For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Victor Moolman.
Making headlines: Parliament to debate Sona, Mbalula says Hawks went back and forth with Ajay Gupta’s lawyer  And, Ramaphosa says the defence force allowed peaceful 'change of leadership'

Parliament to debate Sona

Parliament is today set to debate the first ever State of the Nation Address by newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa, which he delivered last week.

Ramaphosa had promised strong action against corruption in his maiden address.

He took a clear, firm stance on his plans to end corruption at state institutions and state-owned enterprises, as well as the private sector.

Mbalula says Hawks went back and forth with Ajay Gupta’s lawyer

South African law enforcement agencies are closing the net on Ajay Gupta and others accused of corruption in the Estina dairy farm project in Vrede, the police minister has said.

Police minister Fikile Mbalula, in an interview with SABC TV said that a back and forth with Gupta's lawyer led to the red alert on the Indian national.

Mbalula said of the 13 suspects in the Estina Farm Project, eight had been arrested in the Free State and Johannesburg.

He said police were working with Interpol and believed suspects were in China, Dubai and India.

Ramaphosa says the defence force allowed peaceful 'change of leadership'

The South African National Defence Force has proven its role as a protector of the country’s constitutional order by allowing a peaceful handover of leadership in the African National Congress, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in Kimberley yesterday.

Ramaphosa was speaking at an inter-faith prayer service organised by the defence force where he said the country celebrated the change of leadership in the governing party without senseless bloodshed.

He added that the defence force was led by wise men and women who abided by the ideal of the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law.

The new commander-in-chief said the defence force had once again confirmed the depths of the roots of the democracy and the flourishing of constitutional order.

Also making headlines:

ANC MP Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma refuted reports that she is tired and is planning on quitting her parliamentary role.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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