Public Protector says today’s findings reaffirms the powers of her office

Chumani Simelela

31 March 2016

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has reacted to today’s historic Constitutional Court ruling, saying it proves there was sophisticated disregard of her findings by government institutions in the Nkandla spending debacle, and it reaffirms the powers of her office.

In a comprehensive and unanimous judgment handed down this morning, the court found that President Jacob Zuma failed to “uphold, defend and respect” the Constitution when he ignored the Public Protector’s Nkandla Report.

Political Party’s overwhelmed by Con Court’s Judgement

Nontando Mafanya

31 March 2016

United Democratic Movement leader, Bantu Holomisa says, the democratic project of South Africa is still alive.

He says that they are happy that the Public Protector’s powers has been affirmed.

He says “We have taken note that Zuma has failed to protect the Constitution and also violated the oath of office in the process.”

He adds that “We then call upon ANC which brought Zuma after elections, to recall him because people did not vote for Zuma, people voted for the ANC and other parties, but now that he has brought the country into disrepute he should start packing his bag with immediate effect.” 

On the other side the Congress of the People says it is excited about the outcome of the judgement of the Con Court.

Cope Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says “We have said that president Zuma has broken his record.”

Bloem concluded that “He cannot be called President he is not suitable to be president of the country that is why we are saying we are vindicated as the congress of the we stood firm to say that he is no the president of this country.”

Con Court rules that Zuma must pay back the money

Mbasa Gqokoma

31 March 2016

Today, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled that the Public Protector’s report and findings on the Nkandla saga, is indeed binding.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said “The remedial action taken by the Public Protector against President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma in terms of section 182 1C of the constitution is binding.”

Mogoeng Mogoeng further stated that “The President must personally pay the amount determined by the National Treasury within 45 days of this courts signification of its approval of the report.”

He said that the President’s failure to comply with the Public Protector’s remedial action, and the failure of the National Assembly to hold the executive accountable has jeopardised the state.

“Consistent with this constitutional injunction an order will thus been made that the president’s failure to comply with the remedial action taken against him by the Public Protector is inconsistent with his obligation to uphold, defend, respect the constitution as the supreme law of the republic to comply with the remedial action taken by the Public Protector and the duty to assist and protect the Office of the Public Protector, so as to ensure its independence impartiality, dignity and effectiveness.” He concluded.  

EC Provincial Municipalities is indebted to the Auditor General a sum of R40.3m

Chumani Simelela

31 March 2016

Eastern Cape provincial municipalities owed the Auditor-General more than R40-million in unpaid audit fees by the end of the 2015-16 financial year, third quarter in December, and the provincial treasury revealed in a statement.

A report on the debt was presented to the Bhisho legislature’s finance portfolio committee by treasury head Daluhlanga Majeke.

The provincial municipalities and their entities are indebted to the Auditor General to the tune of R40.3-million, a slight increase from the R40.1-million the municipalities owed the Auditor General at the end of the same period in the previous financial year.

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to lodge an appeal

Raymond Pani

30 March 2016

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services will be appealing a High Court order to release SACP leader, Chis Hani's assassin, Janusz Waluś on parole.

Michael Masutha had mentioned following the March 10 ruling that he would study the judgment to understand the basis on which it was made, before acting on it.

He said then “that the judgment may not be in line with the processes in place for granting parole, in which the healing of victims is considered key.”

On Wednesday, the justice ministry released a statement in which Masutha announced his plans to launch an appeal.  

In it, he confirms that he sent his legal representatives who have "served a notice of application for leave to appeal against the judgment with the Registrar of the High Court.

State withdraws charges against UCT student

Mbasa Gqokoma

30 March 2016

The state has withdrawn all charges against a group of protesters who were involved in anti-university fees demonstrations in Cape Town last year.

Twenty-nine demonstrators, most of them students, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court this morning on various charges, including public violence.

They were arrested during protests outside Parliament late last year.

The group was arrested in October after clashing with police outside Parliament.

Among those in the dock were African National Congress stalwart Frank Chikane's son, Kgotso, and student activist leader Chumani Maxwele.

Bush Radio’s correspondent Simamkele Vakaza interviewed one of the accused, Khwezi Hoga.

Hoga says that “I’m happy I didn’t have to stand there and be asked questions”

She adds that “ I don’t know what this means, however it’s a victory to have the case withdrawn, but I also do feel like the system and the state have wasted my time for arresting me and doing all these dramatic things while fees have not fallen”.

