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

Making headlines: Eskom workers down tools at some South African power stations; Queues develop as polling booths open for Zimbabwe 2018 election; And, Timol's family 'cautiously optimistic' ahead of former police sergeant's court appearance

 

Eskom workers down tools at some South African power stations

Workers at some of South African State-owned utility Eskom's power stations have downed tools, after an impasse over wages, but supply has not been disrupted, spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said today.

A spate of controlled blackouts was triggered last month following worker-led protests after the cash-strapped utility, which provides virtually all of South Africa's power, said it could not afford pay increases.

 

Queues develop as polling booths open for Zimbabwe 2018 election

Just more than 10 000 polling booths opened today around Zimbabwe where voting for a new president began at 7 am.

Voting appears to have got off to a smooth start, with some 71 000 police officers deployed to polling stations. International observers have also fanned out across the country to witness Zimbabwe's historic elections in which long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, 94, is not on the ballot, which has 23 hopefuls.

The frontrunners are ZANU PF and incumbent president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who Mugabe at the weekend said came to power through a coup, and MDC Alliance leader 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa.

The polls close at 7 pm.

 

And, Timol's family 'cautiously optimistic' ahead of former police sergeant's court appearance

The nephew of anti-apartheid activist, Ahmed Timol, says the family is cautiously optimistic ahead of the appearance of former security branch police sergeant Joao Jan Rodrigues in court on Monday.

The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed 80-year-old Joao Rodrigues would be appearing in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Almost 46 years since his death, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria last year found that Timol, just as his family had always maintained, died at the hands of apartheid security branch police while in detention.

Nephew Imtiaz Cajee said on Sunday evening that the latest development was a very significant milestone.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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