Daily news update: Inquest docket into Joemat-Pettersson’s death, Diepsloot protest and Thabo Bester case update

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Daily news update: 21 June 2023.

Police open inquest docket into Joemat-Pettersson’s death 

Police have confirmed that African National Congress (ANC) MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s death is suspected to be “unnatural” and will now be the subject of an investigation.

The former minister of energy and ANC MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson passed away earlier this month.

READ MORE: Police open inquest docket into Joemat-Pettersson’s death

Three more arrests expected in Thabo Bester’s case, ninth suspect abandons bail

The case against nine suspects accused of aiding convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester in his daring escape from prison has taken a new turn. The state has revealed that three more suspects will be arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.

Nine suspects appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing multiple charges related to Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May last year after he faked his death.

READ MORE: Three more arrests expected in Thabo Bester’s case, ninth suspect abandons bail

WATCH: Diepsloot residents burn stalls and close businesses to try force Ramaphosa to listen

The community of Diepsloot has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to visit the area following ongoing protests against crime in the area.

The residents delivered a memorandum to the Diepsloot police station on Tuesday, saying they are fed up with the high levels of crime in the area. 

READ MORE: WATCH: Diepsloot residents burn stalls and close businesses to try force Ramaphosa to listen

Private funders pour millions into the NPA

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has received R43.5 million through donations and sponsorship so far this current financial year.

This is R13 million more compared to the R30 million it had received by March, as reported by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.

READ MORE: Private funders pour millions into the NPA

ActionSA accuses Makhubele of delaying Gwamanda no-confidence motion

ActionSA has accused Johannesburg council speaker Colleen Makhubele of intentionally delaying the motion of no confidence in Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.

Gwamanda was expected to face the vote in council on Tuesday, but ActionSA said Makhubele did not take their motion to the council’s programming committee.

READ MORE: ActionSA accuses Makhubele of delaying Gwamanda no-confidence motion

Thabo Bester appears in court virtually in designer gear, his lawyers withdraw from case

The case against eight suspects arrested in connection with the escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester has been postponed to August.

Bester, his alleged girlfriend and accomplice Dr Nandipha Magudumana, and seven other suspects appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Thabo Bester appears in court virtually in designer gear, his lawyers withdraw from case

Siya Kolisi ‘feeling good’ and thankful for backing from Bok bosses

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is feeling good and positive as he continues his journey back from a serious knee injury while also being in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France in September and October.

Kolisi fronted up to the media at a Bok press conference in Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon and was in good spirits as he explained that being part of the squad during this time was important for him to stay in the right frame of mind.

READ MORE: Siya Kolisi ‘feeling good’ and thankful for backing from Bok bosses