Lifestyle
Posts List
Health
Biko, Gumede, Jub Jub and Peter Nonyane and other high-profile cases back in court today
Several high-profile and closely watched cases are returning to South African courts on Monday, 24 August 2026, ranging from the reopened inquest into the death of struggle icon Steve Biko to corruption allegations involving a former eThekwini mayor, a murder case involving an elderly woman and criminal allegations against television personality Jub Jub.
Here is a look at some of the major matters before the courts today.
Steve Biko inquest returns nearly five decades later
The long-awaited reopened inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko gets under way in the Gqeberha High Court today.
Biko, the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, died in police custody on 12 September 1977, aged 30. He had been arrested by apartheid security police and suffered severe injuries while in custody.
The original inquest concluded that Biko’s injuries were sustained during a supposed scuffle with Security Branch officers and found no criminal responsibility. The finding has long been criticised, with allegations of a cover-up surrounding the circumstances of his death.
The National Prosecuting Authority reopened the inquest in 2025 following a request by National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi.
The renewed proceedings are expected to examine evidence surrounding Biko’s final days and the conduct of those involved in his arrest, detention and treatment.
Two former police officers have been identified as persons of interest and are still alive. Both are now in their 80s, making the timing of the proceedings particularly significant.
For the Biko family, the proceedings represent another attempt to establish accountability for a death that became one of the defining symbols of apartheid-era brutality.
Zandile Gumede’s R320 million corruption trial resumes
Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 21 co-accused are back before the Durban High Court in the long-running corruption case linked to the municipality’s waste-management contracts.
The accused face multiple charges including fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering.
The State alleges that the accused were involved in the unlawful manipulation of Durban Solid Waste contracts worth about R320 million. The case has been running for years and has repeatedly been delayed by a range of legal and personal circumstances.
Gumede has consistently denied wrongdoing.
One of the issues in the current proceedings involves evidence seized during the investigation, including material linked to former eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza. A trial-within-a-trial has been used to determine whether certain evidence can be admitted.
The case remains one of KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest political corruption trials and is being closely watched for what it could reveal about procurement, political influence and alleged corruption within local government.
Jub Jub back in Germiston court
Television personality and musician Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye is also back in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court today.
The case stems from an alleged confrontation with an e-hailing driver in Edenvale in June.
Maarohanye faces allegations including kidnapping, assault of the driver and the discharge of a firearm during the altercation. He has denied the allegations, describing the claims against him as fabricated.
Maarohanye was arrested on 14 June and later secured R5,000 bail following an urgent High Court application. His first appearance in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court was subsequently postponed to allow police more time to investigate.
There has also been confusion over the exact charges reported following his arrest. Earlier reports referred to a number of allegations, while authorities have subsequently clarified the charges that form part of the case.
Today’s appearance is expected to provide an update on the investigation and the way forward.
Maarohanye’s case is attracting particular attention because of his high public profile and his previous conviction for culpable homicide arising from the 2010 Soweto drag-racing incident that killed four schoolchildren. He was released on parole in 2017.
That previous case remains an important part of the public context surrounding the latest proceedings, although Maarohanye remains presumed innocent in relation to the current allegations.
Peter Nonyane faces bail battle over alleged R1.75 million estate fraud
Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Peter Nonyane, 36, is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today for a formal bail application.
Nonyane, who is known by the nickname “Gagash”, is accused alongside attorney Charlotte Tibana, 33, in a case involving alleged fraud, theft and money laundering linked to a deceased estate.
The alleged amount at the centre of the case is about R1.75 million.
The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit arrested the pair as part of the investigation.
Both accused appeared in court last week and were remanded in custody pending today’s bail proceedings. The State is opposing their release.
The allegations have attracted additional attention because Tibana is an attorney and Nonyane is a serving metro police officer — positions that place questions of public trust and professional responsibility at the centre of the case.
The accused remain presumed innocent and the allegations still have to be tested in court.
Aletta Rose back in court over sister’s alleged murder
In Cape Town, 63-year-old Aletta Rose returns to the Bellville Magistrate’s Court in the case involving the alleged murder and dismemberment of her sister, Constance “Connie” Scholtz.
Rose is accused of murdering her elderly sister in March and allegedly decapitating her and severing her hands.
The case has generated widespread public interest because of the disturbing nature of the allegations and Rose’s behaviour during previous court appearances.
A major issue surrounding the proceedings has been Rose’s mental state. She has been awaiting psychiatric assessment, with the court previously hearing that she was on a waiting list for a psychiatric observation bed.
Today’s appearance is expected to provide an update on the case and the psychiatric assessment process.
Rose remains an accused person and has not been convicted.
