Making headlines: Sassa's Post Office deal in the balance; Court hears that Zuma cannot be the judge and the jury; And, Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza accused of influencing branches nomination forms

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

Sassa's Post Office deal in the balance

The pending deal between the South African Social Security Agency and the South African Post Office could be at risk, according to a letter sent to the agency.

Sassa finally made a long overdue offer to the Post Office to come on board and assist with the nationwide social grants scheme.

The Post Office would only accept the deal if three other conditions were approved as well. If not, they would revert to an original offer made to the Post Office by former Sassa CEO Thokozani Magwaza in July.

Court hears that Zuma cannot be the judge and the jury

President Jacob Zuma risks playing the judge and the jury of his own court if he appoints a judge to oversee a judicial commission of inquiry to look into allegations of state capture, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard yesterday.

Legal heavyweight, Vincent Maleka, who represents former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said the president did not have the inner workings of the judiciary pointing out that Chief Justice was the most suitable to appoint a judge who will preside over the inquiry.

Madonsela had been looking into allegations of an improper relationship between the president and the Gupta family in relation to key appointments in Zuma's Cabinet and the awarding of contracts at State-owned enterprises.

Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza accused of influencing branches nomination forms

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is competing against "Unity" in the Mpumalanga ANC's nomination rounds for new party leaders.

Sources claim that branches in the province had been ordered by Premier David Mabuza, and other provincial executive committee members, to write the word "Unity" on nomination forms, instead of the names of candidates for the top six leadership positions - including for president.

Mabuza - who is also a provincial chairperson - has styled himself as a "unifier" of the ANC in the fierce race to replace President Jacob Zuma at the December elective conference.

Also making headlines:

The National Prosecuting Authority to open dockets against those implicated in Timol murder cover-up.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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