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5 important things happening in South Africa today

Seth Thorne

 ·11 Jan 2024

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

• Sassa paid R140 million to dead beneficiaries: Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu has told Parliament that 75,000 deceased beneficiaries received social grant payments over the last three financial years – amounting to R140 million. [News24]

• South Africa vs Israel court battle begins: Two-day long public hearings of South Africa’s case of genocide levelled against Israel kicks off today at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague. South Africa’s arguments will be heard today, which allege that Israel is violating international law by committing and failing to prevent genocidal acts – allegations that Israel refutes. Israel’s defence will be heard tomorrow. [BusinessTech]

• Nsfas board chair takes leave of absence amid corruption allegations: National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) board chair Ernest Khosa is taking leave to allow for an inquiry into the damning recordings that implicate him and Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande in corruption. The recordings and subsequent report were released by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) and allege Nzimande and Khosa received millions of rands in kickbacks from contracted service providers. [The Citizen]

• Social grant delays: Hundreds of people have reported that their January social grants for their children have not been paid. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) denies that there is any issue. However, GroundUp reports that Sassa officials have anonymously told #PayTheGrants, Black Sash and the news agency that there is a problem. The child support grant is R510 a month and 65% of children in South Africa receive it. [GroundUp]

• Markets:  The rand’s value to the dollar has depreciated by around 2% since trading for 2024 began. On Thursday (11 January), the rand was trading at R18.67 to the dollar, R23.81 to the pound, and R20.45 to the euro. Oil is trading at $77.10 a barrel. [Reuters]