South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 6 November

Get a handle on the latest news in South Africa, as we look at what’s making headlines on Friday 6 November. It promises to be a monumental climax to an eventful week around the world.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 6 NOVEMBER

The waiting game is not quite over for the United States, as Joe Biden inches closer to victory, and US president turns to his friends in the courts to help him save his political career.

US Elections: The waiting game

Following a tumultuous 24 hours or so Trump issued a statement to the media with all the fire and brimstone we’ve come to expect from the combative figure. This was his first official announcement since falsely declaring victory in the US Election early on Wednesday morning – and he’s put the whole thing in capital letters.

The president’s rant was published by his Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany. Why this deserved the official billing of a media statement is anyone’s guess, given its brevity and deceptive content…

“IF YOU COUNT THE LEGAL VOTES, I EASILY WIN THE ELECTION. IF YOU COUNT THE ILLEGAL AND LATE VOTES, THEY CAN STEAL THE ELECTION FROM US”.

Donald Trump

You can follow our live blog for all the latest updates and breaking news.

In deep Dudu: Myeni facing charges for identifying secret witness, ‘Mr. X’

Oh no. Dudu Myeni’s hapless performance at the Zondo Commission may have made for blockbuster entertainment, but the delinquent director has now ended up putting the safety and security of one of the Commission’s key witnesses at risk. Mr. X. – who had previously testified under the condition of anonymity – had his cover blown on Thursday.

The former head honcho at SAA blurted out the identity of Mr. X while engaged in a discussion with Raymond Zondo:

”I’m going to ask you as well stoically… This is a distraction of a family member. Mr. X [identifying him] is my family, his children are my children. He’s my brother.” 

Dudu Myeni

That sent panel Advocate Kate Hofmeyr – and Mr. Zondo himself – into a rage. Both were left dumbfounded by the casual nature of Dudu Myeni’s utterance. The State Capture Inquiry has issued a stern statement in response, confirming that they will seek to file a charge against Myeni for revealing the identity of a witness.

“Hofmeyr told the commission that she submits that Zondo should direct the secretary of the commission to lay a charge against Myeni regarding the issue of revealing the witness’s identity. She says it is the sign of disrespecting the commission, and in turn, it is an act of disrespect against DCJ Zondo himself.”

State Capture Inquiry statement on Twitter

Matric pupils who test positive for covid-19 get a thumbs up to sit for exams

The Departments of Health and Basic Education have resolved that matric pupils who test positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to write the National Senior Certificate Exams.

Despite the challenges faced by the education sector due to covid-19 regulations and the much contested contact learning,over one million candidates are expected to sit for this years exams that will conclude in December.

Previously the Department of Basic Education issued a set of guidelines indicating that pupils who test positive for covid-19 will not be permitted to enter the exam center, both the departments made a u-turn on their decision on Wednesday.

The departments said candidates who test positive for covid-19 will be allowed to write under very strict protocols.

Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga has warned pupils that the concession does not mean that the safety measures aimed at preventing the spread of covid-19 do not apply.

“We welcome the intervention by the Department of Health given that a learner that tests positive becomes the responsibility of the Department of Health and no longer an education issue. The initial protocol of the Department of Basic Education was widely consulted and endorsed by the Department of Health, but this change in the protocol is very helpful because it will give all learners an opportunity to write their examinations,” said Minister Motshekga.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga

Pupils who are screened at the entrance of the exam venue and display a temperature higher than 38 degrees will write their exam in an isolation venue at the school and provided with further medical treatment.

Wheelchair user arrested for ‘committing house robbery’ in Eastern Cape

File this one under ‘The Unusual Suspects’: Police in the Eastern Cape apprehended a wheelchair user, aged 24, who was allegedly involved in a home robbery near Jacksonville on Tuesday evening. He has since by processed by the courts.

The bizarre story has turned heads throughout the course of the day. But it’s understood the male suspect was instrumental in the crime. He stands accused of yelling obscenities at the victim, while two other men burst through the kitchen door and kicked their way into the property.

A TV set was stolen, believed to be worth around R5 000. The suspects made their escape, but the wheelchair-bound accused was later picked-up by the police, and he was brought in for an overnight stay in the cells.

Watch: Makhanda driver injured after he sends car ‘flying through the air’

A shocking incident has been captured on CCTV this week when a driver lost control of his vehicle and seemingly took flight – before his car slammed into the wall of a local chapel in Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown).

The video clip is short and jarring. A peaceful evening in the small Eastern Cape town soon has its serenity taken away, as a vehicle flashes into shot – but those looking at the road will have to avert their gaze upwards. In just a matter of seconds, the victim is left injured and helpless following a traumatic ordeal.

The car flies through the air, after approaching a roundabout junction at tremendous speed. How the driver achieved such airtime remains a mystery. Sadly, what goes up must come down, and the man behind the wheel came back to Earth with a bang. The car smashes into a wall, completely obliterating its front end. You can see the footage below…

Sirino agrees terms with Al Ahly, Sundowns want over R60 million – Report

The future of Mamelodi Sundowns star Gaston Sirino remains uncertain with growing links to a mega-money departure from Masandawana.

Al Ahly has been interested in the Uruguayan star for a while now, however, the Egyptian champions now hold an ace up their sleeve in the form of newly appointed manager Pitso Mosimane.

It was Mosimane who brought Gaston Sirino from Uruguay to South Africa and the duo tasted great success together at Mamelodi Sundowns leaving Sirino with an added incentive to join the mighty Al Ahly.

Darling of Loftus, Derick Hougaard, eyes a new career … in the NFL

Former Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Derick Hougaard isn’t done with his sporting career.

The now 37-year-old, who played eight Tests for the Springboks, has set his sights on … the NFL!

Hougaard believes he can resurrect his career, which was cruelly cut short by injury, by impressing as a kicker at a scouting trial next month.

His decision to try out as a punter comes following the establishment of World Wide Scholarships (WWS Africa) by former college football player, Zimbabwe’s Munya Maraire, and ex-Golden Lions high-performance manager, Bart Schoeman.

The aim of the organisation is to lure local talent to the USA which would hopefully then lead to a NFL contract.

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST, Friday 6 NOVEMBER

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HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Friday 6 November.