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Daily News Update: Naledi Pandor speaks on ICJ order, Ugandan judge’s stance questioned, Rassie Erasmus in hospital
Here's your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
In today’s news, International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor warned it might be difficult to implement ICJ’s decision in Israel.
Meanwhile, Ugandan judge Julia Sebutinde was the only ICJ member who voted against the court’s provisional measures.
SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus spent the weekend in hospital following a freak accident, while emergency services responded to a fire at Table Mountain.
News today: 28 January
In case you’ve missed some of our top stories while attending to your weekend obligations, don’t worry we’ll bring you up to speed.
Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Here’s our selection of our top stories to keep you updated.
Pandor says it might be difficult to implement ICJ order
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor said it’s difficult to imagine how Israel will implement the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) order without a ceasefire in Gaza.
The court ruled that Israel should take steps to “prevent and punish” incitement to genocide, and ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.
However, moments after the ruling, Pandor called for the release of Israeli hostages, saying that while she hoped for a ceasefire, South Africa was satisfied with the court’s directive.
READ MORE: WATCH – Pandor warns of difficulty in Israel implementing ICJ order
Ugandan judge is the only one who voted against ICJ measures
Meanwhile, Ugandan Judge Julia Sebutinde was the only panel member on the ICJ who voted against the court’s provisional measures.
Sebutinde said South Africa didn’t demonstrate that the acts allegedly committed by Israel were committed with the necessary genocidal intent.
“In my respectful dissenting opinion, the dispute between the State of Israel and the people of Palestine is essentially and historically a political one.”
READ MORE: SA vs Israel: Julia Sebuntinde the only judge who voted against all ICJ measures
Suspended judge Makhubele explained Prasa Job
In the SA legal sphere, suspended Judge Tintswalo Makhubele told the Judicial Conduct Tribunal that she did not apply for the Chairperson position on the Prasa board.
The tribunal is investigating allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Makhubele, who was accused of taking on the role of interim chair while she was still a sitting judge.
In her defence, Makhubele indicated she didn’t intentionally apply for the position but said it all started when she gave her CV to her neighbour.
READ MORE: Suspended judge Makhubele explains how she landed Prasa job
Rassie Erasmus in hospital after a freak accident
Former Springboks coach and South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been admitted to hospital following a freak accident.
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) confirmed on Saturday that Erasmus sustained chemical burns while using a powerful detergent.
“He is otherwise in good health and expects to return to full-time working within weeks,” Saru said in a statement.
READ MORE: What we know so far about Rassie Erasmus’s ‘freak accident’; impact on Boks coaching plans
Fire flames on Table Mountain
Emergency services responded to a fire at Table Mountain on Saturday.
Tafelberg Road and the aerial cableway were closed while SANParks and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway evacuated people from cable cars.
Three Huey helicopters and a spotter plane were deployed to extinguish the blaze.
READ FULL STORY: Table Mountain fire: Cable cars evacuated, Black Hawk and spotter plane deployed [WATCH]
Two arrested in connection with hijacked Hillbrow building
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a hijacked building in Hillbrow.
The building was reportedly hijacked by four individuals for over 20 years.
Johannesburg Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku said the other two suspects fled the scene when confronted with law enforcement and still loom large.
READ MORE: WATCH: Two arrested, others on the run in connection with hijacked Hillbrow building
