Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today: Ministers and deputies slapped with lifestyle audits: After more than six years since Cyril Ramaphosa promised, cabinet members have allegedly begun the process of undergoing lifestyle audits. Among a list of other requirements, cabinet members have been asked by the Presidency to submit their bank account details,…
Tag: South Africa
South African opposition calls for withdrawal of troops from DR Congo.
South African troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered their first fatalities since their recent deployment to quell a rebellion. Two soldiers were killed and three were injured after a mortar bomb landed in their base on Wednesday. The attack has led to South African opposition politicians calling for the withdrawal of troops…
Controversial Auction of Nelson Mandela’s Personal Items Suspended Amid Outcry
In a significant turn of events, the controversial auction of approximately 70 personal items belonging to South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela, has been suspended by New York-based Guernsey’s auction house. The decision to halt the auction comes in the wake of strong objections and public outcry in South Africa. Guernsey’s auction house made the…
Africa’s Biggest Port to be Partially Privatised
In a first for South Africa’s national ports business, the largest harbour in Africa, Port of Durban, will be operated and controlled in part by International Container Terminal Services Inc. of the Philippines. “Private sector participation in Pier 2 is a key catalyst for repositioning the Port of Durban as a container hub port. We…
South African President Ramaphosa discusses upcoming engagements with Russian President Putin
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the upcoming African Leaders Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia during a phone conversation, according to a statement issued by South African Presidency on Thursday. The two leaders also discussed the Russia-Africa Summit that is scheduled to take place at the end of July…
South African Report on Alleged Arms Supply to Russia Classified
By André van Wyk Cape Town — The Democratic Alliance will oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plan to classify the findings of a probe that determined whether arms and ammunition supplied from South Africa were loaded onto a Russian cargo vessel in 2022. This comes after Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed the probe was not an official commission…
South African Army Boss Visits Russia Amid Weapons Spat with U.S.
Amid a crisis in relations with the United States over South Africa’s growing relations with Russia, head of the SA army Lieutenant-General Lawrence Mbatha is visiting Moscow for talks on ‘improving combat readiness’, according to Russia’s defence ministry, citing TASS, the state-run news agency. The Daily Maverick’s Peter Fabricius writes that Lieutenant-General Lawrence Mbatha is meeting, among others, his…
South Africa, U.S. In Top-Level Talks Over ‘Weapons for Russia’
Cape Town — The South African and United States Cabinet officials responsible for foreign affairs have stepped into the diplomatic row over the alleged transfer in South Africa of weapons to a Russian cargo vessel last December. Amid controversy over an American claim that South Africa has supplied weapons and ammunition to a nation which…
