Here are the top stories from Africa. Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala delivered explosive testimony in Parliament, detailing the December 2024 raid at his Pretoria home, payments he claims were made to former minister Bheki Cele, and his repeated denial of involvement in the disappearance of businessman Jerry Boshoga.
Tensions continued between Pretoria and Washington as Donald Trump declared that South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 U.S. G20, prompting a firm response from President Cyril Ramaphosa defending the country’s rightful place in the forum.
In Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency amid rising attacks and kidnappings, later confirming the rescue of 89 abducted victims, while 24 schoolgirls were freed in a separate incident.
Elsewhere on the continent, the military has taken control in Guinea-Bissau, and South Africa has proposed a 20% online gambling tax as public consultations begin.
Check out all the top stories below:
RAMAPHOSA HANDS G20 PRESIDENCY TO THE UNITED STATES
South Africa formally handed over the G20 Presidency to the United States during a ceremony at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria.
The US will officially take over on 1 December 2025.
In closing his address, President Cyril Ramaphosa used the symbolic gavel to mark the transition, saying that “this gavel of this G20 summit formally closes this summit” and now passes on to the next president of the G20, “which is the United States, where we shall see each other again next year.”
DONALD TRUMP SAYS SOUTH AFRICA WILL NOT BE INVITED TO U.S. G20 IN 2026
Donald Trump says South Africa will not be invited to next year’s G20 Summit in the United States, which is set to take place at his Miami golf resort.
The fallout dates back to May, when Trump blindsided President Cyril Ramaphosa during a Washington visit meant to repair relations. Instead of easing tensions, Trump played a video pushing a false “genocide” conspiracy about White South Africans, sparking outrage.
Things worsened when the US boycotted the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and sent Pretoria a diplomatic warning not to issue a joint leaders’ declaration. South Africa ignored the pushback and adopted the document anyway.
The clash deepened after Pretoria rejected a US request for chargé d’affaires Marc Dillard to accept the G20 handover on Washington’s behalf, saying Ramaphosa would not engage with a lower-ranking official. The handover eventually happened quietly between diplomats in Pretoria.
RAMAPHOSA RESPONDS TO TRUMP’S MOVE TO BLOCK SA FROM G20
President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to Donald Trump’s threat to block South Africa from next year’s G20 Summit in the US, calling the comments “regrettable” and based on misinformation. In a firm statement, the Presidency reminded Washington that “South Africa is a member of the G20 in its own name and right” and will not accept insults about its place in global forums.
Trump posted on Truth Social that South Africa would not be invited, linking his reasoning to the G20 Presidency handover and false claims about white genocide. South Africa, however, had already explained during the Johannesburg summit that there would be no traditional handover ceremony.
Ramaphosa said South Africa will continue playing a full and constructive role, stressing the importance of “multilateralism” and equal participation. Because the US skipped the summit, the G20 instruments were quietly handed to a US Embassy official. The Presidency added that Washington chose not to attend any of the engagements under South Africa’s G20 leadership.
NAMIBIA HOLDS LOCAL ELECTIONS
Namibians voted on Wednesday in regional council and local authority elections across 120 constituencies and 59 towns.
The Electoral Commission said the aim is to choose leaders who can improve basic services such as water, housing, healthcare, education and jobs.
Special voting for police, defence force members and polling staff took place earlier in the week.
After casting his vote in Windhoek, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare urged all registered voters, particularly the youth, to take part.
These elections, held every five years, decide who will guide regional development and manage essential local services.
GOVERNMENT PROPOSES 20% ONLINE GAMBLING TAX
The National Treasury has released a draft paper proposing a national tax on online gambling and is inviting public comment before final decisions are made.
The proposal introduces a 20% tax on gross online gambling revenue, covering all forms of interactive betting and sitting above existing provincial taxes.
Treasury says the document “provides an overview of the gambling industry… and proposes a new national online gambling tax for South Africa.”
With online gambling growing quickly due to better technology and internet access, the Treasury warns that the sector now carries serious social risks.
While casual gambling is harmless, it notes that “problem gambling imposes a cost on society,” and stronger oversight is needed to manage these impacts.
The discussion paper can be viewed on the Treasury website. Written submissions must be sent to gamblingtax@treasury.gov.za by 30 January 2026.
SA’S DELAYED CRIME STATS FINALLY SET FOR RELEASE ON FRIDAY
The South African crime stats for the first two quarters of the current financial year will be released on Friday, 28 November 2025, SAPS has confirmed.
The first-quarter stats, due at the end of August, have been delayed for months, prompting the DA to threaten releasing them if Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia missed the November 28 deadline.
