insert_link Africa Bacteria and plants could help clean up toxic waste from gold mines – South African study By Alseno Kagiso Mosai, University of Pretoria and Hlanganani Tutu, University of the Witwatersrand Highly toxic metals are leaking out of nine abandoned mines in Krugersdorp, 32km west of Johannesburg, South Africa. The metals include uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury. This acid mine drainage – when water mixes with heavy metals in mines and then flows out into the environment – poses grave […] todayAugust 1, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa Gauteng premier announced the implementation of various units to protect the province’s infrastructure In S.A, Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi has announced the implementation of various units to protect the province's infrastructure. Delivering his budget vote for the Safety and Security Department, Lesufi announced the establishment of an anti-land invasion unit and a unit protecting Eskom and Rand Water infrastructure. In addition, he also announced the implementation of an anti-cable theft unit and an anti-construction mafias unit: todayAugust 1, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa Freedom Front Plus Warns of National Security Threat After 95 Libyan Nationals Arrested in S.A In S.A, the Freedom Front Plus warns of a national security threat after 95 Libyan nationals were arrested for alleged military training at a private camp in White River, Mpumalanga. They criticise the government's inaction, especially after South Africa was grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force for failing to address money laundering and terrorism. Party leader, Pieter Groenewald urges immediate action to prevent the country from becoming a terrorist […] todayAugust 1, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa SA’s Illicit Economy Costs R100 Billion Annuall In South Africa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says the illicit economy is costing South Africa 100-billion-rand annually, undermining industrialisation and job creation. Tau highlights importers' practices like under-declaring goods' value and misusing rebates, affecting local manufacturers. He says an Inter-Agency Working Group has been formed, focusing on scrap metal, gold, clothing, textiles, footwear, and leather to combat this: todayAugust 1, 2024 9
insert_link South Africa Grade 12 Student Suspended from Pretoria High School for Girls Over Viral Video with Racial Undertones To South Africa, where Gauteng's Department of Education has confirmed the suspension of a grade 12 learner from Pretoria High School for Girls following the emergence of a video with suspected racial undertones that went viral. This follows the suspension of 12 other learners for alleged racial comments in a Whatsapp group, as well as the principal. The department’s Steve Mabona says they are committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive […] todayAugust 1, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s population grows past 63 million Statistics South Africa announced on Tuesday that the country’s population has increased by just over 800 thousand (835,513) in the past year, reaching 63.02 million people in July. This marks a 1.33% increase from July 2022 to July 2023. Stats SA, in a statement, revealed that over half of the country’s population is female, totaling around 32 million people. The report also noted that life expectancy at birth has risen […] todayJuly 31, 2024 18
insert_link South Africa South Africa and US Revive Trade Agreemen S.A's Trade, Industry and Competition minister, Parks Tau says South Africa and the US have agreed to the revival of the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. This will be in addition to the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which is due to expire next year. Tau says he is confident that South Africa does not stand the risk of being excluded from AGOA, which exempts certain African countries from […] todayJuly 31, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa DA has welcomed the news that the overdue crime statistics will be released next month DA has welcomed the news that the overdue crime statistics will be released next month. DA national spokesperson for police, Ian Cameron, has raised concerns over the rampant crime affecting South Africa. This includes the murder of a teacher in KwaZulu-Natal and mass shootings over the weekend. He says these statistics will reveal SAPS' measures to combat crime: todayJuly 31, 2024 7
insert_link Health / Medical Ticks in South Africa are becoming resistant to pesticides – and may become uncontrollable By Luther van der Mescht, University of the Free State Ticks that suck the blood of South Africa’s cattle are developing resistance to the only pesticides that kill them and have become increasingly difficult to control. If not contained, the spread and resistance to pesticides of these small parasites will affect farmers’ incomes and could reduce the country’s meat and milk production. South Africa […] todayJuly 31, 2024 19
