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Daily news update: SABC execs fired | FW de Klerk’s son dies | Snow expected as cold front hits SA
Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
In today’s news, two SABC executives were fired after a disciplinary process found them guilty of trying to conceal an advertising profit sharing agreement with another company, the son of former president FW de Klerk passed away, and cold, wet and windy conditions are expected to continue across South Africa on Monday.
Also, Gautrain schedules could be disrupted from Monday as the Nation Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) down tools, and Mpumalanga announced it will be establishing its own unit of crime prevention wardens (CPWs).
News today: 8 July 2024
SABC execs fired over concealing multimillion-rand profit share deal
Two SABC executives have been axed after a disciplinary process found them guilty of trying to conceal an advertising profit sharing agreement with technology company Discovery Digital.
The agreement with Discovery Digital was made in relation to the public broadcaster’s streaming platform, TelkomONE, which is now called SABC Plus.
SABC spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo confirmed to City Press that group chief operating officer Ian Plaatjies and group executive for video entertainment Merlin Naicker had been fired by the board.
READ MORE: SABC execs fired over concealing multimillion-rand profit share deal – report
Former president FW de Klerk’s son dies
Jan de Klerk, the son of former apartheid-era president and Nobel Peace prize winner FW de Klerk, has passed away.
Jan was the eldest son of De Klerk who, along with Nelson Mandela and, was one of the pioneering forces of the country’s first government of national unity (GNU) 30 years ago.
According to FW de Klerk Foundation executive director Christo van der Rheede, Jan died from a sudden heart attack on Friday, 5 July.
READ MORE: Former president FW de Klerk’s son dies
Snow and rain expected across South Africa as cold fronts hit
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned that bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions will continue across South Africa on Monday, with snow expected in some parts.
Saws said light snow is expected in parts of the Free State, North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
It also warned of very rough seas, with damaging coastal winds and large waves anticipated from Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape, all the way to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
READ MORE: Snow and rain expected across South Africa as cold fronts hit
Gautrain services face possible delays from Monday as Numsa strike begins
Gautrain schedules could be disrupted from Monday as the Nation Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) down tools.
The union has sent notice to the Gautrain’s maintenance and operations company, Bombela Operations Company (BOC), as it is dissatisfied with the progress of negotiations over wages and working conditions.
Negotiations have been ongoing since April, and Numsa have warned that this strike will continue indefinitely until its demands are met.
READ MORE: Gautrain services face possible delays from Monday as Numsa strike begins
Manhunt on after burnt and headless body found near Seshego
Police are asking for assistance in identifying the body of a mutilated man found in Limpopo.
Officer and paramedics responded to a bloody scene in Ga-Maleka near Seshego at roughly 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon.
A manhunt has since been launched after the burnt and dismembered body was discovered by residents of the area.
READ MORE: Manhunt on after burnt and headless body found near Seshego
Thousands to be recruited in Mpumalanga as crime fighters
Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC in Mpumalanga, Jackie Macie, has announced that the province will be establishing a 1,200-strong cohort of its very own crime prevention wardens (CPWs).
The new MEC’s plan is based on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s controversial 2023 crime prevention warden initiative to curb crime in South Africa’s economic hub.
In May 2023, Gauteng deployed an initial 3 200 out of 6 000 wardens to hotspots, commonly referred to as “AmaPanyaza”, across the province following three months’ training.
READ MORE: The ‘AmaPanyaza’ effect: Thousands to be recruited in Mpumalanga as crime fighters
‘7de Laan’ actress KB and Loftus crowd charge up Springbok game with SA anthem
Singer and 7de Laan actress Keabetswe (KB) Motsilanyane marked the much-anticipated return of the World Cup-winning Springbok team with a powerful rendition of the national anthem ahead of their game against the Irish at Loftus Versfeld, in Pretoria, on Saturday.
During the last stanza of the anthem, KB opened her arms, sharing her microphone with the stadium, inviting everyone to join in.
National pride was what it was all about as Springbok fans at Loftus gave it stick.
READ MORE: ‘7de Laan’ actress KB and Loftus crowd charge up Springbok game with SA anthem [VIDEO]
‘Monkey not off our back just yet’ — Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the monkey wasn’t quite off their back despite the current Bok player and coaching group finally breaking their duck with a first win over Ireland since coming together in 2018.
The hosts got their Incoming Series off to a great start with a hard fought 27-20 win over Ireland at Loftus on Saturday night, but it was a game of close margins and with a few calls going their way they were able to emerge with the victory.
Heading into the second Test in Durban this coming Saturday the Boks will have plenty to build on and work on if they want to clinch a clean sweep and walk away with a 2-0 series win.
READ MORE: ‘Monkey not off our back just yet’ — Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus
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