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Daily news update: Cops warn those inciting violence | Civil servants took home billions | MK party accused of forging signatures
Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
Minister of Police Bheki Cele has warned anyone who uses social media and electronic platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm to others ahead of the elections will be dealt with.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that civil servants took home nearly R3 billion’s worth of performance bonuses and incentives over the last five years.
Also, claims have surfaced that the MK party forged signatures to be able to qualify for the 29 May elections.
News Today: 29 April 2024
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Cele says anyone that disrupts elections will be dealt with
Minister of Police Bheki Cele has warned anyone who uses social media and electronic platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm to others ahead of the elections will be dealt with.
On Sunday Cele presented the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster plan of action for the elections on 29 May and said police will not hesitate to track down any person who creates a video or post that encourages others to commit public violence.
“No one has a right to intimidate and prevent others from exercising their constitutional right to vote for a party of his or her choice. As the government, we want to issue a warning to anyone with intentions to disrupt the elections that the law enforcement officers will deal with them decisively and will put them behind bars,” he said.
CONTINUE READING: Cele says anyone that disrupts elections will be dealt with
Civil servants took home billions in extra pay over the last five years
Civil servants have been generously remunerated over the last five years – taking home nearly R3 billion’s worth of performance bonuses and incentives.
Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kieviet revealed the exorbitant figure during a recent Q&A session in Parliament.
According to Sunday Times, the figures were detailed in written replies submitted to parliament by Kiviet in response to questions from Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Leon Schreiber.
CONTINUE READING: Civil servants took home billions in extra pay over the last five years
MK party accused of hiring team to forge signatures
It has been a bombshell week for the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party: Former president Jacob Zuma purged the newly formed party of some top leaders while claims surfaced that it has extensively forged signatures to qualify for the 29 May elections.
The forgery allegation was made by a former senior official of the party in a statement submitted to the Western Cape police last week.
According to Rapport, Lennox Ntsodo states in his affidavit that he appointed a team of about 20 people in February to assist with the mass forgery of signatures after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) rejected the MK party’s initial application for registration.
CONTINUE READING: Way beyond the IEC threshold? MK party accused of hiring team to forge signatures
5 kidnapping suspects arrested as 19-year-old man rescued
Five people have been arrested for kidnapping, house robbery, extortion and unlawful possession of firearms after a 19-year-old man was bundled into a car during a home invasion in Stilfontein, North West, on Friday.
North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the arrests took place after four men stormed into a house in Khuma Extension 6 on Thursday evening.
“The suspects allegedly threatened the mother, then robbed her of R6 500 cash, and took her 19-year-old son’s cellphone,” said Mokgwabone.
The men then used the family’s Toyota Corolla to flee. They bundled the 19-year-old into the car as they were doing so.
CONTINUE READING: 5 kidnapping suspects arrested as 19-year-old man rescued
Ex-Bafana Bafana coach Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala finally gives ICU the boot
Orlando Pirates technical director and former Bafana Bafana coach Stan “Screamer” Tshabalala was shot and seriously injured during a scuffle with a burglar at his home on the outskirts of Centurion on 20 March.
The 75-year-old Tshabalala was rushed to hospital in a “serious but stable condition” following the incident.
The soccer legend – who is also the father of late kwaito legend Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala of TKZee fame and former BGM record executive, Busi Tshabalala – was discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU) earlier this week.
CONTINUE READING: Ex-Bafana Bafana coach Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala finally gives ICU the boot
No legs, no problem! The mini rugby player who grabbed the ball and SA’s hearts
Grayton Rhode’s story is one of young guts and glory. In a video doing the rounds on social media, the eight-year-old schoolboy can be seen running circles around his competition on the rugby field.
Just another budding sports star? Think again… little Grayton has no legs.
Five years ago, the legs of the young boy who bobs and weaves like a pro in the video, were amputated due to an infection.
CONTINUE READING: No legs, no problem! The mini rugby player who grabbed the ball and SA’s hearts [Video]
Yesterday’s news recap
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