South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 30 July 2021

We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Friday 30 July 2021 to keep you in the know.

Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse in KZN, following the riots earlier this month, a state of disaster has been declared in the province. KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala made the announcement on Thursday, meaning KZN is the only province in South Africa with a third set of emergency measures in place. What’s more, a representative of the United Nations will embark on a two-day visit to assess the damage wrought by the riots.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 30 July

Another ‘State of Disaster’ has been declared in KZN – here’s why

COVID-19, drought… and now, you can add the aftermath of widespread riots to the list of events that have sparked a ‘State of Disaster’ in KZN. Provincial Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Thursday that KwaZulu-Natal would become the only region to enter a THIRD set of emergency measures in the past 18 months.

The impact of the looting and unrest that threatened to destabilise South Africa rocked KZN to its core.

The province is now understood to have lost BILLIONS as a result of the riots, plunging local finances into despair. Zikalala stated that his Provincial Legislature will need immediate intervention and funding from national government.

Now United Nations visits KZN to help rebuild economy

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has welcomed the assistance of the United Nations (UN) in helping to rebuild the economy following the recent unrest that rocked the province.

Zikalala was speaking at a media briefing during a two day visit by the United Nations in South Africa under the leadership of Resident Coordinator, Nardos Bekele-Thomas on Thursday. She is currently on a visit to have discussions with local authorities and to assess the effect of the recent unrest in the province. 

The UN said in a statement that Bekele-Thomas and representatives of the UN agencies in the country will travel to communities that were heavily affected by the unrest that left more than 300 people dead and many more displaced, unemployed and vulnerable due to the disruption of food supply chains and damage to infrastructure.

WATCH: Zuma’s monument in Groot Marico left to rot

A monument erected in Zuma’s honour, almost four years ago, cost almost R2 million to construct.

There were huge promises made at the time, saying that the centre would create a hub of employment opportunities, and provide critical services for the disadvantaged.

But a site visit conducted by the DA in the past few days tells us a very different story.

Digital Vibes: Ramaphosa ‘still sorting out issues’ on SIU report

President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked the public to be patient with him and he says the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report on Digital Vibes and Zweli Mkhize’s alleged involvement is not a matter he is going to sit on forever or in a day.

Ramaphosa was addressing the media outside Gallagher Convention Centre after visiting a vaccination site in Tembisa, East of Johannesburg.

Ramaphosa said the report is with him. “There are a few issues that still need to be sorted, and once all that is done I will come out and explain to the nation how I am planning to deal with that report,” he said.

Earlier in July the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to make the full and unredacted SIU report on Digital Vibes public immediately.

Fake kidnapping: SAPS bust teenage girl for ‘lying about abduction’

This is not how our already-stretched police services should have to spend their time – alas, a 15-year-old girl from Jouberton in North West is now facing a charge of perjury, after she lied about being a kidnapping victim.

After going missing for a brief period on Monday morning, the teen showed up at nearby police station, to relay what had allegedly happened to her. By this point, voice notes had been sent through the community by the ‘victim’, spinning a tale that three men – possibly of Nigerian descent – bundled her into the back of a vehicle.

She then told police she escaped their clutches by leaping from their car.

However, almost as soon as the investigation began, it had already fizzled out. Amid the dubious details about her daring dash for freedom, it became apparent that the whole story was a hoax – turning a possible case of kidnapping into a regrettable act of perjury.

SA riots LATEST: Woolworths ‘Mercedes looter’ in court

The 26-year-old Mercedes-Benz driver who went viral on social media after he was captured on camera allegedly gleefully looting a Woolworths store in Glenwood was remanded in custody after his brief appearance in the Durban Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The alleged “Mercedes looter,” Mbuso Moloi, who finally handed himself over to the police on Wednesday night appeared in court, somewhat emotionless, wearing casual black trousers, a pink shirt and a purple sweater. His father watched the proceedings from the public gallery.

Moloi is facing charges related to the recent looting and unrest, including public violence; theft; trespassing and contravening the National Road Traffic Regulations 2000 for operating a vehicle with a number plate displaying a license number not applicable to the motor vehicle. He had earlier told the media that he had not set foot in the store but had picked up the items outside. He claimed he had gone out with his sister to purchase sanitary towels.

Video: Police stop to buy a cooldrink – four dangerous criminals escaped

A police officer went to buy cooldrink when the dangerous prisoners he was transporting overpowered him and escaped. One of them is still at large.

According to a Facebook post by AfriForum Pietersburg, the police officer stopped at the Eerstegoud Trading Store on Wednesday last week, 21 July 2021 to buy the prisoners he was transporting cooldrinks.

ALSO READ: Four DANGEROUS prisoners escaped from a police vehicle in Polokwane

In the video, the officer can be seen leaving the police vehicle, and when he returns with the 2litre cooldrink and open the back of the van, he is overpowered. The door of the can is pushed open with force from inside, and shortly after that, you can see the men running around the vehicle, searching for something before they take off.

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