South Africa

A total of 6 163 people were killed in South Africa between July and September 2021, Police Minister Bheki Cele says.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Board of Control has placed its Group CEO Zolani Matthews on precautionary suspension to investigate an alleged sensitive matter of security breach and other contractual obligations associated with his employment contract.

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has flagged an increasing “volatility” in the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in wastewater samples in recent weeks.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo has called for enhanced collaborative efforts towards water sustainability across the globe.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has committed the province to continue to support new developments that help reduce the carbon footprint, while simultaneously ensuring that people are adequately skilled to be at the forefront of the new green industries.

Eskom Chief Executive Andre de Ruyter says the country could have been plunged into Stage 6 load shedding or worse had alleged saboteurs succeeded in an apparent plan to shut down some of the units at the Lethabo Power Station.

The Department of Employment and Labour in the Northern Cape is set to conduct an integrated blitz inspection focusing on the agricultural sector from 22 November 2021 to 3 December 2021 in ZF Mgcawu District Municipality in Upington.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has welcomed the announcement that the Teenage Pregnancy Policy will be implemented from January 2022.

Deputy President David Mabuza says talks are underway to determine if Eskom will be moved to fall under the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy for better alignment and oversight.

Government’s localisation strategy is bearing fruit, and by the end of October, the Rural and Township Entrepreneurship Programme that was approved by Cabinet eight months ago had resulted in 289 products – manufactured by 45 small business – being placed on the shelves of major retailers and wholesalers.

South Africa now has 328 771 children who are vaccinated after 8 310 first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered in the past 24 hours.

Deputy President David Mabuza said while government is not in possession of any empirical evidence linking low voter turnout in the recent local government elections to service delivery, he said leaders must listen and respond to issues raised by the people.

Deputy President David Mabuza says the July civil unrests, which saw violence and looting break out in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, are an indication that leaders across the political divide should work together to roll-out anti-poverty programmes and promote social cohesion.

In a room filled with jubilation and a spirit of humility, the recipients of the National Orders were bestowed with the Order of the Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

For the first time in almost three years, the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the repo by 25 basis points.