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Zuma, Thales matter returns to court

The fraud and corruption trial of former president Jacob Zuma and French arms company, Thales is expected to resume on Monday morning.

The two accused are facing 18 counts of corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and racketeering in connection with a multibillion-rand weapons deal in 1999.

According to reports, Monday’s date has been set down as a holding date by Judge Piet Koen, pending the finalisation of Zuma’s appeal at the Constitutional Court in his pursuit for the recusal of lead prosecutor in his corruption case, advocate Billy Downer

This comes after an attempt by Zuma's legal team to remove Advocate Billy Downer as prosecutor over claims of bias.

The National Prosecuting Authority have strongly opposed Downer's recusal, saying that they do not want any more delays in the matter.

“We will vigorously oppose the application and now that they supplemented accusing him of leaking the medical records to the media, we dispute that. Mr Downer is a prosecutor of integrity," said the NPA in a statement.

eThekwini throw its weight behind Dr Zweli Mkhize and Paul Mashatile

The ANC eThekwini region has named Dr Zweli Mkhize and Paul Mashatile to lead the organisation. The region has endorsed Dr Mkhize for the position of President and Paul Mashatile for the position of Deputy President.

Do you see the two leading South Africa? What's your take?

Mbalula must account for Pongola's horror crash

After the horrific accident that killed 21 people, including 19 school children, between the truck and a bakkie on Friday, calls for minister Fikile Mbalula to account are mounting.

This comes after a twitter user who goes by the name of shared messages he has been sending to minister Mbalula, begging for help on that same road. In some cases, he even shared videos with the minister, indicating how dangerous that road is, as truck drivers operate lawlessly.

A tweet from June 13,2019 read: " I am from a small town called Pongola in Northern KZN, we have N2 crossing in the middle of the town, there are no robots to control the traffic and it is only a matter of time before a huge accident that will take many lives happen..."

He further mentioned that, their pleas to the municipality to repair the road and install traffic lights fell on deaf ears.

As early as three weeks ago in August 26,2022, again pleaded with minister Mbalula and SANRAL for help. He wrote
" Trucks are killing us on the Pongola N2 , no traffic cops manning this route except local traffic cops when trucks get to town. We request your urgent intervention." No reply came from either the minister or SANRAL

However, in the contrary, a celebrity known as Anele Mdoda wrote a tweet to the minister about potholes that damaged two of her tyres, the minister responded immediately instructing Anele to DM (direct message) him.

Black Twitter now suggests that, should been a celebrity, those 21 people would still be alive, because the minister would have taken him seriously.

Meanwhile, the driver who fled the scene after the accident, handed himself over to the police on Saturday. He is expected to appear before the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

It is expected that the community will come in numbers to see the mass murderer who cut the lives of many young children short, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Sipho Hlomuka will be in attendance in court.

There won't any lawlessness tolarated on the national shutdown - Bheki Cele

The Minister of Police Bheki Cele has warned that any lawlessness will be dealt with dicisively during the planned national shutdown.

This comes after the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure confirmed that they are aware of posts on social media calling for a national shutdown.

In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, it said, law enforcement agencies are on high alert to ensure the safety of citizens and has discouraged people from taking part in illegal activities.

Local policing forums have been urged to work with police to prevent any lawlessness in communities.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) led by Zwelinzima Vavi plans to lead thousands of workers and activists in a nationwide strike on Wednesday (24 August) against high unemployment, increased electricity tariffs and steep increases in fuel and transport costs.

The trade union federation has asked all unions to join the strike but only a handful have agreed to down tools on 24 August, Saftu SG Vavi told the news reporters.