5 important things happening in South Africa today
·27 Mar 2017
Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
- The department of public enterprises is ordering a probe into allegations that acting Eskom CEO, Matshela Koko’s step daughter has benefitted from R1 billion worth of contracts with the power utility. According to reports, Koko’s step daughter Koketso Choma was asked to resign when it was brought to light she was involved with one of the companies dealing with Eskom.
- Try as it might, the ANC simply cannot agree on the land question. At an NEC meeting held this weekend, president Jacob Zuma went after his critics, defending his stance on land redistribution without compensation, saying that those who say it is not ANC policy are wrong. However, government officials insist that it is not policy, but rather an ‘aspirational’ stance.
- Finance minister Pravin Gordhan will continue his battle against the Gupta family this week, as his High Court case seeking an order absolving him from getting involved in the family’s banking issues continues. So far the case as moved on somewhat from that point, with Gordhan and the Guptas submitting back-and-forth affidavits accusing and defending each other of corruption. The case will be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Western Cape Premier Helen Zille will face the DA’s federal executive this week, amid reports that DA leader Mmusi Maimane and the former leader have had private talks, in which Maimane asked Zille to step down as premier for the sake of the party’s image. Zille landed in trouble after posting a series of tweets in which she appeared to defend the legacy of colonialism, saying it was not all negative.
- South Africa’s rand retreated against the dollar on Friday, giving up gains driven by improving appetite for emerging markets assets and a set of local data showing momentum was returning to the domestic economy. On Monday the rand was trading at R12.36 to the dollar, R15.49 to the pound and R13.41 to the euro.
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