It’s Friday, 14 August and this is News Bite with Marcelle Gordon.
The Madlanga Commission will lay criminal charges against North West businessman Suliman Carrim after another no-show, again blamed on ill health. Evidence leader Adila Hassim says Carrim breached the Commission’s Act, while eNCA’s Yusuf Abrahmjee says he now faces serious consequences for failing to comply with a subpoena.
Suspended MP Fadiel Adams’ case has been transferred to the Durban Regional Court. He faces fraud and defeating-the-ends-of-justice charges linked to alleged interference in the Sindiso Magaqa murder investigation.
Nearly 20 million South Africans could rely on SASSA grants by year-end. Social Development Minister Dina Pule says temporary staff, library kiosks for first-time applicants and clearer payment-date guidance form part of a plan to ease confusion at offices.
In Johannesburg, Melville residents have protested persistent water cuts. High-lying suburbs remain affected by instability linked to the Commando system and Hursthill reservoir network.
Electricity tariff increases are also squeezing households. The Green Connection wants changes to pricing policy, while Eskom chair Mteto Nyati has shrugged off a Presidency rebuke over comments about risks in moving transmission assets too quickly. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has again defended Eskom unbundling amid union concerns over jobs and higher prices.
In the UK, Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election after major Westminster parties stayed out. Reform UK’s leader took just over 22,000 votes, while joke candidate Count Binface, who dresses as a rubbish bin, came second with nearly 9,500.
In other news we’re keeping an eye on, the Pretoria High Court has reinstated seven NSFAS board members and set aside Hlengani Mathebula’s appointment as administrator. More than 280 people have died and about 500 remain missing after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia, while record rain in Japan’s Chiba prefecture has killed at least six people, cut power to more than 20,000 households and stranded 7,000 travellers at Narita airport.
SPORT
Banyana Banyana beat Nigeria 2-1 to keep their 2027 Women’s World Cup hopes alive, securing a place in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs. Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart was Player of the Match.
And finally, Curwin Bosch will make his Bulls debut against New Zealand at Loftus, with Thaakir Abrahams also starting and Willie le Roux set for his 20th career meeting with the All Blacks. Marcell Coetzee captains the Bulls.
That’s your News Bite for 14 August. For more, visit eNCA.com or watch eNCA on DStv 403.