Daily news update: Tributes pour in for Queen Elizabeth II, Putco strike and Phala Phala debate

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Daily news update – 9 September

Longest-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II has died

Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday evening.

The Queen died on Thursday afternoon following a long battle with ill-health since spending a night in hospital last October.

This after the 96-year-old’s doctors on Thursday expressed their concern for Her Majesty’s health and recommended she remain under medical supervision, following evaluation this morning.

ALSO READ: ‘The end of an era’ – A brief history of Queen Elizabeth II’s early life and ascension to the throne

Queen Elizabeth, Lizzy and London Bridge have been trending on Thursday following the announcement of her death, as people pay their tributes for the fallen monarch.

Putco dismisses 105 workers after illegal protest action

Bus Company Putco has dismissed 105 workers for embarking on an illegal strike since last week, demanding a 6% wage increase and their back pay.

Bus company spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu confirmed to Newzroom Afrika on Thursday evening that the workers had been dismissed for a number of reasons, including stopping their colleagues from performing their duties.

‘Are you that desperate Nosiviwe?’ – Shivambu kicked out as MPs debate Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala questions

President Cyril Ramaphosa may only return to Parliament later this month to answer the outstanding supplementary questions on the Phala Phala farm robbery.

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had written to Ramaphosa to find out whether the president was available for an additional Q&A session.

Last week’s session was adjourned by the Speaker following a number of disruptions, which saw some Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs being removed from Parliament.

EFF calls for Parliament to be fully reopened

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for Parliament to be fully reopened and MP’s must meet physically to conduct business of Parliament, which is passing legislations and oversight of the executive.

The red berets have also demanded that the temporary measures that were put in place due to Covid-19 lockdown regulations must be immediately suspended because the regulations are no longer applicable.

“In the meeting which was supposed to be physically held with the Speaker of the National Assembly and attended by all Chief Whips, the EFF proposed that one of the immediate measures must be utilisation of Oliver Tambo Community Hall in Khayelitsha as a temporary place for the National Assembly plenary sessions.”

ALSO READ: EFF: ‘Ramaphosa uses employees to avoid direct links to his crimes’

“The Community Hall will be suitable because it is spacious and closer to all the Parliamentary villages where majority of members of parliament reside,” the party said.

Childhood star and father-to-be Psyfo graduates with an MBA

The childhood star Sidwell Sipho Ngwenya, famously known as Psyfo from his TV presenting days on YoTV, took to his Instagram account to share his milestone after graduating with a master of business administration (MBA) at the University of Pretoria (Tuks).

The 40-year-old actor captioned the post:

 “Patience, resilience, sacrifice and effort! Today it gives me so much joy to be rewarded with the work I put in. Thank you University of Pretoria, @gibsbusinessschool for the great lessons and this achievement. I am an MBA graduate!”

Pirates’ poor finishing a big cause for concern admits Pule

Orlando Pirates’ season has not been as exceptional as they thought it would be, and winger Vincent Pule reckons the club just needs luck in front of goals to have a successful season.

ALSO READ: Maela wants extra effort from Orlando Pirates

Pirates have been playing good football in some of their games, but the club has been let down by poor finishing hence they have not won many games this season.

Pule says coach Jose Riveiro is working hard to try and find a solution to this problem.

ALSO READ: Daily news update: Molefe’s R30m pension recovered, Meyiwa murder trial and Zuma vs Karyn Maughan