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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa declares November 1 a public holiday; Ramaphosa calls for murder-accused Mpumalanga MEC Mandla Msibi to step aside; And, Eastern Cape ANC wants Premier Mabuyane, MEC Madikizela to answer to integrity commission

Ramaphosa declares November 1 a public holiday

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared November 1, the day of the local government elections, a public holiday.

He urged employers to make provision for employees to exercise their Constitutional right to vote and called on all registered voters to exercise their democratic right and civic duty by voting.

He also reminded voters that they will only be able to cast their votes at polling stations in wards where they are registered.

He added that in the event that voters may consider travel, they will not be able to transfer their votes to voting stations away from their designated wards.

Ramaphosa calls for murder-accused Mpumalanga MEC Mandla Msibi to step aside

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly called for Mpumalanga Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs MEC Mandla Msibi to step aside.

Msibi was taken into custody on Monday for allegedly being involved in a shooting at an African National Congress branch meeting in August, which left two people dead and another two wounded.

Ramaphosa called for the ANC to deal with the issue urgently, saying anyone who was charged in a serious criminal matter was expected to step aside.

Msibi has reportedly faced at least 10 criminal charges in recent years. Previous cases included charges of assault, some of which are still pending.

And, Eastern Cape ANC wants Premier Mabuyane, MEC Madikizela to answer to integrity commission

The Eastern Cape African National Congress's provincial executive committee has asked Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Public Works MEC Babalo Madikizela to submit reports to the party's provincial integrity commission after they were implicated in a Public Protector report. 

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Friday released her report into the misuse of funds intended for the memorial service of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. 

The provincial government had paid R1.1-million to the Mbizana Local Municipality to help transport members of the public to the memorial service. This money was later transferred into another account. 

Mabuyane benefitted when R450 000 from the R1.1-million was used to help finance renovations to his East London home. He is the chairperson of the ANC in the Eastern Cape.

Mkhwebane found that Madikizela received R350 000. The money was transferred to the bank account of a company owned by his wife. 

The investigation also found that R288 000 was paid into the ANC's fundraising account. The Eastern Cape PEC met on Monday in a special meeting.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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