The Lead

He’s been riding high in Lamborghinis, now eyed by investigators for asset seizure. Hangwani Morgan Maumela, the supreme tender don at the centre of the Tembisa Hospital tender scam, has since been pushing to get his foot in the door in the North West province too. But as investigative journalist Jeff Wicks reports, Maumela’s company couldn’t even bother to obtain a legitimate BBBEE certificate to win this lucrative hospital catering deal. Wicks tells The Lead that Maumela lost the bid but has since interdicted the tender. Later in the show, EFF leader Julius Malema loses his firearm case in the courts. Finally, the French back apartheid arms in our daily reflection with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

It is already week three of the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, and we have witnessed some damning allegations of the criminal capture of the country’s justice system. The rot in the police is so bad that the senior men and women in blue have a name for the criminal syndicate that has infiltrated its heart: “The Big Five”. And with a new inquiry evidence leader, advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC entering the fray, how can we better make sense of the claims we are hearing right now? To navigate us through the noise in this edition of The Lead, you will hear from our News24 specialist legal journalist, Karyn Maughan, live from the Pretoria inquiry, Mbekezeli Benjamin, a researcher and advocacy officer for non-profit group Judges Matter, as well as News24 investigations editor Pieter du Toit. Later in the show, French police are investigating the death of former long-time Cabinet minister Nathi Mthethwa at a Paris hotel. And finally, we remember Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with “On This Day in SA History” courtesy of SA History Online. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

There are some signs that South Africa is heading down the Latin American route, following the recent assassinations of some key societal figures. From Babita Deokaran to Bouwer van Niekerk, global crime experts warn that the targeting of whistleblowers, prosecutors, activists, and even journalists weakens the very foundation of democracy. To take stock of the lessons one can learn from Mexico, for example, The Lead’s Graeme Raubenheimer interviews Julian Rademeyer, the East and Southern Africa director for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC). Later in the show, is SA/US trade dead in the water or is it all systems AGOA for a new agreement? And finally, we remember the Tulbagh earthquake of 1969 with “On This Day in SA History” courtesy SA History Online. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this live to 072 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

On day five of the Madlanga Commission sitting in Pretoria: South Africa’s police chief, Fannie Masemola, has alleged that his now-suspended deputy, Shadrack Sibiya, the now-suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu, the mysterious associate Brown Mogotsi and the incarcerated tender don, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala all, in turn, schemed to get rid of the Political Killings Task Team and halt investigations into the criminal underworld. But in this edition of The Lead, specialist legal journalist, Karyn Maughan, cautions us to, pause, and take all this with a healthy dose of salt. Later in the show, the Patriotic Alliance clears its deputy president Kenny Kunene for any alleged wrongdoing over his presence at a police raid. Finally, we remember the mysterious Vela Incident from 1979 with ‘On This Day in SA History’ courtesy SA History Online. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this live to 072 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

It’s been day four of the Madlanga Commission with our second witness on the stand: national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, who’s since insisted that the decision to disband the contentious Political Killings Task Team was “unlawful”. That’s not all: Masemola told the commission in Pretoria on Monday that he received a tip-off alleging that his deputy, Shadrack Sibiya, may be linked to Gauteng’s criminal syndicates, in particular now-incarcerated tender don Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, who had been taking liberties with his alleged illegal connections to the police. Specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan joins The Lead’s host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, to break down all the juiciest bits from the day’s events. Later in the show, some Mpumalanga schools are forced to make thousands of costly photocopies of old textbooks to teach pupils. And finally, we remember Thabo Mbeki’s booting from office with “On This Day in SA History” courtesy SA History Online. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this live to 072 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

Friday marks day three of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminal capture of the country’s criminal justice system. Evidence of WhatsApp conversations between KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and an apparent associate and friend of now suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu has offered South Africans a glimpse inside the core of the claims being made thus far. Mkhwanazi believes it’s “strange” that the mysterious Brown Mogotsi has had unfettered access to SAPS Crime Intelligence information, knew about developments in the ranks, and even the details of the minister’s daily diary. Specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan joins broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer in The Lead’s hotseat to take us through the day’s proceedings thus far. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this live to 072 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

It’s day two of the Madlanga Commission and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has begun implicating more public figures for their alleged role in politically interfering in the country’s criminal justice system. Mkhwanazi alleges that National Coloured Congress (NCC) MP Fadiel Adams has been “reckless” in his alleged handling of classified Crime Intelligence information. Specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan, as well as Madlanga Commission Spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, joined The Lead host, broadcaster Graeme Raubenheimer, for all the major talking points from the commission at the site of its hearings in central Pretoria. This was a live recording.

