Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
CONSUMER INFLATION FOR MARCH DROPS TO 5.3%
South Africa’s headline inflation dropped to 5.3% in March, down from 5.6% in February. This marks the end of a two-month upswing, as the rate has remained within the range of 5% to 6% since September 2023. Miscellaneous goods and services saw the largest annual price increase of 8.5%, followed by education (6.3%), health (6%), and housing and utilities (5.9%).
Food inflation reached a three-and-a-half-year low, with food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increasing by 5.1% year-on-year. Meat prices saw a modest annual rise of 0.8%, while sugar, sweets, and desserts faced the most significant increase at 17.8%.
Other notable changes include a 2.0% increase in the transport index, driven mainly by a 5.3% monthly rise in fuel prices. Overall, inflation seems to be stabilizing with these shifts across various sectors.
BUSISIWE MKHWEBANE’S LEGAL ACTION FOR GRATUITY PAYMENT DELAYED
Former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s legal action seeking a gratuity payment of millions of rands has been removed from the urgent court roll and delayed for a future date. The High Court deemed the matter not ready for hearing. Mkhwebane initially approached the court in March, asking it to declare the refusal to pay the gratuity by the Office of the Public Protector and its head, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, unconstitutional. The court has ordered the Public Protector’s office to submit the record and reasons behind its decision before April 19, 2024.
COURT HEARS OF KELLY KHUMALO’S CALLS WITH MURDER-ACCUSED BEFORE SENZO MEYIWA’S DEATH
Back in March, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria recently heard evidence suggesting singer Kelly Khumalo had calls with murder-accused individuals before the killing of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.
Now this week, cell phone data analyst Gideon Gouws presented data showing communication between the accused in the case, including a late-night call between accused Number 5, Fisokuhle Ntuli, and Khumalo. This revelation follows earlier statements from accused two, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, pointing to a potential involvement in the planning of Meyiwa’s murder.
Cellphones recovered from Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi and Fisokuhle Ntuli while in detention reveal that all five men accused of killing former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa were in communication. This evidence surfaced after the court heard that on February 7, 2021, accused two, Ntanzi, was found with a Samsung cellphone while being held at Villieria police station in Pretoria. The data supports the connection between the accused men and suggests a coordinated effort in Meyiwa’s murder.
NOORDGESIG RESIDENTS PROTEST OVER PERSISTENT POWER CUTS
Residents of Noordgesig near Soweto are fed up with ongoing electricity disruptions in their area, which have been occurring for the past week. This morning, residents barricaded the Main Road and Soweto Highway intersection with burning tires, causing traffic disruptions. City Power technicians have made temporary fixes, but residents want a permanent solution.
Ward councillor Brenda Dammie stated the community is tired of the interruptions and the damage to appliances. Metro police were dispatched to restore order, and motorists are advised to take alternative routes due to the protests.
OVER 21 DAYS WITHOUT LOAD SHEDDING
Eskom has achieved a significant milestone by going 21 days without load shedding, the longest uninterrupted period since June 2022. The power utility attributes this success to sustained generation capacity, adequate emergency reserves, and reduced electricity demand. Despite this progress, Eskom remains committed to its Generation Operational Recovery Plan to completely eliminate rotational power outages.
As of Wednesday, around 14,264MW of power stations experienced unplanned outages, while 5,370MW were unavailable due to maintenance. Eskom thanked South Africans for their efforts in conserving electricity and continues to work diligently to restore additional generating capacity.
IEC PREPARES TO PRINT BALLOT PAPERS FOR 2024 NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS
The Electoral Commission (IEC) is set to begin printing ballot papers for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE2024) now that the list of candidates has been finalized. IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo explained that the 27.79 million registered voters will receive three ballots: one for the National Assembly and two for the Provincial Legislatures.
The recent amendment to the Electoral Act allows independent candidates to contest in regional National Assembly elections and Provincial Legislatures. Voters will receive a national and regional ballot for the National Assembly, and a single provincial ballot for provincial elections.
STER-KINEKOR TO CUT JOBS AND CLOSE A NUMBER OF CINEMAS
South Africa’s cinema business, Ster-Kinekor is set to lay off 236 employees and shut down at least nine cinemas due to fewer people going to cinemas, as per IOL report.
The company currently employs 728 people. This move comes as a response to declining cinema attendance and ongoing operational challenges. One can see how the landscape of streaming services like Showmax, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and others has grown in the South African market, and this opportunity has a big impact on the cinema business.
UNISA PROBES 1,400 STUDENT CASES OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
The University of South Africa (Unisa) is investigating over 1,400 cases of academic dishonesty among students. There have been complaints about cheating linked to glitches in an online invigilator app. Unisa’s Vice Principal for Institutional Development, Ramagoai Magano, stated that cases connected to the app have been resolved, with students receiving warning letters for minor infractions.
The university is now addressing remaining cases, mainly involving postgraduate students, for issues like plagiarism and failure to adhere to the “Turnitin” software that checks for copied material. Formal hearings began on March 25.
POST OFFICE RETRENCHMENTS IMPACT 4,000 WORKERS NATIONWIDE
The South African Post Office retrenchments have affected 300 workers in Limpopo, part of a nationwide reduction of over 4,000 workers. The retrenchments impact drivers, tellers, and postmen. Walter Pheedi, who worked for 13 years, has yet to receive his retrenchment package and faces difficulty providing for his family. He expressed distress over the process, fearing the emotional toll it may take on affected workers.
BACKLASH OVER GOVERNMENT’S HIRING OF CUBAN DOCTORS AMID LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT
The South African government faces criticism for hiring Cuban doctors while many local doctors remain unemployed. Reports indicate that the Gauteng Department of Health allocates R14.3 million annually to employ 11 Cuban doctors in public hospitals under an agreement between South Africa and Cuba. The Cuban doctors earn between R1 million to R1.6 million annually and work in health facilities across the province. This has sparked public outcry, with the DA’s Jack Bloom questioning the decision, pointing out the irony of spending money to train local doctors while many remain jobless.
POLICE INVESTIGATE MASS SHOOTING IN KHAYELITSHA
Police are investigating a mass shooting in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, that left five people dead. The victims include four men and one woman. Provincial police spokesperson Andrè Traut stated that the incident might be related to a previous early morning shooting in the same area, which resulted in one fatality. The identities of the victims are yet to be confirmed as police continue their investigation.
WOOLWORTHS REMOVES PLASTIC BAGS FROM STORES
Retailer Woolworths is taking steps to phase out plastic bags from its stores. This initiative aligns with the company’s efforts to eliminate plastic bags since 2018, transitioning to reusable shopping bags instead. The latest move will initially impact 12 stores across the Western Cape and Gauteng. Woolworths has also removed most single-use plastics, including plastic cutlery, straws, and earbuds, to further its commitment to sustainability.
MURDERERS OF COLLINS CHABANE MAYOR SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Five men were sentenced to life in prison by the Limpopo High Court for the murder of Collins Chabane Municipality Mayor Moses Maluleke. The court also sentenced Shumani Nemadodzi, Avhatakali Isaac Mudau, Wiseman Baloyi, Tshianeo Munyai, and Pfunzo Lidzebe for conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Premier Stanley Chupu Mathabatha praised the ruling, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for victims of violent crimes. Maluleke’s untimely death was a loss to the community and the province.
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