South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 20 December

If you’re looking for all the latest news in South Africa, take a look at our overview of major headlines on Friday 20 December.

As the noose tightens around the neck of corruption at Eskom – resulting in the arrest of two senior managers for fraud – questions regarding the media’s supposed political impartiality, in the wake of controversy surrounding eNCA’s treatment of journalist Samkelo Maseko, dominate the national discourse.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Friday 20 December

Top cops crack down on Eskom corruption

Two senior Eskom executives were arrested on charges of fraud and corruption relating to a dodgy R745 million deal involving Kusile Power Station. France Hlakudi and Abram Masango, who both oversaw contractual arrangements at the plant, are the first two dominoes to fall for “gross manipulations of contractual agreements.”

It’s well documented that Eskom’s dire operational incapacity, which has recently resulted in a debilitating bout of load shedding, is a result of wanton corruption. The utility, on Thursday, welcomed the arrests – noting that it would endeavour to root out corruption at all levels.

Maseko versus Pillay: eNCA troubles deepen

The public spat between journalist Samkelo Maseko, who was ejected from eNCA premises on Wednesday, and station manager Kanthan Pillay, has raised serious concerns about media objectivity. Maseko claims to have been booted from eNCA for asking tough questions of politicians closely aligned with Pillay. In addition, Maseko alleged that Pillay had politicised the newsroom’s agenda to suit his own prerogative.

 Pillay has since apologised for his handling of the situation – which rapidly escalated on social media.

The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has initiated an inquiry into the claims made by Maseko, saying:

“The allegations of censorship against a senior editorial executive at eNCA go against the principles that Sanef holds dear.

Sanef, therefore, calls on eNCA to immediately get to the bottom of these allegations against Pillay.”

South Africa’s path to cheaper data

Government is engaging with mobile operators on the best ways to reduce the high cost of data without interfering with the work of regulators, says Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

Government’s efforts follow the release of the Competition Commission’s market inquiry report into mobile data services, which found that South Africa’s data prices are excessively high.

The Minister said the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has issued an Information Memorandum on the licensing process for International Mobile Telecommunications Spectrum, which gives an opportunity for submissions to be made by 31 January 2020.

The release of high demand spectrum is an important step that gives effect to government’s policy objectives of ensuring broadband access for all, transformation of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, reduction of costs to communicate (particularly data costs), promotion of competition in the ICT sector and stimulation of inclusive economic growth.

Ndabeni-Abrahams on Thursday gave an update on the department’s key priorities, portfolio changes and institutional capacity building across the department and its entities. (Source: SAnews)

SABC one step closer to receiving government bailout

Following the submission of a progress report and meeting with deputy communications minister Pinky Kekana, the cash-strapped state broadcaster is set to submit documents by the end of January 2020 to finalise its final bailout payment of R1.1-billion.

Kekana was appointed by the communication ministry to oversee the financial conundrum the public broadcaster has found itself in after years of mismanagement.

This after several reports by the public protector, auditor-general, SABC internal audit and parliament ad-hoc committee on the SABC board gave recommendations that would restructure and enable the broadcaster to function properly and recoup financial losses which stood at 35% in 2019.

WPCA join chorus of voices calling for entire CSA board to resign

The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) have become the latest stakeholders to call for the remaining directors of Cricket South Africa (CSA) to resign.

A special meeting of the WPCA council was called this week, meeting at Newlands Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The council called for the remaining board members to step down after two members quit before CSA suspended CEO Thabang Moroe.

A statement issued by the WPCA council on Thursday offered an alternative to the beleaguered organisation saying it would also be deemed sufficient if CSA President (chair of the CSA board) Chris Nenzani, and the vice president (deputy chair of CSA board) Beresford Williams tendered their resignations.

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