We’ve got the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Friday, 4 February.
The Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will most likely affect South Africa and as a result, a selection of beaches in the KZN municipality of KwaDukuza has become the first in South Africa to immediately close down this week.
The extreme weather event is currently taking place off the coast of Madagascar, and it is likely to reach the eastern coast of Africa in the next few days.
Meanwhile, the cash-in-transit company SBV Services has offered a whopping R1 million reward for information leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of suspects who were involved in a foiled CIT robbery.
SBV protection guards successfully defended cash in the attempted cash-in-transit heist at the Shoprite Centre in Dunoon, Cape Town. Videos that eyewitnesses shot have been circulating on social media.
South Africa’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) under State of Disaster regulations will be a relatively lowkey affair on 10 February. The Parliamentary curtain raiser will be held at the Cape Town City Hall after a blaze destroyed the National Assembly at the start of the year.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 4 February
SA beaches ‘closed immediately’ – due to threat from tropical cyclone
A selection of beaches in the KZN municipality of KwaDukuza has become the first in South Africa to immediately close down this week, as a result of the threat posed by Tropical Cyclone Batsirai.
The extreme weather event is currently taking place off the coast of Madagascar, and it is likely to reach the eastern coast of Africa in the next few days. It’s not yet clear if South Africa will be affected by the tropical cyclone, but an alert issued by the SA Weather Service suggests that a cautionary approach is the best course of action… for now:
“Batsirai is classified as a Tropical Cyclone and is currently associated with sustained winds of about 140km/h. Very rough seas, combined with storm surge, tend to be more extreme on the southern (poleward) side of tropical storms in this region of the world. It is not yet possible to accurately determine how Batsirai will affect South Africa.”
SAWS statement
SBV offers R1 Million reward after guards successfully defend cash in foiled CIT robbery
Cash-in-transit company, SBV Services has offered a whopping R1 million reward for information leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of suspects who were involved in a foiled CIT robbery. SBV protection guards successfully defended cash in the attempted cash-in-transit heist at the Shoprite Centre in Dunoon, Cape Town. Videos that were shot by eyewitnesses have been circulating on social media.
During the incident, one of SBV’s protection officers was shot at and injured in the arm but is in a stable condition.
Group CEO of SBV Services Mark Barrett said they are extremely proud of the quick and evasive action of their team. The company also commended their bravery during the attack.
“We cannot comment further as an investigation is underway and we are cooperating with the SAPS as they investigate. I would like to commend the team for their bravery while defending this attack and reiterate that SBV will not tolerate any attacks that place our employee’s lives at risk.”
Revealed: This is the FULL cost of SONA 2022 to the taxpayer
South Africa’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) under State of Disaster regulations will be a relatively lowkey affair on 10 February. The Parliamentary curtain raiser will be held at the Cape Town City Hall after a blaze destroyed the National Assembly at the start of the year.
Secretary to the National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso, told Members of Parliament (MPs) what to expect on the day, in a briefing to the joint programme committee, on 13 January.
Xaso said due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in place only 300 MPs from the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) would be allowed to attend SONA 2022 physically and the rest would join virtually.
In addition, there will be approximately 70 guests including, members of the judiciary, legislature and executive. As well as former presidents, heads of Chapter Nine institutions, the media and provincial leaders.
SARS scammed out of R24 billion – thanks to elaborate gold heist!
It has been revealed that the SA Revenue Service (SARS) is now fighting to recover tens of billions of Rand lost to an eight-year scam, involving dozens of companies and an elaborate plan to sell gold.
The researchers at investigative unit amaBhungane managed to uncovered the murky details of this sinister plot, and exposed the grifters who had managed to take the state for a ride. A complex system of smelting, tax avoidance, and refund claims saw the gold-shifting ring take almost $2 billion from the government.
Family of five burnt beyond recognition in horrific petrol tanker accident [Video]
A family of five was burnt beyond recognition when their car collided with a petrol tanker in Alberton on Wednesday evening.
Ekurhuleni emergency services spokesperson William Ntladi said the accident was reported late on Wednesday evening.
“Five lives perished in an inferno, that is a discovery by firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni assisted by crews from the City of Johannesburg. The scene was received exactly 22:23 reported by an off-duty firefighter,” he said.