It’s Monday, 18 May, and this is News Bite, your fast, reliable update on South Africa and the world, with Marcelle Gordon.
Brown Mogotsi appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court after spending the weekend behind bars. The political fixer is accused of staging an assassination attempt on himself in Vosloorus and faces a charge of defeating the ends of justice. Police say the firearm linked to the scene is also connected to attempted murder and murder cases.
The matter against Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, Bafana Sindane and their co-accused has been struck off the roll in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court. The group had faced allegations of extorting more than R2-million in protection fees from a mining entrepreneur.
The World Health Organization has declared a rare Ebola strain an international health emergency after deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the affected countries and Africa CDC for their response.
The Western Cape storms continue to leave a trail of destruction, with agricultural losses running into the billions. Around 150,000 people have been affected, 11 lives have been lost, and more rain is expected this week.
The investigative centre amaBhungane has gone to the Constitutional Court to challenge the Public Procurement Act, arguing that corruption risks were not properly addressed during the law-making process.
The SA Human Rights Commission is probing Gauteng’s water crisis, with municipal managers summoned to a two-day hearing into recurring water outages and poor water quality.
Oil prices jumped in Asian trade as US-Iran tensions intensified. Donald Trump warned that the “clock is ticking” for Iran, while the United Arab Emirates investigates a drone strike near the Barakah nuclear power plant.
SPORT
· Orlando Pirates are two points behind Mamelodi Sundowns after a goalless draw with Durban City, but the Buccaneers still believe the Betway Premiership title is theirs to win.
· Crowd trouble overshadowed Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League final first-leg victory over A.S. FAR at Loftus, where one visiting supporter reportedly fell from the upper tier during the unrest.
· And finally, Aaron Rai has become the first Englishman to win the US PGA Championship in 109 years, clinching his first major title at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
That’s your News Bite for 18 May.