Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
EASTERN CAPE POLICE INVESTIGATE THE KILLING OF 6 PEOPLE
Police are investigating the mass shooting that left six people dead in Kwanobuhle, Kariega, in the Eastern Cape.
According to authorities, three gunmen entered the yard of a house and opened fire, leaving four other people injured.
The motive for the killings is currently being investigated, and the ages of the people who were killed and injured are yet to be confirmed.
STAGE 6 LOAD SHEDDING – BACK LIKE IT NEVER LEFT
The power utility says it will be implementing stage 4 and stage 6 load shedding daily until further notice.
This after a loss in its generation capacity at its power stations.
Stage 6 comes after weeks without it, with South Africans hoping for fewer dark days.
CONCOURT REFUSES TO DECLARE AARTO ACT UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The Constitutional Court has ruled against the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse’s (Outa) challenge to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (Aarto) and the Aarto Amendment Act.
This now means that the demerit system will go ahead, even for minor traffic offences.
The apex court overturned a ruling by the High Court in Pretoria, which had found Aarto to be unconstitutional and invalid and that it should be scrapped in its entirety.
MAMELODI SHACK FIRE CLAIMS THREE LIVES
A fire that broke out in the early hours of Wednesday morning in an informal settlement in Mamelodi has claimed the lives of three people.
The City of Tshwane emergency services confirmed that they found the burned bodies of a 5-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a man whose age has not yet been confirmed.
“Firefighters arrived on the scene to find an informal dwelling of about three rooms completely burned down. Members of the public reported that three people were believed to be inside the dwelling when the fire was discovered,” said Tshwane emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso.
THREE SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH TRUCK ATTACKS IN MPUMALANGA
The police have arrested three suspects in Mpumalanga for torching trucks.
The suspects, aged 29 and 27, were arrested on Thursday, one on a farm in Piet Retief with the assistance of a private security firm and the other in Ermelo. A third person was arrested in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, on Thursday night.
The suspects face charges of malicious damage to property.
Earlier this week, Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed that there were 12 people of interest alleged to be involved in these incidents.
This comes after 21 trucks were torched in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
CONCOURT OVERTURNS HIGH COURT RULING ON MKHWEBANE’S SUSPENSION
The Constitutional Court has reversed a previous ruling by the High Court, which stated that the suspension of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was invalid. The court determined that President Ramaphosa did not have any personal benefit from suspending Mkhwebane. This decision pertained to Mkhwebane’s office investigating the Phala Phala farm issue. In delivering the judgment, the court stated that there was no conflict of interest, despite the ongoing investigation into Ramaphosa. Furthermore, the court found that the president had no authority to influence the selection of Mkhwebane’s replacement or manipulate the Phala Phala investigation.
ZANDILE MAFE ADMITS TO SETTING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ALIGHT
Zandile Mafe says he did indeed set the National Assembly on fire.
This confession happened on Thursday, when he appeared before the Western Cape High Court.
Mafe, who’s charged with terrorism and blamed for the fire at Parliament in January 2022,
The alleged arsonist had an outburst as soon as he entered court, telling the court that should parliament not be moved to Pretoria or Bloemfontein, he would set it alight again.
His case has been postponed to August 10, 2023, after his dramatic rant in court.
ROSEMARY NDLOVU CHARGED AFTER BEING CAUGHT WITH A CELLPHONE IN PRISON
Insurance killer Rosemary Ndlovu has been charged by the Correctional Services Department for violating the Correctional Services Act. She was found in possession of a mobile phone while being incarcerated. Ndlovu will face consequences under Section 23 (1) of the Correctional Services Act, which may include the withdrawal of privileges, reclassification, and other punitive actions. In 2021, Ndlovu was convicted of six counts of murder for killing five of her relatives and her lover in order to collect insurance money totaling millions of rand.
THE GAUTENG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD TO ESTABLISH A STATE OWNED BANK
Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo has announced that they have received a due diligence report on establishing a state-owned bank and a pharmaceutical company.
Mamabolo briefed the media on Thursday, saying they have received the green light on a promise made by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi last year.
“We are now in a better position to move to the next level and consult broadly with stakeholders, including the Department of Economic Development and Labour,” added Mamabolo.
The MEC revealed that Gauteng has thus far spent R4 million on consultations for the bank and pharmaceutical company.
NSFAS UNDER FIRE WITH NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is currently under fire following the rollout of a new direct banking system, which has left many students frustrated and angry over high bank costs and delayed payments.
Since university students started using the new payment system, several challenges have arisen, such as delayed payments and increased bank charges, which have prompted some students to contemplate protesting against these flaws.
The scheme on Monday, 11 July 2023 made an announcement stating that it has started a corrective procedure where students who were funded due to incorrect information will be promptly removed from receiving financial aid.
NSFAS said this is done to avoid wrongful and illegal allocation of funds to students, like the highly publicized R14-million scandal.
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