For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: MKP treasurer-general resigns; Princess Anne to visit South Africa; And, Netanyahu says Israel-Hamas deal to pause Gaza war is approved

MKP treasurer-general resigns

uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s treasurer-general Dr Thanti Mthanti has served the party with his resignation letter, citing a need to balance his personal responsibilities and professional commitments.

Mthanti resigned with immediate effect. In a statement, the MKP said party president Jacob Zuma had “magnanimously” accepted the resignation, describing Mthanti as an astute leader, serving in various roles.

He was elected to the position in November, after Zuma removed Menzi Magubane.

Mthanti will also be stepping down as a Convenor of High Command deployees in the Western Cape, and chair of the Communications sub-committee, but will remain an ordinary member of the National High Command, and has offered his assistance to the party, to facilitate a smooth transition process.

The party said it was currently in the process of identifying a suitable successor to fill the role.

Princess Anne to visit South Africa

Thirteen years after her last visit, Britain’s Princess Anne will be in South Africa next week to unveil the Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial, in her capacity as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The British royal family said in a statement the new memorial honours the contribution of South African military labourers of the First World War, and it is part of the CWGC’s commitment to ensure all those who died in both World Wars are commemorated equally.

During her visit, Princess Anne will also visit the South African Riding for the Disabled Association; the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation; the Royal Cape Yacht Club; the South African Astronomical Observatory and a Thuthuzela Care Centre where she will meet local communities and celebrate the work of projects around the area.

The Princess Royal will also attend a Reception at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Cape Town.

And, Netanyahu says Israel-Hamas deal to pause Gaza war is approved

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an agreement with Hamas to pause the war in Gaza has been finalized, suggesting it’s on track to begin on Sunday.

This morning, Netanyahu said in a statement he ordered his security cabinet to meet later in the day to approve the truce, which has been backed by US President Joe Biden and incoming leader Donald Trump.

The deal looked at risk of collapsing on Thursday when Netanyahu accused Hamas of reneging on some commitments. He said his cabinet would not convene until the group accepted all elements of the agreement.

Under the terms, Hamas will release 33 of about 98 hostages still held in Gaza in the first, six-week phase of the ceasefire. Israel will withdraw troops from populated areas of the Palestinian territory and free around 1 000 Palestinian prisoners.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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