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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.
Police have launched a criminal investigation into a senior Public Investment Corporation executive.
PIC kickback claims: Police launch probe into senior exec’s alleged R3m bribe demand
- A senior Public Investment Corporation (PIC) official, Thabiso Moshikara, is under police investigation for allegedly demanding a R3 million kickback from a company executive.
- The executive, Ralebala Mampeule, claims Moshikara solicited the bribe after his company, Levoca 804, received R693 million in PIC funding.
- The PIC states it is unaware of the investigation but will cooperate with the police if approached, while also noting Levoca breached its agreement, leading to potential seizure of shares.
President Cyril Ramaphosa established a judicial inquiry into SAPS on Sunday.
Presidency clarifies Ramaphosa’s decision to establish judicial inquiry into SAPS
- President Cyril Ramaphosa established a judicial commission of inquiry into the South African Police Service following allegations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, aiming to safeguard the integrity of law enforcement.
- Professor Firoz Cachalia was appointed acting police minister while Senzo Mchunu was placed on leave, a decision defended by the Presidency as constitutional.
- The commission aims for tangible outcomes with strict timelines, referral of criminal evidence for prosecution and leadership by an individual above reproach.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia (pictured) as acting police minister has drawn ire from opposition parties, who say it violates the Constitution.
Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi
Constitution takes centre stage as EFF, MKP slam acting police minister appointment
- President Ramaphosa appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister, sparking constitutional concerns from the EFF and the MK Party (MKP).
- The EFF and MKP argue the appointment violates Section 98 of the Constitution as Cachalia is not a member of Cabinet or the National Assembly.
- The MKP intends to challenge the appointment in the Constitutional Court and move a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa, while the ANC supports the decision.
The Marks Park bowles lawn.
Joburg shock: City plans to sell botanical garden, revered sports clubs
- The City of Johannesburg plans to sell or lease heritage sites, including Marks Park and Pirates Sports Club, for high-density housing and commercial development.
- The move has sparked public concern due to a lack of transparency, inaccurate documents and the potential loss of heritage sites.
- Public consultation is pending, and motions will return to the Section 79 committee for review in August due to inconsistencies.
Eskom, fighting to be sustainable, is in the difficult position of having to support reforms that would see its market share shrink.
Lubabalo Lesolle/ Gallo Images
Eskom’s worst nightmare? SA pushes for an electricity market of the future
- Eskom is allegedly hindering electricity market reforms and its own unbundling, despite being tasked with leading the process of market liberalisation.
- The main points of contention are grid access rules and Eskom’s resistance to electricity traders, which are seen as essential for a competitive market.
- Industry experts and traders are calling for clearer and faster development of regulations to encourage investment and ensure a smooth transition to a liberalised energy market.
Cobus Wiese on the charge for the Springboks against Italy in Gqeberha.
Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
From broken neck to Springbok debut: Cobus Wiese to make up for lost time after seven-year Test delay
- Cobus Wiese made his Springbok debut against Italy after a seven-year wait, but his brother Jasper was sent off early, preventing them from playing together.
- Despite the disappointment, Cobus took it in stride, focusing on the pride of being the 37th set of brothers to play for South Africa and the significance of overcoming past injuries.
- Cobus acknowledged the difficult circumstances of his debut due to Jasper’s red card but credited the team’s preparation and mentality for securing a dominant win despite being a man down.
The Velvet Sundown is amassing hundreds of thousands of listeners on Spotify. But it’s not real. It’s AI-generated.
@thevelvetsundownband/Instagram
This band got more than a million listeners on Spotify in a month – and it’s completely fake
- An AI-generated band, The Velvet Sundown, gained significant popularity on Spotify, raising concerns about the impact of AI on the music industry.
- The band’s success highlights the potential for AI to create convincing music, lyrics, and even band member images, leading to questions about copyright infringement and fair compensation for artists.
- While some artists protest AI’s use in music, others embrace it, emphasising the need for strict copyright laws and licensing to navigate the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
*These summaries were written with the support of Gemini Pro AI.
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