The US ambassador to Pretoria has made a damning accusation against the South African government – and it seems to have caught South African officials off-guard. Ambassador Reuben Brigety says that the US has reliable intelligence that South Africa supplied arms and ammunition to a Russian ship which had docked, …
Read More »“The ‘no work, no pay’ principle should apply”, Cyril Ramaphosa warns strikers
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is concerned about the ongoing wage strike by public workers that is affecting essential services in the country. The strike by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) started on Monday, as the workers demanded a 10% pay hike after rejecting …
Read More »South African leader denies his ministers ‘live like rock stars’
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims that his new cabinet is bloated and says he is committed to restructuring the government, local media reported. Opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen on Thursday asked President Ramaphosa in parliament if it was fair for ministers to be “living like …
Read More »South Africa’s President appoints new power minister
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former mayor, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, to the newly created position of electricity minister in an effort to address the country’s long-running power crisis. The new minister faces two vast challenges. Power cuts of up to 12 hours a day – the government has declared …
Read More »South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa to announce cabinet reshuffle
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce changes to the national executive on Monday, presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said on Sunday. “The president is finalising his reconfiguration of the national executive,” Magwenya said at a news briefing, adding that he was taking into account the swearing in of some members …
Read More »South Africa rejects state funeral bid for rapper AKA
A request by a provincial government for a state funeral to be given to a popular South African rapper murdered last week has been rejected by the president, local media report. Gauteng’s premier Panyaza Lesufi had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting permission to give slain rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly …
Read More »South Africa: new power minister will oversee entire crisis response
South African new electricity minister will assume full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the country’s response to crippling power cuts, Reuters agency reported on Thursday, citing President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa said he would appoint the new minister last week during a State of the Nation Address (SONA) in parliament. …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa declares state of disaster
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a state of disaster to try to deal with an energy crisis. The president’s announcement on Thursday gives the government additional powers to tackle crippling electricity shortages that have worsened in recent months. He insisted South Africa would emerge with a more efficient …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa asks deputy to delay resignation
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked his deputy, David Mabuza, to remain in his position until a transition is finalized. Mr Mabuza is reported to have told a funeral gathering on Saturday that the president had “accepted” his resignation and that an announcement on his departure was coming. He …
Read More »South Africa: scientists to meet over new Covid variant
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to hold a meeting with the National Coronavirus Command Council on Tuesday to discuss the new variant detected in the country this week, local media reported. The new Covid subvariant, known as XBB.1.5, is an offshoot of the globally dominant Omicron Covid variant …
Read More »