Stories from South Africa

Canal Plus, the owner of MultiChoice, is scheduled to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on June 3. This move makes it the first French company to join the exchange.

South African sprinter Akane Simbine pulled up with a calf cramp during the inaugural Simbine Classic in Pretoria. The incident occurred during the event, which is part of the country's 70th anniversary celebrations.

The ACNK Trans-Sport Department has advised motorists to avoid the N2 highway between Mtata and Gumbu due to a blockade by protestors. The department warned that success trucks have become targets of looting during such protests.

Bellamyne Mugabe and co-accused Tobias Matonose are expected to be sentenced today in the Alexandra Criminal Court north of Johannesburg. Mugabe, the son of late former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, pleaded guilty earlier this month to being in South Africa illegally and pointing a firearm. The firearm charge relates to an incident occurring two weeks prior to a shooting at his Hyde Park residence. A court heard that Sipa Maslangu, a security guard injured during a shooting at the Mugabe residence in Hyde Park, is to be paid 400,000 rand. The incident occurred in February and involved charges including attempted murder, contravening the immigration act, and possession of a firearm and ammunition. The sentencing follows his guilty plea regarding his involvement in a specific case.

Jamila Batoy has withdrawn from the Inca Binde inquiry, which is investigating former director of public prosecutions and housing advocate Andrew Chauke. Batoy stated that the proceedings were hostile, accusatory, and discouraging.

The City of Johannesburg borrowed 5 billion rand from financial institutions over the past year to fund infrastructure projects. The city is currently spending over 1 billion rand more than it collects in income. Experts warned that this debt cycle is unsustainable.

Safara has refuted allegations of malpractice, corruption, and maladministration in municipalities and states. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) stated yesterday that it investigated a series of such allegations.

A demonstration organized by the March & March collective gathered several hundred people in front of the presidency in Pretoria. The group attempted to march toward the President's office building. Protesters in Pretoria have begun blocking access to healthcare facilities, including hospitals and schools, according to a report. The demonstrators are targeting foreign nationals, claiming they have occupied spaces intended for women and other residents. Authorities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are engaging to find solutions. A formal letter has been sent requesting dialogue between the involved parties. Mukandua expressed concern regarding the safety of refugees and foreign nationals facing attacks. The organization has issued a statement calling the incidents coordinated xenophobia.

The N2 highway is currently blocked and closed approximately 25 to 30km north of Mthatha on the Mthatha-Qumbu run. Travelers attempting to go between Kokstad and Mthatha are advised to delay travel as nothing is getting through the area.

Le Behan Maile stated that a province requires $25 billion to build 200 schools to address existing backlogs. Maile provided this briefing to the media regarding school overcrowding and current interventions in Johannesburg on Tuesday.