Jacob Zuma accused of illegally monitoring a judge, and mayor placed at a murder scene

Today, 19 January, the Rand is trading at R16.40 to the Dollar, remaining roughly flat over the weekend from closing Friday at R16.39. 

In the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, the forty-four-year-old Soweto taxi boss accused of murdering Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, will hear the result of his bail application today. 

The bail hearing began last Tuesday. The accused, Victor Majola, is facing charges of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. 

The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial will resume this morning in the High Court in Pretoria. Five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of the Bafana Bafana captain. 

In the Western Cape High Court, the high-profile trial of alleged underworld gang boss Nafix Modack will resume today. Modack is facing 122 charges and is on trial with 14 others for allegedly operating a criminal enterprise. 

As weather conditions begin to clear in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the Kruger National Park will reopen its gates to day visitors today. The northern parts of the park are still closed as essential repairs to roads and bridges take place. 

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

Judge Sisi Khampepe allegedly being illegally monitored by Jacob Zuma – Daily Maverick

Constitutional Court Judge, Sisi Khampepe, who is set to lead the Inquiry into political interference and obstruction in Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases, is alledgedly under illegal surveillance by the former president, who possesses his personal emails and texts. 

Ekurhuleni Mayor placed at a murder scene – News24

News24 investigations show that Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, mayor of Ekurhuleni Municipality, was allegedly at the DJ Bongani Mfihlo murder scene in September 2023. The mayor allegedly spent the night in the victim’s company before he was shot at a Kempton Park nightclub by municipal-linked security guards.

Good news for those who need smart IDs – MyBroadband

At least three of South Africa’s prominent physical banks are on track to offer smart ID Services by March 2026, as part of a partnership with the Department of Home Affairs. This allows banks to provide smart IDs without requiring any Home Affairs equipment or staff.

Political parties demand probe into SANDF military exercise with Iran – eNCA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA have both called for an urgent parliamentary probe into reports indicating that Iran took part in a South African-hosted naval exercise, ignoring presidential instructions. Both parties have rejected the Defence Minister’s plan to establish a board of inquiry.

South Africa’s litmus test – Newsday

Former President Thabo Mbeki said that the 2021 riots were not a spontaneous defence of Jacob Zuma, but rather a planned test by counter-revolutionaries to see if they could paralyse the state.