702, Monday evening

This coupled with false claims of persecution against white South African farmers. Tensions also escalated after South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide in Gaza, a case opposed by Washington. Washington says South Africa's trade barriers, corruption, and what it describes as threats to American national security and foreign policy interests are inconsistent with EGOA's eligibility requirements. Zakona Miso, Eyewitness News. The Pretoria High Court has

Has overturned the awarding of the fourth national lottery and sports pools license to Sizekaya Holdings. This in a significant ruling that throws the multi-billion rand lottery contract back into contention. The court has found the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, decided to award the license to Sizekaya as invalid and has also declared the license agreement between the Minister, the National Lotteries Commission, and Sizekaya invalid.

The ruling follows a legal challenge to the licensing process, with competing bidders raising concerns about alleged irregularities in the award, including questions about Deputy President Paul Mashadili's ties to Cesar Kaya through his family business. The court has referred the matter back to the minister, who must reconsider the award and make a fresh decision. He has also been directed to ignore the report and recommendations of the ministerial committee. However, the court has suspended the

Invalidity order for two consecutive six-month periods, giving the minister 12 months to reconsider the license and allow for a new agreement and transitional arrangements if Sisakaya is not reappointed. The ruling does not immediately bring lottery operations to a halt, but it places the future of the fourth license in uncertainty. Dimaka Taleshoro, eyewitness news. At least 780,000 South Africans have cast their ballots on the first day of special vote.