Semenya, Bushiri and Bosasa: Stories that dominated headlines in February
Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times
From the arrest of controversial Pastor Shepherd Bushiri, the tumbling of Bosasa and Eskom's woes, here are five stories that dominated headlines in February.
Pastor Bushiri
The pastor and leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering and his wife Mary were arrested at their Sparkling Waters Hotel in Rustenburg on February 1. The two face charges relating to money laundering, fraud and the contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act involving foreign currency of more than R15m.
The two appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria, where hundreds of his followers picketed and prayed outside.
The Bushiris were released on R100,000 bail each and the matter has been postponed to May 10.
Bosasa bombshells
Following three weeks of a bombshell-dropping testimony from former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi, the company now known as African Global Operations has remained in the spotlight.
The Hawks arrested seven people, including former Bosasa executives, in connection to tenders worth R1.6bn that were awarded by the department of correctional services to Bosasa.
Five of the accused, including Agrizzi, appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and were released on R20,000 bail each. The matter will resume on March 27.
The company also went into voluntary liquidation after its bank accounts were closed as its banks said Bosasa posed a reputational risk for the financial institutions.
Eskom drama
The troubled power utility hit more obstacles in February as load-shedding was implemented up to stage 4 over a series of days.
At the state of the nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Eskom would be reorganised into three separate units namely transmission, generation and distribution.
At the national budget speech, finance minister Tito Mboweni announced that Eskom would receive a bailout of R23bn every year for three years.
The Special Investigating Unit revealed that it is probing 11 contractors for allegedly stealing R139bn during the construction of the Kusile, Medupi and Ingula power plants.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the state of the nation (Sona) address on February 7 which included the government's plan to monitor state-owned enterprises such as Eskom and SAA.
Ramaphosa also announced a special unit that will investigate state capture prosecutions as well as May 8 as the country's election day.
Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya took her battle with the International Association Athletics Federation (IAAF) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge the IAAF's proposal to restrict the testosterone levels of female athletes.
Semenya has received wide support from South Africans, the government and global figures, including tennis legend Billie Jean King.
The court will deliver a ruling on March 26.