South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 20 October

If you’re looking to stay informed with all the latest news in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what’s making headlines on Tuesday 20 October.

As South Africa attempts to revive the tourism industry, left decimated by the global coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the Department of Home affairs has revised its ‘high-risk’ travel list to allow more visitors into the country. Meanwhile, two Senekal protesters, arrested for public violence, have been granted bail. In sports news, former Kaizer Chiefs star Siphiwe Tshabalala rejoins the PSL, only this time, in AmaZulu colours.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER

High-risk travel list revised: Only 22 countries still ‘banned’

South Africa’s embattled tourism industry faces an uphill battle for survival and recovery but government’s recent amendments to the ‘high-risk banned list’ offers a glimpse of hope ahead of the vital summer travel season.

For almost seven months, travel in and out of South Africa was strictly prohibited in line with lockdown regulations governed by the National State of Disaster and the Coronavirus Command Council. The move to Level 1 lockdown brought with it many regulatory reprieves aimed at resuscitating the economy and the tourism sector, in particular.

Borders reopened to both international business and leisure travel on 1 October, with a host of non-negotiable prerequisites, including the presentation of a clear PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, proof of accommodation and mandatory screening upon reaching South African soil. Additionally, government determined that countries facing infection rates higher than those in South Africa would be classified as ‘high-risk’ and ‘banned’ from entering the country for leisure purposes.

Over the past couple of weeks, as international infection rates fluctuate, the Department of Home Affairs has trimmed down its ‘high-risk’ list. Initially, 60 countries were classified as ‘high-risk’, the most recent revision by the department now lists only 22 regions as banned from leisure travel. The full list can be viewed, here.

Travellers from these 22 countries, who wish to conduct business in South Africa, may still be allowed to enter but only via direct application — and approval – through the Department of Home Affairs. In addition to meeting testing, tracking and screening requirements, applicants will need to submit the following:

• a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa
• proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic 
• proof of travel itinerary
• proof of address or accommodation in the Republic

Senekal protesters charged with public violence granted bail

Two men arrested and charged with attempted murder, public violence, arson and malicious damage to property — in connection with the violent protest action which broke out in Senekal following the murder of 21-year-old farm manager Brendin Horner — have been granted bail.

Local businessman, Andre Pienaar, who was the first to be arrested, was initially denied bail by the Senekal Magistrate’s Court. Pienaar, who is accused of spearheading the protesters’ charge into the courthouse and firing a gun, appealed the decision before the Free State High Court. The original rejection was overturned and Pienaar was released on R15 000 bail.

Stephanus Johannes Fourie, who faces the same charges as Pienaar, also appeared in court on Monday. Fourie was arrested on Friday and spent the weekend behind bars. Magistrate Fundiswa Lufutu granted Fourie bail which was unopposed by the State.

The 33-year-old Fourie, who was ordered to substantiate his bail bid, argued that he was innocent of all charges and that he was merely doing his job by attempting to tow a burnt-out police vehicle from the scene. Fourie, who owns a small towing service in Senekal, has two previous convictions, including malicious damage to property almost a decade ago.

Zuma continues war of words with Zondo amid ANC ‘expulsion’ rumours

Former President Jacob Zuma has continued his attack on the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture and Deputy Chief Justice Judge Raymond Zondo. Over the weekend, Zuma lashed out at Zondo for ‘targeting his children’. According to numerous reports, the Commission has subpoenaed financial records related to at least 20 accounts associated with Zuma’s family.

The former president argued that the Zondo Comission was “designated to destroy” him and that dragging his children into the protracted furore was a “clandestine” attempt to further humiliate the Zuma name.

Zuma’s latest outburst comes after the Commission’s legal team issued a summons to secure the former president’s testimony, which had been delayed due to coronavirus-related setbacks and personal health issues.

The Commission’s Spokesperson, Reverend Mbuyiselo Stemela, refused to comment on Zuma’s latest utterances.

While Zuma continues his war on the Zondo Commission, a letter, allegedly penned by 10 African National Congress (ANC) members from Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal, claims that the former president may no longer have a home in the ruling party. The unverified letter claims that there is an internal plot to remove Zuma from the ANC and have called for an urgent National General Council meeting.

