Breakfast Edition: 26 February 2016
WATCH & LISTEN: Here is a recap of this morning's top news stories.
STUDENTS ARRESTED AT UFS: Twenty three students were arrested at the University of the Free late on Thursday as violent protests flared up once again. This followed an announcement earlier in the day that the university management and workers had reached an agreement regarding the phasing out of outsourcing. The campus has been closed since Tuesday, but a group of students remained behind. Meanwhile, reports that police shot and killed a student protester at North West University's Mafikeng campus were untrue, provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said on Thursday. "Reports suggesting that the South African Police Service [SAPS] fired shots at the students are incorrect and are refuted. A short probe revealed that when the police arrived at the scene, the students were already injured and this is the subject of an investigation," she said.
PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA REACTS TO VIOLENCE AT UNIVERSITIES: President Jacob Zuma condemned the spate of violence on South African university campuses from Burundi. He issued a statement after two buildings were severely damaged in a fire at the University of North West' Mahikeng campus on Tuesday evening. Presidential spokesman, Bongani Majola conveyed the president's message.
MPUMALANGA PREMIER TO DELIVER SOPA: Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza is set to deliver his second State of the Province address on Friday morning, ahead of the local government elections. Mabuza is expected to focus on the provincial economy and service delivery as Silindelo Masikane reports.
ABA THEMBU KING BACK IN PRISON: Convicted Aba Thembu King Buyelekhaya Dalinyebo was back in the East London Prison on Friday. He was admitted for treatment to a private hospital in January after a hunger strike. Correctional Services spokesperson, Manelisi Wolela, would not comment on reports that the convicted king resisted the move from hospital. He only confirmed that he's back behind bars.
TIME HAS COME FOR FIFA ELECTION: The long-awaited FIFA election is set to take place in Zurich on Friday. Members of the soccer world governing body are expected to convene an Extraordinary Congress to determine the way forward for the tainted football body. They will also choose their new leadership, in the wake of the corruption scandal which led to the demise of President Sepp Blatter, his deputy Michel Platini and Secretary General Jerome Valcke, amongst others. South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale is one of five candidates for the presidency, but as Trevor Cramer reports, he does not feature as a favourite.
OBAMA's TRIBUTE TO RAY CHARLES: US President Barack Obama led a sing-a-long tribute to Ray Charles at his final 'In Performance at The White House'. Obama hosted the event at the presidential residence on Wednesday in honour of his and wife Michelle's "favourite" musician - who died in 2004 at the age of 73 from acute liver disease - which saw Barack take to the stage to commemorate the 'Hit The Road Jack' hit maker, who was blind from the age of seven.
