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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa thanks Zambia, Zim for ‘taking care’ of remains of repatriated freedom fighters; John Hlophe interdicted from taking part in JSC processes; And, govt said economy starting to show improvement with marginal employment growth

Ramaphosa thanks Zambia, Zim for ‘taking care’ of remains of repatriated freedom fighters

In officiating the repatriation and restitution homecoming ceremony of South African freedom fighters who lost their lives in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the apartheid era, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the ceremony must build on the emerging government-wide collaboration on cultural heritage and preserving the memory of the country’s freedom fighters.

Ramaphosa was speaking in Pretoria, where he said government must work with education and heritage stakeholders to ensure that the names and contributions of African freedom fighters are known and appreciated by future generations.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mackenzie and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga on Wednesday received the remains of former liberation fighters who passed away in exile in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Ramaphosa said the return of the remains from Zambia and Zimbabwe marked the start of a process to return the remains of fallen freedom fighters from several other countries.

The South African government expressed its gratitude to the people and governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, for “having taken great care of South Africa’s compatriots” and for enabling their remains to be repatriated.

John Hlophe interdicted from taking part in JSC processes

The Democratic Alliance said the Western Cape High Court’s decision to interdict uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s leader in Parliament Dr John Hlophe from participating in Judicial Service Commission processes, is a landmark victory for the party and for the integrity of South Africa’s judiciary.

The High Court issued its judgment on the DA’s urgent application to interdict Hlophe from taking up a seat on the JSC, this after the party filed papers against his designation to the JSC in July.

Hlophe was removed from office by the National Assembly, after the JSC found him guilty of dishonesty and gross misconduct, for his attempts to unlawfully influence Constitutional Court judges, Bess Nkabinde and Chris Jafta, in 2008, to rule in favour of Jacob Zuma in cases before them.

DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said the court's decision affirmed the party’s position and has strengthened the fight to maintain the highest standards of integrity within the country’s judiciary.

Meanwhile, ActionSA said it will refer the interdict ruling to Parliament's Constitutional Review Committee, citing “glaring contradictions” in eligibility criteria for public office.

And, govt said economy starting to show improvement with marginal employment growth

Government has welcomed the marginal employment growth of 0.4% between March and June, saying this indicated its commitment to working with social partners to stabilise the economy.

Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Employment Statistics revealed that the community services industry contributed most to the increase.

This, and the expansion of South Africa’s GDP by 0.2%, announced earlier this month, showed that the “prudent economic path” taken to turn around the country’s economy was starting to pay off, government said.

It added these statistics would bring debt relief and bolster household incomes. 

Government Communication and Information System acting director-general Nomonde Mnukwa said the growth was a testament to the commitment made during February’s State of the Nation Address, to ensure economic growth that encouraged business development and created more employment.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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