City of Cape Town finishes its upgrade plan in Langa

Mbasa Gqokoma

30 March 2016

The City of Cape Town has completed its upgrade of the Langa Station South public open space at a cost of more than R10,5 million.

This project forms part of the City’s commitment to investing in historically under-invested areas.

Councillor Johan van der Merwe, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, says “It forms part of our City rights efforts to create innovative and inclusive community and commuter friendly spaces.”

He adds that “We, however need our communities to take ownership of these spaces and to be actively involved in the promotion of these spaces.”

“It’s only through the support of our residents and communities that we can change the face of our communities by building quality driven, safe public spaces which are effectively used by local neighbourhoods. We want to improve the quality of life of our residents, and we remain committed to drive investment in our previously disadvantaged areas.”  He concludes. 

A man killed after vehicle plangud 60 metres off the Franschhoek Pass

Mbasa Gqokoma

30 March 2016

A man was killed after his vehicle plunged roughly 60 metres off the Franschhoek Pass in Franschhoek in the Western Cape yesterday.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring says “ER24 paramedics, along with Fire and Metro Services, found an SUV lying on its roof well alight roughly 60 metres down a large embankment.

Emergency personnel made their way down the embankment and extinguished the blaze.

Meiring says “One the blaze had been extinguished, paramedics found the body of a male lying inside the vehicle.”

Unfortunately, the man had succumbed to his fatal burn wounds. Nothing more could be done for the patient and he was declared dead on scene.”

He adds that “It is understood that two members of the local authorities had witnessed the incident. It is believed that they attempted to remove the patient from the vehicle, but were unsuccessful”

However, local authorities were on scene for further investigations, Meriring concluded.

WC Police are still on search for robbery suspects

Nontando Mafanya

30 March 2016

Police are searching for at least nine armed men who were involved in two separate robberies in Cape Town. In the first incident, a gang of seven gunmen targeted a filling station in Bonteheuwel yesterday. Three men were arrested but four accomplices got away.

Western Cape police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwaxeni says….. “yesterday morning on about 19;40, five unidentified suspects entered a shop and held the employees and the customers with gun point.”

 “They robbed the shop undisclosed amount of money and police and the law enforcement arrested   and they expected o appear in Bishop Levis Magistrate court tomorrow for business robbery.” Rwexana concluded. 

UDM leader says labels ANC SG “#PastorMantashe taking chances”

Chumani Simelela

30 March 2016

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa yesterday set tongues wagging on social media, after accusing ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe of attempting to distract attention, from a tender scandal to which he is purportedly linked by presenting himself as an upstanding leader of the church.

Holomisa posted a picture of Mantashe on his Facebook account and wrote: “#PastorMantashe Taking chances.” The picture showed Mantashe standing in a house and wearing what appeared to be an Apostolic church uniform and talking to congregants through a microphone.

Speaking to reporters later, Holomisa said “it was not necessary for Mantashe to go to church, because he and his family allegedly benefitted from fraudulent tender transactions in the past”.

UCT RhodesMustFall campaing students to appear in court today

Chumani Simelela

30 March 2016

Today a group of 29 UCT students, who stormed the gates of Parliament last year, are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court.

The sons of struggle hero Frank Chikane, UCT vice-chancellor Max Price, Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and advocate Wim Trengrove are among them.

The group also includes prominent student activist, Chumani Maxwele, who initiated the RhodesMustFall campaign that led to the eventual removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue from UCT last year. The group is facing charges of public violence and attending an illegal gathering.

Congress of the People applauses Minister Dipuo Peters

Raymond Pani

29 March 2016

The Congress of the People, in a statement issued, says it is encouraged that accidents and fatalities this Easter, going by the preliminary figures released by the Minister of Transport, have declined appreciably. 

Cope Spokesperson Dennis Bloem said 

“The congress of the people is very much encouraged by the preliminary figures released by the Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters, accidents and fatalities have declined we are very happy about that. 

Last year between 24- 28 march 287 died on our roads this year, that number has been reduced to 115 fatalities this is a very welcomed 46 % decline.”

DA says it is impressed with road death decrease

Raymond Pani

29 March 2016

In a statement, the Democratic Alliance says it welcomes the 46% year-on year decrease of road deaths for the Easter Weekend period, as compared to the same period for 2015. Luvuyo Dlangisa, spokesperson said

“The Democratic Alliance says it welcomes the 46% year-on year decrease of road deaths for the Easter Weekend period, as compared to the same period for 2015.

