Government

5 important things happening in South Africa today

Staff Writer

 ·23 Dec 2022

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

• Dark days ahead: In the middle of 2022, Eskom said that the country’s energy situation would likely get worse – and that’s exactly what happened. Now the power utility says worse is still to come, with load shedding sticking with South Africa until at least 2027, while more power stations deteriorate and criminal networks run rampant within its operations. Analysts and academics say the outlook is bleak and warn that stage 8 would see the country in the dark for up t 14 hours a day. [M&G]

• Strike holiday: Public sector workers say they will continue their strike action against a unilateral 3% wage hike – but after the holidays. The unions are set to meet and devise a new plan of action in the new year. The government says that negotiations over the wage hike are closed, and the increase of 3% has already been implemented. Unions are adamant that they will not back down and demand a 10% increase. [Moneyweb]

• Russian ship: There is still no clarity around a mysterious Russian ship that docked in South Africa under cover of darkness during load shedding, offloaded its cargo and departed with the dawn. The Department of Defence has no answers other than to say the cargo was an old order that was placed by the military before the onset of Covid-19. Minister Thandi Modise said she was waiting for a report from those in the know about what took place that night. [Daily Maverick]

• Zuma vs Ramaphosa: Jacob Zuma is not letting up on his attack on president Cyril Ramaphosa, chasing a private prosecution case against him despite the National Prosecuting Authority saying he hasn’t met the requirements to do so. Zuma is relying on a certificate issued by the NPA, saying it is not pursuing a case against those involved in his most recent court applications. However, none of these applications make mention of Ramaphosa, thus, the NPA says the certificate does not apply to him. Zuma disagrees. [News24]

• Markets: South Africa’s rand firmed on Thursday, as the US dollar softened due to a pickup in risk sentiment. Analysts note that the dollar has come under significant pressure, suggesting it is over-valued and has a lot further to depreciate. On Friday, the rand was trading at R17.16/$, R18.20/€ and R20.66/£. Brent crude is trading at $82 a barrel.