Daily Podcast – October 30, 2017

30th October 2017 By: Thabi Shomolekae - Creamer Media Senior Writer

Daily Podcast – October 30, 2017

Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu

Making headlines: Zuma urged to release leaked fees commission report; Gauteng ANC clarifies Qedani Mahlangu's leave of absence; And, William Ruto blames opposition for Kenya poll violence

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

Zuma urged to release leaked fees commission report

President Jacob Zuma should immediately release a report into university fees, the Democratic Alliance said yesterday.

DA MP Belinda Bozzoli said in a statement that the President’s dilly-dallying over the release of the report, and his reported refusal to share it with the previous Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande for what seem to be petty and vindictive reasons, have predictably resulted in a leak.

Details of the report were published in the City Press on Sunday. Allegedly the long-awaited 748-page report suggests that free studies across the board is not a possibility and other systems for funding will need to be utilised.

Headed by retired judge Jonathan Heher, the commission was set up following the first eruption of the #FeesMustFall protests two years ago. The report examined 20 different scenarios of funding compiled by evidence leaders.

Since receiving the report from Judge Heher on August 30, President Jacob Zuma has resisted calls to release it, with the presidency saying he is still studying its contents.

Gauteng ANC clarifies Qedani Mahlangu's leave of absence

The African National Congress in Gauteng has clarified the leave of absence of former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, after media reports alleged that she is not registered as a postgraduate student at an overseas university.

About 141 psychiatric patients died after being moved to non-governmental organisations last year when the health department – under Mahlangu - terminated its contract with the Life Esidimeni group due to cost-cutting measures.

Mahlangu resigned in February before the health ombudsman released a damning report on the Life Esidimeni tragedy.

Rapport reported a week ago that Mahlangu was on board a flight to London’s Heathrow Airport on July 29.

In a series of tweets, the party said Mahlangu had asked for a leave of absence at the end of August this year to pursue her postgraduate degree overseas. This was granted.

Mahlangu was expected to be subpoenaed to testify at the on-going Life Esidimeni hearings.

And, William Ruto blames opposition for Kenya poll violence

Kenya's deputy president has blamed the opposition coalition and its leader for the violence witnessed in the East African country following disputed polls.

Speaking to Al Jazeera yesterday, William Ruto said that an opposition militia was responsible for the killings since Thursday's presidential election rerun.

Ruto said because of the obvious defeat their competitors were facing, they decided to organise violence. This violence was not spontaneous; it was organised violence. And the violence was supposed to prevent election officials and materials from getting to polling stations.

At least eight people have been killed and more than 30 injured since Thursday's election, most in the opposition strongholds in the western part of Kenya.


Also making headlines:
IFP's Mangosuthu Buthelezi to step down

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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