Trade department overhaul, and shots fly between NPA and justice ministry

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

• Trade ministry and entities set for major overhaul: Trade Minister Parks Tau plans to overhaul the boards of 11 out of 18 department entities to improve stability and efficiency, despite previously stating no extended board vacancies, except for the National Gambling Board. The department also aims to appoint a permanent director-general and review its organisational structure. [Business Day]

• Shots fly between NPA and justice ministry: Tensions were high at a Parliament justice committee meeting, where it was discussed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) reportedly struggled to access a key database of evidence from the State Capture inquiry. While the justice department and Zondo Commission denied blocking access, mentioning only “technical glitches,” a News24 article had earlier detailed the NPA’s significant difficulties in accessing the data, citing maintenance issues. Despite these claims, the justice department’s director-general asserted that access was available. [Daily Maverick]

• Exempting struggling metros from wage increases ‘less onerous’: A recent update in the municipal salary and wage agreement simplifies the exemption process, aiding 157 financially distressed municipalities in managing staff salary increases up to 2029. Zwe Ndlala, a senior manager at Salga, noted this improvement following the approval of only one exemption request out of 18 since 2020. [Moneyweb]

• Tshwane hunting for R3.2 billion: The City of Tshwane is making faster-than-expected progress in repairing the Rooiwal Wastewater Works in Hammanskraal. However, it is still sitting with an outstanding need for R3.2 billion to enhance its capacity. Urgent repairs are underway at the facility, constructed between 1950 and 1983, which has deteriorated due to prolonged neglect and vandalism, This has had a detrimental health impact on surrounding communities. [News24]

• Markets: The rand gained in early trade on Tuesday, ahead of domestic manufacturing data for July. On Wednesday (11 September), the rand was trading at R17.91 to the dollar, R23.47 to the pound, and R19.72 to the euro. Oil is trading at $69.48 a barrel. [Reuters]