South Africa, World
While you were sleeping: 13 June 2017
Ben Ngubane resigns from Eskom, Mattis warns of North Korean threat, and Trump lavishes praise on himself.
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
“A long habit of not thinking a thing
Thomas Paine
Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has found himself the focus of a searing SCA judgment handed down last week with regard to his conduct in another matter involving the alleged theft of R48-million by a businessman. The man was represented in court by the same attorney representing Hlophe in pending disciplinary proceedings before the Judicial Services Commission over allegations that the Judge President approached two Justices of the Constitutional Court in 2008 in an attempt to improperly influence that court’s pending judgment in a case involving Jacob Zuma. Hlophe was excoriated by the SCA for potential bias in ruling in favour of the crooked businessman.
Dr Ben Ngubane has handed over his resignation as chairperson of Eskom’s board. He resigned with immediate effect and Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown accepted his standing down. It’s possible the departure could be related to allegations of corruption, but Ngubane could not be found for comment. Rather, his office appeared to be engulfed in a giant, obscuring cloud of coal dust.
North Korea the largest threat to peace – Mattis
Pentagon chief Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis has warned that North Korea poses the largest “clear and present danger” to global security. Speaking during Donald Trump’s first full cabinet briefing, Mattis warned that constant and escalating missile weapons tests by Dear Leader were leading to a dangerous level of volatility. While no doubt a danger, those living in much of Islamic State-occupied Middle East would have been forgiven for having to double take on the “largest threat” part.
Trump’s cabinet meeting renders unto Caesar
A Dear Leader of another kind’s cabinet meeting in question also prompted harsh criticism. Aside from Mattis’ cautions on North Korea, an ebullient Donald Trump and his minions lavished praise on his administration, claiming all systems firing on full blast. Taking a break from dealing with almost daily crises, the cabinet took turns describing what an honour it was to serve the Trump White House. On social media, the whiff of covfefe clung in the air.
Coming back to North Korea, figuratively and literally, ex-NBA bad boy Dennis Rodman has been confirmed to be making a return trip to his “friend for life”. Hailing his trips to the country as basketball diplomacy, Rodman’s trips to Pyongyang have been widely criticised for failing to achieve anything.
IN NUMBERS
97
The percentage of Puerto Ricans who voted in favour of becoming America’s 51st state in a June referendum.
FACTS OF THE DAY
Today is the start of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3. Whether you are a PC, console or mobile gamer, this is where all your 2017 releases are unveiled.
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