Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
GOVERNMENT ENDS THE NATIONAL STATE OF DISASTER ON THE ENERGY CRISIS
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement during the 2023 State of the Nation address, where he declared a National State of Disaster on the electricity crisis in the country, the government has terminated it with immediate effect.
The government released a statement saying all regulations guiding the National State of Disaster have also been cancelled.
The declaration was to assist, as power utility Eskom has been battling to keep the lights on.
During a briefing, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng said after the Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s visits to Eskom power plants in the past few weeks, it seemed interventions were already in place to address the energy crisis.
SECURITY COMPANY G4S FAILS TO APPEAR BEFORE PARLIAMENT REGARDING THABO BESTER’S ESCAPE
The security company that manages the Mangaung Correctional Centre where Thabo Bester escaped, failed to make a presentation this week before parliament regarding Bester’s escape.
The company wrote a letter saying it was unable to appear to make a presentation with officials from the Department of Justice and correctional services.
G4S said it was bound by confidentiality, according to the Correctional Services Act 1998.
“In order to enable G4SCS SA to fully and properly engage with the portfolio committee, it would need to be afforded the same protections which ordinarily would apply to those attending parliamentary committees, such as those stipulated under section 16 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislature Act 2004.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services says G4S will now be summoned to appear before Parliament over Bester’s prison escape.
SARS RECORDS A RECORD HIGH OF REVENUE COLLECTION FOR THE 22/23 FINANCIAL YEAR
The South African Revenue Service announced earlier this week that it collected just over R2 trillion in gross tax revenues over the past year, which is a 9.7% increase from the 2021/22 tax year.
This makes it the first time that SARS exceeded the R2 trillion gross tax revenue mark.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter says the total tax refunds surged by almost 19% to more than R381 billion, with value-added tax (VAT) refunds increasing by almost 22% to R319 billion.
Overall net revenue collected for 2023 shows a 7.9% increase year-on-year from the net 2022 amount of R1,563.8 billion.
FORMER DISGRACED TSHWANE MAYOR MURUNWA MAKWARELA PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO FRAUD CHARGES
Murunwa Makwarela was granted R10,000 bail this week after pleading not guilty to fraud charges at the Specialized Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria.
Makwarela made a brief appearance before the court after he handed himself over to the Brooklyn police station this week.
He faces charges of fraud related to a fake insolvency rehabilitation certificate that he submitted to the city in an attempt to stay as mayor.
Makwarela is set to return to court on May 2, 2023.
SEFAKO MAKGATHO HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY SUSPENDS STUDENTS OVER PROTESTS
Four students at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University have been suspended after embarking on a protest.
Students at the university say they are frustrated over delayed funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
Three SRC members and one student have been suspended.
The students say they have not received meal allowances from NSFAS since the beginning of the year.
The University says it is doing all it can to assist the students.
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