WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA DIES AT 81

Struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has succumbed to her long battle with an undisclosed illness on Monday afternoon. This comes three weeks after Madikizela-Mandela had accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa on a campaign to mobilise ANC voters for next year's general elections.
Mam'Winnie, as she's affectionately known, was in and out of hospital for the past year and got admitted to Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg before passing away in the presence of her loved ones.
She will be remembered for playing a crucial role in the liberation struggle which led to her getting detained for 18 months in solitary confinement in a condemned cell at Pretoria Central Prison.
Metro Rhythm remembers and celebrates the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela 'sithi hamba kahle' Mother of the nation.

RAMAPHOSA RESHUFFLES CABINET

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wasted no time in reshuffling his cabinet since taking office on February 15, 2018. The reshuffling came with 10 ministers and 3 deputies, who had served under Jacob Zuma, being axed.
This was done in the interest of appointing candidates who fit the description of implementing the government's mandate as stated by Ramaphosa.
Interestingly some positions were filled by ministers who had previously occupied them. Malusi Gigaba was replaced by Nhlanhla Nene, as Finance Minister, and returned to being Minister of Home Affairs.
Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan returned to the house as the new Minister of Public Enterprises replacing the controversial Lynne Brown.
Thulas Nxesi returned to being Minister of Public Works after his stint as Minister of Sports.
The shift that got the whole nation excited was the return of Bheki Cele as Minister of Police replacing Fikile Mbalula.
With Cele back many South Africans are hopeful that the dreadful crime rate will soon start to dwindle.

VALUE ADDED TAX INCREASE

South Africans can brace themselves for yet another wave of tax increase but only this time it's the Value Added Tax on a peak. Since the dawn of democracy VAT has never been tampered with until recently when former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba made the announcement.
VAT increases by 1% in an attempt to generate an additional R36 billion for the national purse as a result of SARS missing its tax collection targets. SARS reportedly fell behind by R48,2 billion.
Concerns were echoed throughout the whole of South Africa with trade unions and civil society organisations opposing the VAT increase.
Although Gigaba maintained that the poor will not be affected since there are 19 basic food items that are 'zero rated' the public was not convinced. Other necessities such as toiletries and clothes, just to name a few, are still taxed making it extremely difficult for the less fortunate.
The positive side of the budget speech, however, included an increase in social grants and taking the first leap towards free higher education.

JACOB ZUMA RESIGNS AS SA PRESIDENT

South African President Jacob Zuma has resigned after a lengthy battle with opposition parties and members of the ANC. The country woke up to the news of his resignation on 15 February after a long defiance campaign that reflected his eagerness to remain in power. 

The ruling party's parliamentary caucus stated at a media briefing that they couldn't wait any longer to unseat Zuma. The president had inspired a motion of no confidence to be ruled against him following a series of allegations. 

His fitness as president came into question when the #GuptaLeaks surfaced in the media and implicated him in corruption. The leaked files had alleged evidence that the Gupta family was the primary financier of the ANC and pulled strings behind the scenes. 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is now the acting president until parliament elects the new the candidate later on in the day.

EDENVALE PASTOR SHOT AND KILLED

Destiny Midwifes Christian Church Pastor Paul Kamba was shot and killed in his office, at the church, on February 4th. 

3 suspects entered the building and confronted the pastor before shooting him fatally. Kamba died later in hospital and the motive for the shooting is still unknown. 

Police urge anyone with information to come forward and be of assistance.

DMX ARRESTED... AGAIN

Legendary rapper DMX has had legal troubles prior to his successful music career but even in the midst of success X remains a troubled man. DMX was arrested after a video, depicting him drinking at a bar in St. Louie, surfaced on social media. The rapper was on parole and his conditions required him to refrain from drugs as well as alcohol pertaining to his pending case. 

DMX is on trial for tax evasion and owes the state $1.7 million for taxes not returned between 2002 and 2005. The rapper allegedly lived only on cash and didn't maintain a bank account or file required returns to the IRS. 

DMX is not new to prison as he has been previously arrested for animal cruelty, drug possession and impersonation of a police officer. He is set to be sentenced on 29 March. 

DEATH ROW INMATE EXECUTED

A Texas inmate on death row has been executed by lethal injection after being imprisoned for the murder of his two daughters. John Battaglia shot and killed both his daughters, Faith and Liberty, in retaliation to his wife, Mary Jean Pearle, wanting his parole revoked.
Battaglia was on parole, at the time, for domestic violence after assaulting his wife on Christmas Day in 1999. Battaglia was then put on a 2 year probation and was restricted from contacting Pearle apart from visiting his children.
On 2 May 2001 Pearle left the kids with Battaglia, for a planned dinner, but the latter took the girls to his apartment instead. He then made a phone call to Pearle and shot both his daughters while she listened on the other end.
The children could be heard screaming and pleading for their father to stop what he was doing. On 30 April 2002 Battaglia was sentenced to death but his case would drag on for another 16 years before the court finally executed him on February 1 2018.