Morning Newsletter

• Premier Lesufi wants NPA to speedily enroll the case against Boksburg truck driver.  
• Mampintsha’s memorial service will be held on Thursday. 
• South Africa capitulated against rampant top-ranked Australia

Boksburg blast: We have given police, NPA until Friday to enrol the case, says Lesufi – News24

According to News24, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has instructed the police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to swiftly investigate the driver whose exploding gas truck reportedly caused the deaths of 26 people inside and outside Tambo Memorial Hospital. Lesufi reacted to the news that the police and NPA have decided not to file criminal charges against the driver.

“It is with a heavy heart that the driver was released from police custody. I immediately sought an explanation from the police and the NPA. They gave a detailed description,” he said. “They believe that their evidence would be complicated to have the necessary documentation to convince the magistrate to take a decision [to prosecute]. They were only ready with charges of reckless driving and destroying state property.” Read more here

Mampintsha’s family ‘trying to cope’ ahead of memorial and funeral services – TimesLIVE

Mandla Maphumulo, better known as Mampintsha, will be honoured on Thursday at the eThekwini Community Church during a memorial service. The 40-year-funeral old’s will be held on Friday at the Durban International Convention Center. 

Following a stroke, he was taken to King Edward Hospital in Durban for treatment last weekend, TimesLIVE reports. According to Afrotainment, Mampintsha was then transported to the Durdoc Hospital in Durban Central. Read more here

Australia thrash Proteas to win 2nd Test and series – eNCA

South Africa lost the second Test in Melbourne by an innings and 182 runs to the top-ranked and rampaging Australia on Thursday, as well as the series, eNCA reports. It ended a disappointing opening two Tests for the Proteas, who lost six wickets in two days in the opener at Brisbane, with a potentially face-saving third match at Sydney remaining. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Eskom plant worker appears in court for stealing diesel worth R500 000 – News24

Headline: Blackouts pushed to stage 4 – eNCA

Headline: Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates cannot challenge Mamelodi Sundowns in PSL race – Mashego – Goal

Headline: UPDATE | KFC hit by chicken shortage, with 70 outlets in Pretoria and KZN closed for now – News24

Headline: 7 MOST MEMORABLE Music Moments of 2022 – E! News

Weather: Thursday’s weather: Thunderstorms expected in parts of KZN, Mpumalanga – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• The grieving father asks why nobody helped his son. 
• Kim Kardashian breaks silence on Kanye West.
• Rashford and Martial step up in Ronaldo’s absence.

Boksburg Blast: Father disappointed witness took video of his son burning – EWN

A father was disheartened by the explosion in Boksburg after his son was severely burned. According to EWN, a bystander filmed the victim instead of offering assistance.

A gruesome video of the incident has subsequently gone viral on social media networks. The young man in the video, 19-year-old Janil Geduld, died in the hospital just a few hours after the clip was captured. Geraldo Geduld, his father, was surprised when he received the footage and was asked whether that was his son. Read more here

Kim Kardashian Tears Up Discussing the Challenges of Co-Parenting With Kanye West – Elle Magazine 

In an episode of the Angie Martinez IRL podcast, Kim Kardashian became emotional when discussing the public breakdown of her relationship with ex-husband Kanye West. Initially, it appeared like they were handling their separation amicably, but West’s behaviour has become increasingly erratic. According to Elle Magazine, as she removed her life from his, Kardashian has done her utmost to conceal knowledge about West’s anti-semitic outbursts, public insults, and other attempts to lash out. “In my home, my kids don’t know anything that goes on, on the outside world,” said Kardashian. Read more here

Man United make bright start to life without Ronaldo – News24

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial emerged out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo to score in Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, according to News24. However, manager Erik ten Hag is still looking to replace Ronaldo with a striker in order to make the Red Devils more effective in the final third. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Christmas day racism FS police confirm attempted murder probe – EWN

Headline: R18m to repair Tambo Hospital – eNCA

Headline: Proteas’ gun bowling unnecessarily carries scars of deficient batting – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Chelsea back to winning ways against Bournemouth – eNCA

Headline: Bob Marley’s Grandson Jo Mersa Marley Dies At 31 – Huffington Post

Weather: South Africa Weather

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma voted in favour of impeachment.
• Messi urges Argentina to relish World Cup final spot.
• Kehlani speaks out after being sexually assaulted at her concert. 

Dlamini Zuma defends move to vote to favour of Ramaphosa impeachment proceedings – EWN

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma defended her vote in favour of impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa, EWN reports. Dlamini Zuma was the first ANC MP to break ranks and vote for impeachment. She was one of four ANC members that broke with party leadership and voted against Ramaphosa’s defence of the Section 89 panel findings. She voted in support of impeachment proceedings alongside Supra Mahumapelo, Mosebenzi Zwane, and Mervyn Dirks. Read more here

‘My family must be going crazy!’: Messi revels in success as Argentina reach World Cup final – News24

Lionel Messi urged his colleagues to “enjoy the occasion” following Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday to advance to the World Cup final against France or Morocco. Messi gave Argentina the lead with a penalty kick in the first half, but Julian Alvarez scored twice at Qatar’s Lusail stadium, where Sunday’s final will take place. “Argentina are, once again, in the World Cup final. Enjoy it!” said Messi. “We’ve been through tough situations, other very good ones. Today we’re experiencing something spectacular,” he said. Read more here

Kehlani Says She’s ‘Sick to My Stomach’ After Being Sexually Assaulted at Her Concert – Billboard 

