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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa to chair 36th AU Assembly; Presidency rejects Gauteng premier's request for AKA state funeral; And, violent crime still increasing

Ramaphosa to chair 36th AU Assembly

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, in his capacity as African Union Peace and Security Council chairperson, oversee the 36th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government on February 18 and 19, in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia.

The current Chair of the AU, Senegal President Macky Sall, will present the annual report of the chairperson and a report on global governance matters, which includes the proposal that the AU become a member of The Group of Twenty. 

African Heads of State and Government are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and to accelerating the finalisation of outstanding issues, including the Rules of Origin and supporting Protocols. 

On Saturday Ramaphosa will present a report on the State of Peace and Security on the African continent and join discussions on the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Presidency rejects Gauteng premier's request for AKA state funeral

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed that his office had not succeeded in getting permission from the Presidency to give Kiernan "AKA" Forbes a state funeral.

Lesufi denied the request was for a financial contribution. He said the province wanted to honour the rapper by draping his coffin with the South African flag and to fly the flag at half-mast.

Forbes and his friend Tebello Motsoane were gunned down in Durban on Friday.

Forbes’s memorial service is taking place today at the Sandton Convention Centre and he will be laid to rest tomorrow.

And, violent crime still increasing

Violent crime increased year-on-year between October and December 2022, the Portfolio Committee on Police heard this morning, when the police presented the crime statistics for the third quarter of the current financial year.

Overall, violent crime increased by 11.6% compared to the same period the previous year. This included increases in each of the categories making up violent crime.

There were 7 555 murders, an increase of 696 or 10.1%.

Sexual offences increased by 9.6% and stands at 15 545. There were 7 016 attempted murders, an increase of 24.3% – the highest percentage increase in all categories.

Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm increased by 8.7% to 52 741, while common assault increased by 12% to 52 741.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@Polity ZA]