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Daily news update: South African found guilty for murder of women in US | Nine ANC members die in bus accident | Hostage drama on East Rand
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Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
In today’s news, a South African man was found guilty for the murder of two Alaskan native women. Brian Steven Smith was caught after police were given footage of one of the murders that was found on his cellphone.
Nine ANC members lost their lives in an accident in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday morning. The bus they were travelling in overturned on the R33 between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC members from Mpumalanga were travelling back from the ANC manifesto launch in Durban.
Meanwhile, a man was arrested after he took members of his family hostage and fired shots at police officers who responded to the scene in Klopperpark, on Gauteng’s East Rand. The suspect released the hostages and handed himself over to police after a hostage negotiator arrived.
News today: 26 February
SA man found guilty of killing Alaskan women after footage of murder taken from phone
A South African man, Brian Steven Smith, was found guilty for the murder of two Alaskan native women.
He was caught after police were given footage of one of the murders that was found on his cellphone.
Smith later confessed to killing the other woman, whose body had been misidentified by police.
Continue reading: SA man found guilty of killing Alaskan women after footage of murder taken from phone
Bus accident claims lives of nine ANC members in KwaZulu-Natal
The police confirmed the deaths of nine ANC members in an accident in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday morning.
According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a bus travelling from the Moses Mabhida stadium overturned on the R33 between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal.
Nine people were confirmed dead, with scores injured.
Continue reading: Bus accident claims lives of nine ANC members in KwaZulu-Natal
Man arrested after taking family hostage and shooting three police officers
A man was arrested after he took members of his family hostage and fired shots at police officers who responded to the scene in Klopperpark, on Gauteng’s East Rand.
South African Police Service (Saps) spokesperson, Captain Mavela Masondo, said the suspect started firing shots at the officers when they arrived at his house.
He also shot a family friend inside the house.
“The Saps hostage negotiator and task team were summoned to the scene. The suspect released all the other victims and surrendered himself to the police,” said Masondo.
Continue reading: Man arrested after taking family hostage and shooting three police officers
‘We have solid election structures’ – Malema dismisses ‘dangerous’ election rigging claims
EFF leader Julius Malema has dismissed the rhetoric of election rigging, saying that the country has “solid” election structures.
Former ANC leaders Jacob Zuma and Ace Magashule have made claims of election rigging.
Malema took to social media on Sunday, calling on politicians who feel defeated before the country takes to the polls to give up rather than sow panic by alleging election rigging.
Continue reading: Malema dismisses ‘dangerous’ election rigging claims
Saps says Bheki Cele did not use police chopper in his personal capacity at ANC event
The South African Police Service (Saps) has explained that Police Minister Bheki Cele’s use of its chopper at the ANC election manifesto at the Moses Mabhida stadium on Saturday was not for his personal use.
A video circulating on social media shows the police minister arriving at the event in the chopper, sparking criticism from South Africans who accuse the minister of abusing state resources.
The DA called for Cele to be billed in his personal capacity. However, according to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the police chopper was deployed to the ANC manifesto launch to monitor the large crowds.
Continue reading: Saps says Bheki Cele did not use police chopper in his personal capacity
Concerns raised over public funds for Mandela home renovation
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) has raised concerns about public funds being used to renovate the private home of the Mandela family in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela’s house on 12th avenue in Houghton has attracted negative media coverage due to the poor state of the upkeep and its abandonment by Mandela’s grandchildren, who previously resided there.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi announced last week that the province would assist the Mandela family in renovating the house.
Continue reading: Concerns raised over Mandela home renovation
Safa boss calls colleague ‘stupid’ and a ‘loose cannon’ – report
South African Football Association technical director Walter Steenbok lashed out at Safa National Executive Member David Molwantwa in a heated e-mail exchange, according to a report from City Press.
The report states that Steenbok hit out at Molwantwa after the latter, who also headed up Safa’s delegation at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, had criticised Steenbok for not giving enough notice to attend a meeting.
This caused Steenbok to issue a stern response.
Continue reading: Safa boss calls colleague ‘stupid’ and a ‘loose cannon’
PICS: Inside the gorgeous Minki van der Westhuizen’s 40th birthday party
Minki van der Westhuizen celebrated her 40th birthday on Saturday 24 February at Weltevreden Estate in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands.
The theme for the evening was Coachella, and guests did not disappoint. Minki’s outfit was designed by Cape Town fashion designer Stephen Van Eden, who has dressed her for many big occasions including her latest Huisgenoot cover shoot and her appearances on the ‘Afrikaans is Groot’ stage last year.
Continue reading: PICS: Inside the gorgeous Minki van der Westhuizen’s 40th birthday party
