Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
Wits suspends several protesting students
The University of Witwatersrand has confirmed that it has suspended several students following violent protests at the institution.
This week, students embarked on a protest to address issues of financial exclusion, historical debt, and lack of funding.
The student representative council has vowed to intensify the protests until their demands are met.
On Wednesday, classes were disrupted as various entrances to the university were blocked by protesting students.
The police say they will continue to monitor the situation.
Deputy President David Mabuza resigns as a member of parliament
South Africa no longer has a deputy president.
That’s after Deputy President David Mabuza tendered his resignation to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Tuesday.
By law, his resignation as a member of parliament means he is no longer the country’s second in command.
According to the constitution, the deputy president needs to be a member of parliament, which is why the country no longer has a deputy president.
Parliament issued a statement yesterday confirming his resignation.
“Parliament confirms that the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. David Mabuza, has tendered his resignation as a Member of Parliament to the Speaker of the National Assembly.”
South Africa is officially back under the National State of Disaster
The government has officially gazetted the regulations of the National State of Disaster to deal with the energy crisis in the country.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address, saying it is the government’s way of trying to deal with the constant load shedding in the country.
The regulations came into effect on Monday this week.
So, what does this mean?
It means the government and Cogta Minister Nkozasana Dlamini-Zuma in particular have far-reaching powers to deal with the crisis, including unlocking finances through ’emergency procurement and exempting critical infrastructure from load shedding.
South Africa’s unemployment rate decreases by 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2022
Statistics South Africa says in the fourth quarter of 2022, 169 000 people were employed.
The number of people employed has decreased the unemployment rate in South Africa by 0.2 percentage points.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter of 2022 was released by Statistics South Africa earlier this week.
7.8 million South Africans are now unemployed, with Stats SA saying 15.9 million people are employed.
Although some see this as a win, some analysts say the number of unemployed people is still too high in the country.
There is a new mayor in town – in the City of Tshwane
Following the resignation of Tshwane Mayor, Randall Williams, the city now has a new mayor.
Congress of the People’s (COPE) Dr. Murunwa Makwarela has been elected as the new mayor of the city of Tshwane.
The newly elected mayor was up against the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Cilliers Brink, where he won 112 votes, with Brink receiving 101 votes.
Makwarela was the Speaker of the Council until his election as mayor.
While COPE celebrates the election of Makwarela, the DA says it will hunt for councilors who betrayed them in the voting after they had an agreement.
Concerns raised regarding the rising crime in Westbury
Following the shooting of 10 people in Westbury, concerns have been raised about the rising crime and violence in the area.
Since the weekend, 10 people have been shot, and one has succumbed to the gunshot wounds.
The spate of shootings come after Fast Guns boss Keenan Sheldon Ebrahim was killed last Thursday.
Residents of Westbury say they now hear gunshots on a daily basis and fear for their lives.
Police say one suspect was apprehended on Friday for attempted murder, and more arrests are imminent.
The police’s Bonginkosi Ndebele is appealing to community members to come forward with information that may lead to more arrests.
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