Daily news update: Thabo Bester arrests, Sudan saga continues, Workers’ Day

In today’s daily news update: More G4S employees were apprehended for helping Thabo Bester escape.

Meanwhile, Pravin Gordhan skips Scopa and jets off to China, and Gift of the Givers confirmed 22 South Africans escaping from Sudan are still stuck on a boat.

Daily news update: 2 May

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Thabo Bester: More arrests

Two additional G4S employees were apprehended in relation to the escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.

On Monday, May 1st, ex-G4S workers were taken into custody by law enforcement in Bloemfontein.

National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that the pair is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

“The two employees, who were previously terminated by G4S, were arrested on May 1, 2023, at their homes in Bloemfontein.”

READ: Thabo Bester: More G4S employees arrested in connection with ‘Facebook rapist’ escape

Gordhan off to China

Last Wednesday, Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) summoned Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

De Ruyter – who had previously made astonishing claims of corruption involving the ANC at Eskom during a notorious eTV interview – seemed far more reserved in front of Scopa last week.

Scopa resolved to call Gordhan to account but it would appear the hearing clashes with Gordhan’s pre-planned visit to China.

READ: Pravin Gordhan skips on Scopa and jets off to China

Sudan saga continues

Gift of the Givers disclosed that nearly two dozen South African nationals remain stranded in Port Safaga, Egypt, following the violent outbreak in Sudan two weeks ago.

The latest information from the non-governmental humanitarian organisation marks the first mention of an additional 22 South Africans who still need to be brought to safety after escaping from Sudan.

Dirco updated the total number of evacuees to 66, who arrived back home over the weekend from Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

READ: Sudan escape saga continues for 22 South Africans still stranded on boat

Workers’ Day 2023

On Workers’ Day, Numsa – one of the country’s largest workers’ unions – portrayed a bleak image of South Africa under the ANC-led government.

The union’s harsh criticism characterizes the entire ANC rule and post-democracy era as “29 wasted years.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa frequently refers to the “nine wasted years” under former President Jacob Zuma as a blanket justification for government failures in his addresses to the nation.

On Workers’ Day, Numsa has accused the ruling party of “consolidating the power of the capitalist elite, rather than dismantling the colonial and apartheid structure of the economy.”

READ: Workers’ Day 2023: Numsa’s scathing assessment of the state of SA