South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 5 August 2021

Are you keeping up with the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa? We’ve got the news you really need to know on Thursday 5 August 2021.

While millions of South Africans collectively mourned the loss of TV actor and producer Shona Ferguson during his funeral on Thursday, others were planning to march on Phoenix, Durban to confront racism. The country may have a vacancy for a deputy president soon if the rumour mill is to be believed. And if you can win an Olympic gold medal, you can be anything you want – including a Sports Minister. Ask Roland Schoeman.

Just another day in Mzansi.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday 5 August

‘Minister of funerals’: Mthethwa slammed for attending Shona’s funeral

Many South Africans have headed online to pay their respects to the Ferguson family as Shona Ferguson, the husband of actress Connie Ferguson, was laid to rest. Among the people who attended the funeral was the South African Minister for Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa and let’s just say, locals were not happy to see him.

On Thursday, the world watched as the Ferguson family paid their last respects. Many people were left in tears as they watched Mzansi actress Connie Ferguson say goodbye to her husband after 20 years of marriage.

While many people shared messages of support and condolences with the family, a lot of people found themselves super annoyed to see that Mthethwa was among the guests who spoke at the funeral. Many posts were dedicated to dragging the arts and culture minister.

Mother accepts ‘inhlawulo’ blood money after brutal teen rape

A KwaZulu-Natal mother has agreed to accept ‘inhlawulo’ or ‘blood money’ by way of payment in cattle after her teenaged daughter was raped.

Police have not arrested the perpetrator following the ‘blood money’ offer prompting action by KZN MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Sipho Hlomuka who will visit the family of the girl who was allegedly raped in Emmaus in the KwaKhwela near Bergville. 

Hlomuka and Khoza’s departments said in a statement that the aim of the visit on Thursday was to obtain details regarding progress on the investigation after the police reportedly failed to arrest the alleged perpetrator.  It is alleged that the teenaged victim was threatened with a knife and assaulted, resulting in her teeth being knocked and damaged before she was raped last month. 

‘Racist’ EFF march against Phoenix Indian community ‘must be stopped’

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has asked the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to take action and prevent the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) from embarking on the “March to Phoenix against Racist Indians”, saying that the Red Berets only seek to inflame racial tensions between the KwaZulu-Natal Indian community and black residents. 

The EFF plan to mobilise supporters and move in on Phoenix, where a total of 36 people were killed during last month’s violent riots, with the march aimed at voicing contempt at alleged racism from the Indian community, who the EFF have blamed for the escalation of violence. 

‘Racist and a doper’: EFF lambast Roland Schoeman’s Sport Minister bid

Not everyone is enthusiastic about former Olympic swimmer Roland Schoeman’s bid to take the helm at the Department of Sport, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) branding the gold medalist a ‘racist’ and a “doper”. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Schoeman wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to formally put his name in the hat for the Minister of Sport job currently occupied by Nathi Mthethwa. This follows his criticism of the current administrations efforts in ensuring that South African athletes are provided with the funding and support required to bring home Olympic medals. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the EFF said that allowing Schoeman to apply for the job by writing directly to the President is an “opportunistic” demonstration of “white supremacy under the Cyril Ramaphosa regime”.

Cabinet reshuffle: Could David Mabuza be AXED as Deputy President?

With a Cabinet reshuffle looming over South Africa, a few heads are certain to roll at some point in the near future. President Ramaphosa may be dragging his heels, but a day of reckoning for his ministers is on its way – and Deputy President David Mabuza could be named as a surprise dismissal.

Mabuza, who helped Ramphosa secure the ANC leadership back in 2017, has been out of action for most of the pandemic due to his various health ailments. Clandestine trips to Russia have kept him away from South Africa for months at a time. His leadership in a time of crisis has come under question – as have his mystery medical conditions.

Zweli Mkhize, Bheki Cele, and Ayanda Dlodlo are also said to be under ‘significant pressure’, following scandals linked to the dodgy Digital Vibes contract and the deadly July riots respectively. On social media, chat is intensifying about Mabuza’s future – but has ‘the cat’ now used up his final life? Some skeptics believe this won’t be the case.

Kairos Centre accused of negligent conduct after four psychiatric patients died

The Democratic Alliance said it will lay criminal charges against Kairos Centre on Thursday for negligent conduct after four patients have died at the centre.

The Kairos Centre houses more than 120 psychiatric patients in Cullinan.

The centre is registered as a non-profit organisation with the Department of Social Development. It is licensed to provide Community Based Mental Health Services by the Gauteng Department of Health.

It is also subsidised for the mental health services it provides by the Gauteng Department of Health.

DA Bronwynn Engelbrecht will lay criminal charges against Kairos Centre on Thursday for negligent conduct at the Cullinan Police Station in Tshwane.

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