5 important things happening in South Africa today
Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
More heads are rolling at Eskom over contract irregularities surrounding business with Trillian, Business Day reports (subscription needed). Eskom’s head of procurement, Edwin Mabelane, and the acting commercial GM, Charles Kalima, were suspended this week – this follows the company’s auditors flagging former acting CEO Matshela Koko and former CEO Brian Molefe for irregularities as well.
The ANC is waging a war with itself, with at least seven MPs – some who support president Zuma and some who oppose him – facing disciplinary action relating to the motion of no confidence. Meanwhile, other MPs, including Faith Muthambi, will also face action for shirking their duty and snubbing a portfolio committee meeting.
Taxi drivers are causing havoc in Pretoria today, engaging in an unplanned and unsanctioned strike in the area, damaging cars and threatening violence against those who approach them. The strikes are considered illegal, and the police have said they will take action, accordingly. According to a pamphlet notice sent out on Tuesday, the strike is over heavy law enforcement.
Following the High Court delivering a scathing judgement against Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s call to change the SARB’s mandate, questions have risen as to her fitness to hold office. Despite the criticism, legal experts do not believe it is enough to have her removed. The office of the Public Protector has not commented on the ruling.
The rand weakened slightly on Tuesday as traders juggled upbeat US economic data with a South African court decision to reject calls to shift the central bank’s policy focus. On Wednesday, the rand was trading at R13.32 to the dollar, R17.13 to the pound and R15.63 to the euro.
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