“NO ELECTRICITY, NO VOTE,” SOUTH AFRICANS THREATEN TO SHUN RULING PARTY ANC. (PHOTO)

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 “No electricity, no vote,” South Africans threaten to shun ruling party ANC Residents in Katlehong, a township outside Johannesburg, have resolved to boycott South Africa's upcoming local elections on November 4 due to long-standing failures by authorities to provide basic services like electricity. For over 20 years, around 180 households in the community have relied on illegal electrical connections pulled from neighboring areas to power their homes. Angry over the lack of formal grid infrastructure, residents are directing their frustration at the ruling African National Congress (ANC). "We have made a collective decision: no electricity, no vote," said community leader Lesiba Rankapole, 59. "We know it is illegal, but we had no choice because we cannot live without electricity. Our children cannot progress without electricity." "I was born ANC, but today I do not want anyone to tell me about the ANC because I am suffering," added 57-year-old resid...

NEW ORLEANS MAYOR LATOYA CANTRELL FACES FEDERAL CORRUPTION CHARGES. (PHOTO).


 New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell faces federal corruption charges

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted Friday on federal charges accusing her of defrauding the city while attempting to conceal a romantic relationship with a police officer, according to prosecutors.

Cantrell faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements, and false declaration before a grand jury, as detailed in an indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Prosecutors say Cantrell was romantically involved with Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, who served on the New Orleans Police Department's executive protection unit from May 2021 to April 2024.

The indictment alleges that Cantrell and Vappie exploited their public positions to spend time together while Vappie was paid for on-duty work, engaging in a scheme that defrauded both the city and the police department. Vappie was also charged with wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Federal authorities said the pair exchanged roughly 15,000 messages, pictures, and audio clips over eight months via WhatsApp, using the platform to intimidate subordinates, harass a citizen, delete evidence, mislead colleagues, and commit perjury to obstruct investigations. Prosecutors said Vappie joined Cantrell on 14 domestic and international trips, including an April 2022 visit to San Francisco, where they extended their stay to Napa Valley wineries while Vappie claimed 15 hours of work. The total cost to the city for these trips was around $70,000.

The relationship continued until Vappie retired in June 2024. New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell expressed support for Cantrell and her family, calling it “a sad day for the people of New Orleans.”

Cantrell, a Democrat, is serving her final term as mayor, set to leave office in January. She is the city’s first female mayor and has faced a turbulent second term, including surviving a recall attempt in 2022.

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