Cape Town —
Updated at 16h30 SAST
Amendments to Cannabis Private Purpose Bill Questioned
Elements of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill has been met with opposition from an organisation that protects the rights and interests of family farmers, the Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative (Saai). The government, since the legalisation of cannabis for private use, is now bringing amendments to the bill.
While the recreational use, consumption, and cultivation of cannabis by adults in private have been legalised under the right to privacy, practically all private cannabis trade is prohibited by the Cannabis Bill, which the organisation says, is irrational. "If the public is allowed to eat pork, the farmer must be allowed to sell bacon," Saai said.
UCT Blames Western Cape Govt for Not Suspending Alleged Rapist Professor
The Western Cape government and the Western Cape Health and Wellness Department has been slammed by University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng for not taking action against an alleged rapist, a joint staff member of the department and UCT.
The vice-chancellor, according to reports, told the SRC that the university did not have the "power" to suspend the alleged perpetrator - a professor- as he was employed by the health department and UCT.
This arose after a student allegedly posted on Twitter "Raped@UCT - in which she recounted how she was raped by a professor on campus in 2019.
Phakeng came under fire on social media for her comments in which she said: "this student has refused help from the university. She must say what her real agenda is".
Rapper Flabba's Killer Freed on Parole
Sindisiwe Manqele was sentenced to 12 years in jail for the stabbing to death of well-known rapper Nkulekelo Hadebe, known professionally as Flabba on March 9, 2015. He was a member of South African hip hop collective, Skwatta Kamp. Manqele served seven years of her sentence and will serve the remainder of her sentence under correctional supervision.
President Ramaphosa Meets With Germany's Chancellor Scholz at Union Buildings
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is on an official visit to South Africa, after a stop in Niger and Senegal. Germany is South Africa's second biggest investor and 600 German companies operate here. The German leader is accompanied by senior officials and business executives. President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa hoped to deepen investment ties with Germany. The leaders will exchange views on a number of issues of bilateral and international concern, including ways to enhance cooperation in areas such as energy and climate change, trade and investment, and responses to Covid-19 and vaccine demand. A government statement said the two leaders will also reflect on developments on the African continent and internationally, including the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on the international economy and food and energy security. Meanwhile, an adviser to Scholz had a medical scare at the Union Buildings soon after the 21-gun salute. His name and condition is still unknown.
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Hello Africa, Tell Me How You're Doing! Continent Celebrates Africa Day Today
Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 - the day the Organisation of African Union (OAU) - now known as the African Union (AU), was founded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1963.
Minister Pravin Gordhan Accused of Causing Mbalula Rift With President
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has accused Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan of leaking damaging information, to cause a rift between him and President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mbalula has also attacked Phumla Williams, head of Government Information Services (GCIS) for failing to protect him against attacks from Gordhan and the media. Mbalula was rumoured to have been kicked out of a Cabinet meeting by Ramaphosa for failing to read the memos or prepare. Some may say that Mbalula is doing a fine job of causing the rift himself!
