Daily news update: Explosions, Zuma ‘hiding’ in Russia, weather woes
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
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In today’s daily news update: The Citizen News reported extensively on the explosion that rocked Johannesburg. Full coverage below.
In other news, Jacob Zuma is unlikely to be back in South Africa soon, and Thuli Madonsela said the announcement Putin would not be attending the Brics summit was ‘great news’.
Meanwhile, the SA weather service issued critical weather warnings across various regions for Thursday, 21 July.
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Daily news update: 21 July 2023
Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Here’s your easy-to-read selection of our top stories:
Joburg explosions
It had also been confirmed that victims of the blast were not showing signs of gas inhalation.
As of Thursday evening, the majority of patients had been discharged. However, a child is still missing, suspected to be ‘underground’, Saps said.
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Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Onlookers look at the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Onlookers look at the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Egoli gas workers dig on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Some of the damage on Bree street in the Johannesburg CBD, after a underground explosion caused major damage, 20 July 2023. Picture Neil McCartney
Image: Neil McCartney
Thirty-seven vehicles, most of them taxis, were also damaged during the explosion which destroyed sections of Bree and Rissik Streets.
Former president Jacob Zuma is unlikely to be back in the country soon after he reportedly extended his stay in Russia.
Zuma was reportedly meant to return to South Africa on Tuesday but extended his trip.
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Former president Jacob Zuma at the High Court in Johannesburg, 19 January 2023. Picture: Neil McCartney / The Citizen
The Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi would not say when Zuma would return.
The DA believes the former president is extending his stay in Russia in anticipation of an adverse announcement from the Commissioner of Correctional Services.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela praised Ramaphosa for his consultations with Putin, which led to Putin’s decision not to attend the Brics summit in SA.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets President Cyril Ramaphosa during the official welcoming ceremony for the heads of state and government of states participating in the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit. Photo: AFP/POOL/Sergei Chirikov
Madonsela said the announcement was “great news” and followed the example of Nelson Mandela, in “deference to the law despite misgivings”.
“South Africa has many faults but being a rogue state is not one of them,” Madonsela tweeted on Wednesday. “The rule of law has always been one of our strongest links.”