South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Sunday, 20 November 2022

MEC Sello Lehari hands over donkey-drawn carts worth R780 000 to villagers. Photo: North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management/ Facebook.

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Sunday, 20 November 2022

In the latest news in South Africa on Sunday 20 November 2022, the SIU will investigate the NW govt’s purchase of donkey carts.

South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Sunday, 20 November 2022

MEC Sello Lehari hands over donkey-drawn carts worth R780 000 to villagers. Photo: North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management/ Facebook.

We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Sunday, 20 November.

The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) is reported to be looking into the widely criticised donkey-drawn carts purchased for R780 000 by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management.

At least 50 homes in Hazyview, Mpumalanga and surrounding areas were damaged in a storm on Friday night, 18 November, according to reports. Provincial Disaster Management teams have been helping the affected households since last night.

Eskom Group Chief Operating Officer, Jan Oberholzer, received a bomb threat from an unknown cellphone number in May 2022. A suspect was arrested in connection with the threat on Friday morning, 18 November.

In what is being referred to as a breakthrough by the South African Police Service (SAPS), a South African man currently serving a 15-year sentence in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will be extradited to Ireland in connection with a 2014 double murder.

And lastly, the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, recently revealed that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has struggled to disburse the entire budget allocated for the vital Social Relief of Distress (SRD) – or R350 – grant.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Sunday 20 November

SIU probes R780 000 donkey-drawn carts procurement

The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) is reported to be looking into the widely criticised donkey-drawn carts purchased for R780 000 by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management.

While the exorbitant purchase fee for the donkey-drawn carts left many jaws dropping, heavy criticism descended quickly when some of the carts started breaking down.

ALSO READR780 000 donkey-drawn carts breaking down

The SABC News reports that the controversial donation of the 20 carts to the residents of Dibono and Manawana villages in Mahikeng has prompted a special investigation by the SIU.

Click here to read more.

Disaster: Dozens of Mpumalanga homes damaged by heavy storm

At least 50 homes in Hazyview, Mpumalanga and surrounding areas were damaged in a storm on Friday night, 18 November, according to reports. Provincial Disaster Management teams have been helping the affected households since last night.

SABC News reports that Disaster Management teams from the Mpumalanga province, the City of Mbombela metro and Ehlazeni District Municipality were dispatched to the storm-hit areas to assess the damage.

Click here to read more.

SASSA R350 grant: Nearly R2 billion underspent

The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, recently revealed that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has struggled to disburse the entire budget allocated for the vital Social Relief of Distress (SRD) – or R350 – grant.

According to SABC News, Zulu confirmed approximately R1.7 billion was underspent due to a substantial number of applicants who failed to verify their bank accounts.

The SASSA R350 grant was introduced in May 2020 to help poor South Africans deal with economic turmoil at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Click here to read more.

Suspect arrested over bomb threat directed at Eskom’s Oberholzer

Eskom Group Chief Operating Officer, Jan Oberholzer, received a bomb threat from an unknown cellphone number in May 2022. A suspect was arrested in connection with the threat on Friday morning, 18 November.

After the threat, Eskom’s internal security investigations team referred the matter to the police. The preliminary investigation found that the suspect used an unregistered SIM card to send the threat.

The Hawks and private investigators from Bidvest Protea Coin tracked down and arrested a 27-year-old man in Vosman, Mpumalanga. There was reportedly overwhelming evidence linking him to the crime.

Click here to read more.

Irishwoman’s ex-boyfriend also faces extradition over double murder

In what is being referred to as a breakthrough by the South African Police Service (SAPS), a South African man currently serving a 15-year sentence in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will be extradited to Ireland in connection with a 2014 double murder.

The South African previously reported that Neville Van Der Westhuizen, 40, is imprisoned for his involvement in the death of Bluff teenager, Cody Houghton, who was 19 when he died in 2017.

Click here to read more.

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

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