South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 1 September

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by checking out all major headlines on Tuesday 1 September.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has delivered a report on the African National Congress’ (ANC) contentious National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which dealt with issues of corruption and factional infighting. Meanwhile, former President Jacob Zuma fights to avoid another sessions before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday 1 September

Ramaphosa: ANC members charged with corruption must step down

President Ramaphosa has intensified his fight to uproot corruption within the ruling party, noting that the NEC had resolved to adopt a new charge-related leave strategy which would see members facing corruption cases step aside from their political roles pending verdicts. The latest resolution comes amid fierce factional infighting along loyalist lines, with both past and present leaders of the ANC admonishing Ramaphosa for labelling the ruling party “accused number one”.

Both Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magaushle, will be brought before the party’s Integrity Commission. While Ramaphosa will be forced to answer questions regarding his CR17 campaign funding — which allegedly relied on exorbitant donations from Bosasa — Magashule will be put in the hot seat over his controversial tenure as Free State Premier, which includes the damning Estina Dairy Farm scandal.

The NEC meeting, which involved ‘robust’ engagements between high-ranking party members, was followed by a wave of suspensions, including that of ANC MP Bongani Bongo and Nelson Mandela Bay counsellor Andile Lungisa.

Additionally, Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, has reprimanded Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina for his comments on Ramaphosa’s ongoing legal battle with the Public Protector.

Jacob Zuma looks to snub Zondo’s State Capture Inquiry… again

In addition to penning scathing letters to President Ramaphosa prior to the party’s NEC meeting, Jacob Zuma is looking to escape Judge Raymond Zondo’s reach. Following a particularly dire session before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in 2019, Zuma has been using his team of top legal experts to avoid resuming testimony before Zondo.

The State Capture Commission’s own lawyers have, however, requested that Zuma be subpoenaed to appear before Judge Zondo in September. Zuma’s lawyers recently hit back at the Commission, arguing that Zuma would not be able to appear before Zondo on 9 September.

The former president has, previously, avoided resuming testimony by citing ill-health and the need for medical treatment abroad.

No bail for police officers charged with killing Nathaniel Julies, argues NPA

Two Gauteng police officers, charged with killing disabled teenager Nathaniel Julies in Eldorado Park, will remain in custody until at least 10 September. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that it would oppose all future bail applications.

Sergeant Simon Ndyalvane and Constable Caylene Whiteboy, who briefly appeared before the Protea Magistrates Court in Soweto on Monday morning, stand accused on charges of murder, discharging of a firearm in a public place, being in possession of prohibited ammunition and defeating the ends of justice.

Julies’ murder sent shockwaves through the community of Eldorado Park and sparked fierce protests which saw residents clash with police officers. In an attempt to ease growing tensions, Police Minister Bheki Cele addressed the community and vowed that justice would prevail.

Northern Cape Premier rejects PPE tender claims

The Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, has distanced himself from reports that suggest he influenced the awarding the COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders in his province.

The Sunday Times reported that Saul’s special advisor’s wife, Mandisa Shushu, received a R13 million tender to supply the police with one million masks.

The article further alleges that a businessman, Somandla Sibisi, who is believed to be Saul’s friend, was awarded a tender worth more than R27 million, despite being deregistered by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) for non-compliance.

“I want to mention upfront that I don’t engage in piggish plunder of public resources. I have great respect for my fiduciary role as the Premier of the province,” Saul said in a statement on Monday.

He has described the article as embarking on a “futile attempt and wild-goose chase to create a link between me and the two people that got the tenders for PPEs”.

“At no point was I involved or tried to influence procurement processes in the Department of Health or the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the benefit of certain individuals.

“I do not have any role in the management of the SAPS and how they issue tenders, as SAPS is a national competency,” he explained.

He also refuted claims that he is close friends with Sibisi.

“I challenge anybody with information to the contrary to come to the fore. I relate to him like any other businessperson in the province, which in most cases I meet at ANC events and State of Province Addresses. I don’t have any business, personal or professional dealings with him.”

Saul said he learnt through social media regarding the contract awarded to the wife of his special advisor, Norman Shushu. (Source: SAnews)

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