insert_link South Africa FNB SA Analyst Urges Spending Caution as Fuel Costs Rise, Forecasts Post-Election Economic Improvements Ester Ochse, an analyst at FNB SA, has advised consumers to exercise financial restraint in the face of escalating fuel costs. The bank expresses concern that heightened fuel expenses may strain budgets, impacting both vehicle owners and public transport users. Anticipating potential repercussions, FNB warns of potential increases in product prices, contributing to consumer inflation and diminishing purchasing power. Despite these challenges, FNB remains optimistic about post-election economic improvements, anticipating […] todayMarch 6, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa Concerns Mount as Nighttime Shootings Escalate in Mpumalanga, MEC Shongwe Urges Action Vusi Shongwe, the MEC for Community Safety, Security, and Liaison in Mpumalanga, has expressed growing concern over the increasing number of shooting incidents in nighttime entertainment venues within the province. The latest incident occurred on Sunday night in Tweefontein, where two armed men entered a tavern, indiscriminately opening fire and resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals. The department's spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, revealed that similar shooting cases near taverns […] todayMarch 6, 2024 18
insert_link South Africa At least 22 people arrested during student protests in Bloemfontein Police disperse protesting students at Bloemfontein’s Central University of Technology (CUT) with stun grenades on Monday. Photos: Becker Semela By Becker Semela via GroundUp Lectures at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein were suspended on Tuesday morning as a protest by students entered its third day. Since Friday, the situation outside the main campus has been tense with students protesting over lack of funding for food, housing and study […] todayMarch 5, 2024 15
insert_link Health / Medical Anti-vaxxers thrashed in court Illustration: Lisa Nelson By Tania Broughton via GroundUp Three non-profit companies have failed in their court bid to stop the government from making available Covid-19 vaccinations. They claimed “strange and unusual medical conditions”were experienced by some people who received the vaccine. Covid Core Alliance, Transformative Health Justice, and Free the Children - Save the Nation, supported by some doctors, wanted a final order compelling the Minister of Health, the acting director […] todayMarch 5, 2024 13
insert_link South Africa The Azanian People’s Organisation in SA calls on voters to exercise vigilance and discernment The Azanian People's Organisation in SA calls on voters to exercise vigilance and discernment as they navigate the political landscape. They criticise the lack of thought leadership, moral values, and rampant corruption, leading to an uninspiring vision for the future. Azapo’s spokesperson Jabu Rakwena challenges the narrative that there is no future beyond the current ANC government. Rakwena urges voters to look beyond and consider their long-term prosperity, when choosing […] todayMarch 5, 2024 30
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s AfriForum is threatening to take Rand Water to court over its decision to reduce water supply South Africa's AfriForum is threatening to take Rand Water to court over its decision to reduce water supply to several defaulting municipalities in a bid to recover funds owed to it. Affected municipalities include Emfuleni, Sedibeng and West Rand. Gauteng municipalities alone, owe the water utility two-billion-rand. AfriForum’s, Petrus Coetzee, says its legal team has sent an urgent letter of demand to Rand Water to stop this malpractice and see […] todayMarch 5, 2024 27
insert_link South Africa N Korea slams US / S Korea war drills North Korea is slamming war drills being held between the US and South Korea calling them rehearsals for attack. Operation Freedom Shield is a bilateral exercise being held for 11 days with the aim of deterring Pyongyang. Chris Gilbert reports. todayMarch 5, 2024 52
insert_link South Africa SANEF calls on the Competition Commission’s MDPMI to get Big Techs to compensate media for content The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) on Monday made an impassioned submission at the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI), initiated by the Competition Commission of South Africa (Commission), as the three-week inquiry kicked off in Pretoria on Monday 4 March 2024. SANEF, represented by chairperson Sbu Ngalwa, founding member Guy Berger, and legal representative, Michael Power, asked the Commission to strongly consider getting Big Tech to look […] todayMarch 5, 2024 35
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s Higher Education, Science and Innovation minister says the country must not tolerate the growing culture of impunity South Africa's Higher Education, Science and Innovation minister, Blade Nzimande, says the country must not tolerate the growing culture of impunity on the part of criminal elements, and a blatant disregard for human life. Yesterday, he visited the family of the University of Johannesburg student who was killed in a crossfire in Braamfontein last week Thursday. The department's spokesperson, Veli Mbele, says the minister will contact Police minister, Bheki Cele, […] todayMarch 5, 2024 27