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

Making headlines: Mashatile declares R37-million Waterfall mansion as his own, new poll puts ANC support at 45%, DA makes gains to 31% and national government laughs off Gauteng's plan to kill off district municipalities

Mashatile declares R37-million Waterfall mansion as his own

Deputy President Paul Mashatile declared a R37-million house in Waterfall as his own property, despite it belonging to a company owned by his son, Thabiso Mashatile, and his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo.

It has been reported that Mashatile and his new bride, Humile Mjongile, had moved into the luxurious property shortly after he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament in March.

His spokesperson, Vukani Mde, said that, at the time, the move was a result of serious threats to Mashatile and his family's safety from a former girlfriend, Gugu Nkosi.

It is unclear why Mashatile declared the property as his, when the declaration makes specific provision for declarations of any material benefits.

He also declared his home in Kelvin, a property he has owned for nearly two decades.

New poll puts ANC support at 45%, DA makes gains to 31%

An election poll conducted in recent weeks predicted a sharp decline in support for the ANC, placing the governing party at 45%.

The Social Research Foundation poll, conducted in October, placed the Democratic Alliance at 31%, the Economic Freedom Fighters at 9% and the Inkatha Freedom Party at 6%. 

The poll was conducted on 1 412 registered voters, with a 5% margin of error in place, and forecast South Africa's electoral mood ahead of the 2024 provincial and national elections. 

The survey showed that even with a high voter turnout at 66%, the ANC's support would decline.

National government laughs off Gauteng's plan to kill off district municipalities

Despite the idea being laughed off by national government, the Gauteng government, in what an expert called a frivolous exercise, confirmed it is forging ahead with its plan to kill off two district municipalities. 

Ironically, President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a government delegation on Friday to the Emfuleni Local Municipality, one of the local governments falling under the Sedibeng District Municipality which Gauteng said it wanted to do away with. 

Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Kgapa Mabusela said during the 2021/22 financial year the province began a "high-level study" on the powers and functions of the Sedibeng and West Rand district municipalities, and the possibilities of establishing a single-tier system of local government.

Sedibeng and West Rand each have three local municipalities located in their respective districts, with a collective population of just under 1.1-million out of 15.1-million people living in Gauteng. 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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