Ramaphosa granted extension to respond to Public Protector
The Public Protector's office says it has received four complaints against President Cyril Ramaphosa, with two of them being in terms of the Executive Members' Ethics Act (EMEA). A statement by the Public Protector said that a letter was written to Ramaphosa, whose lawyers asked for an extension to the initial deadline for replying, which was 22 June.
This was granted. The statement said: "It must be noted that requests such as the president’s are quite common... In fact, the president made a similar request in respect of a previous EMEA investigation (Bosasa) and that request was also acceded to." Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has written to Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the statement said, to inform her that the office's final report will be sent through once investigations are completed.
FNB outages leave customers stranded and frustrated for hours
FNB customers have been left stranded and frustrated as the bank's online systems were down for hours. Customers could not process any transactions on the bank's app and online banking.
But FNB said the systems were not entirely down. Instead, there was "limited functionality" affecting bank cards too.
"FNB sincerely apologises to customers for the limited functionality on our digital channels and some card services. Our IT teams are working hard to restore full functionality on the affected channels," said the bank in a short statement.
#PowerAlert1 Due to lower than anticipated demand, Stage 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until 22:00. Loadshedding will then be reduced to Stage 2 at 22:00 until 07:00 for both Saturday and Sunday. pic.twitter.com/ohFd1mc7NE
Reprieve from Stage 6 load shedding on Friday afternoon as demand drops
Load shedding will remain on Stage 4 until 22:00 on Friday. It was previously scheduled to be on Stage 6. Load shedding will then be lowered to Stage 2 until 07:00 on Saturday morning, Eskom said in a statement on Friday afternoon.
Stage 4 load shedding will then be implemented at 07:00 – 22:00 on both Saturday and Sunday, and at Stage 2 from 22:00 - 07:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.
Five arrested after student protest in Bloemfontein
Five students were arrested for public violence at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
The students had gathered in contravention of a court order, and the protest became violent with students throwing stones and bottles at police and security officers, said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane.
Stun grenades were used to disperse the crowd, but a group ran into King Edward Street and blocked traffic by placing stones on the road.
The students, aged between 18 and 22, will appear in Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday.
WATCH: Robbers target a jewellery store at the Westwood Mall in Durban this morning. Police are investigating. Video: Supplied @News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/NDqiLvVrEK
Today, EE Western Cape members are marching to @ParliamentofRSA, against the drastic & unacceptable changes that @DBE_SA Minister Angie Motshekga wants to make to the school infrastructure law (the Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure). #DeadlinesToFixSchools pic.twitter.com/G3rO1fmtUV
Education activist march against proposed scrapping of infrastructure deadlines
Equal Education on Thursday marched to Parliament to protest draft amendments to the law governing school infrastructure.
Equal Education claimed the amendments were "drastic and unacceptable" and would slow down the rollout of infrastructure at public schools.
"The situation is that they to live with the trauma each and every day of not having computer labs, proper desks, and proper chairs," said Equal Education's Head of Organising in the Western Cape, Nontsikelelo Dlulani.
Stage 6 load shedding kicks in again as absenteeism, intimidation still 'rife'
Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented again from 14:00 until midnight on Thursday, Eskom said in a statement.
This is due to the continued unprotected strike at the power utility.
"The high levels of staff absenteeism and intimidation of working employees in some of the power stations is still rife. This has made it difficult to conduct routine maintenance and other operational requirements, which will further impact the reliability of generation units," Eskom said.
"Due to the unlawful and unprotected strike, which has caused widespread disruption to Eskom’s power plants, Eskom is still unable to return some generators to service.
"Eskom is compelled to take this unprecedented step to conserve emergency generation capacity to safeguard the power system."
Gupta associates in court for multi-million rand fraud case, matter postponed to September
The R37.7 million fraud case of two alleged Gupta associates, Kamal Vasram and Saliesh Indurjeeth, has been postponed to September for pre-trial.
Vasram and Indurjeeth appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Thursday where the matter was remanded.
According to Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka the accused will also be requesting further particulars.
Vasram and Indurjeeth were arrested on 31 January after they were "directly linked" to the failed Estina dairy farm project.
It's alleged the men attempted to claim a VAT refund of R37.7m for a pasteurisation plant imported from India on a fake invoice.
