South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 3 January

Need to know everything about the latest news in South Africa? You’ve come to the right place; review all the biggest headlines on Friday 3 January.

As police continue the hunt for leads relating to the mass shooting in Melville, which left two people dead and six other injured, public outrage over the destruction of property in both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal has government scrambling for answers. In sports news, the second test between the Proteas and England gets underway in Newlands, Cape Town.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Friday 3 January

Gauteng school gutted by flames

The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, has expressed outrage over the torching of a school in Evaton. Tokelo Secondary School, which was set ablaze in the early hours of Wednesday morning, was preparing to welcome students back to class in 15 January; instead, clean-up crews are now sifting through the burnt debris to see if there is anything worth salvaging.

In preparation for the school year ahead, Tokelo Secondary School, which services the small community of Evaton Small Farms, stored supplies – including textbooks and stationary – in one of the classrooms which was engulfed by flames.

Lesufi, who admitted that the department lacked the funds to repair the school, has urged community members to work together with police in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. An investigation into the blaze has already begun.

Melville shooting: Cops scouring camera footage for leads

Police investigators, tasked with tracking down those responsible for the drive-by shooting which occurred at a popular restaurant in Melville during New Year’s celebrations, are busy sifting through hours of video footage obtained from the scene.

CCTV cameras, both on the streets and in establishments, may hold vital clues which could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who opened fire. Two people died and six more were injured during the attack. Police have urged anyone with information about the incident – and the alleged altercation inside the restaurant, which occurred prior – to get in contact with lead investigators.

Fire destroys public service vehicles in Ndwendwe local municipality

Ndwendwe local municipality in Durban was plunged into chaos on Thursday afternoon when municipal vehicles burst into flames. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (coGTA) MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, has ordered an urgent investigation into the incident which destroyed four vehicles.

While preliminary investigations have yet to identify the cause of the blaze, Hlomuka hinted that arson may be behind the destruction. The MEC said:

“We are very concerned by this incident. The destruction of municipal assets which are meant to bring services to our communities is very unfortunate.”

Another brutal murder of young woman shocks South Africa

In 2019, South Africa was gripped by a vicious wave of femicide which claimed the lives of several young women. The frequency and brutality of the crimes led to widespread demonstrations which eventually forced president Cyril Ramaphosa to amend laws relating to gender-based violence. Ramaphosa implemented stricter punishments for both suspects and criminals convicted of causing harm to women.

The recent killing of Zinhle Muthwa, whose body was found dumped in the Ndaya Reserve, in Umbumbulu, south of Durban, has reopened painful wounds of a country still in shock over the abuse and murder of women. Muthwa, who was first reported missing on New Year’s Eve, was allegedly kidnaped from her home in New Germany, roughly 40 kilometres from where her body was found.

Government promises to assist regions hit by drought

Government is working to alleviate the impact of the ongoing drought in pockets of the country.

In a statement, the Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation said it is working with the affected provinces, municipalities, other national departments as well as the private sector.

A number of initiatives are being implemented which will take some time to turn the situation around.

“It is important to note that the current situation follows on the national and regional drought that began in 2014, and which saw a great deal of RSA impacted upon negatively.

“Even though since late 2017 into 2018 there has been some recovery in large parts of the country, this natural act/phenomenon will take even longer to turn around due to the fact that in the 2018 and 2019 summer rainfall periods, the country experienced late rains and high temperatures leading to high evaporation rates and very little recharge of the country’s water sources.

“These are but some of the impacts of climate change which are a reality,” said the department.

The Eastern Cape has been greatly affected by the current drought, particularly in Butterworth and the surrounding areas in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). (Source: SAnews)

Proteas skipper confirms Pieter Malan will make Test debut at Newlands

Proteas captain Du Plessis has confirmed that Malan has been selected to make his Test debut at Newlands, in Cape Town, as a replacement for the injured Aiden Markram.

Malan was named in the 16-man squad for the first two Tests, but did not feature in the Proteas’ 107-run win over England at SuperSport Park, in Centurion.

Markram, who injured himself during a fielding drill, made 20 and two in his innings that concluded a challenging 2019 for the opener.

Kaizer Chiefs: Boss Motaung says well done but don’t celebrate too soon

Kaizer Chiefs Chairman Kaizer Motaung has commended the team, support staff and fans with helping Amakhosi rise again in the 2019/20 season.

Motaung expressed his delight that Kaizer Chiefs enter the new year on top of the PSL table but warned against complacency.

Chiefs enjoy a seven-point lead at the top of the table but should be wary of a chasing pack that includes a Mamelodi Sundowns team fortified by continental competition, Chiefs hold a 12-point advantage over Bidvest Wits but the Clever Boys have three games in hand on the league’s pacesetters with their campaign disrupted by participation in the Caf Confederations Cup.

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