For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: South Africa welcomes ICC prosecutor seeking warrants for Israel, Hamas leaders; Corruption Watch says Zuma’s ineligibility for Parly represents win for civil society; And, Biden, Kenya's Ruto to discuss Kenyan debt relief this week

 

South Africa welcomes ICC prosecutor seeking warrants for Israel, Hamas leaders

South Africa's presidency has welcomed an announcement by the International Criminal Court's prosecutor saying he had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said in a statement the law must be applied equally to all to uphold the international rule of law, ensuring accountability for those that commit heinous crimes and protect the rights of victims.

South Africa, a leading voice in championing the cause of Palestinians, has also brought a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice accusing it of genocide, which it denies.

Israel and Hamas leaders have dismissed allegations of committing war crimes, and representatives of both sides criticised the prosecutor's decision.

 

 

Corruption Watch says Zuma’s ineligibility for Parly represents win for civil society

Non-profit organisation Corruption Watch said that it is critical that the country’s election laws are subjected to a reasonable interpretation, noting the Constitutional Court’s judgment on former President Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to run as an MP.

Yesterday, the ConCourt ruled that Zuma was not eligible or qualified to stand for election to the National Assembly based on his conviction and sentencing to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of court in 2021, after defying a court order to testify before the Zondo Commission.

The apex court overturned an earlier ruling by the Electoral Court.

Corruption Watch said the judgment represented a win for civil society.

Meanwhile, the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party noted the judgment saying while it was disappointing, it had not disheartened the party.

The party stated that it was not deterred, saying the people’s mandate rally had demonstrated that South Africans from all walks of life love the party and Zuma.

 

 

And, Biden, Kenya's Ruto to discuss Kenyan debt relief this week

US President Joe Biden will play host this week to Kenyan President William Ruto for wide-ranging talks expected to include debt relief for Kenya as well as the way forward for Haiti, Ukraine, Sudan and other areas.

Kenya has been grappling with acute liquidity challenges, and a senior administration official said the US is urging big creditor countries like China, Kenya's biggest creditor, to offer debtor countries relief.

The official said to expect some significant joint announcements about debt relief during the state visit this week "on how countries like Kenya can tackle this problem of debt."

Biden and Ruto are expected to hold a joint news conference after their talks on Thursday and then attend a state dinner.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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