South Africa tries to patch up US relations and KZN wildfire death toll rises

Here’s what is happening and affecting South Africa today:

• Delegation to lobby against review of US relations: South Africa plans to dispatch a high-level delegation to the United States within two weeks to lobby against potential legislation for reviewing US-SA relations, prompted by the country’s close ties with China and Russia. This includes key figures like Minister Parks Tau following a bill passed by the US House of Representatives demanding a comprehensive review of the bilateral relations, which awaits approval from the Senate and the President to become law. [Business Day]

• KZN wildfire death toll rises: The death toll from the Boston fire in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has risen to six, with three volunteer firefighters perishing at the scene and another three in hospital. This incident raises the total number of fatalities from wildfires in the region over the last week to 13. Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the Provincial MEC for Co-operative Governance, has called for the declaration of disaster areas in the affected regions. [SABC]

• Master’s Office corruption ‘worse than anyone thought’: In an interview with News24, Justice Department director-general Doctor Mashabane says corruption at the Master’s Office – the custodian of liquidations and the administration of the Guardian’s Fund, among other things – is “worse than anyone thought.” Mashabane highlighted attempts by external role-players to influence the reinstatement of suspended officials. [News24]

• Tshwane managers sued for R160 million over failed tender: Five Tshwane Metropolitan Council managers are being sued by their employer for a mishandled tender in 2018 that caused several million in unauthorized expenses. Additionally, the council’s R60 million expenditure on a planned but cancelled 2014 music festival, aimed at boosting the city’s economy under then-mayor (now Minister of Energy and Electricity) Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is under investigation. Following a 2017 KPMG audit, actions are being taken against the involved parties. [Moneyweb]

• Markets: The rand extended its gains on Friday as surprisingly soft U.S. inflation data spurred bets the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September. On Monday (15 July), the rand was trading at R17.99 to the dollar, R23.36 to the pound, and R19.64 to the euro. Oil is trading at $85.16 a barrel. [Reuters]