South Africa

PRETORIA, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa has defended its decision to hold a joint military exercise with Russia and China next month.

Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor condemned the “double-standard” which says some countries can perform such exercises but others are not.

“All countries conduct military exercises with friends worldwide,” Pandor added at a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pretoria.

The event attracted a small group of protesters outside the venue, waiving Ukrainian flags.

JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Wednesday extended his best wishes to the government and people of China on the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival.

"My dear brothers and sisters from China and all Chinese communities around the world: I wish you all a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous Spring Festival 2023," Ramaphosa said in a statement posted on the website of the Presidency.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has canceled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos in order to deal with his country’s worsening power blackouts.

Ramaphosa’s office made the announcement in a statement late Sunday. He had been scheduled to lead a delegation from South Africa to the Swiss resort town to promote the country as an investment destination.

But public outrage over the electricity crisis has forced him to hold urgent meetings at home.

CAPE TOWN, Jan 8 (Reuters) - South African power utility Eskom on Sunday said police were investigating whether an attempt was made to poison its outgoing Chief Executive Officer Andre de Ruyter.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan also told Reuters on Sunday the alleged incident "will be thoroughly investigated" and anyone responsible charged.

Without giving any details, Gordhan said an intense battle was taking place "between those who want South Africa to work and thrive and those who want to corruptly enrich themselves".

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The death toll from a gas tanker that exploded in Johannesburg on Saturday has nearly doubled to fifteen, authorities said, adding that they'd arrested the driver and charged him with culpable homicide.

The blast, which tore the roof off the emergency department at the Tambo Memorial hospital, destroyed two houses, several cars and injured bystanders, occurred when the vehicle caught fire while under a low bridge on Christmas Eve.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa was coming to grips Sunday with the full extent of the destruction and deaths caused by a Christmas Eve tanker truck explosion near Johannesburg as officials reported the death toll rising to 15.

The truck was carrying gas when it got stuck under a low-lying bridge in the town of Boksburg, on Saturday, sparking flames. As firefighters worked to extinguish the flames the tanker exploded, according to emergency services officials..

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10 people died on the scene and approximately 50 others were injured after a gas explosion in Boksburg in South Africa's largest city of Johannesburg Saturday morning, local authorities said.

William Ntladi, a spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services, told Xinhua that they received a report that a gas truck was stuck under a bridge in Boksburg at around 7:50 a.m.

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has been re-elected to lead the party for a second term of five years, according to the election results released on Monday.

Ramaphosa was re-elected during the 55th national conference of the ANC, which started in Johannesburg on Dec. 16 and will end on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa, also the country's president, got 2,476 votes while his challenger, Zweli Mkhize, got 1,897.

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains have killed 16 people in South Africa's largest city Johannesburg in the last two weeks, an official said on Saturday.

"Thus far, 23 people have been rescued by Joburg Emergency Medical Services and 148 people have been rescued by the police search and rescue," Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Mpho Phalatse said at a media briefing.

The torrential rains have damaged property, fauna and flora, and essential infrastructure, particularly roads, traffic lights, buildings, substations, power stations and pipelines, she said.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The president of South Africa is fighting for his political future amid an unfolding scandal that has tainted his reputation as an anti-apartheid icon once widely admired for tackling the problems of Africa’s most developed economy.

Cyril Ramaphosa, 70, says he’s innocent of charges that he hid at least $580,000 in a sofa at his game ranch. He’s accused of not registering the money with authorities, and when it was stolen not reporting the theft to police, in order to avoid questions about how he got the U.S. dollars.