Both men were charged with fraud and the contravention of the International Trade Administration and Exchange Control Acts.
Former bank manager handed 15-year sentence for stealing R3.6m
A former bank manager has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after he was convicted of stealing more than R3.6 million from ATMs and a client's estate.
Aubrey Lepala Tlaka, 45, who worked at a bank in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga, stole the money between January 2011 and November 2012, said Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Bonnie Nxumalo.
He was arrested in 2012 but absconded from court. He was rearrested in 2013.
NUM and Numsa members reject 7% wage offer increase
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have rejected Eskom's wage offer of a 7% wage increase.
This is according to a document that Fin24 has seen on Thursday morning, following a mass meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss returning to the Central Bargaining Forum (CBF) on Friday.
Fog causes 13-car pile-up on N4 highway
More than 13 vehicles have been involved in a pile-up on the N4 highway in Mpumalanga.
The accident, near Wakefield, has seen at least eight people injured, said Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi.
"The collisions were caused by dense fog on that part of the road," he added.
"Traffic law enforcement officers and emergency personnel remain on high alert."
Emalahleni man arrested with explosives, after shootout with security guards
A 55-year-old man was arrested with explosives in the early hours of Tuesday morning, following a shootout with security guards in Emalahleni.
The security guards were monitoring CCTV footage of Marelden Estate, when they noticed "a group of suspects in balaclavas, believed to be armed, passing the premises", said police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
They called the police for backup, but when the men noticed the security guards they attempted to flee.
The security guards were able to apprehend one man, who was found with a bag full of explosives.
More charges may be added later, said Mohlala.
Police are searching for the remaining suspects.
Mass funeral for Enyobeni tavern tragedy victims
With the autopsies on the 21 young people who died at the Enyobeni tavern event in East London completed, arrangements are under way for a mass funeral next Wednesday.
The Eastern Cape government said AVBOB pledged to cover the burial costs, and the Buffalo City Municipality will waive grave fees.
Other sectors of society have also been offering assistance to the bereaved.
"Government has expressed appreciation for support that has been received from all sectors of society in preparation for the funeral," a statement said.
The grieving families will be able to choose where their children are buried.
Twenty-one children between the ages of 13 and 17 were declared dead early on Sunday morning.
The cause of death has not been revealed officially, and a report on the autopsies conducted in the Western Cape will be shared with the affected families as soon as the investigation is finished.
Stage 6 load shedding from 16:00 as maintenance backlog could take 'weeks to clear'
Stage 6 load shedding will kick in again from 16:00 until 22:00 on Wednesday evening, Eskom said in a statement. This is despite the fact that striking employees have started returning to work.
Stage 4 load shedding will be implemented from 22:00 until midnight, and then reduced to Stage 2 until 05:00 on Thursday morning. From 05:00 until 00:00 on Thursday load shedding will be at Stage 4.
Man caught on camera assaulting Groblersdal teen denied bail
Corrie Pretorius, who is accused of assaulting and pointing a firearm at a minor in Groblersdal, has been denied bail.
Pretorius appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate's Court in Limpopo on Wednesday.
In her judgment, Magistrate Nancy Mathavha said if Pretorius was released on bail, his life would be at stake.
'It's unfair' to blame me or govt for Eskom crisis - Mantashe on defensive at urgent Cabinet meeting
A Cabinet committee was meeting urgently on Wednesday to deliberate on the crises at Eskom after the power utility plunged the country into stage 6 load shedding on Tuesday. No Cabinet meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe told News24 it was disingenuous to blame the government for the crisis. Mantashe and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan have come under harsh criticism, particularly from the DA, for having failed to prevent the deterioration at Eskom.
- Juniour Khumalo and Qaanitah Hunter
DA asks police to investigate the ANC for racketeering after release of Zondo report
The DA on Wednesday laid criminal charges against the ANC at the police.
The opposition party alleges that the ANC has acted as a criminal syndicate and asks that it is "investigated for systemic and calculated racketeering activities over a multitude of years".
The DA says the evidence procured by the Zondo Commission, justifies such an investigation and the charge.
Anti-Gang Unit cop arrested for colleague's murder
The Hawks have arrested an Eastern Cape Anti-Gang Unit police officer for the murder of her patrol partner.
Sergeant Sindile Godfrey Daniels died on 17 June after he sustained a gunshot wound while seated on the back seat of a state vehicle.
