South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 19 October

Stay informed and up to date with the latest news in South Africa by checking out what’s making on headlines on Monday 19 October.

While the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture turns its attention to leaders of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the brazen killing of a Limpopo top cop mobilises a provincial manhunt. In sports news, we recap a weekend of MTN 8 action and look at what lies ahead for the local Super Rugby Unlocked tournament.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Monday 19 OCTOBER

State Capture: EFF’s Malema and Shivambu in Zondo’s crosshairs

The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, led by Deputy Chief Justice Judge Raymond Zondo, is reportedly zeroing in on the EFF and the party’s leader, Julius Malema, in particular.

A leaked report claims to confirm that subpoenas have been delivered to major banks, demanding that financial records belonging to Malema, his wife, late grandmother and lawyer be delivered to the Commission. The subpoenas also take aim at the Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust, which has been implicated in a R52 million tender corruption scandal involving the department of transport and On Point Engineering in Limpopo.

EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu is also reportedly in Zondo’s crosshairs. Shivambu’s brother, Brian, is accused of benefiting from the VBS Mutual Bank collapse and has been named in an investigative report, The Great Bank Heist, penned by advocate Terry Motau and law firm Werksmans on instruction by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

The latest developments at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture follow a wave of welcomed arrests. Testimony regarding corruption in the Free State has led to several high-profile public officials being cuffed, while Bosasa-related evidence has put former Chief Operations Officer, Angelo Agrizzi, and African National Congress (ANC) MP Vincent Smith on trial.

On Sunday afternoon, Floyd Shivambu reacted to the reports and blasted Zondo’s commission for failing to bring the infamous Gupta brothers to account, saying:

“Now that Zondo and the handled administrators of the State Capture Commission are failing to pin down the Guptas, they’re using the Commission to fight political battles of Jamnandas [Pravin Gordhan] and the white capitalist establishment. We will expose their misguided political agenda. Disgusting!”

EFF Member of Parliament and former National Spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, echoed Shivambu’s sentiments and expanded on the party’s protracted public battle with Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, saying:

“We long expected it after CIC [Malema] called out the Commission for treating Pravin differently to Zuma; but you’ll see that there’s no a case of ‘state capture’ to answer! The idea is to de-focus us from confronting white supremacy and Pravin, keep us busy with frivolous legal squabbles.”

Deadly weekend on the Vaal River being investigated by police

Five people have been confirmed dead and two more seriously injured as investigations continue following a deadly weekend on the waters of the Vaal River. On Saturday evening, a boat carrying seven passengers capsized; only two people managed to swim to safety. Police Spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters confirmed that a diving team had responded to the scene and investigations into the cause of the accident were under investigation.

The drowning and subsequent search for the remaining passengers occurred less than 24-hours after a crash between a jetski and speedboat at the Vaal Marina. A 41-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man were seriously injured in the collision and needed Advanced Life Support. Both were urgently airlifted to hospital.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) provided a brief update on drowning:

“Police are investigating circumstances surrounding an incident wherein one male victim was certified dead as a result of drowning, while two other victims survived in the Vaal River yesterday. SAPS Water Wing embarked on an immediate search for four other cruisers.”

Another top cop gunned down at home, this time in Limpopo

The brazen killing of 57-year-old Station Commander Colonel Lebyane Jeffrey Seroka outside his home in Mmaganagobuswa village, Limpopo, on Saturday, has sent shockwaves through the country. Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that Seroka, who had been attached to Groblersdal Station, was gunned down as he exited his home.

Seroka’s stolen vehicle was recovered on the Dennilton-Maklerekeng road. The motive for the killing – as well as the number of suspects involved – remain unknown at this stage.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Luitenant General Nneke Ledwaba, ordered a 72-hour activation plan and manhunt to bring the suspect – or suspects – to book.

Katlego Suzan Phala, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety in Limpopo, condemned the callous killing of Station Commander Seroka and expressed concern around the recent spate of murders in the province, saying:

“The DA is concerned about the recent spike in murders in Limpopo which now also claimed the life of one of our men in blue.

We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Colonel Seroka and are calling for urgent action to be taken to arrest the perpetrators.”

Seroka’s murder comes exactly a month after Anti-Gang Unit Section Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear was assassinated outside his Bishop Lavis home.

Ace Magashule on the campaign trail amid tense ‘arrest’ talks

ANC Secretary General has hit the campaign trail in the south of Johannesburg in preparation for an upcoming by-election. The door-to-door campaign in Qalabusha informal settlement near Lenasia follows an extended period of political dormancy owing to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown instituted in March 2020.

Dealing with an enormous backlog, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been given the go-ahead to facilitate dozens of by-elections in preparation for the municipal ballot in 2021.

Magashule’s time on the ground comes amid a tense atmosphere within the ruling party, with rumours of the Secretary General’s ‘imminent arrest’ — associated with damning testimony before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture and the scandal-ridden Vrede Dairy Farm saga — sowing further division.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which, together with the Hawks, has spearheaded the recent swoop on corrupt public officials, confirmed that Magashule’s lawyers had delivered a letter demanding ‘guarantees’. Magashule’s lawyer, Victor Nkwashu, explained:

“… there is also a unit called the Investigating Directorate (ID) within the office of the National Prosecuting Authority, headed by Advocate Hermione Cronje. They have not responded and we have an instruction to engage with National Director of Public Prosecutions head, Advocate Shamila Batohi (and) Advocate Cronje as well as the Hawks.”

Recently, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula criticised Magashule in a fiery rant against the uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), adding further fuel to the fire of factional battles.

Township Economy Bill: Here’s why the proposal is copping criticism

The Gauteng Township Economy Bill has been met with disdain by opposition parties and civil society organisations. The Bill, which is aimed at building the province’s R200 billion township economy, has recently been tabled for public comment and has received a slew of criticism, with some arguing that the proposal is unconstitutional.

Makashule Gana, the DA’s Shadow MEC for Economic Development in Gauteng, has hit back at the Gauteng Township Economy Bill and its stringent regulations which would impact foreign nationals. Gana said:

“In its current form the Bill discriminates against foreign nationals and fuels xenophobia in our communities at a time when we need each other.

The Bill has also not considered the changed nature of where South Africans live and work; it also has the potential to encourage fronting and drive township enterprises underground resulting in more informality in the economy.”

Gauteng Government Spokesperson Thabo Masebe has acknowledged the criticism and added that, before submitting the Bill to the provincial legislature, local structures would need to be satisfied with the test of constitutionality.

MTN 8: Looking ahead to the semi-finals

SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Bloem Celtic will face off in the MTN 8 semi-finals after a weekend of PSL action.

Supersport United edged out a victory over debutants Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila F.C. despite a strong second half fight back.

Orlando Pirates defeated red card-hit Cape Town City with a first-half goal by Terrence Dzvukamanja.

Kaizer Chiefs put in an impressive second-half fightback against Maritzburg United. After being one-nil down for most of the match, two quick goals by Yagan Sasman just five minutes before the final whistle, have kept Kaizer Chiefs in the running.

Bloem Celtic managed to pip defending PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns thanks to a second half goal by Sepana Letsoalo.

Super Rugby Unlocked: Five things we learned during round two

The second weekend of Super Rugby Unlocked is in the bag with the Cheetahs leading the race for the trophy.

In what was the second week of competitive rugby after a long break we saw the tournament establish some early patterns this weekend.

Here are five things we learned from this weekend’s Super Rugby Unlocked.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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