Warning over declining police numbers in South Africa
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has warned that South Africa’s police force is continuing to see a major decline in service numbers, with the country’s security forces not prepared for the possibility of more riots in the country. The country’s largest trade…
SARS closes tax branches as strike action hits
The South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that 18 of its tax branches would not be in operation on Tuesday (12 July) as its staff embark on a wage strike. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused but due to Industrial Action taking place across…
Major border change for South Africa takes effect this week
The newly-formed Border Management Authority (BMA) will be deploying its first cohort of 200 guards to vulnerable border posts this week. Speaking to ENCA, Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the guards will be deployed on 14 July. South Africa’s new border management regulations…
How much kings, queens and other traditional leaders get paid in South Africa right now
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially declared the salaries and allowances of traditional leaders and members of traditional houses. Traditional affairs are interwoven with South Africa’s government. The Department of Traditional Affairs is mandated to oversee issues relating to traditional affairs and support the development of…
SAA was sold for R51 – but it was necessary: minister
South Africa’s minister in charge of embattled state-owned companies gave an impassioned defense of the sale of a majority stake in the national carrier for about $3 (R51) – a deal that’s subject to a lawsuit from one of the spurned bidders. The privatization of…
People queue for hours as one of South Africa’s biggest cities runs out of water
As the water crisis intensifies in Nelson Mandela Bay, people queue for hours to fill containers from Jojo tanks filled by municipal tankers. Dam levels are at 14.7% of combined capacity, but the accessible (usable) water that can be transferred to treatment plants and reservoirs…
Finance minister sends unrest warning to South Africa
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that deteriorating service delivery at the municipal level is likely to lead to more instability and protest action in South Africa. Speaking at an investment conference in the Eastern Cape on Thursday (14 July), Godongwana pointed to the violence…
Eskom may need to borrow another R45 billion
South Africa’s beleaguered power utility may need to raise R45 billion of debt this year to refinance upcoming obligations, purchase diesel and pay inflation-beating salaries to workers, according to S&P Global Ratings. That’s an increase from S&P’s borrowing forecast of R30 billion for Eskom Holdings…
Private security industry threatens to leave schools, shops and properties unguarded in massive strike
The security industry is threatening to strike, leaving private and public infrastructure unguarded if its wage demands are not met. The industry demands that employers offer a R900 (roughly 16%) national monthly wage increase every year over the next three years. Employers have offered a…
New DNA database planned for South Africa
The Department of Police published the proposed Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill for public comment in June, with the deadline set to close on Friday (15 July). The bill’s primary objective is to contribute toward the population of a forensic DNA database provided for…
Government says situation ‘dire’ as Nelson Mandela Bay runs out of water
The Department of Water Sanitation has warned of deteriorating water supplies in and around the Nelson Mandela Bay area, describing the situation as ‘dire’. A severe drought has depleted dams in the southern Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, which includes the coastal city of Gqeberha, with…
These are the biggest challenges facing South Africa right now: Ramaphosa
This is a ‘difficult time’ for South Africa as it faces challenges ranging from an ongoing energy crisis to record high unemployment rates, says Cyril Ramaphosa. Writing in his weekly letter to the public, Ramaphosa said Nelson Mandela Day on Monday (18 July) is an…