Here’s this morning’s news update: An easy-to-read selection of top stories. Keep up to date with it The Warga – More news, Your Way.
Daily news update: March 12
Ramaphosa noted the PP report cleared him of Phala Phala theft
President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had taken note of the public protector’s preliminary report about the theft at the Phala Phala game farm, which cleared him of wrongdoing.
The Phala Phala report was leaked
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka’s preliminary report on the Phala Phala farm scandal was leaked on Saturday.
Also read: Ramaphosa has 10 days to respond to initial PP report on Phala Phala
The 191-page report found that there was no basis to conclude that the president violated the Executive Code of Ethics, or “exposed himself to the risk of conflict between his duties and constitutional obligations and his personal interests due to or affected by the alleged payment. work” on the Limpopo-based farm .
However, the draft document made unfavorable findings against members of the South African Police Service (Saps) attached to the presidential protection unit.
Read more here.
The EFF dismissed the Public Protector’s ‘absurd’ report on Phala Phala
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have withdrawn Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka’s preliminary report to Phala Phala.
The EFF said the outcome of the report from the Office of the Public Protector was “predictable”.
Also read: ‘The less said, the better’: Ramaphosa notes the PP report that cleared him of Phala Phala theft
The Red Berets described the initial findings of the report as “absurd” and “irrational”, and later accused Gcaleka of being arrested by the president.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said his party’s preliminary analysis of the preliminary findings was unfounded.
Steenhuisen said the report contained several “inherent contradictions”. He said the acting public protector outsourced much of its investigative work to the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb), “where it will be shrouded in secrecy”.
Read more here.
The 2024 election campaign is now over, Ramaphosa said
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the election campaign ahead of the anticipated 2024 national and provincial elections is now over.
2024 public opinion poll
Ramaphosa on Saturday was on the campaign trail in KwaDukuza on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal in his capacity as president of the African National Congress (ANC).
The President launched a voter registration campaign and also attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the late ANC President, Albert Luthuli.
Read more here.
‘Don’t be stupid’ – Geordin Hill-Lewis tough talk ahead of EFF national shutdown
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has withdrawn his challenge ahead of the national shutdown planned by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on March 20, 2023.
The mayor recorded a video message announcing the planned action stating “We will open business as usual. Those responsible for the violence will be arrested.
The mayor promised that the city will do what it takes to make sure kids get to school on time, workers get to work and the economy keeps going.
Read more here.
Five-star Sundowns slaughtered Al Ahly
While some Mamelodi Sundowns supporters were still making their way to the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Marcelo Allende had put Sundowns in the lead in the 4th minute to start the killing off of Al Ahly.
Also read: Vilakazi ready to help Sekhukhune make his name
Sundowns beat The Red Devils 5-2 to book a place in the knockout stages with two games to spare when they played in front of a capacity stadium in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
Brazil won again in Group B as they now have 10 points ahead of Al-Hilal, who have nine points.
Read more here.