Author: The Bulrushes

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Tuesday rejected suggestions that it was somehow to blame for ZAR X stock exchange’s conduct that led to its licence being suspended. The PIC said it noted the decision of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) to suspend the licence of ZAR X stock exchange. The PIC – on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund – is a 24,14% shareholder in ZAR X. RELATED: South Africa’s Financial Watchdog Suspends ZAR X Exchange Licence “We have also noted the public statement by ZAR X that it has concluded a significant equity transaction with a…

African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League President Bathabile Dlamini has tested positive for COVID-19 and she has been hospitalised. The 58-year-old former social development minister’s poor health coincides with reports that the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided to criminally prosecute her for perjury. Allegations are that Dlamini lied under oath during her testimony at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture. The ANC on Tuesday night confirmed that Dlamini had tested positive for Covid-19 and was being treated in hospital.. “We wish Comrade Bathabile a speedy recovery,” said the ANC. Calling for compassion the ANC said: “We ask…

South Africa has placed its police and security forces on “high alert” following disturbing messages on social media calling for a shutdown of the country on Monday. “Law enforcement agencies are on high alert,” the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) said on Sunday. The anonymous messages doing the rounds on social media are calling for a national shutdown. However, NatJOINTS said measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of South Africans “amidst threats of a national shutdown” on Monday, 23 August 2021. The NatJOINTS said it was aware of inflammatory messages on various…

Philanthropist, actress, and wife of billionaire Douw Steyn, Carolyn Steyn, has revealed that her husband’s dream of a helistop has come to reality. Carolyn tweeted: “Opening of the stunning new Steyn City Ultimate Helistop! My husband’s dream realised and I am so, so proud of him!” She also posted stunning pictures of the designated land area for the pickup of passengers. Carolyn has opened up their grand Palazzo Steyn home to the public through a Top Billing tour. The sprawling Johannesburg mansion is located within “Steyn City” city, which now has an impressive helistop. Opening of the stunning new Steyn…

A City of Johannesburg health worker stationed at the Parkhurst Clinic was arrested on Saturday night for selling fake COVID-19 negative test certificates to travellers for R500. Authorities said the 28-year-old man will appear in the Booysens Magistrates Court on Monday, where he will face fraud charges. The arrested man had been under surveillance for more than a week before authorities pounced. New Johannesburg Mayor Jolidee Matongo led the sting operation, which involved the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service department and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). “It is alleged that the suspect sells the fake Covid-19 negative test…

South Africa remains a very dangerous place to live with rapes, murders, carjackings, and cash in transit heists on the increase. In just three months, more than 10 000 rapes and over 5 700 murders were committed in the country. Releasing crime statistics on Friday for the 1st quarter of this financial year, Police Minister Bheki Cele said the period coincided with level five lockdown that kept almost everyone indoors and most businesses closed. “In the first quarter, the subcategories of crimes such as contact crimes, sexual offences, aggravated robberies, contact-related and property-related crimes have recorded a never seen before…

South Africa has reached the milestone of vaccinating more than 10 million people, Health Minister Joe Phaala said on Friday. His announcement coincided with the opening of registration for vaccinations for 18-year-olds and above – all adults. The minister said the date to register all adults has been brought forward by 11 days, owing to vaccine hesitation among older age groups. South Africa aims to vaccinate 40 million adults. Meanwhile, the latest daily figures of new Covid-19 cases led by the Delta variant have increased. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Thursday said 68 540 tests were conducted…

Rapper ProVerb got his jab on Thursday morning and he is proudly telling everyone how easy it was. The popular 40-year-old rapper whose mom is a doctor said: “I have just got my vaccination at the Houghton drive-through”. He earned the distinction of being the 15 000th person to get a jab at the centre run by the Muslim Association of South Africa. “Today we reached the 15 000 mark and couldn’t be more proud. Our 15 000th vaccine went to none other than SA star @ProVerb,” confirmed the association, which is providing free Covid-19 jabs to anyone who walks…

The former defence minister and senior African National Congress (ANC) member, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, was on Thursday elected as Speaker of Parliament. Amid murmurs of disapproval, Mapisa-Nqakula took her seat in Parliament and had to repeatedly say “order honourable members” before she could get her acceptance speech going. Detractors had pointed to allegations of wrongdoing as reasons for not voting for Mapisa-Nqakula as Speaker. News24 is reporting that Mapisa-Nqakula was under investigation for allegedly receiving a R5 million bribe from a defence contractor, blowing R7 million on aircraft charters and living it up at luxury hotels. Unfazed by the criticism, Mapisa-Nqakula braved…

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Science Centre has appointed Dr. Kim Bishop to the board of directors. The appointment of the well-known medical doctor and general practitioner coincides with Women’s Month. Announcing the appointment on Tuesday, board chair of the KZN Science Centre, Sunil Geness said: “We are jubilant to have a person of Dr. Bishop’s diverse skills, capability, passion, and experience”. Dr. Kim Bishop Geness added: “As such we are also doubly delighted that the occasion coincides with women’s month in South Africa”. Dr. Bishop’s appointment aptly comes close to the national science week – the annual celebration of science, engineering, and…