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

Making headlines: Public Protector clears Ramaphosa in Phala Phala saga; Loadshedding suspended on Friday night; And, Motsoaledi to appeal Zimbabwean Exemption Permit court rulings

Public Protector clears Ramaphosa in Phala Phala saga

While the office of the Public Protector has cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in the Phala Phala scandal, it found that Presidential Protection Service head Major General Wally Rhoode was not authorised to conduct an investigation into the burglary on the farm.

Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka held a media briefing today where she released the much-anticipated report on allegations of misconduct by Ramaphosa relating to the Limpopo farm, which is owned by a company that the president is the sole director of.

The matter relates to a burglary in 2020, where at least two burglars stole an undisclosed amount of dollars stuffed under a sofa cushion.

She found that allegations of a conflict of interest between Phala Phala and Ramaphosa's duties as president were unsubstantiated.

Loadshedding suspended on Friday night

Stage 3 loadshedding will be implemented again over the evening peak from 16:00 until midnight. This pattern will be repeated until further notice, Eskom said.

Breakdowns have reduced to 14 374 MW of generating capacity, while the capacity out of service for planned maintenance has been boosted to 5 003 MW.

And, Motsoaledi to appeal Zimbabwean Exemption Permit court rulings

Following a careful evaluation of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit judgments handed down by the Gauteng High Court on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has decided to challenge both rulings on appeal.

The first ruling said Motsoaledi’s decision not to renew the ZEP, whose expiration deadline was extended to December 2023, was invalid. This court action was brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation.

The court also ruled in favour of the Zimbabwe Immigration Federation that the Minister could not arrest or deport ZEP holders.

The Minister contends that the two judgments set a dangerous precedent.

He questioned the court ruling that he should have held consultations on the matter before making his decision to end the ZEP. 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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