Daily Podcast – August 10, 2017

10th August 2017 By: Thabi Shomolekae - Creamer Media Senior Writer

Daily Podcast – August 10, 2017

DA Leader Mmusi Maimane
Photo by: Jurgen Marx

Making headlines: Maimane says ANC is ‘united behind corruption'; Odinga says Kenya election hacked to show Kenyatta lead; And, a coup is likely in Zimbabwe if Mugabe fails to carefully choose his successor

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

Maimane says ANC is ‘united behind corruption

In an attempt to keep the pressure on the ANC after a number of its members supported an opposition motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma, the DA called for the dissolution of Parliament, which if it succeeds, would necessitate early elections.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane announced yesterday morning that the DA will table a motion for the dissolution of Parliament today, saying South Africa now needs “a new beginning”.

The announcement comes a day after between 30 and 40 ANC MPs voted to remove Zuma as president, with mass rallies across the country supporting the proposal, and other groupings rallying in support of Zuma.

Zuma survived yet another motion of no confidence, protected by the party that has elected him twice and shielded him from accountability countless times.

Odinga says Kenya election hacked to show Kenyatta lead

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga yesterday said that the election commission's computers had been hacked and fake results posted online, in what he described as "massive" poll fraud to show President Uhuru Kenyatta with a strong lead.

However, the election commission said Tuesday's vote was free and fair. It said it was investigating whether or not its computer systems and vote-tallying database had been compromised but had not had a problem with its passwords.

Odinga's statement, which was based on his belief that a murdered election commission technician had his identity stolen, raised concerns of unrest over the results in Kenya, which is East Africa's biggest economy and a regional hub.

Angry protests broke out in Nairobi and the western city of Kisumu, with at least one man killed by police. It evoked memories of a disputed election in 2007, when around 1 200 people died and 600 000 were displaced.

And, a coup is likely in Zimbabwe if Mugabe fails to carefully choose his successor

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's ally, controversial businessman Energy Mutodi says a coup is likely in Zimbabwe if President Robert Mugabe fails to "carefully choose his successor" amid rising succession tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF.

Two distinct camps have emerged in Zimbabwe’s liberation party in recent years, as factions seek to outwit each other in the race to succeed the 93-year-old leader.

Mnangagwa was allegedly leading a faction angling to succeed Mugabe, calling itself "Team Lacoste", while another grouping made up of young Turks, commonly known as "Generation 40" and backing First Lady Grace Mugabe to succeed her ageing husband, wanted to torpedo Mnangagwa’s presidential ambitions.

Although both Mnangagwa and the First Lady have publicly denied harbouring presidential ambitions, the ructions in the revolutionary party have now become ubiquitous.

 

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today