For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: MKP suspends John Hlophe, reverses Des van Rooyen’s appointment; ANC celebrates by-election victories in Mpumalanga, Limpopo; And, South Africa to investigate how 17 citizens were lured into fighting in Ukraine

MKP suspends John Hlophe, reverses Des van Rooyen’s appointment

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has issued a precautionary suspension to the party's deputy president and leader of the MKP parliamentary caucus Dr John Hlophe, which effectively, nullifies Des Van Rooyen’s appointment as the parliamentary chief whip.

Yesterday, the party announced that van Rooyen will replace Collen Makhubele with immediate effect.

The party said in a statement that Hlophe will be suspended from his leadership roles with immediate effect, pending a full investigation into his conduct.

The party clarified that MKP president Jacob Zuma arrived back from Burkina Faso, met with the MKP's national officials and received a briefing about changes effected at the National Assembly apparently “without a collective consultation”.

ANC celebrates by-election victories in Mpumalanga, Limpopo

The African National Congress said its by-election victories in Mpumalanga and Limpopo confirm that the party’s renewal programme is “not only alive, but also winning the hearts and minds of the people”.

The party celebrated victories in Ward 14 of Govan Mbeki local municipality, in Gert Sibande region, in Mpumalanga; and in Ward 37 of Fetakgomo-Tubatse local municipality, in the Sekhukhune region, Limpopo.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the victories reflected the people’s confidence in the ANC’s commitment to delivery, unity and ethical leadership.

“The organisation is stabilising, reconnecting, and proving that disciplined work among the people restores both credibility and hope,” she added.

And, South Africa to investigate how 17 citizens were lured into fighting in Ukraine

South Africa's government today said it will investigate how 17 of its citizens joined mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after the men sent distress calls for help to return home.

The men were lured into fighting under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts, a statement issued by South Africa's presidency said. All are between the ages of 20 and 39 years and are trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region, it said, adding that the government was working to bring them home.

The statement said President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into these seemingly mercenary activities.

The presidency statement did not say which side the men were fighting on.

Most of Ukraine's Donbas region, where the 17 were said to be trapped, is under Russian military control, and Moscow has been accused in the past by developing countries of recruiting their citizens to fight on its behalf under false pretences.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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