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

Making headlines: DA tables no confidence motion in Lesufi; Parly committee makes recommendations for IEC commissioners ; And, Department confirms no name change for Kruger National Park

DA tables no confidence motion in Lesufi

The Democratic Alliance said today it will be tabling a motion of no confidence against Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for what it termed “his reckless and irresponsible” implementation of the “failed” Amapanyaza project.

The DA will also seek clarification on the process by which the retraining of Amapanyaza members will be formally accredited and recognised by relevant institutions or potential employers.

The DA held a briefing today, following Lesufi's announcement that Amapanyaza will be disbanded for them to undergo training to become fully fledged Traffic Officers, over 36 months.

The DA previously cautioned that the Amapanyaza initiative was “ill-conceived, poorly implemented, and unsustainable.”

Leader of the Official Opposition in Gauteng Solly Msimanga said his party will also request transparency regarding the funding source for this retraining initiative.

Parly committee makes recommendations for IEC commissioners

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs said it will recommend to the National Assembly Dhaya Pillay, Mosotho Moepya and Joyce Pitso to serve as commissioners in the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa.

The recommendations are due to three vacancies that will arise on November 4, as the term of office expires for IEC chairperson Moepya, IEC commissioner Pillay and IEC commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku.

Following a process prescribed by the Electoral Commission Act, the panel recommended eight candidates for the committee’s consideration, after which three final names were selected to go to the National Assembly, said committee chairperson Mosa Chabane.

Chabane said his committee is convinced that the recommended candidates have the skills, experience and capacity to improve the IEC and ensure it delivers the mandate for the organisation.

And, Department confirms no name change for Kruger National Park

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment today confirmed that no name change has been authorised for the Kruger National Park.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George said there was nothing in progress to change the name of the Kruger National Park and that he had no intention of approving any request.

Last month, the Economic Freedom Fighters in the Mpumalanga legislature introduced a motion to rename several prominent landmarks in the province, including the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and the Kruger National Park.

The motion was reportedly voted for by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and the African National Congress, and adopted in the legislature.

George said the official name remained Kruger National Park, as enshrined in law and urged individuals who were “spreading misinformation” to immediately refrain from doing so.

George said spreading misinformation undermined public confidence and distracted from the real work of conservation.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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