The ANC’S Provincial Spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Nhlakanipho Ntombela, has, however, rubbished the latter as a complete fabrication aimed at sowing division within the ruling party.

Red flags raised after allegations of rape at Gauteng hospitals

Serious allegations of multiple rapes at least three Gauteng hospitals has sent a wave of shock and outrage throughout the country. The latest allegation involves the rape of a male patient at Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Soweto. It’s alleged that a male psychiatric patient raped another male patient who was subsequently transferred to Nthabiseng rape centre at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The Democratic Alliance (DA), which condemned the incident, said that this wasn’t the first case reported at the hospital, explaining:

“This is the 11th violent incident at Bheki Mlangeni since the beginning of the year, yet the CEO Ruth Mabyana has been allowed to return to her post despite being initially put on precautionary suspension while investigation continues into the murder.”

Jack Bloom, the DA’s Shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng, described Mabyana as “the worst hospital CEO in Gauteng”.

Earlier this month, the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that it was investigating a case of rape which allegedly took place in late September at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and involved “two mental healthcare patients, a 15-year-old male and the alleged perpetrator who is a 22-year-old male”.

Bloom called on the department to investigate all incidents, including the latest at Bheki Mlangeni, saying:

“The Gauteng Health Department needs to investigate another alleged rape of a psychiatric patient which took place at the Bheki Mlangeni Hospital on Saturday this past weekend.

This follows other recent alleged rapes at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, Tara Mental Hospital and the Stanza Bopape Clinic in Tshwane.

It is not forgivable that yet another assault has occurred on a patient at this hospital. Effective steps should have been taken to ensure that mental health patients are only admitted to a dedicated high security ward.”

Former North West Municipal Manager arrested for corruption to appear in court

South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation — the Hawks — confirmed, on Monday, that former Ratlou Municipality’s Municipal Manager, Cassius Sebatane Sejake, had been arrested and would appear for a bail hearing today.

Sejake is accused of flouting procurement processes in the awarding of tenders worth approximately R5.8 million between 2018 and 2019. The South African Police Service (SAPS) explained:

“It’s alleged that as the accounting officer, the suspect failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that public procurement processes were followed and observed. Service providers were allegedly appointed without a competitive bidding process.”

Sejake, who will appear before the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court, has been charged with contravention of Section 173 of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

The latest arrest adds to a long list of public officials recently rounded-up by the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) following promises by President Cyril Ramaphosa to crack down on corruption within governmental structures.

The North West has been especially marred by corrupt administrations, with the ANC, in recent years, recalling mayors, deputy mayors and speakers of five municipalities.

Siphiwe Tshabalala returns to the PSL, this time for struggling AmaZulu

Former Bafana midfielder and Kaizer Chiefs star, Siphiwe Tshabalala, will return to the PSL only, this time, in the colours of KwaZulu-Natal outfit, AmaZulu. Tshabalala, who comes with heaps of PSL experience, will hope to turn AmaZulu’s dismal tide. AmaZulu, which only just managed to avoid relegation in the 2019/2020 season, has made a host of signings, with Tshabalala being the latest and, arguably, the most highly anticipated.

Other players unveiled by AmaZulu include former Orlando Pirates trio, Luvuyo Memela, Thembela Sikhakhane and Augustine Mulenga, with the latter popping up in Durban just days after being unveiled by top-flight newcomers Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.

AmaZulu will need to be firing on all cylinders, though, when they meet Orlando Pirates for the kick-off the new PSL season on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs youngsters lauded following MTN 8 nail-biter

Some of the younger players who turned out for Kaizer Chiefs in their come-from-behind victory against Maritzburg United have come for special praise.

Amakhosi marched to the semifinals of the MTN 8, where they will come up against fierce rivals, Orlando Pirates. This is after a second-half brace from Yagan Sasman, which negated Thabiso Kutumela’s early opener.

Hunt, who took charge in his debut match as Kaizer Chiefs coach, lauded the goal-scorer’s performance, along with that of the likes of Njabulo Blom, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Happy Mashiane, who were all given a run in the crucial encounter.

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Tuesday 20 OCTOBER

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Tuesday 20 October.