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Daily news update: Zuma’s private prosecution struck from roll | Inflation decreases slightly | Kolisi on Time100 most influential people list
Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
News today includes former president Jacob Zuma has suffered a blow after his private prosecution of prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan was removed from the roll by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
Meanwhile, annual consumer price inflation was 5.3% in March after two months of increases, with the consumer price index increasing by 0.8% compared to February when it was 1.0%.
Furthermore, Springbok World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi has been named on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024.
News Today: 18 April 2024
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Zuma’s private prosecution against Downer, Maughan struck from the roll
Former president Jacob Zuma has suffered a blow after his private prosecution of prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan was removed from the roll by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
Judge Nkosinathi Chili handed down his ruling on Wednesday.
“The private prosecution by Mr Zuma of Mr Downer and Ms Maughan is removed from the roll.
CONTINUE READING: Zuma’s private prosecution against Downer, Maughan struck from the roll
DA warned it may lose Muslim votes due to its perceived pro-Israel stance
Muslims across South Africa could punish the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape and nationally at the national and provincial elections in May for the party’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza.
This is according to North West University professor and political analyst Andre Duvenhage.
The DA’s stance on the Israel-Palestine issue has irked Muslims across the country following party leader John Steenhuisen’s comments about whether genocide was being committed by Israel in Gaza.
CONTINUE READING: DA warned it may lose Muslim votes due to its perceived pro-Israel stance
Inflation decreases slightly in March
Annual consumer price inflation was 5.3% in March after two months of increases, with the consumer price index increasing by 0.8% compared to February when it was 1.0%. Inflation held its ground between 5% and 6% since September 2023.
According to Statistics SA, the main contributors to the 5.3% annual inflation rate were: housing and utilities that increased by 5.9% and contributed 1.4 percentage points, miscellaneous goods and services that increased by 8.5% and contributed 1.2 percentage points, food and non-alcoholic beverages that increased by 5.1% and contributed 0.9 of a percentage point and transport that increased by 5.3% and contributed 0.8 of a percentage point.
The annual inflation rate for goods was 5.7% in March, down from 6,2% in February 2024 and 5.0% for services, up from 4.9% in February 2024.
CONTINUE READING: GRAPHICS: Inflation decreases slightly in March
‘Notoriously over-optimistic’ – energy expert says more work needs to be done to end load shedding
Abundant electricity or electioneering? South African lights have not stayed on for this long in a while, so as expected, the sudden switch up has sparked skepticism amid an election season.
After suspending load shedding ahead of the Easter weekend, Eskom has extended its suspension indefinitely.
“This decision comes… as a result of sustained available generation capacity and adequate emergency reserves,” Eskom’s spokesperson said.
CONTINUE READING: ‘Notoriously over-optimistic’ – energy expert says more work needs to be done to end load shedding
Siya Kolisi cracks Time100 most influential people list
Springbok World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi has been named on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024.
The former Stormers and Sharks rugby player, who now features for Racing 92 in France, led the Boks to World Cup glory last year after also leading the team to victory at the 2019 showpiece in Japan in 2019.
Kolisi is named among the “Innovators” on Time’s 100 list, which serves to highlight the world’s most influential people each year.
CONTINUE READING: Siya Kolisi cracks Time100 most influential people list
In other news today:
- ‘Schools can’t hide behind a disclaimer when pupils drown’ – Gauteng Education MEC
- ‘Where is my mom?’- Musician Langa Mavuso recounts 11-hour hijacking ordeal
- Chiefs hand new deal to teenage star Vilakazi
- MK party says it has not ‘fired’ its founder Jabulani Khumalo to make way for Zuma
- ‘I lost a huge part of myself ’: 27-year-old assaulted in ‘Grindr hookup gone wrong’
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: Zuma’s face will be on ballot | Margate flood tragedy | 41 children consume rat poison
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