South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday, 30 May 2023
We’ve got all the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa you really need to know on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.
Eskom announced that Stage 6 load shedding will be implemented until further notice.
Meanwhile, as the country suffers from continued blackouts, the National Energy Regulator has approved Eskom’s plan to build a 3000-megawatt gas power plant in Richards Bay.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa has ‘high quality’ water, whereas the government water reports show the opposite.
In other news, an NSRI JetRIB rescue craft was stolen from the Strandfontein station, only to be later discovered burnt in Delft.
SASSA released the payment schedule of social grants for the 2023/24 year. You can collect your social grants for JUNE 2023 from this week.
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday, 30 May
BREAKING: Stage 6 load shedding returns on Monday
National power utility Eskom will implement Stage 6 load shedding on Monday, 29 May. Delays in returning generation units to service was cited as the reason for the escalation in the severity of the power cuts.
READ: Thabo Bester: Four out of five bail applicants to remain in prison
Stage 6 load shedding kicks in from 16:00 on Monday until 5:00 on Tuesday, when it will be replaced by Stage 4 power cuts. This pattern will remain in place until further notice.
Eskom attempts to build gas power plant in KZN
As the country suffers from continued blackouts, the National Energy Regulator has approved Eskom’s plan to build a 3000-megawatt gas power plant in Richards Bay.
The Power plant, which Eskom plans to join the grid by 2024, could see the reduction of load shedding by three stages- so no immediate relief for South Africans.
ALSO READ: REVEALED – here’s who is being considered for Eskom CEO
According to the Canadian website Energy Education, gas power accounts for over 20 percent of the world’s electricity generation. The number is expected to grow as gas power plants are quick to build.
Ramaphosa says South Africa has ‘high quality’ water, contradicting government’s water report
According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the water quality in South Africa is of a high standard and “compares well with the best in the world”, referring to the government’s Water Research Commission.
ALSO READ: South Africa will soon ban the sale of SOME energy-storing light bulbs
However, the same research shows the opposite of what was said by Ramaphosa.
According to BusinessTech, president Ramaphosa said this after several people succumbed to a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, and in the Free State
Reminder: SASSA grants can be collected from THIS WEEK
Here’s when you can collect your social grants for JUNE 2023.
This comes after the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) released the payment schedule for the 2023/24 financial year.
ALSO READ: SASSA: Here’s how to replace expiring cards
Thabo Bester: Four out of five bail applicants to remain in prison
On Monday, 29 May, five suspects accused of helping Thabo Bester escape prison appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court to hear the verdict in their bail applications.
READ: Former Springbok hooker stabbed, his father shot during farm robbery
Magistrate Khabisi granted one of the suspects, Nastassja Jansen, R10 000 bail. The Magistrate said he was not convinced that the State had a strong case against the former G4S employee, which counted in her favour to be released on bail.
Jansen faced schedule one charge, which meant the onus to prove whether it was in the interest of justice for her to be released on bail rested with the State.
Stolen NSRI rescue boat stripped and set on fire in Delft
A National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) JetRIB rescue craft was stolen from the Strandfontein rescue station on Sunday, 28 May. The boat was later found destroyed by fire in Delft. It is believed the craft was stripped for parts before being set alight.
READ: Bester mulls challenging rearrest procedure, inspired by Magudumana’s moves
NSRI Strandfontein crew members arrived at the station for training on Sunday morning and discovered it had been burgled.
LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Tuesday 30 May
Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.
LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN
Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.
HOROSCOPE TODAY
Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Tuesday, 30 May.