Breakfast Edition: 7 April 2016
WATCH & LISTEN: Here is a recap of this morning's top news stories.
CITY OF JOBURG HOPES TO END PIKITUP STRIKE: The City of Johannesburg explained why the boss at its waste-management entity, Pikitup, has was not been suspended despite a litany of charges preferred against her by the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu). Pikitup MD Amanda Nair, is accused of corruption by Samwu, whose members have been on strike for weeks. The striking workers are demanding the her removal and better wages before they return to work. Nair was cleared of corruption charges last year after she was arrested for alleged theft of the company's official cell phones, which were allegedly irregularly issued to her and her children. Matshidi Mfikoe, a member of the mayoral committee responsible for the environment and infrastructure services portfolio, on Wednesday said the City could not "suspend" Nair without following proper processes. Silindelo Masikane reports.
ANC BRANCHES CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF JACOB ZUMA: More ANC members have added their voices to the chorus asking for President Jacob Zuma to resign. The ANC's Liliesleaf Branch organised a meeting last night where branch members also joined the Sefako Makgatho Branch in Johannesburg calling for an end to the Zuma leadership. Samkele Maseko reports.
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES ELECTION DATE: President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday announced August 3 as the date for the local government elections. In a statement, the Presidency said: "President Jacob Zuma is pleased to announce the date for the next local government elections today. The elections will take place on 03 August 2016." The IEC is confident it's ready for the municipal poll on the third of August. That's despite a pending Constitutional court ruling that could impact proceedings and which have already led to the postponement of by-elections across the country. Maryke Vermaak reports.
ANC WESTERN CAPE SUSPENDS FAIEZ JACOBS: Western Cape ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs has been suspended from the party for 18 months. But operationally that will only kick in - if he commits further transgressions in the next three years. The party's national disciplinary committee found Jacobs guilty of assaulting a former party employee. In November last year - Jacobs had an altercation with Wesley Seale at the ANC's provincial office. The party says assaulting another member was viewed as serious misconduct.
CASE INVOLVING MANDELA'S QUNU-HOME DRAWS TO A CLOSE: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela will know today, whether she owns the Qunu home of former president Nelson Mandela, or not. Judgment is expected in the Mthatha High Court where Madikizela-Mandela is contesting her former husband's will. Madiba left the house to his widow, Graca Machel and the rest of the family, but Madikizela-Mandela's lawyers argued that she bought the property in 1989 while the former statesman was in prison. They also told the court that their divorce was not recognised under customary law.
HOGWARTS GOES TO HOLLYWOOD: Fifteen years after Harry Potter's first big screen adventure, Universal is enchanting a new generation of Muggles with its most spectacular conjuring trick yet -- a theme park in the heart of Hollywood. The "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" follows similar money-spinning ventures in Florida and Japan, but is set to be the most technologically advanced so far, incorporating state-of-the-art 3-D effects with the traditional fun of the fair. Opening at Universal Studios beneath the Hollywood hills on Thursday, it is the latest attraction in a burgeoning film industry side-line which has become so lucrative executives are beginning to design sets with future theme parks in mind.
