First Take SA

Moodys says South Africa's rating outlook may remain negative due to the expected downside risk to fiscal sustainability, continuing debt, high interest payments and the continued challenges facing Eskom. Moody's experts panel says while the country's challenges were exacerbated by the pandemic, it entered the crisis from a position of weakness. Moody's analysts say the 3% drop in government revenue was significantly high compared to other emerging market economies. Moody's officials were addressing a webinar discussing the Resilience of the South African Economy following the Covid-19 pandemic

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Former president Jacob Zuma will be back in the Pietermaritzburg High court next week Wednesday. Zuma's trial was YESTEDAY postponed to give the defence time to bring an application for the recusal of lead state prosecutor - advocate Billy Downer. Zuma and co-accused French arms manufacturer Thales face charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. The charges are linked to the multi-billion rand arms deal in 1999.

Former president Jacob Zuma will be back in the Pietermaritzburg High court next week Wednesday. Zuma's trial was YESTEDAY postponed to give the defence time to bring an application for the recusal of lead state prosecutor - advocate Billy Downer. Zuma and co-accused French arms manufacturer Thales face charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. The charges are linked to the multi-billion rand arms deal in 1999.

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The situation is still tense in most parts of Bloemfontein as residents continue to block streets with burning tyres, stones and rubble. Yesterday residents heeded the call for a shut down. There was no schooling and not a single taxi or bus in the streets of Mangaung. And very few people were able to report for work

The situation is still tense in most parts of Bloemfontein as residents continue to block streets with burning tyres, stones and rubble. Yesterday residents heeded the call for a shut down. There was no schooling and not a single taxi or bus in the streets of Mangaung. And very few people were able to report for work

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The US seems no closer to supporting moves on the UN Security Council that will secure an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. Washington has instead continued to pursue the bilateral route, tempering its criticism of Israel while condemning the continued indiscriminate rocket-fire from Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken - speaking during an unrelated trip to Denmark- said the US administration had requested details regarding the Israeli strike on a media building in Gaza, but that he had yet to see evidence of Israeli claims that Hamas was operating in the building.

The US seems no closer to supporting moves on the UN Security Council that will secure an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. Washington has instead continued to pursue the bilateral route, tempering its criticism of Israel while condemning the continued indiscriminate rocket-fire from Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken - speaking during an unrelated trip to Denmark- said the US administration had requested details regarding the Israeli strike on a media building in Gaza, but that he had yet to see evidence of Israeli claims that Hamas was operating in the building.

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Two political party leaders in South Africa's Parliament who are over the age of 60 say they will not register to be vaccinated against COVID-19. They will also NOT take the vaccine. The Leaders of the Freedom Front Plus Pieter Groenewald and Kenneth Meshoe from the ACDP have different reasons why they will not be vaccinated. This comes as National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli called on all MPs over the age of 60, - to register to be vaccinated in the second phase of the rollout programme which starts today (Monday).

Two political party leaders in South Africa's Parliament who are over the age of 60 say they will not register to be vaccinated against COVID-19. They will also NOT take the vaccine. The Leaders of the Freedom Front Plus Pieter Groenewald and Kenneth Meshoe from the ACDP have different reasons why they will not be vaccinated. This comes as National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli called on all MPs over the age of 60, - to register to be vaccinated in the second phase of the rollout programme which starts today (Monday).

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A 50-year-old educator at Mbilwi Secondary School, will TODAY appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrates Court for allegedly raping a learner. The Limpopo teacher allegedly violated the 17-year-old school girl three times in 2018. He was arrested on Friday after the Human Rights Commission opened a case against him. The girl approached the commission and disclosed what happened.