Daily news update: Maselspoort racial attack update, cannabis bill and Thabo Bester case

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Daily news update: 24 May 2023

One of the men involved in alleged Maselspoort racial attack is sentenced

Stephanus van der Westhuizen, one of the three white men accused of assaulting two black teenage boys at the Maselspoort Resort in Bloemfontein on Christmas Day, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to common assault.

The alleged racist assault made headlines around South Africa after video footage of the incident went viral. The footage showed the men seemingly trying to prevent the black teenagers from entering the pool area, and then slapping the boys and pushing one of their heads under the water.

READ MORE: One of the men involved in alleged Maselspoort racial attack is sentenced

‘It will create a police state’: Dagga Party calls cannabis bill ‘fascist’

The Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, which aims to cater for those who use marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, has been met with fierce opposition in Parliament.

The cannabis plant was decriminalised by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in September 2018 and gave Parliament 24 months to amend the relevant laws.

READ MORE: ‘It will create a police state’: Dagga Party calls cannabis bill ‘fascist’

Bail hearing of five accused in Thabo Bester case to continue on Wednesday

The Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday will continue hearing the bail application of five people accused of helping convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, escape from prison last year.

The defence for the accused and the state on Tuesday presented their closing arguments in the bail application of former G4S employees Senohe Matsoara, Buti (Motenyane John) Masukela, Tieho Frans Makhotsa and Nastassja Jansen, and Integriton CCTV technician Teboho James Lipholo.

READ MORE: Bail hearing of five accused in Thabo Bester case to continue on Wednesday

‘Have you arrested them?’ Mbalula calls out UK over Iraq war in Putin debate

African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has called out the hypocrisy of those who are calling on South Africa to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin, when no leader has been arrested for the Iraq invasion.

The ICC in March issued an arrest warrant for Putin for the war crime of “deporting” Ukrainian children.

READ MORE: ‘Have you arrested them?’ Mbalula calls out UK over Iraq war in Putin debate

Emfuleni and service provider blame each other as parts of Vanderbijlpark left in the dark for days

A section of Emfuleni Local Municipality’s Vanderbijlpark, in the south of Johannesburg, has been plunged into darkness for seven consecutive days.

Residents are angry and frustrated at the troubled Emfuleni Local Municipality over the electricity woes.

READ MORE: Emfuleni and service provider blame each other as parts of Vanderbijlpark left in the dark for days

KAYA FM wishes Dineo Ranaka healing after radio jock admits to being suicidal

Media personality Dineo Ranaka startled her 1.2 million followers on Instagram this morning when she posted that she completely understands people who commit suicide.

“I get it. I get them,” shared the co-host of 959 Breakfast on the social platfrom. “Because I’m trying my best not to commit suicide. My mind is so loud of late and life is f***ing hard, sof***ing hard and I’m trying my best but it seems my best isn’t enough,” wrote Ranaka.

READ MORE: KAYA FM wishes Dineo Ranaka healing after radio jock admits to being suicidal

Broos announces preliminary Bafana squad for Morocco game

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 34-man preliminary squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco next month.

ALSO READ: Mvala apologises for error that led to Sundowns’ Champs League exit

The preliminary squad will be trimmed to 23 players early next month when Broos announces his final list for the eagerly anticipated match.

READ MORE: Broos announces preliminary Bafana squad for Morocco game