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The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Mayfair fire kills 4 children
Here's your daily news update for Monday, 19 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, the Mayfair community in Johannesburg is in mourning after four children, under the age of two years old, tragically died in a house fire on Monday morning. Meanwhile, South Africa's delegation to the United States is en route to its most high-profile diplomatic engagement in recent memory, and the members have had things to say about SA–USA relations in 2025. Furthermore, almost 6 000 South African Post Office (Sapo) jobs will be saved via another funding injection. Weather tomorrow: 20 May 2025 Disruptive rain and damaging winds are forecast for parts of the Western Cape, with officials warning of flooding and travel disruptions. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. House fire claims lives of four young children in Mayfair The Mayfair community in Johannesburg is in mourning after four children, under the age of two years old, tragically died in a house fire on Monday morning. The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded to a house on fire near 8th Avenue and West Street at around 11am. Picture: Supplied. EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said that upon arrival, the firefighters found the house on fire, and they started firefighting operations. 'While conducting a search and rescue operation, four bodies of young kids ranging from two years and below were recovered. Unfortunately, they were confirmed dead on the scene by Gauteng EMS paramedics,' Mulaudzi said. CONTINUE READING: House fire claims lives of four young children in Mayfair What those on the plane to Washington said prior to Trump-Ramaphosa showdown South Africa's delegation to the United States is in transit en route to its most high-profile diplomatic engagement in recent memory. President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading a team of four ministers this week for bilateral discussions with the Trump administration. President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office in 2022. Picture: AFP / Saul Loeb The president is set to meet his US counterpart on Wednesday in Washington, and the nation is eager to see how the heads of state's contrasting personalities mesh. The delegation consists of Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau, and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. CONTINUE READING: What those on the plane to Washington said prior to Trump-Ramaphosa showdown More millions to save jobs at SA Post Office Almost 6 000 South African Post Office (Sapo) jobs will be saved via another funding injection. Sapo and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) agreed on a deal to fund employee salaries while the government works to restore the postal service's fortunes. Picture: The Citizen / Michel Bega The agreement between the two government entities will see the return of the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) used during the 2020 global health pandemic. The Ters scheme will inject R381 million into the post office over the next six months to assist 5 956 employees. CONTINUE READING: More millions to save jobs at SA Post Office Chiefs coach Nabi – 'This news is bad for me' Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has denied that he is set to be sacked at the end of this season. A report in the Sunday Times on May 11 claimed Nabi was going to be dismissed, even after winning the Nedbank Cup. Nasreddine Nabi has denied he is set to be fired by Kaizer Chiefs. Picture: Backpagepix 'This news came from journalists, not from the club. Why all the time is it 'Nabi, Nabi, Nabi,' for what? All of Africa has been calling me to come coach them, thinking I'm a free agent,' Nabi told journalists on Saturday, after Amakhosi's 1-1 Betway Premiership draw with Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. CONTINUE READING: Chiefs coach Nabi – 'This news is bad for me' Will Ramaphosa testify in Phala Phala trial? NPA clears the air At least 22 witnesses are lined up to testify in the Phala Phala trial, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says. Imanuwela David, Ndilinasho Joseph and Froliana Joseph appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with the theft $580 000 (about R10.4 million) at President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm in February 2020. The entrance of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo. Picture: NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the 22 witnesses lined up for the trial showed that the state had a strong case against the three. However, the president will not be among the witnesses. 'We can get someone from the farm. It could be a manager or administrator to be part of the trial, not the president,' Malabi-Dzhangi told the SABC. CONTINUE READING: Will Ramaphosa testify in Phala Phala trial? NPA clears the air Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Omotoso deported | ANCWL deputy president dies | SANDF troops in DRC
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Another funding injection saves Post Office jobs
The post office will receive R381 million via the Ters scheme over the next six months to preserve the jobs of employees. Almost 6 000 South African Post Office (Sapo) jobs will be saved via another funding injection. Sapo and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) agreed on a deal to fund employee salaries while the government works to restore the postal service's fortunes. The agreement between the two government entities will see the return of the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) used during the 2020 global health pandemic. Protecting Sapo workers The Ters scheme will inject R381 million into the post office over the next six months to assist 5 956 employees. Sapo had been hoping for a R3 billion bailout at the end of 2024 to avoid liquidation, but National Treasury decided against the move. The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) on Sunday announced the implementation of the Ters deal, highlighting it as a crucial part of the post office's stabilisation. 'This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions,' DEL Minister Nomokhosazana Meth. 'The Ters programme is not just a financial mechanism, it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery, and ensure that no worker is left behind,' the minister explained. The funds due to employees will be sent to Sapo every month, with the post office responsible for auditing and compliance throughout the process. 'Sapo is required to submit regular reports, maintain transparent accounting records, and implement a detailed turnaround strategy as a condition of the funding.' The post office has found formulating a turnaround strategy difficult. In 2023, it entered business rescue with R8.7 billion owed to creditors. Sapo received a R2.4 billion bailout from the government in 2023 shortly before receiving a provisional liquidation order, which was added to another R1 billion funding injection in 2019. Despite the entity's troubles, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the South African Post Office SOC Ltd Amendment Bill late last year. 'The new law enables the post office to serve as a hub for government services and other agency services, and as a digital hub for businesses and communities,' the Presidency stated in December. 'The post office will also be able to serve as a logistics partner to other e-commerce providers – including small enterprises and informal traders – and any future business that the state-owned company may develop to serve users and consumers,' the Presidency added. NOW READ: Union fights liquidation of Sapo while govt says it cannot bail it out
