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.

DEE.AM ON METRO RHYTHM

Metro Rhythm's finest! Our very own Dee.Am dabbles in rap music while playing an integral role at the station by being the producer. He also co-hosts 'The Element' with Thandi Siziling every Tuesday between 12 and 3pm. He is currently working on new material as well as Rhythmic jingles for Metro. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @Original_deeam and Dee.Am South Africa on Facebook. Tune in to the station to hear more of his music and soothing flows. This clip is a teaser from the lyrical genius himself.
www.metrorhythm.com

WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA HOSPITALISED

ANC veteran Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has been admitted at Milpark Hospital following a minor health scare. The struggle stalwart complained about leg pains and loss of appetite before being admitted to the hospital.
Her family has since released a statement describing her enthusiasm and recovery. She is expected to spend at least a week in the care of doctors.
Winnie last set foot in a hospital in October 2017 for a knee surgery.

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OVERVAAL HOERSKOOL ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION

A high school in Vereeniging has become the centre of attention after going to court with the Gauteng department of Education. Overvaal Hoerskool took the Department of Education to court after MEC Panyaza Lesufi made an attempt to get 55 learners admitted to the school. The school complained about reaching its capacity and could therefore not admit the remaining learners.

Lesufi, however, alleged that preference was taken for Afrikaans-speaking learners over English-speaking learners. This caused a huge outcry from the public who viewed it as discrimination against black pupils.

On 16 January 2018 the court ruled in favour of the high school with Panyaza Lesufi vowing to appeal the matter at the High Court.

ROBBIE MALINGA DIES

Kwaito legend Robbie Malinga has passed on... The renowned music producer succumbed to anaemia on Christmas day in 2017. He is best known for producing hits for a number of artists such as kwaito giants Brown Dash, Thebe and Afro pop musos Ntando, Mafikizolo, Kelly Khumalo, Zahara and lately Musa Sukwene. 

Over the years Robbie's health started deteriorating to a point where he lost a lot of weight causing widespread speculation. He came into prominence in the early 90's with his hit single ínsimbi' and worked his way up the producer ranks contributing vocals here and there to fellow artists. 

His funeral was attended by a slew of celebrities including DJ Sbu and Kelly Khumalo. He leaves behind his wife and children. RIP 'Nsimbi'.

ANC TOP 6 ANNOUNCED

South Africa has been longing for President Jacob Zuma to be re-called, in parliament, and it appears their outcry did not land on deaf ears. In late December of 2017 Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa became the ANC's new president alongside his highly contested panel.
All eyes were on this particular conference with the party being split into different factions.

Ramaphosa beat fellow presidential candidate, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, by 179 votes for the highly contested position while the Premier of Mpumalanga, David Mabuza, became the new Deputy President. He ousted fellow candidate Lindiwe Sisulu by a large margin of 379 votes.

The position of National Chairperson went to Gwede Mantashe who was up against Nathi Mthethwa. Ace Magashule, Premier of the Free State, became the new Secretary General and triumphed over Senzo Mchunu by 24 votes.

Jessie Duarte remained as the ANC's Deputy Secretary General while Paul Mashatile bagged the Treasurer General position. The results yielded mixed emotions, however, from supporters and the ANCWL whose concern was that patriarchy was still strong in the liberation movement.

FEAR OF A COUP ENGULFS ZIMBABWE

The world woke up to shocking news, this week, that President Robert Mugabe was placed under house arrest by the Zimbabwean National Army. This comes after vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sacked for allegedly being disloyal and planning to oust Mugabe.
The army chief General Constantine Chiwenga had warned the ruling party against the purging of politicians who had assisted in the liberation struggle against Britain. ZANU - PF Youth League responded by ridiculing the army and telling Chiwenga to stay in the barracks and not 93 meddle in politics. 
A week later army tanks were seen heading for Harare and a Coup d 'etat was suspected to be in motion. General Chiwenga, however, downplayed the suspicions and said that the army was only performing a usual drill.
Robert Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe gained its independence from Britain in 1980. He is now 93 and very frail.