His two female colleagues occupied the front seats.
The 31-year-old policewomen's firearms were taken for ballistics testing to determine if the weapons had discharged the bullet that killed Daniels.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the accused would appear in the New Brighton Magistrate's Court on Thursday for murder.
Sindile Godfrey Daniels was shot while out on patrol.
Groblersdal assault: Accused granted permission to reopen bail application
The Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court has allowed assault accused Corrie Pretorius to reopen his case for bail.
Pretorius is appearing in court on Wednesday.
The court was expected to rule on whether he could be released on bail or not.
However, Pretorius' defence advocate, JJ Venter, instead brought an application to reopen their case.
Venter explained that they had an eyewitness account of what happened on the evening that Pretorius alleged assaulted a 16-year-old boy and pointed a firearm at him.
This witness statement is expected to give more details on what transpired on the evening.
Corrie Pretorius appears in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court during his bail application in Groblersdal. Pretorius faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm after a video was circulated of him allegedly assaulting a boy.
(Photo by: Deaan Vivier, Gallo Images, Beeld)
Electoral Act deadline extension would not cause prejudice - ConCourt
The Constitutional Court found it would not cause prejudice if it extended Parliament's deadline to amend the Electoral Act.
Parliament approached the apex court in April to extend the deadline of 10 June as it became clear that it would not be able to meet the deadline set down by the court two years ago.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi only introduced the Electoral Amendment Bill to Parliament in January this year.
On 10 June, the Constitutional Court granted the extension, and it provided its reasons on Wednesday.
Considering that the IEC's submitted that an extension of six months wouldn't cause it any prejudice, the court found that granting the application would be in the interest of justice.
Plett beaches closed following deadly shark attack
Beaches in Plettenberg Bay remain closed on Wednesday after a deadly shark attack killed a man on Tuesday.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) responded to eyewitness reports of a shark attack and recovered the body of a local man in the back surf line. He was transported to the NSRI station, where he was declared dead.
Following the attack at the popular Sanctuary Beach, the municipality decided to close the beaches as a precautionary measure, said Bitou municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu.
He said beaches will remain closed until further notice.
Cape Town businessman rescued more than 100 days after kidnapping
Cape Town businessman Ismail Rajah has been rescued more than 100 days after being kidnapped outside his Parow business.
Police confirmed that the 69-year-old businessman was rescued from his captors at a house in Khayelitsha during an operation in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Four men, aged 30 to 38, were arrested, said police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe.
Ismail Rajah was found in this house
Breakthrough in Tulbagh mass murders
Western Cape police have made a breakthrough in the murders of four men in Tulbagh on Saturday by arresting a man they described as a "known drug dealer".
Spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said police followed leads that led them to the Marikana informal settlement on Tuesday.
There they arrested a 29-year-old man who will face four charges of murder and one of attempted murder when he appears in court in Tulbagh on Thursday.
The suspect, a foreign national, was also allegedly found to have no immigration documentation.
Four men between the ages of 30 and 37 were shot dead while they were socialising with a group of people at a house in Jooste Street at around 21:00 on Saturday.
A fifth man was injured and taken to hospital. Police put up a R100 000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Eskom employees start returning to work amid speculation of a higher wage offer
As reports and speculation about Eskom's new wage offer to unions were in full swing, the power utility confirmed that employees were returning to work at various stations and other operations on Wednesday morning.
After a week of protest disruptions due to a wage negotiation deadlock, Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan announced on Tuesday afternoon that Eskom employees would return to work. While Gordhan said in his briefing that an agreement was reached on the wage settlement, details of the offer are still not public, and are expected to be formally tabled on Friday.
Tavern tragedy: Experts find traces of carbon monoxide in victims' bodies
Carbon monoxide poisoning has emerged as the likely cause of the death of 21 teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, East London on Sunday.
Sources close to the investigation believe the children - aged 13 to 17 - were killed by toxic fumes that emanated from a petrol generator that was suspected to have been used inside the tavern.
Ramaphosa spent Tuesday dealing with Eskom crises, Presidency says
President Cyril Ramaphosa landed from the G7 Summit in Germany on Tuesday morning and was immediately roped into a briefing about ongoing labour disputes at Eskom resulting in the country being plunged into darkness, his office confirmed.
