South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 9 December 2021
We’ve got all the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa you really need to know on Thursday 9 December.
When it rains, it pours… Eskom is dead set on hiking our electricity prices next year – and it’s by an eye-watering amount.
After inflicting the worst year of load shedding on us in 2021, the firm now has one eye firmly on another unpopular move – and a 20.5% electricity price hike has been slated for April 2022.
On Wednesday, South Africa recorded nearly 20 000 new COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, 36 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 90 038.
Pfizer, who administered about 80% of all jabs taken in South Africa so far, has confirmed on Wednesday that a third booster dose of their vaccine induces a super-strong response to Omicron infections.
In two horrible crime stories, a beloved florist in Tongaat was found with his throat slit while another man was kidnapped and murdered after his family paid a part of the demanded ransom.
Meanwhile, a total of 16 EFF MPs will have a month’s salary deducted from their annual wages, after they were all part of a hair-raising confrontation with Minister Pravin Gordhan, back in 2019.
The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi also made it clear on social media that he doesn’t particularly care for Johann Rupert or Nicky Oppenheimer – but he wouldn’t mind taking their land.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday 9 December
Sorry, what? Eskom looking to HIKE electricity prices next year – by 20.5%
In a way, you’ve got to admire the sheer brass-neckery of this statement from Eskom. After inflicting the worst year of load shedding on us in 2021, the firm now has one eye firmly on another unpopular move – and a 20.5% electricity price hike has been slated for April 2022.
The request, confirmed by Eskom’s CFO Calib Cassim, seeks to increase the already sky-high rates of electricity in South Africa. According to the senior executive, further price hikes in years ahead ‘are still to be decided’ in the courts.
Under the controversial plans, energy consumers would be asked to fork out more for electricity from April 2022 to March 2023. NERSA published the price determination earlier on Wednesday evening.
COVID-19: SA records nearly 20 000 cases, positivity increases to 26,8%
South Africa recorded nearly 20 000 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, 8 December, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 73 911 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 26,8 percent, up from yesterday’s 24,9 percent.
The 19 842 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Wednesday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 113 060. Unfortunately, 36 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 90 038.
There were 374 people admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment within the latest testing cycle. The 258 private and 407 public hospitals reporting to the NICD now have 4252 patients admitted.
“The proportion of positive new cases/total new tested today is 26.8% which is higher than yesterday (24.9%). The 7-day average is 24.6% today, which is higher than yesterday (23.2%). The 7-day moving average daily number of cases has increased,” said the NICD.
Here’s why you probably need a THIRD vaccine to protect against Omicron
We’re fully aware that it’s difficult enough to get the vaccine-hesitant to have one COVID-19 jab, let alone three. But the data reaching us from the latest research into the Omicron variant is fairly conclusive.
Pfizer, who administered about 80% of all jabs taken in South Africa so far, has confirmed that a third booster dose of their vaccine induces a super-strong response to Omicron infections.
The antibody coverage inside the human body increases 25-fold, according to the pharmaceutical giant’s latest findings. Although two jabs are still pretty likely to keep you out of hospital, a third vaccine is understood to be highly effective against the transmission of COVID – and that will be VITAL for tackling Omicron.
Kidnapped DSTV technician found dead after ransom was paid
According to Reaction Unit SA (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balram, Johnathan Eloho Okinedo was kidnapped on Saturday, 4 December 2021.
Balram said his wife and brother arrived at the RUSA Headquarters earlier this week seeking assistance in locating him. According to his wife, Okinedo, also known as Jojo, a DSTV technician, left on Saturday at about 10:30 to meet a client wanting to fit a decoder. The client had called at 06:45 the same morning requesting a technician.
“His family received a call from his cellphone later the same day and Okinedo informed them that he was held against his will and the kidnappers were demanding R2000 for his release,” Balram said.
“Okinedo was allowed to speak to his family for a few minutes before the call was abruptly disconnected. Both phones were then switched off, and he was not released,” he said.
Balram said Okinedo’s body was discovered near a bush in Newlands – Kwazulu Natal on Tuesday with gunshot wounds to the head. His family identified him at the state mortuary.
Beloved Tongaat florist (76) found with his throat slit
According to Reaction Unit SA (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balram, the 76-year-old Krishna Govender was discovered lying in a pool of blood with his throat slit at his Crest Road, Watsonia residence.
“We received a call for assistance at approximately 19:08 after Govender’s body was discovered by his nephew lying on the floor of his bedroom at his Tongaat home.
“Reaction Officers and paramedics were immediately dispatched to the property. On arrival, it was established that Govender’s nephew arrived from work and found the security gate and front door unlocked,” Balram said.
The nephew entered the residence and made the gruesome discovery.
Salary expropriation? 16 EFF MPs have wages slashed after Parly fracas
A total of 16 EFF MPs will have a month’s salary deducted from their annual wages, after they were all part of a hair-raising confrontation with Minister Pravin Gordhan, back in 2019.
Members Ceza, Chabangu, Langa, Madlingozi, Mohlala, Montwedi, Msane, Mthenjani, Paulsen, Shembeni, Siwisa, Tito, Hlonyana and Komane were also docked pay.
The EFF is likely to appeal the ruling, which was handed down by the powers and privileges committee on Tuesday. Gordhan, while delivering a speech in the National Assembly, was confronted by more than a dozen Red Berets. They declared the minister ‘would not be allowed to speak’, and branded him a ‘constitutional delinquent’.
EFF wanted expropriation bill to ‘take ‘Rupert and Oppenheimer’s land’
If you’re wondering why the EFF rejected a bill to push through Land Expropriation Without Compensation this week – their major flagship policy – senior party member Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has given us a colourful explanation for their stance… and it involves both Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer.
As the two richest men in South Africa, the multi-billionaires are often the target of EFF tirades. This week has been no different, and the far-left party has shown it will not relent in its pursuit of equitable expropriation.
Ndlozi, taking to Twitter as he so often does, explained that the offer made by the ANC was sub-par. He claims that the government only wanted to hand out abandoned or ‘rotten’ land to working-class citizens.
- This somewhat fell below the EFF’s expectations, though:
“In essence, ANC wanted to amend the constitution to ONLY expropriate rotten, abandoned, or state owned land without compensation. NO! EFF wanted an amendment that empowers the democratic state to take land from Rupert & Oppenheimer (PRIME LAND) without compensation!”
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
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