Julius Malema returns to court, and Nelson Mandela’s belongings to be auctioned off

Today, 23 January, the Rand is trading at R16.09 to the Dollar, strengthening from R16.22 at the close of business on Thursday.

A memorial service for the 14 pupils killed in the Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash this week will be held today at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Ground in Sebokeng.

This is after the 22-year-old taxi driver, Ayanda Dludla, appeared in court on Thursday, facing 14 counts of attempted murder and reckless driving. Authorities say investigations into the crash are ongoing.

In the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo, the Phala Phala burglary case resumes today. The court will hear from a cellphone data analyst who is set for cross-examination.

Using Google mapping and data from network towers, the cellphone analyst was able to track the movements of the alleged burglars, accused of stealing $580,000 in cash from Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial will continue today in the High Court in Pretoria, calling a new witness after Sifiso Gwabini Zungu concluded his testimony on Thursday.

An inquest will begin today into the deaths of three anti-apartheid activists known as the Pebco Three, who disappeared in 1985.

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

Julius Malema returns to court with thousands of supporters – EWN

Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, will return to the East London Magistrate’s Court for pre-sentencing proceedings today after being found guilty of contravening gun laws when he fired shots in the air during a 2018 rally.

Nelson Mandela’s personal items to be auctioned off – The Citizen

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal seeking to prevent the children of former President Nelson Mandela from proceeding with the auction of their father’s personal belongings. This includes the key to his Robben Island prison cell and his ID book.

Disciplinary hearing for corruption-accused municipal CFO stalled – Newsday

The City of Motlosana Local Municipality council speaker has indefinitely postponed a disciplinary meeting for the corruption-accused CFO, Mercy Phetla, after the Presiding Officer of the disciplinary inquiry stripped the council of its ability to interfere in the damning findings.

Damelin Private College on the brink of collapse – News24

The Department of Higher Education has said that the private college is not able to cope with its mandate. The department issued a notice to cancel its registration after the institution failed to submit its annual reports.

Electricity Minister has a plan to bring down electricity costs – MyBroadband

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says he has a unique solution to bring down the price of electricity for South Africans — bringing down the cost of coal. He says that coal accounts for 40% of the cost of electricity.