eNCA News Bite | Malema gets five years and Madlanga pressure builds | 16 April 2026
It’s Thursday, 16 April 2026, and this is News Bite, (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Gareth Edwards.
Julius Malema has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment in his firearm discharge case, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/julius-malema-sentenced-5-years-prison-firearm-discharge-case) with the unlawful possession of a firearm count carrying the heaviest penalty. The ruling also means the EFF leader is disqualified from serving as a Member of Parliament, while reactions have poured in from his party, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and Saftu president Zwelenzima Vavi.
Suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi says repeated questioning at the Madlanga Commission is making him feel like he is incriminating himself, (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/mkhwanazi-accused-misleading-madlanga-commission-secure-postponement) as the inquiry continues probing allegations that officers under his command were involved in criminal activity, including the theft of precious stones worth about R14 million in February 2023.
ActionSA has written to the Public Protector requesting the reopening of the Phala Phala investigation (https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/actionsa-wants-public-protector-reopen-phala-phala-investigation) after a declassified IPID report raised fresh questions around the alleged cover-up of the 2020 theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm. The report recommends disciplinary action against Major-General Wally Rhoode and Constable HH Rekhoto of the Presidential Protection Services Unit.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Spain on a working visit where he is expected to meet King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, while using the platform to defend democratic institutions, address extremism and inequality, and reinforce trade and investment ties between South Africa and Spain.
South Africa’s banking sector is watching developments around a powerful new Anthropic AI model with growing concern, as regulators and financial institutions abroad warn that the technology could identify and exploit vulnerabilities across major systems and accelerate the sophistication of cyberattacks.
Tongaat Hulett is facing a defining moment after 134 years, with the sugar producer on the brink of liquidation (https://www.enca.com/business/liquidation-looms-tongaat-hulett) as questions grow over whether proposed rescue funding can hold. RGS Consortium wants liquidation to proceed, arguing that the Vision proposal depends on funding that is still not in place.
Dozens of demonstrators have gathered outside the American Consulate in Sandton, calling for stronger global action over what organisers describe as ongoing human rights abuses in Iran. Protesters say they want to amplify the voices of people living under repression, especially women and children.
IN OTHER NEWS…
· Pope Leo XIV has travelled to Cameroon’s conflict-hit northwest, with Bamenda becoming the centre of a closely watched peace visit after armed separatist groups declared a temporary truce.
· Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Doha for high-level talks as diplomatic efforts continue around a possible second round of US-Iran peace talks.
· An Australian oil refinery is reeling after a gas leak sparked explosions and a major blaze, raising concerns about the impact on petrol production and the country’s fuel supply.
That’s your News Bite (https://www.enca.com/news-bite-podcast) for 16 April 2026.
For developments on these stories and more, visit enca.com or watch eNCA on DStv Channel 403. (https://www.enca.com/)
