Trending

5 important things happening in South Africa today

Staff Writer

 ·15 Dec 2022

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

• Eskom CEO search: Eskom will have to search for a new CEO after Andre De Ruyter notified the board of his resignation earlier this week. De Ruyter will continue in his role as CEO until March 2023. Eskom confirmed that Mpho Makwana will not take over as interim CEO and that a comprehensive executive search will occur. De Ruyter’s resignation comes a week after mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe publically accused De Ruyter and other Eskom executives of attempting to ‘overthrow the state.’ [BusinessTech, News24]

• Paramedic safety: The Gauteng and Eastern Cape Health Departments have respective plans to protect paramedics during the festive season. This comes a month after a mob attacked paramedics in Atteridgeville, Gauteng, where a patient was also killed. Paramedics in the Eastern Cape will receive protection from the police, while Gauteng paramedics will receive panic buttons and travel with security personnel, including occasional support from the SAPS. [ENCA, EWN]

• ANC turmoil ahead of conference: Although uncertainty surrounding ANC President Cyril Rampahosa has quieted after parliament rejected the Phala Phala report, other ANC members are still fighting for eligibility for the party’s National Executive Committee. Tony Yengeni and former ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini have seen mixed success in their appeals against being barred from eligibility. [EWN, Timeslive]

• Ramaphosa suspends judge: Cyril Ramaphsoa suspended Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe at the advice of the Judicial Services Commission. This comes 15 years after two justices from the Constitutional Court laid judicial complaints against Hlophe for allegedly attempting to influence a judgment relating to corruption charges against former President Jacob Zuma. Hlophe now has to face the National Assembly on whether he should be impeached, becoming possibly the first judge to be impeached in South Africa. [BusinessDay]

• Markets: The rand saw minimal movement across Wednesday even after Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter’s resignation was announced. In positive news, Strategists at Societe Generale SA and Credit Agricole CIB expect the rand to have a strong 2023 as political turmoil eases in the nation. On Thursday (15 December), the rand was trading at R17.28/$, R18.40/€, and R21.39/£. Brent crude is trading at $82.00 a barrel. [Bloomberg]