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This is what is happening and affecting South Africa today:
CoronavirusGlobal Covid-19 infections have reached 25 million confirmed, with a death toll reaching 843,000. In South Africa, there have been 2,505 new cases, bringing the total reported to 625,056. Deaths have reached 14,028 (an increase of 47), while recoveries have risen to 538,604, leaving the country with a balance of 72,424 active cases.
- Under siege: President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly emerged from the ANC NEC meetings in a stronger position within the party, but was under siege from certain factions throughout the process. The president faced backlash for his approach to corruption within the government, and those accused of wrongdoing, including former President Jacob Zuma, came out on attack mode. Ramaphosa faces calls to resign from these members, but can now make a show of force through a cabinet shakeup. [Daily Maverick]
- Tito stays: Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has assured South Africans that he remains in his post and stands firm in his goal of helping save the economy. Before the ANC’s CNE meeting at the weekend, speculation abounded that the finance minister would be ousted from office or resign. However, Mboweni has made it clear that he remains “firm” in the position and will continue with his work. [Business Day – paywall].
- Theft of airtime: A new investigation has revealed widespread abuse and theft by unscrupulous wireless access service providers on the Vodacom network, who are consuming millions of rand from network users through fraudulent billing. However, the most recent evidence shows that the SIMs used for machine-to-machine communication are running out. It is impossible for these SIM cards to actively register with WASP, so it is conclusive proof that they are being billed fraudulently for these services. [MyBroadband]
- Take drastic measures against alcohol: A bill first proposed in 2016 could be adopted in conjunction with the AARTO law to add a higher drinking age to plans for a zero percent limit for drivers. The proposed bill would raise the legal drinking age to 21. South Africa’s alcohol laws and regulations are under intense scrutiny, after political will rose behind movements to revise them. Alcohol abuse is blamed for a growing number of traffic accidents and trauma cases in hospitals. [TimesLive]
- Markets: The South African rand rose against the dollar on Friday as the greenback fell sharply and global investors sought higher-yielding assets in emerging markets. Last week’s data pointed to a modest pick-up in price pressures in Africa’s most industrialized economy, adding to signs that the central bank could end a recent series of rate cuts. On Monday, the rand is trading at R16.57 per dollar, R22.11 per pound and R19.73 per euro. Reuters comment. [XE]
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