First Take SA

Commuters in Johannesburg have once again been urged to make alternative transport arrangements. This as Metrobus drivers affiliated to the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (Demawusa) resume their strike action this morning. The union continues to be at loggerheads with Metrobus over a number of grievances including wage disparities.

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The ANC is TODAY expected to conclude what has been described as a watershed National Executive Committee meeting this past weekend. The meeting was preceeded by the suspension of Secretary General, Ace Magashule who had earlier counter-suspended party President, Cyril Ramaphosa, a move since declared null and void. Once again, the virtual NEC meeting saw audio leaks surfacing while Magashule is reported to have been kicked off the meeting as a result of his suspension. Among the weekend audio leaks were former president Thabo Mbeki expressing concern over the state of affairs within the party, the call for the NEC to go on on a retreat to iron out thier differences and the possibility of the ANC cutting it's staff by 50% due financial constraints.

The ANC is TODAY expected to conclude what has been described as a watershed National Executive Committee meeting this past weekend. The meeting was preceeded by the suspension of Secretary General, Ace Magashule who had earlier counter-suspended party President, Cyril Ramaphosa, a move since declared null and void. Once again, the virtual NEC meeting saw audio leaks surfacing while Magashule is reported to have been kicked off the meeting as a result of his suspension. Among the weekend audio leaks were former president Thabo Mbeki expressing concern over the state of affairs within the party, the call for the NEC to go on on a retreat to iron out thier differences and the possibility of the ANC cutting it's staff by 50% due financial constraints.

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The crucial Eskom wage negotiations are teetering on the brink of collapse. The talks have been suspended after unions walked out. The unions are insisting that Eskom Chief Executive Officer Andre De Ruyter must come and address them. Eskom, on the other hand, is resisting the move saying the CEO is not part of the company's negotiating team

The crucial Eskom wage negotiations are teetering on the brink of collapse. The talks have been suspended after unions walked out. The unions are insisting that Eskom Chief Executive Officer Andre De Ruyter must come and address them. Eskom, on the other hand, is resisting the move saying the CEO is not part of the company's negotiating team

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Battle lines have been drawn in the ANC as rival party factions gear up for the fiercest fight in years over the contentiuos step-aside resolution. Ace Magashule's suspension is in line with the party's step aside resolution which states that office bearers facing criminal charges step aside or be suspended. The ANC KZN Provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, says the party's decision to push Magashule aside was expected and the party could have handled it differently. Meanwhile, party members from thirty-five branches in the Mahikeng sub-region in the North West, have condemned the move by the National Working Comittee and say their loyalty remains with the Secretary General.

Battle lines have been drawn in the ANC as rival party factions gear up for the fiercest fight in years over the contentiuos step-aside resolution. Ace Magashule's suspension is in line with the party's step aside resolution which states that office bearers facing criminal charges step aside or be suspended. The ANC KZN Provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, says the party's decision to push Magashule aside was expected and the party could have handled it differently. Meanwhile, party members from thirty-five branches in the Mahikeng sub-region in the North West, have condemned the move by the National Working Comittee and say their loyalty remains with the Secretary General.

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Twelve Republican lawmakers have written to US President Joe Biden urging him not to support a proposal by South Africa and India to temporarily waive from intellectual property rules amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The two BRICS countries with the support of more than 90 others have since October last year sought to lead negotiations at the World Trade Organisation to waive certain IP rights in order to ramp up production and distribution of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics in order to save lives. But richer countries led by the United States and Europe continue to argue that such a move would harm research and development.

Twelve Republican lawmakers have written to US President Joe Biden urging him not to support a proposal by South Africa and India to temporarily waive from intellectual property rules amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The two BRICS countries with the support of more than 90 others have since October last year sought to lead negotiations at the World Trade Organisation to waive certain IP rights in order to ramp up production and distribution of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics in order to save lives. But richer countries led by the United States and Europe continue to argue that such a move would harm research and development.

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Some supporters of the suspended Secretary General of the ANC, Ace Magashule, have described the move to push him aside as unfortunate. The South African National Civic Organisation-SANCO in the Free State province, says this is just a temporary setback that is going to be challenged in a court of law. The ANC's National Working Committee YESTERDAY officially temporarily suspended Magashule's membership, until the finalisation of his court case. He faces fraud, corruption and money laundering charges related to a failed multi-million-rand asbestos project when he was Free State premier.