Daily news update: Ahmed Kathrada Foundation condemns Zuma walkout, Bushiri hosts live church service, Ramaphosa denies profiting from trophy hunting

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‘We want the law to take its course’, says Ahmed Kathrada Foundation after Zuma walkout

Former president Jacob Zuma at the state capture commission. EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook/Pool

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said the actions of former president Jacob Zuma when he walked out of the state capture commission on Thursday, were the actions of someone “who thinks that he is above the law”.

Zuma left the proceedings without permission on Thursday when commission chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, rejected an application the former president had lodged for his recusal.

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In a statement, executive director Neeshan Balton said: “This is a ‘judicial’ commission of inquiry. Its rules and proceedings are meant to be upheld. When a summons is issued to an individual, and that person defies [it], then the commission has every right to ensure that the summons is enforced.

“If someone disregards a summons, they stand the risk of being arrested or fined or both. In the case of the former president, we want the law to take its course. The criminal justice system should act to uphold the rule of law.”

Balton added that the commission should take action against Zuma.

Business as usual after Bushiri hosts live church service

Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary face fraud, theft and money laundering charges to the tune of R102 million, and were granted bail of R200,000 each. Photo: Twitter/@psbushiri

Despite violating his bail conditions, self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri on Friday hosted his first virtual church service since fleeing to Malawi last week. 

The Enlightened Christian Gathering leader and his wife Mary are now considered fugitives by South African authorities, after making their way to the country of origin on Wednesday. 

They face fraud, theft and money laundering charges to the tune of R102 million, and were granted bail of R200,000 each.

South African authorities are now pursuing an official extradition process to return the pair to stand trial for their alleged crimes. 

Ramaphosa denies allegations he secretly profits from trophy hunting

President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied allegations that he breeds and sells animals from from his Phala Phala wildlife breeding operation for trophy hunting.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), a non-profit American animal rights organisation, said on Friday that its secret investigation found that Ramaphosa secretly profits from trophy hunting through hunting company Tsala Hunting Safaris.

It alleged that the President owns a stake in the company.

“Peta’s recordings of Ramaphosa’s managers reveal that he is quietly developing and expanding a trophy hunting property called Diepdrift—stocking it with animals from his personal wildlife-breeding operation, Phala Phala—and that he owns a 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris.”

“President Ramaphosa is lining his pockets through the cold-blooded murder of gentle, curious elephants and other wildlife, who deserve protection, not exploitation,” says Peta President Ingrid Newkirk.

However, the President has denied being engaged in illegal or unethical activities in any form, adding neither him nor Phala Phala have a stake in the trophy hunting industry or in Tsala Hunting Safaris.

Judge vs judge: Hlophe says Mogoeng should face impeachment

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng speaks to The Citizen at his office in Midrand, 7 October 2019. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark

Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe says Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng should face an impeachment investigation for allegedly “scheming” with his deputy, Patricia Goliath, to engineer a false assault case against him.

In an extraordinary attempt to appeal Mogoeng’s dismissal of his complaints of racism, gross incompetence and dishonesty against Goliath, Hlophe claimed his deputy and the chief justice tried to persuade Judge Mushtak Parker to file a “false” assault complaint against him – “with the assurance” this complaint would be dealt with by Mogoeng.

Hlophe’s accusations partially stem from a statement issued by the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) in May, which publicly confirmed Goliath had met with Mogoeng in October 2019 over Hlophe’s alleged assault of Parker.

Search still on for missing Kruger Park ranger

The Kruger National Park remains dry even after some rain this year. Photo: Amanda Watson

South African National Parks (SANParks) ranger corps, their K9 unit, as well as airwing and environmental crime investigation units have reported no new news on missing Kruger National Park (KNP) ranger, Checkers Mashego. 

The field ranger went missing on Tuesday in the Stolsnek section of the KNP while on a routine patrol. 

Search efforts have been bolstered by additional support from SAPS.

KNP communications and marketing general manager Isaac Phaahla told The Citizen on Thursday that Mashego has been working at the park for more than ten years, and had extensive ranger experience.

Mashego was last seen in his full ranger uniform, and had a rifle, cellphone and radio on him. 

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