It’s Monday, 22 June, and this is News Bite with Naledi Moleo.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has warned that police are ready for any eventuality ahead of the unofficial 30 June deadline set by groups calling for illegal migrants to leave South Africa. Cachalia says officers will arrest anyone who breaks the law while protecting those protesting peacefully. Police are expected to be deployed to identified hotspots this week as the acting minister visits provinces to monitor the rollout of extra manpower.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has rejected claims that she is protecting ANC interests after deciding not to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to halt the impeachment process. Didiza says Parliament will abide by the court’s decision and submit an explanatory affidavit to help the Western Cape High Court understand how Parliament considered the Constitutional Court judgment.
At the Madlanga Commission, Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk’s testimony has been postponed after his lawyer said he was unfit to appear. Van Wyk was due to testify about alleged Ekurhuleni deals linked to alleged crime boss Cat Matlala and suspended EMPD deputy head Julius Mkhwanazi. His lawyer says Van Wyk suffered severe panic attacks and has been advised to enter a psychiatric facility for further evaluation. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has ruled that Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC will still address commissioners on the evidence bundle.
Alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi is back in court with a fresh bail application. Mogotsi faces charges of perjury, defeating the ends of justice and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is accused of allegedly staging an assassination attempt on himself in Vosloorus and remains behind bars after being denied bail earlier this month. His legal team says it now has new evidence, including proof of his residential address.
Looking abroad, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation after months of political pressure and the election of rival Andy Burnham as an MP. Starmer has informed King Charles III and will remain in office until a successor is chosen. Labour Party leadership nominations are expected to open on 9 July.
In business news, ongoing water outages at Libstar’s Dickon Hall Foods facility have forced operations to stop, with production shifted to Montagu in the Western Cape. Municipal failures forced the company to truck in water, cutting profits by R17-million. Libstar says the move is meant to centralise operations and reduce risk, although it has also triggered labour disruptions and production setbacks.
Tax season in South Africa opens in July, while in the UK, King Charles III is expected to reveal his personal tax bill later this week. The monarch is not legally required to pay tax, but Queen Elizabeth II began paying voluntary tax on private income and the Duchy of Lancaster in 1993.
SPORT
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has urged South Africans to keep backing national captains Ronwen Williams and Laura Wolvaardt as Bafana Bafana and the Proteas Women fight to reach the knockout stages of their respective World Cups. Internationally, Cape Verde have continued their dream World Cup debut run with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay after their shock result against Spain.
And finally, Grammy Award-winning South African musician Tyla is joining the Toy Story 5 cast as an inflatable flamingo. The new Pixar film puts toys up against tech, with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the gang facing competition from a tablet. The film has had the year’s biggest North American opening weekend, bringing in more than R2-billion.
That’s your News Bite for 22 June.
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Chapter Markers
(00:00) Opening Headlines
(00:30) Cachalia And The 30 June Deadline
(02:00) Didiza Responds To Ramaphosa Claims
(03:20) Madlanga Testimony Delayed
(05:20) Brown Mogotsi’s Fresh Bail Bid
(06:40) Keir Starmer Resigns
(07:40) Libstar Water Outages
(08:45) King Charles Tax Bill
(09:40) Kolisi Backs SA Captains
(10:50) Cape Verde Stun Again
(11:45) Tyla Joins Toy Story 5
(12:45) News Bite Wrap