Former Speaker Surrenders to Police, Faces Corruption Charges
Former speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, turned herself in to officials from the Investigating Directorate at the Lyttelton Police Station in Centurion. This comes after her sudden resignation the previous night, as reported by News24. Mapisa-Nqakula had been evading arrest for weeks but is now set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges, with a bail application expected. The National Prosecuting Authority has stated that they will not oppose bail in this case.
Police Take Down Suspected Cash-In-Transit Robbers in Shootout
In a dramatic turn of events, five suspected cash-in-transit robbers were killed in a shootout with Mpumalanga police in Tasbet Park, Witbank, according to IOL. Following intelligence about their presence in Mpumalanga and an attempted robbery, police tracked the suspects to a safe house where a confrontation ensued. Five suspects were fatally shot, eight were arrested, and nine managed to escape. Firearms and hijacked vehicles recovered at the scene were linked to various criminal activities. Additionally, in Mariannhill, Durban, nine suspected criminals were also shot dead by police, part of a notorious group known for violent crimes, including a recent house robbery involving rape.
Opposition Calls for Transparency in State Capture Allegations
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding transparency from President Cyril Ramaphosa amidst allegations of enabling state capture through cadre deployment. News24 reports that the DA is specifically requesting access to Ramaphosa’s communication, including emails and WhatsApp messages, to refute these claims. This demand comes after a court ruling found the African National Congress (ANC) in contempt for not providing all cadre deployment records, especially during Ramaphosa’s time as the deployment committee chairperson. The ANC cited data loss from a crashed laptop as the reason for missing records and justified redactions under privacy laws. However, the court has mandated unredacted disclosure within 15 days, including access to personal emails of ANC officials and involvement of a neutral IT expert. The DA has warned of further legal action if compliance is not met by April 24, 2024.
Emfuleni Municipality Warns Residents of Contaminated Tap Water
The Emfuleni Local Municipality has issued a warning to residents, advising against consuming tap water due to sewage contamination. News24 reports that the water supply to Greater Evaton in Gauteng has been shut down for testing in response to the contamination. Affected areas include Beverly Hills, Sonder Water, Graceland, Palm Springs, Lakeside, and various zones within Greater Evaton. While water service has been restored, residents are urged to boil water until Rand Water confirms its cleanliness. The municipality is facing criticism for its limited alternative water supply options amid infrastructure challenges, with blocked sewer manholes and collapsing pipelines suspected as the contamination source. Calls for municipal dissolution over the water crisis have been made by political parties and activists. Meanwhile, ongoing efforts by Rand Water to repair the wastewater treatment plant highlight the broader challenges facing the region’s water infrastructure.
