COCA-COLA BEVERAGES SOUTH AFRICA RESTRUCTURING PLAN COULD LEAD TO 680 JOB LOSES

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has announced a major restructuring plan that could see more than 680 employees lose their jobs. The company confirmed its intention to close production facilities in Bloemfontein and East London as part of an operational streamlining strategy.

According to CCBSA, the decision comes after a review of its supply chain network, aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs in a highly competitive beverage market. The closures will affect both permanent and contract staff, with unions already voicing concern about the scale of the impact on workers and surrounding communities.

“While these are extremely difficult decisions, they are necessary to ensure long-term business sustainability,” the company said in a statement. “We remain committed to engaging with all stakeholders, including employees, labour representatives, and government, to explore alternatives and to minimize the impact where possible.”

The potential retrenchments are expected to have a ripple effect on local economies, particularly in the Free State and Eastern Cape, where the two plants have been key employers for decades.

Labour unions have criticized the move, calling it a blow to job security in regions already grappling with high unemployment. Negotiations between CCBSA management and organized labour are set to continue in the coming weeks.

If the plan proceeds, production will be consolidated into larger plants in other provinces, with CCBSA saying this will strengthen its distribution network and position it for future growth.

KAIZER CHIEFS PART WAYS WITH HEAD COACH Nasreddine NABI

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the termination of head coach Nasreddine Nabi’s contract with immediate effect.

The Tunisian tactician, who took charge of Amakhosi earlier this year, has officially parted ways with the Soweto giants. The club announced on Tuesday that Nabi will no longer continue in his role, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure at Naturena.

As a result, Nabi will not be on the touchline when Chiefs face Kabuscorp in their crucial CAF Confederation Cup fixture in Luanda, Angola, this coming Saturday. The match is a pivotal test for the Glamour Boys as they seek continental glory.

Chiefs are yet to reveal who will assume interim coaching responsibilities, but sources indicate that members of the current technical team are expected to lead preparations ahead of the Angolan trip.

Nabi’s departure follows a period of mounting pressure after a string of inconsistent performances that left supporters divided on his future. His exit now forces the Soweto giants to once again embark on the search for a new head coach.

Kaizer Chiefs’ management has yet to issue an official statement detailing the reasons behind the decision, but the club has assured fans that updates on the way forward will be communicated in due course.

For now, all eyes will be on Luanda, where the Glamour Boys aim to remain focused on their continental campaign despite the turbulence at home.

FOUR ARRESTED FOR FRAUD, THEFT AND MONEY LAUNDERING

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit has arrested four individuals and three companies on charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering linked to a multi-million-rand scam in the Northern Cape.

Among those apprehended is Kevin Darryl Christians (61), an employee of the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, who is alleged to have played a central role in the scheme.

The case stems from events in June 2018, when the Northern Cape Provincial Youth Chamber of Commerce and Industry applied for financial support to host a youth entrepreneurship conference. The Department approved R1.8 million for the initiative. However, investigators allege that service providers were paid for services that were never delivered.

The companies implicated include Exilite Travel Agency, which allegedly acted as the paymaster, channeling funds to B&E Suppliers CC and MTM Motseme (Pty) Ltd.

The other accused are Banton Sithebe (40), Portia Louw (46), and Irene Botlhoko (60). They appeared briefly in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 16 September 2025. Each was granted R10 000 bail, and the matter was postponed to 17 October 2025 for further investigation.

DA HAILS RAMAPHOSA’S ’s PRAISE AS RECOGNITION WHERE IT'S ’s DUE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s acknowledgment of the superior performance of DA-led municipalities, framing it as recognition of the party’s commitment to efficient and transparent local governance.

Speaking to over 4,000 ANC councillors at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Monday, Ramaphosa urged his party representatives to study the performance of DA-run municipalities. 

He admitted it was “painful” to concede that some of South Africa’s best-managed municipalities are under DA control. “Those municipalities that do best are not ANC-controlled municipalities... they are often DA-controlled municipalities,” the president said, citing Cape Town and Stellenbosch as examples. 

He stressed that adopting these practices is crucial to improving service delivery and audit outcomes, warning that failure to do so could pose an “existential threat” to the ANC in local elections.

The DA responded positively, thanking Ramaphosa for “recognition where it’s due.” In a statement, the party highlighted its track record, noting that where it governs, it “delivers services, spends public money on the public, and eliminates corruption.” 

DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille echoed this on social media, saying the president’s remarks underscore the party’s reputation for effective administration and expressing hope that the broader public takes note.

Ramaphosa’s comments come amid heightened scrutiny of municipal performance. The Auditor-General’s 2023/24 report revealed that only 16% of South Africa’s 257 municipalities received clean audits?many of them DA-led while ANC-controlled councils continue to face irregular expenditure and mismanagement. 

The exchange marks a rare moment of cross-party acknowledgment in South Africa’s often polarized political landscape, coinciding with efforts to foster cooperative governance following the Government of National Unity formed after the May 2024 national elections. As local goverment elections approach, the DA’s municipal performance may reinforce its campaign narrative of “getting things done.”

CASE AGAINST DARREN WALKEN АND TIONA MOODLEY POSTPONED

The high-profile case involving Darren Wilken and his girlfriend, Tiona Moodley, accused of participating in a child pornography ring, has been postponed to next month in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

The pair face serious charges linked to their alleged involvement in the distribution and possession of child pornography. Their arrest, which drew widespread public attention, forms part of a broader investigation into online exploitation networks.

The court’s decision to delay proceedings was made to allow for further submissions and outstanding documentation to be completed. Prosecutors indicated that additional evidence is still being processed, while the defense requested more time to prepare.

The matter has sparked intense public scrutiny, with advocacy groups calling for harsher penalties for crimes relating to the exploitation of children. Legal analysts suggest the case could set a significant precedent in how South African courts handle digital crimes of this magnitude.

Wilken and Moodley remain out on bail under strict conditions. The case is expected to return to court next month, where trial dates may be finalized.