The stats will be released by Cachalia, Dr Polly Boshielo and Commissioner Fannie Masemola, covering April–June and July–September 2025.
MILITARY TAKES CONTROL IN GUINEA-BISSAU
Guinea-Bissau entered yet another political crisis on Wednesday after army officers announced a takeover, halting the presidential election before results could be released.
In a televised statement, spokesperson Diniz N’Tchama said the officers had toppled President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, closed national borders, suspended the vote and enforced a curfew.
They proclaimed themselves “The High Military Command for the Restoration of Order,” insisting they would run the country until further notice.
Although the officers did not confirm if Embalo was detained, security sources told Reuters he was being held inside the army chief of staff’s office.
They also reported that opposition figure Fernando Dias, along with former prime minister Domingos Simoes Pereira, had been taken into custody.
The African Union and ECOWAS voiced “deep concern,” saying electoral officials had also been arrested and urging their immediate release.
ETHIOPIA REPORTS 6 DEATHS FROM MARBURG VIRUS
Ethiopia’s Marburg virus outbreak has worsened, with the death toll rising to six, according to the state news agency.
The country confirmed the outbreak on November 14, and three deaths were reported shortly afterwards.
The Ethiopian Press Agency said on Facebook that “out of the 11 people in whom the virus was detected, six have died, and five are receiving medical treatment,” citing the health ministry.
Authorities have isolated 349 people who may have had contact with infected individuals, releasing 119 after monitoring.
Marburg, related to Ebola, causes severe headaches and can lead to dangerous haemorrhaging.
DEADLY KZN FLOODS LEAVE ONE DEAD, TWO STILL MISSING
KZN has been hit by severe flash floods in uMshwathi, where the search continues for two people still missing.
One victim has already been found, while a man and a woman remain unaccounted for after Sunday night’s heavy downpour.
The flooding displaced nearly 100 residents living close to the river in an informal settlement.
Roads, bridges and homes suffered extensive damage, leaving the area difficult to access. On Monday, rescuers also discovered the body of a woman in her 40s.
Families spent the day picking through debris along the riverbank, hoping to recover any belongings washed away.
KWAZULU-NATAL BRACES FOR MORE HEAVY RAIN
KwaZulu-Natal is preparing for another round of heavy rain, wind and hail after a Level 4 warning was issued. Hundreds are still displaced, and the search for two missing people in New Hanover continues. The province has been hit by storm after storm, a sign of climate change worsening local conditions.
NAMIBIA LOSES NEARLY $4 MILLION TO DIGITAL FRAUD IN 2025
Namibia is facing a sharp rise in digital banking fraud, with losses exceeding 65 million Namibian dollars between January and October, Deputy Bank of Namibia Governor Leonie Dunn said.
Speaking at the Fraud and Cybersecurity Risk Awareness Summit in Windhoek, she noted that fraud losses have climbed from 8.7 million dollars in 2020 to more than 54 million dollars in 2024.
The main threats include social-engineering scams, card-not-present fraud and point-of-sale skimming.
Dunn said pensioners and informal-sector users are the most vulnerable as more financial activity moves from bank branches to mobile devices. With Namibia’s 88.4% 4G coverage expanding digital access, cybercriminals are becoming more active.
She highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen protection, including tougher security rules, upgraded payment-system standards and a new AI-powered complaints platform called ConsumerConnect.
Dunn also praised the Financial Sector Cyber Resilience and Fraud Mitigation Council for improving national readiness, and called for a stronger cybersecurity framework and better reporting of fraud trends.
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND STRENGTHENS AGAINST THE DOLLAR
The rand strengthened on Wednesday after weak US economic data raised hopes of a December rate cut by the Federal Reserve, pushing the dollar down.
By 13:33 GMT, the rand was at 17.14 to the dollar, 0.5% stronger than Tuesday.
The dollar fell 0.2% against other major currencies.
24 SCHOOLGIRLS ABDUCTED IN NIGERIA HAVE BEEN RESCUED
President Bola Tinubu says all 24 girls abducted from a school in Kebbi State have been rescued, bringing relief after a tense, days-long search.
The kidnapping occurred on November 17 at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga.
One student escaped early on, and Tinubu later confirmed that the others had been found, saying he is “relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for.” He added that Nigeria needs “more boots on the ground” to stop similar attacks.
The Kebbi abduction follows a string of mass kidnappings. In Niger State, armed men seized more than 300 students and staff from Saint Mary’s School, though 50 later escaped.
School principal Musa Rabi Magaji said all rescued Kebbi students are still in official custody while authorities assess their condition.
