Top stories this week: Diddy arrested, Snowtember hits South Africa and Malema ridicules Pravin Gordhan’s funeral

This week’s news includes Diddy’s arrest, updates on the Babel restaurant scandal and weather warnings expected to impact South Africans.

Tsholo Mabule, a Standard Bank employee, was fired after an incident in 2017 in which a widow, Senna, tried to open an account for an estate. Photo: Karen Sandison/Independent Newspapers

Standard Bank employee fights dismissal after refusing to help 73-year-old widow without appointment

– Tsholo Mabule, a Standard Bank employee, was fired after an incident in 2017 in which a widow, Senna, tried to open an estate account.

– Mabule initially refused to help Senna because of a missing document, and later because she did not have an appointment, leading to Senna’s complaint.

– Mabule challenged her dismissal at the CCMA, which ruled in her favour and awarded her R120,000 in damages.

– Standard Bank argued that the CCMA’s ruling was flawed because Senna, the key witness, was unable to testify due to health problems.

– The Labour Court quashed the CCMA’s decision and ordered a new hearing with a different commissioner, as Senna’s testimony was missing from the original case.

Read more here.

File photo

Here’s which banking app the R107 million Powerball jackpot winner used to buy his ticket

– The National Lottery Ithuba has announced that the winner of the R107 million Powerball jackpot from the September 13 draw has yet to claim his prize.

– The winning ticket, purchased through the FNB banking platform with a stake of R90, was manually selected.

– Ithuba urges the winner to come forward as prizes over R249,000 must be collected in person from an Ithuba office.

– Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza stressed the importance of the winner checking their ticket and responding to any notifications from their bank.

– All South African lottery winnings are tax free and paid out within 72 hours of a valid claim.

Read more here.

Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers

The South African Weather Service warns of disruptive snowfall and freezing conditions in several provinces

– Shortly after the onset of spring, many parts of South Africa were hit by cold and rainy weather.

– Gauteng is experiencing a severe cold snap and residents have been warned to use heating appliances safely to avoid the risk of fire.

– Motorists in the Eastern Cape, especially on the N2 highway in Gqeberha, have been warned to be careful due to rough seas and rising tides.

– Wayne Venter, meteorologist with the South African Weather Service, explained that cold spells are common in September and October and snowfall is expected in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Eastern Cape.

– The weather is expected to improve on Sunday, with temperatures recovering and sunshine returning on Monday.

Read more here.

The EFF visits Babel restaurant in Menlyn following complaints about compliance. Photo: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers

At least three people arrested as authorities raid Babel restaurant in Menyln

– Three people, including the owner, were arrested at Babel restaurant in Menlyn after a former employee made allegations of unfair labour practices.

– Police, Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Labour carried out an undercover operation after a woman, Mihlali, shared her workplace grievances on TikTok, including being hired without a contract and having to pay for her own equipment and uniform.

– The woman also alleged that the workers were not paid a basic wage, only tips, and were charged a non-refundable breakage allowance of R200 per day.

– During the raid, undocumented workers were found. They were arrested, along with the restaurant owner, for violating immigration and labor laws.

– The Ministry of Labor and Interior has expressed concerns about exploitation in the hospitality industry and has promised to take further measures.

Read more here.

President Cyril Ramaphosa consoles the daughter of the late former minister Pravin Gordhan Anisha Gordhan. Photo: Doctor Ngcobo /Independent Newspapers

Malema ridicules Pravin Gordhan’s funeral, calling it a ‘ceremony of cats’

– Julius Malema criticised Pravin Gordhan’s funeral, suggesting it lacked the grandeur of a true hero’s ceremony. He contrasted the funeral with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s well-attended service.

– Malema and the EFF condemned Gordhan’s legacy, accusing him of contributing to the demise of state-owned enterprises and betraying the South African people.

– ANC leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, paid tribute to Gordhan, stressing his principled stand against state capture and his commitment to economic growth, job creation and reducing inequality.

– Gordhan supported the Government of National Unity (GNU), seeing it as a temporary phase to stabilise the economy and help the ANC regain majority support in future elections.

