South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Saturday 18 December 2021

We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Saturday 18 December 2021.

In a bizarre turn of events, a driver of the eThekwini Municipality took a wrong turn and ended up driving through the Galleria Mall on Friday with an audience of shocked shoppers. The driver was allegedly drunk.

The municipality confirmed on Friday evening that the driver was arrested and charged, and it added that an internal investigation would be conducted.

Meanwhile, Rassie Erasmus entertained us on Friday evening. He shared a hilarious video of his “white, no rhythm’ dance moves’ and we loved it.

In other news, President Cyril Ramaphosa is recovering well after he tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Saturday 18 December

Watch: Durban municipal worker drives van THROUGH THE MALL

Erm, are you a little lost there, buddy? A van driver in Durban has been accused of recklessly endangering the safety of shoppers at the Galleria Mall, after he drove through the mall and waded through dozens of bystanders. The man behind the wheel was also allegedly drunk at the time.

His careless careering through the narrow walkways of the mall has to be seen to be believed. One onlooker states the driver was ‘lucky not to hit anyone’, and based on this evidence, we’re inclined to agree.

The van itself belongs to the eThekwini Municipality’s electricity company. After getting lost on his way out of the parking lot, it’s understood the impatient motorist decided to take a route he knew better.

Ramaphosa ‘in good spirits and comfortable in his recovery’

President Cyril Ramaphosa is making good progress in his recovery from COVID-19 while continuing treatment for mild symptoms the minister in the presidency, Mondli Gungunbele said in a statement on Friday. 

Gungunbele said the president had tested positive for the viral infection on Sunday, 12 December 2021.  Ramaphosa started self-isolation in Cape Town on the same day, with the South African Medical Health Service of the South African National Defence Force monitoring and treating and treating him for the illness.

“The President is in good spirits and comfortable in his recovery,” Gungunbele said.

Len Cloete opens his eyes for first time since shooting [Update]

Len Cloete, the father of seven who was shot in the head by a police officer during an altercation at a Muldersdrift lodge had opened his eyes for the first time since the shooting last month. 

Len was shot in the head by a police officer in front of his wife and friends earlier this month is still fighting for his life in hospital. 

In a video of the incident that has gone viral on social media, a naked Len is seen shouting at the police. He takes a firearm out of the bed drawer and cocks it while swinging it around in front of the police officers.

Watch: Taxi-driving Duduzane Zuma elected ANC branch chairperson

Well, if you’re going to arrive at your first-ever election victory, you do it in style. Duduzane Zuma was officially made the ANC branch chairperson of Ward 11 in eThekwini on Thursday – and he made a racket to celebrate.

The region, based in the Newlands East part of Durban, will now have the son of Jacob Zuma presiding over its political matters for the foreseeable future. Duduzane had started his campaign for power back in July, and after successfully lobbying the locals, the former Gupta associate will look to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Duduzane Zuma boasts a good rapport with the younger members of the Ward 11 community, who see him as a representative of the ANC’s ‘radical economic transformation’ faction.

Fikile Mbalula – No mercy for deadly drunk drivers this December

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula vows that drunk drivers will know no mercy this festive season. Furthermore, Mbalula says that alcohol consumption during peak long-distance travel poses a huge hurdle for law enforcement.

Drinking and driving, according to the Minister, has turned modes of transport into deadly weapons. Certainly, the politician highlighted the sad facts of the matter.

For instance, Mbalula cited research showing that around 27.1% of fatal accidents in SA were due to the driver’s intoxication.

Likewise, the same research carried out by the Medical Research Council showed pedestrians were far more likely to be the victims of drunk drivers.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Saturday 18 December.