South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 29 June 2021

Here’s the latest news in South Africa, with all the stories making headlines across the country on Tuesday 29 June 2021.

It’s been an emotional few days for South Africans as we come to terms with living under adjusted Level 4. No alcohol, no eating out, and gathering in public places. It’s the new abnormal as we’ve come to know, and there are many who have not accepted government’s new, tougher regulations.

Not everyone has been struggling though. Former ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa has been living the good life, courtesy of a friendly businessman Jehan Mackay and his company EOH.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday 29 JUNE

Company treated Zizi Kodwa to stays in ‘luxury villas’ [pics]

We’re going to be honest with you – the State Capture Inquiry may be on its last lap, but we’re still getting a few uncut gems surface every now and then. On Monday, Zizi Kodwa might just have given some of the most bizarre testimony we’ve heard in a long time – as his relationship with businessman Jehan Mackay and EOH was laid bare.

Previously at the Commission, Steven Powell – of ENSAfrica – says that that forensic research by his financial investigations company uncovered R2 million in kickbacks, which flowed to Kodwa from EOH. According to the ANC figure, however, some of this money was merely fir a ‘personal loan’. But he didn’t spend the cash wisely.

Around half of the total, roughly R1 million, was gifted to Zizi Kodwa – even though the payment was noted as an ANC donation. With his new seven-figure windfall, the former party spokesperson said he spent R890 000 of it on a new jeep. Yes, we know… and Kodwa also seemed to accept the situation was an utterly ridiculous one.

The allegedly illegal transactions – which even went to the personal bank accounts of Zizi Kodwa – were payments to fund a ‘luxury lifestyle’, allegedly beefing up his annual earnings in government. The other R1 million from EOH, meanwhile, went towards his plush living quarters, creating a major conflict of interest for a man in his position.

An invoice shared with the State Capture Inquiry also raised titters earlier in the day. Three times, Kodwa was able to hire a private chef, after he stayed in three separate luxury villas in Camps Bay and Clifton – the richest areas of Cape Town. The soaring expenses were racked up over the course of three months, between October 2015 and January 2016.

Legal bid to overturn alcohol ban ‘under consideration’

Those in the hospitality industry have been left smarting on Monday, after President Ramaphosa confirmed that a fourth long-term alcohol ban would be brought back to South Africa. Prohibition, one of the government’s favourite blunt objects to use during lockdown, is now likely to put thousands of workers on the brink of unemployment.

With no extended UIF / TERS payments, these businesses cannot rely on government support this time around. Restaurants, bars, taverns and popular night spots all risk losing workers, and businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

That’s why the Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) is weighing up a challenge against the alcohol ban, taking the issue into court. They argue that booze has had very little to do with the soaring numbers of new COVID-19 cases, electing instead to blame huge gatherings and people who are ditching their masks outdoors.

BASA CEO Patricia Pillay has stepped in to chastise the government, too. In a recently issued statement, she bemoaned the slow pace of our national vaccine rollout – even though some ministers trying to shift the blame elsewhere.

“The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) is seeking legal advice against the inexplicable decision to implement a fourth alcohol ban. As others have pointed out, there is a vaccine against Covid-19, but not against poverty. The rise in infections is a direct result of large gatherings, a lack of social distancing, and the failure to wear masks – not alcohol.”

‘They are busy killing everyone’

It was a blue Monday for hospitality businesses across South Africa, some of which were fully booked within the legal limits of  the Covid-19 restrictions until the country plunged into the latest dark Level 4 Lockdown.

Sica’s Guesthouse owner, Janus Horn, was just one of the small business ones that awoke to a ghost town his premises that should have been bustling with new guest arrivals this morning. 

In his anger, disappointment and frustration, Horn posted a video on social media of his three-acre guest-house which is now standing empty in Durban.

Under the latest Lockdown Level 4 which kicked in on Monday 28 July, restaurants have to close and may only serve take-away meals, while guest houses and hotels are allowed to have guests to 50% of capacity. However, this does not make business sense for hotels and guest houses, such as Sica’s, which have recently had to rely largely on conference and business training event bookings.

“We have worked so hard to keep jobs, to keep the doors open and to save costs wherever we can and do whatever we can but still be safe,” Horn said.

“This whole week we had conferences booked and all our accommodation is package deals, guests book accommodation in a 24 hour package, which includes conferences and meals,” he said.

“It is ridiculous because we have been adhering to all the protocols that have been put in place. We have limited numbers, we have turned away so many functions and events where the numbers are big and people don’t care but we have have not been prepared to do it. And no we sit with a situation. What do we do now?”

We’ve been pumped: Here’s why petrol prices will INCREASE in July

After receiving some promising mid-month data, it now appears that petrol prices will instead endure a fairly substantial cost increase, making it a full house alongside soaring fees for diesel and illuminating paraffin respectively. Recent estimates predicted that some fuels would become cheap in July – but that is no longer the case.

Figures from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) show how petrol prices, initially forecast to drop by six cents, are now likely to rise by up to 29 cents per litre for certain grades. Diesel is also set to experience a cost increase of 37 cents p/l.

These costs will now push South Africa back into unfancied territory. Earlier this year, fuel value hit a record high in Mzansi, with petrol going for over R17.40p/l in Autumn. A couple of steadier months have bought this total down a bit, but it now seems that the average price for petrol will settle between R17.20 to R17.30 by the middle of next week.

Diesel is also on the march, with late-month modelling showing that consumers can expect to pay just over R15 for every litre they put in their tanks. This would be the highest diesel price in South Africa since June 2019.

Best ‘My iPad’ remixes on social media…and one by Carl Niehaus

After the When People Zol creator Max Hurrell and The Kiffness both cracked their knuckles by releasing parodies of the moment when President Cyril Ramaphosa’s iPad mysteriously disappeared on live television, many social media users also took up the challenge.

It seems social media users had a blast with the funny moment. The whole ordeal happened during a briefing from the president at the Cape Town Port which was subsequently delayed as he found that his iPad had gone missing. 

“I’m waiting for my iPad, somebody stole it,” said Ramaphosa as he stood at the podium having been introduced. Somebody decided that they want to dispossess me of my iPad, so, I want that,” continued the President. “Can I have my iPad, please. So, they stole it.”

‘Is he really ill?’ – MP hints at conspiracy behind Mabuza’s visit to Russia

As South Africa struggles to contain the spread of the dangerous Delta variant, one of the most important people in the country thought this weekend would be the opportune time to jet off to Russia. Deputy President David Mabuza is understood to be receiving ‘follow-up medical treatment’ in Moscow – but his trip has set a few alarm bells ringing.

Mabuza has been to Russia for health visits before. He claims he was poisoned back in 2015, and darted to receive care from experts in our fellow BRICS nation. However, his latest flight across the world has left a sour taste for many South Africans, and DA MP Willem Faber isn’t happy that the taxpayer could end up ‘footing the bill’ for it.

“The DA calls on the Presidency to provide details around the Deputy President’s latest trip to Russia. The Presidency has confirmed that David Mabuza has requested leave to travel to Moscow for a medical consultation. We are urging the government to clarify the details of this trip, specifically who is footing the bill.”

“It is highly peculiar that Deputy President Mabuza would travel all the way to Russia to seek medical assistance when he can receive world-class medical treatment in South Africa. It is a shame, and a slap in the face of our medical practitioners and medical facilities that their own Deputy President would rather seek medical treatment abroad.”

Fabre, a Member of the Portfolio Committee for DIRCO, suggested that the presidency is hiding some very important details about this latest rush to Russia. The outspoken politician also believes that there may be a more ‘diplomatic’ reason behind David Mabuza’s scheduled visit, relating to the collapsed ‘nuclear deal’ between both countries.

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