5 important things happening in South Africa today
·10 Jan 2024
Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:
- Government defends renewables snub: The revised energy plan has reduced the country’s emphasis on renewable power, with government citing reasons such as the postponed decommissioning of Eskom’s old coal-fired power stations and the addition of around 6 gigawatts of new gas-to-power plants. [News24]
- High (priced) flyer: Defence minister Thandi Modise has disclosed to parliament that South Africans coughed up almost R139 million to feed President Cyril Ramaphosa and his entourage aboard his presidential jet, Inkwazi over the past five years. [Times Live]
- SARS nabs Eskom contractor evading millions in taxes: The tax collection agency says that the businessman has not submitted personal tax returns since 2011. SARS has so far found extensive assets belonging to the man, including a fleet of 45 vehicles, 65 properties and shareholdings in 10 companies that are not tax-compliant. [Daily Maverick]
- Nzimande proposes university fee hike: Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has proposed that South Africa’s 26 universities increase tuition and residence fees by 4.5% and 6.5%, respectively. [News24]
- Markets: The South African rand’s value has depreciated by 2.07% since trading for 2024 began, as the dollar continues to steady ahead of the US releasing its inflation data. On Wednesday (10 January), the rand was trading at R18.69 to the dollar, R23.75 to the pound, and R20.45 to the euro. Oil is trading at $77.87 a barrel. [Reuters]
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