Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that thousands of people on social media believe you’re a murderer. Your name, your face and your reputation circulating online — all because strangers on the internet think they’ve solved a crime. That’s exactly what happened to Sollange Williams. After a disturbing video of an Uber driver being strangled to death by a man believed to have a female accomplice began circulating online, social media users started trying to identify the woman in the footage. Before long, many claimed it was Sollange. The accusations spread rapidly, and with them came threats and harassment. Now, the woman at the centre of those claims has had to turn to the South African Police Service to clear her name and protect her safety. Tonight we speak
directly to Sollange Williams about what it’s like to be falsely accused in the court of social media — and whether this growing trend of online “detectives” is putting innocent lives at risk.

Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that&nbsp;thousands of people on social media believe you&rsquo;re a&nbsp;murderer. Your name, your face and your reputation&nbsp;circulating online &mdash; all because strangers on the&nbsp;internet think they&rsquo;ve solved a crime. That&rsquo;s exactly&nbsp;what happened to Sollange Williams. After a&nbsp;disturbing video of an Uber driver being strangled to&nbsp;death by a man believed to have a female accomplice&nbsp;began circulating online, social media users started&nbsp;trying to identify the woman in the footage. Before&nbsp;long, many claimed it was Sollange. The accusations&nbsp;spread rapidly, and with them came threats and&nbsp;harassment.&nbsp;Now, the woman at the centre of those claims has had&nbsp;to turn to the South African Police Service to clear her&nbsp;name and protect her safety. Tonight we speak directly to Sollange Williams about what it&rsquo;s like to be&nbsp;falsely accused in the court of social media &mdash; and&nbsp;whether this growing trend of online &ldquo;detectives&rdquo; is&nbsp;putting innocent lives at risk.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Forgiveness in Relationships

Another dramatic development in the shocking insurance-linked murder case that has gripped the
country. A seventh suspect connected to the alleged R10-million insurance fraud syndicate in Polokwane has now handed himself over to police. Authorities say the accused are linked to a string of brutal killings where victims were allegedly burned, strangled and even stabbed — all believed to be part of a scheme to cash in on life insurance policies. Police say the alleged mastermind is a former police sergeant, Rachel Kutumela, who was arrested in October 2024 along with members of her family. Now, her brother Robbert Shokane is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, joining six other accused already facing 47 charges, including nine counts of murder. As investigations continue and more cases are being probed, questions remain about how such an alleged syndicate operated — and whether there could be even more victims.

Another dramatic development in the shocking&nbsp;insurance-linked murder case that has gripped the country. A seventh suspect connected to the alleged&nbsp;R10-million insurance fraud syndicate in Polokwane&nbsp;has now handed himself over to police. Authorities&nbsp;say the accused are linked to a string of brutal killings&nbsp;where victims were allegedly burned, strangled and&nbsp;even stabbed &mdash; all believed to be part of a scheme to&nbsp;cash in on life insurance policies. Police say the&nbsp;alleged mastermind is a former police sergeant,&nbsp;Rachel Kutumela, who was arrested in October 2024&nbsp;along with members of her family. Now, her brother&nbsp;Robbert Shokane is expected to appear before the&nbsp;Polokwane Magistrate&rsquo;s Court on Friday, joining six&nbsp;other accused already facing 47 charges, including&nbsp;nine counts of murder. As investigations continue and&nbsp;more cases are being probed, questions remain about&nbsp;how such an alleged syndicate operated &mdash; and&nbsp;whether there could be even more victims.

POLICE SPOKESPERSON ATHLENDA MATHE

South Africa is taking its place at the centre of one of the most important global conversations of our time — the future of artificial intelligence. A leading local expert, Professor Vukosi Marivate from the University of Pretoria, has been appointed to a prestigious new scientific panel established by the United Nations to guide how the world governs AI. The 40-member panel, created by the United Nations General Assembly earlier this year, brings together top global experts to assess the risks, opportunities and societal impact of artificial intelligence. Marivate’s appointment not only places South Africa firmly on the global AI map, but also ensures that African perspectives — including the development of technology for African languages and contexts — are part of shaping how this powerful technology will be regulated and used worldwide.

