South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 5 December

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by reviewing all major headlines on Thursday 5 December.

We’ve got all the reaction to the fallout in Johannesburg, as the DA yield their power to the ANC. There’s also news of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s latest health scare, and a quick look at Malusi Gigaba’s unlikely ally in Parliament. Here’s what you need to knwo for the day ahead.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Thursday 5 December

The morning after the Johannesburg revolution

The balance of power has shifted dramatically. The ANC have regained control of Johannesburg, narrowly carving out a majority following the vote for a new mayor. Geoff Makhubo will replace Herman Mashaba, and the incoming local government have two years to prove their worth before the 2021 Municipal Elections.

Makhubo ended up with 137 votes, whereas Funzela Ngobeni could only muster 101. Consider that number is smaller than the total amount of DA councillors in Joburg, at least two party members broke ranks to back the ANC. The EFF’s candidate, Musa Novela, had 30 votes – the exact number of available EFF members.

Desmond Tutu hospitalised in Cape Town

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has been admitted to a Cape Town hospital. In a short statement, Tutu’s wife Leah Tutu said he had been admitted “for a stubborn infection.”

Although details of when he was admitted were not provided, the 88-year-old has been in hospital many times over the last few years for a similar condition. 

The row over gender-based violence

Two horrific crimes have taken centre-stage over the past seven days. The murders of Precious Ramabulana and Gomolemo Legae – two young students who lost their lives to the hands of violent men – have enraged South Africans – but there

Eyebrows have been raised by the Deputy Social Development Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. She claimed that mothers have been raising “angry boys”, making them just as culpable as the criminals committing femicide. You can read more about this controversy here.

The DA’s year in review

Democratic Alliance (DA) Interim Federal Leader, John Steenhuisen MP, will present a review of the DA’s work as the official opposition in the 6th Parliament of the Republic of South Africa for the year 2019. It’s not going to be pretty, all things considered.

State Capture Inquiry latest

Proceedings have been halted until Friday morning. This came after Fana Hlongawa gave his side of the story to the Commission, and withdrew a request to cross-examine Mcebisi Jonas.

During his testimony at the State Capture Inquiry, former Deputy Finance minister Mcebisi Jonas explained how Hlongwane tricked him into a meeting with the Gupta family and Duduzane Zuma. He stayed on message this week:

#StateCaptureInquiry Hlongwane says that the genesis of the meeting was Duduzane Zuma highlighting to him that he’s been hearing rumors that Hlongwane was allegedly blackmailing Jonas.

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) December 4, 2019

Gigaba’s guy gets government gig

The National Assembly has approved the recommendation to appoint Kholeka Gcaleka as Deputy Public Protector. Despite concerns raised against Gcaleka by the opposition, the ANC used its majority to push through the appointment of former minister Malusi Gigaba’s former legal adviser with 203 votes to 103 on Wednesday afternoon.

Kaizer Chiefs’ stock rises in Africa

Kaizer Chiefs have moved up to 16th in the latest African Club football rankings despite bowing out of the Telkom Knockout last month.

South Africa’s only representative in the African Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns, are the highest-ranked local team in 12th while Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates are also in the top 30.

Death of a former Springbok

SA Rugby Union (Saru) paid tribute to former Springbok Ockie Oosthuizen, who passed away early on Wednesday morning at the age of 64 following a short battle with cancer.

Oosthuizen played nine Tests at prop for the Springboks between 1981 and 1984. He made his Test debut against Ireland in Cape Town in 1981 and scored one Test try, against South America in Pretoria in 1982.

Cricket: Test Player Rankings for December released

India skipper Virat Kohli is back at the top of the batsmen’s list in the Test Player Rankings as Australia batsman Steve Smith slipped from the top spot to second in the latest update carried out on Wednesday. Kane Williamson, Chetshwar Pujara and David Warner complete the top five.

The Proteas top four ranked batsmen occupy positions 18-21 with Quinton de Kock leading the way ahead of Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis and Aiden Markram. Among the bowlers Kagiso Rabada is the top Protea, holding the second spot behind top-ranked bowler Australia quick Pat Cummins. Vernon Philander holds sixth place after the latest update, moving ahead of James Anderson despite neither being in action.

Latest weather forecast, Thursday 5 December

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

Live traffic updates for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

Horoscope today

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Thursday 5 December.