Hundreds of workers on strike and COGTA keeps watch over eThekwini turnaround

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

• Hundreds of Germiston workers on strike: Over 600 workers at the Mister Sweet Factory in Wadeville, Germiston, have been on strike since August 19, demanding a minimum monthly wage of R19,500. Protests continue as the company offers a 7% increase, while workers, mostly from the Simunye Workers Forum, seek the increase plus a R15 hourly raise, saying that the strike will continue until demands are met. [GroundUp]

• COGTA keeps watch over interventions in eThekwini: Velenkosini Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), expressed his satisfaction with the progress of two teams (the Presidential eThekwini Working Group and the section 154 intervention team) working on the eThekwini metro turnaround. President Cyril Ramaphosa established the eThekwini Working Group in February after myriad complaints from members of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. After reviewing their reports and presentations, Hlabisa indicated that further detailed discussions will occur in the next month or two. [Mail & Guardian]

• Probe into flood crisis after Dam collapse: The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is investigating the flood crisis caused by the collapse of Dam-4 in Riverslands, Western Cape, but has conceded no warning signs were present. Independent analyst Jane Eagle questions whether the department fulfilled its oversight role, including evaluating dam safety reports and ensuring audits were conducted. DWS expert Walter Ramokopa admitted that while there were no warnings, all dams must meet legal requirements and that the department planned to release water to manage the situation. [The Citizen]

• Johannesburg to elect new Council speaker: Johannesburg will elect a new council speaker on Wednesday following AIC’s Margret Arnolds’ resignation due to her recent appointment as Finance MMC. ActionSA’s Nobuhle Mthembu is expected to be the new speaker, with the party being instrumental in the reconfiguration of the current executive. [eNCA]

• Markets: The rand weakened on Tuesday ahead of local inflation data as markets awaited clues on both domestic and U.S. interest-rate paths this week. On Wednesday (21 August), the rand was trading at R17.79 to the dollar, R23.15 to the pound, and R19.84 to the euro. Oil is trading at $77.09 a barrel. [Reuters]