Daily news update: Covid-19 stats, Fleurhof evictions and Gordhan no-show at Zondo commission

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2,810 new Covid-19 cases recorded in SA as worldwide cases top 20 million

As of Wednesday, a cumulative total of 568,919 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa have been recorded, announced Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The country has also recorded 259 new Covid-19 related deaths: 46 from Eastern Cape, 108 from Gauteng, 74 from KwaZulu -Natal, 31 from Western Cape, bringing the total to 11,010.

IN PICS: 2,000 people evicted after illegally occupying Fleurhof housing development

Rubber bullets have been fired at the Fleurhof housing development in Johannesburg, after thousands of people illegally occupied units on the property. 

City of Joburg housing MMC Mlungisi Mabaso emphasised that “anarchy and lawlessness” will not be tolerated. 

Despite lockdown prohibiting evictions and calling for alternative accommodation to be provided, in this case, Mabaso said those who invaded housing units at Fleurhof are breaking the law, and will be dealt with. 

Gordhan earns Zondo’s ire for no-show at inquiry over ‘Cabinet meeting’

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. Picture: Moneyweb

A legal representative for Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, on Wednesday asked for his cross-examination by former Sars boss Tom Moyane before the commission of inquiry into state capture to be postponed, which appeared to irritate the inquiry’s chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

Moyane’s counsel was in November 2019 granted leave to cross-examine Gordhan.

R1.4m ‘disappears’ from FNB customer’s bank account

An FNB customer’s blood ran cold on Wednesday morning after discovering that R1.4 million had disappeared from his business account. 

Architect Dirk Coetser told The Citizen that the discovery was made after an Uber needed to be called for an employee, but the business account used to call the ride had insufficient funds. 

Winde doubts announcement on booze ban will be made before Saturday

Western Cape premier, Alan Winde. File picture: Ayanda Ndamane/ African News Agency (ANA)

President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet the country’s premiers on Saturday, which means no major announcements, such as a decision on the ban on the sale of alcohol, can be expected before then.

The meeting was confirmed by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde who told a Cape Talk radio host that he has been invited to Ramaphosa’s president’s coordinating council (PCC) which will convene at 10am on Saturday.

DPE’s plan for SAA will see all employees retrenched with only 1,000 remaining

Image: Moneyweb

Following approval of the SA Airways (SAA) business rescue plan on July 14, amid spats between the public enterprises department (DPE), unions and business rescue practitioners, the enterprises’ department said it was hopeful in bringing the process closer to finalisation.

SAA’s business rescue plan was approved in a majority vote, paving the way for the enterprise’s department to launch a new plan for the airline including pointing to Philip Saunders as new interim CEO.

READ: Model Tino Chinyani pens heartfelt message to baby mama Simz Ngema

Tino Chinyani and Simz Ngema | Image: Instagram

Model and television presenter Tino Chinyani has left fans in utter disbelief after revealing in a message posted to social media that he and actress Simphiwe ‘Simz’ Ngema are having their first child together.

Simphiwe shared a similar message via her Instagram page, thanking Chinyani “for this beautiful gift and for teaching me how to love again”.

Top 5 wealthiest pastors in Mzansi

From raising the dead to curing HIV and even homosexuality, these are the men and women who have capitalised on religion.

It all started when Brad Binder was only eight years old….

Winner Red Bull KTM Ajo’s rider Brad Binder celebrates with champagne on the podium after the Moto2 race of the MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste near Valencia, on November 17, 2019. Picture: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP

For Brad Binder, who last Sunday became the first South African to win a World Championship MotoGP race, there was never a Plan B.

From the age of 10, he and his family firmly believed that he would become a professional motorcycle racer, win Grands Prix and, ultimately, world titles. That becomes apparent when one skims through Binder’s background. Born in Potchefstroom, he started racing 150cc motorcycles on short circuits in Gauteng at the age of eight and his dad, Trevor, bought him a 125cc long circuit racing bike the next year.

Orlando Pirates target Grobler free to decide on own future

Bradley Grobler during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews says that the club will not stand in the way of striker Bradley Grobler, if he wants to make a big-money move at the end of the 2019/20 season.

Orlando Pirates have been continuously linked with the SuperSport striker, who has 15 goals in all competitions this season, and who, at 32, would no doubt jump at one final lucrative contract, should it come his way.

‘No hard feelings’ as Maxwane looks to grow with Lions

Promising wing Rabz Maxwane believes he will improve even further after joining the Lions. Picture: Gallo Images

New Lions wing Rabz Maxwane bears no grudges after closing the Cheetahs door behind him, despite being overlooked earlier this year.

Maxwane, who was the top try-scorer in the Pro14 competition in the 2018/19 season, was one of the Lions’ big-name signings at the start of the lockdown period.

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