South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 5 January 2022 [Video]

Stay informed with the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on 5 January 2022.

The first volume of the DCJ’s first report is absolutely devastating for some of Jacob Zuma’s biggest allies.

After combing through the 890-page State Capture Report on Tuesday evening, it seems the tip of the iceberg is already big enough to down a titanic network of government-sponsored corruption – with Tom Moyane, Dudu Myeni, and Brian Molefe all singled out by Raymond Zondo.

Meanwhile, the man accused of causing the devasting fire at the parliament appeared in court on Tuesday. He faces five charges in relation to the blaze, including theft and arson. The case has been postponed to 11 January.

In some shocking news, a preliminary investigation by the National Consumer Commission (NCCC) has found that Howe Noodles did NOT cause the deaths of at least three children.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 5 January

Moyane, Myeni, Molefe: State Capture Report seeks CHARGES for all three

After combing through the 890-page State Capture Report on Tuesday evening, it seems the tip of the iceberg is already big enough to down a titanic network of government-sponsored corruption – with Tom Moyane, Dudu Myeni, and Brian Molefe all singled out by Raymond Zondo.

There is much, much more to come on this front – and we’ll have plenty of updates coming in the early hours of Wednesday morning – but the first volume of the DCJ’s first report is absolutely devastating for some of Jacob Zuma’s biggest allies.

At a glance, there are three names that stand out – and all three of Moyane, Myeni, and Molefe have been recommended to face criminal charges for their various roles in state capture. President Ramaphosa has vowed not to take action until he’s read the full report.

However, SAPS and Hawks CAN swoop whenever they’re ready – and they’ve certainly got a foundation to build on…

Zandile Mafe: ‘This poor man is being made a scapegoat,’ says lawyer

The lawyer for Zandile Mafe, the sole suspect in the fire which erupted at Parliament, says the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is gunning for the wrong man. Mafe made an appearance before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, 4 December.

Mafe faces five charges in relation to the blaze, including theft and arson. The case has been postponed to 11 January.

The 49-year-old is accused of having been behind the blaze which erupted at the parliamentary precinct on Sunday morning, 2 December, causing extensive damage, including to the new National Assembly Chambers. The fire was reignited on Monday afternoon by pick-up in the wind, but was contained hours later.

According to a charge sheet seen by The South African, Mafe was allegedly found in possession of property that belongs to the state, including laptops, crockery and documents, when he was arrested.

Kidnapped man in ICU after being excessively tortured during captivity

A young Eastern Cape man was kidnapped in December and excessively tortured while he was held in captivity at ransom for R5 million.

According to the private investigator Mike Bolhuis, Nabir Hossain is currently in ICU.

“Hossain had been kidnapped on 27 December 2021 and held at ransom for R5 million,” Bolhuis said.

He said a case was opened at the Willowvale police station.

According to Bolhuis, no police officer had contacted the family prior to the arrival of the investigators.

“No leads had been followed up by the police, and no information was available,” he said.

Howe Noodles: Children’s deaths NOT linked to noodle brand

A preliminary investigation by the National Consumer Commission (NCCC) has found that Howe Noodles did not cause the deaths of at least three children.

Two siblings and their cousin, from Motherwell, in the Eastern Cape, died in November 2021 after eating packets of the noodle brand, which had been purchased at a nearby spaza shop.

Just a week later, two siblings in Mpumalanga were reported to have died after also consuming noodles. The NCCC would later reveal it is probing two noodle brands, one of them Howe Noodles, in connection with the deaths of at least five children in total.

Howe Noodles confirmed that the NCCC conducted its investigation into their product on 14 and 15 December 2021, and made no damning findings.

“The said Investigation was finalised and we are awaiting the Official Release thereof from the NCC, which we expect to be imminent. We can, however, state that during the said investigation, it was established that it was not our product consumed prior to the 2 (two) fatal incidents. Thus our product is cleared in respect of these incidents,” the company said.

Cele nightclub saga: Blogger ‘has no intention of apologising after threats’

The entertainment blogger who posted the videos of police minister Bheki Cele in a nightclub in Cape Town reportedly said he ‘has no intention of apologising after threats’. 

According to a report by TimesLives, blogger Musa Khawula has not yet apologised and has claimed that the threats of legal action by Cele were “a ploy to bully” him. 

“I feel there are more pressing issues in SA than to have SAPS waste resources on a personal matter,” said Khawula. 

BUT on Monday evening, Khawula had removed the tweets of Cele. 

This comes after Khawula posted videos on Twitter on Friday evening claiming Cele was at Coco nightclub in Cape Town with his daughter Khumbuza Cele.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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