Cape Town —
Update as at 16h30 SAST
Marikana Miners Go to Court, Sue Sibanye Still Water Mine, President for R1 Billion
The Marikana court case at the Johannesburg High Court proceeded virtually today. The Marikana massacre saw the killing of thirty-four miners by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on August 16, 2012 during a wildcat strike at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, Rustenburg, North West province – the mine is now known as the Sibanye Still Water Mine. According to reports, President Cyril Ramaphosa is being sued in his personal capacity. He is specifically been held accountable for actions taken by authorities, following an e-mail message he sent – in which he described the miners' actions – "not a labour dispute – but one which was criminal- and had to be handled through concominant action". The miners are saying this message led to the deaths.The massacre constituted the most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since the Soweto uprising in 1976, and has been compared to the Sharpeville massacre in 1960.
Queues May Be Thing of the Past at Home Affairs
Ever had to leave home in the dark to apply for an identity document or a passport, or any other official documents? Well queues from 4am in the morning may be a thing of the past as home affairs plan to use an online appointment system, where people can apply for a specific day, date and time for their appointment to get their documents finalised.
The Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) will be most welcome to many who had to endure the cold and dark to stand in a queue – particularly those who still never met the quota cut-off quota for the day, despite their best efforts and a waste in taxis fare.
Bafana Bafana Must be Fearless Against Morocco – Broos
Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos is determined that his charges should be fearless in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Morocco, given their experience they've gained in recent matches, he said. South African soccer fans will not easily forget how the team was destroyed by France 5-0 in a "friendly" game on March 29, 2022 though. Bafana Bafana lost out to appearing at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November 2022 – pipped to the top spot in Group G by Ghana in the qualifiers.
Let's hope they fare better at the Africa Cup of Nations. The match against Morocco takes place on June 9, 2022.
Outrage at June Petrol Price Hikes
South Africans everywhere will be affected by the crippling petrol price hikes this month. Cash-strapped South Africans will now pay R2,43 more for unleaded 93, while motorists using 95 unleaded will pay R2,33 more. Diesel meanwhile has a smaller increase, but an increase all the same at R1,70 for 50ppm (sulphur measurement) and R1,10 for 500ppm. Consumers will need to brace themselves for transport, food and other increases in basic necessities. According to Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo, the government injected R4,5 billion to mitigate the rise in the petrol price. The surge has been attributed largely to the Russia-Ukraine war.
How Will KwaZulu-Natal Flood Relief Be Financed?
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has said the R1 billion needed to rebuild after the devastation caused by the floods in KwaZulu-Natal province in April and May this year will come from other programmes in human settlements and other departments. According to reports, Ulrike Britton from the National Treasury told the joint standing and select committees on appropriations in the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces, that money would be taken from various grants to cover relief measures in the province.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala meanwhile told the joint ad-hoc committee on floods in KZN at the weekend that they have not received any allocation.
Kelly Khumalo Denies Involvement In Senzo Meyiwa's Murder
Singer Kelly Khumalo has rubbished claims by defence attorney Advocate Malesela Teffo that a witness will testify that she shot soccer player boyfriend Senzo Meyiwa by mistake on October 26, 2014. Khumalo, through her lawyer Magdelene Moonsamy, said the allegations made by Teffo, while cross-examining veteran police forensic expert Sergeant Thabo Mosia, amount to intimidation and character assassination.
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