Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week!
This week in South Africa, The Department of Home Affairs is investigating Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship after finding evidence suggesting her mother committed identity theft. Adetshina’s mother is suspected of using another woman’s identity to register her birth. Police arrested four individuals, including controversial pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng, for acts of intimidation and violence at Matshidiso Primary School in Katlehong.
The suspects appeared in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court and will remain in custody until their bail hearing on 16 August 2024. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is launching an independent investigation into racism allegations at Pretoria High School for Girls, following the school’s governing body clearing most learners of racial misconduct.
The Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources has announced a fuel price decrease for August. Tributes are pouring in for veteran South African actress Connie Chiume, who passed away on August 6, 2024.
In Sports, the Springboks are in Australia as they gear up for this weekend’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener match withe the Wallabies.
Here are the top stories of the week:
HOME AFFAIRS INVESTIGATES MISS SA CONTESTANT CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA’S CITIZENSHIP AFTER EVIDENCE SHOWS HER MOTHER MAY HAVE COMMITTED IDENTITY THEFT TO REGISTER HER BIRTH
The Department of Home Affairs is investigating Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship after finding evidence suggesting her mother committed identity theft. Adetshina’s mother is suspected of using another woman’s identity to register her birth.
This investigation began after a request from Miss SA organizers and has expanded to include other potentially involved officials. Home Affairs is committed to uncovering the truth and may press charges once the investigation concludes. This comes after Chidinma’s citizenship stirred controversy on social media with people calling out the organizers of the pageant to disqualify her as she was allegedly not South African.
CONTROVERSIAL PASTOR MBORO ARRESTED AFTER VIOLENT INCIDENT AT KATLEHONG SCHOOL – COMMUNITY BURNS DOWN HIS CHURCH
Police have arrested four individuals, including controversial pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng, following acts of intimidation and violence at Matshidiso Primary School in Katlehong. A viral video shows men with replica firearms and a panga harassing learners and teachers. The police stated that Pastor Mboro, his security personnel, and others stormed the school on Monday and forcefully took two minor children involved in a custody battle.
In response, angry residents set fire to Mboro’s Incredible Happenings Church on Tuesday. The incident has drawn significant attention, with provincial authorities confirming that the two children forcibly removed are at the center of a custody dispute following their mother’s death.
On Wednesday Mboro and his co-accused appeared in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court. They will remain in custody until their bail hearing next Friday, 16 August 2024.
MEC TO LAUNCH INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO RACISM AT PRETORIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS – AFTER 12 LEARNERS FOUND NOT GUILTY
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is set to launch an independent investigation into racism allegations at Pretoria High School for Girls. This decision follows the school’s governing body clearing 12 out of 13 learners of racial misconduct.
The allegations surfaced from a “whites-only” WhatsApp group where students reportedly made racially charged statements. Chiloane’s move aims to assess whether a culture of racism exists at the school, despite the recent findings of the disciplinary hearings.
POLICE RESCUES 90 UNDOCUMENTED ETHIOPIAN NATIONALS IN JOHANNESBURG
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force (STF) has rescued 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals who were allegedly held against their will under inhuman conditions in Sunnydale Ridge, Johannesburg. The STF, leading a multidisciplinary team, discovered the nationals while tracing a kidnapping victim for ransom.
These individuals were found locked in confined rooms, and investigations are underway to determine how they were trafficked into South Africa. Among those rescued was the kidnapped victim from Benoni, whose captors had been demanding a ransom from his family.
The Ethiopian nationals have been taken to hospital for medical care. Two suspects found on the property have been arrested and are likely to face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. The case has been transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS) for further investigation.
PETROL PRICE DROPS FOR AUGUST
The Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources has announced a decrease in fuel prices for the month of August.
Starting Wednesday, the prices will be adjusted as follows: Petrol 93 (ULP and LRP) will see a 15 cents per litre decrease, Petrol 95 (ULP and LRP) will also drop by 15 cents, Diesel (0.05% sulphur) will decrease by 28 cents, Diesel (0.005% sulphur) will see a 17 cents reduction, wholesale Illuminating Paraffin will decrease by 22 cents, the retail price for Illuminating Paraffin will drop by 29 cents, and LP Gas will decrease by 14 cents per kg.
