Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week:
This week, SAFA President Danny Jordaan and his co-accused were granted bail after facing charges of fraud and theft, accused of misappropriating over R1.3 million from SAFA’s funds.
In more encouraging news, South Africa’s unemployment rate showed improvement, falling to 32.1% in Q3 2024 with a notable rise in employment figures, marking progress in job creation efforts.
Meanwhile, Eskom, the national power utility, withdrew its plan to cut off electricity to Johannesburg after reaching an agreement to manage the city’s significant debt.
Additionally, amid a surge in suspected food poisoning incidents, particularly impacting learners, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on government measures to manage this public health crisis, highlighting concerns around food safety in affected communities.
Here are the top stories of the week:
SAFA BOSS DANNY JORDAAN RELEASED ON R20,000 BAIL AFTER FRAUD ARREST
SAFA President Danny Jordaan, along with co-accused Gronie Hluyo and Trevor Neethling, has been granted R20,000 bail following his arrest on charges of fraud.
Jordaan stands accused of misappropriating R1.3 million of the South African Football Association’s funds for personal use.
The trio appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Palm Ridge, Johannesburg, facing charges of fraud and theft. The case has sparked significant attention as the accused await further legal proceedings.
SA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS TO 32.1% IN Q3 2024
South Africa’s unemployment rate fell to 32.1% in Q3 2024, down from 33.5% in the previous quarter, according to Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey.
The drop reflects an increase of 294,000 employed people, bringing the total employed to 16.9 million. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed decreased by 373,000, now at 8 million.
The labour force itself contracted slightly, with 79,000 fewer participants, while discouraged job-seekers rose by 5% (160,000) to 3.3 million. Non-economically active individuals grew by 54,000, totaling 16.5 million.
The expanded unemployment rate, accounting for discouraged job-seekers, also fell to 41.9%, down by 0.7 percentage points. Job gains were seen across the formal (122,000) and informal sectors (165,000), with significant growth in community and social services (194,000), construction (176,000), and trade (109,000).
OVER HALF OF SOUTH AFRICA’S POPULATION LIVES IN GAUTENG, KZN AND WESTERN CAPE
South Africa’s population has reached an estimated 63.02 million by mid-2024, with over half (35.8 million) living in the three provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape.
Gauteng remains the most populated, with 15.9 million people, making up 25.3% of the country’s population. Since 2002, Gauteng’s share has grown significantly, rising from 20% to over a quarter of the total population.
ESKOM DROPS PLANS TO CUT POWER IN JOBURG FOLLOWING MINISTERIAL INTERVENTION
Eskom has withdrawn its plan to interrupt power supply in Johannesburg after Minister of Electricity Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Mayor Dada Morero, and Eskom executives reached a critical agreement to avoid an electricity crisis.
Last week, Eskom issued a notice of its intention to restrict power to the city over an unpaid debt of nearly R5 billion, with an additional R1.4 billion due by month-end.
In response to Eskom’s notice, CoJ called the decision “unjust and counterproductive.” During a high-level meeting, all parties agreed on key principles, including adherence to inter-governmental frameworks and the User Pay Principle—obliging payments to continue despite any billing disputes. Additionally, the service provider must ensure accurate billing, and no unilateral actions can be taken without clear agreement on the facts.
SOUTH AFRICA TO PLAY KEY ROLE AT G20 SUMMIT AHEAD OF PRESIDENCY
Next week, South Africa will join leaders at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro as it readies to take over the G20 presidency in December.
The summit, set for 18-19 November, will gather heads from 19 member nations, the African Union, and the EU, focusing on international economic cooperation. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola highlighted South Africa’s commitment to advancing the interests of the Global South and Africa’s development goals. The event will wrap up Brazil’s presidency, approving initiatives that address sustainable development and economic challenges affecting emerging economies.
WOMAN TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR POSSESSION OF VEHICLES LINKED TO RUSTENBURG CASH-IN-TRANSIT ROBBERY
A woman in her 40s will appear in the Rustenburg Magistrates Court following her arrest for possession of vehicles suspected to be stolen or hijacked, allegedly used in a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist.
The arrest, made on Tuesday in Tlhabane, came after a CIT robbery that occurred on Monday along the R104 in Kroondal, Rustenburg.
According to police, the suspects had used a white Mercedes Benz to ram into a cash van, forcing it to stop after firing shots. The guards were unharmed but were robbed of their firearms before the suspects detonated explosives to access the van, fleeing with an undisclosed sum.
Investigations led authorities to Kagiso, near Krugersdorp, where they confiscated a Toyota Quantum thought to have transported the suspects. Further intelligence guided the police to Tlhabane, where they arrested the woman and seized two vehicles—a stolen Toyota bakkie and a hijacked Volkswagen Tiguan—believed to be connected to the crime.
23 GAUTENG RESIDENTS DIE FROM FOOD POISONING LINKED TO SPAZA SHOPS, WITH 441 CASES REPORTED
In Gauteng, 23 people, primarily children aged six to nine, have tragically died due to food poisoning reportedly linked to food from local spaza shops.
In addition to these deaths, there have been 441 cases of food poisoning reported across the province, with symptoms ranging from vomiting to stomach pains.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi, updating residents on Sunday, confirmed that Gauteng’s Department of Health is investigating to pinpoint cases that are foodborne-related, enabling swift responses. Many cases occurred within schools, while others impacted broader community areas.
To better manage these incidents, the provincial government is creating a standardized tracking system to be used across medical facilities, schools, and community centers. This system will help authorities monitor and address high-risk areas swiftly, enhancing overall public safety.
RAMAPHOSA EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE NATION ON FOOD POISONING CRISIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation this week regarding the government’s response to the escalating suspected food poisoning incidents across South Africa.
