Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week!
This week in South Africa, repo rate remains at 8.25%. Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is urging broadcasters to resolve their dispute over sublicensing rights to ensure public access to Springbok rugby matches. The University of Johannesburg expelled 50 students for misconduct, including the use of fake sick notes and plagiarism.
Meanwhile, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) issued R10 billion in refunds to over 1.6 million taxpayers who were auto-assessed before this year’s Tax Season, demonstrating significant improvements in tax compliance and fraud detection.
Here are the top stories of the week:
SARB KEEPS REPO RATE AT 8.25%
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has maintained the repo rate at 8.25%.
Despite consumer prices at 5.2%, inflation remains above the mid-point target of 4.5%.
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago highlighted disappointing economic performance in the first half of the year, with the economy contracting by 0.1% in the first quarter.
GOVERNMENT STEPS IN TO RESOLVE SPORTS BROADCASTING RIGHTS DISPUTE
Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is urging Multichoice, eMedia, and the SABC to resolve their conflict over sublicensing broadcast rights for sporting events, which has prevented many South Africans from watching the Springbok rugby team.
On Tuesday evening, McKenzie and Telecommunications Minister Solly Malatsi held initial meetings with SABC and eMedia representatives to address the issue.
The dispute arose when SuperSport sublicensed broadcast rights to the SABC, but the games were barred from airing on SABC channels available via eMedia’s Openview service. eMedia claims it should have access to these broadcasts, while the South African Rugby Union (Saru) supports SABC’s decision. McKenzie emphasizes the need for a solution to ensure all South Africans can enjoy major sporting events.
UJ EXPELS 50 STUDENTS OVER FAKE SICK NOTES AND EXAM CHEATING
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently expelled 50 students for up to two years due to various forms of misconduct.
Half of these students were found guilty of using fake sick notes, while the other half faced expulsion for plagiarism, false matric results, and unauthorized notes. UJ’s Registrar, Professor Bettine van Vuuren, emphasized the institution’s commitment to academic integrity and ethical standards.
Van Vuuren encouraged honesty, advising students to communicate with lecturers if they face challenges, rather than resorting to fraudulent means. UJ remains steadfast in its mission to maintain a fair academic environment and uphold the integrity of South Africa’s educational system.
GAUTENG EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RETRACTS MONKEYPOX STATEMENT
The Gauteng Department of Education has retracted its earlier statement confirming the first case of Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) at Iketleng Primary School in Hammanskraal.
Initially, the department reported that a Grade 1 girl pupil had been diagnosed with Mpox on Monday. However, the department issued a retraction, stating that the suspected case must first be verified by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Department of Health (DoH).
They acknowledged acting prematurely based on initial school correspondence and apologized for any confusion caused. Official confirmation of cases, the department noted, should come from the NICD and DoH after thorough testing and verification.
PETROL PRICE DROP ON THE CARDS FOR AUGUST
The Automobile Association predicts a modest adjustment in fuel prices for August, following significant decreases in previous months attributed to a stronger rand and lower oil prices.
Current unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund suggests a decrease of less than 10 cents per litre for petrol and diesel, while paraffin prices are expected to see a slight increase.
The AA forecasts a reduction of approximately 0.04 to 0.07 cents per litre for both grades of petrol, with diesel likely to decrease by about 0.01 cents per litre. These projections are subject to change as the month progresses, reflecting fluctuations in global oil markets and currency exchange rates.
SARS PAYS OUT R10 BILLION IN TAX REFUNDS
The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has issued approximately R10 billion in refunds to over 1.6 million taxpayers who were auto-assessed before this year’s Tax Season.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter shared this update during a media briefing on Tuesday.
In the first two weeks of July, around five million taxpayers were auto-assessed. Kieswetter highlighted that each assessment outcome was reviewed using SARS’s compliance risk and tax fraud detection capabilities, thanks to significant investments in expanding third-party data usage over the past few years.
RENTAL DEMAND SURGES IN CAPE TOWN’S NORTHERN SUBURBS
Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs are facing a rental market squeeze as demand for properties in Durbanville, Bellville, and Brackenfell skyrockets.
Rowan Alexander, MD of Alexander Swart Property group, notes that the shortage of rental stock has led to a fiercely competitive market, with properties being snapped up within days of listing. Prospective tenants are even offering above the asking price to secure homes.
The demand has spurred new developments, especially in Durbanville. At Wheatfields Estate in Groot Phesantekraal, landlords saw rental returns of 8.2% in year one and 9.1% in the second year, with property values appreciating by around 8.5% annually.
PSL IN TALKS TO REPLACE DSTV AS TITLE SPONSOR: REPORTS SUGGEST THAT BETWAY WILL TAKE OVER
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is in advanced talks to replace DStv as its title sponsor, according to SABC Sport.
This news comes despite DStv having a year left on their deal, which started in September 2020 after taking over from ABSA.
DStv, facing significant annual costs for the partnership, is reportedly considering the financial implications. Compounding the uncertainty is the potential change in ownership, with Vivendi, owner of Canal+, making a bid for MultiChoice, DStv’s parent company.
Reports suggest that Betway is emerging as a frontrunner to replace DStv as the Premiership’s headline sponsor for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Previously, DStv stepped in after ABSA ended their sponsorship dating back to 2007, which had generated around R137 million annually for the PSL.
KNORR RECALLS BROWN ONION GRAVY SACHETS
Knorr is recalling its brown onion gravy sachets after discovering that some packets may contain traces of cow’s milk and soy.
Unilever identified that a small batch of Knorr brown onion gravy mistakenly included ingredients from the Knorr professional brown sauce base, leading to undeclared allergens.
As a result, the affected stock contains cow’s milk and soy, which are not listed on the packaging, according to a report by IOL.
SA’S KGOTHATSO MONTJANE BRINGS HOME WIMBLEDON TROPHY
South African wheelchair tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane and her partner, Yui Kamiji, triumphed in the Wimbledon Women’s Wheelchair Doubles final.
This victory marks their third Grand Slam title together, achieved on three different surfaces. On Sunday, the top-seeded pair defeated the Dutch duo of Diede De Groot and Jiske Griffioen with a score of 6-4, 6-4, to secure the prestigious Wimbledon title in London, UK.
Montjane was warmly welcomed in the country when she landed at at OR Tambo International Airport, on Monday morning.
SALMAAN MOERAT TO CAPTAIN SPRINGBOKS AGAINST PORTUGAL
Salmaan Moerat, the talented lock from the Stormers, will captain the Springboks for the first time this Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 23-player squad for this weekend’s third match of the Castle Lager Incoming Series. The match will take place on 20 July 2024 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Erasmus has reduced the squad from 41 to 25 players to provide rest for several players before the start of the Rugby Championship.
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