BREAKING NEWS LIVE | Former minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson dies

JUST IN | Former minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson dies

Former minister and ANC member of Parliament Tina Joemat-Pettersson has died.

Parliament announced through a poster on Monday night that Joemat-Pettersson had died.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved comrade, Tina Joemat-Pettersson," reads the statement, adding that at the time of her death she was an ANC Member of Parliament serving as the chairperson of the police study group.

- Bongekile Macupe

JUST IN | Police confirm death of one of the investigators in Thabo Bester escape case

The police on Monday confirmed the death of one of the investigators in the Thabo Bester prison escape case.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said they were still probing the circumstances leading to the death of the investigator, who was also the police's provincial head of organised crime.

According to Netwerk24, Brigadier Jackson Mkhaulesi took his own life.

"The SAPS management wishes not to discuss this matter in the public domain at this early stage," said Mathe.

- Cebelihle Bhengu and Jenna Verster

JUST IN | Woman shot in targeted killing outside Cape Town court was facing murder charge herself

The woman murdered outside Wynberg Magistrate's Court on 25 May faced a murder charge herself and was about to become a State witness when she was killed.

This was revealed in the first appearance of two men who allegedly sat in court during Christine Gumera's case on the day of her murder, and phoned the third accused, the alleged shooter waiting outside, to tell them what she looked like.

Two shots were fired – one killed Gumera and the second hit a passing car, so they are also charged with attempted murder.

Their case has been postponed to 13 June.

- Jenni Evans

BREAKING | Suspect arrested in connection with murder of top cop's son in Cape Town

Police have arrested a 41-year-old suspect in connection with the murder of Warren Rhoode in Cape Town.

Rhoode, the son of President Cyril Ramaphosa's protection unit head Wally Rhoode, was found dead in May after he went missing.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the suspect was expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate's Court on Monday.

The police had offered a reward of R50 000 for any information leading to the perpetrator's arrest, prosecution and conviction.

- Marvin Charles

JUST IN | Stellenbosch University convocation president Jan Heunis has resigned

Advocate Jan Heunis, SC, has resigned from the Stellenbosch University council with immediate effect.

This after convocation members voted on a motion to remove him and most of the executive over their handling of nepotism claims against rector and vice-chancellor, Professor Wim de Villiers.

The university wished him well and thanked him for his service.

- Lisalee Solomons

JUST IN | Four suspects arrested for fatal shooting outside Wynberg Magistrate's Court

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman who was killed outside of Wynberg Magistrate's Court last week, police said on Friday.

The woman was gunned down while walking with two other people last Thursday.

Video footage of the incident showed a man running up to the victim, aiming a gun at her and firing.

- Na'ilah Ebrahim

JUST IN | Minister Joe Phaahla names new health ombud

Health Minister Joe Phaahla has announced Professor Taole Mokoena as the new health ombud. He began his seven-year term on Thursday. The announcement comes two days after Professor Malegapuru Makgoba formally completed his term.

- Yoliswa Sobuwa

JUST IN | Mpumalanga reports first cholera death

The Mpumalanga health department has reported its first cholera death. A 73-year-old woman died after she was admitted to Mmametlhake Hospital complaining of diarrhoea and nausea. At least 23 people have died of cholera in the last two weeks.

- Yoliswa Sobuwa

Two new cholera deaths reported in the past week

Health Minister Joe Phaahla said there has been two new cholera deaths recorded in the past seven days.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, Phaahla said there were a total of 99 confirmed cases of cholera in Tshwane, seven of which were reported in the past 24 hours.

A recent outbreak of the disease has claimed 24 lives in Tshwane and the Free State so far.

He added that there had been a significant decline in cases.

- Alex Mitchley

Ace Magashule faces expulsion from ANC as party finds him guilty of contravening its constitution

Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has been found guilty by the ANC's national disciplinary committee of contravening the party's constitution when he attempted to suspend Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021.

The ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC) recommended that Magashule be expelled from the party for his behaviour.

He has seven days to appeal the ruling and explain why he should not be expelled from the party.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Wednesday that Magashule's disciplinary case sat in May 2023, and he was allowed to present to the committee on his charge sheet and hearing.

