Daily news update: Zuma suffers court blow, three SA children found dead in NZ and military vehicles destroyed in fire

Click on the links below for the full story or visit our home page for the latest news.

ConCourt dismisses rescission application: Zuma 0, Zondo 2

Former president Jacob Zuma has tasted defeat after the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruled in favour of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture in his rescission application.

Justice Sisi Khampepe delivered the judgement on Friday after the ConCourt’s full bench deliberated on the outcome during the past two months.

ALSO READ: Zuma rescission: Scathing quotes from ConCourt’s majority ruling

In a majority judgement, the apex court upheld its previous ruling dismissing Zuma’s application with costs – including the cost of two counsel.

“The majority of the constitutional court justices find that Mr Zuma has not met the statutory requirements for a rescission,” Khampepe said.

Woman arrested after three SA children found dead in New Zealand

Timaru police in New Zealand have arrested and charged a 40-year-old woman with murder in relation to the death of three children in Timaru last night. 

According to New Zealand police, the woman is due to appear in the Timaru District Court tomorrow morning.

“Police would like to reassure the community that this was a tragic isolated incident and we are not seeking anyone else,” said Detective Inspector Scott Anderson in a statement.

Fire destroys more than 200 military vehicles at Pretoria army base

More than 200 military vehicles, including Nyalas, trailers and military equipment, were destroyed in a fire at the military’s Wallmansthal vehicle depot in Pretoria on Thursday.

An officer from the army based called the Sinoville Firefighting Association and reported the fire, which was said to be at the section where vehicles are parked, reports TimesLIVE.

The Sinoville Firefighting Association was joined by the Apies River rural fire protection association and battled the fire until the early hours of Friday morning.

Elections 2021: Everything you need to know about voter registration weekend

Anyone over the age of 18 in possession of a valid South African ID document can register on Saturday and Sunday to vote in the upcoming local government elections. 

An exciting time for first-time and seasoned voters, registering to vote can be an admin headache for some. 

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has, however, made it easier than ever before to register, and to check your voter registration status. 

Damaged property from KZN riots to get millions in Sasria payout

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (Reit) SA Corporate Real Estate reported on Thursday that the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria) has accepted its R558.2 million insurance claim for extensive damage to its properties, as a result of the unrest seen in parts of the country in July.

In a Sens update released in July the group estimated that total damages, including loss of income, would amount to R558.243 million.

The Sasria payout will cover the group’s entire claim.

Damage to the group’s shopping centres in KwaZulu-Natal account for the majority of its claim.

Sars raids illicit tobacco shops, cigarettes worth R400,000 found

An unregistered tobacco-manufacturing plant that produces molasses tobacco products has been uncovered during a search-and-seizure operation conducted in Gauteng by the South African Revenue Service (Sars).

The revenue-collection agency said the plant was linked to a licensed cigarette manufacturer, after members of its National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) and the Illicit Trade Unit found branded tobacco products on the premises.

The manufacturing plant, machines and molasses have been confiscated for further tax and customs legislation investigations.

Wealthiest cities in the world, with two contenders from South Africa

With South Africa being touted as the most economically unequal country in the world – designed to “keep the Black population under the thumb of an elite white minority” – it’s hardly a shocker that the combined wealth of Johannesburg and Cape Town’s richest suburbs amount to R5.3 trillion.

Back in July 2021, the World Economic Review looked at weath distribution in South Africa between 1993 and 2017, showing how the wealthiest 1% owns a bigger share than the 99%.

The fact the unequal distribution of wealth being the same in 2017 as it was during apartheid, should already be red flag, but that’s a discussion for another day.