Government

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) says it is seeking legal advice and will respond soon to a lawyer’s letter sent to it pertaining to load shedding and the imminent electricity tariff increase. This after a group of lawyers sent a letter to the department demanding, among other things, that the increase granted by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) not be implemented and that load shedding be immediately stopped or an explanation be provided as to why not. “The …

Government has acknowledged the frustration of South Africans, due to a combination of factors, which have led to sporadic protests that occurred on Monday. Government has urged for calm amid a series of sporadic protests reported in parts of the country on Monday. In a statement, Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, said government acknowledges the frustration of South Africans, due to a combination of factors. “Government is alive to the issues related to the delivery of …

Eskom Chief Financial Officer, Calib Cassim, says the electricity tariff increase announced by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) will contribute to the sustainability of the power utility. NERSA announced on Thursday that it was granting Eskom an 18.65% tariff increase. “Eskom notes the decision by NERSA. This decision will positively contribute from a financial and sustainability point of view. The revenue determination of R319 billion and R352 billion for the …

President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined South African Catholics and adherents globally in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XV1. His Holiness passed away on 31 December 2022 at the age of 95, close to 10 years after resigning from his role as head of the Catholic Church worldwide. President Ramaphosa said: “South Africans share the sadness felt by millions of the Catholic faithful worldwide at the passing of the Pope Emeritus”. “In this season of Christian …

Justice and Correctional Services Deputy Minister, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, has launched a Gender Responsive Correctional Centre for incarcerated women, in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. According to the Department of Correctional Services, the centre will pay attention to “women’s special needs, including specific health care needs and guarantee a gender sensitive system of care”. This is in line with government’s commitment to implement the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women …

Minister Joe Phaahla says the Portfolio Committee on Health in the National Assembly has made significant progress to process the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill after their work was paused due to the COVID-19 crisis. “We have virtually completed the main work of the Bill. In the coming year, they will be able to finalise it and table it to a full sitting in the National Assembly. “We can say, we are in a critical time when the legislative framework for our approach to Universal …

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has welcomed the publication of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill of 2022, which seeks to decriminalise sex work. The Commission said the Bill, which was approved by Cabinet in November for public comment, marks significant progress towards the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Ronald Lamola, announced on Friday, 9 December, that the Amendment Bill has …

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula has encouraged motorists travelling this festive season to embark on their journey during the daylight as it enhances alertness and visibility. This comes after 13 people died and three were severely wounded in an accident involving a mini bus taxi and a heavy motor vehicle, which took place in the early hours of Monday morning. The horror crash occurred at approximately 3:15am on the N1 between Winburg and Verkeedevlei in the Free State. “I would …

Limpopo SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has cautioned the public to refrain from carrying large sums of money or to share stokvel money in hard cash. This comes after members of a local stokvel in Mankweng were on Saturday accosted by two armed suspects and robbed of R60 000 cash. “This after they had gathered to share the money,” said provincial SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. He said it was reported that the stokvel members gathered at the …

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase 2, which is expected to be completed in 2028. Mchunu met with the Minister of Natural Resources in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mohlomi Moleko, during his visit to Maseru. Mchunu’s visit was aimed at fast tracking the implementation of the LHWP Phase 2. During his meeting at the Maseru Convention Centre on Friday, Mchunu said while the project …