Stories from South Africa

Communication and Digital Technologies Minister Soli Malazi said his department is investigating the withdrawal of the draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy. The error occurred while the government was attempting to develop policies for the responsible use of AI. Experts described the issue as digital hallucinations where plausible-sounding but non-existent quotes were included. The responsible ministry is currently revising the draft from the ground up. The failure to verify sources has reportedly compromised a document intended to be a political breakthrough for the nation. A spokesperson told the SABC that the situation should not have occurred. Two officials from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies have been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect. The announcement was made by SABC news reporter Undi Lambana.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has adjourned the reopened inquest into the 1981 killing of human rights lawyer George Bizos. The proceedings were halted during the court session.

Postbank transitions for social grant payments will not affect beneficiaries who already access payments through retailers. The change aims to move payments through banking channels.

Postbank will move social grant payments for veteran politician Jeff Khadebo and Lofi Lukadell to banking channels starting May 1. Postbank's chief commercial officer, Tamsang Maglele, stated the notice applies only to Postbank savings account holders.

The African National Congress (ANC) has removed its provincial convener and replaced them with Mike Mabuyakulu. The party's National Executive Committee, led by Secretary-General Fiki Lembalula, is engaging with the new provincial leadership to stabilize structures.

Rudi Heinecke, a senior project manager at the organization Undoing Tax Abuse, stated that leadership instability at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is deeply troubling. Heinecke noted that the loss of two chairpersons in under two years raises serious governance concerns. This follows the announcement by Higher Education Minister Putti Manamela regarding a resignation from the NSFAS Board. The institution has lacked leadership stability for five years, having seen three different ministers and three different administrators in the last three to four years. The organization operated with an acting CEO during a period when the administration was lifted. This lack of stability affects a scheme responsible for funding nearly one million young people in tertiary studies. Alta was invited to discuss a recent student documentation report with the organization.

A defendant in the mass murder trial at Umtata High Court has alleged that police used torture to extract confessions. The accused claimed that statements regarding involvement in the Mngoboza Namasaka were not given voluntarily.

A trial within a trial is proceeding at the Umtata High Court in Lusigisiki regarding the 2024 mass murder of 18 people at Mungobazana village in the Eastern Cape. The accused is facing charges related to the killings.

Sunparks Rangers and City Law Enforcement intercepted a suspect attempting to flee near Sunparks facilities. In a separate incident, rangers responded to a tip-off regarding suspected poaching on Devil's Peak.

San Park spokesperson Peter Belengua announced several arrests following coordinated operations to stop crime in Table Mountain National Park. The operations were aimed at preventing criminal activity within the park.