Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
70 KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN GAUTENG SINCE APRIL 2023
The South African Police Service has reported the arrest of 70 kidnapping suspects in Gauteng since the establishment of the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team in April 2023. Recent arrests in Kempton Park and Hillbrow are linked to the kidnapping of a Portuguese businessman in Bramley. Fortunately, the 53-year-old victim was found safe and unharmed by police at a house in Kempton Park.
SPRINGBOKS’ BONGI MBONAMBI CLEARED OF RACIAL SLUR ALLEGATIONS
Bongi Mbonambi, the Springboks hooker, will not face any sanctions following allegations that he used discriminatory language against Tom Curry. Curry accused Mbonambi of making a racial slur during a match. However, World Rugby announced on Thursday that no further action would be taken, unless additional evidence emerges. This development comes as the Springboks prepare to face New Zealand in the World Cup final.
USINDISO BUILDING LACKED EMERGENCY EXITS, INQUIRY REVEALS
An inquiry into the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, commenced with testimony from acting City of Joburg EMS Chief Rapulane Monageng. The inquiry, led by Justice Sisi Khampepe and initiated by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, aims to determine the cause of the fire and any accountability. Monageng revealed that the Usindiso building posed significant safety hazards, including a lack of emergency exits. In August, a fire in the illegally occupied building claimed the lives of 77 people and left numerous others injured, exposing serious fire risks, vandalized fire equipment, and non-compliant partitioning.
SARS CONFIRMS THREATENING SMS TO TAXPAYERS AS FAKE
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a warning to taxpayers, urging them to disregard a fake SMS demanding that they file their returns within 10 days to avoid penalties and potential summons. SARS confirmed that this message was fraudulent and did not originate from the organization. Taxpayers have been advised not to engage with or respond to such SMS threats.
SAMAs CANCELLED FOLLOWING BACKLASH OVER R20 MILLION BUDGET
Durban will no longer host the South African Music Awards (SAMA) due to concerns over the high cost of hosting the event, which was estimated to be over R20 million. Following consultations with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the KwaZulu-Natal government made the decision to withdraw from hosting the awards. The decision was announced by Siboniso Duma, ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairperson and MEC for Economic Development, who explained that the funds could be allocated to other government departments.
IEC ANNOUNCES VOTER REGISTRATION WEEKEND (18 AND 19 NOVEMBER 2023)
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has declared November 18 and 19, 2023, as the voter registration weekend for the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial Elections. Currently, there are 26.2 million registered voters, with 14.4 million being women and 11.6 million being men. The exact date for the 2024 elections is still pending.
HIGH COURT GRANTS FOUR MONTHS PARENTAL LEAVE TO ALL PARENTS
The High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that all parents, regardless of gender, should have access to four months of parental leave. This ruling challenges the previous labor laws that granted mothers four months of maternity leave while fathers were entitled to only ten days off after the birth of a child. A Limpopo couple initiated this legal challenge, arguing that the Basic Conditions of Employment Act’s provisions were discriminatory. As a result of the ruling, parents of natural birth will now have the flexibility to decide how to allocate these four months of leave, eliminating the forced caregiver roles typically assigned to mothers and fathers.
SEVEN MEN FOUND DEAD UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE IN KWAMASHU
On Monday night, the 23rd of October 2023, seven men were discovered dead under a railway bridge in KwaMashu, Durban, each with gunshot wounds to the head. These victims were believed to have been living under the bridge and were reportedly involved in criminal activities. This incident follows a separate shootout with police in the province that occurred a week earlier, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including one police officer.
OVER 200 INMATES TO PARTICIPATE IN 2023 MATRIC EXAMS
The South African Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that more than 200 inmates are set to participate in the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations at various prisons across the country. A total of 204 inmates have registered for the examinations. Six of the registered inmates were excluded due to their participation in the special remission of sentences. In the previous year, four inmates achieved six distinctions, with the highest-performing inmate attaining an average of 87.9%. The class of 2022 achieved an 87.5% pass rate, with eleven schools achieving a perfect 100% pass rate.
MAJOR EXPANSION: GAUTRAIN RAIL NETWORK SET TO TRIPLE IN SIZE
The Gautrain rail network is on the verge of a significant expansion. The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is in the advanced stages of finalizing a massive expansion project, according to the incoming CEO, Tshepo Kgobe. Work on an additional 150km of tracks is scheduled to commence next year, effectively tripling the size of the original network. This expansion project, known as the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network (Gautrain), aims to create a 240 km high-speed rail link from Johannesburg to Polokwane.
INVESTIGATION INITIATED AFTER DEATH OF GRADE 6 STUDENT IN SOWETO
The Gauteng Department of Education has appointed an independent law firm to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of 12-year-old Sibusiso Mbatha. The Grade 6 student, who attended Khehlekile Primary School in Thokoza, Soweto, reportedly took his own life following allegations of bullying by a teacher at his school. He was discovered deceased after hanging himself in the bathroom of his home on Monday.
Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
;
