For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Madlanga Commission evidence leads to suspension of Tshwane CFO; Malema back in court as prosecutors seek 15-year prison sentence; And, EFF wants newly appointed Roelf Meyer removed as US ambassador

Madlanga Commission evidence leads to suspension of Tshwane CFO

The City of Tshwane today officially placed CFO Gareth Mnisi on precautionary suspension, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Last month, Mnisi was implicated in testimony before the Madlanga Commission relating to tender influence.

City of Tshwane executive mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya said having considered the representations and allegations arising from testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, council decided to place Mnisi on precautionary suspension.

Moya said the decision was taken to safeguard the integrity of the investigation and to protect the municipality’s interests.

She stressed that this does not constitute a finding of misconduct.

Mnisi is expected to appear before the Commission on Friday, and Moya said the city will follow his testimony arguing that it may inform and guide the investigation.

Malema back in court as prosecutors seek 15-year prison sentence

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema was back in court today, as prosecutors pushed for him to be given the maximum 15-year prison sentence for firing a rifle in the air at a rally.

Malema was convicted last year of charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a weapon in a public place over the 2018 incident.

Malema had pleaded not guilty, arguing the gun was a toy.

A prison term of more than 12 months, if confirmed after all appeals, would bar Malema from serving as a lawmaker.

That would be a major setback to EFF, which has strong support among young South Africans frustrated by the racial inequality that has persisted since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

And, EFF wants newly appointed Roelf Meyer removed as US ambassador

Meanwhile, the party called for the rescinding of Roelf Meyer’s appointment as South Africa’s ambassador to the US, claiming that his appointment reflects a “dangerous” willingness by government to appease US President Donald Trump's “white supremacist whims by presenting a figure it said is palatable to white power structures”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Meyer as the new ambassador, following a vacancy of over a year, which occurred after Ebrahim Rasool was expelled in March 2025.

Rasool was declared persona non grata by the Trump administration following tensions related to comments regarding US white supremacist movements and land reform in South Africa.

The EFF rejected Meyer’s appointment, labelling it “politically tone-deaf” and a “deliberate insult” to the country’s democratic struggle.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA