Energy

5 important things happening in South Africa today

Staff Writer

 ·30 Mar 2023

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

• Grid collapse warnings: The Institute for Risk Management (IRMSA) says businesses must proactively prepare for a grid collapse. Although the chances of a grid collapse are low, Christopher Palm from IRMSA said that it is now necessary for the SA risk community to develop plans for a total grid collapse. An immediate responsible plan will ensure the safety of employees while detailing how a business could survive a grid collapse. [BusinessDay]

• ANC member raided: The Hawks raid a home and two properties linked to ANC Ekurhuleni treasurer-general Sello Sekhokho, whose companies scored over R100 million in shady contracts from Gauteng hospitals. One company, Kaizen Projects, was red-flagged by Gauteng Health Department whistleblower Babita Deokaran due to a surge in spending out of the embattled Tembais hospital. The Hwaks seized documents, computers and cell phones in the raid. [News24]

• Gauteng cholera: The Department of Health says 10 cases of cholera have been confirmed in South Africa after an additional four infections were recorded. The Department said that the four new positive cholera cases were all linked to baptism ceremonies in Gauteng rivers. A 10-year-old child in Katlehong was diagnosed with the bacterial infection. Although the symptoms of cholera are usually mild to moderate, one person has died due to the infection. [EWN]

• Mangaung chaos: The DA’s Maryke Davies is the new speaker of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality after ANC councillors defied the party line. Despite the ANC having 51 councillors in the council, it is believed that only 40 voted for the ANC candidate Lawrence Mathae. The result is a reflection of the deep divisions within the ANC in the Free State. The party has threatened to subject its councillors to polygraph tests to see who voted against the party line. [News24]

• Markets: South Africa’s rand and stocks rose on Wednesday, as regulations to mitigate the US banking crisis boosted global confidence. Local investors will now turn their focus towards the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) rate decision today, with markets expecting a 25-basis-point increase. On Thursday (30 March), the rand was trading at R18.11/$, R19.64/€, and R22.31/£. Brent crude is trading at $77.95 a barrel. [Nasdaq]