Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 19 November

Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South
Africa – check in with our daily overview of headlines on Tuesday 19 November.

While the embattled South African Airways (SAA) attempts to
restart operations amid severely disruptive strike action, Economic Freedom
Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, dodges a judicial bullet fired by the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA). In sports news, South Africa’s Under-23 soccer squad
has eyes set on next year’s Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.

Today’s latest news
in South Africa, Tuesday 19 November

SAA to brief media on
troubles

The national carrier is expected to brief the media on its dire operational and financial predicament in the wake of fierce strike action which saw most of its flights grounded throughout the weekend. Acting SAA Chief Executive Officer, Zuks Ramasia, will be joined by other senior board members.

Last week, unions vowed to fight SAA’s restructuring strategy,
which is estimated to cost almost 1000 employees their jobs, by way of strike
action. This move came at the worst possible time for the already-beleaguered
airline, which has pleaded with government for financial assistance after consecutive
net losses. The restructuring process itself is intended to trim SAA’s bloated
salary bill in an attempt to save the airline from complete collapse.

Unions argue that SAA is on the path to privatisation – a move which stands in direct opposition to the African National Congress’ (ANC) assurances.

Ramasia is expected to shed light on SAA’s financial
position, its restructuring procedure and the ongoing strike action during
today’s briefing.

Malema off the
Ratanang Family Trust hook

EFF leader, Julius Malema, will not be the subject of investigation relating to the controversial Ratanang Family Trust. Instead, the NPA has confirmed that it will prosecute three directors of the company, Cuthbert Lesiba Gwangwa, Kagisho Dichaba and Thomas Rasethaba, with money laundering and fraud.

John Steenhuisen
stamps his authority on the DA

Newly-elected Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen, has made it abundantly clear that he will not bow to the will of Helen Zille. This comes in the wake of fierce turbulence for the official opposition party, typified by poor polling the May elections, the resignation of Mmusi Maimane and factional infighting.

Steenhuisen, who has ascended rapidly through the ranks, on Monday said that he would not be ‘handbag carrier for Helen Zille’, after speculation that the federal council chairperson may, in fact, be calling the shots from behind the scenes. Zille was elected chair of the federal council in a controversial return to the DA’s leadership structure after being shunned from the spotlight months earlier.

Steenhuisen, who won the election for interim leader on
Sunday, has vowed to run the party’s operations in an ‘honest and
straightforward’ manner. The DA is expected to hold its annual elective conference
in May 2020.

Hawks commissioner appears
before Zondo

Yolisa Matakata, Head Lieutenant of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, will today appear before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Matakata will be joined by civil servant, writer and cleric,
Frank Chikane, the ANC stalwart who is an outspoken critic of former president
Jacob Zuma.

SA Under-23’s braced for Egypt in bid to qualify for
Tokyo

South Africa will not hold back any punches when they face Egypt in their CAF Under-23 Afcon semifinal tie when they meet on Tuesday at Cairo Stadium.

South Africa’s Under-23 goalkeeper, Darren Johnson,
explained that this is mainly because a win will guarantee them a place into
next year’s Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, with a game still to be played before this
tournament comes to an end.

Only top three national teams competing in this year’s
quadrennial continental showpiece; will get to represent Africa in next year’s
Summer Olympics.