Morning Newsletter

Latest News in South Africa – Friday, 12 August 2022

• Bheki Cele concedes police alone can’t deal decisively with illegal mining. 
• It’s a matter of survival for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
• Tristan Thompson returns to Instagram feeling “wiser.”

The police cannot deal with zama zamas on its own, Cele tells Parliament – News24

Police Minister Bheki Cele conceded that the police, on its own, will not be able to deal decisively with illegal mining activities, reports News24. 

On Thursday, Cele and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe briefed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on interventions to curb illegal mining.

“Illegal mining destroys the social fabric of the mining industry through bribery, corruption, and threats of violence against mineworkers and management. Illegal mining gives rise to prostitution, child labour, substance abuse and other crimes that adversely affect mining communities,” said Cele. Read more here

Foster on ropes in South Africa as All Blacks seek end to dismal run – EWN

As he prepares for a test that might determine his fate, the New Zealand Herald has described struggling All Blacks coach Ian Foster as a “decent guy” who is out of his element in a harsh profession, reports EWN. 

“New Zealand tackle arch foes South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Johannesburg on Saturday, and a sixth loss in seven Tests will almost certainly spell the end for likeable but beleaguered ‘Fossie’.” Read more here

Tristan Thompson Posts About Getting “Wiser” After Welcoming Son With Khloe Kardashian – E! News

Tristan Thompson returns to Instagram feeling “wiser.”

The NBA star published his first Instagram post after the news of the birth of his son through surrogacy to ex-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian and their second kid together broke.

“I never switched sides, I switched lanes. I got wiser and realize we aren’t all built the same #DontTryMe,” Thompson said. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Marikana massacre 10 years on: Have we thrown the lessons from the tragedy away? – News24

Headline: Kim Kardashian SPITS OUT Her Shot at Kylie Jenner’s Birthday – E! News!

Headline: Kathy Hilton Mistook Lizzo For The Fictional Character ‘Precious’ – Huffinton Post

Headline: Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana still has plenty to offer SA football – TimesLIVE (for subscribers)

Headline: Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend – The Guardian

Weather: Cold front expected over parts of Northern Cape, Western Cape – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Seven people from the West Rand were charged with rape concerning the alleged group rape of eight women.
• Serena Williams concedes defeat on her farewell tour. 
• The breakdown of the divorce between Somizi and Mohale airs on ShowMax. 

Seven suspects in the Krugersdorp mine dump attack charged with rape – TimesLIVE

According to TimesLIVE, last month’s gang rape of eight victims in Krugersdorp was connected to seven suspects. 

The women were filming a music video in an abandoned mine on the West Rand on July 30 when they and the film crew were attacked by dozens of men wearing Basotho blankets. The article further states that five of the eight models were raped collectively. It was suspected that the assailants were zama zamas working in the neighbourhood.

“The seven charged with rape appeared in the Krugersdorp magistrate’s court alongside their co-accused, where they faced additional charges of robbery and the contravention of the Immigration Act on Wednesday.” Read more here

‘Terrible at goodbyes’: Serena Williams begins farewell tour with Canadian Open defeat – The Guardian 

Serena Williams’s farewell tour didn’t last long. According to The Guardian, she lost to Belinda Bencic in the second round of the Canadian Open 6-2, 6-4, just one day after she said she was going to quit tennis.

Williams got a standing ovation when she walked onto the court, and the full crowd cheered for her the whole 77-minute match. 

“It’s been a pretty interesting 24 hours … I’m terrible at goodbyes. But, goodbye Toronto. I always had amazing times here both on and off the court. I’ll be coming back just as a visitor to the city but otherwise it’s been remarkable,” said Williams. Read more here

End of The Road: Somizi and Mohale’s divorce gets its own doccie – The Citizen

Somizi and Mohale: End of the Road is a new Shomax documentary that explores their relationship, its public collapse in the wake of the leaked recording of Mohale accusing Somizi of abuse, and what this meant to fans and the greater LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa, The Citizen reports. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Phala Phala saga: Parliament to probe claims of Zizi Kodwa cover-up, abuse of secret funds – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: How SA’s most notorious thugs got out of jail free and killed 24, including two Hawks officers – TimesLIVE

Headline: Will Smith Applauded by Oscar Producer Will Packer for ‘Being So Transparent’ in Chris Rock Slap Apology – Billboard

Headline: TS Galaxy stun defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus – TimesLIVE

Headline: Kylie Jenner Shares Glimpse Into 25th Birthday Brunch – E! News

Weather: Fire warnings for Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape – News24 

Image credit: Pixabay

• Details of Ramaphosa Phala Phala burglary emerge.
• The first win of the season for Chiefs as they beat Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.
• Pete Davidson is seeking professional help following Kanye West’s harassment.

