Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week!
This week in South Africa, notable political shifts include the resignation of EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu, who announced his departure from the party to join the uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party. EFF President Julius Malema bid Shivambu a warm farewell, emphasizing that the move doesn’t indicate a collapse of the EFF and leaving the door open for his potential return.
Additionally, City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda announced his resignation, marking the end of his leadership following the collapse of the Multi-Party coalition government.
On the legal and economic fronts, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges against 95 Libyan nationals arrested at a suspected military training camp, shifting the case to the Department of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 33.5% in Q2 2024, with 8.4 million people now unemployed. The number of discouraged work-seekers also increased, reflecting ongoing economic challenges in the country.
Here are the top stories of the week:
FLOYD SHIVAMBU RESIGNS FROM EFF TO JOIN UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY
EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu has announced his resignation from the party, declaring his intention to join the uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party.
Shivambu, who has stepped down from all his EFF duties, received a warm farewell from EFF President Julius Malema, who emphasized that Shivambu’s departure does not signal the collapse of the party and assured him that the door remains open for his return.
Additionally, Malema revealed that Mzwanele Manyi has also resigned from the EFF to join the MK Party.
NPA DROPS CASE AGAINST 95 LIBYAN NATIONALS IN MPUMALANGA
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn charges against 95 Libyan nationals arrested at a suspected military training camp in Masoyi, Mpumalanga.
The case is now under the Home Affairs Department’s jurisdiction. The Libyans, apprehended earlier this month, were allegedly receiving military training.
Defense lawyer Nico du Plessis, who made representations to the NPA and the Director of Public Prosecution, is pushing for their deportation back to Libya. The case’s withdrawal marks a significant turn in the investigation.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES TO 33.5% IN SOUTH AFRICA’S SECOND QUARTER
South Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 33.5% in Q2 2024, up from 32.9% in Q1, as reported by Statistics South Africa.
The number of unemployed persons surged by 158,000, bringing the total to 8.4 million. Discouraged work-seekers also increased by 4.8%, adding 147,000 individuals to the count.
The expanded unemployment rate reached 42.6%, despite temporary employment from the election period and improved electricity supply.
JOHANNESBURG MAYOR KABELO GWAMANDA RESIGNS
City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has announced his resignation, effective on a date to be set by the Speaker.
Gwamanda expressed gratitude for leading the city after the collapse of the Multi-Party coalition government.
In a statement, he cited recent “political engagements” and the evolving “political architecture of governance” following the May 29 national and provincial elections as reasons for his resignation.
600,000 UNCOLLECTED IDS PILE UP AT HOME AFFAIRS OFFICES
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber disclosed that nearly 600,000 identity documents remain uncollected across government offices nationwide.
In a Parliamentary reply, Schreiber revealed that over 450,000 of these are re-issue applications, while more than 142,000 are first-time IDs.
Offices with the most uncollected IDs include Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Akasia, and Cape Town. Additionally, from April 2019 to July 2024, 53 Home Affairs employees faced disciplinary actions for irregular ID processing, with 33 dismissals resulting.
KIDNAPPING CASES ON THE RISE IN SOUTH AFRICA AMID GROWING ORGANISED CRIME
Kidnapping cases in South Africa continue to surge, reflecting a worrying trend linked to rising organised crimes such as extortion and human trafficking.
Recent police findings of 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals trafficked into the country highlight the severity of the issue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his weekly newsletter, stressed the need for evolving crime-fighting strategies, praising the successes of Operation Shanela. SAPS crime statistics for Q3 2023 reveal an 11% increase in kidnappings year-on-year, averaging 51 cases per day, with women and children being the most affected.
SUN INTERNATIONAL RETURNS TO BOTSWANA WITH ACQUISITION OF PEERMONT GLOBAL
Sun International has re-entered the Botswana market, acquiring a 40% stake in Peermont Global Botswana (PGB) following the conditional approval by the Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA).
This move is part of Sun International’s acquisition of Peermont Holdings, announced in December 2023.
The South African hospitality and gaming giant will now oversee operations at key properties, including the Grand Palm and Peermont Mondior in Gaborone, and the Peermont Metcourt Hotel & Sedibeng Casino in Francistown.
R257 MILLION COVID-19 PPE CONTRACT OVERTURNED BY SPECIAL TRIBUNAL
The Special Tribunal has declared a R257 million COVID-19 PPE contract awarded by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) to Nkhane Projects and Supply as invalid.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) brought the case, revealing that the contract bypassed competitive bidding and failed to adhere to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Nkhane must now submit audited statements detailing income and expenses from the contract and pay SIU’s legal costs. This ruling also halts Nkhane’s ongoing High Court case seeking payment for goods delivered under the invalidated contract.
MIA LE ROUX CROWNED MISS SOUTH AFRICA 2024
Twenty-eight-year-old Mia Le Roux has been crowned Miss South Africa at a prestigious event held at Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria.
Originally from Sasolburg, Free State, and raised in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, Le Roux is a marketing manager, model, and part-time BCom Marketing student.
Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at just one year old, her community’s support gave her the gift of hearing, fueling her passion to make a positive impact and break barriers. Le Roux describes herself as resilient, dedicated, graceful, and kind.
LUFTHANSA TO LAUNCH NEW JOHANNESBURG-MUNICH ROUTE
Starting Tuesday, 3 September 2024, Lufthansa will introduce a new direct route between Johannesburg and Munich, expanding its service to South Africa.
The German airline, Europe’s second-largest, will operate three flights per week on this year-round route using an A350-900, offering business, premium economy, and economy classes.
This addition complements Lufthansa’s existing direct flights from Johannesburg to Frankfurt and will be followed by a new direct route from Cape Town to Munich starting in November.
WHO DECLARES MPOX OUTBREAK A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared the recent mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African countries a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
This decision follows recommendations from an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts who reviewed data from WHO and affected regions.
Dr. Tedros highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated global response to address the rapid spread of a new mpox clade and its potential to extend beyond Africa. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized ongoing efforts and the need for further international support to control the outbreak.
UFC 305: DRICUS DU PLESSIS TO FACE ADESANYA THIS WEEKEND
UFC Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is set to defend his title against Israel Adesanya on Sunday, 18 August at UFC 305 – at 06:30 am (South African time).
Du Plessis, who claimed the middleweight crown in January 2024, will be accompanied to the Octagon by rugby stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth, with a special song kept under wraps until fight day.
The bout will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and is scheduled for 06:30 am South African time. The event follows the Springboks’ clash with the Wallabies on 17 August.
MTN8 SEMIFINAL FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
The PSL has confirmed the dates, venues, and times for the upcoming MTN8 semifinals.
Cape Town City will host Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, 27 August 2024, at DHL Stadium, with a 19:00 kickoff. The return leg is set for Saturday, 31 August 2024, at Orlando Stadium, starting at 15:00.
In the other semifinal, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Stellenbosch FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, at 19:00, with the second leg scheduled for Sunday, 01 September 2024, at Moses Mabhida Stadium, also kicking off at 15:00.
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