Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
TWO MORE ARRESTS IN DITEBOGO PHALANE JUNIOR MURDER CASE
The Hawks’ Pretoria-based team, with the Arcadia Crime Prevention Unit and Tshwane District Crime Intelligence, have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the murder of five-year-old Ditebogo Phalane Junior. Ditebogo was tragically killed during the hijacking of his father’s car in Soshanguve, Tshwane.
The suspects, aged 29 and 30, were apprehended on Monday in Soshanguve and Atteridgeville, where two unlicensed firearms were recovered. One of these firearms is believed to be the murder weapon. This brings the total number of suspects arrested in this case to four.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION SLOWS TO 5.2% IN APRIL
Inflation in South Africa eased slightly to 5.2% in April, down from 5.3% in March and 5.6% in February, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). General food inflation decreased, except for fresh produce and hot beverages. Vegetables saw a 7.4% price increase over 12 months, and fruit inflation rose to 4.5%, driven by higher banana and apple prices. Hot beverage inflation slightly increased to 11.4%. Bread and cereal inflation slowed for the 12th consecutive month, with white bread prices dropping to R18.43 from R19.07 a year ago. However, rice prices surged, with annual inflation hitting 26.4%, the highest since May 2009.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO SIGN ANTI-GBV AND ANTI-CORRUPTION BILLS INTO LAW
President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill and the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill into law at the Union Buildings on Friday. The Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill aims to ensure the safety of women through a dedicated council providing strategic leadership to combat violence and femicide.
The National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill establishes the Investigative Directorate against Corruption, prioritizing serious, high-profile, and complex corruption cases. These legislative moves are pivotal steps in addressing critical social issues in South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICANS TO RECEIVE THREE BALLOTS IN UPCOMING ELECTION
On May 29, nearly 28 millions South Africans heading to the polls for the General Election will receive three ballot papers instead of the usual two. This change marks a significant shift in the voting process. The three ballots are the National Compensatory ballot, the National Regional ballot, and the Provincial Legislature ballot. This new system aims to provide a more comprehensive representation of voter preferences at both national and provincial levels.
IEC PREPARES 90 MILLION BALLOTS FOR MAY ELECTIONS
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has printed 90 million ballots for the general elections on May 29. A total of 5,600,800 votes were cast at 111 foreign missions last weekend. Over 5,000 observers will oversee and validate the election’s integrity. IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo announced that to prevent ballot tampering, votes will be counted at the voting stations instead of a central counting center.
Party agents and observers will sign off on the results slips, which will then be transported to the local IEC office. The National Results Operations Centre in Midrand has been launched for this purpose.
NEW AUTOMOTIVE PLANT TO BOOST SOUTH AFRICA’S ECONOMY
The foundation for South Africa’s newest automotive manufacturing site has been set at the Coega Special Economic Zone in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. Stellantis, the third-largest global automotive manufacturer by volume, and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have reached key milestones towards a joint venture.
This R3 billion investment is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the region. Site preparation has begun, with production set to start by the end of 2025. Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel emphasized the strategic importance of this investment in bolstering South Africa’s automotive industry.
PIKITUP CASUAL WORKERS STRIKE FOR PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT
Pikitup casual workers, who have been striking since last week, claim they have been cleaning Johannesburg streets for as little as R120 a day. The strike, involving hundreds of workers, has halted waste collection in the city. Workers allege unfair human resources practices within Pikitup and have blocked depot entrances, preventing waste trucks from operating.
Pikitup casual workers demand answers on unfilled permanent positions.
CITY OF JOBURG ANNOUNCES R83.1 BILLION BUDGET TO FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
The City of Johannesburg has unveiled its budget of R83.1 billion for the upcoming 2024-2025 financial year, emphasizing infrastructure development and service delivery. Presented by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Dada Morero, the budget prioritizes addressing energy and crime challenges while accelerating essential service delivery.
Notably, R46 billion is allocated to the Sustainable Services Cluster for housing infrastructure and City Power initiatives. The health department sees a 4.8% increase in its operating budget, amounting to R1.5 billion, underlining the city’s commitment to inclusive development and addressing current deficiencies.
PETROL PRICES SET TO DROP IN JUNE
Motorists can anticipate a substantial reduction in fuel costs this June, as reported by the Central Energy Fund. Current data indicates petrol prices may decrease by 84-85 cents per litre, with diesel prices dropping by 86-90 cents per litre. This price cut is attributed to a stronger rand and a decrease in global oil prices compared to April, leading to an over-recovery in fuel costs. This relief at the pump is expected to benefit consumers and alleviate some financial pressure.
42% OF SOUTH AFRICAN HOUSEHOLDS HEADED BY WOMEN, STATS SA REVEALS
In 2023, 42.3% of South African households were headed by women, with rural areas showing a higher prevalence at 47.6%. The Eastern Cape leads with 48.8%, followed by Limpopo at 47.0%. Conversely, Gauteng has the lowest percentage of female-headed households at 36.5%.
This data, from Stats SA’s general household survey, highlights ongoing gender disparities, including a persistent gender pay gap. The survey tracks developmental progress and identifies service delivery gaps, emphasizing the need for continued efforts toward gender equality, especially in rural regions.
The General Household Survey 2023 by Statistics South Africa shows that a typical household consists of approximately 3.2 members. Notably, 26.5% of households are single-member, while the majority (87%) have four to five members or fewer. Only 13% of households have six or more members, highlighting the diverse cultural, economic, and social influences shaping the nation’s households today.
QATAR AIRWAYS TO INVEST IN TWO AFRICAN AIRLINES
Qatar Airways CEO, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, revealed plans to acquire a 49% stake in Rwanda’s national carrier, RwandAir, alongside an undisclosed Southern African airline. The investment, culminating after years of negotiation, marks the airline’s strategic move into the African market.
Al Meer announced the near-finalization of the Southern African deal during a panel discussion at the Qatar Economic Forum. This initiative follows Qatar Airways’ commitment of US$1.3 billion towards the Bugesera International Airport construction in Rwanda, slated for completion by 2026, with an anticipated capacity of 14 million passengers by 2032. Qatar Airways remains wholly owned by the Qatari government.
Share your thoughts on this article and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
