State capture issues with China and airport delays hit Durban

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

• China and South Africa state capture fight continues: The Chinese ambassador to South Africa indicated that the Chinese government could only consider intervening in the dispute between South Africa and their state-owned China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) if it was not already subject to legal proceedings. The conflict began when CRRC ceased supplying spare parts to Transnet after the SARB froze its bank accounts, and SARS took legal action due to bribes paid during state capture and claiming it owed over R4 billion. Consequently, a large number of Transnet’s locomotives became inoperable. [News24]

• King Shaka Airport delays: Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) reported delays at King Shaka International Airport due to issues with a new biometric system. The problems arise from implementing the Biometric Movement Control System, which was introduced to improve immigration processes. Both Acsa and the Border Management Agency (BMA) said that they are working to address the challenges and apologising for the inconvenience but have not specified when the system will be fully functional. [Daily Maverick]

• Africa Energy upbeat about South Africa gas finds: TotalEnergies and other partners withdrew from two major gas discoveries off Mossel Bay, leaving Africa Energy Corp as the only stakeholder. Despite being in a similar situation before in southern African waters, the company, bolstered by its stakeholder Impact Oil and Gas, remains optimistic. [News24]

• 90 suspected trafficking victims rescued: Ninety undocumented individuals from Ethiopia have been rescued in Sunningdale Ridge, Johannesburg. They were discovered by the police, locked and crammed into small rooms. The rescued individuals have been provided medical care at a hospital. Two individuals suspected of human trafficking have been apprehended and are expected to be charged with kidnapping and human trafficking offences. [eNCA]

• Markets: The rand firmed on ahead of the weekend as U.S. economic data showed a slowdown in jobs growth in July and a rise in the unemployment rate, boosting bets of a September rate cut in the world’s biggest economy and pressuring the dollar. On Monday (5 August), the rand was trading at R18.38 to the dollar, R23.42 to the pound, and R19.96 to the euro. Oil is trading at $76.78 a barrel. [Reuters]