South Africa

The financial year 2020/21 saw little improvement in the performance of the country’s local government sphere, says Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke.

Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, has urged communities and landowners to remain vigilant and protect themselves and their properties from potential devastation of wildfires with extremely chilly weather conditions expected from Wednesday.

The National Director for Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, says the time for corruption and impunity in municipalities is “no longer a given or a reality”, with many notable cases to be enrolled against alleged corrupt officials and their corruptors.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has advised the public to approach the department’s dam safety office for guidance on application requirements for licences to construct new dams, and to alter or enlarge a dam.

Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, has called upon South Africans to respect, defend and uphold the dignity, integrity and safety of older persons.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called on young and black academics to partake in the department’s research support provided to South African public universities.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the visit by the World Health Organisation (WHO) technical team on traditional medicines to South Africa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 1 for AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Sigcau.

South Africa has recorded 710 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 979 836.

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has hailed Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) for the “significant progress” made in repairs to its Durban Rail and Ports following the heavy rains and flooding in that area in April.

While South Africa is seen as a reference point for development from which other African States can learn, the country itself has few areas of concern that it needs to address.

Young South African entrepreneurs eager to export their products and services have been encouraged to take up the various avenues of business support available to them from government agencies as well as the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has recommended for government to explore a possible ‘Disaster Fund’ managed by an independent multi-sectoral body/structure, with strong participation from civil society as well as business.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) says it has recorded a total of 701 227 calls on the Case Management System (CMS) of the National Anti-Corruption Hotline (NACH) for alleged corruption as at 31 March 2022.

Government has allocated R22 billion for the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria) in the current financial year to assist the insurer in settling claims and guaranteeing that it has adequate capital to fulfil regulatory requirements.