South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 6 January

Stay up to date with the latest news in South Africa; be sure to check out all major headlines on Monday 6 January.

The return of load shedding, as a direct result of Eskom’s dire maintenance schedule, has left South Africans frustrated and anxious about the new year’s prospects. Arson attacks on public property, specifically trains and schools, have been condemned by governmental departments, as law enforcement agencies are urged to take harsh action against perpetrators. In sports news, the Proteas hit a midway slump in the second test against England at Newlands.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Monday 6 January

Load shedding looms as South Africans return to work

Eskom has dashed dreams of an empowered 2020 by restarting debilitating load shedding schedules. Despite president Cyril Ramaphosa’s assurances that load shedding would be halted until mid-January, a catastrophic conveyor belt failure at Eskom’s embattled Medupi power station led to the sudden implementation of rotational cuts.

Stage 2 load shedding persisted throughout the weekend, raising concerns about Eskom’s ability to keep the lights on when the industrial gears of production spring into action this week.

The latest bout of load shedding comes at the worst possible time for the country’s economy; after a dismal performance in 2019, hopes rest on a productive and profitable new year in order to secure investor confidence and mitigate the devastating effects of unemployment and poverty. Eskom has, unfortunately, put the country on the back foot in 2020.

Eskom has claimed that there will be no load shedding on Monday 6 January.

Fire guts government property

A series of arson attacks over the past week has left government reeling in an attempt to ensure the safety and security of public infrastructure. As concerns around service delivery intensify, the burning of trains in Bloemfontein, a school in Gauteng and municipal vehicles in KwaZulu-Natal, has done little to improve government’s ability to assist embattled communities.

The latest incident, which occurred over the weekend in Bloemfontein, resulted in 24 train carriages being gutted by flames. Damages are estimated to cost in the region of R90 million. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has condemned the attack and urged police investigators to leave no stone unturned in their hunt for the arsonists.

ANC lashes out at Trump over Iran conflict

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has condemned the United States of America (US) for its killing of General Qassem Soleimani, Commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force. While the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, adopted a diplomatic approach to the intensifying tensions between the US and the Middle East, calling for restraint and calm, the ruling party was less subtle.

ANC Secretary General, Ace Magashule, referred to America’s direct attack on Iran as an ‘inhumane act of international terrorism’. Magashule added that the ANC was in full support of Iran’s sovereignty, arguing that US President Donald Trump should face harsh international repercussions for his ‘unprovoked’ assault.

Final wait for matric results

The class of 2019 will receive its matric exam results this week. While the Umalusi council commented on the overall outcome of last year’s examinations – noting that the integrity of the process and results were not compromised – general results are not likely to show massive improvements from 2018.

The department of social development has opened its gender-based violence command centre (GBVCC) to matriculants who may be anxious about their matric results, it said on Sunday.

Matrics of 2019 are set to receive their results on January 8. Reports of depression and suicide tend to increase around this time. 

In an emailed statement, the department urged matriculants and their parents to make use of the command centre to receive counselling and support from trained social workers.

It also appealed to parents to watch for any signs of depression in their children so that early interventions could be sought. 

End of festive season traffic

As South Africans enjoy the final moments of the festive season break, traffic volumes are expected to spike. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called upon all motorists heading back to the daily grind to be safe and sensible when travelling on the roads. Mbalula noted that road blocks and other law enforcement operations would be intensified, with officers adopting a zero-tolerance approach to drunk driving and other forms of recklessness.

This comes after a series of deadly accidents raised the festive season death toll dramatically. Mbalula said:

“Our country loses about 14 000 people on our roads. Most of these are economically active citizens. Let us not be statistics. One death is one too many.

For safety of all our road users we have deployed traffic officers throughout our country. Those found on the wrong side of our traffic laws will face the wrath of law enforcement battalions.”

England take lead out to 98 by lunch on day 3 at Newlands

England claimed a 46-run first innings lead when South Africa’s Proteas were bowled out for 223 on the third day of the second Test at Newlands.

James Anderson bagged the 28th five-wicket haul of his Test career by taking both South Africa’s remaining wickets. He finished with five for 40.

Ben Stokes set an England Test record when he held his fifth catch of the innings to dismiss last batsman Anrich Nortje.

In England’s previous 1019 Test matches, there have been 23 instances of four catches in an innings, most recently by England captain Joe Root against Ireland at Lord’s last year.

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