In case you missed it: Ex-MP Smith jailed seven years | South Africans stranded in Middle East | RIP Soli Philander

Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni (Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng) briefs the committee on the 3rd Quarter crime statistics for the 2025/26 financial year at The Faiway Hotel in Randpark on March 05, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The briefing focused on crime trends between October and December 2025 and provided an overview of key developments in the fight against crime in the province. (Photo by Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle) News today includes former ANC Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment following a plea and sentence agreement with the state.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco)is sounding the alarm for its citizens in the Middle East, urging those travelling for non-essential reasons to leave the region immediately as fighting intensifies. Furthermore, South Africa is in mourning following the death of legendary actor and comedian Soli Philander, who passed away at the age of 65. Reports say he was reportedly battling cancer.

The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned of severe thunderstorms in several provinces, with parts of the Northern Cape and the Free State under an orange level 5 warning.Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date withThe Citizen– More News, Your Way. Former ANC Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment following a plea and sentence agreement with the state.

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Smith appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday, where the sentence was handed down. Judge Mohamed Ismail accepted the plea agreement in accordance with Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. The Western Cape High Court has granted a woman’s application for interim maintenance from her ex-partner pending the finalisation of the main application.

The two started a romantic relationship in 1984 and entered into a life partnership in 1991. They lived together and had two children.

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