Ramaphosa spells relief for companies in Covid-19 distress

As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown to curtail the runaway spread of the Coronavirus in South Africa, he also revealed assistance packages for businesses in... 

Ramaphosa announces 21-day lockdown for South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a national lockdown in South Africa as the government announced measures to curtail the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19).  "The National Coronavirus... 

SA labour department uses UIF to help companies hit by Covid-19

The department of labour will soon formally publish special regulations offering Unemployment Insurance Fund relief to companies that find themselves in distress due to the Covid-19 outbreak in... 

Renault suspends production in Casablanca and Tangier

French car manufacturer Renault on Thursday temporarily suspended its manufacturing operations in Casablanca and Tangier amid global concern over the Covid-19 outbreak. The plants employ over 11... 

Higher dam levels will help fight Covid-19 – water and sanitation

Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has instructed her department, human settlements, water and sanitation, to pull out all stops to increase water provisioning and sanitation especially to the most... 

Tanzania set to launch tender for single gauge railway to Rwanda, DRC

The Tanzanian government has announced that it will soon invite international tenders for the construction of a standard gauge railway (SGR) to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),... 

SAA says adhering to safety protocols on Covid-19

National carrier South African Airways said on Thursday its operational health and safety procedures were in line with the World Health Organisation’s protocols to protect its passengers and crew... 

Standard Bank funding model helps Growthpoint Investec African Properties expansion

A funding solution from Standard Bank’s Real Estate Financing division has helped Growthpoint Investec African Properties Limited (GIAP) expand its sub-Saharan footprint, following the acquisition... 

Eskom to implement 'stage 4' rolling power cuts until Friday

South Africa's electricity utility Eskom said on Thursday it would continue implementing "stage 4" rotational powercuts until Friday following a breakdown at its Koeberg station and the associated... 

WHO declares Covid-19 a pandemic

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday declared Covid-19 a pandemic, as the number of confirmed cases approach 120,000 worldwide. "There are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and... 

Eskom seizes assets from Emfuleni to recover millions in arrears

Eskom on Tuesday began implementing an attachment order against the Emfuleni municpality in response to its failure to pay millions in arrears, with the sheriff seizing cars, furniture and other... 

Eskom moves to Stage 4 load-shedding after Koeberg unit trips

South African power utility, Eskom, on Tuesday announced Stage 4 load-shedding from 14:00 after Koeberg Power Station's unit 1 tripped. "The unit has been disconnected from the grid due to a fault... 

Eskom announces stage 4 loadshedding from 2pm

South African power utility, Eskom, on Tuesday announced stage 4 loadshedding from 2pm after Koeberg Power Station's unit 1 tripped. "The unit has been disconnected from the grid due to a fault on... 

Cape Town cuts water to PRASA, electricity to follow

The Cape Town municipality has cut water supply to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and will do the same with electricity supply to the troubled entity on Tuesday, deputy mayor Ian... 

Report shows Covid-19 could knock $4bn from Africa’s commodity revenues

A new report has warned that sub-Saharan African economies could be badly affected by the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) on Monday said the virus could... 

SAA begins retrenchment process

South African Airways (SAA) has issued notice to all 4 700 of its employees that it intends to begin consultations on retrenchments, the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) for the troubled... 

Stage 2 load shedding to be implemented from Tuesday, says Eskom

Eskom says it will continue increase load shedding to Stage 2 from 9am on Tuesday, which is likely to continue for the rest of the week due to further delays on some generation units that were... 

Eskom to implement stage 1 load shedding from 9am on Monday

Eskom will implement stage 1 load shedding from 9am on Monday morning to 11pm on Monday night, the state-owned power utility said. "It is envisaged that load shedding may continue to be implemented... 

Mozambique commited to boost SA energy supply

The government of Mozambique is exploring ways to enhance cooperation with South Africa in the energy sector, following South Africa’s Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s working visit to Maputo.... 

No loadshedding expected on Tuesday, but possibility has increased

Loadshedding was not expected on Tuesday, but the possibility of rotational blackouts had increased due to a high number unplanned outages, Eskom said on Monday night.   "We are utilising emergency... 

