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

Making headlines: BLSA calls for further investigations into Eskom corruption claims; Ex-ANC MP, former acting Land Bank boss lose appeal after conviction for R6m fraud; And, SA government says 'Diplomacy and dialogue' the only way to end Russia-Ukraine war

BLSA calls for further investigations into Eskom corruption claims

Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso says the organisation is calling for issues to be explored in the public interest, following Eskom’s former CEO André de Ruyter’s “controversial” interview where he implied that a Cabinet Minister was aware of corrupt activities at a high level.

Mavuso avers that in all three network industries, considerable amounts of private sector investment are required, which will involve local and multinational companies, as well as organisations such as multilateral development banks, bond market investors and possibly even State employees through the Government Employees Pension Fund.

She also points out that South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan package is being funded by the US, the UK, France, Germany and the EU.  

According to Mavuso, investors of this nature will not tolerate any corruption, especially at the very top.

Ex-ANC MP, former acting Land Bank boss lose appeal after conviction for R6m fraud

Former African National Congress MP Manyana Rubben Mohlaloga and the former acting head of Land Bank, Philemon Mohlahlane, lost their appeal to overturn criminal convictions for defrauding the Land Bank of R6-million.

In January, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed the appeal against both the conviction and sentences of Mohlaloga, Mohlahlane and attorney Dinga Rammy Nkwashu.

This was after the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court convicted and sentenced the three men in February 2019 for crimes they committed in 2008.

The court, consisting of two judges, dismissed the appeal, finding that the State witnesses, including two Section 204 witnesses – who were given indemnity for their role in the crimes – were reliable and that the lower court was correct in rejecting the versions of the accused.

Mohlahlane claimed the money he received was a loan and that he had no idea about the grant. He further claimed that he was made a scapegoat in the matter.

Mohlaloga conceded that he received money from the grant, but also alleged it was a loan.

And, SA government says 'Diplomacy and dialogue' the only way to end Russia-Ukraine war

The South African government maintains that diplomacy and dialogue is the only path to resolving the bloody war between Russia and Ukraine.

A year after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, South Africa has not shifted its position on the invasion and has maintained a neutral stance on the matter.

Responding to the UN General Assembly vote on Thursday demanding that Russia pull its troops out of Ukraine, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said South Africa continued to express its deep regrets about the war in Ukraine.

In a statement, Dirco said the war continued to destroy innocent lives and critical infrastructure, as well as displacing millions.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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