Another day in sunny SA

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Wed 05 Jul   [ozayr_patel_hello-1] By now most of us have seen the footage of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit members beating up three unarmed men on the N1. The public and opposition parties have expressed outrage over the assault and we have to ask ourselves whether these “blue light brigades” are necessary. When Eunice Masson [spoke]( to the director of civil rights lobby group Action Society, Ian Cameron, he said these types of incidents happen frequently but this time it was caught on camera. Robbie Raburabu, the spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, said “the victims of the alleged assault were military trainees, who had to get permission from their commander before opening a case against the VIP officers”. Mashatile has condemned the assault. You can also read [Emsie Ferreira’s coverage]( on how the justice department received a R5 million fine from the information regulator for failure to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act after it flouted an order to renew licences for antivirus software. And [Sheree Bega reported]( on how an environmental group won a court battle against ministers, a municipality and MECs and ordered them to stop the sewage pollution of the Vaal River and its tributaries. It’s just another day in sunny South Africa. Sign up to the Green Guardian, our [environmental newsletter](. You’ll find our climate and environment news and a fun weekly quiz. Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor [@Ozayr8]( [Mashatile says the party's leadership wanted Zuma's exit to be handled internally]( [VIP officers in assault video are part of Mashatile security detail]( IPID has identified the victims of the beatings as military trainees [// Read more]( [ED_443597]( [Information regulator fines justice department R5 million]( The department missed a deadline imposed by the regulator to renew licences for antivirus software systems [// Read more]( ['It’s not just a question of systems]( [NGO wins court order against ministers to stop Vaal River sewage pollution]( Senzo Mchunu must provide an affidavit in 45 court days stating what has been done to deal with the problem [// Read more]( Recommended Reads Premium [Media needs solidarity and sense as Moti Group’s spin war continues]( Despite a high court loss, the conglomerate has threatened further litigation against amaBhungane and suggested it can out-money the media group Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is available only to subscribers Subscribe Join the M&G Community The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. By subscribing, you become a valued member of the M&G community, actively championing independent journalism and enabling us to deliver the latest news directly to you. Your subscription plays a vital role in supporting our mission and unlocks: - M&G community membership - access to all articles online, including premium subs-only features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper emailed to you every week - invites to subscriber only events - the opportunity to test new online features, first [Subscribe]( Already a subscriber? login here. [// Read more]( [Buthelezi poisoning claims suggest lost influence over Zulu monarchy]( The spat with King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini may hurt the Inkatha Freedom Party at the polls next year [// Read more]( [Warning Bell: Trade union threatens strike action at machinery maker]( Richards Bay-based Bell Equipment recently reported a 63% bump in profits while workers demand a R1 000 transport allowance [// Read more]( Premium [Ramaphosanomics cuts SA adrift]( World leaders are closely associated with the economic policies they espouse, a fact that does not bode well for South Africa’s president Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is available only to subscribers Subscribe Join the M&G Community The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. By subscribing, you become a valued member of the M&G community, actively championing independent journalism and enabling us to deliver the latest news directly to you. Your subscription plays a vital role in supporting our mission and unlocks: - M&G community membership - access to all articles online, including premium subs-only features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper emailed to you every week - invites to subscriber only events - the opportunity to test new online features, first [Subscribe]( Already a subscriber? login here. [// Read more]( [Calls for exploration of natural gas in revised integrated resource plan]( Minister Gwede Mantashe says the revised IRP draft will be submitted to the cabinet between July and September [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Harvest start 2023] Winter barley stands in a field belonging to Universal Agrar GmbH on the sidelines of a press conference held by the German Farmers’ Association to mark the start of the 2023 harvest. On the same day, the German Farmers’ Association issued its first forecast for this year’s harvest. In some parts of Germany, including the fertile Thuringian Basin, the grain harvest begins these days. Photo: Martin Schutt/dpa [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa