South Africa News

Calls for the release of military vets arrested after hostage drama

The disbanded uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) has accused the presidential task team, under the leadership of Deputy President David Mabuza, of exacerbated divisions among military veterans.

Calls are mounting for ex-combatants to be release from police custody after ministers Thandi Modise, Mondli Gungubele and Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla were held against their will inside a Pretoria hotel on Thursday night for close to three hours.

The hostile standoff saw at least 56 people arrested while some were injured.

The publication has learnt that those arrested face three counts of kidnapping and one count of public violence.

They met the ministers after occupying Luthuli House earlier this week.

The formation has gained traction following the disbandment of the MKMVA.

MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus said the government’s response to addressing its own failures was a total over-reaction.

He said the undermining and disbanding of legitimate structures had created a dangerous leadership vacuum leading to splinter groups used by the presidential task team to divide and rule while pinning military veterans against one another.

-EWN

In other news – The Queen actor SK Khoza (Shaka) gets side chick pregnant; beats up girlfriend Mandy for questioning him

The Queen actor Sthembiso “SK” Khoza is under fire after he has been accused of being a woman-basher by his now ex-fiancée Ayanda “Mandy” Hlongwane.

SK Khoza and his fiancée Ayanda Hlongwane

Shaka as he is populary known seems not to be taking his acting skills to real life. In what appears to be a case of life imitating art, Khoza – who plays the role of bad boy Shaka Khoza on Mzansi Magic drama The Queen – cannot shed his on-screen image. Learn More