South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 17 November

 Here are the biggest headlines for Tuesday 17 November in South Africa, as well as a recap of events from over the weekend.

This week has started off with a bang, and Tuesday 17 November promises to bear more of the same. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo delivered a scathing statement in response to former president Jacob Zuma’s application for the recusal of Zondo from the Commission.

Further afield the Bushiris have left President Cyril Ramaphosa and Bheki Cele fuming, after the couple skipped the country over the weekend. Now the Hawks have threatened to seize their Centurion mansion if they don’t return to face trial in South Africa.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER

ZONDO TO ZUMA: ‘WE ARE NOT FRIENDS’

The words “We are not friends”, in time will become an iconic phrase, as Zondo distanced himself from Zuma’s claim that the two are close.

Jacob Zuma is due to answer questions about the rampant government corruption that took place during his nine years as president. He wants the DCJ removed from his role as the chief of the commission, claiming that Zondo is ‘biased’ and ‘too conflicted’ to grill the former president.

The bid to force Zondo to recuse himself is the latest strategy Zuma has used to avoid the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. The former president previously stated he was in poor health and travelling abroad to seek treatment.

Zondo promised to sleep on a decision, so expect an answer on Tuesday.

BUSHIRIS ‘MUST RETURN TO SA’ – OR LOSE CENTURION MANSION

The stakes have been raised for the Bushiris, after Hawks confirmed they would attempt to seize their mega-expensive property in Centurion.

If the Bushiris were willing to bet their house on avoiding any legal action by escaping from South Africa, they’d be sweating right about now. The so-called ‘prophet’ and his wife were given a serious ultimatum by Hawks, who have told the couple that their multi-million rand home in Centurion will be seized unless they come back to Mzansi.

The incredible development occurred on Monday afternoon. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale told the media that a failure to return and face the music in their ongoing court case would cost them dearly. Already asked to forfeit their passports and bail fees, it seems the pair stand to lose much more than they initially bargained for:

“The Bushiris’ bail is cancelled thus forfeiting the R200 000 each which they had posted as bail. They will also forfeit their residence should they not present themselves at court on Thursday, 19 November 2020.” 

Katlego Mogale

AA CONCERNED OVER NEW DRUNK DRIVING LAWS

New zero-tolerance laws set to be introduced to the National Road Traffic Act to curb drunk driving in South Africa are under scrutiny, with the Automobile Association (AA) suggesting that innocent motorists will be adversely affected once they are implemented. 

Amendments to the Act that insist on that drivers’ blood alcohol content is zero percent were announced by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula back in August, are undergoing parliamentary review and will likely be introduced in coming months. 

The amendment to Section 65 of the Act states the following: 

“No persons shall on public road drive a vehicle or occupy the driver’s seat of a vehicle, the engine of which is running, while there is any concentration of alcohol in any specimen of blood taken from his or her body.”

Mbalula was unwavering in his insistence that the law be administered rigorously to reduce South Africa’s dire road accident statistics.

“You must be totally sober when behind the wheel… the law will bite, there will be serious consequences,” said Mbalula.

BRICS SUMMIT: RAMAPHOSA TO LEAD SA DELEGATION

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation during his participation in the virtual 12th BRICS Summit on Tuesday 17 November 2020.

The summit is an association of five major emerging countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which together represent about 42% of the global population, 23% of GDP, 30% of the world’s territory and 18% of global trade.

The Summit will be chaired by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation under the theme: “Partnership for Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth”. 

The programme will include the traditional open Leaders’ Session where the heads of member states will address the Summit with the aim to contribute to its future direction.

PERCY TAU ON TRACK TO BREAK BENNI’S BAFANA GOAL-SCORING MARK

Percy Tau can’t stop scoring and, statistically at least, is on track to surpass Benni McCarthy’s current record goal tally for Bafana Bafana.

Tau scored a brace in the national side’s 4-2 win over Sao Tome and Principe in Port Elizabeth on Monday afternoon.

Those two goals brought the diminutive striker’s total to 12 in 25 matches for his country since making his international debut in 2015.

Tau’s strike-rate of a goal every second match compares favourably in comparison to McCarthy who netted 31 goals in his 80 matches for Bafana.

Source:https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/south-africa-todays-latest-news-and-headlines-tuesday-17-november/