For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Trent Roebeck.

Making headlines: DA launches petition to reject police safety warnings as body of ninth woman found; Madlanga Commission remembers whistleblowers as it marks one year; And, ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe

DA launches petition to reject police safety warnings as body of ninth woman found

DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane has launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves".

The launch today follows the grim discovery of a ninth body in the region, signalling what Rasilingwane describes as a rapidly escalating crisis.

She condemned recent sentiments from the South African Police Service that place the burden of safety on women, arguing that advising women to take better precautions reflects a fundamental failure by leadership to comprehend the daily fear and suffering experienced by residents.

In response to the killings, Rasilingwane announced yesterday that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer.

Madlanga Commission remembers whistleblowers as it marks one year

The Madlanga Commission marks its one-year milestone with “tangible results”, having exposed deep institutional corruption.

This is according to Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, who announced that the one-year mark represents a massive milestone for accountability in South Africa.

He noted that the inquiry is yielding real-world consequences while its work continues.

Michaels confirmed confirmed that numerous individuals who have appeared before the Commission have been arrested, are facing criminal charges, have appeared in court, have been suspended or have resigned from their jobs.

He said this underscored that the commission is successfully breaking the cycle of impunity.

Despite its successes, the one-year anniversary is also marked by solemn reflection.

The Commission called on all South Africans to pause and remember Marius van der Merwe, a whistleblower who testified before the inquiry as "Witness D."

And, ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe

ActionSA has placed its Tshwane ward candidate and disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, following his arrest in a contempt of court matter.

The decision was announced today by ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, who clarified that the suspension regulates Teffo’s participation and status within the party while an internal disciplinary process is underway.

Notably, the party’s internal investigation into Teffo was already in progress prior to his arrest on Tuesday.

ActionSA emphasised that the precautionary suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt.

While the suspension remains in effect, Teffo is barred from participating in any ActionSA campaigns or party activities, representing or speaking on behalf of ActionSA and presenting himself as an active representative of the party.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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