Xolile Mtembu

Digital Journalist, IOL News

The unseen gambling epidemic: How South African women are affected

Gerry Cupido and Xolile Mtembu|Published

South African women are increasingly drawn to casinos and online gambling as a means of escape, but experts caution that this trend often leads to addiction and ...

South Africans are living in debt, being overworked and exploited on minimum wage

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The harsh reality of minimum wage in South Africa: Families are overworked and living in debt.

'Boeta, we will find you': Gauteng teen disappears snorkelling on Mozambique matric trip

Brandon Nel and Xolile Mtembu|Published

Rikus Kylander, 18, disappeared while snorkelling in Mozambique.

Christmas weather: Government on high alert as storm risks rise ahead of Christmas and New Year

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has warned South Africans to remain on high alert as forecasts predict above-normal rainfall ...

Brace for a stormy Christmas and New Year: SAWS warns weather could disrupt festive travel

Xolile Mtembu|Updated

The South African Weather Service has issued a comprehensive warning for the 2025/26 festive season, citing a weak La Niña pattern that is expected to bring above-normal ...

IN PICTURES: Camps Bay Beach packed to capacity on Reconciliation Day

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town was packed on Tuesday as thousands of residents and tourists flocked to the iconic coastline for Reconciliation Day.

IN PICTURES: Durban's beaches completely packed as families flock for Reconciliation Day

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Durban’s beaches were packed to capacity on Tuesday, Reconciliation Day, as thousands of residents and tourists flocked to the Golden Mile, North Beach, and South ...

Routine roadblock uncovers deadly explosives

Xolile Mtembu|Published

During a routine roadblock on the N12, Stilfontein Police seized a vehicle carrying six bags of explosives, including shocktube detonators, electric initiators, ...

Focalistic faces backlash over song praising alleged criminal mastermind, Cat Matlala

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Focalistic's new song 'Cat Matlala' has stirred debate as it references a controversial businessman linked to serious criminal allegations.

Garden Route water crisis threatens tourism jobs as peak season looms

Xolile Mtembu|Published

A worsening water crisis across the Garden Route has prompted emergency intervention by Gift of the Givers.

Inside the growing fight over Elon Musk’s Starlink ambitions in South Africa

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Elon Musk’s push to deploy Starlink in South Africa has sparked fierce condemnation, with the Presidency, lawmakers, and civil society accusing him of attempting ...

DEREGISTERED! City Varsity, Damelin and ICESA face shutdown

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The Department of Higher Education and Training has issued a Notice of Intent to cancel the registration of three private higher education institutions, citing a ...

Canada warns its citizens about travelling to South Africa — Here’s why

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The Government of Canada has issued a blunt travel advisory urging its citizens to exercise extreme caution when visiting South Africa, citing frequent violent crime. ...

Search for victim resumes as death toll reaches five in Verulam structural collapse

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Five people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a temple in Verulam, north of Durban, as search and rescue operations were suspended due to severe ...

Presidency slams Elon Musk’s 'Apartheid-era' claim as dangerous and false

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The South African Presidency has condemned Elon Musk's assertion that the country enforces more racially discriminatory laws than during apartheid.

ANC flags ‘serious risk’ as Malatsi’s new Gazette sparks regulatory concerns

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The ANC has condemned Minister Solly Malatsi’s recent ICT policy directive, claiming it exceeds legislative authority and threatens South Africa’s transformation ...

Higher Education Department issues deregistration notice to City Varsity, Damelin, and ICESA

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The Department of Higher Education and Training has moved to cancel the registration of three private colleges, City Varsity, Damelin, and ICESA.

Blunt force trauma, a body in a dam, and three years of silence: Witness D's testimony helps family's fight for answers

Xolile Mtembu|Updated

The identity of the man beaten to death, allegedly by EMPD officers has been revealed and now, three years later, his family want justice.

Songezo Zibi confronts Floyd Shivambu over scandalous corruption admissions

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Songezo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi, has taken aim at Floyd Shivambu of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement, questioning his integrity over serious corruption allegations ...

Watch VideoHow WhatsApp group chats fuel online bullying among South African teens

Wendy Dondolo and Xolile Mtembu|Published

Group chats on platforms like WhatsApp have transformed from innocent social spaces into breeding grounds for coordinated online harassment among South African teenagers ...

The R14 million mystery scandal: Uncovering South Africa’s Russia–Ukraine connection

Xolile Mtembu|Published

SAfm presenter Nonkululeko Mantula was received bail of R30,300. Xolani Ntuli was granted R15,000 bail, while the remaining three accused, Thulani Mazibuko, Sphamandla ...

Sold for R14 million? The shocking claims behind SA’s Russia–Ukraine recruit scandal

Xolile Mtembu|Published

Five South Africans accused of recruiting local men to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war are due to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court,

Lamola to Washington: Congrats on the G20 crown, try not to trip over the facts

Xolile Mtembu|Updated

South Africa's Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola, delivers a powerful rebuttal to US accusations of undermining consensus during the G20 Presidency, asserting that ...

G20 tensions erupt: US accuses South Africa of 'embedded racism' as Presidency fires back

Xolile Mtembu|Published

A diplomatic row has erupted ahead of the G20 summit after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio harshly criticised South Africa’s leadership, accusing the ANC-led government ...

ANC KZN slams 'racist and ignorant' TikTok video targeting Indian South Africans

Xolile Mtembu|Published

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has condemned a TikTok video suggesting South Africans of Indian descent " have another country to go to".