Daily news update: Pro-Zuma group goes to ICC, EFF’s Phoenix march and Shona laid to rest

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Group behind #FreeJacobZuma campaign to approach International Criminal Court

The supporters of former president Jacob Zuma behind the #FreeJacobZuma campaign will now approach the International Criminal Court (ICC) in an effort to force his release from prison.

The campaign, led by the former president’s staunch ally and suspended ANC member Carl Niehaus, previously indicated the memorandum of demands would be delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office with a deadline of 14 days for him to respond.

ALSO READ: ‘ConCourt did not make Zuma’s prison bed,’ lawyer says

Digital Vibes: Over R1 million spent on hair salon, nail franchise for Mkhize’s family

More jaw-dropping allegations against suspended Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s son, Dedani, have surfaced regarding the controversial R150 million contract awarded to communications firm Digital Vibes by the national Department of Health.

Daily Maverick has reported that Dedani and his wife, Sthoko Mkhize, benefited from the Digital Vibes contract, with the couple allegedly using over R1 million to obtain a nail care franchise and hair salon.

DA asks SAHRC to stop EFF’s Phoenix march ‘against racist Indians’

DA leader John Steenhuisen has written to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) requesting its intervention to stop the EFF’s planned Thursday march to Phoenix, north Durban.

Steenhuisen said the demonstration “against racist Indians”, organised by the EFF eThekwini region, risks fuelling a race war in the predominantly Indian community.

Shona Ferguson’s funeral: ‘Our love does not die,’ says Connie

Speakers at the late Shona Ferguson’s funeral at a private ceremony in Ruimsig, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, said his death did not feel “real”.

Connie Ferguson said she envisioned another 20 years with her husband and didn’t anticipate his death would happen.

Connie’s message was pre-recorded. In it, she said she never thought she would be speaking at Shona’s funeral.

“I thought you and I were going to grow old together. That is what I saw for myself, that is what I saw for us. That has always been the dream.

“31 July was exactly 20 years together, I anticipated another 20 years.”

MTI Bitcoin scam kingpin now being hunted by the FBI

America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has joined the hunt for Mirror Trading International (MTI) Bitcoin scam kingpin, Johann Steynberg, who allegedly defrauded investors of billions of Rand over the past few years.

Steynberg disappeared in December, when he reportedly left for Brazil. Steynberg started MTI in April 2019 as an automated Bitcoin trading platform.

Somizi Mhlongo takes a break from Metro FM

Idols judge, celebrity choreographer, and reality TV star Somizi Mhlongo has one less thing on his his to-do list amid his separation from his estranged husband Mohale Motaung, after the SABC announced that they have given the Metro FM host permission to “take some time off work.”

The public broadcaster further acknowledged having heard about the allegations levelled against Somizi Mhlongo, not only by his former husband but by other social media users.