Good morning, SA | Free State arrests result of year-long probe, ANC slapped with R105k bill for Zim trip, Ramaphosa calls for sustainable agriculture

A joint task force of SIU and Hawks officials on Wednesday netted six suspects in connection with a R255 million asbestos audit contract.

View Online Good Morning, SA The Special Investigating Unit says the Free State arrests were the result of a year-long investigation, the ANC receives a R105 000 bill for its flight to Zimbabwe and President Cyril Ramaphosa call for sustainable agriculture in an address to the United Nations. SHELDON MORAIS, ASSISTANT EDITOR: BREAKING NEWS Six have been arrested in connection with a Free State tender. (News24, file) Arrests in R255m asbestos audit corruption case the result of a year-long probe by SIU, Hawks The story: In a coordinated operation spanning three provinces, a joint task force of Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Hawks officials on Wednesday netted six suspects in connection with a R255 million asbestos audit contract awarded in 2014. More sought: A seventh person was sought in Richards Bay, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, but his arrest was not confirmed by late on Wednesday evening. The others were apprehended in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg. What we know: News24 understands that they are due to appear before court in Bloemfontein on Friday, where they will face upwards of 60 charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and violations of the Public Finance Management Act. Read More President Cyril Ramaphosa. (GCIS) Ramaphosa calls for climate-friendly agriculture, sustainable food production at UN meeting The news: The world needed to move away from economic models that valued growth for growth's sake towards a "circular economy", President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday while addressing the United Nation's summit on biodiversity. The details: He said the coronavirus pandemic had had a negative effect on national economies' ability to respond to challenges like environmental degradation and climate change.   In quotes: "But even as we prioritise economic revival and reconstruction, we must maintain our collective commitment to environmental conservation," he said. Read More ANC General Secretary Ace Magashule addresses the media on the outcomes of a national working committee (NWC) meeting at the partys headquarters at Luthuli House on February 26, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Alaister Russell) ANC slapped with bill of more than R105 000 for Zim junket, documents reveal The latest: The ANC has been slapped with a bill of more than R105 000 for its officials' trip to Zimbabwe aboard an air force jet with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. How we know: This is according to one of Mapisa-Nqakula's reports on the matter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, which the Presidency published on Wednesday due to Ramaphosa's "commitment to transparency". The background: Amid the public outcry after the news broke that ANC senior officials Ace Magashule, Tony Yengeni, Nomvula Mokonyane, Enoch Godongwana and Dakota Lekgoete were given a "lift", along with Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu, to Zimbabwe earlier this month, Ramaphosa instructed Mapisa-Nqakula to provide him with a report on the matter.   Read More News for You NEWS Fix the current licence renewal processes, stop fining law-abiding citizens - AA The Automobile Association (AA) is calling out authorities on the driving card system which needs a desperate change in operation. TRAVEL No UK or US tourists: Here is South Africa's full red list of countries South Africa will use a relative scale to determine coronavirus risk – using the SA level of infection spread and deaths as the base. That leaves tourists from many countries banned from entering, for now. NEWS Mkhwebane on Vrede Dairy Farm matter: Investigation is complete, but report must be wrapped up Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said the matter was "complex" and did not only involve Free State politicians. Can the ANC survive without its corruption protection racket? The ANC has predictably distanced itself from the arrest of high ranking officials and a top party leader in the Free State, but will it be able to survive without its ill-gotten gains? QAANITAH HUNTER, POLITICS EDITOR On the lighter side Vitality members to get a once-off points top-up to compensate for lockdown If you earned more points for screenings and physical activity in 2019, you will earn your points from last year. Read more Women in Wheels | How Sandra Labuschagne-Jonck went about owning her space in rallying Rallying may still be considered a male-dominated sport, but Sandra Labuschagne-Jonck has been rewriting the status quo her entire life. Read more Unveiling the legacy of Arabic calligraphy in the Cape Faheem Rhoda Jackson is a Bo-Kaap born teacher, calligrapher and scholar of Arabic and Jawi script. In his work, he revisits the manuscripts of Tuan Guru to unearth new narratives around Islam, slavery and heritage in the Cape. Read more PICS | Emma Corrin as Princess Diana and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown Netflix has released first-look images of the highly anticipated season four of The Crown. Read more The 'Top comments' newsletter is dedicated to the best conversations and comments on News24. Elsewhere in the world Biden calls Trump debate performance a 'national embarrassment' A Covid-19 test that gives results in 15 minutes without a lab has been cleared for use in Europe Japan 'Twitter killer' victims consented to their deaths, say lawyers DOWNLOAD THE NEWS24 APP CONNECT WITH US

Unsubscribe • Manage Preferences • Update Profile • View PDF • Share • Pause Subscription • View Online This email was sent to newstrafik.LINK13@blogger.com on 01-10-2020 24.com is intended for opt-in communication only. If you feel this email is unsolicited, please report it to us