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Top 10 stories of the day: Is SA government siding with Frelimo in Mozambique? | ConCourt approached over Stilfontein mine | Joburg’s water crisis: What to expect in 2025
Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Picture: The Citizen
Today’s news includes a political analyst questioning South Africa’s foreign policy and predicting the government help the Frelimo party, its fellow liberation movement in Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Human rights organisation Macua filed an urgent application with the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) to force the state to rescue the illegal miners in the Stilfontein mine.
Then, an even larger water crisis is predicted to hit Johannesburg in 2025, with both the national and provincial governments urged to intervene.
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Inconsistencies point to SA government siding with Frelimo in Mozambique unrest
As tensions in Mozambique escalate, a political analyst has lambasted SA’s foreign policy and predicted the ANC-dominated SA government could come to the aid of its fellow liberation movement in that country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa sent Sydney Mufamadi, South Africa’s national security advisor, as a special envoy to engage with Mozambique leaders amid growing unrest.
Speaking to The Citizen, North West University professor and political analyst Professor Andre Duvenhage noted the close relationship of movements in Southern Africa and believes the SA government may show its hand.
Human rights organisation approaches ConCourt to prevent cannibalism at Stilfontein mine
Human rights organisation Macua on Monday said it filed an urgent application with the Constitutional Court to force the state to rescue the illegal miners that it says are trapped in the Buffelsfontein mine in Stilfontein, North West.
It also wants resources, such as food, water and medicine, to be sent down the abandoned mineshaft.
Macua said it is concerned about reports that the miners are eating human flesh while trapped in the mine.
READ MORE: Human rights organisation approaches ConCourt to prevent cannibalism at Stilfontein mine
Joburg’s water crisis: What to expect in 2025
Johannesburg has faced a tsunami of water issues this year and an expert predicts these are likely to spill over to 2025 causing a larger crisis.
Among the issues are severe infrastructure challenges and critical water shortages pushing the city’s water system to its limits.
“Joburg Water needs serious scrutiny and possibly intervention by provincial or national government,” warned water expert Carin Bosman.
“It has been months during which they have been struggling to complete even the most basic of maintenance, which have left entire communities without uninterrupted water supply.”
READ MORE: Joburg’s water crisis: What to expect in 2025
Case against Limpopo man accused of impregnating 13-year-old postponed
On Monday, a 28-year-old man appeared in Seshego Magistrate’s Court on charges of statutory rape.
Ditebogo Frans Gololo is accused of sexual grooming after allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old girl in Seshego township in Polokwane, Limpopo.
Gololo was arrested on 26 December 2024, a day after the young girl gave birth to a baby boy.
The case has been postponed to 8 January for bail application and further investigations.
READ MORE: Case against Limpopo man accused of impregnating 13-year-old postponed
New Year’s dip: Some beaches and routes you may want to avoid
As thousands of South Africans prepare to welcome 2025 at the nation’s beaches, some popular swimming spots are closed or may best be avoided.
Several areas in Cape Town have been identified as having chronic coastal water quality problems, including Central False Bay, Lagoon Beach (Milnerton), Macassar to Gordon’s Bay, and Three Anchor Bay (Sea Point).
But the City of Cape Town’s media manager, Luthando Tyhalibhongo, said that all beaches in the city are open and safe for swimming.
READ MORE: Some beaches and routes you may want to avoid on New Year’s
Here are five more stories of the day:
- Case against Eldorado Park cop for murder of girlfriend postponed [VIDEO]
- 2024 report card: Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber’s highs and lows this year
- Shukri Conrad hails ‘composure’ of Jansen, Rabada in thrilling Test win
- Springboks could suffer if demanding schedule leads to more injuries — Plumtree
- ‘I can’t believe I’m a MasterChef finalist’ – Dineo Ranaka after impressing judges
Yesterday’s news recap:
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