Beneath the surface of a quiet Thornton neighbourhood, a sophisticated illegal operation was quietly thriving until law enforcement moved in.

A coordinated operation by the Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources (EPR) unit, working alongside the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), led to the arrest of three suspects linked to an illicit abalone drying facility.

Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi says they received a tip-off about an abalone-drying facility in the area.

“Information was operationalised and upon arrival at the premises, they encountered two suspects inside a Toyota bakkie that was loaded with containers consisting of abalone.”

Vukubi says the discovery of the abalone was only the beginning.

“Following additional leads, officers tracked down and arrested a third suspect believed to be connected to the operation. In the chaos, however, another individual managed to evade arrest.”

Upon counting, 3,443 units of wet abalone and 5,995 units of dried abalone were seized to the total value of over R2.5 million.

The three suspects, aged between 30 and 48, are expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, where they will face charges related to illegal dealing in abalone.

The civil society group, AfriForum, will approach US authorities in the hopes that they impose sanctions against ANC Secretary-General@MbalulaFikile Fikile Mbalula.  

AfriForum on Wednesday released a document called the “Mbalula dossier”, accusing him of “corrupt activities”, and went further on social media, accusing him of money laundering and fraud.   

The “dossier” also highlights Mbalula’s supposed anti-Western comments. 

“In the past, he has voiced his opposition to Western influence and emphasised the ANC’s commitment to opposing Western influence and imperialism. Furthermore, he also advocates for socialist policies, including expropriation without compensation and nationalisation,” read the document, which further broke down the statement with several examples.  

READ MORE: AfriForum asks US not to punish SA, but rather Mbalula

AfriForum further proposed implementing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows the US to impose visa bans and economic sanctions on people involved in significant corruption. 

“This document serves as a motivational introduction seeking to support a call for the US Authorities to consider sanctioning Mr Fikile April Mbalula in terms of the provisions of the Global Magnitsky Act, for his alleged corrupt activities,” read the document.  

The organisation suggests that the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority have been “inept” in addressing the allegations.  

“No one should be immune from prosecution simply because they hold a senior position. Therefore, AfriForum will continue to consider private prosecution against Mbalula should the NPA decide not to prosecute him,” said Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit. 

Meanwhile, the ANC, in a statement, dismissed AfriForum’s remarks. It read that AfriForum’s dossier is a politically motivated smear campaign against Mbalula, accusing the group of “attempting to delegitimise the democratic state and leaders of the liberation movement”. 

A day before the group’s briefing, Mbalula’s legal team had sent legal papers to prevent it from happening, and in reaction yesterday, Mbalula said he opted to allow the allegations to be made public. 

Outside of his commentary on social media, Mbalula, in a post-briefing statement, said the allegations made were “recycled” and based on claims that had already been addressed publicly.  

He also pointed to AfriForum seeking intervention from the US, noting that South African matters cannot be “outsourced to external interests”. 

“It is deeply ironic that AfriForum seeks intervention from a foreign government that has, on numerous occasions, been accused in international forums of undermining international law and acting unilaterally in global affairs,” said Mbalula.  

POST-MORTEM OF THE DOSSIER PUBLISHED BY AfriForum. pic.twitter.com/5M3RagtfMc

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) March 25, 2026

The African National Congress rejects with the contempt it deserves the so-called “Mbalula Dossier” released by AfriForum. This document is not a pursuit of justice, but a politically motivated smear campaign to isolate the Secretary-General by a reactionary organisation that has… pic.twitter.com/xiimnKPFjS

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) March 25, 2026

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has informed consumers of a product recall for specific batches of Slimsy Pomegranate Squash Concentrate as notified by the supplier, Dynamic Brands Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd.

The recall applies to the 6% Slimsy Pomegranate Squash Concentrate One Litre (1L), with the best before date of 14 October 2026.

These products were made available for purchase between 22 January 2026 and 23 March 2026 and were distributed in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.

The recall affects a total of 2,894 cases of the product, amounting to 17,364 units, that were made available to the market.

The defect relates to blown or swollen bottles of the 6% Slimsy Pomegranate Squash Concentrate 1L, which may rupture due to gas formation in the product, leading to physical injury.

According to the supplier, ingestion of the product could also potentially lead to foodborne illnesses.

Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged not to consume these and to immediately return the items to the point of purchase for a full refund.

The NCC has called on retailers to immediately remove the affected products from shelves to prevent potential consumer harm.

The NCC says it will continue to monitor the recall process to ensure full compliance with the Consumer Protection Act.

Consumers who have questions about this recall can contact:
ProductRecall@thencc.org.za

Batches of Citro-Soda has also recently been recalled.

Some 12 senior police officers, as well as alleged underworld boss, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, have appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption, fraud and the Contravention of the PFMA.

They were arrested on Tuesday, 24 March.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges stem from the alleged irregular awarding of a tender to Matlala’s company, Medicare 24.

“Treasury regulations were violated, and Matlala and Medicare24 were favoured by SAPS BEC members, which will become apparent from the evidence later in the process.

“Medicare24 did not have the facilities/equipment and/or staff to make good on the tender, which was budgeted for approximately R360 million, but owing to the collusion between the SAPS officials and Medicare 24, the lowest bid, which was approximately R228 million, which came from Matlala, was awarded this contract, nonetheless.

“Matlala received a payment of just over R50 million before the unlawful contract was cancelled by SAPS. Some of the accused also benefitted financially from this contract through money received from Matlala to which they were not entitled to,” the NPA said.

The awarding of this specific contract featured prominently in the proceedings of both the Parliamentary Adhoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission.

Senior members of the bid adjudication committee allegedly received cash payments and even a steady supply of Ozempic in exchange for fixing the contract.

The accused in the matter are:

• Matlala, together with James Murray (service provider)
• Captain Brian Neville
• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng
• Brigadier Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema
• Brigadier Patrick Nethengwe
• Tumisho Nehemiah Maleka (Procurement Officer)
• Major General Busisiwe Precious Temba
• Brigadier Kirsty Jonker
• Brigadier Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono
• Brigadier Onica Ofentse Tlhoale
• Colonel Nonjabulo Nomfundo Mngadi
• Colonel Anton Paulsen
• Colonel Natsenge Johannes Monyai

“There are 14 accused on the roll, which include Matlala and 12 are members of the SAPS, ranging in rank from Brigadier to Captain, two entities and a director of one of the entities.

“This matter again highlights how tender processes in government, including law enforcement, are compromised through government officials who are prepared to compromise themselves and their institutions just to make money on the side or to pay back favours.

“The matter was referred to IDAC [Investigating Directorate Against Corruption] in 2024 by a component of SAPS. The arrests show that agencies are still able to deal with corruption and effectively so,” the NPA said.

Matlala told the court that he would not apply for bail at this stage, and his matter was postponed to 07 April 2026 to consult with his attorney.

The rest of the accused were granted bail of between R40 000 and R80 000 with stringent conditions attached.

It comes as it was also announced on Wednesday that National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has been summoned to appear in court in connection with a criminal investigation into the health contract.

Masemola will appear in court in April, and he will likely face similar charges to those above.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a brief statement, said he had noted the confirmation by the NPA of charges against Masemola and his scheduled court appearance.

“President Ramaphosa will be addressing the matter concerning General Masemola in accordance with the law. The President, working together with the Minister of Police, is committed to ensuring that the SAPS remains stable and able to continue fulfilling its policing mandate.”