The inquiry was opened at the Sandton Police Station by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who reported that the men were promised opportunities but were instead taken to a war zone. A second inquiry was also opened against Member of Parliament Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. Zuma-Mncube accused Zuma-Sambudla, along with Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, of playing a role in the alleged recruitment.

According to Zuma-Mncube, the men believed they were travelling for training but were allegedly handed over to a mercenary group once they arrived. The Hawks say they are looking into whether any crimes — including human trafficking, illegal recruitment, exploitation, or fraud — contributed to the men’s movement into the conflict.

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said the investigation will be handled jointly and that the findings will be submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority when complete. She added that officials are working with other government bodies and foreign authorities to ensure a coordinated investigation, especially in matters involving identity verification and international cooperation.

Families of the affected men say they have been desperate for answers. One family member said the men thought they were signing up for VIP protection training but instead found themselves in an active war zone. Relatives have criticised the government for not moving fast enough to help bring the men back home.

Earlier this month, authorities confirmed they were investigating how the group, mostly young men from KwaZulu-Natal, ended up stranded in the Donbas region after being misled with job promises. The President has also condemned the alleged recruitment, noting that it is illegal under South African law.

Legal experts warn that one challenge will be proving whether the men truly did not know what they were getting into and whether they were intentionally deceived.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Hawks Investigate Claims That 17 South Africans Were Recruited Into Ukraine–Russia Conflict appeared first on MDNtv.

In the video, he said his group was not bothered by recent arrests, adding that the government had failed in its duty to protect citizens. He pointed to the jacket he wore, insisting it belonged to a Nigerian soldier, and declared that more high-profile abductions would follow.

He urged Nigerians to rely on divine protection rather than the government, claiming that authorities cannot guarantee safety. He ended the recording with a message to his followers on social media, saying they had “woken up” and wishing them a good day.

The latest threat comes shortly after two major school abductions. On November 21, armed men invaded St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Agwara, Niger State, taking away dozens of students and teachers. Community members who visited the school after the attack described it as a well-coordinated operation carried out between 2am and 3am.

Local officials later confirmed the incident, saying early information suggested that more than 100 students and teachers were abducted from the mixed-gender school.

Just days earlier, another group of armed men attacked Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State. About 25 female students were taken, a staff member lost his life during the incident, and another guard was injured. The attackers stormed the school at dawn, firing shots as students prepared for their morning routines.

These back-to-back school invasions have sparked renewed fear among families and communities, who are calling for stronger protection measures to keep children safe.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Militant Leader Issues Fresh Threats After Recent School Abductions in Kebbi and Niger appeared first on MDNtv.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, confirmed the plan during a press briefing, stating that the government has already begun discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), led by Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry.

She described the talks as “preliminary and exploratory,” aimed at advancing South Africa’s bid for hosting rights. While the potential host city has not yet been revealed, the minister expressed confidence that the country’s existing infrastructure would make it well-prepared to host the Games.

“Even if we are offered the Games tomorrow, Cabinet is confident that we can host them with our current facilities,” Ntshavheni said.

South Africa previously bid to host the 2004 Olympics, which were ultimately awarded to Athens. The country last hosted a major global sporting event in 2010, when it became the first African nation to stage the FIFA World Cup.

Former IOC president Thomas Bach, during his 2024 visit to South Africa, praised the nation’s stability and infrastructure, noting it had the vision and capability to host an Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Dakar will make history in 2026 as the first African city to host the Youth Olympic Games. The next Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, followed by Brisbane, Australia, in 2032.

South Africa has recently renewed its commitment to hosting major international sports events, including a bid to bring Formula One back to Kyalami by 2027 and its role as co-host of the 2027 men’s Cricket World Cup.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post South Africa Announces Plans to Bid for 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games appeared first on MDNtv.

Witnesses reported heavy explosions and gunfire as militants disguised as soldiers stormed the facility on Saturday evening, attempting to free imprisoned members of their group. Authorities confirmed that none of the inmates escaped and that all the attackers were neutralized.

A witness, Halima Hassan, described fleeing in fear when the fighting erupted. Ambulances rushed nearly 25 wounded individuals to hospitals, though the exact number of casualties among security forces remains unclear.

The attack came just hours after the government removed long-standing roadblocks across Mogadishu—measures originally put in place to protect key government buildings.

The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia condemned the raid, calling it a cowardly act that shows al-Shabab’s disregard for human life and its efforts to undermine Somalia’s progress toward peace and stability.

Mogadishu had enjoyed a relative period of peace as government troops, supported by local militias and African Union forces, pushed al-Shabab fighters out of key regions in central and southern Somalia.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Somali Forces Foil Deadly Prison Raid, Kill Seven al-Shabab Militants appeared first on MDNtv.

Demonstrators, many of them young people, chanted “Rajoelina Out” while waving flags and banners in the capital Antananarivo and other cities. Security forces tried to maintain control as rallies spread from neighborhood streets to major towns across the island.

The protests have already turned deadly, with at least 22 lives lost and over 100 people injured in clashes, though the government disputes those figures. The anger has only deepened since Rajoelina dissolved his government earlier this week, a move that protesters say does nothing to address their demands.

Many in the movement want sweeping political change, including the resignation of the president, the dissolution of key state institutions, and fresh leadership free from corruption. Opposition parties have backed the demonstrations, refusing to join any new government as long as Rajoelina remains in power.

Rajoelina, who first seized power in a 2009 coup before later winning elections, secured a third term in 2023 amid allegations of fraud. Now, his leadership faces its toughest test yet, as a generation of frustrated youth and angry citizens push for change.

