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Here’s your daily news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Picture: iStock / The Citizen / Cheryl Kahla
News today includes the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) denying claims that its soldiers were deployed to monitor protesters during the #JusticeForCwecwe demonstrations in the Eastern Cape.
Meanwhile, legislation published for comment earlier this year marked a significant step forward in formalising the practice of traditional healing in South Africa.
Furthermore, psychology experts and community members weighed in on South Africa’s proposed Marriage Bill, especially on its outline for the appropriate age to get married.
Weather tomorrow: 10 April 2025
The weather service hasn’t issued any severe weather alerts, but you can expect mostly clear skies on Thursday, with showers forecast for parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Full weather forecast here.
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SANDF clarifies soldiers seen at #JusticeForCwecwe protests
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has denied claims that its soldiers were deployed to monitor protesters during the #JusticeForCwecwe demonstrations in the Eastern Cape.
This comes after residents of Matatiele took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding justice for the seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped at her school, Bergview College, in October last year — a case that has sparked national outrage.
DNA samples were collected from two “people of interest”.
Test results revealed that no foreign DNA was detected on the child, who had been subjected to abuse on multiple occasions, according to Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
CONTINUE READING: SANDF clarifies soldiers seen at #JusticeForCwecwe protests
Should a sick note from a traditional healer be recognised at work?
For many years, traditional healers have operated in an effective legal grey area. One area of contention is the legitimacy of medical leave certificates provided by traditional healers and whether employers should accept them.
Employment Law experts at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr say legislation published for comment earlier this year— the Traditional Health Professional Regulations, 2024 (Regulations) — marked a significant step forward in formalising the practice of traditional healing in South Africa.
The Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 in South Africa aims to establish a regulatory framework for traditional health care services, ensuring their efficacy, safety, and quality while managing traditional health practitioners’ registration, training, and conduct.
CONTINUE READING: Should a sick note from a traditional healer be recognised at work?
Allowed to only marry at 21? Home Affairs marriage bill sparks fierce debate
Psychology experts and community members weighed in on South Africa’s proposed Marriage Bill, especially on its outline for the appropriate age to get married.
The current draft bill proposes that the legal age to marry should be 18.
The portfolio committee on home affairs recently conducted three public hearings on the Marriage Bill in Mpumalanga, which drew mixed responses from community members.
Many residents in the greater Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga believe the Marriage Bill will help end the practice of “Ukuthwala”, where young girls are often forced into marrying older males.
CONTINUE READING: Allowed to only marry at 21? Home Affairs marriage bill sparks fierce debate
TikTok say it’s committed to rewarding African content creators despite them not being on rewards programme
Last month, speaking at the TikTok Safer Internet Summit, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi called for the platform to pay African content creators.
TikTok has defended itself, saying African content creators haven’t been deliberately excluded from the Creator Rewards Programme.
“It is important to correct the notion that Africa has been deliberately excluded from the Creator Rewards Programme,” said Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba.
Also known as the TikTok Creator Fund, the TikTok Creator Rewards Programme enables eligible creators to earn money by creating and sharing content on the platform.
CONTINUE READING: TikTok say it’s committed to rewarding African content creators despite them not being on rewards programme
Tyla to perform at Coachella this weekend alongside Lady Gaga, Missy Elliott and more
The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued urgent warnings about potential flooding following increased water releases at both the Bloemhof and Vaal dams.
Officials implemented a series of strategic releases at Bloemhof Dam on Tuesday, culminating in a discharge rate of 3000 cubic meters per second (m³/s) by 6pm.
“The current controlled water releases at both the dams may lead to possible overtopping of riverbanks downstream,” the department cautioned, adding that infrastructure within the 1-in-100-year floodline could be affected.
The releases were necessary due to Bloemhof Dam’s water levels reaching a concerning 116.5% capacity.
CONTINUE READING: ‘We urge you to evacuate’: Department warns of flooding amid Bloemhof and Vaal Dam releases
Here are five more stories of the day:
- WATCH: DStv’s ‘R100’ advert deemed misleading by regulatory board
- Downer dismisses Zuma’s allegations of ‘racist undertones’ in legal strategy
- Zanzou assault: Congolese bouncer granted R10k bail
- The DA can walk away from GNU, says Mbalula
- More officials suspended over George building collapse
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: ANC ultimatum pressures DA | DHA fires 6 officials | SABC apologises for Afrikaans news blunder
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