SOE can’t pay salaries, and Ramaphosa vows to make scholar transport safer

Today, 22 January, the Rand is trading at R16.27 to the Dollar, from R16.25 at the close of business on Wednesday. 

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Chief Julius Mkhwanazi is set to take the stand at the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption today. 

He is expected to provide evidence related to his links to alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and how he facilitated the installation of blue lights on Matlala’s private vehicles. 

The taxi driver involved in the deadly Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash that saw 12 schoolchildren killed is expected to appear in court. 

The 22-year old driver was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday and subsequently arrested for 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. 

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

Department of Social Development unqualified chief of staff resigns before disciplinary – Daily Maverick

Twenty-two-year-old Lesedi Mabiletja, who was appointed chief of staff without the necessary qualifications, has submitted her resignation after being suspended on full pay for three months, pending a disciplinary hearing.

State-owned company so broken it can’t pay salaries  – MyBroadband

Two divisions of South Africa’s once-great state-owned arms manufacturer, Denel, have allegedly told employees that they will not receive salaries this month.

Fikile Mbulula holds 2027 ANC presidential cards close to his chest – Newsday

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula is refusing to speak about his potential plan to run for a leadership position in the party’s presidential elections, stating that the discussion should be reserved for next year. 

Ramaphosa to make scholar transport safer following crash  – EWN

President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to issue instructions to the Department of Basic Education to find ways to make scholar transport safer. This is after the Vanderbijlpark accident earlier this week that claimed the lives of 12 learners. 

Five people killed in tuckshop shooting – eNCA

Five people were killed outside of a tuckshop in Attridgeville, West of Pretoria, on Wednesday. The shooting happened in an informal settlement, and the motive is still unknown.