Daily news update: Another resignation at SA Tourism; Gayton McKenzie praises Orania; Malema hopes Zuma will join EFF

Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.

Daily news update: 8 May

Acting CEO of SA Tourism resigns following Spurs sponsorship scandal

The Acting CEO of SA Tourism stepped down from the post amidst the uproar and eventual cancellation of the contentious R1 billion Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal.

Themba Khumalo had served the agency as chief marketing officer for four years and as acting CEO for 17 months.

According to SA Tourism spokesperson Zara Nicolson, tourism minister Patricia de Lille was informed of Khumalo’s resignation by the agency’s Board.

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Orania ‘doing what we should be doing in SA’ – Gayton McKenzie

Gayton McKenzie, the president of the Patriotic Alliance, recently visited the whites-only town of Orania in South Africa, sparking a heated debate.

During his visit, McKenzie said his experience in Orania may not be the same for others, but he found the residents friendly and welcoming.

He praised the town’s focus on building infrastructure, technical schools, and empowering people, noting that these actions should be replicated throughout South Africa.

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‘EFF a home of rehabilitation’: Malema hopes Zuma will join red berets

After Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi announced that he was joining the Economic Freedom fighters (EFF), the red berets’ leader Julius Malema said he hoped the former president would join as well.

Malema said the EFF’s numbers are growing and the party is not shocked that Manyi had joined.

He then added that former president Jacob Zuma would be welcome to join the EFF as well.

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Katlego Bereng’s family seeks justice as his body is laid to rest

Katlego Bereng, the man whose burnt body was used to help Thabo Bester escape from prison, was laid to rest in Mangaung on Sunday.

Bereng had been missing since March last year, and two weeks ago, DNA results confirmed that the charred remains found in Bester’s cell were his.

Bereng’s loved ones gathered in Bloemfontein as the burnt remains of the 31-year-old found in Bester’s cell were laid to rest.

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Taxi boss killed in drive-by shooting in KZN

A taxi owner was killed in a drive-by shooting in Verulam north of Durban on Saturday night.

According Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) who responded to the scene, the bullet-riddled body of a man estimated to be in his early thirties was found lying next to an Isuzu bakkie.

“The deceased was confirmed to be a taxi boss who operated in Mawothi,” said Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram.

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Fort Hare University grapples with violence amid corruption clean-up efforts

Chilling details emerged when five suspects appeared in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court this week, in connection with the violence and intimidation at Fort Hare University.

As reported by The Sunday Times, Fort Hare fleet manager Petrus Roets requested permission to carry a weapon on campus just months before he was fatally shot.

Criminals launched a violent response against vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu’s corruption clean-up efforts.

More people have since been killed as the university battles deep-rooted corruption.

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King Charles’ coronation: EFF calls for return of ‘Star of Africa’ diamond

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has demanded the return of the world’s largest diamond, known as the Star of Africa.

The diamond, which weighs 530 carats, is set in the royal sceptre that King Charles III held at his coronation on Saturday.

It was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and presented to the British monarchy by the colonial government in the country, which was then under British rule.

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