BRICS Summit takes center stage this weekend as President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to host President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday 22 August to 24 August at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
The state visit takes place within the context of celebrating 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, while historic ties date back to the Bandung Conference of 1955.
Discussions during the state visit will explore further collaboration and partnerships in which the two nations can leverage on to solidify existing diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations.
African Heads of State and Government arrive for #BRICSSummit2023 #BRICSZA https://t.co/pnHyqYuwk7
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) August 20, 2023
At the same time South Africans have been warned of road closure ahead of BRICS Summit. Some of these streets include Maude Street, West Street, Alice Lane and the 5th Street lanes closest to the Sandton Convention Centre.
On Sunday, South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) distanced itself from the recently formed Multi-Party Charter.
They described the new party as a reactionary formation aimed at masking the dismal failure of weak opposition parties ahead of the 2024 elections.
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, emphasised the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the servicing of municipal debt to help keep the lights on.
Ramokgopa was speaking ahead of the energy action plan briefing in Tshwane on Sunday, 20 August.
He said poor maintenance and lack of servicing debt are among the reasons some communities go without electricity, even long after load shedding.
Ramokgopa has revealed that municipalities owe Eskom R63.2 billion, with some defaulting on agreements. This affects Eskom's ability to maintain the electricity distribution network and replenishment budgets.
A 48-year-old police sergeant at Ixopo Police Station in KwaZulu-Natal was arrested on suspicion of the murder of his 34-year-old pregnant girlfriend. IPID national spokesperson Robbie Raburabu, said the cop was arrested by a team of Ipid investigators in KZN on Friday, 18 August 2023.
The cop is set to appear at the Ixopo Magistrates Court on Monday, 21 August.
Limpopo police are searching for a 17-year-old girl Dineo Mogale from Leshikishiki village in Ga-Chuene. It is reported that Dineo was last seen by her mother at her home at about 7.30pm on Friday, 21 July 2023. She has since left without informing anyone about her departure.
On Friday, 18 August, in Mpumalanga a 45-year-old male was wounded after being shot by the police during his arrest at Boilhill, Mjindini Trust in Barberton at around 1pm.
It is further reported that the man pointed the members with a firearm and attempted to pull the trigger after he was cornered whilst reportedly engaged in illegal mining. The incident is said to have occurred at
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the man pointed a firearm at police members and tried to pull the trigger after they cornered him while allegedly mining illegally.
The forensic expert who went to the house where soccer star Senzo Meyiwa was murdered, Seargent Thabo Mosia, is expected to take the stand on Monday, 21 August. The trial will continue in the Pretoria High Court with defence lawyer, Advocate Zandile Mshololo, to begin with her cross-examination.
