South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 3 August

A new week is upon us, and you can get a head start on all the latest news in South Africa right here, where we review the major headlines to look out for on Monday 3 August.

As the nationwide lockdown progresses through its fifth consecutive month, tensions are beginning to simmer both in government and on the streets. We’ll bring you the latest news on the Gauteng PPE scandal that rocked the nation last week as it continues to churn out corrupt revelations with each passing day, as well as updates relating to residents in various metros continuing to air their grievances against government in the form of increasingly violent protest.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Monday 3 August

Gauteng PPE scandal rolls on

 The damning revelations that exposed the deep rot of corruption related to coronavirus relief funds in Gauteng, and resulted in top-ranking Gauteng officials being placed on leave pending the outcome of a Special Investigative Unit (SIU) probe continues. Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku and his wife Loyiso — who serves as a Member of the Mayoral Committee in Johannesburg — have both been placed on a sudden leave of absence, while the investigation into alleged tender corruption committed by King Madzikane Thandisizwe Diko continues.

Diko – the husband of former presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko – is accused of looting COVID-19 funds under the auspices of a R125 million PPE tender. All accused deny the accusations, but on a daily basis more sordid details emerge, painting a grim picture of greed and exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Norma Gigaba to appear in court

Norma Gigaba, the wife of eccentric former finance minister Malusi Gigaba, is set to appear in court today on charges of assault and malicious damage to property after she was apprehended by the Hawks on Friday 31 July after she allegedly keyed her husband’s Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Norma spent the weekend behind bars in Pretoria, after her bail offer was rescinded following “several confrontations” with law enforcement.

She is set to appear at Hatfield Magistrate’s Court this morning.

PROTESTS CONTINUE IN CAPE TOWN

For the second consecutive week, Cape Town finds itself engulfed in violent protest, with law enforcement agencies having clashed with protesters on Saturday and the City heading to court with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), who have been bolstered by support from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

At the centre of the upheaval is the long-standing dispute over land invasions, with the CIty’s anti-land invasion units having removed hundreds of residents from hurriedly established settlements that were built on municipal land. The SAHRC is challenging that the City is removing the settlers illegally, and the City is maintaining that it has nothing to apologise for.

We’ll keep you up to date with any flare-ups that are likely to occur on Monday.

BATSA TO CHALLENGE THE CIGARETTE BAN this week

British American Tobacco certainly has the clout. As one of the biggest businesses in South Africa, and acting as the country’s largest tobacco manufacturer, they will head to court to take on government over the ban on tobacco product sales this week. It’s also worth noting that the government’s state pension fund holds ‘tens of millions of shares’ in BATSA. As investigative reporter Jacques Pauw puts it, they ‘cannot afford to bring the company down’.

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Monday 3 August 

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 Monday 3 August.