- Zintle Mahlati

John Block, already in prison, to face fresh fraud charges linked to R51m tender awarded 20 years ago

John Block, who is currently serving a 15-year sentence for corruption committed when he was an MEC in Northern Cape, has been linked to a separate fraud case.

It's alleged that in 2003, Block and his head of department fraudulently awarded a R51 million tender for a mental health facility to a company which didn't meet the requirements.

Block was taken from prison by Hawks. He is due to appear in the Upington Magistrate's Court on Tuesday over the fraud allegation.

- Botho Molosankwe

Five school children killed in Cape Town traffic accident

Five school children have been killed in a crash on AZ Berman Drive in Mitchells Plain, the Western Cape Education Department has confirmed.

Another child is in a serious condition. City of Cape Town Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said traffic authorities are on the scene.

- Na'ilah Ebrahim

'Routine'- Dirco says diplomatic immunity for BRICS attendees is not for Putin

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) on Monday gazetted a notice stating that those attending the BRICS summit will be afforded diplomatic immunity.

The notice declared that in line with the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act, the BRICS ministerial meeting to be held in Cape Town on Thursday and Friday; as well as the BRICS summit in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August, would be protected events.

This comes as the South African government navigates its legal options should Russian President Vladimir Putin visit the country in August, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest for him.

But according to Helen Suzman Foundation director Nicole Fritz, the notice did not override the Rome Statute of the ICC. It did not have an application regarding South Africa's domestic or international ICC obligations.

Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the notice was "routine"."It is normal; it's routine. It's nothing special. It has nothing to do with the Russian President. This is the gazette of immunities we gazette each time we host an international conference or summit."

- Cebelihle Bhengu and Karyn Maughan

Arrest made for murder of Cape Town SPCA veterinarian

Police on Monday arrested a suspect for the murder of Grassy Park SPCA veterinarian Dr Natheem Jacobs.

The 27-year-old was stabbed at his home on Lady May Street in Athlone just after midnight on 2 March.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed to News24 that the 38-year-old suspect was apprehended for the murder.

– Lisalee Solomons

JUST IN | Northern Alliance's Gary van Niekerk elected new Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality mayor

Gary van Niekerk of the Northern Alliance party has been elected as the new mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

Van Niekerk, who resigned as a speaker on Friday, received 64 votes over 55 votes received by DA’s Retieff Odendaal.

Odendaal, who had been removed on a motion of no confidence earlier, had again accepted nomination for the position of mayor.

Former mayor Eugene Johnson was also voted as the new speaker of the council replacing Van Niekerk. The deputy mayor, Mkhuseli Jack, also faces a motion of no confidence.

– Bongekile Macupe

JUST IN | Cholera death toll in Gauteng rises to 21, confirmed cases in Hammanskraal also on the up

The death toll following a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal has risen to 21, with a spike in total confirmed cases also reported.

One more person has died, a day after the Gauteng health department announced the twentieth death since the outbreak of the acute diarrhoeal disease.

The department said the number of "laboratory-confirmed" cases of cholera treated at Jubilee Memorial Hospital in Hammanskraal had risen to 44.

On Thursday, the health department in the Free State announced that it had recorded its first cholera-related death.

- Sheldon Morais

Hawks confirm man wanted for Rwandan genocide arrested on Interpol red notice in Paarl

The Hawks have confirmed the arrest of a fugitive, wanted in connection with the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in Paarl in the Western Cape.

Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said the 61-year-old had been living under the false identity of Donatien Nibashumba. He was arrested on an Interpol red notice on Wednesday and will appear in court on Friday.

- Cebelihle Bhengu

JUST IN | Cholera outbreak: Death toll rises to 20

The number of people who have died from cholera has risen to 20.

The Health Department says the total number of "laboratory-confirmed cases of cholera is standing at 29".

Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, has been the hardest hit by the cholera outbreak.

