Weekly news round-up: E-tolls controversy continues and human rights violations probed
Read more about claims that people’s rights are being violated by the Mpumalanga government, the length of time people are waiting for operations, and the fact that some South Africans still do not have access to potable water and electricity.
E-tolls must stay, insists Mbalula
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s statement that the e-toll system cannot be scrapped may put him in a difficult position with Cosatu.
Read more on The Citizen.
Business insurance claims worth billions paid after July unrest
The South African Special Risk Insurance Association has, to date, paid out R5.8b in claims to businesses that suffered damages during the unrest in July in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Read more on Highway Mail.
Analogue switch-off date for TV broadcasts announced
Indigent households still hoping to get a free set-top box have until the end of this month to visit a Post Office to register.
Read more on South Coast Sun.
Suspended Eskom manager’s millions forfeited to the state
The Special Tribunal has ordered that R11m from suspended Eskom senior manager Petrus Mazibuko’s company be forfeited to the state. The company co-owned by Mazibuko is at the centre of a probe into Eskom’s coal-supply contracts.
Read more on The Citizen.
SA children killed in NZ: Trial set for March 2023, more time needed for mom’s psychiatric tests
After a hearing in the High Court in Christchurch, the court heard more time was needed for Lauren Dickason’s health assessment, the New Zealand Herald reported. Dickason remains in custody at a forensic psychiatric ward at Hillmorton Hospital.
Read more on The Citizen.
Despite court finding, Gauteng govt maintains it was ‘correct’ to dissolve Tshwane council
The Constitutional Court’s majority judgment penned by Justice Rammaka Mathopo, which was delivered on Monday (October 4), ruled that the decision to place Tshwane council under administration in March 2020 was unlawful. However, Gauteng local government MEC Lebogang Maile stands by their decision.
Read more on Pretoria Rekord.
Human Rights Commission to look at Mpumalanga municipality
A 40-page report recently submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission in Mbombela lists infringements and evidence of poor basic service delivery.
Read more on Lowvelder.
205 Steve Biko hospital patients awaiting surgeries since 2010
Over 200 patients are on the waiting list at the Tshwane-based state hospital for maxillo-facial surgeries, such as the repair of cleft palates.
Read more on The Citizen.
R6.5m Giyani stadium now a crime hotspot
According to residents who had hoped the Limpopo stadium would help take youth off the streets, the municipality has been promising to revamp it since 2015.
Read more on The Citizen.
2021 local election factsheet: Water in South Africa
An interesting factsheet breaks down the potable water access situation – who has access to water, who doesn’t, what problems South Africans experience with water delivery, water delivery issues in metros, and what water access looked like in 1994.
Read more on Witbank News.
2021 local election factsheet: Electricity in South Africa
In the run-up to the municipal elections, we look at the available data on electricity access, including who has access to mains electricity, how people across provinces rate their electricity supply, who had mains electricity in 1994, and who doesn’t have access to electricity.
Read more on Witbank News.
Read original story on rekord.co.za
