For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lynne Davies.

Making headlines: National Assembly greenlights suspension of Malema, EFF leaders for storming SoNA stage, ANC bank accounts have less than R100k, Ezulweni claims, as party's debt balloons to more than R140m and, South Africa seeks talks with Botswana over food ban extension

National Assembly greenlights suspension of Malema, EFF leaders for storming SoNA stage

The National Assembly has given its approval for Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and five of his fellow party members to be suspended for one month without pay.

They were found guilty of contempt of Parliament after they stormed the stage during President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address in February.

The suspension from 1 February until 29 February 2024 means the six EFF MPs will not be able to attend the SoNA next year.

The six members include Malema, deputy leader Floyd Shivambu, secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, and senior members Vuyani Pambo, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Sinawo Thambo.

ANC bank accounts have less than R100k, Ezulweni claims, as party's debt balloons to more than R140m

Ezulweni Investments – the events company embroiled in a court battle with the ANC– found that the governing party's bank accounts had less than R100 000.

The company is claiming more than R140-million owed to it by the ANC.

This was revealed, a day after ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC had the money but opted not to pay as a matter of "principle". 

According to Ezulweni, the attachment of the ANC's accounts and assets last week revealed that the party had a mere R11 900 in one bank account and R44 000 in another, while another account had a few hundred rands. 

The ANC has been given until the close of business today to pay the money into a trust account, pending the outcome of a matter in the Constitutional Court, or face liquidation.

South Africa seeks talks with Botswana over food ban extension

The South African government has requested an urgent meeting with officials in Botswana after the neighbouring country extended a ban on fresh produce imports that was set to expire this month.

Botswana extended the prohibition of fresh produce imports from South Africa until 2025 and increased the number of restricted items.

The Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development minister Thoko Didiza will seek to address any negative impact this may have on trade relations between the two countries during the bilateral meeting.

Farmers in South Africa have incurred revenue losses due to the decrease in demand.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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