insert_link Business / Economics Steinhof CEO dies by suicide Former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste died by suicide in Hermanus on Thursday, a day before he was told to hand himself over to law enforcement. News24 reports that Jooste told his wife he was going out for a walk, and it was during his walk that he shot himself. According to local police, Jooste “was still alive at the time [they reported to a beach in Hermanus, where a 63-year-old man […] todayMarch 22, 2024 165
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s election management body has done a good job for 30 years: here’s why By Dirk Kotze, University of South Africa More than in previous elections, South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) will be tested to the hilt in this year’s national and provincial elections on 29 May. For the first time in 30 years, the electoral majority of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is in jeopardy. This makes the upcoming poll the most consequential one since 1994, when the country […] todayMarch 20, 2024 42
insert_link South Africa Tshwane Mayor Releases Audit Report Amid Criticism Tshwane City's mayor, Cilliers Brink, says the improved qualified audit report and the audited financial statements have been published to enable public scrutiny. The mayor has been criticised for withholding the Auditor-General’s report and failing to make known the metro’s financial statements for 2022/2023 to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange at the end of January. Brink says the publishing of the documents demonstrates good fiscal governance: todayMarch 20, 2024 50
insert_link South Africa South African Union Applauds Adoption of Expropriation Bill by National Council of Provinces Cosatu has welcomed the South African National Council of Province’s adoption of the Expropriation Bill. The Western Cape was the only province that voted against the legislation, which was adopted with proposed amendments, that require the National Assembly to approve. One of the objectives of the bill is to expropriate land and property in the interest of the public. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says president Cyril Ramaphosa must ignore opposition from […] todayMarch 20, 2024 46
insert_link South Africa Calls for SA’s National Assembly Speaker to Resign Intensify Amid Corruption Allegations Pressure mounts on SA National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to resign following a raid by the Hawks at her Johannesburg home. The investigation centers on allegations that she received over two million rand in cash from a former military contractor during her tenure as Defence minister. Congress of the People joins calls for resignation, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. todayMarch 20, 2024 41
insert_link South Africa uMkhonto we Sizwe Party Asserts Registration Decision Unreviewable Amid ANC Challenge The uMkhonto we Sizwe party has stated that the decision by South Africa's Deputy Chief Electoral Official, Mawethu Mosery, to register their party is not open to review by the Electoral Court. This statement comes in response to a case filed by the African National Congress in the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein, seeking to invalidate the registration of the MK party. Dali Mpofu, representing the MK party, accuses the ANC […] todayMarch 20, 2024 16
insert_link Business / Economics SA Retailer Confidence Wanes in Q1 Amid Election Uncertainty Despite heightened sales volumes, South Africa's retailer confidence has dwindled in the first quarter, likely due to consumer apprehension about purchasing significant items ahead of the national election. The Bureau for Economic Research's recent survey indicated a decline in confidence levels to 34 index points, with profitability remaining subdued. Nonetheless, non-durable goods retailers experienced improved volume growth, while textiles, clothing, and footwear retailers saw a resurgence in sales volumes. todayMarch 20, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa SA’s National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigates Speaker of National Assembly for Alleged Corruption South Africa's Parliament confirms that the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate has conducted a search and seizure operation at the Johannesburg home of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. The probe is connected to alleged corruption during her tenure as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. Parliament's spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, asserts her innocence, stating that she fully cooperated during the search. He emphasizes that Mapisa-Nqakula remains committed to […] todayMarch 20, 2024 28
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s City Power is set to commence an audit of solar geysers today South Africa's City Power is set to commence an audit of solar geysers today, focusing on units installed in 2014 and installing new ones in low-income households across service delivery centers. According to spokesperson Isaac Mangena, this initiative aims to reap environmental benefits by preventing over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The audits will kick off in Lenasia and Midrand, with appointed agents conducting house-to-house visits. Mangena emphasized that […] todayMarch 19, 2024 51