Morning Brief – Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Good morning. Here’s what you need to know today:

• Four Durban-based men have been blacklisted by the US for operating an alleged Isis cell
• Ramaphosa says the transition to a green economy can’t be at the expense of jobs
• Carl Niehaus refuses to apologise to reporter Karyn Maughan

US Treasury slaps sanctions on four ‘members of Isis cell in South Africa’ – Daily Maverick

Four Durban men were added to the US Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) for allegedly being part of an Isis cell in South Africa. The four men, Nufael Akbar, Yunus Mohamad Akbar, Mohamad Akbar and Umar Akbar are accused of operating an Isis cell in the country and “have provided technical, financial, or material support to the terrorist group”. Being added to the SDN List means all persons and businesses in the US are blocked from doing business with them. Four companies owned or controlled by the men have also been blacklisted. Read more here.

Ramaphosa: Move to renewable energy can’t occur at expense of job creation – EWN

In his latest newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the move away from fossil fuels to a green economy and clean energy cannot come at the expense of job creation or the economy. The letter focuses on climate change, which the president says must be dealt with immediately. Ramaphosa is currently attending the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt, also known as COP27 where South Africa will chair a panel on just transition. Read more here.

Carl Niehaus refuses to remove ‘inciteful’ tweet and won’t apologise to Karyn Maughan, say lawyers – News24

Carl Niehaus, the suspended ANC Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association spokesperson, has refused to remove his tweet attacking journalist Karyn Maughan, which called on his supporters to “keep on kicking this dog harder so that her owner, who pays her, comes out”. Niehaus had until midday on Monday to remove the tweet and issue an apology to Maughan for the tweet sent out on Friday to some 190,000 followers. Instead of apologising, Niehaus sent a lengthy reply arguing that he was merely practising “free speech.” Read more here.