Top 10 stories of the day
Here’s your daily news update for Sunday, 09 November 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
In the news today, three young women from Botswana were rescued at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport just before being trafficked abroad.
Also, Bester is again shifting the focus of his long legal battle over how he’s held in custody and his rights in prison.
Meanwhile, the SANDF is overseeing a classified upgrade that has involved Chinese technicians, prompting scrutiny from opposition parties.
Weather tomorrow: 10 November 2025
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has forecasted partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread over the central parts. Full weather forecast here.
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Police rescue three women from trafficking at OR Tambo
Three young women from Botswana, aged between 20 and 23, were rescued at O.R. Tambo International Airport on 7 November 2025 by a joint operation of the South African Police Service (Saps), Interpol NCB Pretoria and the Germiston Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
They were allegedly lured via social media by a syndicate posing as recruiters offering jobs in Sierra Leone, with a travel itinerary that indicated onward movement through South Africa and Nairobi. Fortunately, the alert by Botswana’s High Commission and the coordinated interception prevented them from being trafficked out of the country.
No arrests have yet been confirmed, and the investigation into the syndicate’s operations and methods is ongoing.
CONTINUE READING: Police rescue three women from human trafficking syndicate at OR Tambo Airport
Bester demands equal treatment in prison
Convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has filed a fresh application in the Johannesburg High Court seeking to have his prison classification changed so that he receives the same treatment as remanded accused persons rather than as a sentenced inmate.
“I respectfully submit that the department, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, never respected my rights as an accused person by law in terms of the charges being levelled against me and for which I was arrested,” the court papers, seen by City Press, read.
The DCS, however, maintains that Bester is treated like any other maximum-classified inmate, and his previous bids to relax conditions (including the use of laptops and improved access) have been rejected.
CONTINUE READING: Thabo Bester seeks same treatment as other accused persons
Chinese technicians in secret SANDF base upgrade
A multimillion-rand infrastructure upgrade at one of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) key bases is being carried out with the involvement of foreign (Chinese) technicians under a classified project known as Project Zingisa.
The upgrade drew scrutiny at a recent joint standing committee on defence, where the Democratic Alliance (DA) voiced concerns over the role of Chinese technicians in what are described as sensitive military installations and linked the project to a 2024 military aid agreement with China.
The involvement of foreign specialists in maintaining European-manufactured frigates and submarines operated by the SANDF was also referenced, raising broader questions about security, sovereignty and protocol compliance in defence upgrades.
CONTINUE READING: Classified upgrade at SANDF base involves Chinese technicians
Elderly warned to guard money this festive season
With the festive season approaching, financial fraud experts are warning that senior citizens in South Africa should be especially vigilant about protecting their money.
“Awareness is your strongest defence against fraud. Staying informed and alert can help make this festive season safe and worry-free,” said Zibu Nqala, CEO of FNB Points of Presence
“We urge customers to exercise caution and remain vigilant when withdrawing or depositing cash at ATMs and when using a card to pay at parking ticket stations.”
CONTINUE READING: Senior citizens warned to be extra careful to protect their money this holiday season
Siya Kolisi inspiration to all
Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks, reached the 100-test cap milestone against France on Saturday.
The visuals towards the end of the game of Kolisi on the side of the field, roaring his team on as they came storming back in the final quarter to secure a famous 32-17 win, will also be remembered for many years.
“Our captain in his 100th match being taken off because we had to get Andre on, who can play loose forward and centre, depending on whether we have a scrum or have a lineout … it was a tough call for a captain to go off at half time,” explained Erasmus.
CONTINUE READING: Rassie on subbing Kolisi in Paris: ‘Tough call for the captain, but he took it on the chin’
Here are five more news stories of the day:
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: In case you missed it: IDAC official kidnapped | Minister backs $1.3 trillion fund | Discovery Bank fined R3m