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

Making headlines: Call for High Court Judge to step down amid corruption allegations; Ramaphosa to attend fourth BNC in Mozambique; And, Ethiopia says death toll from Marburg virus outbreak rises to 6

Call for High Court Judge to step down amid corruption allegations

Civil society organisation Judges Matter today called for Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Phahlane to step down from her judicial duties and also called for her immediate suspension.

This after the South African Police Service confirmed yesterday that a Gauteng High Court judge was arrested alongside three others and will appear before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on allegations of corruption and money laundering.

This case relates to the adjudication of a church succession matter in the North West, where Phahlane is reported to have rejected a recusal application in 2023.

The organisation said it is alleged that the judge received gratification to influence a civil case that the judge is currently presiding over in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.

Judges Matter expressed shock and concern at the allegations, noting that while the judge is innocent until proven guilty by criminal law standards, the extreme seriousness of the allegations requires the Judicial Service Commission to place the judge on immediate suspension.

Ramaphosa to attend fourth BNC in Mozambique

President Cyril Ramaphosa will next week attend the fourth South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission, with the aims of enhancing economic cooperation and exploring new trade and investment opportunities.

Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation in the BNC next week Tuesday, in the capital city of Maputo.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the fourth BNC will also assess the progress made in the implementation of decisions and commitments made at the third session of the BNC, while views on regional, continental and global issues of mutual interest will also be exchanged.

He explained that the relationship between South Africa and Mozambique was coordinated through a framework of a BNC, which is co-chaired by the two Presidents.

Magwenya highlighted that South Africa and Mozambique had strategic and fraternal relations developed during the fight against colonialism and apartheid.

And, Ethiopia says death toll from Marburg virus outbreak rises to 6

The death toll from a Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia has risen to six, state-run news agency reported today.

Ethiopia first confirmed the outbreak on November 14, with three deaths being reported three days later.

Out of the 11 people in whom the virus was detected, six have died, and five are receiving medical treatment, Ethiopian Press Agency said on its Facebook page, citing a statement from the health ministry.

The ministry has said 349 people who were suspected of having contact with infected individuals were isolated, and 119 of them have been released after completing their surveillance.

Marburg, from the same virus family as Ebola, often presents with severe headaches and leads to haemorrhaging.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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