Water Minister in Ethiopia amid crisis, and ex-city manager’s R3.5 million luxury trip exposed

Today, 16 February, the rand is trading at R15.93 to the dollar, down from R15.95 at the close last week.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry investigating corruption in the police and criminal justice system will resume its proceedings this week with the testimony of the anonymous ‘Witness F’.

The Witness began his testimony earlier this month and was grilled about allegedly sharing police information with criminal cartel members. He has since been attempting to block his return to the commission. 

The trial of alleged underworld crime boss Jerome Booysen is expected to continue in the Western Cape High Court after a week-long postponement.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be holding a rally against gangsterism today in the northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay.

This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the State of the Nation Address last week that the military would be deployed to the Western Cape and Gauteng to tackle gang violence.

The party believes the president has overlooked gang-ridden areas in Nelson Mandela Bay. Supporters will gather at the Gelvandale Police Station in Gqeberha.

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

Water minister jets off to Ethiopia during water crisis – The Citizen

Minister of Water Pemmy Majodina attended the African Union Summit in Ethiopia this weekend, while a water crisis continues in Johannesburg. The DA’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille, said that the Minister should be facing water-starved communities, not jetting off elsewhere.

Paul Mashatile’s VIP motorcade obstructs traffic in Midrand – Daily Maverick

Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit convoy was accused of flouting traffic laws, abusing its power and obstructing traffic in plain sight near his home in Pretoria during peak-hour traffic. Residents say this is not the first time the motorcade has delayed them.

Former Ekurhuleni City Manager exposed for R3.5 million London trip – News24

Former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi, who has been implicated in the Madlanga Commission, took a R3.5 million trip to London during her time as City Manager. The amount far exceeded her annual salary, leaving questions unanswered about who funded the extravagant trip. 

André de Ruyter praises President for dismantling Eskom – MyBroadband

Former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter has praised President Ramaphosa for “laying down the law” on the unbundling of Eskom during his SONA speech, contradicting earlier statements by the Minister of Electricity that implied Eskom would continue to hold ownership of the country’s transmission assets.

One man warned about South Africa’s impending water crisis 18 years ago – Newsday

Dr Anthony Turton warned 18 years ago that South Africa was heading toward a large-scale water crisis that would cause social unrest if not remedied. Instead of taking his threat seriously, however, his employer, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, suspended him.