- Yoliswa Sobuwa

JUST IN | Mozambique’s ex-finance minister Chang to be tried in US, as ConCourt rejects appeal

The Constitutional Court has unanimously rejected a last-ditch attempt by Mozambique’s ex-finance minister Manuel Chang to avoid being extradited to the US to face trial for grand corruption and the plundering of state resources.

On Tuesday, the apex court dismissed Chang’s efforts to appeal a November 2021 ruling by Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg Judge Margaret Victor, who overturned Justice Minister Ronald Lamola’s decision to extradite Chang back to Mozambique.

- Karyn Maughan

Courier robbery: Suspected robbers killed in shootout with Durban police

Two armed robbery suspects were shot dead during a shootout with police in Newlands East, Durban, on Wednesday morning after a courier vehicle was robbed in Paddock.

Brigadier Jay Naicker, KZN police spokesperson, said the "suspects stole electronic devices among other items" from a courier vehicle along the N2 Highway in Paddock in the early hours.

They were found "offloading their loot" in the area and ignored police's instructions to surrender, instead opening fire on police.

Two suspects were found to have sustained fatal gunshot wounds after the shootout, while the third suspect was arrested.

Two firearms were recovered at the scene.

- Nkosikhona Duma  

(Image supplied by KZN police)

JUST IN | Herman Mashaba’s R12.5 million ‘The Outsider’ unauthorised biography pulled off market

Jonathan Ball Publishers, the publishers of ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba’s ‘The Outsider’ unauthorised biography, has decided to pull the book off the market following news that he funded the book to the tune of R12.5 million.

It was revealed at the weekend that the book authored by political commentator Prince Mashele was funded by Mashaba.

Jonathan Ball Publishers said on Monday that it did not have knowledge that Mashaba had helped fund the book when the book deal with Mashele was signed in 2022.

"We view this as a material non-disclosure on the part of the author and as a breach of trust," they said in a statement.

- Malaika Ditabo

UCT Council chair Babalwa Ngonyama resigns

University of Cape Town Council chair Babalwa Ngonyama has tendered her resignation, effective immediately.

Citing the impact of the "current circumstances on my wellness and health", she said her decision was taken considering her "unreserved commitment… which was and is to put the interests of the institution first and foremost at all times".

An independent investigation panel was constituted last year following allegations that Ngonyama had supplied false reasons to the UCT senate for the early departure of Professor Lis Lange, who was deputy vice-chancellor for learning and teaching.

Lange, however, denied this, saying she had effectively been pushed out by Ngonyama, who had told her that former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng didn't want her to continue as her deputy. 

- Tammy Petersen

Hammanskraal cholera deaths rise to 12

The death toll in a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, has risen to 12.

Motalatale Modiba, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson, said on Monday morning that two more people died overnight.

He added that seven people were admitted to hospital, and around 95 people had sought treatment for the diarrhoeal disease since last Monday.

Modiba urged anyone with symptoms to visit their nearest clinic.

- Nicole McCain

Gauteng health confirms cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, as death toll rises to 10

The Gauteng Health Department has confirmed the death of ten people, including a three-year-old from a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, Tshwane.

In a statement on Sunday, the department said 37 people were admitted to the Jubilee District Hospital with cholera, and 95 people from the Kanana, Suurman, Majaneng, Green Field, Carousel View, Lephengville and Sekampaneng have been seen at the hospital for cholera symptoms since 15 May.

The department has warned the public to be "extra vigilant in the coming days while all spheres of government work within multiple stakeholders to curb the spread of the cholera outbreak".

– Alex Patrick

Flavio Hlabangwane gets life sentence for killing girlfriend

Flavio Hlabangwane has been handed a life sentence for killing his cousin, who was also his lover, Tshepang Pitse.

Judge Cassim Moosa lambasted Hlabangwane, a qualified actuarial scientist, and said a clear, crisp, and unambiguous message needed to be sent out to society.

Moosa said femicide and intimate killing were on the rise in the country.

Hlabangwane was sentenced to life for premeditated murder, 10 years for defeating the cause of justice, and 15 years for violating a corpse.

The sentence has been ordered to run concurrently with the life term. 

