South Africa: Today's latest news and headlines, Wednesday 16 October
President Cyril Ramaphosa holds an important meeting with cabinet ministers today.
by TheSouthAfrican.com
Cyril Ramaphosa / Image via GCIS
Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South Africa. Check in with our wrap of all major headlines on Wednesday 16 October.
In the wake of Jacob Zuma sliding off the legal hook – at least until 2020 – other high-profile court cases dominate today's news, including the trial of Meghan Cremer's suspected murderers. Fresh from his investment tour of London, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to host an important cabinet meeting. In sports news, Springbok lock, Eben Etzebeth, hits back at allegations of racism and assault ahead of the team's quarter final matchup against Rugby World Cup hosts, Japan.
Today's latest news in South Africa, Wednesday 16 October
Meghan Cremer's murder accused back in the dock
Three men accused of abducting and murdering Cape Town woman, Meghan Cremer, back in August will appear before the Athlone Magistrate's Court today. The state alleges that Jeremy Sias, 27, Charles Daniels, 39, and Shiraaz Jaftha, 34, were involved with the disappearance and eventual murder of Cremer.
Cremer's disappearance, first reported on 3 August, sparked a province-wide investigation. The 30-year-old was abducted from a small holding in Philippi, where she worked with horses. Her body was found six days later, dumped on an abandoned sand mine. It later emerged that one of the accused was known to staff of the Philippi stables.
Cremer's grizzly murder signified the beginning of what was to become a particularly bloody period in South Africa's recent history, with attacks on young women reaching an all-time high a month later.
The murder of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana, female boxing champion Leighandre "Baby Lee" Jegels and church youth leader, Jesse Hess – all following in the wake of Cremer's killing – elicited a furious response from the nation. Mass protests, particularly in Cape Town, eventually led to President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing judicial reforms which promised harsher penalties for perpetrators of gender-based violence.
'Dros Rapist' at the Pretoria High Court for sentencing
Convicted child rapist, Nicholas Ninow, will face sentencing for the sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl at a Dros restaurant in Pretoria last year. The court found that the 20-year-old had preyed on the minor and eventually lured her into the restroom. When the child's parents noticed that she was missing, patrons and staff descended on the cubicle, where they discovered Ninow naked and the young girl in hysterics.
The State, along with civil rights organisations, is calling for the harshest punishment to be handed down on Ninow. Advocacy group #NotInMyName has implored the presiding Pretoria High Court judge to sentence Ninow to life behind bars.
The 'return' of Listeriosis: Why there's no need to panic, yet
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has reported that 21 people have recently died from Listeriosis. The news came as a shock to South Africans, who are still reeling from the disease's devastating impact in 2018. The last outbreak, which emanated from ready-to-eat processed meat products, killed 216 people and led to a slew of legal troubles for multi-national corporation Tiger Brands subsidiary, Enterprise Foods.
While the latest confirmed deaths have rattled South Africans, the NCID says that there is no need to panic just yet and that the term 'outbreak' has been used erroneously to describe the reported cases. The organisation issued a statement, saying:
"Cases of Listeriosis have been documented in South Africa for many years, and sporadic cases will continue to occur."
The NCID advised, however, that at risk persons – pregnant women, those with HIV, diabetes, cancer, and those aged over 65 years – should avoid ready-to-eat processed meats.
President Ramaphosa hosts cabinet meeting in Cape Town
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has just returned from an investment drive in the United Kingdom, will host a high-profile cabinet meeting in Tuynhuys, Cape Town, today. While the topics of discussion have not yet been revealed, it's understood that attention will be focused on the country's economy, recent job losses and the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) plan.
Flanked by deputy president David Mabuza, Ramaphosa is expected to receive reports from departmental leaders.
In the wake of former president Jacon Zuma's courtroom battles, Ramaphosa announced that the scourge of State Capture had cost South Africa R500 billion.
Zuma is expected to testify before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture later this month.
RWC 2019: Springbok duo cleared for Japan quarterfinal
A bit of a lengthy break has afforded two key Springbok players a long enough period to recover in time for a spot in the match day squad for the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against hosts Japan.
The Springboks arrived in Tokyo on Monday, after spending the past week in Kobe, where they faced Canada in their final Pool B encounter last Thursday.
Cheslin Kolbe and Herschel Jantjies "99% fit" for RWC quarterfinal
Ahead of their arrival to the capital, winger Cheslin Kolbe, as well as scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies had been nursing niggles, but we're declared fit to play on Sunday.
Coach Rassie Erasmus revealed to reporters on Monday, that the duo are in the 23-man squad that will do duty against the hosts.
Eben Etzebeth breaks silence over infamous Langebaan incident
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is taking the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to court over its handling of the allegations of racially-motivated violence levelled against him.
The 28-year-old is accused of being involved in a violent incident in Langebaan, where 42-year-old Enver Wilsnach was allegedly racially abused.
The incident is said to have occurred just days after the Springbok squad for the Rugby World Cup was announced.
Halfway through the tournament, Etzebeth has finally broken his silence about the incident. The former Bok captain filed an application at the Gauteng High Court, in which he asks the court to set aside the SAHRC case against him.
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