WEEKLY WRAP| TOP 10 STORIES

1. CoCT using R114m N2 wall to hide poverty from tourists, says ANC

The African National Congress (ANC) caucus in the Cape Town council said the N2 edge safety project is an attempt by the city to hide poorer communities from tourists visiting the city.

In a move to protect commuters, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced last week that R114 million will be spent on building a safety wall along nine kilometres of the N2 highway.

2. North West businessman Suliman Carim heads to court to block Madlanga Commission appearance

Controversial North West businessman Suliman Carim has approached the High Court on an urgent basis to interdict his appearance before the Madlanga Commission.

Carim is seeking to challenge how he has been categorised by the inquiry, arguing that the Commission cannot refer to him as an implicated person. He is requesting that this designation be reviewed and set aside.

3. Mothibi may be served with court papers on first day as NPA head

Advocate Andy Mothibi may be served with court papers on his first day as the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

This comes as his appointment is challenged by a Cape Town based law firm, B Xulu and Partners.

They argue the advisory panel used in the selection of candidates was unconstitutional.

4. Zuma, Thales lose High Court bid to do away with arms deal trial

Former President Jacob Zuma has incurred another legal blow, this time in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in his matter involving French arms company Thales.

The court has dismissed an application for leave to appeal by Zuma and the company.

Thales and Zuma face several counts of fraud, money laundering and corruption relating to the controversial 1999 arms deal.

5. RAF calls more than 70k claimants to clear backlog of unpaid claims

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) said it’s made more than 72,000 calls in an attempt to trace claimants as it tries to clear its mammoth case backlog.

But it said at least half of this number can’t be found through the phone numbers on record.

6. Western Cape implements long-term solutions to prevent water scarcity

Western Cape is implementing long-term solutions to prevent water scarcity.

More than R800 million will be used for water infrastructure over the next two years.

The money will finance upgrades in all Western Cape municipalities, except Cape Town, as the city has independent plans for desalination.

7. Urgent court application launched to prevent Madlanga Commission witness from testifying

An urgent High Court application has been launched at the eleventh hour to prevent Tuesday’s witness from testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Witness F, a member of Gauteng Organised Crime, was meant to begin with his testimony on Tuesday morning but his attorney, Hartley Ngoato, brought another application to have his client’s testimony postponed.

8. Police rush to scene of potential attempted hit on man implicated in Madlanga Commission

Police are rushing to the scene in Boksburg of what is believed to be an attempted hit on a man who was implicated in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

This, after Wiandre Pretorius - implicated during the testimony of slain witness Marius van der Merwe - was allegedly shot at during what he describes as a possible hit on his life on Thursday morning.

Pretorius is under investigation along with several others in connection with the murder of a man in Brakpan in 2024.

9.Motorists to enjoy fuel price cut in February

Motorists will breathe a sigh of relief at the pumps this week, as the cost of fuel lowers.

Both grades of petrol will cost 65 cents less per litre, while diesel will drop by between 50 and 57 cents per litre.

This marks a second consecutive drop in some prices following the January adjustment.

10. Gauteng metros owed millions as MEC Maile moves to dock officials' salaries

Gauteng Finance MEC Lebohang Maile said that the province's major cities are owed millions in rates and taxes by officials and councillors.

Updating on the province's finances, Maile said councillors in Johannesburg and Tshwane each have outstanding balances on their accounts ranging from R100,000 and above.