- Ntwaagae Seleka

At least six people died in a crash between two buses on the N2 between Mossel Bay and Voorbaai on Saturday morning. 

Western Cape Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie said the cause of the crash would be investigated, but that preliminary reports suggested one bus took the wrong turn-off, prompting it to move into oncoming traffic. 

Mackenzie said Forensic Pathology Services officials would verify all fatalities but that reports suggest at least six people died and 32 were injured - some of them seriously. 

(Photo via Arrive Alive)

- Marvin Charles

Good party expels two senior officials involved in sex party

The Good party has announced its national management committee has decided to expel two senior party members, Shaun August and Felicity Klazen.

August was the party's national organiser and a member of the Western Cape legislature, while Klazen was a councillor and the deputy mayor in the Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape.

They were accused of hosting sex parties fuelled by alcohol, instead of campaigning during a hotly contested by-election in the Witzenberg municipality last year.

- Marvin Charles

Cape Peninsula University postpones operations amid student protests

Buildings were torched and cars were set alight overnight at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Bellville campus, resulting in the institution closing all of its campuses indefinitely.

Damages were being assessed on Thursday as buildings and private vehicles were set alight after a group of around 1 000 students protested on campus on Wednesday.

All operations were ceased with immediate effect on Thursday morning, with the university issuing a directive for all residences to be vacated by Friday afternoon.

- Tammy Petersen

KZN teen who was playing with friend dies after gun accidentally discharges

A teenage boy died on Monday after he and his friend were apparently playing with a gun that was accidentally discharged in Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal.

The 14-year-old was declared dead on the scene, said IPSS Medical Rescue. "Fortunately, the second boy sustained no injuries during this horrific incident.

"IPSS said police were on the scene to investigate the circumstances of the shooting.

- Cebelihle Bhengu

JUST IN | Taxi association training officer shot dead during meeting in Cape Town

A training officer for the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) has been shot dead while chairing a meeting at the organisation's Wynberg office.

Charmaine Bailey, who worked for the regional taxi council, was gunned down on Thursday afternoon. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said a "gunshot went off" while Bailey was speaking to someone at the meeting.

"The victim sustained a gunshot wound to her body and was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel," he said.

- Marvin Charles

Photo: Charmaine Bailey/Facebook

Court extends Parliament arson-accused's assessment period

Parliament arson-accused Zandile Mafe's psychiatric assessment was extended for another 30-day period, the Western Cape High Court said on Friday. Judge Nathan Erasmus announced that he was informed that the assessment was not complete yet. Mafe was taken to a facility in the Eastern Cape after objecting to going to Valkenberg Hospital in Cape Town. He went for one assessment, but it was cancelled after proper procedures were not followed.

– Jenni Evans

Last South Africans who fled conflict-torn Sudan back in Cape Town

A group of 20 South Africans who were stranded on a boat in Egypt for days after fleeing from conflict-ridden Sudan, landed safely at Cape Town International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

The group contacted the Gift of the Givers Foundation on Monday pleading for help after they had been trapped, waiting on a boat for three days to get clearance to catch a flight home from Cairo.

They received the release order late on Monday night. Two others who were with the group did not fly to Cape Town and went elsewhere.

- Marvin Charles 

JUST IN | NPA to appeal R24.9m Nulane Investments judgment

The National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate (ID) said on Thursday that it had decided to appeal the R24.9-million Nulane Investments fraud and money laundering judgment. Last month, the first state capture trial ended in the discharge of the accused in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein. ID head advocate Andrea Johnson said, while the judgment was a setback, they remained focused and committed to ensuring that justice prevailed in state capture and other serious corruption cases. 

- Iavan Pijoos.

JUST IN | Cop shot dead in Eastern Cape court

A police officer was shot dead inside the Motherwell Magistrate's Court in Gqeberha on Wednesday. Police on the scene confirmed that the court has been closed to the public following the shooting incident. A phalanx of police officers including top brass are at the scene. News24 has reliably been informed that the officer was a sergeant who worked as a court orderly. 

This is a developing story.

- Malibongwe Dayimani

JUST IN | Joburg to remain without a mayor until Friday - at least

The 13th extraordinary Johannesburg council meeting to vote for a new mayor has collapsed after a day of continued caucus breaks.

