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

Making headlines: Maimane will resign as DA leader; Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane fires one, suspends four in sweeping purge; And, Petrol price cuts are now on the cards

Maimane will resign as DA leader

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane has decided to resign as federal leader of the DA, several well-placed sources in the party have confirmed to news organisations.

Maimane is expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

The DA's federal executive held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss, among other things, the resignation of former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba and the future of the City of Johannesburg.

One of Maimane’s most vocal supporters was Mashaba, who Maimane described as a "hero" when the City of Johannesburg mayor announced his resignation from the party on Monday.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane fires one, suspends four in sweeping purge

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has dismissed the institution's chief operating officer, Basani Baloyi, and suspended four senior officials and investigators.

Baloyi will leave the Public Protector's employ at the end of this month.

Executive manager Pona Mogaladi, chief investigator Abongile Madiba, chief investigator Lesedi Sekele and senior investigator Tebogo Kekana have been suspended.

It is unclear which investigations they were involved in, but it is understood at least one of them was involved in a complaint Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema lodged against the Financial Services Conduct Authority.

And, Petrol price cuts are now on the cards

A combination of falling oil prices and a surprise rally in the rand may ease the financial pressure on motorists at the pump in the first week of November.

The latest data from the Central Energy Fund shows that petrol prices could be cut by between 3c a litre  for 95 unleaded to 15c for 93 unleaded, while diesel prices could be lowered by between 9c and 11c, and illuminating paraffin by 17c.

After briefly spiking to reach almost $70 a barrel after a shock drone attack on a major Saudi oil plant a month ago, Brent crude oil is currently trading around $59.30 a barrel. This is almost a fifth lower than six months ago, as global markets fret about the impact of the trade war between the US and China on global growth and the demand for oil.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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