Phala Phala theft: The Dubai buyer, a buffalo and the stolen $600 000 – News24 (for subscribers)

News24 reported that in February 2020, thieves took cash worth about $600,000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farmhouse. This was much less than the millions of dollars that were first thought to have been taken.

Hendrik von Wielligh, who runs Ramaphosa’s farm, was paid about R9 million for the sale of one buffalo, News24 reported.

“News24 believes the buyer was from Dubai, but the name of the person who paid in cash remains unknown, although it has been submitted to the Public Protector. The money was also not hidden under a mattress or couch cushion as has been widely speculated, but was stored in a cupboard.” Read more here

First win of the season for Chiefs as they wallop Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium – TimesLIVE

Tuesday night at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Kaizer Chiefs earned their first win of the season by beating Maritzburg United 3-0 in their DStv Premiership encounter.

“Ashley du Preez and Keagan Dolly scored for Chiefs in the first half while 18-year-old Mduduzi Shabalala came off the bench late in the second stanza to put the final nail into United’s coffin.” Read more here

Pete Davidson Is in “Trauma Therapy” After Being Harassed Online by Kanye West – Harpers Bazaar 

According to Harpers Bazaar, Pete Davidson is going for trauma counselling after being harassed by Kanye West. 

Soon after Kardashian and Davidson’s separation over the weekend, Kanye West posted a menacing image on Instagram with the caption “Skete Davidson Dead at Age 28.”

According to People, Kardashian and Davidson’s representatives contacted Instagram about removing the image, which has already been removed. The insider said that Davidson’s team and Kim’s have consistently asked Instagram to make the platform safer. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: UPDATE | Prison torture case: Inmates sue justice minister for almost R10 million – News24

Headline: They couldn’t touch her: how Serena Williams became a rare legend – The Guardian

Headline: ‘It is a problem of men’: Ramaphosa, political parties make GBV focus of Women’s Day – News24

Headline: DJ Zinhle confirms she is married to Murdah Bongz – The Citizen

Headline: Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid made me more ambitious, reveals Benzema – Goal

Weather:  SA Weather, 10 August 2022 – SABC News

Image credit: Gallo Images

• The South African Defence Force is placed on standby due to an increase in “criminality”. 
• Bok captain Kolisi throws praise at the Springbok supporters.
• Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson have called it quits after nine months of dating.

Army placed on standby for possible deployment due to ‘SA deteriorating into unrest’ – TimesLIVE (for subscribers) 

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has ordered 200 troops to be on standby for deployment because South Africa is steadily degenerating into civil unrest as a result of crime.

“It is foreseen that the SANDF might be called to play their secondary role to go on 24-hour standby in anticipation of further unrest.”

TimesLIVE reports that military generals were reminded that all units must immediately maintain maximum security in light of the rising number of violent occurrences. Read more here

Bok captain Kolisi full of praise for the support they received in Mbombela – TimesLIVE

On Saturday, the Springboks defeated the All Blacks 26-10 in the Rugby Championship. According to TimesLIVE, the Springboks’ captain, Siya Kolisi, was full of admiration for the fans who filled Mbombela Stadium and motivated the team to victory.

“I just don’t know how SA people do it. The way they turn up with everything that’s going on in our country. People who can afford it come along and fill up the stadium for us and it means the world to us as a team.”

Kolisi continued saying that this win was the starting point in a lengthy campaign. The Springboks still have 5 games to go. Read more here

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson Broke Up Because the ‘Spark Faded’ Between Them – Elle Magazine 

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s breakup after nine months of dating was confirmed by Entertainment Tonight. 

“They had tons of chemistry, and still do, but she kind of wants to be single and date. Kim still adores Pete and will always be friends with him. She still thinks he’s the nicest and sweetest guy in the world and there’s no drama or anything weird between them now,” a source said. 

It was reported that the distance was too much for Kardashian, who has four children and many businesses. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Eskom bleeds 13 000 years’ collective knowledge in months as execs debate skills crisis – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Worst of SA food price crisis could be over, says agriculture expert – Fin24 (for subscribers)

Headline: ‘We’ll get them’: Zwane vows after Kaizer Chiefs suffer third loss in a row against Royal AM – TimesLIVE

Headline: Former Man Utd star Giggs goes on trial for assault – EWN

Headline: Khloé Kardashian Has Reportedly Broken Up With Her Private Investor Boyfriend – Elle Magazine

Weather: Heavy rains expected to batter Eastern Cape coastal areas – News24 

Image credit: Gallo Images