News today: Govt could intervene in Tshwane wage dispute, SANDF soldiers sent home, 90% of municipalities ‘dysfunctional’

Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.


Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Parks Tau, has proposed potential government intervention in the wage dispute in Tshwane. Meanwhile, Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie, has shared his perspective on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, suggesting that labeling Israel as an apartheid state undermines the historical struggles of black people before 1994.

In other news, Minister Maropene Ramokgopa has painted a grim picture of the state of South Africa’s municipalities.

News Today: 16 October

Parks Tau hints government may intervene in Tshwane wage dispute

South African Municipality Workers Union, SACCAWU and and other unions pickets outside Tshwane House in Pretoria, 6 October 2023, to demand reinstatement of all dismissed employees by employers during the recent strikes. Picture: Nigel Sibanda.

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Parks Tau has suggested government could soon intervene in the Tshwane wage dispute.

The fight between the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) members and the municipality has ongoing for month, after the City refused to meet a wage agreement concluded between the union and SA Local Goverment Association (Salga) in 2021 for a 5.4% salary increase from July. It argued it could not afford the increase.

Tau told a briefing of the ANC NEC meeting on Sunday the department does not interfere in disputes, and the power of the minister to call for a resolution is “fairly limited”, but hinted it may occur.

Read more here.

WATCH: ‘Calling Israel an apartheid state delegitimises what black people went through’- Gayton McKenzie

Gayton McKenzie speaks at solidarity event
Gayton McKenzie pledged his solidarity with Israel. Picture: Michel Bega

Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has weighed in on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, saying claims that Israel is an apartheid state delegitimises the struggles of black people before 1994.

Hamas launched a large-scale attack against Israel last Saturday, with Israel retaliating. Over the last week of fighting, at least 1 900 Gazans, including more than 600 children, have been killed in bloody violence.

Speaking at a South African Zionist Federation’s gathering in solidarity with Israel on Sunday, McKenzie said the Middle Eastern conflict could not be compared to apartheid.

Read more here.

Cape Town road closed for at least 12 month after parts washed away

Kloof Road to remains closed while repair works are under way
Image: Stock

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate has warned that Kloof Road between Kloof Nek Road and Round House Road will remain closed for repairs for at least 12 months after parts of the route washed away.

The City deemed this section of the road unsafe for use after extreme storm damage last month.

The storm caused major landslides across Cape Town, and led to the embankment becoming unstable.

City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas said the road’s surface was not safe for public access. 

Read more here.

Eight SANDF soldiers sent home after allegations of sexual abuse in DRC

SANDF soldiers DRC Congo sexual abuse
Members of the SANDF watch bombs being dropped during a demonstration in the Northern Cape, 9 November 2021. Picture: Jacques Nelles.

Eight South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers have been sent home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after being accused of serious misconduct, including sexual abuse. 

The SANDF said it took this step after receiving a United Nations report containing allegations of serious acts of ill-discipline and misconduct.

The soldiers were deployed under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Read more here.

Police official and wife found dead after heated argument

Police tape
Image: Stock

A shocking scene unfolded in Moganyaka village, outside Groblersdal, Limpopo as a 41-year-old police officer and his wife were discovered in a pool of blood in their bedroom.

The gruesome discovery was made by their 20-year-old son.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the incident unfolded in the late hours of Friday, 13 October 2023, when the couple got involved in a heated argument.

The next morning, their son returned home to find his parents in a pool of blood.

Read more here.

Almost 90% of municipalities are ‘distressed’ or ‘dysfunctional’

Local government has larged failed
The state of local government has severly impacted service delivery. Picture: Gallo Images

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa has painted a grim picture of the state of municipalities in the country, revealing nearly 90% are in trouble.

Answering a parliamentary question on the implementation and progress of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, Ramokgopa said intersphere coordination and the state of local government was limiting “the capacity of the state to deliver services and achieve developmental outcomes”.

She said 163 municipalities are currently distressed and 66 dysfunctional.

Read more here.

In other news today:


Yesterday’s News recap

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