IEC code lays down the law; Cops block ‘Cat' Matlala in court: Today's top 7 stories

News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. UK investment professional Haydn Ellwood appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court following an assault on a pro-Palestine protester outside Cape Union Mart at the V&A Waterfront over the weekend. UK man in dock in connection with assault on pro-Palestine protesters - A UK investment professional appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday after allegedly assaulting a 61-year-old pro-Palestine protester at the V&A Waterfront. - The case was postponed to 3 December while the State gathers witness statements, medical records and CCTV footage, and the accused arranges private legal representation. - The incident followed a High Court ruling barring protesters from linking Cape Union Mart to Israel and the Gaza war, with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign vowing to continue its demonstrations. The Inside Story of Life in Pollsmoor | 'Prison is a place without purpose' - An inmate's account describes overcrowded, unsanitary cells at Pollsmoor where beds, food and cleaning supplies are governed by gang hierarchy and warders' corruption. - Daily life is structured around gang codes and routines, with meagre meals, infested bedding, leaking roofs and limited visitation that depends on an unreliable booking system. - The article contrasts these conditions with the humane treatment standards required by the Nelson Mandela Rules, questioning what rehabilitation is possible when dignity is stripped away. IEC's Disinformation Code cracks down on false content in local elections - The IEC has published a Disinformation Code to protect the integrity of the 4 November local government elections, covering all election-related communication by parties and candidates. - The code requires parties to verify information before sharing it, publicly correct false content within 36 hours, label AI-generated content and political advertising, and avoid deceptive practices like fake accounts and bot networks. - The code is effective immediately and runs until election results are declared, with parties to formally commit to it at a signing ceremony on 23 September. Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala and four others implicated in the attempted murder of Matlala's ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, appeared at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for a continuation of a trial-within-a-trial on Tuesday. - Chaos erupted in court when task team officers forced three accused into holding cells instead of allowing them to consult their lawyers, prompting the judge to order that consultations take place in court during early adjournments. - The judge admitted alleged hitman Musa Kekana's bail affidavit as evidence, ruling that a generic warning during bail proceedings was adequate. - The State was granted a postponement to Thursday to review 100 pages of police vehicle location records submitted by the defence, despite objections from defence counsel about mounting costs. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy wants an inquest into the Cessna S550 ZS-CAR crash that killed three people in January 2020. - Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has asked the justice minister to launch an inquest into a 2020 plane crash in the Outeniqua Mountains that killed three SACAA crew members, more than six years after an Ethiopian investigation made damning findings. - The investigation found the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness was invalid, its black box was poorly maintained, and SACAA had returned it to service without inspecting it after earlier incidents involving smoke in the cockpit. - SACAA has disputed the findings, suspended a whistleblower who raised concerns about the crash, and is now outsourcing calibration services while monitoring aircraft prices before buying a replacement. Mo'unga to replace Love at 10? All Blacks to make changes for fourth Test against Boks - New Zealand coach Dave Rennie will field a changed side for the fourth Test against South Africa in Baltimore, with captain Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson ruled out through injury. - Rennie has flyhalf selection dilemmas, with Richie Mo'unga pushing to replace the underwhelming Ruben Love, while Rieko Ioane could fill in at centre for the injured Quinn Tupaea. - Rennie believes his side can still square the series 2-2 with a win on Saturday, saying the squad has one more performance left in them. 'Private citizens': King Charles confirms Harry and Meghan's status after UK return - King Charles has clarified that Harry and Meghan are not working members of the royal family and should be treated as private citizens, despite their return to Britain from the US. - A letter from the Lord Chamberlain said the couple's 'His and Her Royal Highness' styles are not to be used and that their charitable work is undertaken in a private capacity. - The clarification comes amid uncertainty over whether the couple will receive state-funded police protection, with Ravec likely to reassess Harry's security risk following his permanent return. Step into a world where the truth shines bright, and every headline is worth your time. With News24, you're not just reading the news; you are part of a community that values knowledge and insight. Immerse yourself in compelling stories, sharp analyses, and content that keeps you ahead of the curve. After nearly 200 years, iconic Clanwilliam shoemaker closes its doorsNews24's free audiobook for subscribers this month is 'Curro: The Art of Creating True Wealth' by Dr Chris van der Merwe and Elmari Rautenbach. Great thinking: It will grow the sport globally03 Sep