South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 20 July 2022
South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 20 July 2022
In the latest news in South Africa on Wednesday 20 July 2022, approximately R2.6 million is spent to keep the lights on in the homes of ministers during load shedding.
South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 20 July 2022
We’ve got all the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa you really need to know on Wednesday 20 July.
The government has reportedly spent approximately R2.6 million to keep the lights on in the homes of cabinet ministers during load shedding.
The son and family of Deputy Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga were all killed in a tragic car accident.
Chikunga’s son was travelling with his wife and four children when they got into a collision on Sunday night. None of them made it out alive.
It has been confirmed that Don Mattera died on Monday, 18 July. He was a beloved poet, author, and anti-apartheid activist.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, is currently in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. The department stressed that the pandemic is not over.
Springbok player Bongi Mbonambi has apparently been avoiding paying maintenance of his estranged child, despite a positive paternity test and a court order.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 20 July
R2.6 MILLION: Taxpayers pay for installing, running generators at ministers’ homes
The government has reportedly spent approximately R2.6 million to keep the lights on in the homes of cabinet ministers during load shedding. The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the African National Congress (ANC) must prioritise “helping vulnerable South Africans” instead.
A CityPress report revealed that taxpayer money bankrolled the purchase and installation of generators at the official residences of ministers and deputy ministers in Pretoria.
A Department of Public Works and Infrastructure spokesperson said making ministers’ houses ‘load shedding proof’ cost R1.3 million in the previous financial year. Since 1 April 2022, a further R681 000 has been spent.
Accident on N11 KILLS family and grandkids of Deputy Transport Minister
The son and family of Deputy Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga were all killed in a tragic car accident.
Chikunga’s son was travelling with his wife and four children when they got into a collision on Sunday night. None of them made it out alive.
ALSO READ: Horror crash on N11 in Mpumalanga claims nine lives
The Deputy Minister of Transport received the shocking and devastating news of the passing of her son. But the accident also killed her daughter-in-law and four grandchildren, said spokesperson Collen Msibi.
“The Deputy Minister’s family was travelling on the N11 between Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal where it is believed they were involved in a car accident between a sedan and a bakkie.”
Collen Msibi
Poet, author and activist Don Mattera has died
t has been confirmed that Don Mattera died on Monday, 18 July. He was a beloved poet, author and anti-Apartheid activist. An official statement regarding the details of his passing has yet to be released.
South Africans showed their love and respect for Mattera, often nicknamed ‘Bra Don’, after his passing was announced on Monday. Mattera died peacefully in his home in Pretoria Glen, according to family members.
Jesse Hess’s cousin gets double life for murdering her and her grandpa
David van Boven and Tasliem Ambrose were sentenced in the Cape Town High Court on Tuesday, 19 July, for their involvement in the murder and robbery of Jesse Hess, 19, and her 85-year-old grandfather, Chris Lategan.
Van Boven, who is the cousin of the late University of the Western Cape (UWC) theology student, was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for murder, 40 years for two counts of robbery, eight years for sexual assault and three years for fraud.
Ambrose was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, said South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Ndakhe Gwala.
Minister of Health tests positive for COVID-19
The Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, has contracted COVID-19, his department announced on Tuesday, 19 July.
National Health Department spokesperson, Foster Mohale, said Phaahla tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after experiencing minor symptoms.
“Minister Phaahla took tests earlier today and the results came back positive, and he immediately self-isolated,” said Mohale.
Phaahla will continue with his official duties from home for a period of seven days. The Minister of Health has received two doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which he believes has boosted his immunity and prevented severe disease, according to the department.
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HOROSCOPE TODAY
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