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12 hours ago
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News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day.
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.
Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga.
Laird Forbes/Gallo Images
‘There is nothing rogue’: Motshekga defends Maphwanya’s Iran visit and comments
- Defence Minister Angie Motshekga defended General Rudzani Maphwanya’s Iran visit, stating it was pre-approved and not a rogue action, attributing the backlash to US-Iran sensitivities.
- Maphwanya’s comments about Iran and South Africa being “anti-colonial allies” caused diplomatic tension, with the Presidency and ANC distancing themselves and calling the trip “ill-advised”.
- Motshekga argued similar trips to other nations didn’t face scrutiny, and the issue is the US-Iran relationship and tariff negotiations, not Maphwanya’s actions.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned those who opted out of the first National Convention of the National Dialogue that they could regret it.
Thahasello Mphatsoe/News24
Ramaphosa tells National Dialogue absentees that they’ll regret not ‘being part’ of process
- President Cyril Ramaphosa subtly criticised those absent from the National Dialogue, including former president Thabo Mbeki, suggesting they might later regret their non-participation.
- Ramaphosa defended the dialogue’s nonpartisan nature and pledged to minimise costs by avoiding expensive venues.
- He referenced the PAC’s historical reluctance to engage in dialogues, suggesting those currently abstaining may eventually realise the value of participation.
Numerous legal battles over the business rescue process instituted by the North West government to save its insolvent North West Transport Investment, North West Star, and Atteridgeville Bus Service public transport companies are under way.
Raymond Morare/City Press
‘There’s no hope’: Unpaid salaries push 14 bus company workers to take their own lives
- State-owned bus companies in North West, under business rescue since 2022, have seen their debt surge from R355 million to R1 billion, leading to months of unpaid salaries for employees.
- The dire financial situation has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with at least 14 employees committing suicide and one starving to death, alongside home repossessions and loss of vehicles.
- Legal battles between business rescue practitioners over financial mismanagement and unauthorised accounts are delaying the payment of salaries, leaving 1 500 employee families in desperate circumstances.
Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Minister plans biggest shakeup of municipalities since 1996
- Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is planning a major overhaul of South Africa’s local government system, including reducing the number of municipalities and changing the funding model.
- The new White Paper on local government, expected in March 2026, will propose policy changes such as tighter conditions on infrastructure grants and increased powers for national intervention in failing municipalities.
- Hlabisa aims to improve financial management in municipalities by withholding equitable share funding from those that cannot account for their finances or enforce consequences for financial mismanagement.
An Old Mutual insurance unit wants answers after guarantees were issued in its name in Europe.
‘Utterly astounded’: Court grants Old Mutual access to firm’s office after shock revelations
- Old Mutual won a court order to access and copy data at SA Guarantee Specialists (SAGS) after discovering unauthorised foreign guarantees issued in its name, totalling over a billion rand.
- SAGS, an underwriting manager, issued the guarantees despite being restricted to administering insurance within South Africa under its agreement with Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure (Omart).
- The court order allows Old Mutual’s forensic team to enter SAGS’ offices, by force if necessary, to copy data related to the guarantees, with a temporary suspension to encourage a voluntary agreement between the parties.
The Springboks have been training at Ellis Park Stadium this week.
Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
Ellis Park not sold out for Boks v Wallabies, but SA Rugby boss satisfied
- SA Rugby says they’ve met their projected crowd targets for the Springboks vs Wallabies match at Ellis Park, despite tickets still being available.
- High ticket prices for Springbok games have been a topic of debate, with previous matches against Italy and Georgia also not selling out.
- SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said they worked on an 85% capacity target and have exceeded it, and will review their programme for future seasons.
Adriaan Basson and his family made a trip to the Kruger National Park in the Toyota Hilux GR-Sport.
DRIVEN | Adriaan Basson sizes up the Hilux GR-S in the Kruger - and compares it to a Ford
- A former Hilux mega-fan tested the new Toyota Hilux GR-S III, hoping to rekindle his love for the brand after being impressed by a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X the previous year.
- While the Hilux GR-S has a sporty exterior and a reliable engine, the author found its multimedia system outdated and lacking features compared to competitors like Ford.
- Despite some technological shortcomings, the author still appreciates the Hilux’s trustworthiness and overall build quality, acknowledging its enduring appeal.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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