South Africa is taking its place at the centre of one of&nbsp;the most important global conversations of our time &mdash;&nbsp;the future of artificial intelligence. A leading local&nbsp;expert, Professor Vukosi Marivate from the University&nbsp;of Pretoria, has been appointed to a prestigious new&nbsp;scientific panel established by the United Nations to&nbsp;guide how the world governs AI. The 40-member&nbsp;panel, created by the United Nations General&nbsp;Assembly earlier this year, brings together top global&nbsp;experts to assess the risks, opportunities and societal&nbsp;impact of artificial intelligence. Marivate&rsquo;s appointment&nbsp;not only places South Africa firmly on the global AI&nbsp;map, but also ensures that African perspectives &mdash;&nbsp;including the development of technology for African&nbsp;languages and contexts &mdash; are part of shaping how&nbsp;this powerful technology will be regulated and used&nbsp;worldwide.

PROFESSOR VUSI MARIVATE

Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that thousands of people on social media believe you’re a murderer. Your name, your face and your reputation circulating online — all because strangers on the internet think they’ve solved a crime. That’s exactly what happened to Sollange Williams. After a disturbing video of an Uber driver being strangled to death by a man believed to have a female accomplice began circulating online, social media users started trying to identify the woman in the footage. Before long, many claimed it was Sollange. The accusations spread rapidly, and with them came threats and harassment. Now, the woman at the centre of those claims has had to turn to the South African Police Service to clear her name and protect her safety. Tonight we speak directly to Sollange Williams about what it’s like to be falsely accused in the court of social media — and
whether this growing trend of online “detectives” is putting innocent lives at risk.

Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that&nbsp;thousands of people on social media believe you&rsquo;re a&nbsp;murderer. Your name, your face and your reputation&nbsp;circulating online &mdash; all because strangers on the&nbsp;internet think they&rsquo;ve solved a crime. That&rsquo;s exactly&nbsp;what happened to Sollange Williams. After a&nbsp;disturbing video of an Uber driver being strangled to&nbsp;death by a man believed to have a female accomplice&nbsp;began circulating online, social media users started&nbsp;trying to identify the woman in the footage. Before&nbsp;long, many claimed it was Sollange. The accusations&nbsp;spread rapidly, and with them came threats and&nbsp;harassment.&nbsp;Now, the woman at the centre of those claims has had&nbsp;to turn to the South African Police Service to clear her&nbsp;name and protect her safety. Tonight we speak&nbsp;directly to Sollange Williams about what it&rsquo;s like to be&nbsp;falsely accused in the court of social media &mdash; and whether this growing trend of online &ldquo;detectives&rdquo; is&nbsp;putting innocent lives at risk.

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Social Media Vigilantism and False Accusations

Africa’s economy is inching forward — but only just. New numbers from Statistics South Africa show GDP grew by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, slightly better than the 0.3% growth recorded in the previous quarter. The gains were driven mainly by finance, trade and agriculture, while manufacturing continued to shrink. So the economy is technically growing — but is this meaningful progress, or just another example of South Africa’s slow-growth trap?

Africa&rsquo;s economy is inching forward &mdash; but only just. New numbers from Statistics South Africa show GDP grew by 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, slightly better than the 0.3% growth recorded in the previous quarter. The gains were driven mainly by finance, trade and agriculture, while manufacturing continued to shrink. So the economy is technically growing &mdash; but is this meaningful progress, or just another example of South&nbsp;Africa&rsquo;s&nbsp;slow-growth trap?

ISAAC KHAMBULE - PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL ECONOMY - UJ

The South African National Defence Force has now touched down in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg.
Soldiers have begun going door-to-door as part of a major security intervention aimed at tackling
gangsterism and violent crime in the area. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing during the State of the Nation Address that the military would be deployed to crime-ridden communities in Gauteng, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape under Operation Prosper. Around 550 soldiers have been deployed in Gauteng, with the operation expected to run for a full year and cost more than R80 million in the province alone. The soldiers are working alongside the South African Police Service to try and stabilise communities that have been gripped by violent crime. But the big question tonight is this: what does it say about the state of policing in South Africa when the army has to be called into our neighbourhoods? Is this a necessary intervention to protect residents, or does it signal a deeper failure of law enforcement and social policy in our country?

