For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini

Making headlines: Ramaphosa annouces new NDPP, SABC board members throw in the towel in fresh battle with government And, DA threatens legal action ahead of National Assembly vote on land expropriation

Ramaphosa annouces new NDPP

Advocate Shamila Batohi, based at the International Criminal Court, has been appointed as South Africa's National Director of Public Prosecutions.

The announcement was made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria today.

The announcement of the NDPP follows the consideration of five nominees shortlisted by an advisory panel chaired by Energy Minister Jeff Radebe.

Advocate Batohi is the first woman to be appointment as an NDPP.

Accepting the appointment Batohi expressed gratitude to president Ramaphosa for his confidence in her and the advisory panel adding that there was more work to be done.

Batohi said her only obligation is to serve the country with humility and dedication to the best of her ability.

SABC board members throw in the towel in fresh battle with government

At least two board members of the embattled South African Broadcasting Corporation are understood to have resigned amid allegations of political pressure being brought to bear on the board.

A news agency understands, from two sources with firsthand knowledge of the board’s affairs, that deputy chairperson Khanyisile Kweyama and Democratic Alliance-nominee John Mattison have thrown in the towel.

Claims that Krish Naidoo will follow suit are yet unconfirmed but he denied his intention to resign to the City Press this weekend.

The SABC said it had "noted" reports that three members of its board had resigned and referred all queries to the Presidency.

DA threatens legal action ahead of National Assembly vote on land expropriation

If the National Assembly adopts a report recommending the Constitution be amended to explicitly allow for land expropriation without compensation, the DA will start legal proceedings to challenge the constitutionality of the move.

The DA held a media briefing a few hours before the report by the Constitutional Review Committee was tabled for debate and a vote in the House.

The DA said it had highlighted flaws in the process leading up to the adoption of the report in various parliamentary fora, and believed it had exhausted all internal remedies and can thus approach the courts for relief. 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

To keep in touch with the news while you are on the move, visit m.polity.org.za