Sana Khan

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the first Lekgotla of the Government of National Unity (GNU), outlining the action plan for the government's seventh administration.

The minister shared that the government has temporarily relocated families to a leased building for 30 days while they address the flooding impact on informal settlements. They are considering whether families can return if the rains cease or find alternative land for permanent relocation.

During his Budget Vote Speech, the minister mentioned that they are currently in phase 2 of implementation and expressed confidence that the remaining aspects of healthcare will follow smoothly.

Heavy rainfall led to extensive road damage and flooding, disrupting school transportation routes and forcing many schools to close. The provincial department mentioned reports of flood damage affecting school buildings.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure manages public infrastructure and provides accommodation and property management services for all South African government ministries.

The Northern Cape, North West, Free State, Eastern Cape and Western Cape have been having wet, cold and windy weather with light snow. The recent series of cold fronts hitting the country caused extensive and disruptive snowfall in the southern and western mountainous areas.

The District Development Model aims to make government services more effective in 44 districts and eight major cities across the country. These areas are seen as focal points for improving service delivery and boosting economic development.

Load reduction happens when there's more demand for electricity than the infrastructure, like transformers, can handle. Eskom's Group Executive for Distribution Monde Bala explained that overloaded transformers can leave customers without electricity for a long time.

The department also mentioned that 10 to 20mm of rain is expected in the western areas, and 40 to 60mm in the southern western mountains. The South African Weather Service has forecast strong to gale-force winds for the southwest coast and warned of a high risk of wildfires in the Garden Route District.

PSC Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya applauded SARS and RTMC officials who turned down bribes of R200,000 and R50,000, respectively, for allowing a truck with 614 boxes of semi-manufactured tobacco worth over R6 million into the country.

The deceased soldiers were found inside a container that served as a guard post during their shift on Saturday morning (July 6) when the next shift arrived. Police were called and upon inspection, all four were found dead, still in possession of their rifles and personal belongings.

The South African President congratulated Starmer on his electoral victory and said the Statement of Intent framing South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU) incorporated many objectives shared by the two new administrations.

Deputy Head of the Municipality's Water and Sanitation Unit Jabulani Mayise announced the completion of a 600mm diameter pipeline stretching 4.3 kilometers from Hazelmere to the Grange Reservoir.

Nelson Mandela International Day was established to celebrate Mandela's birthday on July 18, 2009, following a unanimous decision by the United Nations General Assembly. This year's Nelson Mandela Month and International Mandela Day will revolve around the theme: "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity."

The project, managed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), aimed to improve the reliability and sustainability of water supply to residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.

The ceremony was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile who congratulated the newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers. During the event, the president emphasized that he appointed them based on his constitutional authority.

The PRASA board in December 2021 ended former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews' contract following an investigation by experienced senior counsel.

The unit has formed partnerships with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Anti-Corruption Coalition (ACC) and the Transparency, Integrity and Accountability Program (TIP) of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Chairperson of the NTCSA board Priscillah Mabelane mentioned that they are beginning a crucial journey with relevant departments, committing to continue focusing on ensuring safe, reliable and efficient operations.

The report on late payments shows that the national and provincial departments paid 362,068 invoices late during the 2023-24 financial year, amounting to R35.1 billion in value in total.

The court found John Tazvivinga guilty under Section 3(1) of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015. He received a five-year prison sentence, which is suspended for five years, provided he avoids committing a similar offense during that period.

Speaking at the Africa Rail 2024 Conference in Sandton, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Hishaam Emeran highlighted that PRASA has restored nearly 80% of passenger rail routes after extensive theft and vandalism severely damaged the country's rail network during the COVID-19 lockdown.

South Africa argues that these EU regulations are unnecessary and unscientific. They are challenging these measures to protect jobs in their citrus industry, which supports tens of thousands of people.

One of the latest cases was a 40-year-old man from Ladysmith located in KwaZulu-Natal, who showed symptoms similar to smallpox including a rash all over his body. He passed away at home without going to the hospital and his test results came back positive for Mpox.

Francois Rodgers said the saved amount can be used for other important needs in the province, and added that the main goal was to stabilize KwaZulu-Natal's finances

Parliament emphasized that committees play a crucial role in examining government activities, facilitating discussions, and ensuring transparency and responsibility. It said that these committees will establish the structures necessary for the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces to function.

Ramaphosa explained that "giving effect to the principles of that Constitution and the Bill of Rights must be the overriding focus of this GNU," noting that this will be done by pursuing a common program to get rid of poverty and build a more equal society.

The company revealed that the investigations have now been completed and, in a meeting, held last week, Transnet's Board of Directors and the TNPA Board agreed to issue disciplinary charges against TNPA Chief Executive.

The 2025 budget will witness a debt-stabilizing primary surplus achieved in 2025/26, a reduction in the fiscal deficit to pre-COVID-19 levels and a stabilization of debt-service costs as a percentage of revenue.