Destiny arrives all the same

[Leviathan]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team](#) [Divider Strip] June 24 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, Justice is so often an amorphous concept. Rarely, if ever, are we satisfied that the wrongdoers who walk among us receive the appropriate penance. Yet, whether you believe in karma, a higher power or pure science, the universe has a funny way of balancing out. Consider colonial statues. For years these figures were valorised with very little challenge to their position or legacy. But now they're falling -- one bust at a time. The current wave of protests sweeping the world is nothing new to South Africans, of course, who had orchestrated the removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue from the University of Cape Town campus back in 2015. Now, activist groups in the city are threatening to [dismantle more relics]( of the past if the government does not act to remove them. Lester Kiewit reports that the Black People's National Crisis Committee will intensify protests if those demands are not listened to. "These symbols inflict psychological violence on the minds of people whose ancestors were murdered by people who are being glorified by statues," said a member of the group. If one thing is for certain, it's that moment is not rushing to an end, locally or on the global stage. It extends beyond physical tribute too: in the United States a petition has received thousands of signatures to rename Columbus, Ohio "[Flavortown]( after its favourite chef, Guy Fieri. Now, we're not saying this is related to the theme of delayed justice, but the Pietermaritzburg high court has adjourned former president Jacob Zuma's fraud, corruption and racketeering case until September 8 [for the setting of a trial date](. Paddy Harper reports that there may even be a further delay, with his co-accused, French arms dealer Thales, submitting a civil review application to have the racketeering charges against the company set aside. In case you missed it: SA set to begin vax trial: South Africa plans to roll out the [continent's first coronavirus vaccine trial]( this week, according to the university leading the pilot, as the country grapples with the highest number of coronavirus cases in Africa. The vaccine candidate, developed by the Oxford Jenner Institute in the United Kingdom, is already being evaluated there, where 4 000 participants have signed up for the trial. Malawi count underway: Polls have closed in Malawi's [hotly contested presidential vote]( the second time in just over a year, after incumbent President Peter Mutharika's re-election was annulled by the courts over irregularities. Some 6.8-million people were eligible to vote in Tuesday's rerun, practically a two-horse race between Mutharika and opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera. A third candidate, Peter Kuwani, was also in the running. Not now, but maybe later: North Korea has announced it will suspend "[military action plans]( against South Korea, after a meeting of the governing party's Central Military Commission presided over by leader Kim Jong Un, the official KCNA news agency said on Wednesday. But wait, there's more: The arrest of municipal officials -- reportedly the next in line after the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority pounced on eight suspects last week -- will bring authorities closer to the engine room of the VBS Mutual Bank heist. [Expect more arrests to follow.]( You can't sit with us: European Union officials are racing to determine who can visit the bloc beginning July 1, as countries try to restart travel while keeping new coronavirus infections at bay. A draft list of acceptable travellers includes those from China and Vietnam, but visitors from the United States, Russia and Brazil will not be welcome. A final decision is expected early next week, although European officials aid it was [highly unlikely]( an exception would be made for the US. No-vax Djokovic tests positive: Novak Djokovic has [tested positive for coronavirus]( after an exhibition event he organised in Croatia. The Adria Tour, which took place in Zadar last weekend, has been mired in controversy after the final was cancelled after Grigor Dimitrov's positive test. Djokovic, the world No 1 tennis star and noted anti-vaxxer, who was scheduled to play in Sunday's final, confirmed on Tuesday that both he and his wife Jelena had tested positive for Covid-19 on returning home to Serbia, while their children's results were negative. Essential visas suspended: Facebook, Google, Amazon and others in the business world [reacted with anger]( after US President Donald Trump suspended new work visas for foreign nationals at least until the end of the year. If you like The Ampersand and would like to recommend this newsletter to a friend, forward them [this link](. Support independent journalism today by subscribing below. Yours in solidarity, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Divider Strip] [GPL3]( [Divider Strip] [The coping mechanisms the DRC is putting in place as it faces Ebola, measles and Covid-19]( [The coping mechanisms the DRC is putting in place as it faces Ebola, measles and Covid-19]( The DRC has systematically gone about strengthening health infrastructure, engaging the community and doing better research. [Divider Strip] [The cyclical politics of help]( [The cyclical politics of help]( Black women and trans artists are worthy of support but it should not come with terms and restrictions. [Divider Strip] [Review: America through Ilhan Omar's eyes]( [Review: America through Ilhan Omar's eyes]( In this memoir, the first Somali-American woman elected to the US Congress describes how she got there. [Divider Strip] [Microsoft]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -