Former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng is pictured during a press briefing in Johannesburg, 13 December 2018, announcing his new political party the African Content Movement. Picture: Refilwe Modise Disciplinary and criminal referrals are being pursued against the former SABC COO, the Special Investigating Unit told Scopa. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has found sufficient evidence of financial irregularities at the SABC to initiate or join the broadcaster in civil litigation against its former chief operating officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng. In a briefing to the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa), the SIU cited the awarding of a success fee to Motsoeneng, as well as appointments and salary increases awarded by him. It has also found evidence that indicated irregularities in the awarding of contracts to eight suppliers. The SIU said the investigation had produced evidence adequate for it to initiate or join civil litigation instituted in the name of the SIU and the SABC in 10 h...
image caption Opponents of the proposal argued it would damage relations with the EU and hurt trade Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to end an accord with the EU allowing the free movement of people. With all referendum votes counted, nearly 62% said they wanted to keep free movement, while 38% were against. Switzerland is not a member of the EU but has a series of interdependent treaties with Brussels which allow it to access to Europe's free trade area. The move to rein in immigration was proposed by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), but opposed by the government. A similar initiative to introduce quotas on immigrants from the EU to Switzerland narrowly passed in a 2014 referendum, damaging Swiss-EU relations. Swiss people are given a direct say in their own affairs under the country's system of direct democracy. They are regularly invited to vote on various issues in national or regional referendums. The Swiss free movement vote explained How the migrant crisis change...
Former US President Donald Trump has reportedly parted ways with the two lead lawyers working on his defense for his Senate impeachment trial. The former US president is set to stand trial in the week beginning on February 8 on allegations he incited his supporters to storm Congress before President Joe Biden's inauguration in an attempt to halt the peaceful transition of power. Butch Bowers and Deborah Barberi, two South Carolina lawyers, are no longer on Trump's team, a person familiar with the legal strategy and two attorneys close to the team confirmed on Saturday night, January 30. The source described the move as a "mutual decision." Three other lawyers associated with the team, Josh Howard of North Carolina and Johnny Gasser and Greg Harris of South Carolina, also reportedly parted ways with Trump. Trump reportedly had differences with Bowers over strategy ahead of the trial as he is still contending that he was the victim of mass el...
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has responded to a viral video showing a female soldier dancing while undressing in her official uniform, issuing a firm warning to all military personnel about maintaining discipline and professionalism. The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, shows the soldier removing her uniform while dancing, first revealing her bra and later pulling down her trousers to expose her underwear. She appeared to begin lowering her underwear as well before the video abruptly ended. In a statement released following the video's spread, the SANDF condemned the behaviour and reminded service members of the standards expected while in uniform. “The SANDF views this conduct as inappropriate and unbecoming of a member of the military,” the statement said. “Members are reminded to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity and dignity of the uniform at all times. Filming and sharing such content o...