Good morning. Today we’re covering the arrest of 20 alleged July 2021 unrest instigators, Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane were directly implicated in the Vrede Dairy project that saw the Gupta family paid millions, and Rain is ordered to retract its merger proposal with Telkom.
20 alleged July unrest instigators set to appear in court – News24
Last night’s big news came from the Hawks, who said they had made 20 arrests related to the July riots and violence that broke out in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng last year. The unrest followed the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court after he failed to appear before the Zondo Commission.
The 20 alleged instigators of the unrest are due to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today where they will face charges that include conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence, and arson.
The July unrest left businesses destroyed and looted and cost the South African economy billions of rands with the death toll rising above 300 people. Read more here.
Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane directly implicated in Vrede Dairy project, says former investigator – Daily Maverick
In yet another day of damning testimony at the section 194 impeachment inquiry into public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, former public protector investigator advocate Nditsheni Raedani gave testimony regarding the Vrede Dairy project case on Thursday.
Raedani worked under both Thuli Madonsela and Mkhwebane and gave testimony stating that former Free State premier Ace Magashule and MEC for Agriculture Mosebenzi Zwane were directly implicated in the Vrede Dairy project.
The Gupta family’s Estina company were paid more than R280 million for nothing in return while Magashule and Zwane flouted national treasury recommendations on flagged procurement irregularities, according to the evidence. Read more here.
Rain ordered to retract Telkom merger statement – Fin24
On the day that MTN released its group interim results for the six months to the end of June 2022, data-only network operator Rain proposed that Telkom merge with it instead of selling the company to the MTN group.
Later on Thursday, the Takeover Regulation Panel (TRP) declared Rain’s statement unlawful and demanded that it be retracted. The TRP said the statement was made without its approval, as required by law.
Telkom meanwhile said it had noted the media statement by Rain but said that it had received no such merger offer from the network operator despite Rain saying it had made a formal request to present a merger offer by approaching the Telkom board. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
‘South Africa on a path to unjust transition’ – Mail & Guardian
Council wants med aid premium hikes capped, but this would limit benefits also – EWN
Are electric taxis the future of air travel? – Biznews
‘Your data safe nowhere’, says expert on Home Affairs’ civic paper records digitalisation – The Citizen
Phala Phala: Zizi Kodwa says he had ‘no prior knowledge’ of theft at Ramaphosa’s farm – News24
What would it take to doom the cryptoverse? – Daily Maverick
Enyobeni tavern: Final toxicology report completed but findings not released – News24
Stats SA data reveal a drop in mining and industrial output due to intense load shedding – SABC News
Denel outlines its new restructuring plans amid salary payment crisis – SABC News
Gupta-linked diamond seller raided in Joburg, SIU seizes hard drives and documents – Fin24
Image Credit: Gallo Images
