South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 20 November

There’s a never a dull moment in South Africa as long as Msholozi is in the news. The latest news and headlines on Friday 20 November will surprise even the most ardent critics of former president Jacob Zuma, when he promptly walked out of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, after he lost his bid to have Deputy Chief Justice recuse himself from proceedings.

Zuma is now in defiance of the Commission’s summons and technically can be arrested. But Zuma is elusive and has asked for a review of Zondo’s decision not to recuse himself. Zuma will also be lodging a complaint against Zondo, with the Judicial Services Commission. It just doesn’t stop.

Elsewhere, the people of Mthatha are dealing with the after effects of a destructive tornado that struck on Thursday 20 November. And a truck coming from Zimbabwe is found to be carrying explosives and heading for Gauteng.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER

Jacob Zuma ditches State Capture Inquiry. Can he be arrested?

As Jacob Zuma hot-footed it from the State Capture Inquiry on Thursday, he may have felt like he was leaving his problems behind. In reality, he’s only embarked upon another legal journey into uncharted, murky waters.

Zuma defied the orders of the Zondo Commission and absconded from the hot-seat, despite being scheduled to appear for the remainder of Thursday and also on Friday 20 November. The former president has weaved away from the Inquiry’s questions all week, after launching a failed bid to force DCJ Raymond Zondo into recusing himself from the case.

Following a long adjournment, Zondo revealed that Zuma had stormed out of the Commission ‘without permission’, opening up an enormous legal grey area. Indeed, it seems that the 78-year-old is playing a very risky game at the moment.

Mandy Wiener, one of South Africa’s leading legal journalists and crime authors, has stated that uBaba is in breach of the summons issued by the State Capture Inquiry last month – putting him in contempt of court. He was told to attend from 16 – 20 November, and by failing to stick around today, he has not met the terms of this judicial framework:

“Technically, the summons stands so Zuma should testify (even if he does a Dudu Myeni and not answer anything). But his lawyers want to excuse themselves and walk out – which leaves Zuma in contempt of court.”

Mandy Wiener on the prospect of Jacob Zuma being arrested

Watch: Cape Town cops suspended after tipping man from wheelchair

Two Metropolitan Police Officers have been suspended from their duties in Cape Town this afternoon after they were filmed ‘allegedly assaulting’ a man in a wheelchair. The ugly incident took place at the Central Police Station in the Mother City.

In the scarcely-believable footage shared online, an argument breaks out between the wheelchair-bound male and two law enforcement officials. Any chance of a civil solution to the issue disappears instantly. Tempers get frayed early doors, and tensions eventually reach boiling point.

Zwelenkosi Ngidi, named as the disabled party in the video, is limited by one officer pressing his foot against the wheelchair. A second officer then approaches him, and in a rough attempt to turn the victim away, Ngidi is thrown to the floor. He receives no help in getting back into his chair – and the civilian was left to struggle on his own.

Bad news for Tito Mboweni: SA ‘to stop accepting cheque payments’ soon

The digitisation of banking in South Africa is set to reach a major milestone by the end of the year, as cheque payments will officially be rendered ‘obsolete’. The end of this era will take effect on 31 December 2020, leaving some citizens – including Tito Mboweni – with roughly six weeks to use-up the remainder of their cheque books.

SARB issued a statement on the matter earlier this week. Those who are looking to cash, write-out, or pay their cheques in the near future will instead be guided on how to use the electronic alternatives:

“The South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) and the Banking Association South Africa (BASA) are jointly communicating to the public that the issuing and the acceptance/collection of cheques will cease, effective from 31 December 2020,” 

“Affected stakeholders are therefore requested not to write/draw or accept cheques after 31 December 2020. They are encouraged to approach their banks to be offered alternative electronic payment methods or to direct any queries they may have related to the process of termination of the usage.”

SARB statement

ANC jet saga: Mapisa-Nqakula defends controversial Zim trip

If you’re expecting Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to express any more regret over giving members of the African National Congress (ANC), a lift to Zimbabwe on an SANDF jet, don’t hold your breath. She appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday, 18 November 2020, answering questions from MPs.

