Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
IPID INVESTIGATES THE FATAL SHOOTING OF A METRO COP BY A SAPS OFFICER IN BRAAMFONTEIN
Following the fatal shooting of a Metro Police officer in Braamfontein, the Independent Police Investigating Directorate says it’s still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The officer was allegedly gunned down by a SAPS member following an altercation between the two.
A video has been making the rounds on social media, where it seems the two had a heated exchange of words, which resulted in the shooting of the metro officer.
IPID says there have not been any arrests in relation to this incident yet.
12 PEOPLE NOW STAND ACCUSED OF AIDING THE PRISON ESCAPE OF THABO BESTER
Three other G4S employees appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday, accused of aiding the prison break of rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.
The case has been postponed to next Monday, and the suspects will remain in custody.
The three were arrested on Monday in Botshabelo and Bloemfontein, respectively.
Their arrests bring to 12 the number of people arrested in connection with Bester’s escape from the Mangaung correctional centre in May 2022.
HIGH COURT DECLARES TERMINATION OF ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMIT UNLAWFUL
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ruled that Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) is unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid.
The court’s judgment was in response to a challenge by the Helen Suzman Foundation, following Motsoaledi’s announcement last year to discontinue the special dispensation. The ZEP is a temporary permit granted under the Immigration Act, allowing Zimbabweans and their children to reside, work, and study in South Africa. The court overturned Motsoaledi’s decision and ordered him to reconsider the matter, while also extending the validity of the ZEP for an additional 12 months.
TORNADO WREAKS HAVOC IN PARTS OF KZN
Hundreds of people have been left displaced following the tornado that swept through parts of KwaZulu Natal.
Two people have been confirmed dead so far.
The eThekwini municipality says community halls have been made available for families who lost their homes.
On Wednesday, the KZN Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, also announced that those who would like to rebuild their homes will be given vouchers to assist financially.
Dube-Nciube says 36 community members from Amawoti have been temporarily accommodated at a local community hall.
The Premier visited affected areas on Wednesday.
CITY OF JOBURG ALLOCATES R120 MILLION TO REFURBISH HOSTELS IN THE CITY
Following protests by Diepkloof hostel dwellers, Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda says a 120 million rand budget has been allocated to refurbish hostels in the city.
This announcement was made following Gwamanda’s visit to the Diepkloof hostel on Wednesday morning.
The mayor says the budget is sufficient to refurbish all hostels in the city.
POSTPONEMENT OF CASE AGAINST FORMER TRANSNET EXECUTIVES TO SEPTEMBER
The R405 million fraud and corruption case involving former Transnet executives and Gupta-linked company executives has been postponed again at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
The accused, including Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Eric Wood, are facing charges in connection with the irregular locomotives tender at Transnet between 2012 and 2015. The next court appearance for the accused has been scheduled for 28 September, according to Sindi Seboka, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate.
COLD FRONT HITS CITY OF JOBURG FROM WEDNESDAY INTO THE WEEKEND
Joburg residents have been warned to brace themselves for colder days as a cold front hits the city this week.
The drop in temperatures is set to continue into the weekend.
Residents have been urged to exercise caution when using heating devices to avoid fire incidents.
OVER 150 000 YOUNG GIRLS IN SA FELL PREGNANT IN THE 2022/2023 FINANCIAL YEAR
Statistics on adolescent and/or teenage pregnancy have revealed that there has been a significant increase in young girls falling pregnant in the 2021–2022 financial year.
In the 2021–2022 financial year, 90 000 young girls fell pregnant, yet in the 2022–2023 financial year, over 150 000 young girls fell pregnant.
This is an increase of almost 60,000.
However, these numbers do not factor in variables such as backstreet abortions, home births, miscarriages, and babies whose births are not registered.
VICTORY IN THE BAG FOR AMAZON HEADQUARTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The City of Cape Town has reached an agreement with the Observatory Civil Association (OCA) to settle the longstanding legal dispute concerning the development of the Amazon River Club. By accepting the settlement offer, the City has effectively put an end to all legal actions related to this matter.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the City’s commitment to defending proper planning decisions and safeguarding Cape Town’s reputation as a premier global investment destination. The settlement follows the Supreme Court of Appeal’s recent denial of the OCA’s request to appeal a prior ruling by the Western Cape High Court, which had dismissed an interdict against the River Club development.
The proposed R4.5 billion multi-purpose complex in Cape Town has been under consideration for several years and is expected to house Amazon’s new African headquarters, among other amenities. The OCA, along with Tauriq Jenkins, who claimed to represent the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council (GKKITC), had raised concerns about the historical significance of the project site to First Nations people.
MUNICIPALITIES OWE RAND WATER OVER R4 BILLION
Rand Water is deeply concerned about the failure of several municipalities to pay their outstanding bills for bulk water supply. The total amount owed by these municipalities exceeds R4 billion.
The municipalities in question include the City of Tshwane, Emfuleni, Rand West, Merafong, Ngwathe, and Govan Mbeki.
Despite previous debt settlement agreements, the debt continues to rise, and the municipalities are not fulfilling their payment obligations. This situation poses a severe threat to Rand Water’s financial stability and long-term viability. Despite extensive efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations and agreements, no progress has been made, resulting in a frustrating impasse.
JOBURG RESIDENTS SEE TARIFF HIKES EFFECTIVE FROM JULY
Electricity, water, property rates, refuse, and sanitation rates in the City of Joburg are set to increase as of July 1, 2023.
The city says initially, property rates were meant to increase by 5%; however, following meetings with residents, property rates will increase by 2%.
Here is a breakdown of the increases:
Property Rates: increase is 2%; Electricity: increase is 14.97%;; Water: increase is 9.3%; Sanitation: increase is 9.3; and Refuse: increase is 7%.
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