---
title: "Hill-Lewis redefines DA, Kruger poachers face justice and the new science of mindful eating"
description: "The Weekend Wrap covers the DA’s internal evolution under Geordin Hill-Lewis, the legal reckoning for Julius Malema and a landmark poaching conviction in the Kruger, while exploring the Chinese SUV scandal, Artemis II’s historic return and the psychological shifts required to master mindful eating."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "THE WEEKEND WRAP"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-17-hill-lewis-redefines-da-kruger-poachers-face-justice-and-the-new-science-of-mindful-eating/"
published: "2026-04-17T16:08:34"
updated: "2026-04-24T13:48:57"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 710
---

# Hill-Lewis redefines DA, Kruger poachers face justice and the new science of mindful eating

> The Weekend Wrap covers the DA’s internal evolution under Geordin Hill-Lewis, the legal reckoning for Julius Malema and a landmark poaching conviction in the Kruger, while exploring the Chinese SUV scandal, Artemis II’s historic return and the psychological shifts required to master mindful eating.

By Daily Maverick · Published 17 April 2026, 18:08 SAST · Updated 24 April 2026, 15:48 SAST

## Key points
- Geordin Hill-Lewis charts a new path for the DA amid internal leak clampdowns, while Julius Malema faces a five-year sentence and a second Cabinet minister is swept up in the Chinese SUV scandal.
- South Africa prepares for a long-awaited diesel pricing overhaul and a Nigerian mega-pastor moves to acquire an iconic Cape Town landmark.
- A landmark conviction brings down Kruger Park rhino poaching insiders, while the Artemis II Orion capsule completes its historic lunar flyby with a successful splashdown.
- New insights challenge the myths of professional burnout and pivot the healthy eating conversation from “what” we consume to “how and why” we eat.

## Content

### [Second Cabinet minister implicated in Chinese SUV scandal](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-14-exclusive-second-cabinet-minister-implicated-in-chinese-suv-scandal/)

![Illustrative image: Minister Maropene Ramokgopa (Photo: Leila Dougan) | BAIC Beihing X55 (image: baic.co.za)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/mObV6pgG_TZUr8u1IxSIBvIepF8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/ramokgopabeijing_565425_541892.jpg)

*Illustrative image: Minister Maropene Ramokgopa (Photo: Leila Dougan) | BAIC Beihing X55 (image: baic.co.za)*

***By Rebecca Davis*.**Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa has also been accused of giving luxury donated Chinese SUVs to her family and loved ones without disclosing this. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-14-exclusive-second-cabinet-minister-implicated-in-chinese-suv-scandal/)

### [Geordin Hill-Lewis lays out 4-point plan as he becomes DA federal leader](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-12-geordin-hill-lewis-lays-out-4-point-plan-as-he-becomes-da-federal-leader-at-39/)

![Tori/Nonku- DA](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Db-nseWiccZhVFqC2lEOVQVI1wo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_9569_363667.jpg)

*Geordin Hill-Lewis during the DA Federal Congress 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

***By Victoria O’Regan.***‘We must connect with the millions of people who have not yet voted for us,’ the new federal leader said. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-12-geordin-hill-lewis-lays-out-4-point-plan-as-he-becomes-da-federal-leader-at-39/)

### [Malema sentenced to five years over Mdantsane firearm incident](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-16-dangerous-and-unlawful-malema-sentenced-to-five-years-over-mdantsane-firearm-incident/)

![EFF leader Julius Malema appears at East London Magistrate’s Court for sentencing proceedings on 15 April 2026. (Photo: Gallo Images / Randell Roskruge)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/f5FS4IJyU-SQcPLPdV7Fd9l4dMA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/ED_604115_158672_224389.jpg)

*EFF leader Julius Malema appears at East London Magistrate’s Court for sentencing proceedings on 15 April 2026. (Photo: Gallo Images / Randell Roskruge)*

***By Andisa Bonani.*** Julius Malema has received a five-year prison sentence for unlawfully discharging a firearm at a 2018 public gathering, with further sentences on related charges structured to run concurrently. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-16-dangerous-and-unlawful-malema-sentenced-to-five-years-over-mdantsane-firearm-incident/)

### [The Nigerian mega-pastor shouting hallelujah after bidding to buy iconic Cape Town building](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-12-watch-meet-the-nigerian-mega-pastor-shouting-hallelujah-after-bidding-to-buy-iconic-cape-town-building/)

![Illustrative image: The iconic Good Hope Centre | Pastor John Anosike. (Photo: Facebook)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/oJs6xu6MzO1Rt99qoFOQ2r77WKY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/GHheaderpic_771394_616257.jpg)

*Illustrative image: The iconic Good Hope Centre | Pastor John Anosike. (Photo: Facebook)*

***By Rebecca Davis***. In late February 2026, the City of Cape Town auctioned off 53 City-owned properties, including the famous Good Hope Centre. The man who claims his bid was successful is a Nigeria-born pastor who leads a charismatic church in Maitland. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-12-watch-meet-the-nigerian-mega-pastor-shouting-hallelujah-after-bidding-to-buy-iconic-cape-town-building/)