TINUBU DECLARES SECURITY EMERGENCY AMID TERRORIST ATTACKS AND KIDNAPPINGS
Amid escalating terror attacks and kidnappings, President Bola Tinubu has declared a national security emergency.
He revealed plans to recruit 20,000 new police officers, saying the situation demands “more boots on the ground,” especially in vulnerable regions.
Tinubu approved the use of NYSC camps for fast-track training and ordered VIP protection officers to be retrained for field deployment.
He also instructed the secret police to immediately send out forest guards and hire more to “flush out the terrorists and bandits,” insisting “there will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”
U.S. GROUP ACCUSES APPLE OF USING CONFLICT MINERALS FROM CONGO AND RWANDA
International Rights Advocates has taken Apple to court in Washington, claiming the company still benefits from minerals linked to conflict and child exploitation in Congo and Rwanda.
The lawsuit says Apple’s supply chain includes materials processed by Chinese smelters accused of handling smuggled ore from conflict zones.
The group wants a judge to declare Apple’s practices misleading and to block what it calls “deceptive marketing.”
Apple, however, says it “strongly disputes” the allegations, calling them “baseless.”
A spokesperson said 99% of cobalt in Apple-designed batteries now comes from recycled sources and added that suppliers were told to stop sourcing from Congo and Rwanda as violence escalated in 2024.
TINUBU CONFIRMS RETURN OF 89 ABDUCTED VICTIMS
President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the rescue of at least 89 people kidnapped in central Nigeria last week.
The group includes 38 worshippers taken during a church service in Kwara State and 51 students seized in a school attack in Niger State.
Reports say terrorists abducted as many as 315 students and teachers from St. Mary’s School.
Tinubu said the victims were freed after days of coordinated security operations, which he personally supervised after cancelling his G20 trip.
He vowed that “every Nigerian… has the right to safety,” and ordered police guarding “very important persons” to return to core duties to improve security across communities.
VUSIMUZI “CAT” MATLALA TESTIFIES IN HIGH-STAKES PARLIAMENT HEARING
Controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, which unusually sat inside Kgosi Mampuru Prison on Wednesday and Thursday.
MPs travelled from Cape Town to hear his testimony in the inquiry into allegations of a drug cartel infiltrating parts of South Africa’s policing and political systems.
Matlala is currently facing charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. He is accused of plotting to kill his socialite girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, and two others.
Summary of Matlala’s testimony:
- Matlala told the committee of a December 2024 raid at his Waterkloof, Pretoria, home.
- Matlala claimed before the committee that the December 2024 raid at his Pretoria home sparked later allegations of links to police officials. He said masked men stormed in, and he heard his kids screaming as they were “allegedly forced to lie down.”
- Matlala told the committee that he was harassed during the raid.
- According to Matlala, SAPS took his guns, his guard’s weapons, and personal items during the raid, and he alleged that Cele later helped recover some of them.
- Matlala claimed that Cele initially asked for R1-million.
- Matlala testified that he “made an initial payment of R300,000 in cash to former minister Cele” at his residence in Pretoria around January, telling the committee that it was withdrawn by his sister at Menlyn Maine and taken to his apartment–stacked in a Woolworths shopping bag.
- “I always operate with a Woolies bag, that’s the money bag,” calling it his usual way of moving large sums safely.
- Matlala mentioned that he handed over the money in Woolies bag on separate occasions.
- Matlala told the committee that he “made a second cash payment of R200,000 to Cele around March 2025 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.”
- Testimony at the Madlanga Inquiry points out that police suspected Matlala in the 18 November 2024 disappearance of his partner, Jerry Boshoga.
- Officers raided his home on 6 December but discovered nothing, and Boshoga has not been found.
- Matlala has maintained he had no role in the disappearance of Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga, telling Parliament’s ad hoc committee he is being unfairly linked to the case.
- Matlala said he later got a call from Brown Mogotsi, who claimed he was phoning from former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s office and offering help while also asking for money.
- Mogotsi is the alleged middleman between Mchunu and Matlala.
- The commission has seen messages between all three men, suggesting Matlala may have had early knowledge of the PKTT’s disbandment.
- Matlala alleged he funded travel and accommodation for people tied to Mchunu’s presidential campaign, saying Mogotsi made the request.
- Matlala maintained that he does not know Mchunu and estimated he paid “between R150,000 and R200,000” for ANC January 8 Celebrations, with proof of the transfers.
- In an emotional moment, EFF President Julius Malema asked Matlala to speak directly to Jerry Boshoga’s mother during the live broadcast, with Matlala saying “Mama, you know very well that me and your son are very close,” adding that he would “never do anything to harm him” and that she was “being misled by the same people who put me here.”
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