For the first time ever, News24’s The Lead has gone live from the source of the story. The News24 team has set up camp at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in central Pretoria for all the main talking points from Day 1 of the Madlanga Commission. Host, Graeme Raubenheimer has been in conversation with specialist legal journalist, Karyn Maughan, discussing the foundational evidence brought by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who insists that if nothing urgent is done soon, the country’s criminal justice system will virtually collapse. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this live to 072 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

In a stunning admission rarely seen from any politician in South Africa today, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa conceded that DA municipalities, such as Cape Town, are outperforming those governed by the ANC. Ramaphosa told thousands of the ANC ward councillors attending roll call at FNB Stadium in Soweto this week that it’s high time they prioritise service delivery or watch their party perish. The Lead’s host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, is joined in our Randburg studios by News24’s deputy politics editor, Bongekile Macupe, who reckons the president’s frankness, like proper service delivery, are long overdue. We turn to the sport desk for editor Lloyd Burnard’s take on Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma’s current fitness ahead of the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2027.Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

Four people continue to elude the Gauteng police’s grasp for the brazen murder of top Johannesburg insolvency attorney Bouwer van Niekerk. He was shot and killed in his law firm’s offices earlier in September. Since then, the questionable, multimillion-rand NTC Global Trade Fund that Van Niekerk helped place in business rescue has been provisionally liquidated. The fund’s partners are now, according to them, living in fear too as investors ask the courts to get their millions back.News24 investigative journalist Kyle Cowan joins The Lead broadcasting from the news team’s Randburg studios. Later in the show, the asset management industry raises eyebrows at the latest Public Investment Corporation board appointments. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. 

For our final edition of The Lead this week: it’s getting more difficult for former police minister Bheki Cele to downplay his past meetings with controversial tender don Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks is our first guest filling in the blanks here. Later in the show, we cross to long-time Washington correspondent John Matisonn, who distills the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing in the US. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in History”. A special thank you from the team for tuning in to the show, now listened to about 600 000 times! You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. 

Welcome to this bumper Wednesday edition of The Lead on News24. Our first topic deals with the case of a transgender inmate in Johannesburg Central Prison who is fighting for their right to access the use of women’s clothes and gender-affirming healthcare. Later in the show, a group of Chinese nationals are sentenced for running a human-trafficking sweatshop in the Johannesburg CBD. Both updates come courtesy of our expert courts journalist, Bernadette Wicks. Then, local retail analysts warn US icon Walmart will be tested on its South African market staying power. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.  

The hit on a top Johannesburg insolvency lawyer has reverberated throughout the country’s legal fraternity. Now, while the police attempt to arrest the gunmen who so brazenly snuffed out Bouwer van Niekerk’s life last Friday, details are slowly emerging about the multimillion-rand cryptocurrency trading fund that he was engaged with. Kyle Cowan, our senior investigative journalist, is piecing this puzzle together for us in this 101st edition of The Lead on News24.Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Lead on News24, hosted by broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer. First, we’ll reflect on the moment with our proud editor-in-chief, Adriaan Basson. Then, in our top story: from Johann Rupert to the DA, we are aware of the most notable South African figures who’ve visited the White House to consult with the Trump Administration amid souring Pretoria-Washington ties. But today we’re going to tell you a bit more about a more obscure businessman named Andre Pienaar whose high-profile dealings in the States have attracted a defamation lawsuit, lodged against him by a top US executive. Stay tuned for our 100th episode discussion with specialist journalist, Carol Paton. Later in the show, the alarm’s raised on stolen Namibian firearms being smuggled to Cape gangs. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday, now at 18:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

The North West province appears to be the wild, wild west these days. The audit reports for most municipalities in this often-forgotten province make for painful reading as critical service delivery has ground to a halt in many towns. Including the city of Mahikeng, where, despite this grim reality, managers recently walked away with a fat bonus. This, while armed gunmen have effectively taken over the Ramotshere Moiloa council amid a dispute between the ousted mayor and speaker, in what’s essentially a municipal coup. About 20 councils were called to account before three parliamentary committees this week, and what MPs heard is bordering on unbelievable. The Lead’s guest and star reporter on this story is Siyamtanda Capa. Lastly, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