At 17:20, Al Jamah-ah called for a one-hour caucus break - the fifth of the day. Speaker Colleen Makhubele said she cannot deny any party this right, especially since she allowed the previous breaks.

But, she said: “It’s clear that councillors are not ready to conduct the vote”.

She called for an adjournment of the council with a 14th extraordinary council meeting to be held on Friday to vote for a new mayor.

– Alex Patrick and Juniour Khumalo

JUST IN | SCA dismisses Magashule, Sodi challenges to asbestos scam prosecution – with costs

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed attempts by former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi to attack the legality of the asbestos scam prosecution against them, paving the way for them to go on trial on Friday.

The SCA on Tuesday dismissed the appeal applications lodged by Magshule, Sodi and two of their co-accused on the basis that they had “no reasonable prospects of success…and there is no compelling reason why an appeal should be heard”.

Magashule stands accused of involvement in a corrupt R255 million asbestos tender scheme that allegedly saw multiple high-ranking Free State government officials receiving kickbacks from money meant to fund the removal of harmful asbestos from the homes of the province’s poorest residents.

- Karyn Maughan

Two former G4S employees arrested in connection with Thabo Bester escape plot

Police have arrested two former G4S employees in connection with Thabo Bester's prison escape.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the two employees, who were dismissed by the company, were arrested on Monday at their place of residence in Bloemfontein.

The pair will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, on charges of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody and defeating the ends of justice.

- Marvin Charles

22 South Africans stranded on boat in Egypt after leaving war-torn Sudan

A group of 22 South Africans are stranded in Egypt after leaving war-torn Sudan by boat. They had arrived for a project last year and the boat was chartered by the company which employed them, said Gift of the Givers' Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.

They have been on the boat in Port Safaga for the last three days, awaiting clearance. Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the department would intervene in getting the required clearances.

"We are, however, glad that the group is out of Sudan and not in harm's way," he said.

– Ntwaagae Seleka

Second University of Fort Hare bodyguard killed 

A bodyguard assigned to an executive member of the management of the University of Fort Hare was killed in a car accident on Sunday morning. 

"We are all a bit shocked," said spokesperson JP Roodt. 

Earlier in April, five people were arrested during the investigation into the murders of the University of Fort Hare's fleet manager, Peet Roets, and the Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu's bodyguard of five years, Mboneli Vesele.

A source said the guard killed on Sunday would have been a witness to the cases before court.

- Jenni Evans

JUST IN | Company at the centre of KZN school nutrition tender controversy pulls out of contract

Pacina Retail, the company which has faced questions over its delivery on a school nutrition tender, has pulled out of the contract with the KwaZulu-Natal government.

KZN education MEC Mbali Frazer confirmed the move on Wednesday afternoon.

School pupils in the province have gone hungry as Pacina Retail has been unable to meet its obligations for the National Schools Nutrition Programme for two weeks.

- Kaveel Singh

Police arrest woman and partner in Soweto boys' murders

A 50-year-old woman and her 39-year-old partner have been arrested for the brutal murder of two young Soweto boys, police said on Wednesday.

"Yesterday (Tuesday), following a forensic investigation at the boys' homes, the team brought in two suspects for questioning," Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said.

Tshiamo Rabanye, 6, and Mduduzi Nqobizitha Zulu, 5, disappeared last week while playing in the street.

- Iavan Pijoos

Duma Ndlovu's nomination for National Order award withdrawn

The poet Duma Ndlovu's nomination to receive the National Order award has been withdrawn, the Presidency said on Sunday.

This came after public outcry following the announcement that Ndlovu would receive one of the country's highest honours despite him being implicated in allegations of state capture.

On Sunday, the Presidency said it had accepted Ndlovu's withdrawal, saying also that Freek Robinson and Mike Horn's nominations had been withdrawn.

"To uphold the integrity of National Orders, [the award's committee] will further adopt measures to strengthen the selection process. These measures include a workshop which will be undertaken by Council members at the end of April 2023. Timelines of the selection process will also be reviewed," the Presidency said.