This means that a litre of 95 petrol, currently priced at R23.26 in Gauteng, will now cost R23.11 as of Wednesday, and 93 petrol which was R22.86 will now cost R22.71.
CONDOLENCES POUR IN FOR VETERAN ACTRESS CONNIE CHIUME
Veteran South African actress Connie Chiume (72) passed away on Tuesday, 06 August 2024.
The news of her death was announced through a statement on her Instagram page, with the family stating her passing at Garden City Hospital and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Per the statement:
“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume. Connie Chiume, 72, passed on at Garden City Hospital today, 6th August 2024. The family asks for privacy during this difficult period. The family will communicate further details.”
Chiume starred in numerous local TV productions, including Zone 14, Rhythm City, and Gomora, and she was also known for her film roles in Black Panther, Black Is King and Blessers.
Tributes are pouring in on social media from celebrities and fans.
EIGHT CASH-IN-TRANSIT SUSPECTS KILLED IN KHAYELITSHA IN SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE: FIVE ARRESTED
A planned cash-in-transit heist was thwarted in Khayelitsha on Monday night when police intervened in a shootout with a gang in Town Two. The police, acting on a tip-off, engaged the robbers at a local residence. In the ensuing gunfight, eight suspects were killed, and five were apprehended.
Authorities seized an arsenal of weaponry including seven AK-47s, two R5s, a Dashprod rifle, and various explosives. Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight, Anroux Marais, commended the police for their swift action and successful confiscation of arms and ammunition. The arrested individuals are set to appear in court on Thursday.
JOHANNESBURG NEEDS R221 BILLION FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
Johannesburg requires R221 billion ($12 billion) to address maintenance and overdue upgrades across its deteriorating road, power, and water networks, as per Bloomberg report.
Bloomberg reveals that the city council discussed this in a recent meeting, highlighting severe issues such as regular power outages caused by distribution-network failures. Additionally, long-standing problems like potholes and water outages are some of the city’s urgent infrastructure needs.
TWO NEW MPOX CASES DETECTED IN GAUTENG & KZN
Two new Mpox infections have been confirmed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. These cases, reported 26 days after the last infections, bring the total to 24, with 12 in Gauteng, 11 in KwaZulu-Natal, and one in the Western Cape. The disease has resulted in three deaths so far.
The latest cases include a 36-year-old man from KwaZulu-Natal with no international travel history, and a 20-year-old man from Gauteng who traveled to Peru, a country with a high number of Mpox cases. The department is monitoring the situation closely.
SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE MINISTER STEPS IN TO HELP STRUGGLING NATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has pledged to help the National School of the Arts (NSA), which is facing financial difficulties and the threat of bankruptcy. During a visit to the NSA with Deputy Minister Peace Mabe, McKenzie learned that the school’s cash flow is depleted, and salary payments are at risk.
The NSA, which operates under the Gauteng Department of Basic Education but focuses on arts education, will receive immediate financial support from the Ministry. McKenzie plans to work with the Department of Basic Education to review and stabilize the school’s financial model in the coming months.
NSFAS INVESTIGATES PAYMENTS TO SUSPECTED FAKE TVET STUDENTS
NSFAS is probing the legitimacy of payments made to individuals who have failed to prove their enrollment at TVET Colleges, reports BusinessLive.
As the government’s primary agency for student financial aid, NSFAS has faced controversy, including a period of administration from 2018 to 2020 and recent corruption allegations against former CEO Andile Nongogo and ex-chairperson Ernest Khosa. The current investigation aims to address concerns over the authenticity of payments amid ongoing scrutiny.
SPRINGBOKS TO FACE WALLABIES IN AUSTRALIA THIS WEEKEND
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a squad of 23 players for this weekend’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship opener match in Brisbane, Australia.
The match will take place on Saturday, 10 August 2024 where Springboks will play Australia (the Wallabies) at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Kick-off is at 6:30am (South African time), and the game will be live on SuperSport (211) with the build-up starting at 5:30am.
See full Springbok squad to face Wallabies in Australia here.
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