Daily News Update: Freedom Day speeches, accidents, Putin arrest

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the Freedom Day keynote speech, asking South Africans to unite unite against load shedding.

Eighteen people were injured in two separate incidents in KwaZulu-Natal, and Freedom Day in Philippi was celebrated amid gunshots and robberies.

Daily news update: 28 April

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‘No electricity, no freedom’

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a keynote address on Freedom Day in Matlosana near Klerksdorp, centred around the theme of “Consolidating & Safeguarding Democratic Gains”.

In his speech, Ramaphosa emphasised the need for unity and renewed efforts to tackle the challenges South Africa is facing, including the ongoing issue of load shedding.

While acknowledging the progress made over the past 29 years, the president also acknowledged the persistent issues of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

READ: Ramaphosa’s Freedom Day speech: ‘No electricity, no freedom’

Freedom Day road accidents

On Thursday 27 April, KwaZulu-Natal experienced two separate incidents that left 18 people injured.

In the first, a multi-vehicle accident involving cars and trucks occurred before the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, causing injuries to five people.

ALS Paramedics director Garrith Jamieson reported that the scene was one of “total carnage”, with vehicles strewn across the highway.

The cause of the accident is currently unknown, and the injured were stabilised on the scene before being taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

READ: Freedom Day road accidents: At least 18 injured in separate incidents in KZN

Freedom Day in Philippi

Residents of Philippi in Cape Town are living in constant fear as gunshots, murders, robberies, car-jackings, and attacks on City of Cape Town contract workers have become a daily occurrence.

The situation is particularly dire in Philippi East, where dustbin collectors have halted their services following the fatal shooting of a colleague during bin collection.

Meanwhile, the Brown’s Farm library has been closed after staff members were robbed of their cellphones.

In nearby Samora Machel, rubbish has not been collected for weeks.

READ: Freedom Day in Philippi: gunshots, robberies and piles of rubbish

Vladimir Putin

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has sent a clear message to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the national government: the Western Cape will not falter on its obligations as a signatory to the Rome Statute.

This came in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to South Africa for the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, with Winde stating that the province is ready to apprehend Putin should he decide to visit Cape Town.

Winde’s comments come after South Africa was left with diplomatic egg on its face when Ramaphosa made a dramatic u-turn on Tuesday on South Africa’s participation in the International Criminal Court (ICC)

READ: Western Cape ready to arrest Vladimir Putin