The disaster management amendment bill was passed in Parliament on Wednesday with the support of all parties, except the EFF. The bill aims to streamline the country's approach to planning for and responding to disasters, including the drought currently gripping many parts of the country. It also transfers the function of disaster management from national government to municipalities. Parties who supported the bill cited the example of the drought, which has so far led to five provinces … [Read more...] about Disaster bill passed
The average SA salary in October 2015 was : R12 840
In October there was a noticeable decline in South Africans' take-home pay, according to the latest BankservAfrica Disposable Salary Index (BDSI). At the same time a lot more people are moving into the higher echelons of pay in SA, Mike Schussler, chief economist at economists.co.za, told Fin24 on Wednesday. According to Schussler the number of employees receiving over R50 000 in their bank accounts has more than doubled from 22 305 on average from August to October 2011, to 50 524 between … [Read more...] about The average SA salary in October 2015 was : R12 840
R25.7bn in irregular government spending flagged
There has been irregular expenditure of R25.7bn across the country's national and provincial departments and public entities for the 2014-15 year, Auditor General Kimi Makwetu said on Wednesday. If there is a silver lining to his office’s general report on national and provincial audit outcomes, it's that irregular expenditure decreased by 27% over the previous year's figure of R35.28bn. The report covers a total of 468 auditees, which include 167 national and provincial departments and … [Read more...] about R25.7bn in irregular government spending flagged
EC Players play rugby for Germany
Jaco Otto and Jarrid Els have lent a rich Eastern Cape and South African flavour to the German rugby squad set to tour South America for two Tests against Brazil. Germany, currently ranked at No 30 on World Rugby's official rankings, will play two Tests against the 39th-ranked Brazil. The first Test takes place in Blumenau on November 28, with the second Test scheduled for Sao Paulo on December 4. The German team is coached by a South African, Kobus Potgieter, who included six South … [Read more...] about EC Players play rugby for Germany
Primary Sector of SA Economy in a recession
South Africa is not out of the recession woods just yet, economist Mike Schussler warned on Tuesday. South Africa just escaped being in a recession in 2015, with the third quarter growth of 0.7%, Statistics SA announced on Tuesday. However, the drought, low commodity prices and visa restrictions could shift the country into a recession by early next year, said Schussler, director of economists.co.za. "We got away without a recession this time around as the second quarter did have a … [Read more...] about Primary Sector of SA Economy in a recession
Eskom staggering under Municipal debt
Municipalities with a culture of non-payment owed Eskom R5.6bn in arrear debt as at September 30, the power utility said on Tuesday. The top 20 defaulting municipalities owed R4.3bn or 76% of the total arrear municipal debt. Eskom has signed payment agreements with 50 defaulting municipalities, including 15 of the top 20 municipalities, the power utility's CEO Brian Molefe said at its interim results briefing. South African local government and the National Treasury have played pivotal … [Read more...] about Eskom staggering under Municipal debt
SA GDP grows marginally by 0.7% in third quarter
South Africa's economy grew marginally by 0.7% in the third quarter of 2015, Statistics SA announced on Tuesday. The gross domestic product (GDP) announcement comes after a second-quarter contraction of 1.3%. The mining (-9.8), electricity (-8%) and agriculture (-12.6%) sectors contracted in the third quarter, which has been expected due to lower commodity demand (mining and electricity) and the drought that has affected the country (agriculture). The manufacturing (6.2%), finance (2.8%) … [Read more...] about SA GDP grows marginally by 0.7% in third quarter
Panayiotou’s lawyers get heated as bail application is withdrawn
Port Elizabeth - There were fireworks in court on Tuesday as Christopher Panayiotou's defence attorney Terry Price and state advocate Marius Stander went head to head over whether Panayiotou would be lodging a new bail application. After lengthy arguments, the defence indicated that it would withdraw the new application - for now. Panayiotou stands accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, 29-year-old school teacher Jayde, in April this year. It is alleged he paid Luthando … [Read more...] about Panayiotou’s lawyers get heated as bail application is withdrawn
Is a profit really one when you receive taxpayer money?
Government funding helped Eskom post a 22% increase in net profit for the six months ended 30 September 2015. Eskom CEO Brian Molefe said the entity's profit increase R11.3bn, while achieving a 9% increase in Ebitda (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) to R24.9bn Revenue increased by 8%, while primary energy costs went up by 7.7%, he explained. Molefe said Eskom received the first tranche of R10bn of government equity injection, while R13bn is expected in … [Read more...] about Is a profit really one when you receive taxpayer money?
Gold price in firing line
Gold is at a critical point at the moment, with all of the direction in price being influenced by what the US Federal Reserve is going to do next month, Wichard Cilliers, director and chief dealer at treasury services company TreasuryOne, said on Monday. "The sentiment is 'gold negative' at the moment, and it seems that the momentum is holding. Gold's rand price is still looking attractive at R15 000 per fine ounce and could be a good level to hedge in the short term," suggested … [Read more...] about Gold price in firing line
Panayiotou back in court today
Port Elizabeth - The application brought by Christopher Panayiotou to have the State hand over the case docket will be heard today by Magistrate Abigail Beeton in Port Elizabeth. Beeton rescheduled the court hearing on Friday after Panayiotou was a no show in court. Panayiotou is accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, 29-year-old school teacher Jayde, in April this year. The State alleges that he paid Luthando Siyoli, 31, a bouncer at his nightclub in Algoa Park, to hire a hit … [Read more...] about Panayiotou back in court today
Sihlwayi visit to PE old age home ‘too little too late’
The fire that killed three men at an old age home in Port Elizabeth could have been prevented, its manager Mike Tsietso said on Monday. Speaking to News24, the Ekuphumleni old age home manager said they had previously asked the social development department to install fire detectors. But, he said, nothing was done. This comes after three people died at the old age home when it caught fire on Saturday night. Two people with epilepsy died of smoke inhalation. A third, who was wheelchair … [Read more...] about Sihlwayi visit to PE old age home ‘too little too late’
Hero cop saves Despatch bridge plunge woman
Port Elizabeth - A policeman is being hailed a hero after he leaped into a river to save the life of a woman, who had plunged 40m off a bridge on Sunday night in an apparent suicide attempt. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Gerda Swart said Constable Bruce Brits was among several officers who had responded to an alert that a 36-year-old woman had jumped off the Ben Schoeman Bridge in Despatch, in the Eastern Cape, at around 20:00 on Sunday. Swart said they were searching the area … [Read more...] about Hero cop saves Despatch bridge plunge woman
MEC Sihlwayi to be reported to HRC for ‘racism’
Port Elizabeth – The DA will ask the SA Human Rights Commission to investigate Eastern Cape social development MEC Nancy Sihlwayi "for racism and human rights abuses". Democratic Alliance provincial chair Veliswa Mvenya on Sunday claimed the MEC instructed her staff to exclude children from a government youth camp last month on the basis of race. But her department shot down this allegation, stating it fully understood the provisions of the Constitution and law. "We will not encourage … [Read more...] about MEC Sihlwayi to be reported to HRC for ‘racism’
Residents praised for helping with old age home fire
Port Elizabeth – The ANC in the Eastern Cape on Sunday commended the efforts of first responders to the fire at an old age home in Port Elizabeth, which left three people dead. A rapid response by firefighters meant that only a few rooms at the Ekuphumleni old age home caught alight on Saturday night, said provincial ANC secretary Oscar Mabuyane. “As the leadership we also commend the community members who woke up in that rainy weather to help the elderly. They were the first to arrive in … [Read more...] about Residents praised for helping with old age home fire
