Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
GAS LEAK DEATH TOLL IN BOKSBURG CONTINUES TO INCREASE
17 people have been confirmed dead following a gas leak in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
According to media reports, it is suspected that illegal mining caused the gas leak in the area.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi briefed the media on Thursday, saying three children were among the victims, including a 1-year-old.
Among those admitted to the hospital, four are reportedly critical and 11 are in serious but stable condition.
TWO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM EKURHULENI TRAGICALLY END THEIR LIVES BY CONSUMING POISON
The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed the deaths of two pupils from different schools in Ekurhuleni.
A grade 12 pupil from Nigel High School and a grade 8 pupil from Geluksdal Secondary School took their own lives on Thursday and Tuesday, respectively.
In a statement, the department says the pupil from Nigel High School drank poison at home on Thursday, while the one from Geluksdal Secondary School also consumed poison at home on Tuesday evening.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona says the families have been offered psychosocial support.
EARTH TREMOR HITS JOBURG SOUTH ON WEDNESDAY EVENING
The Council for Geoscience has confirmed that a slight tremor hit parts of Joburg on Wednesday night.
It says the tremor was in the south of Johannesburg, near Harmony Doornkop Gold Mine.
This makes it the third quake to hit Gauteng in just one month.
The earthquake registered a local magnitude of approximately 2.2.
VIP PROTECTION OFFICERS CHARGED BY IPID FOR BRUTAL ASSAULT ON N1 HIGHWAY
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), the police watchdog, has lodged charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, pointing of a firearm, and malicious damage to property at the Sandton police station. The charges are against a group of VIP protection officers who have been accused of brutally beating three men in Johannesburg.
Ipid spokesperson Robbie Raburabu confirmed that the case was opened on Monday night after the victims provided statements and were interviewed by Ipid investigators. In response to the incident, the VIP Protection Unit, who were captured on video assaulting the three men on the N1 highway in Fourways, have received suspension letters. These officers are part of the VIP protection detail assigned to Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
BANYANA LEAVES FOR WORLD CUP AFTER MOTSEPE FOUNDATION PLEDGES FUNDS TO RESOLVE DISPUTES
Following a resolution of a dispute regarding gender pay gaps in South Africa, the women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, is set to travel to New Zealand for the 2023 women’s World Cup.
The Motsepe Foundation, established by billionaire Patrice Motsepe and his wife Precious Motsepe, intervened by providing funds to address the issue. Initially, squad members expressed dissatisfaction with their contracts, as they did not include the R560, 000 appearance fee guaranteed by FIFA to each of the 23 players.
This disagreement sparked discussions on gender pay gaps in the country’s sports. As a result of the resolution, the South African Football Players Union announced that in addition to the FIFA fee, each player would receive a bonus of R230,000.
The Motsepe Foundation helped with a contribution of R6 million.
THE COURT DECLARES JACOB ZUMA’S CASE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed former President Jacob Zuma’s private prosecution of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The court dismissed the case with costs, declaring it unlawful and unconstitutional.
In 2022, Zuma issued a summons for his successor to appear in court on January 19, accusing Ramaphosa of being an accessory after the fact in his case against state prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan.
Zuma has been ordered to pay the costs of his successor, including the costs of two counsels.
THE BLOEMFONTEIN HIGH COURT GRANTS BAIL TO 3 OF THE 12 ACCUSED IN THE THABO BESTER PRISON BREAK CASE
Teboho Dipholo, Tieho Makhotsa, and Senohe Matsoara have been granted R10,000 bail each.
The trio, who are accused of aiding and abetting the prison escape of rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, were previously denied bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court.
The court says the trio is not a flight risk.
SENZO MEYIWA MURDER TRIAL TO RESUME WITH NEW JUDGE AFTER SUSPENSION
The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, which had been temporarily halted, is scheduled to resume on 17 July. Following the suspension of Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela by President Cyril Ramaphosa, a new judge, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, has been appointed to preside over the trial. The decision to replace the judge came after Maumela fell ill, leading to the postponement of the trial to the new date in July. With the arrival of Judge Mokgoatlheng, the proceedings are expected to continue as the case progresses and justice is sought for the tragic murder of Senzo Meyiwa.
ZANDILE KHUMALO PENS A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA TO PRIORITISE THE SENZO MEYIWA MURDER TRIAL
A witness in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Zandile Khumalo, has written a letter to the president asking him to prioritise the case.
Zandile Khumalo, who is the state’s fifth witness, was in the house the night Meyiwa was shot and killed.
This request comes after Judge Tshifiwa Maumela was removed from presiding over the trial.
Maumela has been replaced by Judge Ratha Mothlokeng, and the trial will resume from scratch on July 17.
CHOLERA CASES DECLINE IN THE COUNTRY
The Health Department has reported a decline in cholera cases across the country.
It says that in the past 10 days, only one case of cholera has been reported.
In the past months, cholera has spread rapidly, with Gauteng accounting for most cases after the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, Tshwane.
176 cases were from Gauteng, followed by the Free State with 11, the North West with six, Limpopo with four, and Mpumalanga with one case.
The health department continues to urge the public to exercise personal hygiene to stop the spread of cholera.
Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
