Making headlines: Jacques Pauw threatens SSA with punitive costs orders; Ramaphosa defends pronouncements on slate; And, Maphatsoe accepts defeat as his branch wants Ramaphosa for president

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Jacques Pauw threatens SSA with punitive costs orders

Investigative journalist Jacques Pauw stands by the allegations contained in his recently-released book and says he is prepared to seek punitive costs orders against that State Security Agency if it approaches the courts for an interdict against him.

Such orders will also be sought against "individuals within the agency who instructed such an application".

Pauw says that allegations of financial mismanagement at the SSA, contained in his book ‘The President's Keepers’ are true and "of undeniable public interest".

The first print run sold out on the day of the release and more are being printed.

Last week, the SSA sent a cease and desist letter to Pauw and NB Publishers, claiming that the content of the book violated the Intelligence Services Act.

The agency threatened to approach the court for an interdict to prevent further distribution, publishing or promotion if the book was not withdrawn from store shelves.

Ramaphosa defends pronouncements on slate

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday, shrugged off criticism levelled against him after announcing his running mates ahead of the African National Congress December elective conference.

Ramaphosa said in a statement that he welcomed all the views, including those that have raised concerns about his approach on the matter. He sees these views in a positive light as a process of enriching and deepening their internal democratic processes and promotion of unity in the ANC.

The names he mentioned for leadership positions arose from interactions and nominations emerging from ANC structures and should be understood in that context, he pointed out.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe had earlier criticised Ramaphosa’s announcement of Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor as deputy president at a rally in Sekhukhune, Limpopo over the weekend.

And, Maphatsoe accepts defeat as his branch wants Ramaphosa for president

The African National Congress's Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association president Kebby Maphatsoe has accepted defeat in his branch after it defiantly nominated Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as its presidential candidate.

The Commander Kofifi branch in Protea Glen, Soweto, met this weekend and voted via secret ballot to endorse Ramaphosa for the top post ahead of the December elective conference.

Maphatsoe told News24 that they were defeated and that he accepted the outcomes of the branch as it was transparent and democratic.
Maphatsoe is a supporter of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and has appeared alongside her at her many campaign events.

Also making headlines:
KZN ANC 'rebels' lash out at leaders

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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