JOHANNESBURG -
G20 PRESIDENCY DRAMA
Now that the G20 presidency has moved to the United States, President Donald Trump is indicating that South Africa will not be invited. The US president cited South Africa's refusal to hand the G20 presidency to a US embassy representative. Trump says any US subsidies and payments made to South Africa will also be stopped. This comes days after US Republican Senator John Kennedy introduced a bill to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, with a clause specifically excluding South Africa from future trade benefits. The Trump administration has consistently said that it believes South Africa acts against US interests and is allied with America's enemies.
CAT OUT OF THE BAG AT AD HOC COMMITTEE
Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala claims that he gave former Police Minister, Bheki Cele, substantial amounts of money and says Cele kept asking for more. Matlala was testifying before Parliament's SAPS Ad Hoc Committee into corruption. Matlala says the reported R300,000 cash bribe for Cele was carried inside a Woolworths shopping bag. He says the money was withdrawn from an FNB bank at Menlyn Maine shopping centre in Pretoria.
PUBLIC PROTECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT
The Public Protector's office has confirmed it will be probing President Cyril Ramaphosa. This follows a complaint submitted by the MK Party, alleging Ramaphosa violated the Executive Ethics Code. The investigation will examine possible breaches related to abuse of power, improper conduct and responsibilities of the executive office. The case includes references to previous concerns raised during Ramaphosa’s tenure, including misuse of state apparatus to protect himself and his political allies. The MK Party says the process is necessary to ensure accountability.
ZUMA-SAMBUDLA RESIGNS FROM PARLIAMENT
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned as MK Party MP. This comes after allegations that she recruited 17 men to fight in Ukraine. The party says it knows nothing about allegations surrounding Zuma-Sambudla. The Hawks are investigating the circumstances of how they got there, while the Democratic Alliance in Cape Town has also laid criminal charges against Zuma-Sambudla.