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Daily News update: Nathi Nhleko leaves ANC | SA dodges recession | Simphiwe Mkhonza loses battle with kidney infection
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Photo: iStock/The Citizen/Cheryl Kahla
News today includes former police minister Nathi Nhleko has left the ANC weeks after his spat with secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.
Meanwhile, South Africa narrowly avoided a recession with a 0.1% GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, as economists predicted.
Furthermore, the family of former Kaizer Chiefs defender Simphiwe Mkhonza have confirmed the passing of the former footballer in the early hours of Tuesday after a long battle with a kidney infection.
News Today: 6 March 2024
The weather service has warned of extreme hot and uncomfortable conditions in Limpopo and extremely high fire danger in Limpopo, the Free State, the North West, and the Northern Cape. – full weather forecast here.
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Nathi Nhleko leaves ANC, slams Mbalula’s ‘bankrupt thinking’
Former police minister Nathi Nhleko has left the ANC weeks after his spat with secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.
In a letter addressed to Mbalula and President Cyril Ramaphosa, among others, Nhleko slammed Mbalula for the comments about the ruling party protecting former president Jacob Zuma and how Nhleko “sweated” through the lies.
“In the recent attack mounted against my person by Fikile Mbalula about what he called ‘my sweating’, ‘the fire pool narrative’ and what he called were ‘lies to protect the former president’. He closed his attack by stating that ‘people lost their careers because of this thing’, consequently and regrettably, I resign from this ANC as its current values and principles are not aligned to mine,” wrote Nhleko.
CONTINUE: Nathi Nhleko leaves ANC, slams Mbalula’s ‘bankrupt thinking’
SA dodges recession by 0.1% GDP growth in fourth quarter
South Africa narrowly avoided a recession with a 0.1% GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, as economists predicted. Annual real GDP increased by 0.6% in 2023, after a 1.9% increase in 2022.
According to Statistics SA, the annual increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) was primarily driven by higher economic activities in finance, real estate and business services, which contributed 0.4 of a percentage point based on growth of 1.8%.
Additionally, transport, storage and communication contributed 0.3 of a percentage point based on growth of 4.3%, personal services, which contributed 0.3 of a percentage point based on growth of 2.0% and manufacturing, which contributed 0.1 of a percentage point based on growth of 0.5%.
CONTINUE: SA dodges recession by 0.1% GDP growth in fourth quarter
Hawks arrest Giyani municipality CFOs for R148m VBS corruption
Two senior officials at the Limpopo’s Greater Giyani Local Municipality and a businessman were arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday morning for corruption linked to the VBS Mutual Bank saga involving more than R148 million.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) serious corruption investigation unit made the arrests two weeks after a large number of ANC councillors boycotted a Moses Kotane Local Municipality meeting after they refused to rescind a council resolution to appoint a new CFO, despite him facing fraud and corruption charges also in connection with VBS Mutual Bank.
A 64-year-old man who was previously the chief financial officer and acting municipal manager for the Giyani municipality was arrested in Lulekani. A 42-year-old woman was arrested in Giyani. She was a budget manager, acting chief financial officer, and currently the chief financial officer of the municipality. The third accused, a 33-year-old businessman, was arrested in Muhuya village, Thohoyandou, on allegations of money laundering.
CONTINUE: Hawks arrest Giyani municipality CFOs for R148m VBS corruption
Former Chiefs and Arrows defender Mkhonza loses battle with kidney infection
The family of former Kaizer Chiefs defender Simphiwe Mkhonza have confirmed the passing of the former footballer in the early hours of Tuesday after a long battle with a kidney infection.
Mkhonza, who was affectionately known as “Dr Mnandi” because of his punditry in football at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), lost his life at the age of 45.
It has been revealed that Mkhonza was admitted to the Charlotte Maxeke hospital last month, and was released after showing signs of improvement.
CONTINUE: Former Chiefs and Arrows defender Mkhonza loses battle with kidney infection
AKA murder: Suspects willing to be extradited to SA, but concerned about safety
Two suspects arrested in eSwatini for their alleged involvement in the murders of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane will be extradited without a fight should their demands be met.
Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande made their second appearance in the Manzini Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The two brothers, who were arrested on 24 February, are expected to be extradited back to South Africa to join the five other suspects, who have been charged for the double murders.
CONTINUE: AKA murder: Suspects willing to be extradited to SA, but concerned about safety
In other news today:
- ‘Gantry lights and cameras will remain’ − Gauteng Finance MEC Mamabolo on e-toll debt
- EFF MP Naledi Chirwa fined for failure to attend Parliament due to her sick baby
- Sanef takes on big tech: Demands compensation for South African media content
- Zimbabwe says sanctions ‘great vindication’ of Mnangagwa’s foreign policy
- Gauteng 2024 Budget speech: E-toll debt, AmaPanyaza among key highlights
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: eThekwini strike | Call for AmaPanyaza to patrol Braam | Ex-Zuma lawyers to get criminal records
