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(Graphic by Sharlene Rood/News24)
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Matric pupils who wrote the 2024 NSC exams through the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) achieved an overall pass rate of 98.47%, slightly higher than the 98.46% achieved in 2023. (Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24)
Matric 2024: Almost 99% of private school pupils pass Independent Examinations Board exams
-The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) announced an overall pass rate of 98.47% for the 2024 matric exams, with an 89.37% Bachelor's pass rate.
-IEB CEO Confidence Dikgole acknowledged the challenges faced by the Class of 2024, including disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and commended their resilience.
-Dikgole also highlighted the increasing influence of technology, particularly generative AI, in education and the need to balance its benefits with responsible use and critical thinking skills.
Former spy boss Arthur Fraser. (Jan Gerber/News24)
Fraser, SSA's R9bn in missing assets: Evidence was wrong, says Zondo - it was R9m
-Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo admitted that the State Capture Inquiry's claim of R9 billion in missing SSA assets during Arthur Fraser's tenure was incorrect, the actual figure being just over R9 million.
-Zondo attributed the error to the unavailability of classified source documents, including the Auditor-General's report, at the time of the inquiry.
-Fraser, who is pursuing perjury charges against those who testified about the R9 billion figure, maintains that he wanted to testify before the commission but was not subpoenaed, accusing Zondo and others of being part of a conspiracy against him, which Zondo vehemently denies.
The exterior of the 3 500 square metre, five-star hotel purchased by SAPS Crime Intelligence in October 2024. (Supplied/Just Imagine Properties)
Five-star flop: Crime Intelligence bosses splurge R22.7 million for luxury hotel amid budget cuts
-SAPS Crime Intelligence spent R22.7 million on a luxury hotel in Pretoria North, despite budget constraints and some officers lacking proper working spaces.
-The purchase is considered operationally questionable, as CI has not bought property in 30 years and typically avoids it to maintain secrecy.
-The purchase was made through a CI front company, raising concerns about transparency and potential misuse of funds.
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is one step closer to facing a judicial tribunal over sexual harassment allegations made against him. (Nelius Radema/Gallo Images/Foto24)
Eastern Cape top judge's lawyers seek Zondo subpoena as sexual harassment tribunal opens to public
-Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is facing a public inquiry into sexual harassment allegations made by his former secretary, Andiswa Mengo.
-Mbenenge initially wanted parts of the hearing to be held in secret but has since dropped his opposition, leading to a fully public inquiry.
-Mbenenge's lawyers have indicated their intention to subpoena former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as a witness, although the relevance of his testimony is yet to be established.
Top law firm Norton Rose Fulbright SA has gone to court in a bid to block a new legal sector code aimed at increasing black participation in South Africa's legal industry, arguing the code imposes "unreasonable and impractical" targets on large law firms. (Getty Images/deepblue4you)
Top law firm goes to court to fight 'unlawful' new BEE code
-Norton Rose Fulbright SA is challenging a new legal sector code in court, arguing that its targets for black ownership and management are unreasonable and will harm its business.
-The law firm claims the code will cause it to drop significantly in B-BBEE rating, making it difficult to attract clients and work with the government.
-The firm supports transformation but believes the new code's requirements, such as doubling equity partners in a few years, are impractical and deviate too drastically from previous codes.
Piet Bester was murdered on his smallholding in the Free State over the weekend. (Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images)
Former Cheetahs, Griquas rugby star Piet Bester murdered
-Former rugby player Piet Bester was murdered on his smallholding in the Free State.
-Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder thanks to cooperation between the local farming community and the police.
-Bester, a retired magistrate, played tight head prop for the Free State Cheetahs and Griquas in the 1990s.
Greg Kriek broke down in tears when talking about the "harrowing and utterly chaotic" evacuation he experienced during the Los Angeles wildfires. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
'Don't know how people are going to pick up the pieces': South Africans in LA on 'apocalyptic' fires
-Wildfires in Los Angeles have caused mass destruction, forcing over 180 000 people to evacuate and destroying more than 10 000 structures.
-South African actor Greg Kriek, residing in Los Angeles, describes the situation as a "living hell" and a real-life apocalyptic movie.
-The South African Consulate in LA is providing assistance to South Africans affected by the fires, including a 24-hour emergency hotline.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
