South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 27 January

For everything related to the latest news in South Africa, be sure to check out our wrap of all major headlines on Monday 27 January.

Well, it’s been a rough start to 2020. The coronavirus continues to spread, Eskom continues to cause headaches across the country and, on Sunday, the world lost one of its all-time sporting greats aged just 41. Here’s what’s happening in the world – and South Africa – today.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Monday 27 January:

Coronavirus latest

The Department for International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have issued a set of guidelines for SA citizens in China. The Wuhan Province is the epicentre of the fatal disease, and it’s been completely isolated from the outside world in a bid to stop the coronavirus from spreading.

The government have asked learners studying in China to inform the government about any plans they have to come back home. Abandoning a bursary or scholarship – no matter the circumstances – can land a student in trouble. For other South African nationals in the country, they’ve been told to inform the SA Embassy if they contract the illness.

Kobe Bryant, daughter dead in helicopter crash

Basketballer Kobe Bryant – hailed as sporting royalty following two glittering decades in the NBA – has been confirmed dead after a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

The incident came only hours after the former Los Angeles Lakers star, 41, was passed by current Lakers star LeBron James for third on the all-time NBA scoring list in a Saturday game at Philadelphia. Tragically, his teenage daughter was also killed on the flight.

Details of Laticia Jansen murder revealed

Another Gauteng school has come in for some serious criticism following the death of one of its students. The Graceland Education Centre in Elsburg, Germiston was where Laticia Jansen studied – however, it was confirmed on Sunday that the 15-year-old had been murdered in “grotesque’ circumstances.

It’s been established that Jansen missed the bus to school – which is the official scholar transport – because it had departed earlier than its scheduled time. She was left with no alternative but to walk to the facility. During that journey, the teen was brutally stabbed, raped, burned and dumped in a bush near Elsburg.

Could Eskom go nuclear again?

Tito Mboweni – who has been a very busy boy at the Davos Summit this week – suggested that nuclear power could be used to add more power to the energy grid.

Famously, Jacob Zuma attempted to broker a deal with Russia for the construction of eight nuclear plants in South Africa. The costs were astronomical, and the contracts were littered with improper agreements. 

The DA plan to write to Mboweni and Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to urge them to reconsider and to “inform them that the DA will vehemently oppose putting nuclear back on the table”, shadow minister of energy and mineral resources Kevin Mileham said in a statement.

John Steenhuisen’s “Real SONA Tour”

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen will launch the “Real State of the Nation Tour” in Gauteng. Over the next two weeks, he will traverse the country, visiting all provinces to engage and interact with South Africans, listening to their daily challenges and struggles in a quest to assess the real state of our nation.

Steenhuisen will be joined by DA Gauteng Provincial Leader John Moodey, DA Shadow Minister of Health, Siviwe Gwarube, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Health, Jack Bloom, DA public representatives and activists. The activities will begin at 10:00 in Kempton Park. 

A year of reflection for SAPS

SAPS will host National Police Day with Minister of Police Bheki Cele, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, and National Commissioner Lt-Gen Khehla Sitole and senior SAPS leadership: Cabinet has set aside this day to allow SAPS management to reflect on the previous year, appreciate serving members as well as to pay homage to fallen heroes in Port Elizabeth.

Leonardo Castro could swap Chiefs for Pirates

Orlando Pirates have taken an interest in Kaizer Chiefs target man Leonardo Castro according to a report from Soccer Laduma. Castro has enjoyed a resurgence at Kaizer Chiefs, in large part due to a change in playing pattern to accommodate lanky Serbian Samir Nurkovic.

Colombian striker Castro will see his Kaizer Chiefs contract expire at the end of the season, but it has been reported that Amakhosi have offered the big man a new deal. Pirates are understood to have enquired about the player’s availability but may want to wait until the close of the season to make their move.

South Africa need 466 to win the fourth Test

A woeful batting display once more left South Africa at the mercy of England, who racked up a healthy lead in the third day of the fourth and final Test between the two sides at The Wanderers on Sunday.

The hosts were dismissed for 183 in reply to the visiting side’s 400, and trailed by 217 runs before their opponents opted against enforcing the follow-on.

At stumps on Day 3, England had been bowled out for 248 – with debutant Beuran Hendricks claiming a five-wicket haul – but not before setting the Proteas a target of 466 to chase over two days.

Latest weather forecast, Monday 27 January

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Horoscope today

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Monday 27 January.