"Furthermore we thank motorists and traffic law enforcement alike for their efforts in this holiday season to reduce the carnage on the roads and ensuring that South African’s are safer." Dlangisa adds.

 He concluded that "Going forward the true test will be for Minister Peters and her department to sustain the decrease of road deaths as previous cases have shown the number of road deaths remained high in periods surrounding holidays.”

31-year old in a critical condition in a drowning incident

Simamkele Vakaza

29 March 2016

Yesterday afternoon Netcare 911 paramedics received a call for a drowning incident at Alkant Strand in Richards Bay. Reports from the scene indicate that a man ran into the sea and tried to dive through a wave when his head was hit against a sand bank.

“Paramedics arrived at the scene and found that the lifeguards had immobilised the patient on a trauma board, said Chris Botha, Media Liaison officer.

“The 31-year-old man was found in a critical condition with severe spinal injuries”, He said.

“Medics worked eagerly at the scene to stabilise the patient before they transported him to a local hospital for the care he required”, he concluded.

Two suspects arrested for allegedly robbing a shop in Dutywa

Simamkele Vakaza

29 March 2016

Two suspects aged between 22 and 24 were arrested for business robbery by the Dutywa Police, Eastern Cape. It is alleged that the suspects went to a shop at Chizela Village Dutywa and robbed the business. Police Captain, Jackson Manatha explained the situation.

“Two men pretended to be buying some soft drink and then while they were about to be served one of them drew his knife and threatened the lady who was serving them demanding some money”, said Jackson Manatha.

“They were both given an undisclosed amount of money and cellphone of the victim”, He said.

“Both suspects were traced with the assistance of the community and arrested on the same day”, said Manatha.

“They are appearing before the IDutywa Magistrate Court today”. He concluded.

SANCO proposes Truth and Reconciliation against farmers who mistreat their workers

Chumani Simelela
29 March 2016

The South African National Civic Organisation on Monday proposed a truth and reconciliation commission into racism and exploitation in farming communities. The Civic organisation's proposal follows the abandonment of the South African Human Rights Commission probe into claims that the Democratic Alliance leader in the Eastern Cape, Athol Trollip, mistreated his farmworkers.

He said “As SANCO in view of the latest incident, where the South African Human Rights Commission abended the probe and claim that the DA leader in the Eastern Cape mistreated his farmers”.

“We believe that the country should consider, as we propose as SANCO, a truth and Reconciliation mechanism should be invoked”.

He concluded by saying “Because there is a lot of victims in our farming community who have suffered through victimisation”.

ANC denies helping the DA on the Gupta investigation

Chumani Simelela

29 March 2016

Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said in a statement The ANC has labelled the notion of Parliament investigating the Gupta family as baseless.

The office of the chief whip on Monday said claims made by the DA’s John Steenhuisen that Jackson Mthembu would support the investigation into the alleged “state capture” by the Gupta family were not true.

Mothapo said “DA chief whip's ridiculous claims in the media that ANC Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu has agreed to the DA's opportunistic proposal for Parliament to institute an investigation into the alleged state influence by the Gupta family are imaginary and baseless,”.

SANCO propose TRC mechanism for racism in farming

Nontando Mafanya

29 March 2016

The South African National Civic Organisation on Monday proposed a truth and reconciliation commission into racism and exploitation in farming communities.

The Civic organisation's proposal follows the abandonment of the South African Human Rights Commission probe into claims that the Democratic Alliance leader in the Eastern Cape, Athol Trollip, mistreated his farmworkers.

National Spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu says… “As SANCO the due of the latest incident when the South African Human Commission abundant the probe on claim that the DA leader in the Eastern Cape treated his farmers.”

“We believe that the country should consider as we propose as SANCO the truth under reconciliation Mechanism should be involved in, because there is a lot victims in our farming facilities who have suffered through victimization.”

7 people injured on N1 Highway Paarl

Mbasa Gqokoma

28 March 2016

Seven people were injured this afternoon when a bakkie rear-ended another on the N1 Highway in Paarl, Western Cape.

ER24 Spokesperson Russel Meiring says, “Paramedics arrived on the scene with provincial services.

He says “Two bakkies were found on the side of the road with the occupants seated nearby.

“On assessment, paramedics found that seven people including a 3-year-old boy had sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate” says Meiring.

One of the patients had been ejected from the back of the bakkie in the collision.

Fortunately no fatalities were reported on scene. Paramedics treated the patients and thereafter transported them to Paarl Hospital for further treatment, he adds.

Local Authorities were on scene for further investigation.

