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

Making headlines: Jolidee Matongo elected Joburg mayor; Zuma corruption trial postponed to September; And, Mapisa-Nqakula is ANC's candidate for speaker of Parliament

 

Jolidee Matongo elected Joburg mayor

A special City of Johannesburg council meeting today saw City of Johannesburg Finance MMC Jolidee Matongo elected as the new executive mayor.

Matongo was elected unopposed after the post was left vacant following the passing of former mayor Geoff Makhubo in July.

Matongo said he appreciated the “honour and privilege to lead Africa’s pre-eminent City”.

He said he hoped that political parties could put aside their differences and pull together in the best interest of residents of Johannesburg.

Matongo is expected to announce members of his Mayoral Committee tomorrow.

 

Zuma corruption trial postponed to September;

Former president Jacob Zuma was expected to attend court in person today for the latest chapter in his corruption trial, along with French arms company Thales, in the so-called "arms deal" case.

However, following his hospitalisation for undisclosed medical reasons on Friday, court proceedings were diverted to requesting a postponement on medical grounds.

Judge Piet Koen, presiding over the matter before the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg, postponed the matter to 9 and 10 September. Koen also directed that the medical report from Zuma's doctors be submitted to the court by no later than 20 August.

Koen further directed that the State may appoint a doctor of its choice to examine Zuma to assess his ability to stand trial, and for that doctor to appear before the court to give evidence, if necessary.

 

And, Mapisa-Nqakula is ANC's candidate for speaker of Parliament

Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who President Cyril Ramaphosa fired as defence and military veterans minister last week, is the African National Congress's candidate to become the new speaker of the National Assembly.

Ramaphosa appointed National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise as defence minister last week.

The ANC caucus met this morning and was briefed by ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe. Mapisa-Nqakula was subsequently nominated.

Parliament is currently in recess but will reconvene next week. Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli is the acting speaker.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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