Daily news update: Duarte not dead, says ANC, Port of Durban gradually resumes operations

Here is your daily news update. Click on the links below for the full story or visit our home page for the latest news.

Helen Zille reiterates that life in Langa ‘is better compared to other townships’

Democratic Alliance (DA) federal council chairperson Helen Zille on Sunday reiterated her statement made during a radio interview that poor people living in the Western Cape’s Langa township were faring much better than those living in other townships across the country.

Zille sent a series of tweets reacting to users who criticised yet another controversial statement from her.

She first boasted about life in Langa in a 45-minute interview with 702 last week, saying she lives in a suburb she calls “Upper Langa,” adding that she personally established DA branches in Langa years ago.

KZN floods: Port of Durban gradually resumes operations

During a media briefing on Sunday, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said the greatest impact of the disaster in the province has been on human beings who have passed away, but he said the greatest cost of the disaster has been on infrastructure that has been destroyed.

Zikalala was updating the media on the progress made in the province following the recent devastating floods which claimed the lives of 435 people.

ANC slams reports that Jessie Duarte has died

The African National Congress ( ANC) has assured South Africans that its deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte is alive and well, labeling Sunday reports that she has died as fake.

The party said it was shocked to learn of fake news messages on social media that Duarte has died.

It said Duarte had been ill for some time, but was on the road to recovery.

“These fake news messages are very inhumane, barbaric, inconsiderate and very hurting to the person of the DSG, her family, friends, comrades as well as to the broader mass democratic movement. The ANC is encouraged by the DSG, comrade Duarte’s display of strength on a daily basis and look forward to her imminent return to office.”

Former Springbok captain Dawie de Villiers passes away

Former Springbok captain Dawie de Villiers has passed away at the age of 81 at his Stellenbosch home on Saturday night. It is believed he had cancer.

A statement from the family, from Sport24, said: “Dawie has been deteriorating over the last few months, but we were privileged to be able to provide him with the assistance of professional help at home.”