South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 28 September

All the latest news in South Africa as the State Capture Inquiry continues and the furore over the ANC jet debacle rolls on.

By Dan Meyer

28-09-20 05:30

in News

Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Twitter@phalamafhungo

A new week is upon us, and The South African has you covered with all the latest news in South Africa. We’ll keep you up to date as the furore over Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s salary sanction continues following her role in the irregular chartering of a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) jet to transport ANC members on a diplomatic mission to Zimbabwe, and the inquest into the R1 billion housing project in the Free State continues at the State Capture Inquiry.

We’ll also keep an eye on the horizon for any sign of further geological occurrences that may shake things up in the Mother City, after the weekend saw a series of tremors resulting from an earthquake at sea left Capetonians “shook”.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Monday 28 September

‘Jetgate’ saga continues

President Cyril Ramaphosa has actioned sanctions against Mapisa-Nqakula after she was guilty of an “error of judgment” when she gave a lift to top African National Congress (ANC) leaders to Zimbabwe earlier this month, and she will now will lose her three months’ salary to the Solidarity Fund for COVID-19. There have been mixed reactions to the decision to punish Mapisa-Nqakula, with the Democratic Alliance saying that the punishment is not nearly harsh enough.

The ANC will also have to reimburse the state for the costs of the flight, and it remains to be seen whether further action will be taken against other ministers involved in the he fracas, with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP ) saying that more people within the Defence department must face the music, and that Mapisa-Nqakula is merely being used as a political scapegoat.

Cape Town earthquake – more “shake-ups” to come?

While experts have agreed that the tremors that quite literally left Capetonians feeling shook on Saturday evening and Sunday morning are unlikely to cause further concern, it’s certainly worth keeping an eye out for any further shake-ups on Monday.

The City of Cape Town has confirmed that no damage to property has been reported so far, and there were no injuries or deaths to report as a result of either earthquake. Thankfully, neither of the local tremors – nor the larger seismic event – can cause a tsunami. 2020 continues to pile on the bizarre and

State Capture Inquiry continues

The Commission will hear Free State Asbestos related evidence from Human Settlements Head Nthimotse Mokhetsi on Monday, as well as further testimony relating to the dubious R1 billion housing project that was managed by Former Free State MEC of Corporate Government and Human Settlements Mosebenzi Zwane.

During the inquiry, Zwane claimed that he didn’t see any red flags regarding tender processes, despite admitting to approving a newly created database regarding the selection of contractors who were involved in the housing project. It’s going to be a bumper week at the inquiry for Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and co.

More arrests in SAPS R56 million vehicle branding scandal

After three more suspects were arrested in connection with a R56 million tender fraud case in Gauteng – including a senior member of the South African National Police Service (SAPS) and an administrative employee working in the supply chain management division, we can expect plenty more revalations relating to the latest corruption scandal to hit the province.

There have now been 41 arrests made in total relating to the dubious tender that is alleged to have been borne of “manipulation of procurement documents for the branding of vehicles, and a host of other transactions”.

The five suspects who were arrested on Sunday are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s court on Monday for a formal bail application.