After being sexually attacked at one of her recent gigs, Kehlani is speaking out. She resorted to Instagram Stories to express her anger with the situation. “I don’t care how sexual you deem my music, my performances, my fun with my friends dancing at clubs, or ME… That does not give any of you the right to cross a boundary like sticking your hands up my skirt & pulling my underwear to TOUCH MY GENITALS as I am being escorted through a crowd after performing. This s— made me sick to my stomach. As a victim of sexual assault, I am endlessly triggered and mindblown,” she said. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Phala Phala saga: How the rebellion against Ramaphosa fumbled, stumbled and ultimately crumbled – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Festive season readiness | Domestic travel demand on the rise – eNCA

Headline: Morocco’s miracle run faces its toughest test – Scrolla

Headline: WATCH | ‘R6m in the bin’, says Malema as opposition MPs criticise ANC – TimesLIVE

Headline: Diddy Defends Yung Miami, Says She’s ‘Not My Side Chick’ After Announcing Daughter’s Birth – Billboard

Weather: Warm day on the cards, but severe thunderstorms in several parts of the country – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• No secret ballot for Rammaphosa’s vote in parliament. 
• World Cup 2022: Could this be Lionel Messi’s final chance to win?
• Brittney Griner has finally returned home after nearly a year in prison. 

Phala Phala: No secret vote for MPs after Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula declines requests – News24

On Monday evening, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said that she had denied appeals “to reconsider her decision to not allow the secret ballot to be used as a voting procedure”, according to News24. Votes on whether to accept the Section 89 panel’s report on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala dealings will not be secret. Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo stated, “the Speaker, using her powers as enjoined by the NA rules, has a right to exercise her discretion in determining the voting method to be employed when deciding on questions before the House – where no voting method is prescribed in the rules of the National Assembly.” Read more here

Argentina and Messi in World Cup shutdown with Modric’s Croatia – EWN

On Tuesday evening, Lusail Stadium will play host to the World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and Croatia. All eyes will be on the Lusail Stadium, where Messi, at 35, will try to lead Argentina into the final for the second time in eight years against the 2018 champions. Messi, who was defeated by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, is keen to cap an incredible career by eventually winning the World Cup and emulating the late Diego Maradona, EWN reports. Read more here

Brittney Griner’s Wife Shares First Photos Since the WNBA Star’s Release from Russian Prison – Elle Magazine 

Brittney Griner has finally returned home after nearly a year in Russian detention, and her wife is grateful to those who made her return possible. This past weekend, Cherelle Griner published her first Instagram post since her release from the WNBA. In it, she produced two collages including photographs of friends and advocates who called for Griner’s release. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Phala Phala manager who stashed dollars now works for lodge partly owned by Fraser’s niece – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Level 5 weather warning issued for Johannesburg – eNCA

Headline: FIA rules against Mercedes Formula 1 team’s new front wing after rivals complain – News24

Headline: ‘The people, the turnout, the energy’: What went down at the first edition of Cape Town Cotton Fest – News24

Headline: ‘Succulent didn’t deserve to go out like that’ — Malome Shadrack’s goat from ‘How To Ruin Christmas’ trends – TimesLIVE

Weather: Warm day, but expect thundershowers in several regions – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Department of Public Works spends R800 000 to protest ministers from load shedding. 
• Springbok Sevens coach Sandile Ngcobo looking for their first victory.
• The New York Times names Thuso Mbedu among the top ten best actors. 

Almost R1 million spent to ‘shield’ Ministers from load shedding – The South African 

According to The South African, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure spent about R800,000 to ensure that Ministers were not affected by load shedding. Minister of Public Works Patricia De Lille reportedly told the Democratic Alliance that (DA). De Lille’s department spent over R800,000 on diesel for ministers’ generators. The amount exceeds the money spent on replacing 13 outdated generators for ministers. Four more generators are being purchased, while the rest of the nation experiences stage 6 load shedding. Read more here

Blitzboks looking to keep calm at Cape Town Sevens: ‘We have a plan that suits our weapons’ – News24

Prior to Friday’s Cape Town Sevens, the Springbok Sevens’ head coach, Sandile Ngcobo, has stated that the team will focus on creating opportunities, News24 reports. The article further states that the Blitzboks are seeking their first trophy at home since the inaugural Cape Town tournament in 2015, after capturing their tenth title in Dubai last weekend. At Cape Town Stadium, South Africa will compete in Pool A alongside Fiji, France, and Canada. Read more here

Thuso Mbedu shines among the New York Times’ 10 Best Actors of the Year – TimesLIVE

The New York Times has ranked Thuso Mbedu among the top ten best actors of 2022 for her role in The Woman King, adding to her extensive record of honours. Thuso portrays Nawi, a youthful warrior who joins the Dahomey warriors, in The Woman King. She believes that the story of the character would resonate with many viewers. “Thank you TIFF for this beautiful recognition. I look forward to learning and having an incredibly awesome time at the Toronto International Film Festival, where everyone will get to see The Woman King for the very first time,” said Thuso. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: ANC integrity commission expected to release Phala Phala report – eNCA

Headline: Zuma ‘abusing’ private prosecution for political ends – Helen Suzman Foundation argues – News24

Headline: Powell says teamwork key for Sharks vs Harlequins as Kolisi named captain – TimesLIVE

Headline: ‘It is natural’ — Qatar World Cup chief says of migrant deaths – Scrolla

Headline: Gunners grab first win as Europe’s elite soak up Dubai sunshine – Scrolla

Weather: It’s going to be a scorcher, with Upington reaching 39°C – News24

Image credit: Pexels