Table Mountain blaze, and famous South African actor faces fraud allegations

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

• Table Mountain Fire: At least 400 people were left stranded on Table Mountain on Thursday after a fire broke out at the lower cableway station. The blaze, which ignited in the parking garage at the station on Tafelberg Road around 1 p.m., was contained by 4:45 p.m. Fortunately, all guests and staff were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. [Daily Maverick]

• Famous actor faces fraud allegations: Former Generations actor Fezile Makhanya’s company, Seacrest Investments 156, is embroiled in a R61 million corruption scandal related to asbestos eradication at KwaZulu-Natal health facilities. The company allegedly invoiced the Public Works and Infrastructure Department for work that was not completed. [News 24]

• Food poisonings reach crisis level: Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, has raised the alarm over a surge in food-borne illnesses and child deaths in the province, calling it a crisis. Between February and September, over 200 cases of food poisoning were reported. In just this month alone, six children in Naledi, Soweto, died after eating snacks purchased from a local tuck shop, contributing to the recent spate of incidents. [SABC]

• Gang violence on the rise: Six people were shot dead in Bishop Lavis on Thursday night, with two others injured and taken to the hospital. According to police, a gunman entered an informal dwelling and opened fire on the occupants. The Anti-Gang Unit is now investigating both murder and attempted murder cases, though no arrests have yet been made. [eNCA]

• Markets: South Africa’s rand strengthened on Thursday as the U.S. dollar weakened. Local platinum group metals (PGM) producers also saw their shares surge amid rising concerns that sanctions on Russia, the top global producer of palladium, could disrupt supply. On Friday (25 October), the rand was trading at R17.69 to the dollar, R22.94 to the pound, and R19.14 to the euro. Oil is trading at $74.54 a barrel. [Reuters]