Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
1 DEAD, 48 INJURED, 2 REMAIN CRITICAL FOLLOWING THE EXPLOSION IN JOBURG CBD
Authorities have discovered the body of a 41-year-old man in the Johannesburg Central Business District following the explosion in Bree, while two people remain in a critical condition.
This after an underground explosion happened on Wednesday evening at Bree Taxi rank.
48 people have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
On Thursday morning, during a briefing, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that Bree remains closed until further notice.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are still ongoing.
JOBURG CITY REVEALS THREE POTENTIAL CAUSES OF RECENT JHB EXPLOSION
Engineers from the City of Joburg have identified three possible causes behind the recent gas explosion near Bree Taxi Rank. According to City manager Floyd Brink, the first potential cause is the ignition of methane gas in underground stormwater systems due to sewage ingress. The second possibility involves the ignition of natural gas mixed with oxygen in underground stormwater drainage systems or service ducts. Lastly, the ignition of gas from a gas pipe burst is being considered as the third potential cause of the explosion. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are still ongoing.
REPO RATE REMAINS UNCHANGED
There is a bit of relief for South Africans as the Reserve Bank has announced that the repo rate will remain unchanged.
The announcement was made by Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago on Thursday.
This means the repurchase rate will remain at 8.25% and the prime lending rate at 11.75%.
Earlier this week, the inflation rate dropped to 5.4%, which is below the Reserve Bank’s target.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL NOT ATTEND THE BRICS SUMMIT IN SA
Following political pressure on the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Presidency has confirmed that he will not be heading to South Africa next month for the Brics summit.
All eyes were on SA to see if it would arrest Putin after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant of arrest for him.
However, the Presidency says Putin’s decision not to attend physically was a mutual agreement.
MEYIWA TRIAL BACK IN COURT AS ZANDILE KHUMALO GETS CROSS-EXAMINED
Zandile Khumalo’s cross-examination in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial continues on Friday morning. She remains adamant that accused Bongani Ntanzi was one of the intruders on the night, as the trial unfolds, seeking the truth behind the tragic event that claimed the life of the beloved footballer. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng is the new judge in this case.
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SIGNS INTO LAW THE SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN LANGUAGE BILL
This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the South African Sign Language Bill at the Union Buildings.
Sign Language has officially become the 12th official language in South Africa.
As he signed the language into law, Ramaphosa apologised for the delay in making this decision.
“The recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language is an important step towards the realisation of the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Ramaphosa.
Sign language will now have special legal status to be used officially in the courts, parliament, and all administrative branches.
DR NANDIPHA MAGUDUMANA’S LEAVE TO APPEAL APPLICATION DECLINED
The Free State High Court has declined disgraced Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s leave to appeal application.
Magudumana, who is accused of aiding rapist and murderer Thabo Bester’s prison escape, wanted her arrest and extradition from Tanzania scrapped.
Last month, Judge Phillip Loubser found that Magudumana’s removal to South Africa from Tanzania was a disguised extradition, which was unconstitutional.
However, the courts found that she had, in fact, consented to her return.
This now means that the country’s criminal courts retain jurisdiction over her.
CLASSES AT TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY RESUME FOLLOWING WEEKLONG PROTESTS
Classes at the Tshwane University of Technology have resumed after protests that barred teaching and learning at the institution.
This was as students were disputing their dissatisfaction with the new National Student Financial Aid Scheme payment system.
Students say some of them have not received their meal allowances, adding that this new system was rushed by NSFAS.
Students at the institution have called for Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande to address them, further threatening to disrupt any other engagements he has in Pretoria.
ANOTHER COLD FRONT HITS GAUTENG
The South African Weather Services says the cold front that lands on Thursday will be accompanied by rain in Gauteng instead of snow.
It further says the cold front has already made landfall, and regions such as the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal can expect rainfall.
Additionally, high-lying areas in these provinces should brace for snowfall.
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