SA hands G20 Presidency to junior US diplomat, and major South African metro collapsing

Today, 26 November, the Rand is trading at R17.17 to the Dollar, from R17.26 at the close of business on Tuesday. 

Arguments will be heard for the recusal of the Chief Evidence Leader, Adv. Ishmael Semenya, in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases inquiry.

The inquiry, probing two-decade-long delays in prosecutions for TRC hearings, was adjourned after it was found that Semenya played an advisory role in the last TRC hearings.

In the Western Cape High Court, Alleged underworld crime boss Jerome Booysen and 11 co-accused will appear today to continue their testimony. 

The group are facing several charges, including the 2017 murder of steroid smuggler Brian Wainstein. 

In the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), the investigation into mismanagement at the Road Accident Fund (RAF) continues. 

SCOPA is giving former RAF CEO Collin Letsoalo one more chance to appear before the committee today. If he does not show up, he will face the full consequences of defying a summons. 

The Parliament Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption will finally hear from murder-accused tenderpreneur Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala today, after Matlala attempted to postpone his appearance.

Matlala’s legal team said he is not prepared to give his testimony. Committee member and ActionSA MP Darleen James accused Matlala of using “Stalingrad tactics” to delay the committee’s work, and said that no attempt to delay the testimony will be tolerated. 

Here are five other big things happening in South Africa today:

SA hands over G20 presidency to junior US diplomat – EWN

South Africa handed over the G20 presidency to a junior US diplomat on Tuesday after the US boycotted the summit.

Nelson Mandela Bay is falling apart – BusinessTech

The Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate says that the metro is collapsing, with municipal chaos, out-of-control crime, and governance problems.

Vodacom partners with Google – MyBroadband

The South African telecoms provider has announced a strategic collaboration with Google Cloud.

Gauteng government owes Microsoft R344 million – Newsday

The province’s Department of e-Government owes Microsoft more than a third of a billion rand in unpaid licences.

The Chinese car brand outselling Mercedes, Volvo, and Honda in SA – TopAuto

Having only been in South Africa for a little over a year, Jetour is already outselling several established brands.