Cape Town –
Updates at 17:00 SAST
The consumer price index slows down – Stats SA
Annual consumer price inflation has slowed slightly. Stats SA says it was measured at 7.5% for September, down slightly from 7.6% in August 2022. It also reports that the slight decrease is due to a drop in fuel prices (an increase is on the horizon in November 2022). ) and a softening of food prices (consumers may ask where). Stats SA has indicated that there have been notable increases in the prices of rentals, clothing, accommodation and personal care services.
No one cleared on the Digital Vibes probe – SIU
The Special Investigations Unit has confirmed that no one has been acquitted in its investigation into the irregular awarding of contracts to Digital Vibes. This despite claims that former health minister Zweli Mkhize is off the hook for his alleged involvement in the R150 million communications tender during the Covid-19 pandemic. The investigation led to the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Mkhize as Minister of Health.
Transnet strike ends: SATAWU workers urged to return to work
The two-week strike by the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the South African Transport and Allied Union (Satawu) has ended. Untu yesterday accepted Transnet’s 3-year salary agreement. The deal includes a 6% increase in year one, a 5.5% increase in year two, and a 6% increase in year three. At the start of the strike, Untu and Satawu were asking for an increase of 12% and 13.5%, respectively. Satawu has not signed any agreement as his negotiations with the employer Transnet are ongoing. They are urging their members to get back to work.
Reserve Bank Seizes Estates of Former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste
The Reserve Bank yesterday pounced on property belonging to disgraced former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste, Eyewitness News reports. In what has been called South Africa’s largest fraud case, Steinhoff is alleged to have misrepresented his balance sheets to shareholders for several years, a discovery that led to Jooste’s precipitous exit on December 5, 2017. Court documents state that the assets seized include Jooste’s Lanzerac wine estate in Stellenbosch (given to him by billionaire Christo Wiese in exchange for Steinhoff shares), his Hermanus estate and other assets registered under his Silver Oak Trust valued at R1.2 billion.
President Ramaphosa withdraws benefits for ministers
Amendments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Ministerial Manual have been withdrawn, and not too soon, after a public outcry. The amendments included free water and electricity in the official residences of ministers and deputy ministers, and they were allowed to employ more staff. This came at a time when ordinary South Africans are buckling under the weight of shedding cargo and rising food and petrol prices.
South African students in Russia face eviction
The 229 students from Mpumalanga province studying at 11 Russian universities say they have been left to fend for themselves and face possible academic and financial exclusion. Students are furthering their studies in general medicine, engineering, and aviation. They say they are on the verge of becoming homeless as the provincial education department has failed to pay them stipends, tuition and accommodation fees. Eyewitness News reports that the department’s contract with the agency that places students in Russian universities ended in March 2022.
