Diego Maradona (@SunderlandAFC)

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 26 November

In the latest news on Thursday 26 November, we reflect on the life of football legend Diego Maradona, who passed away after a heart attack.

by Adrian Ephraim

26-11-2020 05:30

in News

Diego Maradona (@SunderlandAFC)

Wednesday the 25th of November will be remembered for the day the world lost a football genius, a legend of the game whose name will live forever in the memory, and grace the annals of footballing history for generations to come.

Diego Maradona was to millions the greatest football player to ever live. For others, he was a troubled soul, wracked by the trappings of stardom and excess that come with being the best player of the most popular sport in the world. Maradona was no angel, but for millions, his talent and skills were God-given gifts.

The world is a poorer place without him today on Thursday 26 November, but his place in history is assured.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday 26 November

A divine talent with more than a touch of the devil

Diego Maradona was football’s archetypal troubled genius, a world-beating player whose life and career scaled the most dazzling heights but also plumbed the darkest depths.

Maradona, who died on Wednesday at the age of 60, became a global icon after leading Argentina to the 1986 World Cup but he was not a squeaky clean idol like Pele, and made little attempt to hide his fiery personality and many vices.

“I am black or white, I’ll never be grey in my life,” he once said.

Maradona was short, powerful and quick. He was also a ferocious and astute competitor who refused to be intimidated even though many opponents tried. Above all, he was sublimely and imaginatively skilful.

“No ball ever had a better experience than when it was at his left foot,” said his Argentina team-mate Jorge Valdano.

However, while Maradona is remembered for his masterly composure on the ball, he was also famous for his frequent lack of control both on the field and off. He struggled with addiction, notably to cocaine, and with his weight.

Kodwa and others recipients of ‘suspicious’ EOH payments

The Commission of inquiry into alleged State Capture heard on Wednesday 25 November that State Security Deputy Minister Zizi Kodwa and other ANC officials benefitted from “suspicious” payments amounting to approximately R325 000 from businessman Jehan Mackay.

Mackay – who works for IT service management company EOH – was accused by Steven Powell from ENS Forensics of having furnished then ANC National Spokesperson Kodwa with dozens of suspicious payments between 2015 and 2017.

The allegations emerged as Powell gave testimony relating to EOH’s alleged role in widespread corruption believed to have been committed over the last decade.

Truck attacks ‘may result in food shortages’ before Christmas

The recent spate of truck attacks across South Africa could lead to very dire consequences for the logistics supply chain, as some supermarkets face a battle to keep their shelves stocked in the run-up to Christmas. Several industry experts believe that some cargo owners ‘may stop sending goods around the country’ – creating small-scale food shortages.

Around 30 lorries have been stolen, burned, or looted during the month of November, sparking a wave of panic within the haulage community. One person was confirmed dead following a truck attack earlier this week. The violence continued overnight after two vehicles were torched on the N12.

IS THE ANC SCARED OF JULIUS MALEMA?

The most contentious politician in South Africa is making all the major headlines this week – and he’s even got two political opponents fighting against each other. A DA shadow minister has blasted the ANC for failing to take action against Julius Malema, after he made a direct threat towards serving police officers on Sunday.

AfriForum has since filed criminal charges against Juju, following his call for EFF supporters to ‘fight SAPS officers in their homes’. However, the government is yet to act – despite a damning statement being issued by Bheki Cele this week.

The Police Minister said Malema ‘crossed the line’ with his latest utterance. But the perceived lack of action has put a few noses out of joint. The DA is particularly annoyed with the ANC, accusing them of being ‘terrified’ to act against the political firebrand. Should the ruling party fail to lay their own charges, Andrew Whitfield says the opposition will instead:

“The ANC government appears terrified to act against Malema in spite of numerous incidents of incitement, threats, and violent rhetoric towards South African citizens, businesses, and now the State. It has been more than 48 hours since Malema issued his threat and Police Minister Bheki Cele has done nothing.”

GBV and COVID-19 the ‘twin pandemics’ engulfing SA – Mabuza

Deputy President David Mabuza has called on South Africans to come together in battling the scourge of gender-based violence and COVID-19.

Mabuza presided over a ceremony on Wednesday, 25 November 2020, marking the beginning of the mourning period for those who have lost their lives to the respiratory disease and social ill – which he has described as the ‘twin pandemics’ plaguing the country.

“These twin pandemics of COVID-19 and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide continue to engulf our nation on an unprecedented scale. We have to work together as a nation to fight these pandemics so that we inspire hope, and galvanise the nation towards a common vision of unity, cohesion and shared prosperity,” he said.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH GAUTENG’S COVID-19 NUMBERS?

Gauteng’s COVID-19 figures are causing a certain amount of alarm amongst local politicians and residents. According to the latest data, South Africa’s most densely-populated province has fewer active cases than anywhere else in the country – and the numbers, quite simply, do not add-up.

Official numbers from the NICD suggest that there is a problem with the way coronavirus cases are reported in Gauteng. Despite only having 243 active cases, some 1 600 people were receiving hospital treatment for the disease on Tuesday.