It’s a story so out of left field and certainly not one we had on our bingo card for 2025! The Hawks, our supposedly elite crime-fighting unit, which is currently severely underpowered, have come out in strong defence of their investigation of fairly well-known local social media content creator Anton Taylor. The story, broken last week by our specialist legal journalist, Karyn Maughan, revealed that Taylor, after posting a satirical video of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu earlier this year, attracted a full-blown Hawks probe and even a raid on his home, with officers hell-bent on gaining access to his cellphone. Maughan details the viral saga in its entirety on The Lead. Later in the show, membership of the ANC in the Eastern Cape is in sharp decline, warns its chairperson, Oscar Mabuyane. Also, the son of a Norwegian princess could face 10 years in prison if found guilty of rape. Lastly, we end off with ‘On This Day in SA History’. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

It’s been a national talking point these past few weeks thanks to our intrepid investigative journalist, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, who’s refusing to take his foot off the pedal when it comes to the numerous allegations of dodgy payments to the tune of billions at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA).First came revelations that the agency awarded a company many millions to lease out a Pretoria building for a decade, which said company had zero control over. These are certainly not the only questionable contracts the agency’s dished out that’s now landed it in hot water with National Treasury albeit after News24’s investigations gained traction. With a new acting CEO appointed to discipline those who allegedly targeted whistleblowers in the agency, The Lead turns to Manshantsha who argues that the GPAA should not exist as a potential feeding trough for criminals. He’s joined by our well-known consumer financial journalist, Maya Fisher-French, who argues that the GPAA ought to be stabilised to assist the Government Employees’ Pension Fund. She also sizes up how these negative headlines affect the value of pension payouts at the end of the day. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

South Africa’s Springbok Women celebrated this weekend like never before with a truly historic win: their first triumph over Italy and their very first time reaching the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinals, currently under way in England. It all came down to the wire with a nail-biting 29-24 victory over the Italians in the city of York on Sunday. The Springbok Women have come a long way since their debut in 2004 and the first World Cup in 2006. Joining The Lead to reflect on their biggest success in 21 years is News24 Sport editor Lloyd Burnard. Later in the show: Pay back the money! Shula Developers returns an irregular payment of millions to the state pensions admin agency. Also, Netflix’s Wednesday season two has a new star: Gqeberha’s very own Luyanda Lewis-Nyawo. Finally, we end with ‘On This Day in History’, courtesy of SA History Online. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

It was all meant to get under way in Pretoria in the new week, but the Madlanga inquiry has been delayed, seemingly due to factors out of its control. We’ve since heard from Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi that she’s suspended her department’s director-general, advocate Doc Mashabane, and his deputy, Jabu Hlatshwayo, for failing to ensure the commission had adequate information and communication technology infrastructure set up in time. This inquiry, chaired by the now-retired acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has already indicated it’s been in contact with one of its chief witnesses, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He publicly alleged that the heart of the South African Police Service has been captured by politically connected criminal figures. The Lead picked out the best bits of an expert panel discussing the delays with star specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan, political analyst, media columnist and fellow author Mpumelelo Mkhabela, as well as renowned criminologist and political scientist, currently based at Stellenbosch University, Dr Guy Lamb. The panel agrees: the delayed inquiry must begin soonest to help restore Mzansi’s trust in law enforcement. Finally, we end with ‘On This Day in History’.

State-owned arms manufacturer Denel, known for developing world-renowned defence weaponry, including the Casspir armoured vehicle and the Rooivalk attack helicopter, has been battling to stay financially afloat in recent years, despite government bailouts. And now a jet deal it struck with a US firm has seemingly soured, too. Bringing The Lead this exclusive story today is business journalist Jan Cronje. Cronje details how Denel’s 2017 contract was to sell Draken International 12 jets, but according to Draken’s court papers, it only received three jets, two of which apparently didn’t have ejector seats! Later in the show, a kidnapped Gqeberha woman is safely reunited with her family. Also, celebrated thespian Dr John Kani now has the honour of handing out Oscars. Finally, The Lead pauses to remember the late great broadcaster and political journalist, Tshidi Madia. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.