“The reality is that I burned the same amount of fuel. I think from a human point of view it would have been very selfish of me to jump into an aircraft alone and fly to Zimbabwe, leaving people who are dealing with the same issues I was meant to deal with,” she said.

Mapisa-Nqakula caught fire from MPs and President Cyril Ramaphosa for giving a ride to her fellow comrades, who were jetting to the neighbouring country to engage the ruling Zanu-PF party, amid a rising political and economic crisis. The minister said she was merely giving the delegation, led by party secretary-general Ace Magashule and NEC members Nomvula Mokonyane and Tony Yengeni, a lift.

Prince William welcomes investigation into the BBC’s Princess Diana interview

Prince William has welcomed an investigation into a BBC Panorama interview with his mother, saying it “should help establish the truth behind the actions” that led to the controversial programme.  

According to The Independent, the Duke of Cambridge said the probe into Martin Bashir’s television appearance with Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1995 was a “step in the right direction”.  

The Panorama interview is probably considered to be one of the late princess’ most famous interviews. In the interview, Diana revealed everything from her struggles with bulimia to confirming that she knew about her husband’s extramarital affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. “There were three of us in this marriage,” she memorably said, “so it was a bit crowded.”

Now, the BBC has appointed Lord Dyson, former Master of the Rolls, to lead the inquiry, which will begin imminently and seek to discover what steps the broadcaster and Bashir took to land the interview. The Times went as far as to claim that Bashir exploited the fears of Diana and her brother, Charles Spencer, by faking bank documents to convince them that someone on Diana’s royal staff was leaking information about her private life to the media. These documents served as the catalyst for Spencer to encourage Diana to participate in the interview.

Kaizer Chiefs’ CAFCL opponents Bamenda analysed [Video]

Kaizer Chiefs will be desperate to turn their fortunes around following an extremely turbulent start to the 2020/21 campaign and there’s no better way to do so than by qualifying for the CAF Champions League group stages.

Kaizer Chiefs make the long trip to Cameroon at the end of the month where they’ll face defending Cameroonian Champions PWD Bamenda in their preliminary round first leg clash however who are their opponents?

The city of Bamenda is situated in the North West region of Cameroon, 366 kilometers away from the capital city Yaounde. Kaizer Chiefs’ opponents are from a war zone region, yes you read that correctly.

What made Bamenda’s maiden League triumph all the more historic was the fact that they spent the previous 14 years in the country’s lower leagues, successfully lifting the title on their promotion.

Proteas player tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of England tour

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed the one player has returned a positive Covid-19 result after roughly 50 tests were performed on players and support staff.

The tests were done prior to the squad and officials entering the Bio-Safe Environment in Cape ahead of their upcoming tour matches against England.

The testing is in line with fulfilling the organisation’s obligation and commitment to its duty of care to its team and to the broader public in controlling the spread of the virus. 

The tour will consist of a three T20 internationals and three One-Day Internationals at Newlands and Boland Park in Paarl.   

In addition to the player having returned a positive result, two other players were considered close contacts based on the risk assessment undertaken by the medical team.

All three players have been placed in immediate isolation in Cape Town as part of the Covid-19 protocols.

While all players are asymptomatic, CSA’s medical team will monitor them to ensure their health and well-being. 

Pirates holding thumbs on permit for newbie Jean-Marc Makusu

Soweto giants Orlando Pirates are hoping to have new signing Jean-Marc Makusu available for their next DStv Premiership clash.

The Buccaneers are due to face SuperSport United on Saturday and have their fingers crossed that the Congolese striker will be free for selection.

Makusa signed for Pirates last week on a season-long loan, but the 28-year-old is still awaiting his work permit before he can make his debut.

According to a club official, Makusa has submitted all the required documents to receive his permit.

“We submitted his papers a long time ago, we are just waiting for his work permit and hopefully he will get it soon,” the Pirates official told KickOff.com.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Friday 20 November.