JOHANNESBURG - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has taken umbrage with former President Jacob Zuma’s visit to Ajay Gupta in India.
The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court wants additional time to finalise businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s plea deal.
And while the 30 June protests came and went, it appears they won’t go away quietly.
Here’s what you might have missed this week.
DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola says that while Zuma is entitled to certain privileges as a former head of state, he does not have the right to run a parallel foreign policy.
Zuma has visited many countries on his own, with many of those trips documented on social media. His meeting with Ajay Gupta in India has been the most controversial.
In videos, Zuma is seen visiting a temple with the Gupta brother. He is also seen accompanied by South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal.
Zuma has defended his visit and his friendship with the Gupta brothers, who the Zondo Commission found were the architects of state capture. During the proceedings, Zuma was implicated as having facilitated state capture during his tenure as president.
READ: DIRCO investigating official over Zuma-Gupta meeting - Minister Lamola
DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola says while Zuma has certain privilege he is entitled to as a former head of state. He does not have the right to run a parallel foreign policy.
Zuma has visited many countries on his own, many of them seen on social media. A meeting with Ajay Gupta in India has been the most controversial.
READ: 'A slap in the face for South Africans': Zuma and Gupta reunion
Zuma and the Gupta family have long denied allegations of state capture.
Despite years of investigations that found they influenced state appointments and contracts, Zuma maintains close ties with the Gupta family.
Lamola has said an investigation will be conducted after an official from his department was seen accompanying Zuma. He says a lot of questions need to be answered.
Businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has been subpoenaed to appear before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday.
Matlala has agreed to appear before the commission on condition that he is not cross-examined about the Medicare24 contract because it is subject to a plea deal with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
READ: Cat Matlala subpoenaed to appear before Madlanga Commission
n a turn of events in the corruption case against him and several police officials, Matlala has turned state witness. He pleaded guilty to fraud, corruption and money laundering charges linked to the R228 million SAPS tender.
READ: Matlala's affidavit can not be used until deal is finalised - NPA
Appearing at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court last week, the plea agreement between Matlala’s legal team and the state was presented. They proposed a 15-year prison sentence, with seven years suspended, meaning he would effectively serve eight years behind bars.
Judge Ignatius du Preez rejected the proposed sentence and instead made a counterproposal of 12 years.
READ: Court rejects proposed sentence in 'Cat' Matlala plea deal
Both parties will now go back to the drawing board and are expected back in court on 13 July.
The unofficial 30 June deadline came and went, with relatively peaceful protests across most parts of the country.
Despite this, more than 900 people were arrested for taking advantage of the protests and engaging in criminal activity.
Charges include public violence, looting, incitement and breaches of the Immigration Act.
While members of government praised the country for the relatively peaceful protests, accounts of attacks in the days that followed have been harrowing.
Most foreign business owners have since been cautious about reopening and running their businesses. March and March’s Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has publicly said the protests will continue every Thursday.
READ: 900 arrested after nationwide protests against undocumented migrants
Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says addressing irregular migration is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and that they should be allowed to do their job.
He also praised police for keeping things calm on 30 June, maintaining that the planned national shutdown failed to disrupt daily life.
Mbalula emphasised that immigration law enforcement remains a government responsibility.
READ: Ntuli praises peaceful KZN protests against undocumented migration
Dozens of migrants hoping to return to their home countries remain stranded in Musina, Limpopo, where the Department of Home Affairs has opted to move its repatriation centre.
While progress has been slow, many have yet to be processed after overstaying their visas.