Making headlines: Hanekom faces ANC chop; Grace Mugabe returns home; And, MKMVA to launch own investigation into secret ballot MPs

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

Hanekom faces ANC chop

The ANC has moved to “protect its integrity and reputation” by asking Derek Hanekom, the chairperson of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee, to give reasons – within 10 days – why he must not be removed from his post.

Hanekom, who was fired as tourism minister after he called for President Jacob Zuma to step down, offended the ANC with a couple of tweets before the no confidence motion earlier this month. Zuma survived the motion after a secret ballot in which it became clear that some ANC members voted with the opposition on 8 August.

Last night the ANC asked Hanekom to give reasons why he should not be kicked out of his NDC position.

Grace Mugabe returns home

Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe returned home from South Africa early on Sunday, pursued by demands that she face prosecution over an alleged assault of a 20-year-old model in an upmarket Johannesburg hotel room.

Police had placed border posts on "red alert" to prevent her from leaving but South Africa's international relations minister said she had granted diplomatic immunity to the wife of Zimbabwe's 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said in a notice published in South Africa's Government Gazette yesterday that she recognises the immunities and privileges of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

And, MKMVA to launch own investigation into secret ballot MPs

The Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Association has announced that it has launched its own investigation to expose all African National Congress MPs who supported the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.

The association says the dissident MPs are "dangerous, poisonous snakes that must be burnt".

The ANC defeated the motion, but at least 35 to 40 ANC MPs supported the motion.

MKMVA president Kebby Maphatsoe said the historic motion, where a secret ballot was used for the first time, had shown that there was an "enemy" within the party.

 

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today