SA government - The African Mirror

Dec

2023

Chinese embassy, SA Government bring early Christmas cheers to the poor and needy

THE Chinese embassy in South Africa has partnered with the country’s Department of Social Development to accelerate rural development and improve the lives of poor communities. China has mastered the art of taking impoverished communities out of their misery through a carefully planned empowerment programme that places the poor in the driving seat of their destiny. The People’s Republic of China has long adopted a highly-rated model known as the Targeted Poverty Alleviation Programme. This has resulted in some 800 million previously poor people being catapulted into the middle class and the country’s booming economy becoming the world’s fastest growing…

Dec

2023

By MACDONALD DZIRUTWE

South Africa picks Marokane as next CEO of power firm Eskom

BUSINESS

SOUTH Africa's government appointed Dan Marokane as its next Chief Executive Officer of its state power firm Eskom, which has implemented the worst rolling blackouts on record this year. Marokane, who previously held senior Eskom positions, including as its head of group capital, will rejoin no later than March 31 of next year, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said in a statement. Marokane has been acting CEO of sugar producer Tongaat Hulett (TONJ.J) since the end of February. Bloomberg News reported on Thursday that Marokane was expected to be appointed Eskom CEO. Eskom has been without a permanent CEO since February when then-CEO Andre…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Six instigators of SA arson and looting arrested, six more to go

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African Police have reported progress, both in the hunt of the instigators of the violence and looting which left 212 people dead over 3 000 arrested as well as the recovery of goods that were stolen. The SA government yesterday reported that the sixth alleged instigator has been arrested. Khumbuzo Ntshavheni, the Acting- Minister in the Presidency in SA, said of those arrested, three have appeared in court and were remanded in prison. One was given bail and the other two are expected to appear in court later this week. Those who appeared in court were…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

How Guptas got billions in income and kickbacks

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WHILE companies linked to them earned more than R49-billion, the Gupta family received a further R15.9-billion in kickbacks from third parties who got contracts from the South African government and state-owned companies as a result of the family’s political influence. These revelations were made at the judicial commission into state capture, corruption and theft by Paul Holden, a director at Shadow World Investigations. Holden outlined to the commission, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the flow of money from government department, state-owned enterprises to over 200 companies. He has analysed thousands of banking transactions, accounts that…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Govt pleads for unity in royal family

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE South African government and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government have appealed for unity and stability following the developments of division within the Amazulu royal family in the aftermath of the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini. Dr Nkosazana Zuma, the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala met members of the royal family after one of King Zwelithini’s widows went to court to stop the execution of his will. The meeting also follows a public spat between Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the traditional prime minister of the royal family and the late King’s siblings. Buthelezi…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s vaccine compensation fund could cost $17.5 million in first year

COVID-19

THE South African government's compensation fund to cover potential injuries from COVID-19 vaccines could cost around 250 million rands ($17.5 million) in the first year, the health minister said in response to questions in parliament. The African country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of infections and deaths told vaccine manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer it would set up the fund during negotiations to buy shots. "A contingent liability of approximately R250 million for the first year would be provided for compensation of vaccine injury in a COVID-19 Vaccine NFC (no-fault compensation) Fund," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

‘There are no Heritage Fund billions’

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE SOUTH African government and Reserve bank have rejected sensational allegations that billions meant for education projects and COVID-19 have been stolen. Instead, the National Treasury and the Reserve Bank have suggested that politician and businessman Tokyo Sexwale, who made the allegations, has been scammed. In a joint statement, the National Treasury and Reserve Bank said the National Heritage Fund does not exist and challenged Sexwale to prove otherwise. The Nationa Treasury and Reserve Bank suggested that the allegations pointed to a common scam. “Over the years, National Treasury and the SARB have received many such requests…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Special land court for SA

NEWS

SOUTH Africa's government has unveiled plans for a special court to expedite the return of land taken from black people under apartheid by handling disputes that have held up the highly sensitive process. Two decades since the end of white minority rule, large swathes of private land is still under white ownership and redistribution efforts have often ended up in court, with thousands of land claims remaining unresolved. The proposed Land Court will have the same level of power as the High Court with permanent judges and will also look into conflict resolution and mediation, the justice ministry said, making…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa lays out conditions to seize land, says investors will be reassured

NEWS

SOUTH Africa's government has laid out conditions for when land might be confiscated without reimbursement, saying a new law submitted to parliament would pass constitutional muster and reassure investors unnerved about property rights. The law would allow land to be confiscated without reimbursement in certain cases if it is unused, abandoned or poses a safety risk, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille told a news conference. But she emphasised that compensation would also be possible and final decisions would be in the hands of the courts. "The bill brings certainty to South Africans and investors because it clearly…