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

It’s only Tuesday and yet it seems, looking at the headlines, so much has happened already. From fisticuffs in Brackenfell to warnings of a “second wave” of Covid-19 by the president we’ve got all the latest news in South Africa to share with you.

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

Brackenfell High School the scene of racial tension

An almighty row erupted outside of Brackenfell High School in the Western Cape on Monday, as the outrage over alleged racism at the facility boiled over in dramatic fashion. EFF protesters and a group of parents ended up in a fist-fight, as rocks were thrown and violent exchanges spiralled out of control.

The police eventually moved in to ease the situation, but anger is at fever pitch this afternoon. The EFF is frustrated with a private event that was organised by a group within the school, attended by a white-only guestlist. This has prompted the political party and their local structures to label Brackenfell High School as ‘racist’.

However, the institution has hit back, saying that the organised event was private and had “nothing to do with the school”.

Growing calls for Zweli Mkhize to appear before Zondo Commission

The DA has pinpointed their focus on Health Minister Zweli Mkhize this week, claiming that he should be the next high-profile ANC member on DCJ Raymond Zondo’s hit-list for the State Capture Inquiry. The opposition party believes that Mkhize has his fingerprints all over a grubby PRASA deal.

Infamously, PRASA had splashed-out on a set of locomotives that were essentially ‘too big’ to fit on South Africa’s rail network. The farce has come to epitomise the sheer greed and incompetency that ran riot during the years of state capture, and the DA’s Chief Whip – Natasha Mazzone – thinks the buck stops with Dr. Mkhize.

In a statement issued on Monday, Mazzone outlined her case.

ANC hold mass gathering amidst ‘second wave’ concern

Members of the public – particularly those who work in the events industry – have levelled utter outrage at widely shared videos and images taken at an African National Congress (ANC) rally in Polokwane, Limpopo on Sunday 8 November. In the videos, masses of ANC supporters can be seen in extremely close proximity enjoying live music and keynote addresses by the provincial NEC as the party embarks on its campaign trail.

Members of the event industry – who have suffered months and months of revenue loss due to the lockdown’s heavy restrictions on gatherings – have furiously bemoaned the ruling party’s impunity when it comes to breaking its own rules. 

Station Commander of Seshego police station, Brigadier Lucas Hlako, told The South African that no case has been opened and that police had not responded to the event on Sunday. There were some members wearing masks, but not many.

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

A vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was found to be 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials, the companies announced Monday. Protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses, and 28 days after the first, according to preliminary findings. 

Pfizer is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies competing in the race for a vaccine – and they seem to have nudged their way into pole position here. The group’s chairman and CEO, Albert Bourla, branded this breakthrough as a ‘great day for humanity’. And it’s not often you hear the scientists use such glowing terms with this amount of certainty.

Proteas ace Kagiso Rabada gunning for IPL record books in final

Proteas ace Kagiso Rabada has given himself every opportunity of bowling himself into the Indian Premier League record books.

After grabbing 4-29 in the Delhi Capitals’ win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, Rabada needs ‘just’ three wickets in Tuesday’s final against the Mumbai Indians to tie the mark for most wickets taken in a single IPL tournament.

That record currently belongs to West Indian Dwayne Bravo who took 32 scalps for the Chennai Super Kings back in 2013.

Proud Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe is a dad again

Springbok star wing Cheslin Kolbe and his wife Layla are parents for the second time.

The couple took to Instagram over the weekend to welcome the birth of their second daughter in Toulouse, France.

Cheslin Kolbe, the star of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, is currently playing for French Top 14 giants, Toulouse.

Cheslin wrote: Proud of my wife for being so strong and incredible during the whole labour process. No joke I tell you! Truly an unforgettable experience 🙏

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