Meanwhile, A man was shot and wounded while cleaning a firearm in Richards Bay on Sunday, paramedics said.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha says “Reports from the scene indicate that two men were cleaning the firearm when a shot went off accidentally, the man, in his 30s, was in a serious condition.”

He was stabilised and taken to hospital, she concluded.

Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said the shooting had not been reported to police.

Local government elections voting date will be announced soon

Nontando Mafanya

28 March 2016

Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des Van Rooyen says a date for this year's local government elections will be announced soon.

Van Rooyen was speaking with SABC News on the side while attending a church service in the North West on Sunday.

He says his department is still awaiting the ruling on the leave to appeal the electoral court ruling on the Tlokwe by-elections in Potchefstroom.

 The electoral court has since ruled that, the electoral commission supply voters roll with voters addresses.

Eskom is ready to face OUTA in court

NONTANDO MAFANYA

28 March 2016

Eskom says it's ready to face the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse in court.

This after OUTA threatened to seek an urgent interdict in the High Court in Pretoria to stop a 9.4% electricity tariff hike.

The increase, which has been approved by the Energy Regulator is due to come into effect on April 1.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says OUTA has the right to express their views.

Thousands of motorists coming back after a long Easter weekend

Nontando mafanya

28 March 2016

As tens of thousands of motorists head home after the Easter Weekend, traffic volumes will again pick on the country’s roads in the next few hours.

About 300 people were killed over the 2015 Easter period. Authorities will be stationed on all major routes around the country today, with heavy traffic expected on the final day of the Easter long weekend.

Traffic officials have had their hands full this weekend trying to reduce the number of fatalities compared to last year.

The Western Cape traffic department’s Chief Kenny Africa says they have seen a change in behaviour on the roads this year.

R500 million to be allocated for Student Housing

Nontando Mafanya

28 March 2016

Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande announced today that he has allocated more than R500 million for student housing at 24 state owned universities in South Africa.

Department spokesperson Kwaye Nkwanyana said the funds for student housing were part of the allocations approved by Nzimande for the Infrastructure and Efficiency Output Grant for the 2015/2016 financial year.

The allocations include R700 million for backlog maintenance, refurbishment/remodelling.

Several accidents happened during this Easter weekend

Nontando Mafanya

28 March 2016

Three men were injured in the early hours this morning after two light motor vehicles collided on Marine drive in Cape Town. The patients were treated for their injuries and were thereafter transported to New Somerset Hospital for further treatment. Local authorities were on scene for further investigations.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring says… “ER24 paramedics, along with Community Medics and Life Healthcare, arrived on the scene and found both vehicles in the middle of the road.”

“Both vehicles had sustained a large amount of damage in the collision.”

“Paramedics discovered that two men were in the first vehicle while one was in the second vehicle.”

“All three men were assessed and found to have sustained moderate injuries.”

MEANWHILE… Six people were injured this afternoon when a light motor vehicle rear-ended another on the N3 Highway near the M7 turnoff in Pinetown, KwaZulu Natal. Paramedics treated the patients and thereafter transported them to St Marys Hospital for further treatment. Local authorities were on scene for further investigations.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring says… “ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and found that two vehicles had been involved in the collision.”

“One light motor vehicle lay on its roof in the centre medium while the second had pulled off the the right side of the road.”

“On assessment, paramedics dicovered that five occupants from the overturned vehicle had been injured in the collison. Two of the patients were children aged 12 and 13.”

“The driver of the second vehicle fortunately did not sustain any injuries.” he concluded

The search for two missing kids in Richards Bay continues

Raymond Pani

27 March 2016

Police divers were on Sunday still searching for two children who went missing in the Richards Bay area on Saturday.

They had apparently been swimming in a lagoon when a third child raised the alarm when the other two disappeared in the water.

The two boys aged six and nine-years-old are believed to have drowned.

National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon said 

“The police divers are continuing with the search as we speak, the two children are still missing at this stage.

The problem with the search operation yesterday was because of the poor visibility in the water.

There are hopes that the kids will be found today, it is in the hands of the police diving unit. 

It is an ongoing search operation now. 

So all efforts are continuing to be employed to try to find them obviously for the sake of the family.

Sadly in this case they are presumed to have drowned but nonetheless the priority is to get the children back to their families.”

Two injured as Joburg building goes up in flames

Raymond Pani

27 March 2016

Two people living in a dilapidated Johannesburg building were injured when it caught alight in the early hours of Sunday morning, City of Johannesburg emergency management services confirmed.

Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi told reporters about 40 illegal occupants were evacuated from the block at the corner of Commissioner and Nugget streets at about 01:00 when fire services responded to the incident.

“Two of the unauthorised residents suffered burns but refused to be taken to hospital. They were treated at the scene, the cause of the fire is not yet known.”

Disaster risk management officials would be offering relief services to those affected by the blaze.

Police to arrest suspect in Meyiwa murder

Raymond Pani

27 March 2016

Top police detectives have confirmed that they are about to arrest a suspect in the killing of Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa.

He was shot and killed at the house of the mother of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, Gauteng in 2014.

Two weeks ago, the Hawks and their team of experts descended on the house.

They met Khumalo, her sister Zandi and people who were in the house on the night of the killing.

It was reported that Meyiwa was shot and killed during a robbery.

Despite police saying there were several leads, there have been no arrests since then.

Meyiwa was the goalkeeper and captain of the Orlando Pirates soccer team, and he was also the captain for the national team.

Security guards find woman's body close to her home

Raymond Pani

26 March 2016

A woman believed to be around 30-years-old was found raped and murdered in Honeydew, police said Today. 

It was believed that she had been attacked as she was walking home from work on Thursday evening. 

Major Mac Mngomezulu said “She was half-naked when she was found and the manner in which she was found suggests that she was raped but this will be confirmed once a post-mortem is conducted.

 It seemed she had been strangled because there were no visible injuries on her.

Her body was discovered by security guards just a short distance from her home on Friday morning."

The woman's cellphone and handbag was missing. 

No arrests had been made. 

Hope for release of SA man held without charge in Egypt

Raymond Pani

26 March 2016

The family of a 65-year-old Lenasia man held in an Egyptian prison without charge, has renewed hopes he may soon be released.

Sheikh Bassiouni was detained in 2014 on arrival in Cairo for a family visit.

Last year, he celebrated his 65th birthday in jail. But his family says this won't be the case for much longer. 

In December, Bassiouni was released for just two hours to attend his daughter’s wedding in Egypt.

Since his detention, the grandfather of six has been moved to at least three 

prison facilities.

The government has not yet commented on his possible release

Bilal Bassiouni said “We know his release is eminent, a pre-trial court has ruled in favour of his release this was last week Saturday, now we are just at waiting stages.”

Traffic flow return to normal on R71 and N1

Raymond Pani

26 March 2016

  

The Road Traffic Management Corporation says it hopes the road death toll will remain low this Easter long weekend.

In 2015, 121 people were killed by the end of Good Friday; however in 2016 the figure stands at about 45.

Meanwhile, the traffic flow has returned to normal on the R71 and N1leading to the Zion Christian Church headquarters outside Polokwane in Limpopo.

Thousands of the church members have arrived at the church for their Easter pilgrimage.

Traffic is now flowing normally on the province's major routes.

Authorities say they are now focusing their attention to villages and townships where many of the motorists are.

Heavy traffic volumes are expected in the afternoon as many ZCC worshippers will still be arriving for the Sunday's main sermon.

Motorists are urged to always obey the traffic rules to help government clamp down on road fatalities.

Robbers flee with an undisclosed amount of money

Chumani Simelela

25 March 2016

Civilians were caught in the cross fire during a heist in Phoenix on Thursday. Reaction Unit South Africa reported that at least four people had been shot and injured, one critically during the incident.

Armed robbers carrying hand guns and AK 47 rifles opened fire on a cash in transit vehicle and robbed a supermarket.

Shoppers were injured when private security company guards and robbers opened fire. Unfortunately the suspects fled in a Nissan X Trail and VW Polo with an undisclosed amount of cash, a bulletproof vest and a firearm.

SANCO calls on authorities to target assets of businesses responsile for electricity theft

Chumani Simelela

25 March 2016

The South African National Civic Organisation on Thursday called on authorities to target assets of businesses responsible for theft of electricity from Eskom and municipalities, which runs into billions of rands.

Sanco spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu said: “The clampdown on syndicates that are crippling our economy cannot leave out main beneficiaries of this category of organised crime ie mining houses and farmers”.

“Continuing to treat them with kid gloves will only exacerbate the problem. “You steal electricity, you forfeit your business assets as proceeds of crime. You steal electricity you lose your farm.”

Hawks confirm to investigate Guptas’s ties to government

Chumani Simelela

24 March 2016

The Hawks have confirmed that they will investigate the Gupta family's alleged ties to government following complaints laid by the Democratic Alliance.

