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News24
3 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Minister defends SANDF chief; Ellis Park not sold out for Boks: Top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. 'There is nothing rogue': Motshekga defends Maphwanya's Iran visit and comments - Defence Minister Angie Motshekga defended General Rudzani Maphwanya's Iran visit, stating it was pre-approved and not a rogue action, attributing the backlash to US-Iran sensitivities. - Maphwanya's comments about Iran and South Africa being 'anti-colonial allies' caused diplomatic tension, with the Presidency and ANC distancing themselves and calling the trip 'ill-advised'. - Motshekga argued similar trips to other nations didn't face scrutiny, and the issue is the US-Iran relationship and tariff negotiations, not Maphwanya's actions. President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned those who opted out of the first National Convention of the National Dialogue that they could regret it. Thahasello Mphatsoe/News24 Ramaphosa tells National Dialogue absentees that they'll regret not 'being part' of process - President Cyril Ramaphosa subtly criticised those absent from the National Dialogue, including former president Thabo Mbeki, suggesting they might later regret their non-participation. - Ramaphosa defended the dialogue's nonpartisan nature and pledged to minimise costs by avoiding expensive venues. - He referenced the PAC's historical reluctance to engage in dialogues, suggesting those currently abstaining may eventually realise the value of participation. 'There's no hope': Unpaid salaries push 14 bus company workers to take their own lives - State-owned bus companies in North West, under business rescue since 2022, have seen their debt surge from R355 million to R1 billion, leading to months of unpaid salaries for employees. - The dire financial situation has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with at least 14 employees committing suicide and one starving to death, alongside home repossessions and loss of vehicles. - Legal battles between business rescue practitioners over financial mismanagement and unauthorised accounts are delaying the payment of salaries, leaving 1 500 employee families in desperate circumstances. Minister plans biggest shakeup of municipalities since 1996 - Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is planning a major overhaul of South Africa's local government system, including reducing the number of municipalities and changing the funding model. - The new White Paper on local government, expected in March 2026, will propose policy changes such as tighter conditions on infrastructure grants and increased powers for national intervention in failing municipalities. - Hlabisa aims to improve financial management in municipalities by withholding equitable share funding from those that cannot account for their finances or enforce consequences for financial mismanagement. Gallo Images/ER Lombard 'Utterly astounded': Court grants Old Mutual access to firm's office after shock revelations - Old Mutual won a court order to access and copy data at SA Guarantee Specialists (SAGS) after discovering unauthorised foreign guarantees issued in its name, totalling over a billion rand. - SAGS, an underwriting manager, issued the guarantees despite being restricted to administering insurance within South Africa under its agreement with Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure (Omart). - The court order allows Old Mutual's forensic team to enter SAGS' offices, by force if necessary, to copy data related to the guarantees, with a temporary suspension to encourage a voluntary agreement between the parties. Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images Ellis Park not sold out for Boks v Wallabies, but SA Rugby boss satisfied - SA Rugby says they've met their projected crowd targets for the Springboks vs Wallabies match at Ellis Park, despite tickets still being available. - High ticket prices for Springbok games have been a topic of debate, with previous matches against Italy and Georgia also not selling out. - SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said they worked on an 85% capacity target and have exceeded it, and will review their programme for future seasons. DRIVEN | Adriaan Basson sizes up the Hilux GR-S in the Kruger - and compares it to a Ford - A former Hilux mega-fan tested the new Toyota Hilux GR-S III, hoping to rekindle his love for the brand after being impressed by a Ford Ranger Wildtrak X the previous year. - While the Hilux GR-S has a sporty exterior and a reliable engine, the author found its multimedia system outdated and lacking features compared to competitors like Ford. - Despite some technological shortcomings, the author still appreciates the Hilux's trustworthiness and overall build quality, acknowledging its enduring appeal. Show Comments ()
Times of Oman
28-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
President of Iran leaves Oman
Muscat: President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying delegation left the Sultanate of Oman after a two-day official visit. HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs led the farewell party for President Pezeshkian at the Royal Airport. The Iranian President was also seen off by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister (Head of the Mission of Honour) and Ibrahim Ahmed Al Mu'aini, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Islamic Republic of Iran. During his visit to the Sultanate of Oman, the Iranian President was accompanied by an official delegation comprising Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei, Head of the President's Office, Mohammad Atabek, Minister of Industry, Mining, and Trade, Head of the Iranian side in the Oman-Iran Economic Cooperation Joint Committee, Air Commodore Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defence and Logistics of the Armed Forces, Gholamhossein Zarei, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament, Mohammad-Reza Farzin, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Masoumeh Aghapour Alishahi, Advisor to the President for Economic Cooperation Affairs, Mousa Farhang, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Sultanate of Oman and several officials from the Iranian government.
