South Africa

Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa has not considered suspending its diplomatic relations with Israel amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Pretoria – A Professional Council for Corrections is expected to professionalise the public service and improve the quality of service delivery.

Pretoria – The Matlosana Local Municipality administrator, Paul Serote, has been asked to fast track the municipality’s action plan, and to submit an audit report to the council soon.

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has called on all government departments, public entities and enterprises to establish indigenous language units for the public to obtain information in the language of their choice.

Johannesburg – The month-long consultation process to probe the socio-economic impact of the e-tolling system on Gauteng residents has kicked off in Midrand with robust presentations from organised labour.

Pretoria - The City of Ekurhuleni has urged Kempton Park residents to help police find the people responsible of vandalising street light poles.

Pretoria – The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has called on artists at schools and universities to enter its second annual Chekicoast Road Safety Art Competition.

Cape Town – Government says it is ready to regulate and monitor companies that have expressed an interest in exploring shale gas in the country.

Pretoria - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu says mayors and councillors should be at the forefront of the fight against water leakages.

Pretoria - The Department of Arts and Culture will launch a Venture Capital Fund to invest in the growth of artists.

Pretoria – A Gauteng-wide Ward Councillors’ Conference is expected to produce possible solutions to the increased number of violent service delivery protests by residents in the province.

Pretoria – The North West and Limpopo are joining forces to construct and refurbish roads that link the provinces.

Pretoria – The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has distributed cheques to the value of R4 million to three women-owned charity organisations.

Pretoria - The South African Police Service (SAPS) is offering a R100 000 reward for information that will help solve the murder of 60-year-old Elina Mphaphuli.

Pretoria - The South African humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, is en route to Gaza with 16 tons of emergency medical supplies valued at R15 million.