Mexican cartel hits South Africa, and calls for big NPA shake-up
·18 Nov 2024
Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
- Notorious cartels hitting SA streets: Mexican drug cartels are blamed for driving the fentanyl overdose crisis in the US, and Daily Maverick has reported that their names are emerging in numerous South African cases. Evidence indicates that two infamous Mexican cartels – Sinaloa and Jalisco – are among the international drug trafficking groups operating in South Africa that are involved in an array of crimes, including cocaine trafficking and the production of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl. [Daily Maverick]
- Calls for independent NPA: The state capture commission’s lead lawyer, Advocate Paul Pretorius, has called for greater independence and increased funding for the NPA to tackle corruption across sectors like local government and law enforcement. He stressed the need for strong, independent agencies to address the widespread corruption uncovered by the commission, which concluded in 2022. [BusinessDay]
- Public hearings on tariff hikes kick-off: The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will kick off its public hearings in Cape Town today before heading to other provinces. Eskom has applied to Nersa for a 36% electricity tariff hike from April of 2025, but residents have expressed anger and frustration over Eskom’s application. [SABC]
- Dodgy water tenders probed: Millions of rand were spent on a water project in Matatiele’s Ward 5, Eastern Cape, but while promises abound, the taps remain dry. The project is now under investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamation to probe seven pricy water projects in the water-scarce Alfred Nzo District Municipality. [News24]
- Markets: The South African rand gained over the weekend as the U.S. dollar slipped, but analysts said pressure could soon build again as bets on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies remain a key market driver. On Monday (18 November), the rand was trading at R18.14 to the dollar, R22.98 to the pound, and R19.12 to the euro. Oil is trading at $71.35 a barrel. [Reuters]
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