South Africa

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says amid a difficult period for the fiscus, the department will focus on revitalising the health sector with the resources that are available.

The Basic Education Department (DBE) has suspended with immediate effect the serving of canned pilchards as part of the national school nutrition menu across all schools in the country.

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, has welcomed the swift arrest of 12 suspects linked to a cash-in-transit robbery in Tlhabane, North West, on Wednesday morning.

Eskom says there is no load shedding expected today, but the possibility remains.

National Treasury has availed an additional R2.4 billion for utilisation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Hawks, as the government intensifies its war against crime and corruption.

Social grants will in the next financial year increase by between 4 and 4.7%, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has announced.

Government expenditure on learning will in three years reach R434.2 billion, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has revealed.

National Treasury will over the next three years allocate an additional R15 million for the establishment of a National Council to combat gender-based violence and femicide.

The National Treasury has unveiled plans aimed at curbing soaring medical malpractice claims and litigation hovering at R100 billion.

Cost pressures on government coffers has seen housing and transport expenditure become the biggest casualties in budget cuts, as the State shifts allocations to new and urgent priorities.

Smokers and drinkers will from Wednesday have to dig deeper into their pockets for cigarettes and alcohol.

Government is ready to establish a state bank, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said on Wednesday.

Government will over the next three years attempt to reduce the public sector wage bill by R160 billion, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said on Wednesday.

Tabling a very difficult budget, accompanied by a revenue shortfall amid low growth, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said government needed to implement reforms and clean house to set the country on a path of recovery.

Government has set aside R16.4 billion to repay guaranteed debt for the struggling airline SAA, the National Treasury said on Wednesday.