For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Sihle Zikalala steps down as KZN Premier, Tembisa residents receive 50% write-off on historic debts and, Mapisa-Nqakula refers ATM motion for Phala Phala probe to expert panel for decision

Sihle Zikalala steps down as KZN Premier

The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal has proposed the names of Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and ANC MPLs Amanda Bani and Mbali Fraizer as possible replacements for outgoing premier Sihle Zikalala.

The ANC in the province announced his resignation as KZN premier following his defeat at the ANC KZN elective conference, where he had to relinquish the chairperson position.

The ANC’s Provincial Executive Committee accepted Zikalala’s resignation on Thursday..

The names of the three candidates have since been submitted and they will undergo interview process tomorrow.

The party said it was with great pain that it accepted Zikalala's resignation "as he was still doing a great job in the province since he took over".

Tembisa residents receive 50% write-off on historic debts

Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell told Tembisa residents today that an aggressive debt rehabilitation programme will allow them to write off 50% of historic service debt.

The mayor was addressing residents under heavy police presence following deadly protests over exorbitant electricity prices.

Campbell said the issue of tariffs would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

The services that qualify for the 50% debt relief are rates, service charges, interest and other costs.

The scheme is available to Tembisa residents until March 31, 2023.

Mapisa-Nqakula refers ATM motion for Phala Phala probe to expert panel for decision

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has referred a request by the African Transformation Movement’s for Parliament to set up an inquiry into the Phala Phala saga to go to an independent panel.

In her response to the ATM who had filed their initial request for an inquiry to be set up to probe the allegations, and had to file another application, Mapisa-Nqakula said the subsequent request had been successful.

She said: "Now that the motion complied with the Rule, the other steps as per the rules will follow, including the appointment of the independent panel."

The panel will decide whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer on the allegations of money laundering, related to a robbery at his Phala Phala farm.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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