The South African National Defence Force has now&nbsp;touched down in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg. Soldiers have begun going door-to-door as part of a&nbsp;major security intervention aimed at tackling gangsterism and violent crime in the area. This follows&nbsp;President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing during the&nbsp;State of the Nation Address that the military would be&nbsp;deployed to crime-ridden communities in Gauteng, the&nbsp;Western Cape and the Eastern Cape under Operation&nbsp;Prosper.&nbsp;Around 550 soldiers have been deployed in Gauteng,&nbsp;with the operation expected to run for a full year and&nbsp;cost more than R80 million in the province alone. The&nbsp;soldiers are working alongside the South African&nbsp;Police Service to try and stabilise communities that&nbsp;have been gripped by violent crime.&nbsp;But the big question tonight is this: what does it say&nbsp;about the state of policing in South Africa when the&nbsp;army has to be called into our neighbourhoods? Is&nbsp;this a necessary intervention to protect residents, or&nbsp;does it signal a deeper failure of law enforcement and&nbsp;social policy in our country?

SANDF Deployment to Crime-Affected Communities

Let’s be honest for a moment. Many of us love to say South Africa is the most beautiful country in the world. We celebrate the mountains, the coastlines, the wildlife and the landscapes. But take a closer look at some of our streets, parks and taxi ranks, and a different picture emerges — one filled with plastic bags, takeaway containers and bottles thrown onto the ground. And the big question is: why?
Because littering is one of those behaviours that almost everyone agrees is wrong, yet it continues to
happen everywhere. People will sometimes throw rubbish on the ground even when a bin is a few
metres away. So what drives that behaviour? Is it laziness? Is it frustration with failing municipal services? Or is it something deeper — a sense that public spaces don’t really belong to us?

Let&rsquo;s be honest for a moment. Many of us love to say&nbsp;South Africa is the most beautiful country in the world.&nbsp;We celebrate the mountains, the coastlines, the&nbsp;wildlife and the landscapes. But take a closer look at&nbsp;some of our streets, parks and taxi ranks, and a&nbsp;different picture emerges &mdash; one filled with plastic&nbsp;bags, takeaway containers and bottles thrown onto&nbsp;the ground. And the big question is: why? Because littering is one of those behaviours that&nbsp;almost everyone agrees is wrong, yet it continues to happen everywhere. People will sometimes throw&nbsp;rubbish on the ground even when a bin is a few metres away. So what drives that behaviour? Is it laziness? Is it frustration with failing municipal services? Or is it something deeper &mdash; a sense that&nbsp;public spaces don&rsquo;t really belong to us?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: PASTER LESIBA KGWELE - CONVENER - MORAL REGENATION SOCIETY DALU CELE - FOUNDER AND CEO OF CLEAN CITY SA

War in the Middle East is usually something South Africans experience through the price of petrol — but could it also shape the price of your next home? A new analysis by Jonathan Kohler, CEO of
Landsdowne Property Group, suggests that rising oil prices linked to conflict involving Iran could ripple
through the South African economy and influence our housing market in an unexpected way.
Higher fuel prices could keep inflation elevated, forcing the South African Reserve Bank to delay interest-rate cuts. That might slow the property recovery slightly — but paradoxically create a brief
window for buyers before the next growth phase of the market begins. So what exactly does a geopolitical crisis thousands of kilometres away mean for South African home buyers and investors? And is this really the moment to get into the property market? To unpack this, we’re joined by Jonathan Kohler from Landsdowne Property Group.

War in the Middle East is usually something South&nbsp;Africans experience through the price of petrol &mdash; but&nbsp;could it also shape the price of your next home?&nbsp;A new analysis by Jonathan Kohler, CEO of Landsdowne Property Group, suggests that rising oil&nbsp;prices linked to conflict involving Iran could ripple through the South African economy and influence our&nbsp;housing market in an unexpected way. Higher fuel prices could keep inflation elevated, forcing the South African Reserve Bank to delay interest-rate cuts. That might slow the property&nbsp;recovery slightly &mdash; but paradoxically create a brief window for buyers before the next growth phase of the&nbsp;market begins.&nbsp;So what exactly does a geopolitical crisis thousands&nbsp;of kilometres away mean for South African home&nbsp;buyers and investors? And is this really the moment&nbsp;to get into the property market?&nbsp;To unpack this, we&rsquo;re joined by Jonathan Kohler from&nbsp;Landsdowne Property Group.

Global war, local property opportunity ( Jonathan Kohler from Landsdowne Property Group )

Tonight we turn to the escalating violence in the Middle East — a conflict that continues to claim
civilian lives and deepen divisions across the world. Here in South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has issued a stark warning, saying the region is “on the brink of catastrophe” with potentially severe global consequences. It’s a statement rooted in the legacy of Nelson
Mandela — a leader who believed deeply in dialogue, reconciliation and the protection of human dignity, even in the most entrenched conflicts. But what does that legacy demand of the world today?
And what responsibility do global leaders carry in pushing for peace and protecting civilians caught in
the crossfire? We will be joined by a representative from the Nelson Mandela Foundation to unpack their call for urgent de-escalation and what meaningful steps toward peace might look like.

Tonight we turn to the escalating violence in the&nbsp;Middle East &mdash; a conflict that continues to claim civilian lives and deepen divisions across the world.&nbsp;Here in South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Foundation&nbsp;has issued a stark warning, saying the region is &ldquo;on&nbsp;the brink of catastrophe&rdquo; with potentially severe&nbsp;global consequences.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s a statement rooted in the legacy of Nelson Mandela &mdash; a leader who believed deeply in dialogue,&nbsp;reconciliation and the protection of human dignity,&nbsp;even in the most entrenched conflicts.&nbsp;But what does that legacy demand of the world today? And what responsibility do global leaders carry in&nbsp;pushing for peace and protecting civilians caught in the crossfire?&nbsp;We will be joined by a representative from the Nelson&nbsp;Mandela Foundation to unpack their call for urgent&nbsp;de-escalation and what meaningful steps toward&nbsp;peace might look like.

PROFESSOR VERNE HARRIS

South Africa is a country wrestling with deep challenges — poverty, inequality, unemployment,
corruption, and communities that often feel abandoned by those in power. In moments like these,
many people look to the church for moral leadership. Over the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke at the funeral of American civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, praising his legacy of faith-driven activism. Jackson stood in the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr. — clergy who didn’t just preach on Sundays but challenged injustice head-on. But it raises an uncomfortable question here at home:
have South Africa’s church leaders lost their prophetic voice? In a nation battling corruption, gender violence, and crushing inequality, should pastors and bishops be speaking louder — even if it means confronting political power? Tonight we ask: does faith demand activism, and have our church leaders become too silent?

South Africa is a country wrestling with deep&nbsp;challenges &mdash; poverty, inequality, unemployment, corruption, and communities that often feel&nbsp;abandoned by those in power. In moments like these, many people look to the church for moral leadership.&nbsp;Over the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke&nbsp;at the funeral of American civil rights icon Jesse&nbsp;Jackson, praising his legacy of faith-driven activism.&nbsp;Jackson stood in the tradition of Martin Luther King&nbsp;Jr. &mdash; clergy who didn&rsquo;t just preach on Sundays but&nbsp;challenged injustice head-on.&nbsp;But it raises an uncomfortable question here at home: have South Africa&rsquo;s church leaders lost their prophetic&nbsp;voice? In a nation battling corruption, gender violence,&nbsp;and crushing inequality, should pastors and bishops&nbsp;be speaking louder &mdash; even if it means confronting&nbsp;political power? Tonight we ask: does faith demand&nbsp;activism, and have our church leaders become too&nbsp;silent?

AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Does faith demand activism, and have our church leaders become too silent?

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

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