For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: ANC pursues court order to stop MK Party from using its trademark; South Africa showcases some success in fighting crime scourge; And, Minister attributes drop in rhino poaching to dehorning

ANC pursues court order to stop MK Party from using its trademark

The African National Congress confirmed today that its legal team is appearing in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal, to stop the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party from any further “unlawful use” of the ANC’s trademarks, symbols and heritage.

The ANC pointed out that MKP leader Jacob Zuma and his collaborators are committing what the ANC considers to be a gross violation of the Trade Marks Act - registering a political party appropriating the uMkhonto we Sizwe logo and related symbols unlawfully.

The ANC has requested the High Court to interdict and restrain the MKP from passing itself off as “being connected with the ANC” by the use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe and the related logo, or any other trademark, and to remove ANC intellectual property from any of the party's websites, social media accounts, banners, t-shirts, signs, labels, promotional and advertising material, packaging, stationery, and other printed matter.

South Africa showcases some success in fighting crime scourge

Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said today that law-enforcement agencies have made major progress in tackling South Africa’s crime scourge, busting a number of gangs and seizing thousands of illegal weapons and large quantities of drugs.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest per-capita murder rates, and surging crime levels have been cited as a major deterrent to investment. Efforts to tackle the problem have gained fresh impetus since a new coalition government took office after elections on May 29, when the African National Congress lost its national majority for the first time in 30 years, and President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Senzo Mchunu as his new police minister.

Increasing the size and visibility of the police force has been a top priority, with 20 000 new officers recruited over the past two years, according to Masemola. Another focus has been to reduce the number of firearms in circulation — more than 260 000 have been seized or surrendered to the police over the past five years and destroyed.

And, Minister attributes drop in rhino poaching to dehorning

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George noted today a significant drop in rhino poaching during May and June, attributing this to the dehorning of rhino populations in KwaZulu-Natal.

George said a national loss of 21 and 22 respectively were reported, compared with May and June of 2023 where 42 and 34 poachings were recorded.

He highlighted that during the first six months of 2024, 229 rhinos were poached in South Africa, compared with 231 for the same reporting period in 2023.

Of those rhino poached, 191 were killed on State properties and 38 on privately owned parks/reserves/farms.

This reduced loss was thought to be attributable to the dehorning of rhino populations in KwaZulu-Natal and specifically in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park where over 1 000 rhinos had been dehorned since April 2024.

At the end of 2023, South Africa reported 16 056 rhinos, comprising 2 065 black and 13 991 white rhinos.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA