Economists have warned about the mounting costs of dispensing social welfare grants in South Africa after Treasury director-general Lesetja Kganyago reported that the costs had risen from just over R4 billion to R5.16bn in four years. Economists.co.za chief economist Mike Schussler, noting that R80bn was dispensed by the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) in 2009/10, […]
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Recession takes its toll on small KwaZulu companies
The number of companies and close corporations in KwaZulu-Natal had skyrocketed from 8654 in 2002 to 39364 in 2008, but 8000, or 20%, of these had closed down last year due to the economic downturn, said Clive Coetzee, an independent economist in Pietermaritzburg. The figures were provided by the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office, […]
Minister of Finance defends his ‘pro-poor’ budget speech
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has defended his budget speech against criticism by unions, saying he had announced a “pro-poor” budget. Last week Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the speech was like “old wine in new bottles” and threatened a general strike if the government did not take steps to reduce unemployment and ban labour […]
Calls mount for release of Gauteng graft report
Calls are mounting for the release of a report on an investigation commissioned by former premier Mbhazima Shilowa into corrupt activities in the Gauteng government two years ago. The findings of the report, compiled by Resolve Group attorneys, led to the suspension and dismissal of Sibusiso Buthelezi, former head of the public transport, roads and […]
ANCYL Leader Malema stays away after party rally row
Infighting within the Eastern Cape ANC stopped Youth League president Julius Malema and party national executive member Fikile Mbalula from addressing a Nelson Mandela freedom rally in Mthatha yesterday. The two ANC firebrands were expected at the Walter Sisulu University sports ground as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the unbanning of the ANC […]
ANCYL Leader Malema on offensive over his assets
ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has accused those who leaked stories about his houses, cars and his enrichment through government tenders of employing the same strategies used by former president Thabo Mbeki. SABC news reported yesterday that Malema, who was addressing ANC branches in Potchefstroom, said Mbeki’s government had also been prone to investigating […]
R42 000-a-month Vavi says he's open to lifestyle audit
Zwelinzima Vavi, the man who called on president President Jacob Zuma to introduce a lifestyle audit, says his own life is available for audit. “I want to lead by example. I have nothing to hide,” Vavi said. Vavi earns R42 000 a month and takes home about R27 000. He pays R10 000 a month […]
SANDF proposal for border security inadequate – Maynier
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, should reject the defence force’s hopelessly inadequate proposal for taking over the borderline security function in South Africa. The fact is that if the defence force’s proposal is implemented there may be: fewer members of security services patrolling our borders; […]
S.Africa: DA leader launches education campaign
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille launched a national education campaign in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria at the weekend, aimed at alleviating a learning and teaching crisis in the country. Zille said the DA’s campaign, if implemented across the country, would improve the quality of the public education system. “We want to get the education […]
Blue-light brigade reminds me of apartheid – Lekota
COPE president Mosiuoa Lekota said he does not use blue lights to get to his destination faster – he says the blue lights he remembers were the ones when he was arrested and being transported to court and prison during the apartheid era. Lekota gave his views on the controversy surrounding blue light convoys used […]