Highveld Chronicle Issue 370
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May 2026

Highveld Chronicle Issue 370

AND ANOTHER EDITION, THE THIRD ONE FOR MAY 2026 - READ AND STAY INFORMED Don’t miss out on what’s happening in your area – stay informed and gain access to business and job opportunities. Highveld Chronicle – ‘FIRST WITH THE PEOPLE, FIRST WITH THE NEWS!’

11 articles Highveld Chronicle Published May 24, 2026 9 downloads

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In This Issue

11 articles
Victory for taxi boss Sibanyoni and co-accused, NPA appeals contempt ruling in extortion case
Crime 4 min read

Victory for taxi boss Sibanyoni and co-accused, NPA appeals contempt ruling in extortion case

It was a big victory for taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused, Mvimbi Masilela, Philemon Msiza and Bafana Sindani, after the extortion matter against them was struck off the roll following prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba’s absence during proceedings on Monday, 18 May 2026. The charge relates to extortion allegations by a mining businessman involving R2.2 million between 2022 and 2025. The accused have maintained their innocence, with Sibanyoni stating that the charges came as a shock to him as he had always had close ties with the complainant and had at some stage borrowed him R900 000, which he allegedly repaid in full.

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EMMANUEL N MTHIMUNYE

May 24, 2026

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Nkangala launches just transition programme to drive inclusive economic future
Municipality 3 min read

Nkangala launches just transition programme to drive inclusive economic future

Nkangala District Municipality, in partnership with the National Business Initiative, supported by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency and GIZ through the Just SA initiative, officially launched its Just Transition Programme in Middelburg on 22 May 2026 to help prepare communities and workers for South Africa’s shift towards a low-carbon economy.

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Nodicah Fundama

May 24, 2026

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MEC SIDELL BELIEVES THE STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS SHE HELD AT THE 2026 AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA WILL TRANSLATE INTO REAL TOURISM GROWTH IN THE PROVINCE
Tourism 3 min read

MEC SIDELL BELIEVES THE STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS SHE HELD AT THE 2026 AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA WILL TRANSLATE INTO REAL TOURISM GROWTH IN THE PROVINCE

The MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Ms. Jesta Sidell, says the 2026 Africa’s Travel Indaba, recently held at the Durban ICC served as a springboard in our quest to grow the tourism sector in Mpumalanga. MEC Sidell led a delegation from Mpumalanga - the Place of the Rising Sun to the annual Africa’s Travel Indaba to promote Mpumalanga as the prime tourist destination.

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Highveld Chronicle

May 24, 2026

18 0
R300 000 bail for alleged R26,9 million COVID-19 TERS fraud suspects
Crime 2 min read

R300 000 bail for alleged R26,9 million COVID-19 TERS fraud suspects

Two suspects accused of defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) of nearly R26,9 million through the COVID-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) have each been granted R300 000 bail by the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court, while a third accused was released on R3 000 bail. The accused are Fumu Mkalira Msiska and his wife, Gladness Msiska Mkhonto, both aged 48, as well as his brother-in-law, Bongani Zoran Mkhonto (39). The trio handed themselves over to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Mbombela on Sunday, 17 May 2026, before appearing in court on Monday.

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Rodney Hlatshwayo

May 24, 2026

26 0
Mandla Msibi finds new political home in Service Delivery Party, public reaction divided
Politics 3 min read

Mandla Msibi finds new political home in Service Delivery Party, public reaction divided

Former African National Congress (ANC) provincial treasurer Mandla Msibi has found a new political home after officially joining the newly formed Service Delivery Party (SDP), a move that sparked mixed reactions from members of the public. Msibi was unveiled as the party’s national convener and mayoral candidate for the City of Mbombela during a gathering held in Pienaar near Mbombela on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, where the SDP also outlined plans to contest the upcoming local government elections.

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Rodney Hlatshwayo

May 24, 2026

17 0
MHRF confirms Jomo Segage as mayoral candidate
Politics 2 min read

MHRF confirms Jomo Segage as mayoral candidate

Middelburg and Hendrina Residents Front (MHRF) has announced its chairperson, Jomo Segage, as its mayoral candidate for Steve Tshwete Local Municipality ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Segage said his nomination was confirmed during a party meeting held two weeks ago. He will also stand as the MHRF’s candidate for Ward 22, which covers Mountain View, Rockville and Chromeville.

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Lucas Shongwe

May 24, 2026

20 0
Mpumalanga football administrator joins COSAFA executive
Sports 3 min read

Mpumalanga football administrator joins COSAFA executive

From the football structures of Mpumalanga to the leadership ranks of regional football, Linda Zwane says his appointment to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Executive Committee presents an opportunity to open doors for young players across Southern Africa. Zwane was co-opted onto the COSAFA Executive Committee during the organisation’s 2026 Elective General Assembly held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 17 May 2026.

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Rodney Hlatshwayo

May 24, 2026

26 0
SANCO raises concerns over prosecutor reassignment in Machadodorp rape case
Crime 3 min read

SANCO raises concerns over prosecutor reassignment in Machadodorp rape case

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in Machadodorp, under the Emakhazeni Local Municipality, has raised concerns over the reassignment of a prosecutor in a rape case involving a 32-year-old man accused of raping his stepdaughter and niece. The accused was arrested on 15 April 2026 and has remained in custody as the matter was repeatedly postponed for a formal bail application. SANCO alleged that the reassignment of the prosecutor was concerning and questioned whether it could influence the outcome of the bail process.

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Lucas Shongwe

May 24, 2026

19 0
EFF to fill vacant council seats after councillors leave party
Politics 2 min read

EFF to fill vacant council seats after councillors leave party

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Steve Tshwete is preparing to fill two vacant proportional representation (PR) council seats after councillors Thabiso Tshoane and Mapheto Maredi left the party following allegations that they failed to fulfil deployment duties. The party said the seats would be filled internally without the need for by-elections. Both councillors left the party after being asked to resign for allegedly failing to honour deployment duties, according to EFF provincial secretary Jackson Malatjie.

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Lucas Shongwe

May 24, 2026

18 0
Thousands of boys head to initiation schools as winter season begins in Mpumalanga
Community 3 min read

Thousands of boys head to initiation schools as winter season begins in Mpumalanga

Thousands of boys across Mpumalanga have begun attending initiation schools this winter as the provincial initiation season officially gets underway. The provincial initiation programme officially commenced on 15 May 2026, with government and traditional leaders intensifying monitoring efforts to ensure safety and compliance at registered initiation schools. The practice is regarded by many communities as an important cultural tradition marking the transition from boyhood to manhood.

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EMMANUEL N MTHIMUNYE

May 24, 2026

19 0
Two suspects arrested over 2023 Delmas murder
Crime 4 min read

Two suspects arrested over 2023 Delmas murder

Two suspects wanted in connection with the 2023 murder of Sibongiseni Sithole in Delmas have been arrested following a police manhunt and assistance from members of the community. Mpumalanga police confirmed that Xolani Masuku was arrested in Tweefontein on Thursday, 21 May 2026, after community members alerted authorities to his whereabouts. The second suspect, Samuel Mthokozisi Mabethe, handed himself over to police in Delmas on Friday.

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Rodney Hlatshwayo

May 24, 2026

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