South Africa

Pretoria - Abused women and children now have one more place to turn to, with the Tshwane One Stop Safe House officially opening its doors to those in need today.

Cape Town - Government has set aside over R8 billion from the Health Department's budget of R113 billion towards boosting hospital facilities that will see the phasing in of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHI).

Cape Town - Banks could be in for a tougher time when it comes to the fees they charge businesses and individuals, with the National Treasury's proposal to broaden the mandate of the Financial Services Board (FSB) to include regulation of market conduct by banks.

Cape Town - Government will continue to assist the Reserve Bank to accumulate foreign exchange reserves and engage in foreign currency swaps to moderate the effect of capital inflows on the exchange rate, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan revealed today.

Mbombela - Mpumalanga's MEC of Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, wants a task team to investigate the recent rape of an 11-year-old girl who was walking to school.

Johannesburg - Transnet is to commission the first of its multibillion rand fuel pipelines and is ready to operate some of its inland pipelines in the greater Gauteng area.

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced increases in excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.

Cape Town - Those who rake in gambling winnings of over R25 000, including payouts from the National Lottery, will from next year have to pay a 15 percent withholding tax, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan announced in his Budget Speech on Wednesday.

Pretoria - It's just a pity that you cannot satisfy everyone, but for me the government is doing more than enough to take care of us. These were the words of an elated young mother, Lindiwe Makua, 22, from Mamelodi after hearing the news that the child support grant will be increased in April.

Pretoria - Director General in the Department of Public Works, Siviwe Dongwana, has been placed on three months suspension, the ministry has announced.

Cape Town - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's Budget Speech was widely welcomed on Wednesday with organised business and youth formations lauding the commitment made towards skills development and employment creation for young people.

Pretoria - With the increases in vehicle, petrol and road tax announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan earlier today, accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton says it is a relief that Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has suspended the tariffs gazetted for the tolling of Gauteng's freeways.

Pretoria - The National Association of People Living with HIV and Aids (NAPWA) has welcomed government's budget allocation towards boosting hospital facilities that will see the phasing in of the National Health Insurance (NHI).

Pretoria - Political parties have broadly supported Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's Budget Speech, especially the focus on economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.

Pretoria - The Department of Mineral Resources has warned of a syndicate that is fraudulently ordering goods and services under the pretence that it is for the department.