Moody's voices warning on Mboweni's budget

Moody's ratings agency on Friday warned that the economic forecasts contained in finance minister Tito Mboweni's 2020 budget had been rendered uncertain by the liabilities placed on the state by... 

Eskom power cut derails Western Cape train service, Mbalula not impressed

Commuter trains throughout the Western Cape came to a halt on Thursday as Eskom disconnected power to Metrorail due to unpaid bills, causing transport chaos in the province. Limited service was... 

South African budget highlights scale of fiscal deterioration – Fitch

South Africa's 2020 budget review highlights the severe deterioration underway in public finances and the long-term policy challenge of stabilising government debt, ratings agency Fitch said.... 

Minerals Council CEO says Mboweni is on the right path

The Minerals Council South Africa on Wednesday said it believed Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has taken important steps to address South Africa’s economic crisis, building on the direction from... 

Numsa march against exploitation in Rustenburg mines

About 100 members of the National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) from Lanxess chrome mine in Rustenburg braved the scorching sun on Wednesday, to march against exploitation in the mines. Dressed in... 

Charge copper thieves with economic sabotage, says Mbalula

Copper thieves should be charged with economic sabotage rather than common theft, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula suggested in Parliament on Tuesday. Mbalula told the portfolio committee on... 

No load-shedding expected on Monday as outlook is positive, says Eskom

No load-shedding is expected on Monday, as the power generation outlook is positive, with four generation units returning to service, Eskom said. "With the planned return of four generation units,... 

I'm not dithering on more energy capacity, says Mantashe

Mineral Resources And Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe on Thursday said there was no deliberate delay on his part in bringing more renewable power to the grid to solve South Africa's energy crisis,... 

CPI up 4.5% for January

Annual consumer price inflation increased at a faster rate of 4.5% in January, compared to 4% in December, according to data released on Wednesday. The rate was buoyed by increases in the price of... 

Labour federation Fedusa slams 3.8% national minimum wage increase

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) said it was outraged after the employment and labour minister only increased the statutory minimum wage by 3.8% to R20.76 an hour with effect from... 

Eskom CEO says it wants hand in negotiating IPP pricing

Eskom wants to play a role in negotiating the price at which new and existing independent power producers sell electricity to the embattled utility, CEO Andre de Ruyter told MPs on Tuesday, "It is... 

Govt allocates R143m for drought relief in Limpopo

South Africa's department of human settlements, water and sanitation has allocated R143-million for drought relief in Moutse in Limpopo province. The funds will be administered by water board... 

Ramaphosa to meet business executives on infrastructure investment

President Cyril Ramaphosa was due to meet the chief executives of commercial banks and leaders of multilateral development finance institutions on Tuesday to assess progress made in efforts to... 

Mboweni moots referendum on rescuing State-owned companies on Twitter

After a short hiatus from Twitter, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is once again posting prolifically, using the platform at the weekend to call for a public debate, possibly a referendum, on the use... 

Commission recommends approval of PepsiCo’s acquisition of Pioneer Foods

South Africa's Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal conditionally approve the acquisition of Pioneer Foods by a wholly-owned subsidiary of United States... 

TLU SA objects to forced, costly water meters for irrigation farmers

In an official letter to the Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, TLU SA on Tuesday strongly objected to an announcement on the installation of obligatory water measuring... 

Ramaphosa calls for SA, Germany to tackle energy challenges

As German chancellor Angela Merkel began a state visit to South African on Thursday, president Cyril Ramaphosa called for greater cooperation between the two nations on clean energy, low carbon... 

SA business confidence declines in January

Confidence among South African businesses dipped in January, a survey showed on Thursday,  weighed down by uncertainty around the domestic and global economy. The South African Chamber of Commerce... 

Eskom to implement Stage 2 load-shedding continuously

Eskom said on Wednesday morning it would implement Stage 2 load-shedding continuously until Thursday morning as electricity capacity constraints did not allow it to give clients respite during... 

Eskom confirms Stage 2 load-shedding will continue until Thursday

Eskom confirmed on Tuesday that it would continue with Stage 2 load-shedding until Thursday morning. The embattled power utility, which has a total generating capacity of 46 000 megawatt, said...