Daily news update: Eskom’s R12.3 billion loss, load shedding downgraded and Niehaus ‘quits’ the ANC

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Daily news update – 24 December 2022

R12.3 billion loss: ‘Eskom could be profitable if not for debt burden’ – De Ruyter

Eskom has incurred a net loss of R12.3 billion after tax despite the power utility’s operating profit improving by 238% to R20.4 billion.

The state-owned enterprise (SOE) presented its annual results for the 2021/2022 financial year, which ended in March, on Friday.

Hillary Gardee: Murder accused’s bail application postponed until next year

The bail application for the murder accused in the Hillary Gardee case, Philemon Lukhele, has been postponed until January 2023 after his attorney failed to appear in court on Thursday.

The case resumed at the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, where Lukhele, murder accused number two, applied for bail this week.

Eskom to lower load shedding, but what about Christmas day?

There is some good news for South Africans – a possible downgrade of load shedding ahead of the Christmas weekend, according to Eskom.

The power utility announced that while stage 4 load shedding is currently being implemented, it will lower the deliberate power cuts by a stage.

Level 2 warning: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain expected in KZN on Saturday

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, with heavy rain over the south-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the extreme eastern parts of the Eastern Cape on Saturday.

“Localised damage to infrastructure, settlements, property and vehicles can be expected due to the combination of downpours and strong winds. Showers and thundershowers are expected to result in localised flooding of susceptible roads and low-lying areas,” warned the weather service.

Carl Niehaus ‘officially’ quits the ANC

Suspended uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veteran’s Association spokesperson Carl Niehaus has “officially resigned” from the ANC.

Niehaus shared the news about leaving the governing party on Friday.

Although the ANC’s national disciplinary committee (NDC), earlier in December, said he had been expelled from the ANC, Niehaus said he was appealing his expulsion. He claimed this meant his expulsion was suspended and he was still a member of the ANC.

Big Nuz member, Mampintsha, hospitalised after suffering a stroke

Prayers are up for South African musician Mandela ‘Mampintsha‘ Maphumalo after the artist suffered a minor stroke a week ago.

Confirming the news, the label representing the Big Nuz member – Afrotainment – in a statement announced that Mandela Maphumalo suffered a stroke upon his return from a performance with Big Nuz.