DA Raises Concerns Over Alleged Hiring of Individual with Sexual Harassment Allegations

DA Raises Concerns Over Alleged Hiring of Individual with Sexual Harassment Allegations

The DA in Gauteng has voiced its dismay over the alleged hiring of Vernon Naidoo by the provincial Department of Social Development, who reportedly has a history of facing sexual harassment allegations. Naidoo has been employed as a member of the forensic audit team. MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, has stated that hiring forensic auditors is not under her jurisdiction. Refiloe Nt'sekhe from the DA expressed serious concerns over […]

March 28, 2024 61

South Africa

SA’s Homeowners Await Financial Relief as Reserve Bank Keeps Rates Unchanged

South Africa's BetterBond has announced that homeowners will need to wait longer for financial relief as the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously decided to maintain the repo rate at 8.25%. Similarly, the prime lending rate will remain at 11.75%. Interim CEO of BetterBond, Bradd Bendall, expressed hope for a rate cut this month due to a drop in inflation expectations for the next two years. However, […]

March 28, 2024 69

Business / Economics

South Africa’s electricity crisis: what political parties say in their election manifestos about solving it

By Hartmut Winkler, University of Johannesburg South Africa is in the middle of a deep electricity crisis. In 2023 the public, many of whom are voters, experienced the worst loadshedding to date, losing power for an average of five hours a day. The power shortages were largely due to excessive breakdowns in the country’s coal power plant fleet, which generates over 80% of South Africa’s electricity, combined […]

March 28, 2024 23

South Africa

General Industries Workers Union of South Africa Condemns Job Losses

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has decried the loss of 194,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2023, pointing out a 1.8% decline in the labor force. Mametlwe Sebei, the union's president, has attributed this to neocolonial capitalism and the ANC's neoliberal policies. Sebei advocates for the nationalization of key sectors and prioritization of job creation, particularly in industries like construction. Urgent action, he emphasizes, is necessary […]

March 28, 2024 48

South Africa

Freedom Front Plus in SA Condemns Expropriation Without Compensation

The Freedom Front Plus in South Africa has vehemently opposed expropriation without compensation, stating that it would further deteriorate the country after 30 years under ANC rule. The party has once again rejected the Expropriation Bill in the National Assembly, even after it was referred back with amendments by the National Council of Provinces. While the bill aims to expropriate land and property in the public interest, the FF Plus […]

March 28, 2024 37

South Africa

SA’s Rand Water Prevails in Court Against AfriForum’s Attempt to Halt Water Supply Reduction

AfriForum's court action to prevent Rand Water from reducing water supply to seven municipalities owing over three billion rand has been unsuccessful. AfriForum had applied to the High Court in Pretoria to order Rand Water to restore full water supply to the affected municipalities, citing far-reaching implications for the communities. The municipalities, located in Gauteng, Free State, and Mpumalanga, face reduced supply due to outstanding debts. Rand Water welcomes the […]

March 28, 2024 14

South Africa

GOOD Party in SA Calls for Accountability on E-Toll Promises Ahead of Deadline

The GOOD Party in SA is urging voters to hold Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi accountable for his promises regarding the e-toll system as the deadline approaches. Lesufi had pledged in his state of the province address that the e-toll system would be shut down by 31 March. According to the party, this isn't the first time such promises have been made, as similar commitments in 2022 fell through. Matthew Cook, […]

March 28, 2024 24

Business / Economics

South Africa’s Reserve Bank keeps repo rate unchanged

The South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 8.25 percent. This keeps the prime lending rate in SA at 11.75 percent. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

March 27, 2024 54

South Africa

Western Cape Agriculture Budget Aligned with Growth Strategy

Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape MEC of Agriculture, has announced that the department's budget will support the provincial government's ambitious growth strategy, aiming to build a trillion-rand jobs-rich, inclusive, and sustainable economy. Meyer presented the department's budget of one billion rand in the provincial parliament yesterday. He highlighted that 38 million rand is allocated for flood damage support, while 57.8 million rand is earmarked for animal health services to prevent […]

March 27, 2024 75