For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: Mandela's grandson returns to South Africa after deportation by Israel; Ramaphosa appoints panel to select next NDPP; And, MKP asks DA’s Kohler Barnard to recuse herself from Parly Saps committee

Mandela's grandson returns to South Africa after deportation by Israel

The grandson of late South African President and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela arrived in Johannesburg today after being detained and then deported by Israel, which prevented the flotilla he was part of delivering aid to Gaza.

Mandla Mandela, who returned home with four other South Africans, said he and the group he was with were held in an Israeli prison for six days before being released via Jordan.

Israel says reports of hunger in Gaza are exaggerated and dismissed the flotilla as a publicity stunt benefiting Hamas. It has denied mistreating the hundreds of people it detained, who included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

Ramaphosa appoints panel to select next NDPP

Ahead of the end of National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi’s term of office, President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a panel for the selection of the next NDPP, appointing Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi as chairperson.

Batohi will be required to vacate her office in January 2026, as she reaches the age of 65.

Ramaphosa said the next NDPP must be identified through an open and transparent process that reflects the importance of this vital position in the country’s democracy.

The panel will comprise the chairpersons of the South African Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Auditor-General South Africa, and the Public Service Commission; as well as a representative of both the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers.

Ramaphosa assured that the process of appointing the next NDPP would be the same open and transparent process that led to the appointment of Batohi.

And, MKP asks DA’s Kohler Barnard to recuse herself from Parly Saps committee

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party said it will formally write to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza requesting the immediate suspension of Democratic Alliance spokesperson on State Security Dianne Kohler Barnard from the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, pending investigation into the grave allegations against her.

The party asked Kohler Barnard to immediately recuse herself from the ad-hoc committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi into the criminal justice system, saying her continued participation is “untenable, unethical and an insult” to the principles of parliamentary integrity and impartiality.

Kohler Barnard was explicitly implicated under oath by Mkhwanazi in his sworn statement, to the Madlanga Commission, accusing her of leaking sensitive information.

MKP national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said it defied logic and fairness that a person named in serious allegations before the very committee she sits on could presume to act as both referee and player.

He said such conduct undermines public confidence in Parliament's oversight processes and risks reducing this important inquiry into a political farce.

The party demands that Kohler Barnard step aside and submit herself to the appropriate processes as a witness, not as a judge over her own case, saying failure to do so will expose the ad-hoc committee to legitimate legal challenge and public condemnation.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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