South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 10 June

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by checking in with the day’s major headlines on Wednesday 10 June.

As the legal battle surrounding the prohibition of tobacco reaches its peak before a full sitting of the Gauteng High Court, political mudslinging between the country’s top political parties complicates the fight against COVID-19 amid rapidly rising infection rates.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 10 JUNE

Malema intensifies war of words with Ramaphosa

The war of words which erupted between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the ruling African National Congress (ANC), as a result of Julius Malema’s reference to President Cyril Ramaphosa as a ‘bastard’, shows no signs of slowing down. On Tuesday, both sides continued to launch verbal tirades against one another, largely by way of their respective youth league structures.

Malema’s fierce criticism of Ramaphosa is ostensibly connected to the president’s economic prinsiciples, which, the EFF leader claims favours ‘White Monopoly Capital’ at the expense of black South Africans.

ANC members and political stalwarts have condemned Malema’s insults directed towards the president, calling for an immediate apology to be issued by the EFF leader.

Looming fare increases and shutdowns hurt taxi industry

The taxi industry, like many other sectors of the South African economy, is in a state of extreme flux as a result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown. In an attempt to remain financially sustainable –amid continued capacity restrictions — some taxi organisations have called for massive fare increases which would see commuters paying up to 175% more for transport.

The Alexandra-Randburg-Midrand-Sandton Taxi Association (Armsta) and the Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA) say that without government assistance, taxi commuters will be forced to cough up more.

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which has criticised the proposed fare increases, agrees that government needs to do more to support the embattled industry. SANTACO spokesperson Thabiso Mololekwa has warned of a shutdown of all taxi services in Gauteng should government not provide financial assistance to the sector.

Mololekwa says government has until 22 June to provide relief.

University and college students look to return

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Blade Nzimande, has revealed details of a phased approach to learning which will see students return to campuses in the coming weeks. Nzimande said that, while balancing the need for education with health and safety protocols, all students and lecturers would be required to register for an App called Health Check to manage COVID-19 in places of higher education.

Additionally, the minister noted that only 33% of students would be allowed back into residencies in accordance with the phased approach.

Acknowledging the burden that had been placed on students as a result of lockdown, Nzimande announced that TVET college students would be provided with laptops and data costs would be covered.

High Court hears legal arguments for and against tobacco sales

The Gauteng High Court will, today, hear arguments from the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) and legal counsel representing Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and President Cyril Ramaphosa in relation to the contentious tobacco ban which has been in place since the beginning of lockdown.

Fita has argued that government’s continued ban on cigarettes would not pass the ‘rationality test’ and that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) had overstepped the constitutional mark. Dlamini-Zuma, who is listed as a primary respondent in the case, says that smokers are more likely to suffer severe symptoms if infected with COVID-19, thereby putting further strain on healthcare services.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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