Polls

According to IOL, the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act, passed in 2023, has sparked debate over Sections 4 and 5, which shift control of school admissions and language policies from governing bodies to provincial departments. Aimed at addressing inequality, these changes could reduce Afrikaans schools’ grip on mother-tongue education while promoting inclusivity. President Ramaphosa delayed implementing these clauses to allow further discussions, with a deadline set for December 13.

Reactions are divided. Activist Hendrick Makaneta supports the clauses for fostering diversity, while Sadtu criticizes the delay as politically motivated and threatens legal action if they are not enacted. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance opposes the changes. Ramaphosa must now decide whether to approve, revise, or further delay the contentious provisions.

According to The Citizen, US rapper Jay-Z has strongly denied allegations linking him to the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. The claims, part of a civil lawsuit initially filed against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, were amended to include Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. In a statement, Carter criticized the allegations as blackmail and challenged the accuser to pursue criminal charges if the claims were valid. He emphasized his commitment to protecting children and expressed concern about the impact these allegations could have on his family, particularly his 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.

The accuser, identified as Jane Doe, is represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, who previously sought to mediate a settlement. Speaking to Reuters, Buzbee described the case as a serious matter that will proceed in court. Jay-Z maintains his innocence, stating that such accusations are both false and damaging. The Citizen reports that this lawsuit follows ongoing allegations involving other music industry figures, shedding light on systemic issues within the entertainment world.

According to EWN, former Eskom CEO and MK Party MP, Brian Molefe, cautioned that Eskom still faces a risk of load shedding, despite eight months without blackouts. Speaking during a parliamentary energy portfolio committee meeting, Molefe expressed skepticism about the sustainability of improvements, noting that an energy availability factor of 63% still poses risks.

Eskom management, however, presented encouraging updates, highlighting improved revenue due to reduced load shedding and plans for further maintenance and system enhancements next year. Eskom board chairperson Dr. Mteto Nyati stressed that a load-shedding-free South Africa should become the norm, not an exception.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reassigned Justice Minister Thembi Simelane to the Department of Human Settlements amidst mounting allegations of wrongdoing, including a controversial loan linked to the VBS Bank scandal. This move, announced Tuesday night, is part of a Cabinet mini-shuffle aimed at enhancing government efficiency.

Simelane, under scrutiny for a personal loan from Gundo Investments, which is tied to VBS looting, has faced questions from Parliament, the ANC integrity commission, and the media. Despite this, Ramaphosa has opted to retain her in Cabinet, sparking debate over accountability.

Source: EWN

Fuel prices in South Africa are set to rise on Wednesday, with petrol increasing by 17c per litre and diesel by around 55c to 56c per litre, depending on the sulphur content. Despite these hikes, fuel remains cheaper than it was at the start of the year. In Gauteng, 95 petrol will cost R21.47 per litre, while diesel will be R19.21. The coastal prices will be slightly lower, at R20.68 for petrol and R18.42 for diesel. The rand’s weakening—dropping from R17.53/$ to R17.93/$ during the review period—has been a significant factor in the price adjustments, overshadowing a slight drop in international Brent Crude oil prices, which fell from $73.28 to $72.70 a barrel.

The rise in diesel and illuminating paraffin prices reflects higher global demand due to the upcoming winter in the Northern Hemisphere, while stagnant economic growth and weak demand from China continue to weigh on oil prices. The ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources noted that OPEC+ maintained production levels, while increased output from non-OPEC nations also influenced the market. Economic uncertainties, including investor preference for the US dollar following Donald Trump’s election win, have further pressured the rand. Additionally, the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will rise by 49c, and the maximum retail price of LP gas will increase by R1.72 per kilogram. (Source: The South African)

According to News24, police in KwaZulu-Natal uncovered a shipment of cocaine worth R86.5 million at a warehouse in Clairwood, Durban, on Monday. The drugs, concealed in eight bags resembling red beans, arrived from Brazil via the Durban Harbour. The shipment, flagged following intelligence, had been under surveillance for a week while waiting offshore near Umhlanga.

Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner, clarified that the warehouse owners were not involved, as the facility stores imported cargo before distribution. The discovery included approximately 173kg of crushed cocaine designed to mimic the texture of beans, highlighting a change in smuggling tactics. Investigations into the source and broader networks are ongoing.

Seventeen illegal miners emerged from two mine shafts in Stilfontein on Thursday, according to News24. Fourteen, all foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, resurfaced at Margaret Shaft, while three others emerged from Shaft 10. These miners are being processed by authorities.

Meanwhile, around 300 illegal miners appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on charges including illegal mining and contravening the Immigration Act.

A 19-year-old miner alleged that he was forced to mine for six months by heavily armed mine bosses who refused to let workers leave. He described dire underground conditions, including being beaten if they tried to escape and surviving on toothpaste. The teenager claimed that armed individuals acted as enforcers, making escape dangerous.

Image credit: TebogoPhakedi, X

Police in the North West have retracted claims that extortionists are obstructing efforts to rescue illegal miners from an abandoned shaft in Stilfontein, according to EWN. Authorities had been investigating a community leader accused of demanding a 30% cut from a rescue team deployed by Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu at the Buffelsfontein gold mine.

Deputy Provincial Commissioner Patrick Asaneng dismissed the extortion allegations, stating that no mine rescue teams had reported being approached for bribes, labeling the claims as baseless distractions. Contractors are working on a plan to safely bring illegal miners, known as zama zamas, to the surface and dismantle the underground network, with the operation reportedly costing over R1 million daily.

Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, criticized the recent defection of several key party members, calling it “ideological infiltration” and “betrayal.” High-profile figures like Floyd Shivambu, Dali Mpofu, and Busisiwe Mkhwebane left to join Jacob Zuma’s MK Party (MKP), with Shivambu now serving as MKP’s secretary-general.

Speaking at the EFF Gauteng general assembly, Malema accused these individuals of prioritizing personal ambitions over the party’s principles, undermining the EFF during its election campaign. He also maintained his stance against Zuma, describing him as “corrupt to the core” and reaffirming the EFF’s anti-corruption mission.

Malema urged members to reject betrayal, stay loyal to the party’s values, and avoid individualism that weakens revolutionary movements. According to News24, this speech comes as dissatisfaction with Malema’s leadership reportedly grows within the EFF.

According to Times Live, Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, Chidimma Adetshina, has announced her decision to leave beauty pageants. The 23-year-old Nigerian beauty queen, who was the first runner-up at the 2024 Miss Universe pageant in Mexico, expressed her intention to prioritize her education, personal growth, and mental health.

In interviews, Adetshina described her pageant journey as both rewarding and challenging, calling it a “traumatic experience.” Despite the difficulties, she was overwhelmed by the support she received from Nigeria and Africa, which she described as “refreshing.” She plans to focus on runway modeling and exploring her potential in other areas.

Adetshina returned to Nigeria to a warm reception and expressed gratitude to her supporters for helping her dreams come true. She described her experience as a proud and life-changing moment.