Ex-DA youth leader: I’ll lead party out of ‘crisis’
The DA’s leadership battle has opened up, with former DA youth leader Mbali Ntuli putting her hand up to lead the party. Ntuli said she cannot watch the party “disappear into oblivion”. Ntuli’s decision means she will go head to head with interim leader John Steenhuisen. It is understood Gauteng leader John Moodey is also considering throwing his name into the hat, and it has been reported that Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela will stand for the position. In an an internal letter sent to DA members and public representatives on Tuesday, Ntuli said if DA members were honest with themselves, they would know the party “is in deep crisis”.
Parliament wants govt to work together on virus
Parliament’s portfolio committee on tourism says the novel coronavirus outbreak highlights the need for inter-departmental coordination to minimise the threat of it spreading to the country. In a statement issued on behalf of chairperson Supra Mahumapelo, the committee raised questions on the readiness of government for the global outbreak of the virus. “The outbreak of the coronavirus puts the spotlight on the need for SA to focus on the African continent for inbound tourism. This also emphasises the need to further develop domestic tourism to act as a buffer for the tourism sector whenever such outbreaks occur,” Mahumapelo said. The committee said it was imperative for the tourism sector to be ready should an incident involving tourists occur.
Municipal worker held for theft of Eskom millions
A KZN municipal worker has been arrested for allegedly stealing R4m earmarked as a payment to Eskom. The co-operative governance and traditional affairs department (Cogta) said on Tuesday that the Abaqulusi municipal official allegedly sent money to his account during a transaction with Eskom in December 2019. In March last year, the municipality faced an electricity switch-off because of exorbitant debts owed to Eskom. “It is alleged that in December 2019, when the municipality was making a payment of R3,918,716.89 to Eskom, an official changed the recipient’s banking details. When the bank discovered the discrepancy, the said official went further to instruct the bank to continue with the payment,” said Cogta. They were able to recover R2,596,547.25 from the official's account.
Ex-Media24 man faces four new sex assault charges
Four new sexual assault charges were laid on Tuesday against former Media24 employee and teacher Willem Breytenbach. The new charges bring the total Breytenbach, 56, faces to seven. Police requested a postponement for further investigations when Breytenbach appeared in the Cape Town magistrate's court, and the prosecutor indicated further charges were likely. The case was postponed until March 30.
Protest-gripped UKZN calls off lectures
The University of KwaZulu-Natal suspended lectures at all its campuses on Tuesday following a wave of fiery protests. Protests spread to the university’s Pietermaritzburg campus, where a guardhouse and a kitchen attached to an exam hall went up in flames on Monday night. The exam hall itself did not catch fire. At the university’s Westville campus, protesters set fire to part of the gymnasium and a mobile office. The protests come after an office building of the HIV-Aids support unit at the Howard College campus in Durban was torched on Monday. At the Edgewood campus, a car was set on fire.
Jeremy Maggs quits top eNCA post
eNCA on Tuesday announced that its acting editor-in-chief, Jeremy Maggs, was immediately stepping down. A statement issued by eMedia Investments said the veteran journalist requested to be relieved from his duties. “Jeremy has been in the position for the past 12 months, and has asked to be relieved from his duties as the stressful nature of the job was impacting on him negatively,” the company said. Maggs said he felt the decision was for the best. “This has not been an easy decision, but for the past few months the stressful nature of the job has caused me to re-evaluate both my position at the station and my life choices. I’ve been stressed and unwell for some time, and I’ve made this decision in my own best interests and that of the station,” he said. Maggs will continue with his anchoring duties.
Wednesday, February 5 2020
THE BIG ISSUES
LEADING THE AGENDA
Zuma sick? More like a case of Stalingrad-itis, says the state
Ex-president’s defence says he had two major surgeries in January, but court has seen no record of them
Well done, Mr Zuma, you’re right on trend with your excuse
From pizza franchises to airline companies to our former president, everyone’s doing it these days
Come on Cyril! FW did it, Mantashe has just done it. You can do it too
Defying party policy is harder than ever in SA, but sometimes necessity demands it. Don’t hold your breath, though
SMART NEWS
IN ONE TAKE
Duduzane was lurking when Gupta offered me R500k: ex-SAA boss
Tuesday’s witness at the Zondo inquiry was not the first to paint Zuma Junior with the ‘silence’ brush
‘Where’s-my-cheese’ pizzeria shooting suspect gives himself in, gets bail
Following a viral video, insurance executive Zain Trook has also been suspended from his job
SA pathologist is taken back in time by novel coronavirus
SARS broke out in 2003. Did we learn from that experience? ‘Only partially’
SNAPSHOT
Image: Reuters/Mussa Qawasma
Six things about SA you need to know
Ex-DA youth leader: I’ll lead party out of ‘crisis’
Parliament wants govt to work together on virus
Municipal worker held for theft of Eskom millions
Ex-Media24 man faces four new sex assault charges
Protest-gripped UKZN calls off lectures
Jeremy Maggs quits top eNCA post
THE VISUAL SIDE
Karabo Tau, 18, from Claremont High School, appeared in the Bellville magistrate’s court on Tuesday for her bail application. Tau was arrested after allegedly posing as a social worker and kidnapping baby Kwahlelwa Tiwane.
CROSSWORDS
GIVE YOUR BRAIN SOME EXERCISE
Today’s cryptic crossword
It's time to put your brain to work
Today’s quick crossword
How fast can you get it done?
WORLD
THE NEWS YOU DON'T NORMALLY GET TO HEAR
SNAPSHOT
6 things you need to know about the world
Official nailed to the cross at virus epicentre
Speechless: Tamil-language anthem gets dropped
Lesotho’s first lady turns herself in
‘Sustainable development fee’ for Indian tourists
Where’s the legal basis for GPS data, Google?
Long-lost Greek film sounds in French archive
Image: Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte
THE BUSINESS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Hudaco: Feast on the divvy while SA gears up for ...
Lean, well-managed importer and distributor is perfectly placed for a broad-based economic upswing
Life remains weird among the hot ashes of African ...
Minority shareholders in African Phoenix Investments have been on a rollercoaster since the business rescue
LIFESTYLE
CULTURE COMES ALIVE
Only a wooden heart wouldn’t love a Valentine’s Day getaway
‘Month of Love’ specials from around the country
Know which wine to choose? If not, here’s where to go
The 2020 SA Wine and Cellar Classification or the ‘Top Wine SA’ guide by Mike Froud are at your service
Shamwari splashes $25m to get back in the game
Refurbishment puts iconic Eastern Cape reserve back on top of the five-star safari bucket list
SPORT
FINISH LINE ESSENTIALS
SPORTS DAY: Scotland to help Boks say goodbye to ...
Your roundup of the sporting news of the day
Blasts from the past: Baronet on an unbeaten run ...
Today in SA sports history: February 5