Earlier this week, the ANC Veterans' League called on the Presidency to revoke Ndlovu's nomination, adding that it had written to an official in the Presidency.

One suspect shot dead as arrests made in Pietermaritzburg family killing

Police Minister Bheki Cele has confirmed that a man believed to be linked to the killing of 10 family members in Imbali township in Pietermaritzburg was killed during a shootout with the police on Friday.

The man was found while participating in a cleansing ceremony at a house near the crime scene. He was with three others when the police found him.

Cele said one of the three men was arrested, one was injured in the shooting and hospitalised, and the third managed to escape.

- Nkosikhona Duma

10 family members gunned down in their Pietermaritzburg home

Eight women and two men from the same family have been shot dead after a group of armed men stormed their home in the Imbali township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday.

"The motive behind this barbaric act of criminality is still unknown. Police are on the scene," said the ANC's Moses Mabhida Region on Friday.

Senior leaders, including Msunduzi Municipality Mayor, Mzimkhulu Thebolla, are en route to the scene.

- Kaveel Singh

Bodies of two missing Soweto children found in different locations

The bodies of two children, aged five and six, who were reported missing on Wednesday, were found on Thursday in Soweto.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said one body was discovered in White City, and the other in Rockville.

Nevhuhulwi said they were appealing to anyone with information to come forward. 

- Tshepiso Motloung

De Lille to dissolve SA Tourism board in wake of Tottenham Hotspur scandal

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has announced that she will officially dissolve the SA Tourism board on Friday.

This comes after an outcry from the almost R1 billion Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship scandal.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, De Lille said she believes that good cause exists to dissolve the Board.“I shall do so officially through the Government Gazette on Friday, 21 April 2023,” she added.

- Marvin Charles

Ramaphosa finally appoints SABC board

President Cyril Ramaphosa has finally appointed members of the SABC board- six months after the term of the previous board came to an end.

"In terms of section 13(3) of the Act, President Ramaphosa designated Mr Khathutshelo Ramukumba as Chairperson and Ms Nomvuyiso Batyi as the Deputy Chairperson of the SABC Board," the Presidency said.

Ramaphosa was taken to court after he failed to appoint the SABC board for months.

The president said: "The SABC is a vital institution of our constitutional democracy. I trust the newly appointed board members will work hard at ensuring that South Africa continues to benefit from a stable, independent and effective national public broadcaster."

- Qaanitah Hunter

Stellenbosch University council appoints committee to probe nepotism claims against VC

The council of Stellenbosch University has decided to appoint a committee of three to probe allegations of nepotism against vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers.

A motion to dismiss De Villiers was tabled during the council meeting on Monday.

Council agreed that the matter should first be referred to a council committee of three people, of which one would be an independent legal professional.

The committee would investigate the facts underlying the motion, including allegations of nepotism and a possible breach of rules in relation to De Villiers’ discretionary placements of family members at the university.

- Marvin Charles

Ramaphosa signs Electoral Amendment Bill

The Presidency announced on Monday that President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Electoral Amendment Bill. The controversial bill would make it possible for independent candidates to stand in provincial and national elections and flows from a Constitutional Court order. The National Assembly passed the bill in February, amid concerns from civil society. Ramaphosa is satisfied that the bill will pass constitutional muster, the Presidency said.

- Jan Gerber

Stellenbosch University alumni reject convocation request to share motion of no confidence in VC

The alumni of Stellenbosch University have rejected a request by the convocation's executive committee to distribute the motion of no confidence it adopted on Friday, with all alumni members.

The motion was adopted by the five members of the executive committee in relation to the vice-chancellor and rector Wim de Villiers who faces allegations of nepotism and violating the university’s admission policy.

In a leaked email sent by alumni relations manager Shaun Stuart to Advocate Jan Heunis, the president of the convocation, Stuart said: “With reference to your request of 14 April 2023 to send a statement to the Convocation of SU, the request is rejected.”

The convocation is a statutory body made up of all graduates, full-time and retired academic staff, and diplomates.

- Marvin Charles