South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has decided on a below inflation increase of 4.4% for political office bearers nationally and provincially for the 2015/16 financial year.

Pretoria – The North West University Mafikeng Campus has been closed indefinitely following widespread fire damage to buildings on the campus.

Pretoria - The 2016 National Budget was tabled under a difficult global economic environment, with South Africa experiencing low economic growth, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Thursday.

Cape Town – Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says this year’s budget has affirmed that South Africa has taken a tougher stance on its fiscal consolidation, which should go a long way in restoring confidence.

Pretoria - South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to come in at 0.9 % in 2016, reflecting the impact of the current drought and depressed global conditions.

Pretoria – Efforts are being stepped up to alleviate electricity supply constraints, with government preparing to expand the Independent Power Producer (IPP) initiative, said National Treasury.

Pretoria - Government has set aside R16.3 billion towards higher education, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Wednesday.

Pretoria - Government and state-owned companies (SOCs) is set to spend R865.4 billion on public sector infrastructure, over the course of the next three years.

Pretoria - Government is looking at the possibility of merging national carrier South African Airways (SAA) with SA Express, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Wednesday.

Pretoria - Cabinet has approved the gazetting of eight Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZ) and five Power Corridors, which will assist South Africa with its electricity challenges.

Pretoria - Government has allocated R1.1 billion towards drought relief, according to National Treasury.

Cape Town – Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has introduced a Bill that seeks to give effect to the postponement of the annuitisation requirement for provident fund members.

Cape Town – Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has proposed a new tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, as government increases its efforts to tackle obesity.

Cape Town – With tax revenue collection projected to be lower than initially anticipated, National Treasury has proposed numerous changes to the tax regime with the aim of reducing the budget deficit.

Cape Town – Government has allocated R4.5 billion for the National Health Insurance (NHI) over the next three years.