Economy
Kimberley’s Benjie makes history with MasterChef SA win and R1 million prize
Andrew “Benjie” Benjamin has cooked his way into South African television history after being crowned the winner of MasterChef South Africa Season 6.
The 40-year-old home cook from Kimberley in the Northern Cape beat Durban finalist Candice Meth in the tense finale on Sunday, 16 August, walking away with the coveted title and a R1 million cash prize. His victory also made him the first contestant from the Northern Cape to win the competition.
For Benjie, the achievement was about far more than winning a reality television competition.
“I thought I wouldn’t even make it past episode two,” he admitted, crediting his wife for encouraging him to remain in the competition and take it “one episode at a time”.
He said the victory was particularly meaningful because of what it could represent for his family and people from his home province.
“There was a time when I thought that I wouldn’t make it even past episode two,” Benjamin said. “My wife encouraged me to stay on there.”
From high-voltage lines to the MasterChef kitchen
Benjie’s journey is unusual because cooking is not his full-time profession.
The Kimberley-born contestant works in high-voltage electrical line maintenance, dealing with hazardous electricity transmission lines, while cooking has remained a passion outside his day job.
He entered the competition alongside 19 other home cooks and quickly established himself as one of the contestants to watch.
Benjie earned his first Dish of the Day in only the second episode and went on to win seven challenges before reaching the final. One of those victories gave him a valuable 10-minute advantage for the final cook.
Throughout the competition, judges and fellow contestants affectionately nicknamed him “Benjie Baby”.
His playful approach to food also became part of his identity on the show. One of his standout creations was a sophisticated take on two-minute noodles, which he transformed into “Crêpes Suzette Benjette”.
Judge Chef Katlego Mlambo reportedly named it her favourite Benjie dish of the season, while a lamb pie also impressed London-based guest judge Chef Nokx Majozi.
A high-pressure finale
The final challenge saw Benjie go head-to-head with 39-year-old Candice Meth in a two-hour cook-off.
The finalists were tasked with creating a three-course meal that reflected their journeys throughout the competition.
Benjie prepared pan-fried salmon with leeks and white wine sauce as his starter, followed by pork belly with fennel and apple purées, mushy peas and red wine jus.
For dessert, he served meringue, vanilla sponge cake, raspberry coulis, chocolate crème pâtissière and vanilla ice cream.
The pressure was intense, particularly when his decision to bake the apples to intensify their flavour cost him precious time.
But he managed to complete his menu before the clock ran out.
Judges impressed by his final menu
Benjie had already been regarded as a strong contender, but his final performance ultimately convinced the judges that he deserved the title.
Ahead of the final cook, judge Justine Drake described him as a “dark horse”, while Zola Nene called him “laser-focused”.
His final dishes continued to impress.
The judges praised the execution of his salmon, while his pork belly stood out for its balance of flavours.
Nene went as far as describing the main course as something that could be seen “in a fine-dining restaurant”.
That combination of technical ability, creativity and composure ultimately gave Benjie the edge over Meth.
A victory for the Northern Cape
Benjie’s win has also become a source of pride for the Northern Cape, shining a spotlight on the province’s food traditions and homegrown culinary talent.
The new champion hopes his journey will encourage other people from the province to believe in their own abilities.
“We can make great food and compete with the best in the rest of the country,” he said.
He pointed to the diversity of the province, mentioning communities including Roodepan, Springbok, De Aar, Kuruman and the Kalahari as places with their own flavours and cooking traditions.
“Hopefully, my journey gives people the confidence to express themselves in the kitchen, too,” he said.
What’s next for Benjie?
Despite winning R1 million and becoming South Africa’s newest MasterChef, Benjie is not rushing to abandon his career.
He has said he still loves his day job and believes there is room for both his electrical work and his passion for cooking.
“I still love my day job, but there’s a place for both the job and cooking in my life,” he said.
As for his prize money, Benjie has more grounded plans. He wants to make renovations at home and spoil the family members who supported him throughout his journey.
He has also hinted at exploring his love for noodles further, with the possibility of a cookbook centred on the versatile ingredient.
For now, however, Benjie Baby can savour a remarkable achievement – a home cook from Kimberley has conquered one of South Africa’s biggest culinary competitions and brought the MasterChef crown to the Northern Cape for the first time.
MasterChef SA Season 6 in context
The sixth season of MasterChef South Africa premiered in February 2026 and concluded on 16 August after 26 episodes. The competition is built around amateur cooks competing in a series of culinary challenges, with contestants judged on their technical skills, creativity and ability to perform under pressure.
Benjie’s victory therefore represents the culmination of months of competition – and a major milestone for a contestant who entered the kitchen as a passionate home cook and left as South Africa’s latest MasterChef champion.
