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

Making headlines: Mkhwebane's impeachment vote to be held next week; Politicians mourn business icon Raymond Ackerman; And, Joburg councillor arrested in sting operation on hijacked property

Mkhwebane's impeachment vote to be held next week

The votes to remove Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and to appoint her successor, Kholeka Gcaleka, will no longer take place on the same day.

Last week, the National Assembly Programming Committee agreed that both these votes would take place on Monday, 11 September, at a fully physical sitting of the National Assembly in the Cape Town City Hall.

The voting would take place according to the roll call voting system. This is the same voting system the National Assembly used for the vote on President Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment over Phala Phala, where each member must personally indicate their vote.

The new proposed date for Gcaleka's appointment is 21 September, at a yet to be determined venue. 

Meanwhile, African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula wrote a letter to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, asking that Mkhwebane's impeachment vote be by secret ballot. United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa also wrote to Mapisa-Nqakula, endorsing Zungula's request.

Politicians mourn business icon Raymond Ackerman

South African politicians have joined millions of South Africans, and the global business community, to extend condolences on the passing of the founder of Pick n Pay Raymond Ackerman.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans mourn with the Ackerman family as they bid farewell to a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose name resounded comfortably in millions of households around the country.

Ramaphosa said Ackerman was an outstanding business leader and entrepreneur who placed people first and stood up to the injustices and discrimination which the apartheid regime sought to outsource to the business sector.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde described Ackerman as an icon of not just the South African business world but the international retail landscape, too.

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said Ackerman was a “true democrat” and a proud South African whose commitment to the country’s growth and development is well-documented in the success of the Pick n Pay franchise.  

The African National Congress said through his acumen, Ackerman contributed to building the South African economy, creating thousands of jobs, entrenching the Pick n Pay footprint and building it into a brand associated with strong corporate social investment.

And, Joburg councillor arrested in sting operation on hijacked property

A City of Johannesburg councillor, along with 22 other people, were arrested yesterday, in a sting operation by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department against suspected syndicates illegally occupying and vandalising City Property.

The property was purchased by the City in 2019 for R40-million and was intended for use as a pound for the JMPD.

The people arrested face charges of malicious damage to property and City infrastructure, theft and vandalism.

City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has mandated the city manager and the city administration to urgently take the necessary steps to protect and secure the pound and to prevent any further damage to its facilities.

A preliminary investigation by the JMPD alleges that a senior member of the South African Police Services may be involved in the ongoing invasion of the property.

Following last week’s fire at Usindiso House, the hijacked building was identified as a possible site for temporary accommodation of victims.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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