McKenzie will oppose Afriforum over Graaf-Reinet
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has confirmed that he will be opposing Afriforum’s court bid to stop the renaming of Graaf-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town. This comes as 20,000 people have signed a petition opposing the name change of what is regarded as the sixth oldest town in South Africa. The petition argues that it would foster discord in a community that is generally “unified”. Zimisa Velaphi, spokesperson for the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture said that renaming was part of “an ongoing commitment to transforming South Africa’s naming landscape”.
State goes after Tembisa Hospital tender mogul
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit has seized assets, including luxury properties and vehicles from Hangwani Morgan Maumela, a businessman whose companies have been linked to tenders from Tembisa Hospital – corruption at which facility resulted in the murder of Gauteng Health official Babita Deokaran. Together, the seizures are valued at R326 million. This represents a rare but significant strike against debilitating resource extraction that has become a national concern.
New Trump tariffs target Canada
An extensive series of Canadian goods face a 50% tariff, described by US President Donald Trump as a response to “unequal treatment” by Canada of US cars, dairy products and alcohol. The Canadian products targeted include consumer goods like wine and sporting goods and industrial good such as cement. They would take effect in 30 days. Trump’s Canadian counterpart, Prime Minister Mark Carney, said that his country would “intensify” trade talks with the US to resolve issue.
More shooting in the Gulf, Trump suggests retaliation
The US military continued striking targets in Iran, aiming to “further degrade” its ability to interdict shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump indicated that Iran would be punished for the deaths of US personnel in an attacks in Jordan and Iraq. Iran meanwhile said that it had attacked two tankers in the Strait, and hit US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country was fighting a “full-scale war” against the US.
Bail for Mkhwanazi
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police deputy chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, has been released on bail of R5,000 by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. He has been charged in connection with the theft of precious stones to the value of R14.9 million. He was arrested on Friday by the Independent Police Investigating Directorate, along with a former romantic partner, Witness K, an inspector in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s VIP Protection Unit. Witness K alleged to the Madlanga Commission that Mkhwanazi had orchestrated a robbery in which stones were stolen, for which they and several other participants had received payment. He has denied this.
Johnson says she won’t give evidence that could incriminate herself
Head of the Independent Police Investigating Directorate, Andrea Johnson, has invoked her right not to incriminate herself before the Madlanga Commission. She was speaking in connection to allegations that she had given access to a criminal docket to Major General Feroz Khan, which related to an investigation into him. She took the strand at the commission yesterday. She added that she was not refusing to answer all questions, only those that could incriminate her. The matter relating to Major General Khan is now with the National Prosecuting Authority.
Source: News24, Daily Maverick, BBC, IOL, Business Day