Tshwane to select new mayor, and Mashatile in hot water

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

• Tshwane gets a new mayor: The Tshwane municipal council is scheduled to elect a new mayor today. For over a week, the capital city has been without an executive government following the removal of Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Cilliers Brink through a motion of no confidence. [EWN]

• Mashatile feels the pressure: The deputy president, Paul Mashatile, and his family are currently under investigation by the Public Protector and the Hawks. Now, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is also looking into possible misuse of public funds by them. [News24]

• Rhema Bible Church founder passes: Pastor Ray McCauley, the founder of Rhema Bible Church, has passed away at the age of 75. His family confirmed in a statement that he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. McCauley founded one of South Africa’s most influential churches in 1979. [eNCA]

• Eight police officers on trial: Eight police officers are scheduled to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today on charges of extortion. The officers, who are from the Public Order Police Unit, were arrested following an extortion incident at two Chinese shops in Milnerton, Cape Town. [SABC]

• Markets: The South African rand weakened on Tuesday and is likely to take direction from U.S. inflation data and minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting, which are due this week. On Wednesday (9 October), the rand was trading at R17.55 to the dollar, R22.98 to the pound, and R19.25 to the euro. Oil is trading at $77.79 a barrel. [Reuters]