N2 closed due to snow; Comrades runner's family speaks: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
Graphic: Sharlene Rood
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature.
Family of missing Comrades runner recounts hours of searching
- A Comrades Marathon runner, Moira Harding, went missing after finishing the race and was found in critical condition nearly 15 hours later.
- Harding is being treated for dehydration and hypothermia in the ICU, with her family unsure how she ended up 7km from the finish line.
- Police are investigating the circumstances of her disappearance, while the family has cited disorganisation at the finish line and Harding's disoriented state as possible factors.
Supplied/SPAR
'Not an easy decision': SPAR's SA CEO quits to join McDonald's
- Max Oliva, SPAR South Africa CEO, is stepping down after three decades to become the new CEO of McDonald's South African operations, effective 1 July.
- Oliva replaces Greg Solomon, who stepped down in February after 15 years as McDonald's SA CEO, following a search for a leader to guide the business through transformation.
- SPAR has acknowledged Oliva's 'remarkable legacy' and leadership through challenging times, while Oliva has said leaving SPAR was not easy, as the company continues to recover from supply chain issues and market share losses.
Phando Jikelo/RSA Parliament
'Deliberate and orchestrated': Ghost workers haunting govt not merely payroll paranormal activity
- DA MP Jan de Villiers says ghost workers are likely present in every government department, costing taxpayers millions.
- The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has initiated an in-person verification process to eliminate ghost workers and reduce costs.
- De Villiers is advocating for a mandatory biometric identification system and criminal charges against those involved in ghost worker schemes.
Photo by Gallo Images/Beeld/Deaan Vivier
The Tycoons: Diamond flogger Louis Liebenberg and the businessman with presidents as friends
- The article contrasts Louis Liebenberg, accused of running a R4 billion Ponzi scheme involving fake diamonds, with Christopher Kimber, a diamond mining boss with political connections.
- Both Liebenberg and Kimber face legal challenges: Liebenberg for fraud and money laundering, and Kimber for fraudulent misrepresentation in a business deal with Arron Banks.
- Liebenberg's failed community artisanal mining project devastated Namaqualand, while Kimber's mine faces potential closure, highlighting the precarious state of the region's diamond industry and its impact on local communities.
N2 highway closed 'to save lives' amid snowfall in KZN, Eastern Cape
- Parts of the N2 highway in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have been closed due to heavy snowfall and icy conditions.
- Several other roads in both provinces are affected, with traffic moving slowly or restricted to certain vehicle types.
- Weather warnings are in place for disruptive snowfall and rain in various districts of both provinces.Proteas confirm team for World Test Championship final at Lord's
- The Proteas have announced their team for the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, with Wiaan Mulder at No 3 and Lungi Ngidi included in the bowling attack.
- Tony de Zorzi and Dane Paterson will miss out on the starting XI.
- The match is scheduled to begin at Lord's on Wednesday at 11:30 SA time.
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