For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Parliament to vote on Gcaleka's appointment as Public Protector; SANDF releases names of navy submariners who died in Kommetjie tragedy; And, Death toll at 21 after latest murder of KZN councillor

Parliament to vote on Gcaleka's appointment as Public Protector

Kholeka Gcaleka's appointment as Public Protector will now be considered by the National Assembly on 19 October at the Cape Town City Hall.

Initially, it was scheduled to take place on 11 September, the same day Busisiwe Mkhwebane was removed from the post by the National Assembly.

However, the National Assembly Programming Committee felt it would take too much time to have both votes on the same date, as the open roll call voting mechanism is used.

Then, it was decided that the vote would be on 21 September, but the Cape Town City Hall was not available on this date, and several MPs would be away, travelling for committee work.

At today's meeting of the National Assembly Programming Committee, it was decided that the debate and vote will take place on 19 October in the City Hall, allowing all 400 MPs to be physically present at the venue.

It is essential for the African National Congress that their benches are full. There is a threshold of 60% support for the appointment of the Public Protector.

SANDF releases names of navy submariners who died in Kommetjie tragedy

The South African National Defence Force today released the names of the three South African Navy submariners who tragically lost their lives after seven crew members were swept out to sea during particularly rough waves in Kommetjie.

Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector (Executive Officer), Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa (Coxswain) and Warrant Officer Class One Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela (Coxswain under training) died on Wednesday after they were washed off the deck of the submarine SAS Manthatisi (S101) off Kommetjie in the Western Cape.

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla, SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African Navy Vice Admiral Monde Lobese and Flag Officer Fleet Rear Admiral Musawenkosi Nkomonde have extended their condolences to the bereaved families.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans Cyril Xaba also expressed his sadness at the deaths.

And, Death toll at 21 after latest murder of KZN councillor

Mzwandile Shandu, the Mkhambathini local municipality African National Congress Ward 7 councillor, was shot dead in uMlazi on Wednesday – 30 days after an initial attempt on his life.

This brings the number of councillors who have been gunned down in KwaZulu-Natal to 21.

Shandu was confirmed dead on the scene while fellow ANC councillor Menzi Mkhize, who was with him at the time, escaped with wounds.

Shandu's death is the latest in a string of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. In July, the provincial South African Local Government Association issued a report which showed that 17 councillors had been assassinated since last September.

According to statistics recently issued by Police Minister Bheki Cele – in his capacity as chairperson of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Political Killings in KwaZulu-Natal – 155 political figures were assassinated between 2011 and September 2023.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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