Cape Town —
Update as at 16h30 SAST
Stage 6 Load Shedding Is Here
Eskom has announced Stage 6 load shedding, due to an unlawful and unprotected worker strike, which has caused widespread disruption to its power plants. Stage 6 will be implemented from 16:00 to 22:00 today, Eskom said. Stage 4 load shedding will then be implemented from 22:00 to 00:00. Load shedding will then be reduced to Stage 2 until 05:00 on Wednesday morning. From 05:00 until 16:00 on Wednesday, load shedding will be implemented at Stage 4. Load shedding Stage 6 will then again be implemented at 16:00 to 22:00 on Wednesday evening. Stage 6 load shedding was last implemented on December 9, 2019, which at the time evoked a huge outcry.
SANDF Warns They Are Solely Responsible for Border Patrols
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has reiterated that safeguarding and patrolling the national borders of South Africa is its responsibility “and not any other non-State grouping or groups”. According to reports, SANDF spokesperson Simphiwe Dlamini said it would be "illegal for any civil organisation or NGO, including business, to conduct patrols at any borders of the republic. This follows the stance taken by Home Affairs, deeming such patrols, illegal. Civil society group AfriForum has been at the forefront of such patrols around farming communities in the Musina area, which it says has successfully brought smuggling operations in the area to an end.
Protea Marizanne Kapp Makes Ton of Runs Against England
Coming in to bat at 45-4 as the Proteas' top order collapsed, Marizanne Kapp, 32, took to the crease and no one could have envisaged that history would be in the making. Kapp went on to score 150 - the highest by a South African woman in a test match. Kapp called the performance "the highlight of my career", as the team adjusted to the longer format of the game. Kapp's maiden test saw her smash 26 fours to score 150 off 213 balls before she was caught off the bowling of Lauren Bell. The test is being played at County Ground in Taunton, England and Kapp leads the Proteas' bowling attack today.
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Health Dept to Challenge Ruling on Where Doctors Work
The high court in Pretoria has overturned the health department's control of where doctors work, declaring the National Health Act's issuing of "certificates of need" to healthcare establishments, unconstitutional and invalid. The department says it will challenge the ruling which will have a direct bearing on the government's National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, which is the pipeline.
No Clarity Yet on East London Tavern Tragedy
Despite several eye witness accounts, there are still no official answers on the cause of death of 21 young people - between 13 and 20 years - at East London's Enyobeni tavern. At the time of the tragedy the local newspaper Daily Dispatch reported that bodies were strewn across tables and chairs without any visible signs of injuries. The youngsters were reportedly attending an end of the exam party. Police has said that the owner of the tavern, Siyakhangela Ndevu, may face charges.
Beware July - Another Petrol, Interest Rate Hike On the Way
There is no reprieve for South African consumers as the price of petrol is set to increase sharply again in July - reportedly by R1.75 per litre more. The Reserve Bank is reportedly looking at another interest rate hike in an endeavour to curb rising inflation. The government is being urged to extend the R1.50 fuel levy reprieve to assist citizens already overburdened by rising food and transport costs.
