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

Making headlines: MPs will consider Phala Phala report on December 6; Covid-19 still around but at low levels; And, Hawks raid Free State arts and culture dept over R16m unlawful festival tender

MPs will consider Phala Phala report on December 6

National Assembly will consider the report of the independent panel on Phala Phala, tasked with determining whether President Cyril Ramaphosa should be impeached, on 6 December, 10 days before the African National Congress's conference in Nasrec is set to begin. 

The panel's report, which should include recommendations to the National Assembly, was due today - but, yesterday, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula granted the panel until 30 November to complete its work.

The National Assembly rises for the year the very next day, and yesterday, it appeared unlikely that the panel's report would be considered by MPs before the ANC's conference, which starts on 16 December in Johannesburg.

Opposition MPs were none too pleased, and said they would do everything in their power to ensure that Parliament deals with the report before the year ends. 

 

Covid-19 still around but at low levels

While the number of Covid-19 cases are not at an alarming rate, the public has been warned that the disease is still around. 

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases' weekly testing summary indicated that new Covid-19 cases had increased slightly compared to last week.  

The percentage testing positive is 12.8%, up from last week's 11.2%.

The NICD said the percentage testing positive was highest in the 75 to 79 years age group at 21.9.

The percentage testing positive was highest in Northern Cape at 15%.

And, Hawks raid Free State arts and culture dept over R16m unlawful festival tender

The Hawks in the Free State have raided the offices of the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Bloemfontein and seized documents relating to the controversial multimillion-rand tender for the Macufe Festival.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the raid was carried out after they received information that the tender was awarded irregularly and in contravention of Section 217 of the Constitution.

It was reported that the department failed in its attempt to have the Free State High Court's ruling last month that the R16-million tender was invalid, irregular and unlawful overturned. The department and company C Squared, which was awarded the tender to organise the Bloemfontein festival, appealed the ruling last month.

The report cited sources who said the ruling meant that the company would be required to repay the money because the court had set aside the agreement to host the annual festival.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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