South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 13 November

Never miss a beat when it comes to the latest news in South Africa – review all the country’s major headlines on Wednesday 13 November.

As President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Brasilia to attend the eleventh annual BRICS summit, torrential downpour lashes KwaZulu-Natal, reviving fears of flash flooding and landslides. In sports news, a number of Sprinbok players, fresh off of a World Cup win, jet off to England to play for the Barbarians.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Wednesday 13 November

Ramaphosa leads SA delegation at BRICS summit

After opening the Africa Investment Conference in Sandton earlier this week, president Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to engage with heads-of-state from Brazil, Russia, India and China. This year’s BRICS summit, held in Brasilia after 2018’s conference in South Africa, is convened under the theme of “Economic Growth for an Innovative Future”.

Ramaphosa will use the opportunity to highlight to BRICS partners South Africa’s priorities for chairing the African Union (AU) in 2020 and the commencement of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by his spouse Dr Tshepo Motsepe; International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr Naledi Pandor; Finance Minister Tito Mboweni; Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel; Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize and State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo.

Because Deputy President David Mabuza is also out of the country this week – attending an event centred on the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan – Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has been appointed as acting president until 16 November.

SAA retrenches staff, unions vow retaliation

South African Airways announced on Tuesday that it would be embarking on a restructuring process which would likely lead to at least 1000 job losses. While talk of restructuring within a state owned enterprise is enough to infuriate trade unions, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) alleges that they found out about the retrenchments via a media statement and were not properly consulted.

SAA’s Acting CEO, Zuks Ramasia, said that while job losses were regrettable, the only hope for a sustainable national carrier would be to trim the workforce and streamline operations.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) joined Satawu in condemning the airline’s approach, saying:

“It [retrenchments] is a veiled threat to get workers to drop their demands for wage increases and for the removal of the SAA board. They want to strike fear into the hearts of our members. We condemn the management with the contempt they deserve.”

Jacob Zuma says he’s got no tax skeletons to hide

In addition to a recent bout of ill-health which prevented him from appearing before the Commission of Inquiry into State Caption, former president Jacob Zuma is battling to have his ‘tax problems’ put to bed.

Zuma took to social media on Tuesday afternoon, refuting claims that he had attempted to withhold tax information from Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. According to the former president, SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, has attempted to contest tax records in court.

Zuma threw his full weight behind Mkhwebane, reiterating that he had ‘cooperated’ with all investigations undertaken by the office of the Public Protector, saying:

“It must be known that I have nothing to hide. If the Public Protector wants to see my SARS records she is free to do so. We should not make the job of the PP difficult. If she wants my records, she must have them.”

District Development Model announced for Lephalale

Government’s new integrated, district-based approach to service delivery is to be launched in Lephalale, Limpopo.

The Lephalale Local Municipality is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country and governs a town that has the potential to become the future hub of power generation in South Africa.

The pilot of the District Development Model was launched at the OR Tambo District Municipality in Lusikisiki – which has elements of rural spatial development – and recently, the eThekwini Municipality in Durban – which has elements of urban spatial development.

The final pilot phase will be launched in Lephalale on 26 November 2019, has elements of mining spatial development.

The municipality is working to build a vibrant city situated at the heart of the Waterberg coalfield – which is estimated to contain between 40 and 50% of South Africa’s remaining coal reserves.

Conventional wisdom is that the future of South African coal mining depends on the development of this extensive deposit of coal surrounding Lephalale.

There is no doubt that the town will soon be a forerunner in the mining sector. (Source: SAnews)

Barbarians squad for November tour loaded with Springboks

There is a very strong South African influence in the Barbarians November tour squad revealed this week.

Five Springboks were unveiled in announcements that came hot on the heels of South Africa’s third Rugby World Cup triumph but a further five capped Boks were added to the squad announced ahead of Saturday’s match against Fiji at Twickenham.

World Cup winners Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Herschel Jantjies were named last week alongside former Bok flyhalf Morne Steyn.

Bok fringe players Curwin Bosch, Andre Esterhuizen, Dillyn Leyds and Marco van Staden were added this week while former Bok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak makes the total ten.

Mosimane refuses to acknowledge Kaizer Chiefs as PSL title rivals

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says that his team run their own race and he does not consider Kaizer Chiefs to be the club’s direct rivals.

Sundowns are the most successful club of the PSL-era while Chiefs lay claim to being the most decorated club in South African football, but Mosimane doesn’t feel it is helpful to pit Amakhosi against his team.

Mosimane’s team go into the international break ten points behind Chiefs with a game in hand having missed out on an opportunity to close the gap to seven points on Monday night.

A blunder from Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango saw the Brazilians slump to a 3-2 defeat to Golden Arrows in a soggy Durban.

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