South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 20 August

For the latest news in South Africa, be sure to check out country’s biggest headlines on Thursday 20 August.

As government attempts to repair its image following several high-profile corruption cases stemming from relief packages intended to ease the coronavirus’ impact, a controversial redeployment in KwaZulu-Natal legislature has garnered further criticism. Meanwhile, the embattled tourism industry begs South Africans to travel and experience homebred hospitality.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday 20 AUGUST

Gumede’s redeployment further erodes faith in government

Former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede has re-entered the political fray as being appointed to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial legislature on Wednesday. Gumede is accused of defrauding eThekwini out of R389 million through a dodgy Durban Solid Waste tender. Gumede was arrested in 2019 and is currently facing severe charges before the Durban Commercial Crimes Court.

Despite the dark cloud of corruption-related controversy which hangs over Gumede, the African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the former mayor’s redeployment in the KZN legislature. The ruling party, which has been marred by allegations of widespread corruption during South Africa’s battle with COVID-19, said that Gumede could ‘not be thrown away’.

The party drew further criticism when it argued that the damning corruption charges levelled against Gumede had nothing to do with her mayoral axing. Instead, the ANC said that she had been redeployed for her ‘poor performance’ while at the helm of eThekwini.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) described Gumede’s redeployment as “a slap in the face of Durbanites” and added:

“The ANC is a criminal organization with no intention of rooting out corruption or holding its own who do wrong accountable.”

President Ramaphosa will face tough corruption debate in Parliament

With the list of corruptive scandals growing under President Cyril Ramaphosa watch, Parliament has agreed to host an urgent on corruption related to COVID-19 procurement practices. This comes as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) builds multiple cases against public officials and governmental departments implicated in the looting of relief funds.

Ramaphosa, who signed a proclamation which has granted the SIU unhindered access to government information, is expected to be grilled before the National Assembly. Official opposition leader, John Steenhuisen, said that while he welcomed Parliament’s willingness to host the debate, he feared that National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise would shield the president from tough questions.

Steenhuisen added that previous parliamentary sessions which focused on Ramaphosa’s own dodgy dealings — in particular, campaign funding from Bosasa — were a warning of things to come.

Modise noted that a time and date would be set during the next meeting of the parliamentary Programme Committee.

Sports Minister Mthethwa’s BLM ‘threats’ draw ire

Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s order for SA Rugby to investigate eight players who refused to kneel in support of the Black Live Matter (BLM) movement is being met with further contestation. Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) leader, Pieter Groenewald, described Mthethwa’s order as unconstitutional and wrong during a debate in parliament. Groenewald added:

“The FF Plus will not kneel before anyone or to promote any movement, the party will only kneel before the Almighty and not for any person or any other reason.”

The DA has since also lashed out at Mthethwa, with MP Zakhele Mbhele, who delivered a succinct argument in support of the BLM movement within the American context, saying:

“Minister Mthethwa’s request for an investigation is completely ridiculous and nothing short of a witchhunt aimed at vilifying those players for practising their constitutional rights of freedom of choice and freedom of association.”

Level 2 lockdown: Tourism minister begs South Africans to travel

Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has pleaded with South Africans to embark on travels throughout the country while adhering to hygiene protocols and social distancing practices. Kubayi-Ngubane issued her plea a day after South Africa entered Level 2 lockdown, which allows for a reopening of the local travel and tourism industry; sectors that had been forced into dormancy for almost five months.

Acknowledging the fierce financial burden experienced by the tourism and hospitality sectors as a result of hard lockdown, Kubayi-Ngubane argued that new regulations allowed for the industry to flourish. The minister said:

“We request South Africans to travel again and do so responsibly. COVID-19 impacted our operation but certainly not our sense of hospitality. The sector stands ready to welcome you. We travel again but let’s travel safely.”

Call to step up law enforcement operations on the road

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on law enforcement authorities to intensify drunk driving operations in an effort to make it difficult for intoxicated drivers to use public roads.

This appeal comes after five people died and one was injured when two vehicles collided in Benoni on Tuesday night.

“Both drivers are suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol when one driver went into a curve at a speed not suitable for road conditions and collided head-on with another vehicle,” RTMC said on Wednesday.

Research conducted by the corporation in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council and the University of South Africa shows that driver alcohol intoxication accounts for 27.1% of fatal crashes in the country. This is estimated to cost the economy R18.2 billion annually.

“Drunk driving operations should be prioritised during the night, weekends and throughout the year as evidence shows that 55% of fatal crashes happen at night, about three out of five happen over the weekends and 70% happen during non-vacation periods,” said the corporation. (Source: SAnews)

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