 In recent weeks several prominent politicians have come forward to say the Guptas allegedly offered them ministerial positions.

Hawks spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda says: "We can confirm that we have received two complaints from the Democratic Alliance against the Guptas and others from Cape Town and Gauteng".

"As the Hawks we are going to investigate it as the law mandates us to investigate without fear, favour or prejudice." "We therefore appeal to the members of the media and the public to give us space to conduct our investigations without any interference.

He concluded by saying "We hope that this matter, with their cooperation, will be solved within a short space of time."

Myciti granted court interdict preventing protesters

Chumani Simelela

24 March 2016

The Western Cape High Court on Wednesday granted the City of Cape Town an urgent interdict to prevent protesters from disrupting the MyCiTi bus service.

The City applied for an urgent interdict following a week of violent protests at MyCiTi stations along the T04 route in Dunoon and Joe Slovo.

Infrastructure was damaged and services disrupted, mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron said in a statement. Further threats of attacks, and the intimidation of staff, contractors, and commuters, prompted the city to apply for court relief.

COSATU’s planning to have a provincial March in solidarity

Nontando Mafanya

23 March 2016

The economy of the province will come to complete halt as thousands of workers join a protest march to the management of umbhaba estate management and the infringement of the right of workers to join a trade union of their choice.

COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary Fidel Mlombo says…“This workers have been on strike since the 4^th of November 2016 and the reason for the strike is that they are demanding to exercise their constitutional rights joined a trade union of their choice.”

“So COSATU has called for the provincial strike on the 29^th and the strategy of the provincial strike.”

“We will be marching to the employer to deliver a memorandum in solidirate with the striking workers.”

“We request all the community member in around Mpumalanga to  join the process march”

COPE says the ANC is shifting attention from the Gupta scandal

Simamkele Vakaza

24 March 2016

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, confirmed that the Gupta family is not the only one trying to exert their control over the state. Ramaphosa was addressing the ANC summit for academics and businesses. He said the ANC has set up a structure to deal with the matter of alleged state capture.

His statement comes after questions arose about President Jacob Zuma's close relationship with the Gupta family last week. The wealthy family had allegedly reportedly exercised undue influence by offering senior ANC members Cabinet posts.

However, said Ramaphosa, ANC members who claim to have been approached with such offers must present concrete evidence.

Meanwhile, the Congress of the People spokesperson, Dennis Bloem in a statement says the ANC must not undermine the intelligence of South African Citizens. He says it is clear that the party is developing a plan to cover up the Gupta scandal

“This thing of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC who wanted to divert the whole debate about the Guptas and President Zuma, the corruption between them”, said Dennis Bloem, COPE spokesperson.

“It’s totally unacceptable, we are saying that over the few weeks nobody has pointed a finger to any other business people except for the Guptas and Zuma”, said Bloem.

“When Vytjie Mentor, Themba Maseko, Mcebisi Jonas came out and exposed this corruption it was not any other business people but the Guptas and Zuma”, He concluded.

No Load Shedding over the last 7 Months

Simamkele Vakaza

24 march 2016

Eskom says maintenance on the power grid will continue over the long weekend, but overall unplanned outages have decreased drastically for the first time in years. The utility has managed to avoid load shedding for several months now, focusing on maintenance and its build programme.

“Over the last 7 months, we have not had load shedding and the reason for this primarily is that we have been doing a lot of maintenance on our power generating unit and by virtue of us doing more maintenance it means that we are avoiding the out planned outages”, Khulu Phasiwe of Eskom explained.

“Which is why over the last 7 months, the power system has been relatively stable”, He added.

“This weekend which is a long weekend we’re are going to do another round of what we call a maintenance festival”, He concluded.

Another accident happened in Ganeva Drive

Nontando Mafanya

23 March 2016

One person was seriously injured and another sustained minor injuries in a collision between two vehicles on Geneva Drive, in Camps Bay, earlier this evening. The exact cause of the incident is unknown. Authorities were on scene for further investigations.

ER24 spokesperson Chitra Bodasing says… “When ER24 paramedics, Community Medics, Cape Town Fire and Rescue and law enforcement attended to the incident.” 

“A man was found at the back of the bakkie that was involved in the incident.”

“It is understood that he was flung forward against the cab of the bakkkie when the incident occurred.”

“Upon assessment by paramedics it was found that he was in a serious condition.”

“The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries. Both patients were treated and transported to hospital for further medical care.”

“Another passenger from the bakkie and the driver of the second vehicle declined to be transported to hospital.” She conluded