Cape Town —
Updates as at 16h00 SAST
Thuli Madonsela to Appear at Successor's Impeachment Hearings
Parliament's Section 194 committee is sticking to its decision to summon former public protector Thuli Madonsela to testify in the impeachment inquiry of her successor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, EWN reports. Madonsela will be summoned to appear, at Mkhwebane's request. This despite Madonsela listing reasons why she didn't believe she could assist the committee, and conditions she wanted met, before she would agree to appear.
Cabinet Expected to Address Calls for State of Disaster for Load Shedding
Declaring a national State of Disaster to address the country's worsening power crisis is expected to be one of the key items on the agenda when President Cyril Ramaphosa convenes his Cabinet for a lekgotla (a meeting of leaders) today, February 1, 2023, EWN reports. The State of Disaster will likely fast-track government actions to end load shedding which has intensified across the country.
Black Families Return After Forced Removal From Simon's Town 60 Years Ago
Sixty years after about 1,500 residents from a small community on the mountain slopes overlooking False Bay were forcibly removed by the apartheid government enforcing the Group Areas Act, just over 100 families will return to Simon's Town. More than 700 land claimants from the small community of Luyolo who were resettled in the Gugulethu township, initially lodged their land restitution claims in the early 1990s. Many chose to take a cash pay-out of R22,000 after becoming disillusioned with the land claims process.
Power Cuts Leave Johannesburg Residents Dry Till Friday
Johannesburg Water says residents who have suffered week-long water cuts should have consistent supply by February 3, 2023, EWN reports. https://ewn.co.za/2023/02/01/joburgers-to-stay-thirsty-until-friday-says-johannesburg-water
Parts of Gauteng have been crippled with water shortages linked to power cuts as pumps have not been working.
At least 18 reservoirs in the city were struggling to pump water to residents, with four towers at critically low water levels.
