July, 13 2016.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines:
R2K, SOS Coalition to plan more SABC protests
Zim Home Affairs minister says they will deal with protests
And, Zuma calls for nominations for National Orders

 

The Right2Know Campaign and SOS Coalition are expected today to discuss staging a protest outside African National Congress headquarters Luthuli House in response developments at the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

The public planning meeting comes after the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa on Monday ordered the SABC to withdraw its decision not to air footage of the destruction of property during protests.

The broadcasting regulator held a public hearing on June 24 following complaints about censorship at the SABC.
On Monday, SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng and his board vowed that they would challenge Icasa’s decision. Nobody had a right to tell them how to do their jobs, he said.

 

The Zimbabwe Government has warned it would deal with any public protests on Wednesday, saying they were being sponsored by hostile embassies in the country.

Home Affairs Minister, Ignatius Chombo, told a press conference in Harare on Tuesday evening that the police would crush any protests against the government, adding the police was fully prepared to deal with the situation.

The police, he said, had enough manpower to deal with any possible disturbances, adding they did not need any assistance from the army.

Chombo said government was fully aware of activities of politically affiliated organisations who were inciting the nation through misrepresenting facts.

Chombo said those who wanted to demonstrate had to do it in terms of the law, saying while the government accepted the legitimate right of citizens to petition, they should be exercised peacefully.

 

President Jacob Zuma has invited members of the public to nominate persons who they believe should receive National Orders, the country’s highest awards.

The next National Orders award ceremony will take place in April 2017 to honour South Africans and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed to the achievement of a free, united, non-racial, democratic, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa in various ways.

Other awards will also honour citizens who have "sacrificed life and limb to save others and those who have excelled in various fields".

In a statement, the Presidency said the ceremony contributed towards unity, reconciliation and nation building.

The selection process of the awards will be processed and administered by the National Orders Advisory Council which has been appointed by Zuma who is the Grand Patron of the National Orders.

 

Also making headlines:
Hollande assures Zuma that EPA trade deal won’t be affected by Brexit
We will win all Limpopo municipalities – EFF
And, Action needed as decline in HIV cases stalls, AIDS agency says

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