The power utility implemented Stage 6 load shedding.
Ramaphosa is said to have landed at 10:00 on Tuesday and was briefed on the situation. He immediately called for a virtual meeting with Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter, where the precarious energy situation was discussed at length.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president expressed his concern about the situation and called for law enforcement to deal with incidents of sabotage at power stations across the country.
"He was assured that the illegal strike would be resolved expeditiously," Magwenya said.
JUST IN | EFF head of presidency Vuyani Pambo hijacked
EFF parliamentarian Vuyani Pambo was hijacked on Monday evening, the party said in a statement on Tuesday.
The EFF said "three armed men approached Pambo," took his vehicle and demanded money from him.
The assailants made off with Pambo's vehicle, personal belongings which included his passport and identification document, and organisational material.
ANC Gauteng conference to reconvene in two weeks
The ANC Gauteng conference which was unable to conclude its business over the weekend will again convene on 9 and 10 July.
The announcement was made by newly elected chairperson Panyaza Lesufi on Tuesday during a media briefing at Luthuli House.
Lesufi said: "As you know the election of additional members and the discussion of policy documents never happened this weekend and as such we have resolved to reconvene the conference from the 9th to the 10th of July."
During the briefing, the ANC also announced that Thembinkosi "TK" Nciza will be stepping down as Ekurhuleni Secretary after being also appointed provincial secretary over the weekend.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said "as per the constitution of the party, once a member is elected into a higher structure they automatically have to step down from the other position."
Task team appointed to probe clinic robbery
A high-level team has been appointed to investigate an armed robbery at the Sambandou Clinic in the Vhembe District, Limpopo.
The robbery took place in the early hours of Monday morning, said police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
Three gunmen entered the clinic at around 01:30 and robbed nurses of their cellphones, money and car keys.
The gunmen used one of the nurses’ cars to flee the scene. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Vyeboom.
Johannesburg Emergency Services hands over search for boy, 6, to water utility
The Johannesburg Emergency Services has handed the lead for the search of a missing Soweto boy to Johannesburg Water.
It is now just over two weeks since Khayalethu Magadla allegedly fell into a manhole while playing with his friends.
Emergency Management Service's spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said Johannesburg Water would be better placed to continue the search in a waste treatment plant.
"The search for the young boy still continues, the handover to Johannesburg Water is because the area we are searching now is a waste treatment plant and this will require our colleagues from Johannesburg Water to continue," Mulaudzi said.
The emergency management service has so far covered a distance of around 30km from the area where Magadla fell.
Attorney in court for allegedly stealing from Road Accident Fund claimants
An attorney faces six charges of theft for allegedly stealing around R700 000 from Road Accident Fund (RAF) claimants, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Monday.
Complaints were received from claimants who said they were never paid after the RAF deposited money into Betty Diale's trust account, NPA regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said.
The alleged theft took place between 2009 and 2011.
Diale, 52, was charged in June 2021.
She will return to the Rustenburg Regional Court on 4 August 2022 for a pre-trial conference.
Two arrested after house, cars torched in vigilante attack
Two people have been arrested for allegedly torching a house and three vehicles during a vigilante attack.
Police arrested the duo after a group of people reportedly arrived at a woman’s house in Blinkwater village, Limpopo, on Thursday. They accused her husband of murdering two people in May and June, said police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
The overall damage is estimated at over R1.5 million, said Mojapelo.
The duo is expected to appear in Hlanganani Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Panyaza Lesufi clinches ANC Gauteng leadership race beating out rival Lebogang Maile
Panyaza Lesufi emerged victorious at the Gauteng ANC conference beating his competitor Lebogang Maile by close margins.
Lesufi was elected with 575 votes while Maile obtained 543 votes. The leadership composition of the top five provided a mixed unity outcome with interesting victories for Maile's "Adiwele" slate and Lesufi.
Despite Maile losing out on the top job, his other supporters took home the prize. The ANC in Ekurhuleni were the biggest winners of the night with the region's secretary Thembinkosi TK Nciza elected as the provincial secretary.
Tasneem Motara, also from Ekurhuleni, was elected deputy provincial secretary. Lesufi's slate also secured wins with Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko elected deputy chairperson.
Morakane Mosupye, who was nominated by those backing Lesufi, was elected as provincial treasurer.
