For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Mashaba says there are over 500 problem buildings in the City of Joburg, Zondo raises concerns over Guptas' refusal to return to SA And, Ekurhuleni mayor welcomes SIU probe

Mashaba says there are over 500 problem buildings in the City of Joburg

About 500 problem buildings have been identified in the City of Johannesburg, mayor Herman Mashaba has said.

Speaking to the SABC shortly after the extinguishing of an inferno at the Bank of Lisbon building which saw three firefighters killed in the line of duty, Mashaba said the city would “carry out raids” to “take back the city”.

The fire in the Bank of Lisbon building - which housed the Gauteng departments of health, human settlements, and cooperative government and traditional affairs - broke out on the 23rd floor on Wednesday.

A forensic team is expected to assess the damage to investigate how the fire started, while structural engineers will assess the building’s credibility.

Zondo raises concerns over Guptas' refusal to return to SA

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has expressed concerns over the Gupta brothers' application to cross-examine witnesses from abroad.

Advocate Mike Hellens, for Ajay Gupta, told the commission yesterday that his client was willing to testify and wanted to cross-examine witnesses from a location outside South Africa.

Hellens claimed that the Gupta brothers were worried about possibly being arrested if they returned to South Africa, labeling the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority "recklessly incompetent and a national embarrassment".

However, Zondo, who chairs the commission, accused the Guptas of wanting to enjoy the benefits of South Africa's legal system without subjecting themselves to its processes.

Ekurhuleni mayor welcomes SIU probe

Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina said he fully supported President Cyril Ramaphosa’s authorisation of a probe by the Special Investigation Unit into alleged serious maladministration and unlawful conduct around the procurement of goods and services for the construction of public transport facilities.

Masina said such interventions are necessary if there are any suspicions of wrong doing and maladministration in any project.

The City of Ekurhuleni in a statement said the investigation will focus on the Vosloorus taxi rank and Bluegum View public transport facilities, where the unit will investigate claims that the procurement of these projects in February 2014 had been unauthorised, irregular or fruitless, and wasteful.
 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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