Top 10 stories of the day: 10,000 march against Bela Act | Rea Vaya suspends services | Missing skipper suspect escapes from prison

In today’s news, 10,000 community members protested against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act 32 of 2024 (Bela Act) at the Voortrekker Monument. Rea Vaya bus services have been suspended as tensions remain between it and taxi associations, and the man arrested in connection with the disappearance of a north coast skipper has escaped from prison while serving community service.

In entertainment, we look at how American and South African musicians are treated differently when they speak out about which political party they support.

In sport, Kaizer Chiefs have apologized for the behavior of their supporters following their 4-0 Carling Knockout quarter-final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.

News today: November 6

A few showers and thunderstorms are expected today, while temperatures inland will range from cold to hot. – full weather forecast here.

Bela: ‘When they said there wouldn’t be a march in Freedom Park, I said that’s not on my damn TV’ – McKenzie

AfriForum members and more than 40 other organizations gathered at the Voortrekker Monument to march and protest against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act 32 of 2024 (Bela Act).

The Voortrekker Monument on the outskirts of PretoriaThe Voortrekker Monument on the outskirts of PretoriaThe Voortrekker Monument on the outskirts of Pretoria. Photos: Marizka Coetzer

Ten thousand demonstrators gathered, where they joined Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald to march to Freedom Park and deliver a memorandum of demands and objections to the bill.

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Rea Vaya bus services have been suspended until further notice, Kunene will mediate

Rea Vaya’s bus services will remain suspended until the company and taxi associations reach an agreement.

Rea Vaya bus services have been suspended due to a dispute with the taxi driver.Rea Vaya bus services have been suspended due to a dispute with the taxi driver.Rea Vaya buses parked at the Rea Vaya bus depot in Dobsonville. Photos: Nigel Sibanda

Public bus companies have capitulated to taxi rivals unhappy with the service’s fleet expansion.

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‘Marked man’? Suspect of Sodwana skipper business on the run again

Tomas Frederik ‘Ferdie’ Visser, the man arrested in connection with the disappearance of Sodwana Bay skipper John ‘Matambu’ Dercksen, has reportedly escaped from prison while carrying out community service in Mpumalanga.

John Matambu sodwana skipperJohn Matambu sodwana skipperMissing KwaZulu-Natal North Coast captain John ‘Matambu’ Dercksen and his chartered fishing ski boat, ‘Magnum Too. Photos: NSRI

Dercksen’s family, who received news of Visser’s reported escape last week, have appealed to the public to assist in the search and report any sightings of him.

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Four wanted taxi industry hitmen have been killed in a shootout with police

Four suspects wanted for murders in the taxi industry have been shot and fatally injured during a high-speed vehicle shootout with police in KwaZulu-Natal.

Four wanted taxi industry hitmen have been killed in a shootout with policeFour wanted taxi industry hitmen have been killed in a shootout with policeThe intense firefight took place on Monday afternoon in Mooirivier. Image: iStock

The intense firefight took place on Monday afternoon in Mooirivier.

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Outa ignores Eskom’s 66% increase, calling it exaggerated

Civil rights group Outa has rejected Eskom’s price request to energy regulator Nersa, which would see a 66% increase in electricity prices over the next three years, saying it is excessive.

Outa on Eskom increaseOuta on Eskom increaseImage: iStock

The Tax Abuse Redressal Organization (Outa) has lodged an objection to Eskom’s price request with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). South Africa cannot afford this, says Estienne Ruthnam, senior project manager at Outa.

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‘No drought in Gauteng’, but the province faces water security challenges

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says while there is no depth in Gauteng, the province faces water security challenges.

'No drought in Gauteng', but the province faces water security challenges'No drought in Gauteng', but the province faces water security challengesMinister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina. Photo: GovernmentZA/X

Challenges include credit management issues, where there is a culture of non-payment within municipalities, making it difficult for municipalities to meet their financial obligations to water boards.

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US elections: how US celebrities have more freedom to support who they choose politically than in South Africa

When a celebrity in South Africa supports a political party, he is often left out because of his political choice.

US Elections – US CelebritiesUS Elections – US CelebritiesThe US elections are heating up. In this article, the writer compares how celebrities in South Africa and the US receive mixed reactions to their political choices. Photos: @MmusiMaimane (X), taylorswift (Instagram) and Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

A recent example of this is DJ Shimza and Bongo Maffin group member Stoan Seate, who were both ridiculed for their support of the ANC during South Africa’s general election earlier this year.

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Award-winning filmmaker Tebogo Malope on giving back and ‘not letting my ego get away with me’

What often happens after the closest anyone gets to a clean slate at an awards show is the ego inflating and the big head control that comes with all adoration.

Tebogo Malope-Giving BackTebogo Malope-Giving BackFilmmaker Tebogo Malope will share his industry experiences with young filmmakers this weekend at the Lessons from Bombing event. Image: supplied

But for filmmaker Tebogo Malope, who won a total of fourteen awards at the recent South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), giving back is seamless and a good way to avoid being immersed in the pool of narcissism.

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Springboks on tour in Britain: three key areas in the spotlight

The Springboks will take on Scotland, England and Wales in Edinburgh, London and Cardiff respectively over the next three weekends.

Bongi MbonambiBongi MbonambiBongi Mbonambi will be hoping for a flawless lineout throw in Great Britain this month. Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images

While the world champions go into the Tests on the back of five wins from six matches in the Rugby Championship, there will be three key areas that coach Rassie Erasmus will want to see improvement in during the UK tour.

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Chiefs say sorry for ‘unacceptable’ fan behaviour

Kaizer Chiefs have apologized for the behavior of their supporters, who stormed the pitch and threw missiles onto the pitch during their 4-0 Carling Knockout quarter-final loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs fansKaizer Chiefs fansKaizer Chiefs fans express their dismay during Saturday’s 4-0 Carling Knockout defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: Backpagepix

“Kaizer Chiefs would like to sincerely apologize to all our stakeholders, sponsors, the Premier Soccer League (PSL), the South African Football Association (SAFA) and our loyal supporters for the disappointing incidents we witnessed on Saturday during the Carling Knockout quarter-final Cup against Mamelodi Sundowns,” read a statement on the Chiefs website.

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Yesterday’s news overview

READ HERE: 2 arrested for murder of Lifman | Overtime compensation of R2 million from the government | Rachel ‘overwhelmed by kindness’