5 important things happening in South Africa today
·9 Oct 2017
- The High Court is expected to rule today whether India’s Bank of Baroda can close the accounts of 20 companies belonging to the controversial Gupta family. The Indian-based financial institution intends cutting ties with Gupta-linked companies, joining the ranks of several firms – including South Africa’s four biggest banks that are distancing themselves from a scandal involving business associates of president Jacob Zuma.
- The ANC in the Western Cape looks set to back deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as party president. According to a list drawn up by pro-Ramaphosa members in the Western Cape, the deputy president should take over the presidency, with Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu assuming the deputy presidency.
- An Eyewitness News investigation has established that a sporting goods supplier allegedly paid at least R300,000 – and possibly as much as R680,000 – for a trip to Dubai by minister Fikile Mbalula and his family last year. The payment presents at the very least a conflict of interest, because Mbalula was sports minister at the time of this trip, while the company that sponsored involved was doing business with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).
- Personal care and beauty brand Dove found itself in the midst of a social media storm on Sunday after it released a series of images that showed a black woman turning white after using its soap. Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa retweeted the advert and wrote, “We strongly condemn this racist campaign by @Dove and note with concern that this is not the first time they’ve been called out for racism.”
- South Africa’s share indexes posted record high closes for the second straight day on Friday, helped by gains in market heavyweight Lonmin after lenders waived some of its debt covenants. On Monday, the rand was trading at R13.72 to the dollar, R17.98 to the pound and R16.10 to the euro.
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