First Take SA

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.

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Transnet National Ports Authority has confirmed that fourteen Filipino crew members onboard a ship at the Durban harbour have tested positive for Covid-19. The vessel - Eaubonne - arrived from India on Sunday. This comes on the heels of concerns of another traveller from India entering South Africa, testing positive for the virus. The case has sparked concerns about the possible spread of the B.1.617 variant that is dominant in India. However, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has assured South Africans that the B.1.617 variant has not yet been detected in the country.

Transnet National Ports Authority has confirmed that fourteen Filipino crew members onboard a ship at the Durban harbour have tested positive for Covid-19. The vessel - Eaubonne - arrived from India on Sunday. This comes on the heels of concerns of another traveller from India entering South Africa, testing positive for the virus. The case has sparked concerns about the possible spread of the B.1.617 variant that is dominant in India. However, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases has assured South Africans that the B.1.617 variant has not yet been detected in the country.

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Thousands of impoverished households throughout South Africa face a bleak future. The R350 Covid-19 relief grant will not be paid out from the end of May. The demand for the grant remains huge, people continued to queue to apply for it last month. For many it was their only source of income. Nkululeko Nyembezi paid a visit to the Soweto informal settlement in Mthatha to find how resident plan to make ends meet.

Deputy Finance Minister, David Masondo says one way to tackle problems such as corruption and maladministration is for parliamentarians to vigorously hold the Executive to account. Masonda was keynote speaker at a workshop hosted by the National Council of Provinces, titled "Accountability in Public Expenditure Through Effective Parliamentary Oversight". He says Parliament can improve its processes to enable better accountability.

It remains unclear if whether an ANC member that voluntarily steps aside from a party position may also need to vacate their position as party deployee in government. This as the ruling party has reaffirmed that all its members facing serious criminal charges should voluntarily step aside or face being suspended from the party. The ANC is set to hold a special NEC meeting this coming weekend in order to formulate amongst other issues, the conditions and implications of its members choosing to step aside or being served with suspension letters. ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe however says voluntarily stepping aside from a party structure does not mean being un-elected.

The ANC has concluded its much anticipated National Working Committee meeting. The meeting of the NWC, responsible for the day-to-day running of the governing party, was called among others to consider reports from provinces of the names of members who are affected by the step-aside resolution. The NWC will compile a consolidated report that now been sent to the NEC which is expected to hold its regular meeting on Saturday.

Environmental justice groups and some coastal communities have opposed plans by the South African government to buy emergency electricity from gas-to-power powership projects. A deal between the government and Turkish owned operator, Karpowership SA, has been given the environmental go-ahead by assessors, subject to a few mitigation measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the project. One of the environmental groups that have raised concerns about the powerships is the Green Connection.

All captive lions or lions bred for commercial use must be ethically and humanely euthanised. This is one of the recommendations of the High Level Panel appointed by Forestry, Fisheries and Environment minister Barbara Creecy. The panel investigated the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of five of South Africa's iconic animals - namely elephant, lion, leopard and white and black rhino. The panel also recommended that the status quo of South Africa not trading internationally with rhino horn, remains.

The Interim Provincial Committee of the ANC in the North West says former Premier of the province, Supra Mahumapelo remains suspended from the party until his appeal has been communicated to the structure. The committee says it was taken aback by letters written by ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule informing Mahumapelo that since he has appealed his five-year suspension to the national disciplinary committee of appeals, his membership remains intact. Coordinator of the committee, Hlomani Chauke sat with SABC politics reporter, Samkele Maseko and insisted that Mahumapelo has no authority to conduct any business in the name of the ANC.