Daily news update: Ramaphosa rejects Zuma’s demands, new Joburg mayor and Magashule case

Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.

Daily news update: 6 May

Ramaphosa will not reverse Zondo’s appointment, JZ Foundation told

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he will not accede to former president Jacob Zuma’s demands to withdraw the appointment of Raymond Zondo as Chief Justice.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation on Thursday said it was challenging the appointment of Zondo, citing a number of issues on his appointment.

Ramaphosa appointed Zondo in March last year following consultations with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and leaders of parties in the National Assembly.

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Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda elected as new City of Joburg mayor

Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda has been elected the new executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg.

Gwamanda beat ActionSA’s Funzi Ngobeni and Democratic Alliance (DA) Joburg leader Mpho Phalatse by 139 to 59 and 68 votes respectively.

The metropolitan municipality convened a special meeting in the City of Joburg Council Chamber on Friday to vote for a new mayor after failing to do so on earlier this week.

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Trial date set for Magashule, co-accused’s R255m asbestos tender case

The corruption case of former African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule and his co-accused has been set down for trial next year.

After more than two years on the pre-trial roll, the corruption case was finally scheduled for trial from 15 April to 23 June 2024.

Magashule and his several co-accused appeared briefly on Friday in the Bloemfontein High Court for pre-trial proceedings.

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Court orders government to exempt schools, hospitals, police stations from load shedding

Government has been ordered to ensure that all public hospitals, clinics, schools and police stations are exempt from load shedding.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ordered the Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan to “take all reasonable steps within 60 days” to make sure there is sufficient electricity supply to the facilities.

Gordhan must also ensure that generators and other alternate energy supplies are secured to prevent power cuts.

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Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi joins EFF

The Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi has joined the Economic Freedom fighters (EFF).

Manyi has resigned from the African Transformation Movement (ATM). He shared the news on Twitter on Friday.

Speaking to The Citizen, Manyi said the EFF is the right “home for him”.

“I must hasten to say that this is not a pronouncement on the ATM. The ATM continues to be a good solid organisation and is poised for growth.”

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No driver’s licence card backlog, says Transport Dept after old printing machine breaks down

South Africans hoping to get their new driver’s licence might have to wait longer as the current printing machine remains out of service.

Also, the tender application process for a new machine only closed on Friday.

This week, the Department of Transport confirmed that the country last functioning driver’s licence printing machine broke down yet again.

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‘It killed my career’ – Mangaliso Ngema on withdrawn rape charges

Seasoned actor Mangaliso Ngema has been cleared of the rape charges against his relative. The NPA withdrew the case after the evidence proved that there were no “prospects of a successful prosecution”.

The former Lithapo star told TshisaLive that he expected the case to be withdrawn even though it took some time. He also shared that he had to explore other avenues to make ends meet amid the court battle.

“I’m really relieved because it’s not nice being dragged to court and having to stand in front of a magistrate. It’s so embarrassing and so demeaning for someone like me who’s in the film industry. This thing put a final nail in my coffin, and it killed my career in a bad way,” he told the publication.

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Chiefs’ dominance in last five derbies doesn’t matter, says Zwane

In the past five games between the Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs have had the better of Orlando Pirates.

But that does not count now going into the Nedbank Cup semifinals clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“You know football, you cannot rely more on what you have done in the past,” said Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane this week.

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