Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana tables government’s R2.24 trillion rand budget for the 2023/2024 financial year
That time of the year has come where South Africans get a glimpse of how the government plans to spend money for the year.
In this year’s budget, it seems that the bulk of the budget will go towards social services, this includes education, health and community services which amount to R1.34 trillion.
Eskom will receive a total debt-relief of R 254 billion.
Minister Godongwana said that the amount will consist of two components.
– One is R184 billion. This represents Eskom’s full debt settlement requirement in three tranches over the medium term.
– Second is a direct take-over of up to R70 billion of Eskom’s loan portfolio in 2025/26.
– R30 billion will be used for inflation-linked increases for other social grants.
– The old age and disability grants increase by R90 on 1 April 2023 and a further R10 on 1 October 2023. The result is a total increase to R2090.
– The child support grant rises from R480 to R510 on 1 October 2023, while the foster care grant increases from R1070 to R1130 over the same period.
– R23 billion and R22 billion will be allocated to health and basic education respectively, to cover the shortfall in compensation budgets and to improve services.
– R8 billion is allocated for basic services through the local government equitable share.
– R14 billion over the medium term has been allocated to fight crime and corruption
– The South African Police Service is allocated R7.8 billion to appoint 5,000 police trainees per year.
– The National Prosecuting Authority receives R1.3 billion to support the implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission and the Financial Action Task Force.
– The Financial Intelligence Centre is allocated an additional R 265.3 million to tackle organised and financial crime.
– The Special Investigating Unit is allocated R100 million to initiate civil litigation in the special tribunal, flowing from proclamations linked to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission.
– The Department of Defence is allocated an additional R3.1 billion to enhance security on South Africa’s borders.
Godongwana says they have proposed an increase in the excise duties on alcohol and tobacco of 4.9 per cent, in line with expected inflation.
– A 340 millilitre can of beer increases by 10 cents,
– A 750 millilitre bottle of wine goes up by 18 cents,
– A 750 millilitre bottle of spirits will increase by R3.90,
– A 23 gram cigar by R5.47,
– And on a pack of 20 cigarettes, the duty rises 98 cents.
Parliament says it will take two years to repair the national assembly after a fire that damaged parts of it
The damage caused by an alleged arson attack at the National Assembly will only see completion after 2 and a half years.
This is according to the secretary of Parliament, Xolile George, who says the allocated time is 2-years, however, they have put aside an additional 6 months for any unforeseen circumstances.
Earlier this week, Parliament announced the Development Bank of Southern Africa has been brought on board to ensure the completion of this project.
George says two billion rands has been allocated for the repairs and a further R188 million for any unforeseen expenses.
Drama ‘unfolds’ at Eskom
Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter will no longer be serving his notice as he vacates office with immediate effect.
According to the power utility, following the convening of a special board meeting, they reached a mutual agreement that they part ways.
Initially, De Ruyter’s last day was set for 31 March 2023, which he announced in December 2022.
Eskom spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha said the board further resolved that Mr De Ruyter will not be required to serve the balance of his notice period.
“The acting GCE arrangements are being finalised with the shareholder minister and will be communicated shortly”, added Mantshantsha.
Eskom to be moved from the Department of Public Enterprises to Department of Minerals and Energy
With a Minister of Electricity set to be announced soon, the African National Congress (ANC) says it will be moving power utility Eskom from the Department of Public Enterprises to the Department of Minerals and Energy. This department will be working closely with the office of the President as they try to quell the energy crisis in the country. The power utility continues to struggle to supply the country with electricity and this week, stage 6 load shedding has been implemented as generation units break down across the country. South Africans wait in bated breath to see what improvements will be made from all these changes to the power utility. Another week, another resignation from a political party leader, this time from the African National Congress in the Free State. Premier Sisi Ntombela has informed the ANC that she is stepping down from her position in the province. On Tuesday, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula told the media that he had received a call from Ntombela, alerting him that she would tender her resignation. This after Ntombela lost the race for provincial chair against Mxolisi Dukwana. Meanwhile, the ANC’s national officials have given green light for Free State chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana to be the next premier. This week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi delivered his first State of the Province Address and apart from the energy issue and other issues affecting the people of Gauteng, Lesufi raised the issue of the rising crime int the province and announced ways to tackle it. Lesufi announced that to combat the crime rate, they will increase the budget for fighting crime in the next three years. Here are some of Lesufi’s ways to tackle crime: – Starting from the 1st of April 2023, we will start to connect suburb, townships, business districts, schools and other public places with high tech, face and car recognition CCTVs. While Lesufi’s plans have been welcomed, some wonder how he will be able to pull off all these promises he has made to the people of Gauteng.
Free State premier Sisi Ntombela steps down from her position
Helicopters, drones and CCTV’s to be deployed in Gauteng for the fight against crime
– We will arm our residents with e-Panic buttons that will be linked to our law enforcement agencies, CCTVs and our new state of the art Integrated Command Centre
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– We will unveil two new helicopters at the beginning of the next financial year and add four additional helicopters within the 2023/2024 budget cycle.
– To ensure that our police are not sacrificial lambs in the battles with criminals, we are at an advanced stage to procure 180 state of the art drones that will infiltrate areas that are difficult to patrol and police. These drones are equipped with technology that can capture the direction of a bullet and where they come from.
– We have procured 400 new police cars so that from the 1st of May, every ward in our communities will have a 24hr patrol car equipped with proper gadgets.
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