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Don’t miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South Africa; be sure to check out the nation’s biggest headlines on Monday, October 12.
While Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula comes under heavy criticism for the collapse of Gauteng’s rail system, the government is moving forward with its plan to speed up land reform by passing the revised expropriation bill in parliament. In sports news, uncertainty reigns as the Springboks delay confirmation of their participation in the Rugby Championship that begins in early November.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Monday, OCTOBER 12
Call for Mbalula to be stopped over the collapse of the rail system
The rail infrastructure in Gauteng has been destroyed, and the trains, responsible for transporting millions of residents to and from workplaces in the central business districts of the province, cannot return to normal.
Rampant vandalism and theft have reduced MetroRail services to just three operational corridors; Pienaarspoort to Pretoria, Tembisa to Elandsfontein and Soweto to Johannesburg. Gauteng Metrorail spokeswoman Lillian Mofokeng added that expensive diesel locomotives were being used as part of a contingency plan, due to the ‘loss’ of power lines. Mofokeng elaborated on the dire situation, saying:
“Management is concerned about the ongoing theft of cables and infrastructure components that make it impossible for MetroRail to provide reliable train services for millions of commuters.”
On Sunday, the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) in Gauteng called for Mbalula’s arrest, adding that several affiliated organizations, including the SA National Civic Organization (Sanco), the SA Student Congress (Things) and SA National Cargo Association of Carriers and Drivers (SANCATDRA) – would embark on a march to the provincial prime minister’s office on Monday.
While the march is expected to address multiple issues, the MKMVA took direct aim at Mbalula, saying:
Among other issues, the march focuses on the plight of the poor and forgotten freedom fighters, the rampant corruption in the country, the demand for the arrest of apartheid killers, the arrest of the minister of transport over the internet. damaged railway, the difficult situation of trucks and taxi drivers, crime and gender violence ”.
Facing harsh public criticism for the collapse of the rail system, Mbalula recently launched a ‘Safety Plan’, spearheaded by the South African Passenger Railways Agency (Prasa), which hired more than 3,000 security guards to protect vital infrastructure.
State Capture: Former Free State MEC Zwane in the hot seat
The former MEC of Corporate Governance and Human Settlements in the Free State, Mosebenzi Zwane, will testify today before the Investigation Commission on State Capture. Zwane’s appearance follows several arrests associated with testimony related to the Free State bidding scandals.
Details about a dubious asbestos cleanup bid, drawn up before Supreme Court Vice Chairman Raymond Zondo of the State Capture Commission by businessman Edwin Sodi, put the Hawks into action. The head of the Human Settlements Department of the Free State, Nthimotse Mokhesi, the former Provincial MEC of Human Settlements, Sarah “Olly” Mlamleli, and the director of the Human Settlements Supply Chain Manager, Mahlamola Matlakela, were captured in the raid. .
Zwane, who is expected to testify about a racked R1 billion housing project, resigned in 2018 amid allegations of corruption associated with the scandal-ridden Vrede Dairy Project and proximity to the infamous Gupta brothers. Zwane faced a series of criminal charges, including treason, corruption, extortion, fraud and theft.
Zwane’s testimony also matches unconfirmed reports about Ace Magashule’s impending arrest. Magashule, the Secretary General of the African National Congress (ANC), served as Prime Minister of the Free State and has been implicated in numerous corruption scandals, the most damning of which involves the Vrede Dairy Project.
Criminal charges filed against Julius Malema for ‘machine gun’ taunts
In addition to being reported to the Parliament’s Ethics Committee, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, and the Member of Parliament, Nazier Paulsen, face criminal charges for “inciting violence”. In response to the violent protests in Senekal, which were led by farmers fed up after the brutal murder of the 21-year-old farm manager, Brendin Horner, Malema and Paulsen took to social media to express threats of retaliation.
Democratic Alliance (DA) whip chief Natasha Mazzone confirmed criminal charges would be brought against Malema and Paulsen, saying:
“We call on Police Minister Bheki Cele to take action against Malema and Paulsen and ensure that their war speech and incitement to commit violence are criminally investigated.
We also call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly condemn the EFF and for Parliament to investigate and take necessary action against them. “
After the protest, which spiraled out of control when farmers clashed with police officers and attempted to enter Senekal’s courthouse to demand that the suspects accused of Horner’s murder be released into the hands of the community, Malema and Paulsen responded .
Both EFF members posted images and videos of machine guns, saying they were “ready” to fight. Furthermore, Malema called on EFF members to “protect democracy” in a show of force on the next trial date. Paulsen posted a video of a machine gun firing into the air with the caption:
“I can not wait [I cannot wait]… “
The two suspects charged with Horner’s murder will reappear in Senekal Magistrates Court on October 16.
The momentum of land expropriation advances, now to Parliament
South Africa is one step closer to completing the contentious land expropriation project without compensation. This after the inter-ministerial committee (IMC) on land reform confirmed that the revised expropriation bill had been published and would be subject to parliamentary processes.
IMC President Vice President David Mabuza met with committee members Sunday afternoon. The Minister of Public Works, Patricia de Lille, applauded the government’s work on the accelerated agrarian reform program that is intended to correct socio-economic inequalities.
Recent advances regarding the expropriation bill come just days after the Minister of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Thoko Didiza, announced that 700,000 hectares of underutilized state land would be released for agricultural purposes. The land will be leased to emerging farmers for a period of 30 years, and the government will provide technical support and services.
Police Minister Cele visits Senekal in an attempt to defuse tensions
Police Minister Cele will visit the family of Brendin Horner, the 21-year-old farm manager whose brutal murder has ignited tensions in the small town of Senekal in the Free State. Cele confirmed that his trip to Senekal, before the next court hearing on October 16, will involve mediation with the community, aimed at avoiding the clashes that dominated the proceedings last week.
Cele added that he was engaging with political advocates, including Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), which has stood in solidarity with farmers, and EFF, which has vowed to retaliate against protesters. The Police Minister condemned the violent scenes that took place during the first appearance in court, but added that, as a representative of the State, he would do everything in his power to “dissipate the tensions that are high.”
Speaking about the cruel murder of Brendin Horner and the recent spate of murders on farms, Cele said that “there is a disease out there.”
Bafana coach Ntseki under fire after losing to Zambia
Just days after a lackluster draw with Namibia, Bafana Bafana failed to redeem himself in a clash against Zambia on Sunday night, losing 2 – 1 in a match that has drawn criticism from coach Molefi Ntseki.
Nteski blamed Lyle Foster’s early loss through injury as a major factor in Bafana’s loss to Zambia. However, the coach’s post-match analysis has drawn harsh criticism from Bafana fans, with many arguing that Nteski lacked the agility to adapt to changes in game plans and strategies.
Ntseki, while still confident that the Bafana will qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), said the team “played without confidence” following Foster’s injury.
Springboks delay confirmation of Rugby Championship as clock runs out
The Springboks will have to overcome “several hurdles” before confirming the Rugby Championship title defense between November 7 and December 12, 2020. This is SA Rugby’s last job after the initial confirmation deadline. It will be set on Friday, October 9.
While SANZAAR, the body that oversees rugby in the southern hemisphere, confirmed all Rugby Championship matches, times and venues last week, the Springboks have not yet been cleared to compete. According to a statement issued by the Springboks, regulations related to the coronavirus had thrown a monkey wrench into the works:
“The South African government lifted the ban on international sports participation a week ago and instructions for managing such participation were published on Wednesday night.”
LAST WEATHER FORECAST, Monday, OCTOBER 12
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HOROSCOPE TODAY
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