South Africa:

Photo: Twitter

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 4 March 2022

In the latest news in South Africa on Friday, 4 March 2022, birthday parties in court to a man stealing a traffic light made headlines.

South Africa:

Photo: Twitter

We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Friday, 4 March.

Have you ever seen something like this? I bet you have not. A video of a man who allegedly stole a traffic light and dragged it down the road has gone viral on social media.

In more bizarre news, Julius Malema was in the dock on his 41st birthday after being charged with illegally using a firearm during a 2018 EFF rally. His day appeared to be rather gloomy – until a number of his comrades arrived at the East London Regional Court to throw him a surprise party in COURT. 

The date of Ramaphosa’s no-confidence vote is expected next week. Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is expected to set a date for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s motion of no confidence vote next week, setting the stage for another attempt to have the president booted out of office.

Meanwhile, parents were WARNED there had been a 70% increase in children younger than five with diarrhea in the City of Cape Town compared to last year.

On Thursday, in some heartbreaking news, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to increase military aid to Ukraine, saying Russia would advance on the rest of Europe otherwise.

“If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes!” Zelensky told a press conference. 

“If we are no more then, God forbid, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia will be next,” he said, adding: “Believe me.”

He called for direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying it was “the only way to stop this war.”

“We are not attacking Russia and we do not plan to attack it. What do you want from us? Leave our land,” he said, addressing Putin.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 4 March

WATCH: Man stealing a traffic light and dragging it in broad daylight

The shocking video of a man stealing a traffic light post was posted on social media by anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee on Wednesday.

In the short video, an unknown man is seen dragging an entire traffic light up a road while cars drive by.

While it is unclear what the man intends to do with the traffic light, some social media users assume that it might be sold for scrap.

Click here to read more.

Julius Malema celebrates his birthday – with a surprise party IN COURT!

You don’t see this every day: Julius Malema has been in the dock on his 41st birthday, after he was charged with illegally using a firearm during a 2018 EFF rally. His day appeared to be rather gloomy – until a number of his comrades arrived at the East London Regional Court to throw him a surprise party.

The unusual scenes saw a number of EFF bigwigs enter the courtroom during the lunch break, carrying placards and messages of support for their embattled leader. This is the second time in a week Malema has been dragged to court by AfriForum, following a recent hate speech case.

Struggle songs and elaborate cakes also formed part of the celebrations, which brought a beaming smile to Juju’s face. The political firebrand posed for pictures, and even record the events on his own phone.

Click here to read more.

Warning: Spike in diarrhea cases in young children

The City of Cape Town said it was concerned after a major spike in diarrhea cases amid the surge season despite the warning last month.

Mayoral committee member for community services and health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross, said there was a 70% increase in children younger than five presenting with diarrhea at City of Cape Town’s clinics, compared to the same time last year.

“Surge season data tracks cases of diarrhea, pneumonia, and severe acute malnutrition in young children. If these are not diagnosed timeously and treated, it can have life-threatening consequences.

‘The very hot conditions in the city have led to a noticeable increase in the number of children brought to health facilities with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration,” Van der Ross said.

Click here to read more.

Date of Ramaphosa’s no confidence vote expected next week

Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is expected to set a date for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s motion of no confidence vote next week, setting the stage for another attempt to have the president booted out of office.

MPs met virtually on Thursday, 3 March 2022, to discuss a range of matters and two motions were brought up – the motion of no confidence vote against Ramaphosa and one against his Cabinet, which was tabled by DA leader John Steenhuisen during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate.

“I am consulting on the matter and next week I will be giving you a date on which these two matters will be attended to,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Click here to read more.

Zelensky says if Ukraine falls, Baltic states ‘next’

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West on Thursday to increase military aid to Ukraine, saying Russia would advance on the rest of Europe otherwise.

“If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes!” Zelensky told a press conference. “If we are no more then, God forbid, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia will be next,” he said, adding: “Believe me.”

LIVE UPDATES: Russia, Ukraine ceasefire talks underway

He called for direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying it was “the only way to stop this war.”

“We are not attacking Russia and we do not plan to attack it. What do you want from us? Leave our land,” he said, addressing Putin.

“Sit down with me. Just not 30 metres away like with (French President Emmanuel Macron),” the Ukrainian leader said, referring to Putin receiving world leaders at a now famous enormously long table.

Click here to read more.

LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Friday 4 March

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Friday 4 March.