South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 20 November

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa; review all major headlines on Wednesday 20 November.

A defiant South African Airways (SAA) says it won’t allow striking unions to destroy its operational capacity and has since begun reinstating international, regional and domestic flights. At the State Capture Inquiry, damning testimony reveals how the infamous Gupta family managed to infiltrate political circles to satisfy their own greed. In sports news, the Springboks get a glimpse of their first international match-up in 2020.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Wednesday 20 November

SAA hits back at unions as Gordhan gets involved

At a media briefing on Tuesday, board members representing the ailing national carrier lambasted the coalition of unions attempting to bring SAA to its knees by way of a nationwide strike. What started as a response to wage disagreements and retrenchment strategies undertaken by SAA, quickly spiralled into an all-out war of workers and words, with most flights grounded over the weekend, costing the carrier in excess of R100 million.

The bitter impasse reached a fever pitch earlier this week, when the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) warned passengers to avoid flying with SAA at all costs. Numsa claimed that substandard contractors, who lacked experience and qualifications, were being used to service aircraft, thereby creating a dastardly safety risk.

SAA hit back at the claims and has confirmed that it would be taking legal action against the union for its utterances. The South African Civil Aviation Authority, which has been conducting spot checks on SAA aircraft, earlier confirmed that there was no immediate danger to passengers or crew.

Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, has met with unions in an attempt to quell the dissidence. Numsa, along with the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA), is expected to provide an update on their plans for a ‘secondary strike’ which is aimed at crippling the aviation industry.

Funzela Ngobeni likely to replace Mashaba as Joburg Mayor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially put forward its candidate for Johannesburg’s mayor position, following Herman Mashaba’s shock resignation in October. Mashaba, who received the key to the City of Gold in 2016, will serve his last day on 27 November. Mashaba’s resignation announcement preceded other senior DA departures, namely Mmusi Maimane and Athol Trollip, all of whom cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ for their exodus.

And while John Steenhuisen has been elected interim leader of the DA, it seems likely that Funzela Ngobeni will take over from Mashaba before the month is done. Ngobeni has been serving as a member of the city’s Mayoral Committee for Finance since January last year.

The EFF, who are in coalition with the DA in Johannesburg, have, however, announced that they will also be contesting the mayoral position. Steenhuisen confirmed the contestation, adding that a task team was in discussion with the Red Berets.

Refugee crisis in Cape Town reaches breaking point

Refugees in Cape Town, who have been taking shelter at the Methodist Church on Greenmarket Square after violent clashes with police earlier this month, have vowed to leave the country by way of ‘migrant caravan’ if their plight cannot be relieved by government of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

The approximately 200 refugees have been left with little other option after clashing with religious leaders and human rights representatives last week. In Gauteng, similar scenes played out, when hundreds of refuges stormed the gates of the UN Refugee Agency in Pretoria.

At least 24 police officers were injured during an attempt to disperse the crowd. More than 100 refugees were arrested for public violence and are due to appear in court this week.

The group in Cape Town recently announced that it would confer with their compatriots in Gauteng before embarking on a journey, by foot, to either Namibia or Botswana.

New Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter faces trial by fire

Andre de Ruyter, who will take up his position as CEO of the beleaguered national power supplier in January 2020, has the unenviable task of turning Eskom around. The state owned enterprise, which has been plagued by maladministration, financial failures, corruption and crumbling infrastructure, announced that de Ruyter will lead the unbundling strategy, which, although praised by economists, has been vehemently opposed by trade unionists.

It’s no surprise, then, that de Ruyter has already faced major criticism, chiefly by the EFF and Numsa, for failing to represent transformation. It’s also been alleged that de Ruyter has been deployed to the position through his political connections and not because of his experience. While the ANC has welcomed de Ruyter’s appointment, it’s Youth League structure has said:

“De Ruyter’s dismal track record at Sasol and Nampak makes it inconceivable that he should be elevated to salvage this struggling state-owned entity.”

Kaizer Chiefs fresh and focused on Maritzburg United challenge

Kaizer Chiefs have emerged from the recent international break fresh and focused on their next challenge, according to captain Bernard Parker.

The Glamour Boys are just a couple of games away from possible cup glory, and face Maritzburg United in the second Telkom Knockout semi-final at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.

The last four is where they finished in the previous edition of the competition, and they are determined to go at least a step further this time around.

Parker believes the international break came at the perfect moment for Chiefs, who had congested fixtures before their two-week hiatus.

Springboks set to play Scotland in July 2020

Scotland are set to be the first opponents of new world champions, South Africa, with Tests in the republic on 4 July and 11 July.

Although SA Rugby have not confirmed who they will host in a mid-year series, a source told AFP that “Scotland are coming for two matches during July”.

South Africa have won 22 Tests and lost five against Scotland and the last meeting, in Edinburgh a year ago, ended 26-20 in favour of the Springboks.

Traditionally, mid-year visitors to South Africa play three Tests, but Scotland cannot do so as they face New Zealand in Dunedin on 18 July.

Latest weather forecast, Wednesday 20 November

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