Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
REPO RATE REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 8.25%
South Africa’s repo rate will remain unchanged at 8.25%, according to the announcement by Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago. The decision was unanimous among the five members of the monetary policy committee, reflecting the ongoing efforts to balance economic stability amid persistent inflationary pressures. The central bank is cautious, noting that risks to inflation have not entirely subsided, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance. This decision aims to provide some reprieve to consumers in the face of economic challenges.
INVESTIGATION INTO BANKS’ RAND MANIPULATION CONTINUES
The Competition Commission is exploring the possibility of bringing criminal charges against banks accused of manipulating the rand’s value. Standard Chartered Bank has admitted involvement and agreed to pay a R42 million fine. The ongoing legal action involves 28 South African and international banks accused of colluding to manipulate the rand/dollar currency valuation between 2007 and 2013. The Commission contends that the implicated banks generated around a trillion rand a day during the alleged manipulation period. Investigations continue as authorities assess potential legal consequences.
RESIDENTS URGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN BUYING FROM SPAZA SHOPS DUE TO EXPIRED GOODS
Residents of Ekurhuleni City are urged to be cautious when purchasing products from spaza shops, following a series of incidents that have led to at least six children’s deaths and several hospitalizations nationwide, allegedly due to the consumption of expired or counterfeit goods from spaza shops and street hawkers.
The City of Ekurhuleni said: “The City’s Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) have intensified food hygiene and safety inspections at food handling premises to stop the practice. “The city encourages the public to buy foodstuffs only sold from premises that have a Certificate of Acceptability. This certificate is only issued after inspections are conducted and the premises meets all food safety requirements.”
The following are markings that can be used to identify whether food stuff is still fresh to eat:
- Date of minimum durability (“Best Before” or “Best Before End”), which means the date which signifies the end of the period under any stated storage condition during which the product will remain fully marketable and will retain any specific qualities for which claims have been made. Beyond the date, the food may still be perfectly satisfactory. These foodstuffs do not require to be removed from the shelves and can be sold for human consumption.
- “Sell by” or “display until” means the last day of offer for sale to the consumer, after which there remains a reasonable storage period at home. The food that has past the sell by or display until date must be removed from the shelves and must not be sold for human consumption to the public.
- “Use By” (Best Consumed Before, recommended last consumption Date, Expiry Date) means the date which signifies the end of the estimated period under the stated storage conditions, after which the product probably will not have the quality attributes normally expected by the consumers and after which date the food should not be regarded as marketable. These foodstuffs must be removed from the shelves and must not be sold for human consumption to the public.
Certain foods are exempt from date markings, including some alcoholic products, chewing gum, and untreated fruits and vegetables.
“The public is also discouraged from playing the role of an EHP by inspecting and seizing foodstuff from the shops as this is impersonation of a EHPs. In terms of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974 no person shall perform any act deemed to be an act pertaining to any registerable health profession, such as environmental health profession,” the city said.
SOUTH AFRICA MAY RUN OUT OF DRINKING WATER BY 2030 OR POSSIBLY SOONER
The National Water and Sanitation Master Plan warns that South Africa may run out of drinking water by 2030 or possibly sooner if preventive measures are not implemented. Seven out of 13 major water systems are expected to face shortages unless their capacity is increased. The dire situation has prompted experts to caution that “Day Zero,” when taps run dry, may arrive earlier than anticipated. Urgent actions and investments in water management and infrastructure are crucial to avert a severe water crisis.
CRIME DECREASES IN GAUTENG, BUT MURDER REMAINS A CHALLENGE
Crime in Gauteng has decreased by 2.6% between July and September, according to statistics presented by Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela. However, the province remains the highest contributor to crime in the country. While there was an overall decline, murder continues to be a significant challenge, with over 1,600 people murdered during the same period. Law enforcement officials face ongoing efforts to address violent crime and enhance safety in the region.
IEC: VOTERS’ ROLL INCREASES TO 26.8 MILLION
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announced that the voters’ roll now includes 26.8 million voters, reflecting an increase from the previous count of 26.3 million before the registration weekend. Gauteng remains the province with the largest population and the most significant voting bloc, boasting 6.2 million registered voters. Notably, young individuals in the 16-29 age category constitute 78.31% of the 568,374 new voters, emphasizing the success of the Commission’s focus on youth engagement. The IEC pledges to persist in efforts to enhance registration levels among the youth.
ESKOM IMPLEMENTS STAGE 4 LOAD SHEDDING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Eskom has announced the implementation of Stage 4 load shedding until further notice. The decision is attributed to insufficient emergency reserves and generation capacity, with four units not returning to service as planned. Eskom had previously declared Stage 2 load shedding from 9 am to 4 pm, followed by Stage 3 load shedding from 4 pm until 5 am the next day. The power utility stated that this pattern of Stage 2 load shedding in the morning and Stage 3 load shedding in the evening would be repeated daily until further notice.
PAROLE BOARD TO RECONSIDER OSCAR PISTORIUS’ RELEASE
The parole board is scheduled to reconsider whether to grant parole to Oscar Pistorius on Friday. Pistorius, the former athlete, was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day in 2013. Pistorius had claimed that he believed Steenkamp was an intruder. If the parole board approves his release, Pistorius could be back home.
ORLANDO PIRATES SUSPENDS THEMINKOSI LORCH AFTER HE WAS HANDED A SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE AND FINED R100 000 FOR ASSAULTING HIS GIRLFRIEND
Orlando Pirates has suspended Thembinkosi Lorch from all club activities until December 12. This decision comes after Lorch was handed a suspended jail sentence and fined R100,000 for assaulting his girlfriend. The midfielder appeared in court for sentencing and received a three-year direct imprisonment order, suspended for five years with conditions.
PORT DELAYS LEAVE OVER 70,000 CONTAINERS STUCK IN DURBAN
Over 70,000 containers are stuck on ships at the Durban port, facing delays due to equipment breakdowns and adverse weather conditions. The aging infrastructure at the port is struggling to cope, causing significant disruptions. Transnet estimates that it will take seven to 15 weeks to clear the backlog of 63 vessels waiting at anchor off the Port of Durban. The delays have raised concerns and prompted calls for accountability from stakeholders, including the Truckers Association of South Africa.
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH FATAL SHOOTING OF THREE TEENAGERS
A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested following the fatal shooting of three teenagers in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. The incident occurred while the teenagers, aged between 17 and 19 years old, were studying for their final exams on Sunday at around 22:00. Four teenagers were shot, with one currently hospitalized. The motive for the shooting is yet to be established, and the police are investigating the incident as a case of murder (3 counts) and attempted murder.
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