Category Archives: South African News

News24.com | Bongani Bongo cant be trusted with classified information, says Saswu

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Johannesburg – State Security Minister Bongani Bongo is a security risk who can’t be trusted with classified information, the South African Security Workers Union (Saswu) said on Sunday. 

The union was reacting to a report by Business Day that Bongo allegedly offered a bribe to advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara, who is the evidence leader of Parliament’s inquiry into state capture at Eskom.

“We call on the president of the Republic, his excellence JG Zuma, to act swiftly and remove the minister pending finalisation of the investigation or on any other terms he may deem appropriate,” its president Xolile Mashukuca said. 

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete referred the matter to Parliament’s joint ethics committee, reports say. 

Bongo allegedly offered Vanara a blank cheque, according to a sworn statement, the Sunday Times reported.

The EFF and the DA responded saying that it will take up the issue with the Public Protector.

“We implore the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete to move swiftly to conclude this investigation and release the finding to the public. We also call on the joint standing committee on intelligence to probe this matter and take appropriate action in terms of applicable prescripts,” Saswu said. 

News24.com | Mugabe is a ‘defiant bugger’

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Harare – Zimbabweans have been left angered and confused after President Robert Mugabe failed to resign, but instead delivered a cryptic speech. 

They had gathered around televisions in anticipation of Mugabe’s resignation, but instead were made to wait nearly two hours for his address on the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

“Indeed, the current criticism raised against me by the command element and some of its members has a reason for a well-founded perception that the party was stretching or even failing,” Mugabe said. 

Mugabe said open public spats between high ranking party officials made the criticisms levelled against him and the party inseparable. 

During Mugabe’s drawn out speech, people huddled around televisions, some were jeering his comments. 

‘Quite understandable’

The embattled 93-year-old president instead rambled through an incoherent speech, where he insisted he would still be presiding over the extraordinary congress scheduled for December. 

“Zanu-PF is a party of traditions… that share ideals and values,” he said. 

Mugabe admitted the country had been going through a tough economic patch.

“Giving the failings of the past and the anger it might have triggered in some quarters, it is quite understandable,” he said. 

“We must learn to forgive and resolve contradictions,” he said as people gathered in a local bar again jeered him. 

Mugabe said the country couldn’t be guided by bitterness and vengefulness, but instead Zimbabweans must learn to forgive and resolve their contradictions, whether real or perceived. 

‘I’m so angry’

Without announcing his much-anticipated resignation, Mugabe ended his speech with a “Good night”. 

Those gathered around television sets were left stunned. 

“I’m so angry. I thought we were gonna be here tonight celebrating. But instead he said nothing,” said one man at a bar in Harare. 

Another man, who only gave his name as Tawanda, described Mugabe’s announcement as a “show of defiance”. 

“This guy thinks we are fools. All this was a show of defiance. He’s a show guy,” he said. 
“We were all optimistic, that he’ll resign. But that’s all nonsense,” he said. 

“To be honest, I didn’t expect him to resign. I was hoping he would, but I didn’t expect it would happen,” Tawanda said. 

‘Defiant bugger’

He described Mugabe as “a wounded animal” and said he believed the president knew his time was up. 

“He’s a defiant bugger. But he’s been defiant to the detriment of 15 million Zimbabweans tonight,” he said. 

Another man said he was “livid” by Mugabe’s speech. 

Earlier on Sunday, Zanu-PF held a special central committee meeting, where it was resolved that Mugabe had been recalled as party president. 

The party announced Mugabe had until noon on Monday to resign, otherwise he would be impeached on Tuesday. 

eNCA | Zimbabwe war vets leader says Mugabe will be impeached

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HARARE – The leader of Zimbabwe’s war veterans said on Sunday plans to impeach President Robert Mugabe would go ahead as scheduled after the 93-year-old leader defied expectations that he would resign in a national address.

WATCH: Zimbabwe strongman Mugabe clings onto power

Chris Mutsvangwa, who has been leading a campaign to oust Mugabe, told Reuters in a text message moments after Mugabe finished his speech that people would take to the streets of Harare on Wednesday.

Mugabe, in a much-expected TV address Sunday, stressed he was still in power after his authoritarian 37-year reign was rocked by a military takeover.

“The (ruling ZANU-PF) party congress is due in a few weeks and I will preside over its processes,” Mugabe said, pitching the country into further uncertainty.

Many Zimbabweans expected Mugabe to resign after the army seized power last week.

IN TWEETS: Twitter reacts as Mugabe remains defiant

But Mugabe delivered his speech alongside the uniformed generals who were behind the military intervention.

In his address, Mugabe made no reference to the clamour for him to resign.

– Additional reporting AFP

Reuters

eNCA | Crocodile snatches woman collecting water in Limpopo

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THOHOYANDOU – Police in Thohoyandou have opened an inquest inquiry after a 52-year-old woman was taken by a crocodile while collecting water at a river near Malavuwe village, Limpopo police said on Sunday.

According to the information, the woman was with a fellow church member, aged 55, when the incident occurred, Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.

READ: ‘Idiots of the century’ swim in baited croc trap

It was believed that the two women were collecting water at the Mutshindudi River at about 6.20am on Sunday morning, following instructions from their church

“That’s when the crocodile grabs this missing woman and vanished with her in the water, and the other woman run for her life and notified the community who also alerted the police.”

A search was launched by South African Police Service divers, the local emergency medical services (EMS), and nature conservation personnel, but no sign of the missing woman had yet been found. The search was continuing, Ngoepe said.

