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

Making headlines: Zuma's daughter quits as MP over Russia recruitment allegations; Cachalia notes decline in most crime categories; And, DA demands Menzi Simelane’s removal from shortlist of NDPP candidates

Zuma's daughter quits as MP over Russia recruitment allegations

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has resigned from Parliament amid allegations that she lured 17 men to fight for Russia in Ukraine, her party said today.

Zuma-Sambudla was a lawmaker in the Umkhonto weSizwe opposition party led by her father. MK officials said she resigned voluntarily and that her departure from the National Assembly and all other public roles was effective immediately.

Nathi Nhleko, MK party national organiser, told reporters MK was not involved in luring the men to Russia and that Zuma-Sambudla's resignation was not an admission of guilt, but added that MK would help support the men's families.

He said the national officials have accepted Zuma-Sambudla's decision to resign and support her efforts to ensure that the men are brought back safely.

Cachalia notes decline in most crime categories

Releasing the long-delayed crime statistics today, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia noted that they show some improvement, highlighting a significant decline in most crime categories.

He noted a significant reduction in serious and violent crime, but at a high level.

He said murder has started to decrease significantly, particularly in the last two years, and that is often a very good indicator of crime trends.

He expressed hope at the stats, also pointing to double-digit reductions in most forms of robbery.

However, he acknowledged that there are categories that have remained stubbornly high.

Sexual offences and gender-based violence, and commercial crime, are continuing to record increases, a trend over the last five years, Cachalia said.

And, DA demands Menzi Simelane’s removal from shortlist of NDPP candidates

The Democratic Alliance wants Johannesburg Society of Advocates' advocate Menzi Simelane removed from the shortlisted candidates being interviewed for the role of National Director of Public Prosecutions.

Yesterday, the Advisory Panel handling the selection process, chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, announced that it had shortlisted six candidates for the position.

The DA said Simelane’s shortlisting to the position is shameful.

DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development advocate Glynnis Breytenbach explained that thirteen years after being removed as head of the National Prosecuting Authority following litigation by the DA, Simelane cannot be reinstated.

She pointed out that Simelane’s appointment as NDPP had been declared unconstitutional as he “lacked the necessary integrity and competence for the job”.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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