– Former colleagues such as Yunus Carrim and Mike Sutcliffe praised Gordhan’s strategic thinking and his belief in the renewal of the ANC through the GNU, despite acknowledging the party’s challenges after it lost its majority.

Read more here.

South Africa’s Springboks centre Jean de Villiers (R) is tackled by Argentina’s Los Pumas prop Rodrigo Roncero during the second round of the Rugby Championship at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza. Photo: Juan Mabromata/ AFP

The day the Springboks’ Jean de Villiers was shown a yellow card for saving the life of an Argentine player

– Estadio Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, also known as “The Fortress”, is one of the most intimidating stadiums in the world, with a reputation for rowdy fans and crowd trouble, including a 2023 incident in which fans held players at gunpoint after a defeat.

– The stadium has a fence and a moat to prevent fans from entering the pitch, due to the extreme passion of the “Ultras” (hooligans) who support Velez Sarsfield.

– In 2005, the Springboks played a Rugby Championship match against Argentina’s Los Pumas at the stadium in sweltering conditions. Despite the heat, the Argentinian crowd was lively, singing and dancing to intimidate the opposition.

– During the match, Springboks centre Jean de Villiers pushed Los Pumas wing Lucas Borges against the advertising hoardings, nearly sending Borges into the deep ditch. De Villiers managed to grab Borges’ leg, preventing a potentially catastrophic accident.

– De Villiers was shown a yellow card for the incident and later joked about it on the podcast “Boks Office”, saying he was unaware of the ditch and that he was lucky to have saved Borges from serious injury. The Springboks went on to win the match 34-23.

Read more here.

Photo: Image Press Agency / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

Rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrested in Manhattan amid mounting legal troubles

– Federal agents arrested Sean “Diddy” Combs in Manhattan on Monday in connection with a sealed indictment, with more details to come after the indictment is made public.

– Combs had voluntarily moved to New York to await the charges, which his attorney criticized as an unfair prosecution.

– Combs is facing several civil lawsuits accusing him of violent sexual misconduct, sexual assault and drugging women, all of which he denies.

– A 2023 lawsuit from singer Cassie, in which she accused Combs of more than a decade of abuse, was settled out of court but led to more allegations.

– Despite his successful music and business ventures, Combs’ career has been clouded by allegations of violence and misconduct since the 1990s.

Read more here.

Photo: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers.

Ngizwe Mchunu slams Nando’s for ‘cultural disruption’

– Former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu is under fire after he led a traditional Zulu dance at a Nando’s restaurant, which was widely shared on social media.

– The performance has sparked heated debate, with critics questioning whether such cultural expressions are appropriate in public spaces such as restaurants, while others see it as a celebration of culture.

– Many social media users expressed their frustration, with some warning that Mchunu’s actions could lead to him being banned from public places.

– This incident follows Mchunu’s previous controversial behaviour, in which he disrupted a FlySafair flight by singing, prompting the airline to consider banning him.

– While some see Mchunu’s actions as attention-seeking and disruptive, others praise the display of cultural talent and say it brings traditional dance to the attention of a wider audience.

Read more here.

Ocean Basket denies staff owed R800,000 in unpaid wages, calls for meeting with Department of Labour

– Babel, a restaurant in Menlyn, has come under fire after allegations by former waitress Mihlali Nobavu of worker exploitation and unpaid wages led to a police crackdown and arrests.

– Nearby Ocean Basket was linked to the arrest of three people linked to Babel, raising concerns over unpaid wages worth R813,000 owed to staff, the Department of Labour said.

– Ocean Basket CEO Grace Harding stated that the restaurant complies with wage laws. She claimed that no money is owed to staff and that employees receive a combination of wages and commission.

– The Department of Labor alleged that Ocean Basket, like Babel, relied on tips and commissions to pay waiters, contradicting Harding’s claims that the company adhered to minimum wage standards.

– Harding requested a meeting with the Department of Labor to discuss the allegations. He expressed concern about the impact of the claims on Ocean Basket’s reputation and sought to clarify discrepancies in reported wage data.

Read more here.

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