African News Agency

News24.com | Mugabe ‘has hardly slept since military seized power’, says his nephew

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Harare – President Robert Mugabe‘s nephew Patrick Zhuwawo has reportedly said that his uncle has hardly slept since the military seized power on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, Zhuwawo, however, said that Mugabe’s health was otherwise “good”.

Zhuwawo reportedly said this from a secret location in South Africa. 

He said that Mugabe and his wife Grace had no intention of stepping down, adding that they were “ready to die for what is correct”.

This came as a former Zimbabwe cabinet minister Tshinga Dube said on Saturday said that the ruling Zanu-PF party was set to recall Mugabe “as early as tomorrow”.

Dube spoke as thousands of residents of the capital pushed closer to the official State House in a massive rally calling on Mugabe to go.

Mugabe remained under military house arrest and was said to be resisting efforts to step aside.

Dube said:”we are just going to properly send the old man away as early as tomorrow or so”.

Provincial branches of the ruling party have passed no-confidence votes in Mugabe and called for the Central Committee to meet this weekend and recall him as party leader. They also wanted first lady Grace recalled as head of the women’s league.

News24.com | Support Zimbabweans, Zuma tells South Africa

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Durban – President Jacob Zuma on Saturday called on South Africans to support the people of Zimbabwe. 

There is a growing call for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down after the military placed him under house arrest.

“We wish to reiterate our commitment to support the people of Zimbabwe during this difficult period. A stable and peaceful SADC (Southern African Development Community) region is in our best interest and Zimbabwe is a critical member of our regional community,” he said.

Zuma made the remarks at the launch of the KZN Invest SA One Stop Shop in Durban.

He said South Africa had historical, economic, cultural and political ties with Zimbabwe.

READ: Zuma says Zimbabwe situation is in ‘early days’

SADC is committed to providing support to the people of Zimbabwe to resolve the political situation in that country, said Zuma.

“Earlier in the week I spoke to President Robert Mugabe in my capacity as current chair of SADC. I also sent two special envoys to Harare. The envoys had fruitful meetings with Mugabe, some government ministers and some leaders of the Zimbabwean defence force.

“Although it’s early days, we are cautiously optimistic that the situation will be resolved amicably,”  said Zuma.

He also reaffirmed the African Union directive against unconstitutional changes in government within the continent.

eNCA | Wits sink Chiefs to book spot in TKO final

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JOHANNESBURG – Wits beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in their Telkom Knockout semi-final on Saturday to book a spot in the cup final.

The match was played at Bidvest Stadium in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

Chiefs were handicapped in the 26 minute when 17-year-old midfield sensation Wiseman Meyiwa was sent from the field for launching a studs-up tackle on Wits winger Daine Klate.

During a heated few moments between several players from both sides and referee Victor Homes, Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande was also shown a yellow card for dissent.

Wits took little time to make the one-man advantage count, with English striker James Keene heading home in the 29th minute.

Earlier, Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune did well to keep a powerful shot from Wits’ Egyptian striker Amr Gamal out, while the well-worked offside trap of the Clever Boys caught out Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker on several occasions.

Wits had several chances to increase the scoreline during the game while Chiefs, even playing a man short, deserved credit for taking the game to the hosts, particularly in the final quarter of the match.

The win means that Wits coach Gavin Hunt will now have an opportunity to contest for the only domestic trophy that has eluded him in his coaching career. To date, he has won the league four times as well as collecting three cup triumphs.

Wits will begin preparations to take on Mamelodi Sundowns in league action on Tuesday at the same venue, while Kaizer Chiefs will be searching for three valuable league points against Amazulu in Durban a day later.

Wits are the current Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions but have struggled to find form this season and even face relegation, at this early point.

Saturday’s win will be a welcome boost to the struggling side, which only won two out of nine matches thus far in the PSL.

Wits will play the winner of Sunday’s other semi-final between Polokwane City and Bloemfontein Celtic.

Additional reporting eNCA

African News Agency

eNCA | WATCH: DA Gauteng elects new leadership

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  • Editor’s note: This live event has ended. You may watch a recording above.

JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has re-elected John Moodey as provincial leader.  

Mike Moriarty was elected as chairperson, and the party’s provincial deputy chairperson is Bongani Nkomo. 

On Saturday, the party met to elect new leaders. 

The two front-runners for the leadership position were Ghaleb Cachalia and John Moodey.

The elective conference came amid reports of deep divisions in the party.

Last week it was reported Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga demanded action against DA MP Mike Waters, who supports Cachalia.

Msimanga, who supports Moody, accused Waters of leaking classified emails to the media.

It relates to membership audits in Gauteng.

It’s alleged the leak was intended to taint Moody.

eNCA

eNCA | IN MEMES: Looks like a coup, smells like a coup, but is it a coup?

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JOHANNESBURG – Social media users were on Friday reflecting the general confusion around the situation in Zimbabwe and whether President Robert Mugabe will actually relinquish power. 

On Tuesday, the army in Zimbabwe made a number of aggressive moves in what seemed like a coup, with Mugabe reportedly being placed under house arrest and a number of ministers arrested. 

IN MEMES: Social media weighs in on Zim crisis

South Africa has been leading the SADC negotiations in that country, aimed at establishing a democratic order in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe however appeared at a graduation ceremony on Friday, Twitter was confused as to whether anything will come off the military’s posturing. 

eNCA