insert_link Business / Economics South Africa is failing people who aren’t poor, but aren’t middle class either By Tinashe Mushayanyama, University of South Africa; Adrino Mazenda, University of Pretoria; Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, University of Pretoria, and Mary Mangai, University of Pretoria Many South African households are trapped. They are neither poor nor middle class. As a demographic they hover above the indigence threshold financially. But they are not yet securely in the middle class. This aspirant middle class – individuals whose income is above the indigent […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa ANC Suspends Former President Jacob Zuma’s Membership Amidst Endorsement of uMkhonto weSizwe The ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, announces the National Executive Committee's decision to immediately suspend the membership of former President Jacob Zuma. The suspension is based on exceptional circumstances justifying such action, as outlined in Rule 25.60 of the party's Constitution. Zuma's public endorsement and support for the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe have been cited as actions impairing the integrity of the ANC, leading to this significant disciplinary measure. todayJanuary 30, 2024 3
insert_link South Africa SA Commission Calls for Improved Intelligence Gathering as Investigations Reveal Unclear Common Purpose The South African Human Rights Commission has unveiled its report on the July 2021 riots, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Contrary to expectations, the commission stated that it remains unclear what the common purpose or intention behind the violence was, and no direct link to former President Jacob Zuma's imprisonment could be established. Commissioner Philile Ntuli emphasized the need for improved intelligence gathering in light of the challenges encountered during […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 9
insert_link South Africa High Court in Western Cape Rejects Bid to Halt Sanction, Upholds Parliament’s Decision African National Congress Member of Parliament, Dipuo Peters, is set to be suspended from all parliamentary activities from today until 28 March. The High Court in the Western Cape dismissed Peters's attempt to halt the sanction, endorsing Parliament's decision. The suspension stems from allegations of state capture during Peters's tenure as the Minister of Transport. The accusations include a failure to appoint a CEO for the Passenger Rail Agency of […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa City of Johannesburg Chief Whip Injured in South City Shooting During Official Council Business In a startling turn of events, Sithembiso Zungu, the Chief Whip of the City of Johannesburg, sustained injuries in a shooting incident in the southern part of the city. According to spokesperson Vusi Gumbi, Zungu was engaged in official council business when the incident occurred. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, adding an element of concern to the incident involving a prominent municipal figure. todayJanuary 30, 2024 31
insert_link South Africa ANC suspends Jacob Zuma amid party dissent The ANC’s national executive committee has decided to suspend former president Jacob Zuma from the party with immediate effect. According to News24, the NEC reached a consensus on Zuma’s suspension during a late-night meeting. Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula is expected to formally notify Zuma in writing. The suspension follows Zuma’s announcement that he will not campaign or vote for the ANC following the formation of his new uMkhonto weSizwe Party. todayJanuary 29, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa DA Urges Gauteng Education Department to Mandate Enhanced Safety Measures for School Outings The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is calling on the provincial Department of Education to mandate schools to implement comprehensive safety measures during outings, following the tragic passing of Latoya Temilton, a Grade Seven learner from Laerskool Queenswood in Pretoria, who drowned during a school excursion. Although the DA acknowledges the department's decision to initiate an independent investigation into the incident, Sergio dos Santos of the DA expresses deep concerns about […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa FOLLOW UP: Uncontrolled Fires Persist in Breede Valley and Witzenberg, Cape Winelands; Night Conditions Offer Some Respite In a follow-up to our previous report, wildfires in Breede Valley and Witzenberg within the Cape Winelands district continue to rage uncontrollably. However, more favorable outcomes have been observed due to cooler night temperatures and reduced wind speeds. Jo-Anne Otto, spokesperson for the Cape Winelands District Municipality, notes that the combination of hot, dry weather and available fuel, such as aged fynbos and alien vegetation, remains conducive to the fires. […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 13
insert_link South Africa An SA political analyst says the ANC is using the Israel/Gaza issue as an electioneering opportunity The ANC is now unashamedly and brazenly using the Israel/Gaza issue as an electioneering opportunity, without any subtlety which points to opportunism. This is the view of South African political analyst Daniel Silke. Last week, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to stop killing and harming people in Gaza. This comes after South Africa lodged an application accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Silke says the ANC is desperately […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 5
