Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
ELECTION EARLY RESULTS ANC LEADS FOLLOWED BY DA, AND MK PARTY
At 4.10 a.m. on Friday, 51.5% of the voting districts were completed. ANC stands at 42.46%. The Democratic Alliance (DA) follows with 23.3%. uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), led by former president Jacob Zuma, is third with 10.71%, followed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party with 9.63%.
IEC WEBSITE AND RESULTS SYSTEM DOWN ON FIRDAY MORNING
At 7.30 a.m. on Friday, the IEC website and results system are down. ENCA reports that the website has crashed, while the results board at the counting centre has also been down since the early hours of the morning.
The IEC has since shared a statement on this issue; “We apologise for the issue with our public facing NPE system, and are working on restoring service. The results system is still operational and local offices continue to capture results.”
IEC EXPECTS TO ANNOUNCE ELECTION RESULTS BY SUNDAY

The Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that the results of today’s elections are expected to be released by Sunday, 02 June 2024. Political parties have been stationed at Results Operations Centres, diligently tracking the scoreboard as vote tallies fluctuate.
The IEC is currently tabulating votes from over 23,000 polling stations nationwide.
*Make sure you stay tuned to our website and social media channels, as we bring you all the updates on the 2024 elections.
SOUTH AFRICAN HEAD TO THE POLLS FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS
South Africa’s national and provincial elections, held on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, mark a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic history, as the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces its toughest challenge in 30 years.
With 27 million registered voters, according to the Electoral Commission, South Africans turned out in significant numbers across the nation’s nine provinces.
This election is widely regarded as critical, with the ANC’s long-standing majority at stake amid growing political competition and public discontent.
With voting done, the counting of votes is underway as the country awaits to see which party will bring in the most votes for this election.
50 PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR ELECTION VIOLATIONS
Since Monday, at least 98 cases of Electoral Act violations have been opened, according to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints).
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, NatJoints Chairperson, confirmed that 50 people have been arrested. One individual has already appeared in court, with the others to follow soon.
In Gauteng, 20 arrests were made for election-related offenses, including disruptions at voting stations. In Katlehong, police used rubber bullets to control clashes near a voting station, with no injuries reported. Provincial commissioner Tommy Mthombeni stressed the need for order to ensure a smooth election process.
SARB KEEPS REPO RATE UNCHANGED AT 8.25%
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced the decision to maintain the repo rate at 8.25%, following the May Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. This decision, which was widely anticipated, means that the prime lending rate for local commercial banks remains at 11.75%.
The repo rate has been steady at 8.25% for the past year, with inflation hovering around the upper end of the bank’s target range. Inflation moderated to 5.2% in April, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilize economic conditions.
TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN LIMPOPO CLAIMS 13 LIVES

Thirteen individuals lost their lives on Tuesday in a devastating collision between a taxi and a truck on the R521 route between Polokwane and Dendron. Among the deceased, ten were teachers from the Capricorn North Education District, as confirmed by Department of Education officials.
ACKERMAN FAMILY TO RELINQUISH MAJORITY CONTROL OF PICK ‘N PAY
The founding Ackerman family has announced they will relinquish their majority voting control in Pick ‘n Pay. Gareth Ackerman, son of founder Raymond Ackerman, will step down as chairperson next year after 14 years. Despite disappointing full-year results showing an 87% trading loss for the year ending February 25, 2024, investors are focusing on the retailer’s turnaround plans.
CEO Sean Summers aims to return the business to profitability through strategic closures and conversions of loss-making stores, emphasizing renewed customer focus and improved store execution. The Ackermans will reduce their control to under 50% and invest R1 billion as part of a R4 billion capital raise.
SOUTH AFRICA HAILS ICJ’S ORDER FOR ISRAEL TO CEASE MILITARY OPERATIONS IN GAZA

South Africa has applauded the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision, with a 13-2 vote, directing Israel to immediately cease its military actions in Rafah. The ICJ instructed Israel to refrain from any actions that could lead to the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. Additionally, Israel was mandated to keep the Rafah crossing open for the unimpeded provision of essential services and humanitarian aid. The court’s ruling requires Israel to facilitate access to Gaza for UN investigative bodies probing allegations of genocide. Israel must report its compliance within a month.
Earlier, South Africa had petitioned the ICJ to safeguard Palestinians in Gaza from severe violations of their rights under the Genocide Convention. The Presidency lamented ongoing Palestinian deaths due to starvation, attributing it to Israel’s deliberate denial of food access.
BLITZBOKS GEAR UP IN MADRID FOR OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION

The South African sevens rugby team, the Blitzboks, is in Madrid preparing for the World Rugby Sevens Series Grand Finale, with a primary focus on securing Olympic qualification. Their upcoming participation in the Olympic qualifiers in Monaco next month is crucial.
Team veteran Siviwe Soyizwapi emphasized their commitment to representing South Africa with pride and striving to regain their top form. Despite a challenging season, the Blitzboks are determined to deliver peak performances. They will face Ireland in their first pool match of the Madrid Sevens Grand Finale on Friday, setting the stage for a pivotal test.
COURT POSTPONES CASE OF MURDERED BOY IN SOSHANGUVE
The Pretoria North Magistrates Court has delayed the case of three men charged with the murder of five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane to 27 August, pending further investigation and a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The accused face charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, with one suspect also charged with illegal residency in South Africa.
Ditebogo was fatally shot during a hijacking in Soshanguve three weeks ago. NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana reported that the suspects abandoned their bail applications due to their pending cases, and they remain in custody at Moot Police Station.
NSFAS TAKES ACTION AGAINST NON-COMPLIANT SERVICE PROVIDERS
NSFAS Administrator Freeman Nomvalo has announced legal action to remove four service providers—Ezaga Holdings, Coinvest Africa, Narraco Corporation, and Tenet Technologies—for failing to disburse monthly allowances to students. These companies were appointed to manage payments to NSFAS beneficiaries but encountered technical issues and high bank charges.
Following a report by Werksmans Attorneys, which highlighted irregular appointments, NSFAS will now directly handle payments. Nomvalo emphasized that this change aims to resolve issues causing unrest on campuses and TVET colleges, where students experienced disappearing funds and other payment discrepancies. “This is now a thing of the past,” he assured.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA SIGNS INTO LAW THE CANNABIS FOR PRIVATE PURPOSES ACT
President Cyril Ramaphosa has enacted the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (CfPPA), which regulates adult cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis in private settings. The CfPPA removes cannabis from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, facilitating amendments to the Medicines and Related Substances Act, Plant Breeders Rights Act, and Plant Improvement Act. This legislative overhaul aims to industrialize the cannabis sector.
The Act also addresses the medically prescribed use of cannabis for children, ensuring their protection from undue exposure. It proposes alternative approaches to handling prohibited cannabis activities involving children, emphasizing their best interests, and prohibits cannabis dealing.
BULLS, STORMERS AND LIONS FINAL ROUND IN URC

The Vodacom Bulls, DHL Stormers, and Emirates Lions face a pivotal final pool round in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, as the SA Shield winner will be decided. Currently fifth on the standings, the Stormers will host the ninth-placed Lions in Cape Town at 13:45. Meanwhile, the Sharks, out of the quarter-final race, will play the second-placed Bulls in Durban at 16:10.
The Bulls and Stormers are in a tight race for the SA Shield, with the Bulls holding a three-point advantage. A win in Durban would keep the Bulls in contention for a top finish, potentially securing home advantage through the playoffs. For the Stormers, a victory will ensure their spot in the quarter-finals, though they can’t rise above fifth place. The outcome of these matches will not only determine quarter-finalists but also shape the playoff landscape.
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