Cape Town —
Update as at 16h30 SAST
Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe Says 'Unfair' to Blame Him for Eskom Crisis
A Cabinet committee meeting took place today to deliberate on the crises at Eskom after the power utility plunged the country into stage 6 load shedding on June 28, 2022.
Minister Mantashe said it was "disingenuous" to blame the government for the crisis. Mantashe and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan have come under harsh criticism, particularly from opposition Democratic Alliance, for failing to prevent the deterioration at Eskom. The country is currently on load shedding level 6, as a result of Eskom worker strike that has placed added pressure to the national grid.
Experts Pin Down Possible Cause of East London Tavern Tragedy
Carbon monoxide from a petrol generator could be the cause of death of 21 young people at the Enyobeni Tavern this past weekend. The young people ranging from 13-17 years were found slumped on the floor and tables with no visible injuries. The Eastern Cape health department says it treated and discharged 16 survivors. The venue allegedly promised those attending, free rounds of alcohol, Wi-Fi and photoshoots.
Cop, Accomplice Arrested For Trying to Sell Endangered Pangolin
A police constable Hangwelani Emmauel Makhuvha, 37, and co-accused, Samuel Shinyama, 57, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on charges of illegally dealing in pangolin and the contravention of the National Environmental Management-Biodiversity (Nemba) Act. Police officers stopped their vehicle registered to SAPS and on investigation found the injured animal, which was taken for treatment and handed to the Department of Environmental Affairs. The two will remain in custody as further investigations are conducted.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Man Caught on Camera Assaulting Teen Over Condiments Denied Bail
Corrie Pretorius, accused of assaulting and pointing a firearm at a minor in Groblersdal, has been denied bail. Pretorius appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate's Court in Limpopo today. He assaulted 16-year-old Kopano Makweng after an argument over salt at a fast food outlet. Despite the assurance from Pretorius that he would be safe if released, Magistrate Nancy Mathavha maintained that his life would be at risk.
Limpopo Boko Haram Gang Sentenced to 384 Years for Reign of Terror
Limpopo residents who were tormented for two months by Ndou Lukase Rembuluwani, 29, Ndou Ben, 29, and Khoza Ngobeni Small, 28, should be relieved after the trio were sentenced to a combined period of 384 years imprisonment by the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane. They committed -among others - murder, attempted murder, were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, housebreaking, robbery and malicious damage to property. They were also charged with being in the country illegally.
Monkeypox Case Found In Cape Town
The National Dept of Health has confirmed that a 32-year-old man has tested positive for Monkeypox in the Mother City. This follows a case identified in Gauteng last week. Monkeypox manifests as blisters on the skin. It is usually mild and self-limiting with a fatality rate of 1%. The disease has previously been reported in African countries such as Nigeria, the DR Congo, the Central African Republic and Ghana. The current outbreak is dominated by high numbers in Europe - the UK, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France. Cases have also been reported in the USA and Canada.
