Author: Larson Thebe
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued Yellow Level 2 to 4 weather warnings for some parts of the country. SAWS warned that the conditions could result in localised damage to settlements and infrastructure. “Severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours, strong damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning, resulting in localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, and localised damage to settlements and infrastructure, are expected over the Mpumalanga Highveld, south-western parts of Limpopo, as well as Gauteng, except in the south-western parts,” read a statement from SAWS. A Yellow Level 2 warning was issued for some parts of…
The corruption case against Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and two of his companies has been postponed by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court to 29 September. The matter relates to the R228 million Medicare24 Tshwane District tender corruption case. Matlala and his two companies are expected to rejoin the 13 other accused when the matter resumes next week before the Pretoria Regional Court. The case was brought back before the court after Matlala withdrew from a proposed plea and sentence agreement with authorities, following his rejection of a proposed 12-year direct prison sentence. “The postponement follows the earlier separation of Matlala’s…
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp has welcomed a decision by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and its Board to allow qualifying private companies to make use of the ARC’s intellectual property (IP) relating to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines and to participate in manufacturing the ARC’s FMD vaccine on a large scale. Aucamp described the ARC vaccine as a highly effective defence against domestic FMD strains, requiring only a single annual administration. However, due to manufacturing constraints, the ARC is currently unable to produce its FMD vaccine at scale. The minister said allowing local and/or international companies to manufacture the ARC vaccine…
South Africans who could be affected by newly announced US visa restrictions may have to wait to learn whether they are among those being targeted. US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III has confirmed that Washington will not publicly release the names of the individuals affected by the restrictions. The US State Department plans to impose visa restrictions on certain South African government officials and civil servants involved in shaping land expropriation laws, as well as individuals accused by Washington of promoting the “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer” song. The move has added to tensions between Pretoria…
Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt has praised the team following their 5-0 clean sweep against Zimbabwe in the T20I series. This came after the team beat the hosts by 13 runs in the fifth and final match, having posted 164/6 in their allotted overs. Zimbabwe could only respond with 151/8 in a closely contested finish. Despite dominating the series, Wolvaardt said the team had learned valuable lessons, particularly with the opportunities given to new players. “I’m very pleased with the result. I think this tour was sort of all about learnings and opportunities for our group, and we did that.…
Police are appealing to the public not to circulate or share photographs of people allegedly linked to the murders of women in Ekurhuleni. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS has not released any identikit, wanted poster or photograph of a suspect or suspects in connection with these cases. The appeal comes after photographs of individuals allegedly linked to the murders went viral on social media. “Members of the public are cautioned against sharing unverified information, as this could result in innocent people being wrongly identified, harassed or targeted. “SAPS will communicate officially should any suspect be positively identified…
The Department of Health is urging the public to remain vigilant for Mpox symptoms following a rapid increase in laboratory-confirmed cases across the country in recent weeks. The department has recorded 18 confirmed cases and one probable case, warning that immediate and sustained public cooperation is needed to contain the spread. “The majority, 15, of these cases were reported in the Western Cape, particularly in the City of Cape Town. Three were recorded in Gauteng and one in KwaZulu-Natal. “Of concern is that 13 of the total cases were recorded between 13 August and 17 September, which suggests rapid local…
The North West Department of Education says it is deeply concerned and disturbed by the increasing number of suicide incidents involving learners across the province. The department was reacting to two separate incidents involving a Grade 10 learner from Thuto Ke Maatla Secondary School in Groot Marico and a Grade 12 learner from Golfview Secondary School in Mahikeng. According to the department’s Director of Communications, Dr Elias Malindi, the tragic incidents have left the department, school communities and the families of the affected learners deeply saddened. “The loss of young lives is a matter of serious concern, and the Department…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted progress in the fight against the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), despite the virus continuing to spread to other regions. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause severe internal and external bleeding, as well as organ failure. “I have said before that the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had a big head start and we’re playing catch-up in the response. “We’re now starting to see encouraging signs that we’re gaining ground. In the most affected parts of Ituri…
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned the unilateral visa restrictions announced by his US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This follows Rubio’s announcement on Tuesday that the restrictions would target individuals whom the US believes are responsible for policies that have resulted in race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and the incitement of racial violence through dehumanising chants and slogans. Lamola has, however, hit back at Rubio, accusing him of distorting the truth about South Africa and its policies. “The announcement once again aligns with the mischaracterisation of South Africa’s domestic policies by…