Daily news update: Pistorius denied parole, new housing subsidies and Mkhwebane hearing

Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.

Daily news update: 01 April

Reeva Steenkamp’s killer Oscar Pistorius denied parole

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has been denied parole, a decade after he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

This after the parole board met on Friday to hear submissions from Pistorius and Steenkamp’s family.

The department of correctional services said on Friday afternoon that it had received the decision of the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) on the parole consideration from Pistorius.

“The CSPB granted inmate Pistorius a further profile for August 2024. The reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum detention period as ruled by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) – as per the clarification provided on 28 March 2023.”

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Mkhwebane: ‘I will appear, but I won’t say anything’

Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane‘s legal representative advocate Dali Mpofu says he has not received any instructions as far as Monday’s hearing is concerned.

This as the funding for Mkhwebane’s legal costs remains an issue.

During Friday’s parliamentary inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, Mpofu confirmed he had received a letter from the Public Protector South Africa confirming it will not be funding Mkhwebane’s legal costs going forward.

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Future of Clicks’ pharmacy manufacturing division uncertain after ConCourt ruling

Clicks may be forced to sell its pharmacy manufacturing leg or will need to shut it down after the Constitutional Court ruled against the retailer for contravening the Pharmacy Act.

Clicks was hauled to court by the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA), which represents independently owned community pharmacies. It accused Clicks of having a conflict of interest because it both produces and sells medicine.

In a media statement, the association accused Clicks of simultaneously holding ownership or a beneficial interest in both a community pharmacy and a manufacturing pharmacy.

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ANC terminates membership of 8 Mangaung councillors who voted with DA

The African National Congress (ANC) in Mangaung, Free State, has terminated the membership of eight of its councillors who defied the party and voted to elect a Democratic Alliance (DA) speaker.

The announcement was made on Friday, by the ANC’s Mangaung regional executive committee (REC), during a press briefing.

ALSO READ: Mangaung ANC accuses caucus of being ‘counter-revolutionary’

DA councillor Maryke Davies was elected the new speaker of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality on Wednesday.

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Government announces new housing subsidies and RDP structural improvements

South Africans struggling with inferior living amenities while on the waiting list for housing were relieved to hear that government was implementing new housing subsidies and improvements to the RDP model aimed at addressing the challenges of human settlements in the country.

In a media briefing, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi acknowledged that the challenges facing human settlements in the country are immense, with many people still waiting for houses, while living in informal settlements without basic services.

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Bavuma leads Proteas to thumping ODI win over Netherlands

The Proteas powered their way to a thumping eight wicket win over the Netherlands in their ODI clash at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday night to take a big step towards automatic qualification for the ODI World Cup later this year.

The win sees them move up to ninth place on the World Cup Super League standings, with the top eight earning automatic qualification, meaning they still have to win the final ODI against the Netherlands on Sunday and hope other results go their way to secure their place.

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TikTok distances itself from Luh Twizzy trend

There is a prevailing belief that the Luh Twizzy trend originated on TikTok, however, the Chinese video platform has denied these claims. 

In a recent statement provided to The Citizen, TikTok said: “The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority at TikTok. While circulating reports claim that the Luh Twizzy challenge originated on TikTok, upon investigation, we can confirm we have not seen any evidence that suggests this may be the case”.