News@5PMJUNE26

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says the Nkondosize party failed to follow the rules for challenging election results. They recommend dismissing the party's application. The former CFO of Steenhove, Andries Legrange, has been granted bail on charges of fraud, corruption, and contravening the Financial Markets Act. Action Laissez pledges to fight drug abuse through legislation and oversight. Ntolisi Dugwana has been elected as the new Speaker of the Free State Legislature. The Department of Home Affairs plans to declare all green ID books invalid in the near future. In the top stories this hour, IEC says MK party failed to comply with rules of challenging election results. Alternatives they have also helped combat drug abuse and green ID books to be declared invalid in the near future. The time is five o'clock. I am Maria Kantoma Shabani. Good afternoon. The Independent Electoral Commission says the Nkondosize party has failed to comply with rules that govern the challenging of the election results. The IEC says based on this, the electoral court should dismiss the party's application challenging the 2024 general election results. The IECHF electoral officer Saima Mabolo says and avidavit that the party also failed to make its appeal against election results within three days after the declaration. The Pretoria Specialized Commercial Crimes Court in Gauteng granted bail on 150,000 rent to the former chief financial officer of Steenhove today. Andries Legrange faces two counts of reclutering, five counts of fraud, one count of corruption and three counts of contravening the Financial Markets Act. Hawke's spokesman Colin Gatley says the 49-year-old was granted bail with conditions, and Legrange and other Steenhove accused are expected back in court on October 4. Legrange appeared alongside his co-accused Stephanus Johannes Krobler, 74, former head of treasury. Krobler was arrested on the 22nd of March, 2024, and appeared in court on the 21st of March, where he was granted 150,000 rent bail. Today, he appeared again for postponement and review of his bail condition. Action Laissez has vowed to use its representation in the parliament to help in the destructive scourge of drug abuse. The party is commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, which is observed annually on June 26. According to Action Laissez, dismantling narcotics syndicates and clamping down on drug dealers and traffickers is the key to ending the drug crisis. It maintains that the criminals should get harsher punishment for manufacturing and selling drugs. The party's dearly-aid James says Action Laissez plans to combat substance abuse through legislative and executive oversight mechanisms. In light of the urgency of this crisis, which continues to tear apart families and destroy countless lives, Action Laissez is calling for the enforcement, full enforcement, of the National Drug Master Plan to achieve a South Africa free from drug abuse and misuse. African National Congress Free State Provincial Chairperson Ntolisi Dugwana has been elected as the new Speaker of the Free State Legislature. Dugwana also is the former President's State Premier. His election follows Zanele Sifuba's resignation from the Speaker role to assume her new position as the MEC for Sports Arts and Culture Recreation. The Department of Home Affairs says that it will declare all green ID books invalid in near future. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motoliri spoke to the EMCA this past week. Motoliri says that their time has come for the country to do away with green barcode ID. The department intended to phase out the green ID booklets from 2018 to 2022. However, the rollout of smart IDs have been slowly, with only 21 million issued by the end of last year. Recapping into top stories this hour, IEC says MK party failed to comply with rules of challenging election results. Action has saved vows to help combat drug abuse and green ID books to be declared invalid in the near future. For Madueng FM News, I am Riyakanta Mashavane.