South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 6 October

Stay informed and up to date with all the latest news in South Africa; check out what’s making headlines on Tuesday 6 October.

While ‘security issues’ threaten to delay court proceedings in the murder case of Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) top cop Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear, the scourge of state-endorsed corruption serves as a catalyst for looming nationwide strike action spearheaded by major trade unions. In sports news, the latest report into Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) dire state of affairs points the finger directly at former CEO Thabang Moroe.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday 6 OCTOBER

Nationwide strike looms as Cosatu orders millions of workers to stay home

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) will be moving ahead with its planned nationwide strike, gaining valuable support from affiliated organisations, after successfully managing to obtain a Section 77 notice.

Cosatu General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali has called on over one million workers to stay at home or picket on Wednesday. Ntshalintshali says that while ongoing wage disputes and poor treatment of workers form the foundation of Wednesday’s strike action, corruption amongst senior politicians warrants a mass response.

Cosatu — and affiliated unions — ordered President Cyril Ramaphosa to take harsh and decisive action against members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) who have been implicated in wrongdoing. The union said:

“We need to take a stand and push back against this flagrant theft of taxpayers funds and the disgraceful abandonment of the working class by policymakers and decision-makers. The only way to undo this corrupt system is through disruption and non-cooperation and obstruction.”

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), which has been especially critical of government’s response to COVID-19 within the context of schooling and pupils returning to classs, has vowed to support the nationwide strike. This comes at a critical time for South Africa’s education system, as schools attempt to rescue the 2020 curriculum following coronavirus-related delays.

Kinnear murder case faces delays due to ‘safety concerns’

The chilling assassination of Lieutenant-Colonel Kinnear, who was gunned-down outside his Bishop Lavis home more than two weeks ago, has sent shockwaves through the South African Police Service (SAPS) with complex court proceedings muddying the waters.

Zane Killian made a brief appearance at the Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court on Monday. Surrounded by a strong contingent of police officers — some heavily armed, wearing balaclavas to conceal their identities — Killian was swiftly ushered into an armoured vehicle after his lawyer argued for a subpoena and urgent bail verdict.

Killian, who was arrested in Gauteng last week, is accused of tracking Kinnear’s phone for months leading up to the detective’s death. The murder is allegedly linked to Kinnear’s investigation into corruption involving the firearms registry and collusion between crooked cops and underworld kingpins.

Kinnear was killed just days after Police Minister Bheki Cele visited Cape Town and vowed to crackdown on extortion rackets allegedly led by some of the city’s most infamous gangland figures.

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape, confirmed that Killian’s bail application would only be heard on Friday in a different court. Concerns over Killian’s safety have forced a change of court.

Killian’s lawyer has condemned the latest delay, arguing that his client’s Constitutional rights had been violated.

In the meantime, police officers and witnesses are on high alert in fear of violent reprisals.

Mashaba bolsters new political party, election contest hangs in the balance

Former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba is not letting a recent rejection by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) stand in his way of political prominence. Since handing over the mayoral chains and resigning from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in fiery fashion, Mashaba looks to re-enter the political fray with Action SA.

While the IEC rejected Mashaba’s application to contest the 2021 elections — a decision which has been criticised and appealed — Action SA has announced a host of familiar faces to connect with the electorate.

Former DA leader of Gauteng, John Moodey, has officially joined Mashaba as the party’s provincial chairperson. Former ANC MP Makhosi Khoza has been appointed KwaZulu-Natal chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal chairperson.

Mashaba confirmed that, should the IEC’s decision be reversed, Action SA would be contesting Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Cape Town, Mangaung and Nelson Mandela Bay in 2021.

International air travel: Government clarifies controversial rules

Following an outcry from global airlines, the South African government has sought to clarify international travel regulations under Level 1 lockdown. In addition to Cabinet ministers revising the list of restricted regions — with serious questions around the classification of ‘high-risk countries’ baffling travellers — international airline staff have criticised rules around a mandatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.

All air crew members will be required to provide a clear PCR test but may still be screened upon entry at South African airports. Crew members who fail to provide a PCR result will be forced to quarantine.

While Emirates has already halted all flights to South Africa, Lufthansa may soon follow after being refused entry at OR Tambo International Airport for ‘not meeting the visa requirement’.

Gang violence escalates in Hanover Park, police call for reinforcements

A deadly crime wave on the Cape Flats has intensified over the last few days. Last week, a shooting in Khayelitsha left six people dead and four more seriously wounded. Over the past 72-hours, at least 11 people have been shot in Hanover Park.

The City’s Mayor Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, who claims that the latest spate of violence relates to a bloody turf war among warring street gangs, has called for heightened law enforcement operations and greater cooperation from the SAPS AGU.

Smith added that more than 80 additional law enforcement officers would be deployed to Hanover Park as part of the LEAP Provincial Safety Strategy.

Cricket South Africa rot exposed, former CEO in the hot seat

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has made public a number of allegations levelled against its former chief executive Thabang Moroe. These were revealed through the release of a summary of the Fundudzi Report, compiled by law firm Bowman’s.

The organisation dismissed Moroe in August after suspending him for close to a year. He is accused of being a key player in driving CSA into crisis through maladministration and gross financial mismanagement.

On Monday, the forensic audit report was released, following pressure from all corners, including government and the public.

According to the report, Moroe failed to follow procurement procedures in appointing a service provider. This resulted in CSA coughing up over R3 million towards the company, which could not be named in the report, without following due process.

MTN8 quarterfinals: Fixtures, venues, kick-off times confirmed

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) confirmed the MTN8 quarterfinal fixtures, venues and kick-off times, with the tournament kicking off the upcoming season.

The tournament gets underway on the weekend of 17 and 18 October, with all four matches played behind closed doors as per COVID-19 regulations.

FULL FIXTURES LIST

Saturday, 17 October

• TTM vs SuperSport United at Thohoyandou Stadium, kick-off at 15:00
• Orlando Pirates vs Cape Town City at Orlando Stadium, kick-off at 18:00

Sunday, 18 October

• Kaizer Chiefs vs Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium, kick-off at 15:00
• Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bloemfontein Celtic at Lucas Moripe Stadium, kick-off at 18:00

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Tuesday 6 OCTOBER

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Tuesday 6 October.