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2 weeks ago
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News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day.
Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
Corruption-accused Judge Portia Phahlane and her co-accused make their first appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria.
Graft-accused High Court judge says her case is ‘result of a personal vendetta’
- Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Phahlane was arrested on corruption charges for allegedly receiving over R2 million in kickbacks for favourable rulings in the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) succession case.
- Phahlane claims the charges are a personal vendetta by parties involved in the IPHC dispute, while the State alleges that she accepted payments to rule in favour of Bhekumzi Mike Sandlana, one of the contenders.
- Phahlane, her son, and an IPHC spokesperson were granted bail, while bail for Sandlana was postponed due to a pending criminal case and a violent incident during his arrest.
Eastern Cape premier and ANC Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane.
Lulama Zenzile/Gallo Images
ANC whispers: Mabuyane’s bid for deputy president raises eyebrows
- Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane aims for a third term as ANC chairperson in 2025, with aspirations for the party’s deputy presidency in 2027.
- Critics point to governance failures in the Eastern Cape under Mabuyane’s leadership, including high unemployment, poverty and a struggling healthcare system.
- Mabuyane acknowledges the province’s challenges but defends his record, stating his focus remains on service delivery and that he will consider a third term if nominated by ANC branches.
World leaders at this weekend’s G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tony Leon | G20 Summit: Diplomatic theatre masquerading as historic breakthrough
- Tony Leon argues that the recent G20 summit in South Africa was overhyped as a historic diplomatic triumph, comparing it unfavourably to genuine breakthroughs, such as Henry Kissinger’s visit to Beijing and Anwar Sadat’s trip to Jerusalem.
- He criticises the summit’s outcomes as a “milquetoast manifesto” of vague aspirations, contrasting the praise from local commentators with the reality of limited implementable action steps.
- Leon suggests that South Africa and its president used the G20 summit to play to their strengths, showcasing warmth and hospitality while temporarily masking domestic issues, but he warns against mistaking international summiteering for concrete achievement.
Tenderpreneur Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala appears before the ad hoc committee established to investigate police corruption.
‘I don’t have that kind of money’: Cat Matlala denies funding Mchunu’s presidential ambitions
- Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala testified before a parliamentary committee investigating police corruption, denying allegations of bankrolling Senzo Mchunu’s ANC presidential campaign.
- Matlala claimed he was caught in a dispute between Mchunu and SAPS generals, and that former minister Bheki Cele advised him to engage with Brown Mogotsi, who allegedly sought funds for investigators.
- Matlala is also facing trial for attempted murder and was previously flagged for suspicious contracts, including a police health services tender worth R360 million awarded to his unqualified company.
Bonang Mohale, chairperson of Bidvest.
Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Olympics trip for Bidvest directors costing R1m draws shareholder scrutiny
- Bidvest Group is facing scrutiny from shareholders for seeking approval to fund a Paris Olympics trip for its chairperson and two non-executive directors.
- Institutional shareholder services has advised shareholders to vote against the reimbursement, citing concerns about director independence due to the “excessive amount” of R1 million.
- Defending the request, Bidvest highlighted its sponsorship of the South African Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, as well as that the invitation extended to all non-executive directors.
Wales coach Steve Tandy.
David Rogers/Getty Images
Wales forced into raft of changes for Springbok Test
- Wales coach Steve Tandy has made 14 changes to his team for the Test against South Africa due to the match falling outside the international window.
- Blair Murray remains at fullback, while Dan Edwards continues at flyhalf and Dewi Lake captains the team at hooker.
- Tandy wants to see the same effort and attacking intent from his team as they showed in their previous match against New Zealand.
CEO of JKN Global Group Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip speaks on stage during the Miss Universe Extravaganza, after JKN’s acquisition of the Miss Universe franchise, in Bangkok on 7 November 2022.
Thai court issues arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner
- An arrest warrant was issued for Miss Universe co-owner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip in Thailand over alleged $930 000 fraud.
- The warrant was issued after she failed to appear in court for a verdict related to accusations of misleading a plastic surgeon into investing in JKN Global Group.
- This year’s Miss Universe pageant, held in Bangkok, was marred by scandals, including a host publicly criticising the winner, Miss Mexico.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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