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 »South African parliament votes against impeachment of President Ramaphosa
South African parliament on Tuesday voted against starting an impeachment process against President Cyril Ramaphosa, the parliament’s speaker said. Lawmakers voted to reject a report by a panel of experts that found preliminary evidence Ramaphosa may have committed misconduct over a stash of foreign currency hidden at his private game …
Read More »South Africa: President Ramaphosa’s fate now in MPs hands
South Africa’s parliament is expected to hold a special sitting on Tuesday to debate a report by a panel of legal experts which found that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have broken his oath of office. This is in connection with the Phala Phala farm scandal hanging over the president, in …
Read More »South Africa: ANC leaders meet to decide Ramaphosa’s fate
Leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) party in South Africa are meeting on Monday to decide on the future of President Cyril Ramaphosa involved in a scandal that could cost him his function. A parliamentary report has accused Mr Ramaphosa of misconduct and potentially violating the oath of office. …
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