and national development.
#WeAreHiring #DoACareers #GovZAUpdates #DoAatwork #ANationThatWorksForAll @GovernmentZA@GCISMedia