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

Making headlines: Gauteng education department hopes to place all children in schools within 10 days; Confusion over Schabir Shaik joining Zuma's MK Party; And, IEC hands out cash to political parties – ANC gets lion's share amid questions about its funding

Gauteng education department hopes to place all children in schools within 10 days

The Gauteng education department will need 10 days to finalise placement challenges in the province, MEC Matome Chiloane said during school visit in Ga-Rankuwa, outside Pretoria, today.

Speaking at the newly refurbished Kgatoentle Secondary School, Chiloane said it had been a "very good" start to the academic year. The department was able to complete the applications on time, and parents were notified of the placement decisions.

Chiloane added that he had received positive reports from most schools in the province, but challenges remained at a few.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, who accompanied Chiloane at the school opening, told the media that parents became very anxious when their children were not placed.

She said that provinces had confirmed in the readiness report she received that they had ordered stationery, but would not distribute it until schools reopened, because of vandalism.

Confusion over Schabir Shaik joining Zuma's MK Party

Confusion rained after uMkhonto weSizwe Party's spokesperson told a news outlet that convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik was a member of the party, and another shot down claims of Shaik's affiliation with it.

Shaik's appearance alongside former president Jacob Zuma at a fundraising event for Gaza on Saturday sparked speculation that he supports the party Zuma is aiming to lead.

But, asked on Tuesday whether Shaik had joined the MK Party, spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said no.

However, in response to the same question, another party spokesperson, Sidwell Masilela, said he is a member and recruited more people into the party.

Shaik, who was found to have a corrupt relationship with Zuma, was jailed but was later released on medical parole. 

The confusion over his relationship with the MK Party comes after Black First Land First leader Andile Mngxitama and National People's Ambassadors leader Nathi Mthethwa said they had joined the MK Party.

And, IEC hands out cash to political parties – ANC gets lion's share amid questions about its funding

The Electoral Commission of South Africa has allocated R5-million to parties represented in Parliament - and the African National Congress will receive the most from the electoral commission pay-day, in line with regulations governing the multi-party democracy fund.

But ActionSA - which opposes the type of funding that gives a slight advantage to the ANC and others - has joined those questioning just how the party went from only having R100 000 in the bank, to managing to get into an out-of-court settlement with Ezulweni Investments over a R102-million debt for election campaign related work from the 2019 general election.

The allocation means the ANC, as the biggest party, will receive the largest share.

The information about the R5-million funding is contained in a government notice, dated January 12, and advises that a total amount available for allocation for the period January 1 until March 31 to represented political parties from the multi-party democracy fund is over R5-million.

This will be shared among the parties with seat representation in Parliament. 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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