Breakfast Edition: 31 August 2015
RENEWED CONCERN OVER RHINO POACHING: The latest figures on rhino poached in South Africa is cause for concern, SA National Parks chief executive Fundisile Mketeni said on Sunday. "Of course we are worried; that is why all the [Cabinet] ministers are here. It is because of that worry and also to articulate all the interventions to stop the tide," he told reporters at a briefing in Pretoria at which Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa presented the latest figures on rhino killed by poachers. Those attending included Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Molewa revealed that at least 749 rhino had been killed in South Africa this year, as poaching figures continued to rise compared to the same period last year. By August 27, the number of rhino lost to poachers was 749 for the whole country. Of these, 544 were poached in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
MEDUPI SWITCHES ON UNIT SIX: Construction cost of the Medupi power plant at Lephalale in Limpopo, is calculated at a minimum of R105 billion if it's completed by 2019 as expected. Yesterday, President Jacob Zuma switched on Unit 6 of the plant to add another 800 megawatts power per day to the national grid. This has come at a very good time as the Koeberg nuclear power plant in the Western Cape was taken off the grid on Friday, for maintenance. Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe yesterday confirmed that Koeberg would be off for 89 days, as Maidi Monareng reports.
PRESIDENT VISITS MEDUPI POWER STATION: Load shedding has hit the South African economy hard, but at the same event president Zuma said it would be unfair to point fingers at the government for the economic slump. According to president Zuma, South Africa is in the same boat as the rest of the world.
President Zuma has officially opened unit 6 of the #Medupi power station pic.twitter.com/YWaMZwgOr3
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MANDELA'S GRANDSON IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW, AGAIN: Police are not willing to confirm that the grandson of former president Nelson Mandela - who is out on bail on a statutory rape charge - is also being investigated for assault. According to reports, a 39-year-old woman laid the complaint that is now being investigated. However, Police Brigadier Mashadi Selepe is not willing to confirm a link.
ON THIS DAY, 18 YEARS AGO: There was only one story on 31 August 1997. A car crash in a tunnel in Paris had the world's attention when the news broke that Princess Diana had died.
MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS: Taylor Swift won video of the year, Miley Cyrus briefly flashed one of her breasts and Kanye West ranted at the MTV Video Music Awards. After Swift won the top prize for "Bad Blood," Cyrus was backstage speaking and hiding behind a curtain, but one of her breasts appeared onscreen before the camera cut away. MTV said the clip will be removed from all future broadcasts. Kanye West also announced that he wil be running for President of the United States in 2020.
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