SARS assassination attempt and government eyes dysfunctional municipalities

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

• SARS Advocate shot three times in attempted assassination: In Durban, police are investigating an attempted assasination of a SARS Advocate, Coreth Naudé, who was critically injured in a shooting by unknown attackers in Umhlanga. The assailants fired at her at a boom gate and escaped in a cloned-plate grey or silver Toyota Corolla. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter condemned the attack, viewing it as an attempt to intimidate court officers, and urged a quick arrest of those involved. [SABC]

• Government eyes intervening in dysfunctional municipalites: In his first speech to Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged a large-scale initiative and major interventions in troubled metros and municipalities. Highlighting the urgency, he said the new government aim to stabilise Metros, singling out eThekwini for its decline. To reverse such trends, he promised national intervention for enhanced support in administration, water, sanitation, and investment attraction, a strategy he plans to replicate in other challenged metropolitan areas to spur growth and opportunities. [SABC]

• VBS liquidators recover R159 million –and are looking for more: The liquidation team for the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank has recovered R159 million, substantially less than the R2 billion taken from the bank. Despite this, they continue to work on recovering assets and aim to make further payments to creditors, providing some hope in the wake of the scandal. [Business Day]

• ANC eyes ousting Tshwane mayor: The Tshwane ANC intends tabling a motion of no confidence against the DA mayor, Cilliers Brink, following what it describes as the deterioration of the state of the city, according to a statement. [The Citizen]

• Markets: The rand was little changed on Thursday, after the South African Reserve Bank decided to keep interest rates on hold. On Friday (19 July), the rand was trading at R18.28 to the dollar, R23.58 to the pound, and R19.88 to the euro. Oil is trading at $84.71 a barrel. [Reuters]