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

Making headlines: President Ramaphosa to hold virtual meeting with neighbouring countries, Concourt dismisses Thales bid to stop prosecution in Zuma corruption trial and, Zimbabwe opposition boycotts parliament after members dismissed

President Ramaphosa to hold virtual meeting with neighbouring countries

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to chair a virtual consultative meeting with heads of state from neighbouring countries to discuss responses to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Angola, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have confirmed participation in the meeting.

The Presidency says the meeting will allow the countries to provide their views on co-ordinated responses to help stem the spread of Covid-19.

Amongst other issues on the agenda will be consular and immigration matters, economic impact of the Covid-19 on countries, as well as financial support and international pledges.

Concourt dismisses Thales bid to stop prosecution in Zuma corruption trial

The Constitutional Court has dismissed French arms company Thales' last bid to stop its prosecution for corrupting Jacob Zuma from going ahead - removing the final barrier for the Zuma trial to continue. 

South Africa's highest court found that the appeal should be dismissed with costs because "it lacks reasonable prospects of success". 

The decision means that there are no more legal challenges standing in the way of the State

That trial is set to resume on 23 June.

Zimbabwe opposition boycotts parliament after members dismissed

Zimbabwe's main opposition party on Thursday boycotted parliamentary proceedings to protest against the dismissal of four of its legislators at the behest of a faction opposed to the party leadership.

On March 31, the country's Supreme Court declared that Nelson Chamisa's leadership of the Movement for Democratic Change was illegitimate and ordered the party to hold an election to replace him within three months.

A majority of MDC leaders have rallied behind Chamisa.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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