Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TO ANNOUNCE NEW CABINET MEMBERS
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to reveal his new cabinet following his recent inauguration, marking the start of his second term as President of South Africa. With his position secured through a Government of National Unity (GNU) partnership, Ramaphosa faces a delicate balancing act in selecting ministers.
South Africans and political party leaders eagerly await the announcement to see who will be appointed to key roles in the new administration.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION HOLDS STEADY AT 5.2% IN MAY
According to Statistics South Africa, consumer price inflation in South Africa remained constant at 5.2% in May, mirroring the figure from April. The central bank’s decision to keep existing borrowing costs may be influenced by this inflation stability. Inflation on goods and services slightly decreased to 7.1% from 7.2% in April, while there was a rise in transport prices from 5.7% in April to 6.3% in May.
The main cause of this increase was determined to be the rise in fuel prices, with petrol and diesel.
DA SUSPENDS MP RENALDO GOUWS OVER RACIST VIDEO
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has suspended newly sworn-in member of parliament, Renaldo Gouws, following the resurfacing of a video from 2010 in which he made racist remarks. In the video, Gouws, who is white, uses the K-word and calls for the killing of Black South Africans. The video snippet, which reappeared on social media on Wednesday, led to his suspension on Thursday.
The DA has taken this action to address the seriousness of the issue and its commitment to fighting racism.
HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER HAILS SENTENCING OF PAKISTANI NATIONAL FOR PASSPORT FRAUD
Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has welcomed the sentencing of Pakistani national Arfan Ahmed, who was convicted of corruption and bribing Home Affairs officials with R45,000 at the Krugersdorp office. Ahmed was caught in a sting operation by Home Affairs’ Counter Corruption Branch, the Hawks, and Police Crime Intelligence in March 2022. Found with multiple illegal passports, Ahmed received an eight-year sentence for this offense and an additional 10 years for his role as the kingpin in a passport photo swap scheme, totaling 18 years.
Ahmed’s network spanned six provinces, involving corrupt Home Affairs officials who have since been dismissed. Motsoaledi praised the court’s decision, emphasizing the impact of passport fraud on all South Africans, particularly in relation to increased visa requirements for international travel. He urged citizens to report such crimes to authorities to protect the integrity of South African passports.
COURT ORDERS TRANSNET TO PAY SASOL OVER R6BN IN DAMAGES
Following a decision on Tuesday, June 18, the High Court mandated that Transnet pay Sasol Oil over R6 billion in damages, plus interest. Sasol Oil and TotalEnergies filed this lawsuit in 2017 to challenge Transnet’s failure to fairly determine pipeline rates for the transportation of crude oil. Transnet’s overcharging breached a 1991 agreement, leading to protracted legal action.
Different portions of the issue have been decided by various courts, including the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TAKES OATH FOR SECOND TERM
With a solemn oath, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa has officially begun his second term as President of South Africa. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Union Buildings on Wednesday, saw Chief Justice Raymond Zondo administer the Oath of Office. This event marks the commencement of South Africa’s seventh democratic administration.
After taking the oath, President Ramaphosa acknowledged First Lady Dr. Tshepo Motsepe with a peck on the cheek. The ceremony included a congratulatory praise song by award-winning praise singer, Ntombi Ya Mutsonga. President Ramaphosa was re-elected by Parliament on Friday, 14 June 2024.
ESKOM WINS COURT ORDER FOR R3.4 BILLION DEBT PAYMENT FROM CITY OF JOHANNESBURG & CITY POWER
Eskom has secured a court order requiring City Power and the City of Johannesburg to settle their long-standing R3.4 billion debt by Friday. The High Court in Johannesburg ruled in favor of Eskom, ordering the City of Johannesburg to pay over R1 billion, plus interest, for the outstanding electricity account.
The legal battle, which culminated in this significant victory for Eskom, saw the Joburg council counterclaiming that they were incorrectly billed. Eskom has since demanded full payment from the CoJ and City Power by the end of the week.
RAND WATER BEGINS MONTH-LONG MAINTENANCE PROJECT: JOBURG RESIDENTS URGED TO STORE WATER
Joburg residents are advised to store water as Rand Water embarks on a month-long infrastructure maintenance project starting this Saturday and lasting until July 29th. This proactive maintenance aims to preserve the integrity and extend the lifespan of the water infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted supply for the future.
The project begins with the Eikenhof System in Mogale, with minimal expected impact on customers. Rand Water has notified municipal customers to plan and manage storage capacity during the maintenance period, emphasizing the importance of their Asset Management Strategy for efficient and long-term infrastructure management.
IEC CLARIFIES ELECTION RESULTS DASHBOARD UPDATE
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has addressed confusion regarding the update to its results dashboard following last month’s National and Provincial Elections. The IEC clarified that the changes were made to reflect the total number of votes from both the National Assembly ballots and to ensure the “regional strength” of political parties is considered.
“The Electoral Commission notes the conversation and some confusion with the update of the Elections Dashboard last week to reflect the total number of votes from the two National Assembly ballots and final seat allocation (out of 400 seats) for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections,” IEC said.
In the 2024 elections, voters received two ballots for the National Assembly: one National ballot and one Regional ballot, along with a third ballot for the provincial elections. Over 16 million voters cast approximately 31.92 million ballots across nine regional and one national ballot. The IEC explained that the Electoral Act requires both national compensatory (N) ballots and regional (R) ballots to be considered for seat allocation, hence the N + R notation on the dashboard.
PANYAZA LESUFI RE-ELECTED AS GAUTENG PREMIER
Panyaza Lesufi has been re-elected unopposed as the Gauteng Premier for the seventh administration during a Special House Sitting at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in Selborne Hall, Johannesburg. This session marked the first meeting since the recent General Elections. Marakane Mosupyoe, former Arts and Culture MEC, was also elected Speaker of the Legislature without opposition.
Lesufi, accepting the Premiership with “deep humility,” emphasized a unified approach to governance, focusing on making Gauteng attractive for families, investment, and cultural events. He declared a firm stance against crime and lawlessness, committing to enhancing the safety and beauty of communities such as Johannesburg CBD, Alexandra, and Makause informal settlement. Lesufi expressed gratitude to political parties and the Gauteng provincial government, acknowledging the ANC and alliance partners for their support.
VODACOM DISMISSES 631 EMPLOYEES OVER FRAUD
Vodacom terminated the employment of 631 workers and contractors for fraud in the fiscal year ending March 2024. The mobile communications group conducted over 8,000 investigations, uncovering 6,872 external and 1,780 internal fraud cases. As a result, 15 suspects were arrested. The fraud was reported through multiple channels, including customer reports, service providers, online submissions, business referrals, the fraud management system, and external whistleblowing.
Vodacom highlighted these efforts in their annual report released on Friday.
MALEMA CONCLUDES TESTIMONY IN FIREARM DISCHARGE TRIAL
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has finished his testimony at the East London Magistrates Court in his firearm discharge trial. Malema, accused alongside security official Adriaan Snyman, faces charges related to allegedly firing live ammunition on stage at a 2022 rally in Mdantsane.
On Thursday, Malema wrapped up his evidence, with his advocate, Laurance Hodes, confirming that the defence will not call any more witnesses.
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