Bleak outlook in Feb, March – Eskom

The electricity supply is expected to be constrained in February and March, Eskom said on Monday. "February and March are concerning for us. This due to budgetary constraints. Our financial... 

Recommendations for military hospitals

A ministerial medical task team appointed by the minister of defence has made recommendations on how to improve the country's three military hospitals, the department said on Monday. The task team,... 

Metal sector strike cost SA growth – SARB

The month-long strike in the metal sector knocked back the third-quarter growth rate of the South African economy by more than half of what it could have been, the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) said on... 

Chinese investment improves – Zuma

At the end of last year, bilateral trade between South Africa and China exceeded R270-billion, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday. "China's investment into South Africa is cumulatively valued at... 

Migrant workers not responsible for unemployment – Vavi

Migrant workers from Africa who seek employment in South Africa should not be blamed for the country's unemployment and poverty, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary... 

Power cuts lead to job losses – Numsa

The ongoing power blackouts will lead to job loses, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said on Friday. "One of the negative consequences of this load shedding, especially... 

Mandela remembered one year on

Disparate groups have paid tribute to former president Nelson Mandela a year after his death, agreeing that his contributions to securing constitutional democracy in South Africa should never be... 

Eskom announces rolling blackouts

Eskom will start rolling blackouts countrywide at 4pm on Thursday because of low diesel reserves, the parastatal said. "Unfortunately it is necessary to implement stage two load shedding from 4pm... 

Cable company to pay R80m for collusion

Electric cable manufacturing company ATC has agreed to pay R80.7-million in an agreement with the Competition Commission after admitting to collusion, the Competition Tribunal said on Wednesday.... 

Possibility of blackouts this week – Eskom

South Africans could have their power cut if more pressure is put on Eskom's grid this week, the power utility said on Wednesday. "We are using our emergency reserves extensively so far this week,"... 

Best municipalities in W Cape, Gauteng

South Africa's best-managed municipalities are in Gauteng and the Western Cape, according to a study released on Wednesday. "Western Cape and Gauteng municipalities remain typically the best... 

National keypoints must be known

It was unlawful and unconstitutional to not reveal national keypoints, the High Court in Johannesburg ruled on Wednesday. The Right2Know Campaign (R2K) and the South African History Archive (SAHA)... 

Fastest growing economies post high levels of corruption – Transparency Intl

Corruption has increased in several of the world's best-performing economies as rising growth has encouraged an abuse of power, corruption watchdog Transparency International said Wednesday in its... 

Cape Town may appeal sealing of toll documents

The City of Cape Town has been granted leave to appeal a court order that in effect seals most documents pertaining to the N1/N2 Winelands Toll Highway project, ahead of a review hearing, it said... 

No power cuts this week

There are no scheduled power cuts for this week, Eskom said on Monday. "[The] system will be tight but no load shedding is planned at this stage," Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said in a... 

Makhura mum on e-toll report

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Sunday would not divulge the recommendations of the e-toll review panel because he had not read it yet and did not want to make any rash announcements. "We don't... 

Govt mulls rush-hour restrictions

In a move likely to hearten Gauteng commuters who spend rush hour stuck behind big trucks, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters on Friday said her department was looking at restricting heavy vehicles... 

Makhura to receive e-toll report on Sunday

Gauteng premier David Makhura will receive a report from the e-toll review advisory panel on November 30, the provincial government said on Thursday. The media was invited to attend the hand over... 

Eskom offers voluntary separation packages

Eskom has asked its staff to consider voluntary retrenchment packages, a spokesman confirmed on Wednesday. "We can confirm that we have announced the process by which employees can apply for... 

China sub-Saharan Africa links risky – Moodys

Sub-Saharan Africa faced downside risks because of its links to China's economy, ratings agency Moody's Investor Service said on Tuesday. Countries demonstrating strong regional trade links faced... 

Namibia's Kudu gas to power project still on track

Namibia's 885 MW Kudu gas-to-power project is still on track with a final investment decision expected by June 2015, the mines and energy ministry said. Despite objections by an energy lobby group... 

ANC won't privatise power

The ANC is not in favour of privatising the country's power system, despite problems with parastatal Eskom, secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday. "Electricity remains a public good and... 

SAA stands by Bezuidenhout appointment

The South African Airways (SAA) board stood by its appointment of Nico Bezuidenhout as acting chief executive officer (CEO), it said on Tuesday. "The board of South African Airways stands by its... 

DA calls for Joemat-Pettersson's suspension

Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has misled Parliament and should be suspended pending an investigation, the DA said on Monday. "Reports indicate that the minister was involved in... 

Key point disclosure not defence risk – lawyer

The Right2Know Campaign (R2K) and the South African History Archive (SAHA) will on Monday argue for the police to reveal South Africa's National Key Points in the High Court in Johannesburg. "We... 

Germany commits nearly R1bn to SA

Germany has committed to provide nearly R1-billion to South Africa for various joint projects, the German embassy said on Friday. "A total of €72.5-million, nearly R1-billion, were committed by... 

Suspend SAA acting CEO – DA

The DA on Sunday called on South African Airways (SAA) to suspend its acting chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout pending the outcome of an inquiry into his appointment. "Reports today confirm that... 

Eskom starts loadshedding

Eskom started with scheduled blackouts on Friday afternoon, the power utility said. "Load shedding will continue until 8pm tonight," it said in a short power update. 

Repo rate unchanged

The repo rate will remain unchanged at 5.75%, South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said in Pretoria on Thursday. Kganyago, announcing the monetary policy committee's decision for... 

Govt mulling SAA partner – Brown

Whether or not government takes on a strategic business partner for embattled carrier South African Airways (SAA) remains under discussion, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown said on Thursday.... 

Glencore wins interdict against NUM strike

Mining company Glencore won an interim interdict in the Labour Court on Wednesday against the National Union of Mineworkers conducting a secondary strike at its Optimum Coal mine. "Glencore will... 

Numsa, supporting unions file court papers

Numsa and its seven supporting unions have filed papers in the High Court in Johannesburg in a bid to get Cosatu to hold a special national congress. "We have jointly filed papers with other... 

Cellphones top basic services, Africa survey reveals

More people across Africa have access to a cellphone network than they do to electricity, piped water, or a health clinic, according to the latest Afrobarometer released on Wednesday. The survey,... 

Private sector earnings rise – Stats SA

Total turnover in the private sector economy rose by over eight% in the 2013 financial year, Statistics SA (Stats SA) said on Wednesday. "Turnover was estimated at R7-trillion, the purchases were... 

Sacu committed to India talks

The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) said on Tuesday it was still committed to negotiations with India over a delayed preferential trade agreement (PTA). "We are still confident we will come... 

Slow economy worries world leaders – Nene

Sluggish global economic growth was of concern to all at the G20 leaders summit held in Brisbane, Australia, Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said on Tuesday. "Leaders noted that the world economy is... 

Power grid stable – Eskom

There are no scheduled power blackouts planned despite increased demand for electricity, Eskom said on Tuesday. "The cold and wet weather has resulted in increased demand for electricity but the... 

Ramaphosa to meet political parties

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday meet the leaders of political parties in Parliament, the presidency said. "Ramaphosa will meet with leaders of a number of political parties... 

Zuma commends G20 summit outcome

President Jacob Zuma has concluded his visit to Australia where he participated in the G20 summit, the presidency said on Sunday. Zuma commended the outcome of the summit where the focus was a... 

Cosatu 'in tatters' – Vavi

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has admitted that the trade union federation is in trouble, The Star reported on Friday. "Cosatu today is in tatters and absolutely in trouble. Factionalism...