South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 11 November

We’re midway through the week, and we’ve got all the latest news in South Africa to share with you. Ace Magashule is in a spot of bother with confirmation of an arrest warrant out for him. It’s a major blow by the Hawks against corruption in the inner circle of the African National Congress (ANC) and an arrest that will send panic signals throughout the ruling party.

Meanwhile, tensions are still high following a violent confrontation between EFF supporters and parents at Brackenfell High School in Cape Town. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has weighed in, labelling the EFF actions as reminiscent of Nazis.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 11 November   

Ace Magashule arrest warrant: Five things that could happen next

Rumours last month that African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule would be arrested have finally been brought to life by the Hawks on Tuesday 10 November 2020. 

Hawks Free State spokesperson Lynda Steyn confirmed the news saying; “a warrant of arrest has been issued, that it was investigated on the asbestos matter from the Hawks Free State, Corruption Unit.” 

Now that an arrest is imminent, we need to know what happens next in the Ace Magashule, Asbestos saga. 

What comes next, you ask? The points below may very well unfold this week.

The dodgy deal that sunk Ace Magashule: What is the ‘asbestos contract’?

Ace Magashule has officially been issued a warrant of arrest after mountainous allegations of corruption spanning over a decade fuelled an investigation by the Hawks. 

His questionable dealings relating to state contracts during his tenure as Free State Premier, as well as numerous other alleged misdemeanours, have long been the subject of intense public scrutiny, but now it seems that the long arm of the law has extended itself to indict Magashule through the proper legal channels.

We take a look at what exactly led to Magashule’s imminent arrest by the Hawks.

Watch: Female EFF member ‘hit with a bat’ during Brackenfell protests

Sibongile Nkasayi, a 22-year-old member of the EFF, laid an assault charge against a man captured on video who used a bat to strike her. The suspect, who appears with his face covered in the video, was part of an angry mob that appeared outside of Brackenfell High School to disrupt a protest organised by the Red Berets.

In the video, we see both warring factions mix with each other, as police fail to separate EFF demonstrators from furious community members. As the male walks past the victim, he gives her a push, before hitting her with the bat across her back. He then jabs her again – before Nkasayi warns him to ‘stop touching her’.

Despite the ferocity of the hit, the protester seemed unperturbed by the assault. However, 24 hours after violence erupted in Brackenfell, Nkasayi paid a visit to her local police station on Tuesday to file a criminal charge.

‘A great day for humanity’: Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective

Well, we all know what a crazy year 2020 has been. Perhaps the only thing that could top it off properly is this: The FF Plus (Freedom Front Plus) – South Africa’s fifth-largest political party – has stated that the Western Cape should consider ‘secession’ from the rest of the country, by seeking independence and becoming an individual nation.

Corne Mulder is the FF Plus Chief Whip and provincial leader in the Western Cape. He addressed the Cape Town Press Club about the possible political options available to the people in the south-west. As Mulder pondered what the future looks like for this part of Mzansi, he strayed into to some fairly contentious territory:

“If I argued 12 months ago that the Western Cape should go for independence, people would have laughed and not listened at all. Many things can happen in 12 months. Why should the people of the Western Cape be satisfied with this incompetence, corruption and systematic collapse under the guise of a so-called wonderful democracy?

Corne Mulder

Radebe makes bold prediction: Chiefs won’t finish in the top 8 this season!

At least one ex-Kaizer Chiefs player has already lost all hope of his former team performing well in the inaugural DStv Premiership.

David Radebe, who played 114 matches for Amakhosi between 2002-2007, says he cannot see Gavin Hunt’s charges finishing in the top 8 this season.

Such an outcome would mean Chiefs would finish in the bottom half of the 16-team log and miss out on next season’s MTN 8 tournament.

Almost an unthinkable outcome for the four-time PSL champions – and record 15-time MTN 8 winners.

It’s been a torrid restart to football for Chiefs and their supporters following the Covid-19 enforced break.

Chiefs looked to be on course for the 2019/20 PSL title, but saw that snatched away from them on the final day of the season by Mamelodi Sundowns.

Bradley Grobler becomes latest player withdrawn from Bafana Bafana squad

SuperSport United striker Bradley Grobler will miss Friday’s Afcon 2021 qualifier against Sao Tome e Principe, according to national coach Molefi Ntseki.

The 32-year-old was one of the players named in the squad that will play two matches against the islanders during the upcoming Fifa international break.

He, however, will not take part in the fixtures as he became the latest player withdrawn from the squad.

Speaking to Robert Marawa on MetroFM, Ntseki revealed that the striker was sent for scans on Monday.

“The scan results came back differently and we have lost Grobler in the team,” he said.

“The reason that all this is happening is because of COVID-19. Players started playing not at their best in terms of fitness levels. The games are becoming faster and physical and you have players mentally and emotionally getting involved in matches to win. We will see a lot of muscle problems because players did not have a proper pre-season to prepare themselves to go into the new season.”

Molefi Ntseki

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Wednesday 11 November   

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 Wednesday 11 November .