Fishermen rescued after fishing vessel capsizes
Twelve fishermen were rescued after their fishing vessel capsized at Cape Point on Sunday morning.
South African Maritime Safety Authority spokesperson Tebogo Ramatjie said the fishermen were safely on shore.
“The fishing vessel, Restless Wave, is still afloat off Cape Point, and a navigation warning has been issued to vessels around the area.”
A salvage operation is under way to recover the vessel.
ANC Gauteng conference: Lesufi and Maile nominated for provincial chairperson position
Panyaza Lesufi and Lebogang Maile have both accepted nominations for the chairperson position at the Gauteng ANC provincial conference.
Those nominated along with the two were from each of the preferred slates – Maile's "Adiwele" slate and Lesufi's "Renewal" slate.
They include Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Mzi Khumalo for the position of deputy chairperson.
For the provincial secretary position, three names were nominated: former provincial secretary Jacob Khawe, Ekurhuleni regional secretary Thembinkosi Nciza, and Sedibeng regional chairperson Thulani Kunene.
Delegates nominated Nomathemba Mokgethi for deputy provincial secretary. Tasneem Motara accepted her nomination for deputy provincial secretary, which was raised from the floor.
Former Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku declined a nomination for the treasurer position. Instead, Morakane Mosupye accepted the nomination for the position from the floor.
Delegates will now vote and results are expected on Sunday afternoon.
Families asked to identify East London tavern victims at Woodbrook mortuary
The MEC for Community Safety in the Eastern Cape, Weziwe Tikana Gxothiwe, has asked Scenery Park families to go to Woodbrook mortuary to help identify their loved ones.
The families have been denied entry into Enyobeni Tavern, where 17 people were found dead. The tavern is still being combed by police investigators.
Bodies found at East London tavern taken to state mortuaries
The 17 bodies discovered at Enyobeni Tavern in East London have been taken to various state mortuaries, the Eastern Cape Department of Health says.
Department spokesperson Siyanda Manana told News24 that the Forensics Pathology Teams and EMS Teams are at the scene in Scenery Park.
"We are going to conduct autopsies as soon as possible to establish the probable cause of death. The deceased have been taken to state mortuaries," Manana added.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said investigations into the cause of death were ongoing.
UPDATE | At least 17 people found dead at East London tavern
Authorities are investigating an incident where at least 17 people were found dead at Enyobeni Tavern in East London on Sunday morning.
Earlier reports stated police were investigating the deaths of at least 22 people.
It is still unclear what led to the multiple deaths.
According to Eastern Cape Community Safety spokesperson Unathi Binqosi, who is at the scene, they are still trying to determine the exact number of people who died.
"It is no less than 18 people who have died in this incident," Binqose told News24, but the death toll was revised to 17 after receiving confirmation from police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.
According to the venue's Facebook page, on Saturday they had an all-black themed party celebrating two people's birthdays.
Police and emergency services are currently still at the scene.
Kinana told Reuters that police were alerted by members of the public to the incident at Scenery Park, about 3km from the East London city centre.
"The circumstances under which they died are under investigation," Kinana told Reuters, adding it was too early to determine the cause of death of the young adults aged between 18-20.
This is a developing story. Keep an eye on News24 for the latest updates.
After more than 10 hours of debate, ANC delegates adopt credentials at Gauteng conference
After hours of debates over the eligibility of branches to participate at the Gauteng ANC provincial conference, credentials were adopted at 06:00.
Delegates were stagnant on concerns about the participation of branches primarily from the Ekurhuleni region. The issue of the 19 quarantined votes from the region saw fierce debates overnight.
The conference will now move to nominations of officials, three days after the official start of the conference.
Urgent court interdict to halt ANC Gauteng conference struck off the roll
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has struck off the roll an urgent court interdict that sought to halt the Gauteng provincial conference.
The Gauteng High Court found that Jabulani Sithole, a branch delegate from Ekurhuleni, had failed to convince the court of the urgency of his application.
Sithole asked the court to interdict the conference because of the unresolved matter with the 19 quarantined votes from Ekurhuleni.
The ANC has welcomed the ruling, with spokesperson Pule Mabe saying the party knew the matter would fail because it lacked urgency.
The provincial conference remains stuck on credentials, with arguments over qualifying branches.
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