South Africa

The National Treasury has proposed that from April 2022, the special COVID-19 social relief grant be extended by another 12 months.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated R664.3 billion over the next three years to improve the country’s safety and security, and the criminal justice system.

Government will soon launch a new business bounce-back scheme aimed at supporting businesses in distress owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the carbon tax rate will be increased by R10 to R144 effective from 1 January 2022.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will over the next three years spend R42.1 billion to implement its commuter rail recovery plan.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says a draft legislation that proposes partial access to retirement funds, while encouraging a preservation of a bulk of individual retirement savings, will be published by mid-year.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has in his inaugural Budget Speech announced a R2.3 billion allocation for the purchase of more doses and administering of COVID-19 jabs in the 2022/23 financial year.

Social grant recipients will heave sighs of relief at the announcement that allocations will from April mostly increase by above inflation rates.

Deputy President David Mabuza is expected to address the annual opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders at Parliament's Good Hope Chamber on Thursday.

Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, says the department is drafting a women in mining strategy, which is expected to level the playing field between men and women in the industry.

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (also known as the Hawks), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, has welcomed the appointment of the provincial heads of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in the Free State and the Western Cape.

South Africa has recorded 2 334 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 662 032.

The Department of Water and Sanitation has committed to consider all relevant stakeholders’ inputs when developing the National Faecal Sludge Management Strategy.

More needs to be done to strengthen trade and investment between South Africa and Ireland, says the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Alvin Botes.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia de Lille, says a programme aimed at refurbishing Western Cape fishing harbours is expected to be completed as early as next month.