### [Info leaks trigger DA clampdown on insiders, party implements lifestyle audits](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-12-info-leaks-trigger-da-clampdown-on-insiders-party-implements-lifestyle-audits-for-members/)

![Glynnis Breytenbach at the DA’s Federal Congress at the Gallagher Convention Centre on 12 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/cuA7RLGvUoUmVAdn4fYgLu-lbVg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/WFD_9276_652597_570829.jpg)

*Glynnis Breytenbach at the DA’s Federal Congress at the Gallagher Convention Centre on 12 April 2026. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

***By Nonkululeko Njilo and Victoria O’Regan.***While the DA is tightening the screws on confidential information leaks and membership, it has also approved a new resolution affirming its commitment to integrity and accountability. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-12-info-leaks-trigger-da-clampdown-on-insiders-party-implements-lifestyle-audits-for-members/)

### [Diesel fuel pricing mechanism is finally earmarked for an overhaul](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-13-diesel-fuel-pricing-mechanism-is-finally-earmarked-for-an-overhaul/)

![BM-Ed-PetrolPrice](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/QwNHxhH-6_MgezaeoLCC1853ZsQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/diesel_8885561_425265.jpeg)

*South African motorists will shell out 14% more for petrol from Wednesday and almost 24% more for diesel as the fallout from the Iran war continues to take a mounting toll on the domestic and wider global economy. (Photo: Getty Images; Arrow image: Vecteezy)*

***By Lindsey Schutters.***An unexpected result of the attacks on Iran is that the long-awaited discussion about how fuel is priced in South Africa has begun. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-13-diesel-fuel-pricing-mechanism-is-finally-earmarked-for-an-overhaul/)

### [Kruger insiders convicted of rhino poaching in landmark Skukuza case](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-10-kruger-insiders-convicted-of-rhino-poaching-in-landmark-skukuza-case/)

![Three former SANParks employees including two officials tasked with manning the Kruger National Park entrance gates were on Friday, 10 April 2026, found guilty in the Skukuza Regional Court of killing a rhino and conspiring to commit a rhino horn smuggling offence. (Photo: Flickr)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/PS-YnJY26BUYHQJhnB9v_LAHbsI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/Krugergate_101231_142616.jpg)

*Three former SANParks employees including two officials tasked with manning the Kruger National Park entrance gates were on Friday, 10 April 2026, found guilty in the Skukuza Regional Court of killing a rhino and conspiring to commit a rhino horn smuggling offence. (Photo: Flickr)*

***By Fred Kockott.*** Three former employees of Kruger National Park have been convicted of rhino poaching and conspiracy, exposing the critical role insiders can play in enabling wildlife crime. The case underscores both the scale of organised poaching networks and the profound breach of trust when those tasked with protecting wildlife become complicit. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-10-kruger-insiders-convicted-of-rhino-poaching-in-landmark-skukuza-case/)

### [Seeing burnout for what it is to dismantle the myths that keep it unaddressed](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-04-17-seeing-burnout-for-what-it-is-to-dismantle-the-myths-that-keep-it-unaddressed/)

***By Freddie van Rensburg.***As much as feeling depleted or utterly exhausted will manifest physically, the real cause can often be traced back to unresolved issues that have been affecting one’s mental health over time. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-04-17-seeing-burnout-for-what-it-is-to-dismantle-the-myths-that-keep-it-unaddressed/)

### [Focusing on how and why you eat may be the key to healthy eating](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-15-focusing-on-how-and-why-you-eat-may-be-the-key-to-healthy-eating/)

![Shifting the focus from food itself to our experience of eating can have a range of health benefits. (Photo: Stefano Guidi / Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/67mTKGqCoM5ZoDJEeORaB5-jGFA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/healthy-eating-conversation_224312_322506.jpg)

*Shifting the focus from food itself to our experience of eating can have a range of health benefits. (Photo: Stefano Guidi / Getty Images)*

***By Nina Van Dyke and Rosemary V. Calder.***Prioritising your relationship with food over strict diets may unlock the key to healthier eating habits, promoting wellbeing through intuitive and mindful practices. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-15-focusing-on-how-and-why-you-eat-may-be-the-key-to-healthy-eating/)

### [In photos: Artemis II Orion capsule splashes down after historic lunar flyby](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-11-artemis-ii-orion-capsule-splashes-down-off-san-diego-after-a-historic-crewed-lunar-/)

![A handout screen grab taken from a video and made available on 10 April 2026 at 18:08 CST by Nasa shows the Orion spacecraft Integrity during splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: EPA / Nasa)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/YlvvGDOPGqB8zLGio2orE4ptIg8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2991/13896349_966358_725422.jpg)

*A handout screen grab taken from a video and made available on 10 April 2026 at 18:08 CST by Nasa shows the Orion spacecraft Integrity during splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: EPA / Nasa)*

***By Daily Maverick Photo Team.*** The Artemis II Orion capsule returned to Earth on April 10, 2026, completing Nasa’s first crewed journey around the Moon in more than half a century and marking a major milestone in the next era of human space exploration. [Read more.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-11-artemis-ii-orion-capsule-splashes-down-off-san-diego-after-a-historic-crewed-lunar-/)