Zahara’s awards stolen; Free State department in R182m dodgy road contracts

City Press news. April 24

Bitter battle erupts over Chris Hani

New details about a rift over the remains of slain SA Communist Party leader Chris Hani have surfaced, including that his wife Limpho is at loggerheads with the family, who want his remains reburied in the Eastern Cape.

Government officials blow another R1.3 billion

Ministers, deputy ministers and officials in national government departments have spent more than R1.4 billion on catering, accommodation and entertainment in the three years since May 2019.

‘I no longer have a mother. My mother was swept away’

A grey dress with pearls sewn on the neck hangs in the centre of the rondavel. On the floor beneath the dress are impepho inside a calabash bowl and white candles.

Zahara’s awards stolen

Six SA Music Awards were stolen from musician Zahara’s secure estate in Roodepoort, Gauteng, this week. The Loliwe hitmaker, whose given name is Bulelwa Mkutukana, opened a case of house robbery at the Honeydew Police Station on Friday.

Free State department in R182m dodgy road contracts

The Free State department of police, roads and transport has ignored the Bloemfontein High Court order prohibiting it from advertising and appointing service providers and awarded dodgy tenders worth R182 million.

Court upholds CEO’s suspension

Embattled CEO of the Property Practitioner Regulatory Authority Mamodupi Mohlala suffered a legal blow when the Johannesburg High Court rejected her bid to nullify her suspension.

Raging floods tore boy’s life apart

Nhlanhla Sithole was ready to die. He was trapped in mud with only his head sticking out. The mud was so heavy on his frail frame that he did not even have the strength to shout for help.

New love for Andile and Pearl?

It seems former Metro FM presenter Pearl Modiadie has dethroned Ugandan socialite and businessperson Zari “The Boss Lady” Hassan as the first lady in sports presenter Andile Ncube’s life.

Witnesses in Msibi murder cases withdraw accusation

Two state witnesses in newly appointed Mpumalanga ANC treasurer Mandla Msibi’s double murder and attempted murder cases have withdrawn their statements, and have accused another politician of having persuaded them to implicate Msibi in the crimes.

Msibi was fired as Mpumalanga MEC for agriculture, rural development, land and environmental affairs after he and four others were charged with murder and attempted murder last year.

Chronically ill patients fear for their lives

Scores of patients from areas affected by the recent devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal have been left in limbo as they cannot get their chronic medication.

Dr Jacky Rampedi – a township hero

While growing up in Ga-Mashashane in Limpopo, Dr Jacky Rampedi loved making a difference in people’s lives.

Thabisile Msezane: A provider and protector

In her life, Thabisile Msezane has experienced a few joys. Among them is educating those without access to education, and providing shelter and protection to orphans and survivors of human trafficking. Most recently, she has found joy in helping members of the LGBTIQ+ community who have been assaulted and/or disowned by their families.

‘It’s the ANC’s mess – not Eskom’s’

While the department of public enterprises is giving “serious consideration” to Friday’s walkout incident, Eskom board member Busisiwe Mavuso said she could not remain silent and let the organisation become the “fall guy”.

De Lille’s department ordered to pay arrears of R58 million

The Pretoria High Court has ordered the department of public works and infrastructure to pay Keith Bothongo, CEO of the Bothongo Group, R58 million in arrears, but it is too late to save the jobs of the 200 employees he had to lay off.

‘Bad joke’ at school turns violent

A Grade 12 pupil did not take kindly to a joke made by his classmate, who had asked for the cellphone number of his girlfriend. Thi led to an exchange of insults and escalated into violence – but not between the two boys.

New SSA head ‘purges’ spooks

New State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Thembi Majola is allegedly seeking to reverse the appointment of at least 24 spooks who former state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo promoted to general manager posts, in a move that insiders have described as having the potential to collapse the agency.

ANC still grappling with list disputes

Five months after the local government elections in November, the ANC is still trying to solve candidate selection disputes, the conclusion of which could see ward councillors found guilty of manipulating lists being recalled, removed or fired.

Devastating cable theft ‘pandemic’

The massive headache caused by cable theft has pushed the City of Joburg’s City Power to adopt a community-centred approach, such as the activism displayed by the community of Eldorado Park, to curb cable theft, which the electricity distributor said has been bearing fruit.