Ramaphosa dodges corruption charges, and lottery trouble
·11 Oct 2024
Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
- Ramaphosa skirts corruption charges: President Cyril Ramaphosa will not face corruption or money laundering charges in the Phala Phala saga after the Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions declined to prosecute. Ramaphosa and Wally Rhoode, his former head of security, were accused of covering up a 2020 burglary at the president’s game farm, where $500,000 in undeclared game proceeds was stolen. [EWN]
- No Luck for the Lottery: Parks Tau, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, has firmly stated that he will not be rushed into making hasty decisions. This stance comes despite mounting pressure to dissolve the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) board and dismiss its commissioner. [Moneyweb]
- Tensions rise between Gcaleka and Mkhwebane: During a parliamentary session on 10 October 2024, which focused on the Office of the Public Protector’s annual report, tensions flared between Gcaleka and her impeached predecessor, Mkhwebane. The meeting quickly escalated into a shouting match after Gcaleka stated that Mkhwebane had been “conflicted.” This culminated in accusations that Mkhwebane’s husband had allegedly threatened Gcaleka. [Daily Maverick]
- Taxi crash kills at least eight: Eight people tragically lost their lives in a devastating crash in KwaZulu-Natal, while one person remains in critical condition. According to IPSS Medical Rescue, the accident occurred on the N2 near Mandeni in northern KZN and involved a collision between a truck and a taxi that was transporting school children. [eNCA]
- Markets: The South African rand firmed against the dollar on Thursday after data showed a slight decline in U.S. inflation in September, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to cut interest rates again next month. On Friday (11 October), the rand was trading at R17.50 to the dollar, R22.83 to the pound, and R19.13 to the euro. Oil is trading at $79.18 a barrel. [Reuters]