Sunday round-up: Election results, search for Moti brothers continues, and Mkhize denies involvement in Babita Deokaran’s murder

ANC wins majority in 161 municipalities countrywide, but loses control of nine Gauteng municipalities and fails to win Tshwane, NMB

Out of 213 municipalities contested in this week’s local elections held on Monday (November 1), the ANC achieved the majority in 161 municipalities, while the DA achieved the majority in 13 and the IFP in 10. However, a decline in national support for the ANC was evident. The ruling party was unable to garner 50% or more of the national vote and reports show that there was a low voter turnout across the country. The party also lost control of nine Gauteng municipalities, as reported by The Citizen, and failed to secure wins in Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday appealed to parties to work together as more municipalities are headed for coalition governments. He urged parties to commit to improving residents’ lives.

Read more on the municipalities contested on The Citizen. 

Moti kidnapping: Two weeks of prayers, vigils

Wednesday (November 3) marked 14 days since the four Moti brothers were kidnapped on their way to school. Due to the sensitivity of the investigation, police have been mum on any developments in the kidnapping of Zidan (6), Zayyad (11), Alaan (13) and Zia (15) Moti. They have also asked the media and other stakeholders to treat the matter with the necessary discretion.

Police Minister Bheki Cele earlier remarked that a multi-disciplinary task team had been assembled to head up the investigation. Cele said even though this was a difficult case, they were making progress and he remained hopeful that the children would be found unharmed.

Read the full story on Review Online. 

Mkhize says he had ‘absolutely nothing’ to do with Babita Deokaran murder

Earlier this week, one of the murder accused in the Babita Deokaran trial claimed that former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize was the mastermind behind the late whistle-blower’s death. The accused later retracted his statement, saying police had coerced him into the confession against Mkhize. In the interim, the former health minister has vehemently denied the accused’s initial claim.

Read the original story on The Citizen. 

Two Eskom employees arrested for fraud at Tutuka Power Station

Standerton police arrested two Eskom workers at Tutuka Power Station on Thursday afternoon (November 4) in connection with fraud, theft, and corruption.

This follows an investigation of nearly three months, launched after a whistle-blower made allegations of financial misconduct.

Read the full story on Ridge Times. 

UP-led team gives macaw new lease of life with 3D-printed beak

A macaw with a broken-off beak has been given a new lease of life, thanks to a 3D-printed beak produced by a team at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) veterinary science faculty. The team was led by Prof Gerhard Steenkamp, a veterinary specialist in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery at the faculty.

Read more on the life-changing surgery here.