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

Making headlines: Winde and Hill-Lewis unpack Cape Town taxi strike agreement, Steenhuisen claims ANC membership is best defence against rule of law as Zuma is released from prison, again and, West African bloc prepares standby force for possible Niger intervention

Winde and Hill-Lewis unpack Cape Town taxi strike agreement

The taxi industry will now be required to give 36 hours' notice of strike action, according to a resolution that ended the week-long taxi stayaway in Cape Town.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis briefed the media on the resolution in the presence of SA National Taxi Council representatives.

The agreement, which mirrors one proposed last Friday, includes an "escalation system that will loop in the premier and mayor should a dispute arise", Winde said.

The agreement allows for the impoundments under the National Land Transportation Act to continue for vehicles driving without operating licences, on the incorrect route, when the drivers are not licensed, or when the vehicles are not roadworthy.

In the next 14 days, the taxi task team will draw up a list of major offences for which vehicles can be impounded and minor offences for which fines will be issued.

Santaco first deputy chairperson Nceba Enge said he hoped the taxi task team sessions would be fruitful but added that 14 days were not enough to sort out "some of the issues on the table".

Steenhuisen claims ANC membership is best defence against rule of law as Zuma is released from prison, again

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said that the new policy by President Cyril Ramaphosa which has allowed Jacob Zuma to go free has shown that the ANC membership card is “your best defence” against the rule of law and accountability in the country.

The DA leader was responding to the announcement by government that former President Zuma will not be wearing an orange jumpsuit, as he was released from jail on Friday morning, after spending less than two hours there.

Ramaphosa approved a special remission for non-violent offenders, due to prison overcrowding.

Zuma was released as part of the special remission, which will see 9 488 inmates being released, as well as a further 15 000 inmates who are currently under correctional supervision and parole.

Steenhuisen said the decision to set Zuma free was an insult to all South Africans who uphold the rule of law.

West African bloc prepares standby force for possible Niger intervention

West African nations today worked on plans for a possible military intervention in Niger following an army coup there although they have not given up hope of a peaceful resolution to a crisis that has shaken the region.

The Nigerien military ousted former President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, the seventh coup in West and Central Africa in three years and an action that raised the spectre of more unrest in an impoverished region battling an Islamist insurgency.

The regional bloc Economic Community of West African States ordered the activation of a standby force yesterday for possible use against the new junta, saying all options including military action were on the table.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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