In the midst of the turmoil, voices from the church and civil society are urging peace and dialogue to prevent the unrest from escalating further. But for now, the chants demanding Rajoelina’s resignation continue to echo through the streets of Madagascar.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Madagascar Erupts in Mass Protests as Calls Grow for President Rajoelina to Step Down appeared first on MDNtv.

To boost passenger safety, all vehicles will need clear branding or signs showing they are part of the e-hailing network. Commuters are urged to double-check that the car and driver details match what’s shown in the app.

Another big change is that panic buttons are now mandatory in every e-hailing vehicle. These devices are meant to help detect crime and ensure quick responses from law enforcement or tracking companies. Vehicle owners will cover the cost of installing them.

The law also sets tough penalties for companies that allow unlicensed drivers to operate on their platforms, including heavy fines or possible jail time. E-hailing apps must register with regulators and comply with company and tax laws.

Drivers themselves are expected to carry all documents proving they meet the requirements, while commuters are encouraged to travel only with registered cars and drivers.

Although the government will set standard licence fees, other running costs remain the responsibility of drivers and companies.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post South Africa Gives E-Hailing the Green Light, With Panic Buttons Now a Must appeared first on MDNtv.

The engagement, held under the theme “A Nation that Works for All”, forms part of a series of nationwide meetings aimed at improving service delivery and aligning priorities of the 7th Administration.

Discussions focused on urgent infrastructure needs, including road repairs, reliable water systems, and boosting energy supply to support the province’s industrial growth. The meeting also highlighted improvements in governance, while acknowledging the persistent challenges facing local municipalities.

Ramaphosa urged leaders to put citizens first, warning that neglecting basic services amounts to violating people’s rights.

“We were all elected to serve the people, not ourselves. No one should go more than a day without running water while there’s silence from municipal offices about when it will be restored,” he said.

The President also encouraged stronger public-private partnerships to fast-track development projects.

This gathering follows similar sessions in other provinces, with the final two—Free State and Western Cape—expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.

The post Ramaphosa Wraps Up Visit to North West, Pushes for Better Service Delivery appeared first on MDNtv.

The unrest began when thousands of mostly young demonstrators stormed the parliament building in Kathmandu, demanding the government restore access to platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Protesters also voiced anger over corruption, accusing leaders of enriching themselves while ignoring public concerns.

Placards reading “enough is enough” and “end to corruption” filled the streets, while some demonstrators hurled stones at the prime minister’s residence. In several cities, clashes erupted as police used tear gas, batons, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

The government reversed the ban during an emergency cabinet meeting late Monday, saying the decision was meant to “address the demands of Gen Z.” Authorities had originally justified the restriction as a measure to curb fake news, hate speech, and online fraud, but many citizens viewed it as an attack on free expression.

The protests gained momentum alongside a viral “nepo kid” campaign online, which criticized the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children and accused them of benefiting from corruption.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed sorrow over the loss of life, promising an investigation and financial support for victims’ families, while the home minister resigned after facing criticism for the government’s heavy-handed response.

For many protesters, the lifting of the ban was only the beginning—calls for accountability and an end to corruption remain at the heart of their movement.

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Nepal Ends Social Media Ban After Deadly Protests appeared first on MDNtv.

The move follows a lower court ruling that many of the tariffs went beyond presidential authority and intruded on Congress’s exclusive power to set taxes. If upheld, the decision could unravel large parts of Trump’s trade policy and force the government to refund billions already collected.

Trump imposed the tariffs under emergency economic powers, claiming that trade imbalances posed a threat to American manufacturing and national security. His measures included a baseline 10% tariff and “reciprocal” tariffs aimed at more than 90 countries, among them Canada, Mexico, and China.

While a federal appeals court struck down the tariffs, it delayed the ruling from taking effect, giving Trump time to appeal. His legal team argues the case has enormous stakes, warning that undoing the tariffs could destabilize trade negotiations and weaken the country’s economic defenses.

Small businesses that brought lawsuits against the tariffs say they have suffered severe financial harm and are confident the courts will ultimately rule in their favor.

If the Supreme Court refuses to take the case, the lower court’s ruling will go into effect in mid-October.

“Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Trump Asks Supreme Court to Decide on Tariff Powers appeared first on MDNtv.

Israeli forces have already pushed into the city’s outskirts after days of heavy airstrikes and artillery fire. The military says these operations are laying the groundwork for a full-scale assault aimed at seizing the entire city—home to more than a million people.

Officials have called up tens of thousands of reservists to replace active-duty soldiers, while the government insists it is determined to move quickly to capture what it calls the last remaining strongholds of Hamas.

But the human cost is already mounting. Entire families have been killed in recent strikes, including children. Aid agencies warn that Gaza’s people—who have endured nearly two years of war—are now utterly exhausted. They face repeated displacement, food and water shortages, and little access to medicine or shelter.

The humanitarian crisis is expected to deepen further as hundreds of thousands are likely to be ordered south, even though much of the territory is already overcrowded with displaced people.

At the same time, around 50 hostages remain trapped in Gaza, their fate uncertain. Families fear that a ground invasion could put them in even greater danger.

Calls for a ceasefire are growing louder. A new proposal for a 60-day truce, including the release of roughly half the hostages, has been accepted by Hamas but not yet formally answered by Israel. Leaders in Israel say they now demand a comprehensive deal that covers every hostage.

Meanwhile, world leaders warn that the planned takeover of Gaza City risks spiraling into an even wider conflict. Aid groups stress that what people desperately need is not more bombs, but food, clean water, medicine, and safety.

For now, Gaza’s residents continue to run—families clutching children, elderly people leaning on makeshift crutches, all searching for somewhere that might be safer, even if only for a little while.

“Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

The post Families Flee Gaza City as Israel Launches First Stages of Ground Offensive appeared first on MDNtv.