Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South
Africa; check out all the major headlines on Tuesday 26 November.
As Eskom motions to pull the plug on defaulting Free State
municipalities, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his support for the
utility’s new CEO, Andre de Ruyter, despite concerns over the Nampak
executive’s competence. The State Capture saga gains a new twist, as deputy
chief justice Raymond Zondo approves Tom Moyane’s bid to cross-examine Minister
Pravin Gordhan over allegations of SARS impropriety. In sports news, the South
African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) case against Springbok lock Eben
Etzebeth hits a wall.
Today’s latest news
in South Africa, Tuesday 26 November
Eskom’s debt
collection threatens to plunge Free State into darkness
Eskom, the embattled national power utility which is owed in
excess of R20 billion by defaulting municipalities in South Africa, is adopting a hard-line approach to its
collection strategy. As the state owned enterprise teeters on the brink of
disaster, exemplified by dire financial losses and the ever-looming threat of
load shedding, defaulting municipalities stand in the firing line, with Eskom
promising to pull the plug if debts aren’t paid.
The utility issues a statement on Monday afternoon, confirming that three municipalities in the Free State would be left powerless as a result of their protracted non-payment. Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, which houses Bloemfontein, is one of the three threatened to be crippled by daytime balckouts.
Municipalities have been given exactly one week to settle
their accounts. Municipalities in the Free State owe Eskom nearly R2 billion in
unpaid bills.
State Capture
Inquiry: Moyane gets to cross-examine Gordhan
Controversial former SARS commissioner, Tom Moyane, has been granted leave to cross-examine Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo approved the bid on Monday – after denying earlier cross-examination attempts.
Moyane, who has been blasted for his financial mismanagement
while head of SARS, has been heavily criticised by Gordhan, who held the same
position in 2010.
While Zondo has allowed for the cross-examination to take
place, he noted that Moyane would need to file an affidavit addressing
allegations levelled against him by Gordhan.
Government urges
citizens to be frugal this Black Friday
With Black Friday inching closer, the National Credit Regulator (NCR) is urging consumers to put away their credit card and shop sensibly.
“If you did not plan and budget for ‘Black Friday’ you are cautioned not to use credit. This is because you will not be saving as credit costs more”, said the regulator’s acting Manager for Education and Communication Advocate Kedilatile Legodi.
Black Friday – which originates in the United States, is an
informal name for the day following Thanksgiving Day, which has been regarded
as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season – has in recent years started
gaining traction in South Africa.
When one buys on credit, said Legodi, consumers will be
liable for related costs such as interest, monthly service fees, once-off
initiation fees, credit life insurance and others.
The NCR cautioned against making reckless spending decisions
and encouraged consumers to be smart and responsible spenders this Black
Friday. (Source: SAnews)
16 Days of Activism
for no Violence Against Women and Children
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the crisis of violence against women and children is a great shame on the nation and goes against African values and everything the country stands for.
“We grew up being taught that as men and boys we must respect women and protect children. We were taught to never, ever raise your hand against a woman … but we have lost our way. Our communities are in the grip of violence against those we are suppose to protect,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President made the remarks at an event to mark the
official commencement of the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence Against Women
and Children campaign, held in Lephalale, Limpopo, on Monday.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism will be observed under the
theme “Enough is Enough: 365 days to end Gender-Based Violence and femicide
(GBVF)”.
The President said the national campaign is aimed at raising
awareness around the rights of women and girls, but also at changing the
attitudes of men and boys.
“Far too many men and boys believe women are inferior, that they are the property of their husbands and fathers, and worse yet, that women and girls ‘deserve’ to be raped because of how they dress, the places they visit, and the friends they keep,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said the campaign will complement a wider 365-day,
year-round education, awareness and prevention campaign that government will
roll out in partnership with civil society.
He reiterated that violence against women is not a problem
of women, “it is a problem of men”. (Source:
SAnews)
Punt South Africa out
of Super Rugby – Andrew Mehrtens
Former All Black flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens has renewed calls for South Africa’s participation in Super Rugby to be reviewed.
Mehrtens feels that it would make more sense for the
competition to include Australia, New Zealand and Asian teams.
The 1995 Rugby World Cup silver medallist also feels
expanding into Asia could also help New Zealand combat the drain of talent out
of their rugby to Europe.
SAHRC evidence
against Bok star Eben Etzebeth called into question
Rugby World Cup-winner Eben Etzebeth is living a life in limbo at the moment, following a High Court application to dismiss a racism claim lodged against. The charges were laid by the SA Human Rights Commission, after a boozy night out in Langebaan allegedly ended with the athlete verbally abusing a local.
The case has divided South Africans during a month which
will be remembered for the Springboks’ epic achievements in Japan. Many feel
that Etzebeth is innocent until proven otherwise, whereas others believe he
must face a strict punishment as soon as possible.
However, the SAHRC have been blighted by allegations that
they are “not prepared” to secure a conviction against the lock.
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