insert_link South Africa South Africa’s D.A has raised alarm over Eskom’s massive diesel consumption South Africa's D.A has raised alarm over Eskom's massive diesel consumption, surpassing the annual budget of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. National spokesperson for Public Enterprises, Mimmy Gondwe, points to minister Pravin Gordhan's revelation that Eskom spent 65-billion rand on diesel over five-years for its open cycle gas turbines. She criticises the unsustainable levels of diesel usage, attributing it to consumers facing double-digit tariff increases by the National Energy […] todayApril 26, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa S.A’s union Cosatu welcomes the agreement reached by the South African Post Office with unions to temporarily suspend retrenchments S.A's union Cosatu welcomes the agreement reached by the South African Post Office with unions to temporarily suspend retrenchments. This as the business rescue practitioners have launched an urgent application for assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund Temporary Employment Relief Scheme. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says it is fundamental that governments at all levels utilise the Post Office and the Post Bank as their postal and banking service provider, injecting invaluable […] todayApril 25, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa South African Government Bolsters Efforts to Combat Substance Abuse Amid Global Concerns The S.A Government says it is resolute in its commitment to fight the scourge of substance abuse in the country. Harm Reduction International’s 2022 Global State of Harm Reduction report identified South Africa as one of the world’s largest methamphetamine markets. Government Communication and Information System acting director-general, Nomonde Mnukwa, says the National Drug Master Plan is a national blueprint to combat drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and mitigate its […] todayApril 25, 2024 25
insert_link South Africa S.A’s OUTA Accuses SANRAL and CETA of Secrecy in Questionable Contracts S.A's Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has accused the South African National Roads Agency Limited and the Construction Education and Training Authority of keeping contracts with questionable companies secret. The nonprofit watchdog has filed a complaint with the Information Regulator, over the entities’ refusal to provide the information requested on contracts with AquaEXR Joint Venture and Grayson Reed. Outa’s, Asavela Kakaza, says Sanral must foster transparency and accountability: todayApril 25, 2024 12
insert_link South Africa Democratic Alliance has expressed worry about the state of the rule of law in the City of Johannesbur The Democratic Alliance has expressed worry about the state of the rule of law in the City of Johannesburg. This concern arises following the discovery that a warrant of arrest issued for city manager Floyd Brink was flawed and legally unenforceable, preventing its execution. The warrant stemmed from a legal dispute between the city and a resident disputing their utility account. Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, representing the DA, revealed that the city […] todayApril 25, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa South African Post Office Halts Retrenchments Saving Thousands of Jobs The South African Post Office has reached an agreement with unions to suspend retrenchment notices for a minimum of 12 months, preserving approximately 4,700 jobs. In a significant move, the Post Office's business rescue practitioners have applied for assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund's Temporary Employment Relief Scheme. Under this arrangement, the scheme would cover 75% of workers' salaries, with the Post Office contributing the remaining 25%. Anoosh Roopla, the […] todayApril 25, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa S.A President Ramaphosa Urges Collaboration for Job Creation and Economic Inclusion S.A President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for collaboration from social partners and the private sector in creating job opportunities for the country's youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Expanded Public Works Programme in Buffalo City Stadium in the Eastern Cape, Ramaphosa emphasised the importance of public and social employment programmes and supporting small enterprises and cooperatives. He says the programme is for everyone: […] todayApril 25, 2024 15
insert_link South Africa Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility By Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, University of Adelaide Ivan Vladislavić is Johannesburg’s literary linkman. He tells us, in the first pages of his new book, The Near North, that before cities were lit, first by gaslight and later electricity, people of means paid torchbearers to escort them through dark and perilous streets. “In Paris,” he observes, “these linkmen were often police spies or informers, while in London they were […] todayApril 24, 2024 13
insert_link South Africa S.A union Cosatu says intelligence and security services are part of any modern state S.A union Cosatu says intelligence and security services are part of any modern state. What is critical, however, is to ensure there are sufficient checks and balances in place in law to prevent the abuse of such agencies. The trade federation presented its submission on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill to an ad-hoc committee of the National Council of Provinces. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says they remain concerned that the […] todayApril 24, 2024 17
