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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa gives SIU green light to probe bursary controversy during Magashule's premiership, death toll rises to 32 as Free State records second cholera fatality and, Zikalala moves for prosecution, blacklisting of fraudulent contractors

Ramaphosa gives SIU green light to probe bursary controversy during Magashule's premiership

Just a week after the ANC announced its intention to expel former secretary-general Ace Magashule, President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a Special Investigating Unit probe into the dealings of the Free State premier's office, particularly those during Magashule's tenure.

This opens the door for law enforcement officials to shine a light on Magashule's bursary payments to students while he was the Free State premier, which has been shrouded in controversy.  

The recent development was revealed through a proclamation by the president today.

It's alleged that there may have been "serious maladministration in the affairs of the Office of the Premier; improper or unlawful conduct by employees in the Premier’s office; and that unlawful expenditure of public money may have occurred as a result of Magashule's bursary scheme.

Death toll rises to 32 as Free State records second cholera fatality

The number of people who have died as a result of cholera-related illnesses in South Africa has risen to 32 after the Free State recorded its second fatality, that of a 42-year-old woman.

The woman was a patient at Boitumelo Regional Hospital in Kroonstad.

Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said laboratory results confirmed the woman's death was cholera-related.

He said the province's two cholera-related fatalities occurred in the same area.

Zikalala moves for prosecution, blacklisting of fraudulent contractors

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has issued a severe warning to construction companies and developers who siphon government funds and abandon construction projects without the adequate completion.

He recently visited the Free State and noted the incompletion of a R232-million Correctional Service Centre in Parys and the Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein.

The two facilities have missed their completion date by over four years.

 The construction companies have cited liquidation and incapacity to continue after claiming significant portions of project funds.

Zikalala criticised the escalation of costs and delays as new companies have had to take over the completion of these projects.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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