Thousands of South African jobs at risk, and SANDF kicked off Iran naval exercise probe

Today, 27 February, the rand is trading at R15.90 to the dollar, stronger than R15.91 at the close of business on Thursday. 

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe will return to the Ekapa mine in Kimberley today, where five miners are presumed dead after a mudslide trapped them in the mine.

The company was forced to cease operations with immediate effect and has since applied for liquidation, but the rescue mission is still ongoing. 

In the Johannesburg High Court, two men linked to the looting of Tembisa Hospital will return to court today.  The Special Investigating Unit has already uncovered R13.5 million from former hospital official Zacharia Tshisele. 

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in the police and criminal justice system will hear from Ekurhuleni’s suspended head of human resources, Linda Gxasheka, today.

Previous witnesses have testified that Gxasheka was part of a group of senior officials in the metro that shielded deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi from accountability. 

Nominations for the next federal leader of the Democratic Alliance have officially opened today. 

Two of the party’s suspected top candidates, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Gauteng DA Leader Solly Msimanga, are making announcements today, with speculation that they plan to enter the race.

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

Ramaphosa takes over Iran naval exercise probe from SANDF – TimesLIVE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved the investigation into army commanders who allowed Iran to participate in the Will For Peace naval exercise from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to his office to ensure it remains independent.

Paul O’Sullivan to face legal consequences for parliament walk-out –IOL

Parliament is seeking legal advice after forensic fraud examiner Paul O’Sullivan abruptly walked out of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption yesterday. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) want O’Sullivan arrested for violating the rules of Parliament. 

Two South Africans confirmed dead in Russia-Ukraine war – The Citizen

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has confirmed that two South Africans have died on the frontlines in the Ukraine-Russia war. The two deaths are not part of the group of 17 men being returned to South Africa, but another recruitment drive. 

Thousands of jobs at risk because of Eskom – BusinessTech

As the deadline for a long-term solution to skyrocketing electricity prices and their impact on the ferrochrome industry draws near on 28 February, trade union Solidarity is warning that thousands of workers will be retrenched if Eskom or the Minister of Electricity fail to come up with a plan.

Major South African city plunged into chaos – Newsday

The newly appointed Finance MMC for the City of Ekurhuleni has resigned after only a few days in office. This comes after the EFF abandoned the coalition and ActionSA rejected an MMC position, leaving the ANC to govern as a minority coalition government.