Servicemen take part in a joint tactical and special exercises of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ukrainian National Guard and Ministry Emergency in a ghost city of Pripyat, near Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on February 4, 2022. (Photo by Sergei Supinsky / AFP)
South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 25 February 2022
In the latest news in South Africa on Friday, 25 February 2022, The Russian military declared the first day of its invasion of Ukraine a success.
Servicemen take part in a joint tactical and special exercises of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ukrainian National Guard and Ministry Emergency in a ghost city of Pripyat, near Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on February 4, 2022. (Photo by Sergei Supinsky / AFP)
We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Friday, 25 February.
The biggest news is that Russia President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their lives in the pro-Western neighbour.
Russian airstrikes hit military facilities across the country, and ground forces moved in from the north, south, and east, triggering condemnation from Western leaders and warnings of massive sanctions.
It seems the end of the National State of Disaster is in sight for South Africa if what Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla has said is anything to go by. It’s only a month before the country marks the end of two years under COVID-19 restrictions, which the State of Disaster has regulated.
While there are warnings of a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections in June, like many other countries, South Africa is slowly phasing in a post-COVID-19 environment, as evidenced by the fact that most of the restrictions have been eased and rules on how to manage positive cases have been adjusted.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the sector continues to engage with key role players and parents in a bid to prevent early and unintended pregnancy.
Speaking on Thursday, the Minister explained that interventions like ‘Let’s Talk EUP’, in conjunction with UNESCO’s support, were affording learners with a safe space for intergenerational dialogue on how to combat the issue.
In some sick news, a man was found guilty after burning the six-week-old baby of his ex-girlfriend with dry ice and administering various other injuries by repeatedly hitting the baby with the open hand and spatula over his whole body.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 25 February
Russia says first day of invasion was successful, Ukraine confirms Chernobyl is lost
The Russian military declared the first day of its invasion of Ukraine a success on Thursday evening, 24 February.
Moscow said its military goals have been achieved on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion at dawn.
“All of the tasks assigned to the groups of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the day were successfully completed,” said Defence Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov.
As previously reported, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country’s military forces in Kyiv were fighting Russian troops for control of the Chernobyl nuclear plant – where the world’s worst nuclear disaster took place 36 years ago.
“Russian occupying forces are trying to take over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.”
State of Disaster could end SOONER – here’s what the health minister says
It seems the end of the National State of Disaster is in sight for South Africa if what Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla has said is anything to go by. It’s only a month before the country marks the end of two years under COVID-19 restrictions, which have been regulated by the State of Disaster.
While there are warnings of a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections in June, like many other countries, South Africa is slowly phasing in a post-COVID-19 environment, as evidenced by the fact that most of the restrictions have been eased and rules on how to manage positive cases have been adjusted. Phaahla says as a government, they are ready to enter a new phase of the pandemic.
Motshekga: Department seeks more measures to prevent youth pregnancies
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the sector continues to engage with key role players and parents in a bid to prevent early and unintended pregnancy.
Speaking on Thursday, the Minister explained that interventions like ‘Let’s Talk EUP’, in conjunction with UNESCO’s support, was affording learners with a safe space for intergenerational dialogue on how to combat the issue.
“Our commitment is to strengthen the Comprehensive Sexuality Education offering in Life Orientation to ensure that learners are empowered with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and sexuality, prevent HIV infection and pregnancy, and focus on their education.”
Three Eskom security guards shot and injured in Winterveld attack
Police are investigating the attack in which three Eskom security guards were attacked, shot, and injured at the Winterveld substation.
According to the power utility, three of the four guards who were on duty at Winterveld substation on Sunday night were shot and wounded when four armed suspects opened fire on them.
“At around 22:30, the two static guards opened the gate for the two guards to leave the substation after completing a routine patrol.
Man sentenced for burning six-week-old baby with dry ice
In a bone-chilling case, a man was found guilty after burning the six-week-old baby of his ex-girlfriend with dry ice and administering various other injuries by repeatedly hitting the baby with the open hand and spatula over his whole body.
Natasha Venter, Advisor at AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, said the man, Gerhard Viljoen, also admitted that, on another occasion, he had hit the baby with his fist when he wanted to hit the baby’s mother. The latter had been kneeling over her baby at that time.
“Viljoen pleaded guilty and made a plea agreement with the State. The J88 of the baby contains a list of 12 injuries. Viljoen admitted that he burned the baby by holding him against the dry ice in his refrigerator,” Venter said.
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HOROSCOPE TODAY
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