Daily news update: Nsfas CEO under threat, ANC wins court bid and Thabo Bester developments

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: 20 April

‘Conniving mafias’ posing a security threat to higher education sector, says Nsfas

Alleged organised criminal groups within the student accommodation industry are posing a threat to the higher education sector.

This is according to National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas).

READ MORE: ‘Conniving mafias’ posing a security threat to higher education sector, says Nsfas

ANC Free State wins court interdict against Mangaung municipality

The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State has welcomed the outcome of the Bloemfontein High Court which found that the election of Papi Mokoena as the executive mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality was unlawful.

According to a statement issued by the party on Wednesday, the ANC said it maintained that the council sitting of 14 April 2023 was riddled with illegality which is why it pursued legal action to ensure that justice is preserved.

READ MORE: ANC Free State wins court interdict against Mangaung municipality

Another G4S guard arrested for helping Thabo Bester escape

A security guard employed by G4S, which runs the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) where convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester escaped from, has been arrested.

The 51-year-old man was handcuffed on Tuesday, 18 April 2023, at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein.

READ MORE: Another G4S guard arrested for helping Thabo Bester escape

Calls for new SAA board to be put on ice, probe into Takatso deal

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for the newly-appointed board of the South African Airways (SAA) to be put on ice until more information is revealed about the Takatso Consortium’s acquisition of a majority stake in the airline.

SAA’s sale to Takatso Consortium was yet again under the spotlight in parliament on Wednesday, following allegations made by suspended Public Enterprises director-general, Kgathatso Tlhakudi.

READ MORE: Calls for new SAA board to be put on ice, probe into Takatso deal

Sex ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman maintains innocence as judgment postponed

Alleged child sex-ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman maintained his innocence on Wednesday, saying he did nothing wrong, because the young boys “knew what they were doing”.

This after the judgment in the child sex ring case was postponed to Monday, 24 April.

READ MORE: Sex ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman maintains innocence as judgment postponed

Miss SA Ndavi Nokeri launches Ed-Unite podcast series

When she was crowned Miss South Africa in 2022, fan favourite Ndavi Nokeri promised the country that she would help to level the skewed education field in South Africa.

And she is making good on that promise, having announced the launch date for her new educational podcast series on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Miss SA Ndavi Nokeri launches Ed-Unite podcast series

LISTEN: Chiefs and Pirates prepare to do battle in the Nedbank Cup semifinals

For Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, the season has got that bit spicier, with another Soweto derby on the horizon, as the pair have been drawn to meet in the Nedbank Cup semifinals.

The draw was conducted just moments after Chiefs had beaten Royal AM in the quarterfinals on Sunday, and the celebrations were wild in the Chiefs camp when they realised they were playing Pirates.

READ MORE: LISTEN: Chiefs and Pirates prepare to do battle in the Nedbank Cup semifinals