Willem Phungula

Politics Journalist

King Misuzulu fills key posts

Willem Phungula|Published

These key appointments come at a critical time, as royal elders prepare to meet with King Misuzulu on Thursday in a bid to defuse mounting tensions within the royal ...

IFP pleads with DA to stay in the GNU amidst rising tensions

Willem Phungula|Published

Addressing the media after its two-day national executive committee (NEC) meeting over the weekend, party president Velenkosini Hlabisa said the concern was raised ...

Zulu king's new bride-to-be in royal kraal

Willem Phungula|Published

This significant step has stirred anticipation regarding the continuity and future of the Zulu royal lineage.

King: ‘Ithala’s troubles a threat to Zulu kingdom'

Willem Phungula|Published

The king’s former Traditional Prime Minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said the imbizo ‘is the most important gathering that His Majesty can convene, and it ...

KZN educator mastered the art of teaching science and lands another ‘world’s best’ award

Willem Phungula|Published

“This means a lot to me. The award comes with no prize money but it is worth more than money to me. I am proud to have changed the lives of the people through education,” ...

Whistle-blower sheds light on the eThekwini Municipality being scammed to pay for undelivered supplies

Willem Phungula|Published

The nuts and bolts of how the funds were fleeced from the municipality was detailed in a thread of emails sent to senior managers, including City Manager Musa Mbhele. ...

Mass mobilisation against the closure of Ithala Bank

LUNGANI ZUNGU and Willem Phungula|Published

“As the alliance, we have agreed to embark on a grassroots-based mass action against the unsound and unjustifiable actions of the Repayment Administrator,” read ...

MEC’s bid to save Ithala and its clients

LUNGANI ZUNGU and Willem Phungula|Published

Reverend Musa Zondi, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) accused giant ‘white-owned commercial banks’ of hatching a plot ...

Accused in SARS official’s attempted murder to spend New Year in jail

Willem Phungula|Published

Two suspected hitmen charged in the assassination attempt on SARS investigator Coreth Naude will remain in custody as their case is postponed to January 17.

Tension as GNU strips Zulu king of his powers

Willem Phungula|Published

Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso’s recent statement challenges King Misuzulu’s authority over the Ingonyama Trust Board, raising tensions between the national government ...

Unprecedented dismissal of Zulu kingdom’s traditional prime minister sparks instability concern

Willem Phungula|Published

Following the unexpected dismissal of Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, fears of instability loom over the Zulu kingdom as cultural experts and traditional leaders ...

State to provide profiles of suspected hitmen in Naude case

Willem Phungula|Published

The State is set to present detailed profiles of two suspected hitmen charged with the attempted assassination of Sars investigator Advocate Coreth Naude.

Hunt for mastermind in attack on Sars official

Willem Phungula|Published

Two alleged hitmen have been arrested in connection with the attempted assassination of South African Revenue Services investigator Advocate Coreth Naude, as police ...

Cape Town hitmen charged in Durban for the attempted murder of SARS investigator

Willem Phungula|Published

Two alleged hitmen from Cape Town have been arrested for their involvement in an assassination attempt on SARS investigator Advocate Coreth Naude, who was probing ...

Calls for improved electricity services in Umkomaas following demarcation

Willem Phungula|Published

Umkomaas residents in the eThekwini Municipality are voicing their frustrations over the lack of essential services following their ward’s demarcation from the Umdoni ...

KwaZulu-Natal festive season road fatalities drop by 2%

Willem Phungula|Published

With the festive season under way, KwaZulu-Natal sees a slight decline in road deaths, prompting officials to reinforce safety measures.

Durban anticipates nothing less than a bumper weekend as rugby fans pour in

Willem Phungula|Published

Durban gears up for a bustling weekend as the Sharks face the Bulls in a highly anticipated rugby match, promising to boost tourism and the local economy.

Urgent call for police commissioner’s intervention after 24 cattle stolen, slaughtered in KZN village

Willem Phungula|Published

Livestock owners in Emakhuzeni village are appealing for police intervention after a shocking 24 cattle were stolen in just three days, highlighting the urgent need ...

Legal dispute over Durban harbour tender ‘is hurting the logistics industry’

Willem Phungula|Published

The Association of South African Chambers urges Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to cancel the disputed Port of Durban Pier 2 tender, citing significant impacts ...

Local businesses let down by KwaDukuza council’s venue choice

Willem Phungula|Published

Ilembe Chamber of Commerce expresses disappointment over the KwaDukuza Municipality's decision to host a costly conference outside its jurisdiction, raising concerns ...

ANC-led council slammed for R1m conference in another municipality

Willem Phungula|Published

Opposition parties in KwaDukuza are outraged over the ANC-led council’s decision to allocate R1. 1 million for a four-day conference in the Drakensberg, arguing ...

DA criticises ANC’s R1. 1 million spending on Drakensberg meeting

Willem Phungula|Published

The ANC’s controversial decision to spend R1. 1 million on a meeting in the Drakensberg has drawn sharp criticism from the DA, who argue for local alternatives. ...

Slow support for SMMEs by Tourism Equity Fund criticised

Willem Phungula|Published

Democratic Alliance criticises the slow support for small, medium, and micro-enterprises by the Tourism Equity Fund, calling for improved transparency and accountability ...

Troy Meyer’s appointment to KwaZulu-Natal Museum Board: a victory for Khoi-San people

Willem Phungula|Published

Troy Meyer, a prominent Khoi-San activist, celebrates his appointment to the KwaZulu-Natal Museum Board as a significant step towards preserving Khoi-San heritage. ...

Babita Deokaran’s family demands arrest of murder mastermind

Willem Phungula|Published

Babita Deokaran’s family has made an emotional plea to President Cyril Ramaphosa to find the mastermind behind her murder, coinciding with Anti-Corruption Day.