Learners have been particularly affected, with some tragically losing their lives and others requiring hospitalization.
The situation has sparked significant public backlash, particularly surrounding the government’s decision to suspend food sales on and around school premises as a preventive measure. Ramaphosa’s address is expected to provide clarity on the steps the government is taking to address the crisis and ensure the safety of citizens, especially students.
HEALTH REGULATORY WARNS AGAINST COUNTERFEIT GLP-1 DRUGS LIKE OZEMPIC
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has raised alarms over the surge in counterfeit Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs, including Ozempic, circulating through websites and social media.
These products, often marketed for blood sugar control and weight loss, pose serious health risks since their safety and efficacy are unverified.
Ozempic, an injectable GLP-1 agonist registered in South Africa for type 2 diabetes, is only available in specific doses from authorized sources. Although popular for weight management elsewhere, it is not approved for this use locally. Mounjaro, another diabetes treatment developed by Eli Lilly, has not yet been introduced to the South African market through official channels. SAHPRA urges consumers to avoid purchasing such products from unverified sources to protect their health.
SEVEN ARRESTED IN RAID FOR RELABELLING EXPIRED PILCHARDS CANS
Seven illegal immigrants, aged between 18 and 29, have been arrested by SAPS officers in Sedibeng for illegally relabelling expired cans of pilchards.
The suspects were caught at a factory in Daleside, Gauteng, where they were rebranding pilchards from 2021 and 2022 with fraudulent 2026 expiration dates, putting public health at serious risk.
During the raid, authorities seized a large quantity of counterfeit Lucky Star pilchards and printing equipment used to alter the expiry labels. The operation highlights growing concerns over the illegal activities that endanger consumer safety. The arrested individuals now face charges of fraud and food safety violations.
FORMER SAPS COLONEL SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR ACCEPTING R5,000 BRIBE
Ex-SAPS Colonel Gregory Beck has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge after accepting a R5,000 bribe in exchange for ensuring the conclusion of an investigation in Alberton.
The case dates back to December 2014, when a complaint was filed with the Provincial Commissioner about mishandled investigations in Vereeniging. Beck, still an active officer at the time, allegedly demanded R5,000 to expedite the investigation.
The complainant, after initially agreeing to provide the amount, reported Beck’s demand to the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit. Following approval from the Director of Public Prosecutions in Johannesburg, an entrapment operation was set up, leading to Beck’s arrest in March 2015 as he accepted the bribe. The cash was recovered on the spot.
Despite pleading not guilty, Beck was convicted based on evidence presented by Senior State Advocate Terrence Zitha, who argued for a strict sentence to deter similar conduct in the force. The court acknowledged Beck’s prior service record but underscored that his actions were driven by greed, warranting a firm penalty.
RESCUE MISSION FOR TRAPPED ILLEGAL MINERS IN NORTH WEST CONTINUES
Last week, over 1,000 miners surfaced from an abandoned mine shaft in Orkney, reportedly weakened from days without food and water.
Community leader Thembile Botman shared that local volunteers have been working closely with authorities, including SAPS, to provide essential supplies. “Yesterday, we managed to send down water and soft porridge so that we can help more miners come up today,” Botman explained.
Botman reported concerning conditions underground, describing severe dehydration among some miners and noting that many are too weak to move, with confirmed casualties in the shaft. The community remains committed to aiding those still underground, hoping to save as many lives as possible.
FLYSAFAIR FACES SANCTIONS OVER NON-COMPLIANT SHAREHOLDING STRUCTURE
FlySafair, South Africa’s largest domestic airline, is facing serious scrutiny over its shareholding structure, which has been deemed non-compliant with local regulations.
The issue only impacts its international flights, as domestic operations are under a separate licence.
The International Air Services Council (IASC) is set to determine potential sanctions, including the suspension or cancellation of FlySafair’s international flight licence, by the end of November.
FlySafair has already taken legal action, filing an urgent interdict against the IASC’s ruling. The controversy stems from the airline’s significant foreign ownership, with Ireland-based ASL Aviation holding nearly 75% of the shares through subsidiaries.
The IASC’s ruling could lead to penalties or the suspension of FlySafair’s international operations until the shareholding structure is corrected. The final decision is expected on 28 November 2024.
SPRINGBOKS VS. ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND: TICKETS, SQUAD, KICK-OFF TIME, VENUE
Following their (32-15) victory in Castle Lager Outcoming Tour match opener in Scotland this past weekend, the Springboks are headed to London to play against England.
The Boks are set to play England on Saturday, 16 November 2024, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London.
Kick-off is at 7:40pm (local time), and the game will be live on SuperSport (211).
Springbok team to face England in London:
15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 9 caps, 30 points (6t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 38 caps, 101 points (16t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 77 caps, 90 points (18t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 85 caps, 55 points (11t)
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 22 caps, 85 points (17t)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 18 caps, 94 points (1t, 28c, 11p)
9 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 16 caps, 15 points (3t)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 32 caps, 10 points (2t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 85 caps, 55 points (11t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 90 caps, 60 points (12t)
5 – RG Snyman (Leinster) – 38 caps, 10 points (2t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 129 caps, 30 points (6t)
3 – Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 14 caps, 0 points
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 76 caps, 75 points (15t)
1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 38 caps, 0 points
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 74 caps, 105 points (21t)
17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 9 caps, 0 points
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 59 caps, 0 points
19 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 11 caps, 0 points
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 50 caps, 45 points (9t)
21 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 37 caps, 70 points (14t)
22 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 78 caps, 767 points (7t, 108c, 167p, 5dg)
23 – Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 41 caps, 35 points (7t)
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