Let’s wrap up some of the top stories happening in South Africa this week:
This week, the consumer inflation has eased for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 3.8% in September from 4.4% in August, marking the lowest inflation rate since March 2021. The decrease is mainly attributed to lower transport costs, particularly a continued decline in fuel prices.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the significance of the BRICS Engagement and BRICS Plus platforms for strengthening international ties during South Africa’s statement at the inaugural BRICS/Plus Countries Session in Kazan, Russia, which included leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and new members like Egypt and Iran.
In crime news, the police have arrested a suspect in the tragic rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane in Soweto after a three-day manhunt.
The Department of Health has denied claims of neglect regarding a surge in child deaths linked to suspected food poisoning, asserting that the situation is being treated as a national security threat.
Lastly, Johannesburg’s MMC for Community Development, Kabelo Gwamanda, has been placed on special leave by Mayor Dada Morero following his arrest for fraud charges amounting to R12,000.
Here are the top stories of the week:
CONSUMER INFLATION CONTINUES TO COOL, HITTING LOWEST RATE SINCE MARCH 2021
Consumer inflation has eased for the fourth consecutive month, dropping to 3.8% in September from 4.4% in August, according to Statistics South Africa. This marks the lowest inflation rate since March 2021, when it stood at 3.2%. Prices increased only 0.1% on average between August and September 2024.
The decline in the headline inflation rate is largely attributed to softer transport costs, particularly lower fuel prices, which fell for the fourth month in a row. The transport category has entered deflationary territory for the first time in 13 months, with its annual rate declining from 2.8% in August to -1.1% in September. On average, fuel prices are now 9.0% lower than a year ago, with inland 95-octane petrol priced at R22.19 in September—the lowest since February 2023.
Meanwhile, annual food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation remained unchanged at 4.7%. While some food categories, such as hot beverages and meats, recorded softer annual rates, others like vegetables and fish saw increases. The food and NAB price index rose by 0.6% in September, marking the highest monthly increase since January.
In the alcoholic beverages and tobacco category, the annual rate rose to 4.7%, up from 4.3% in August, with beer, spirits, and wine prices seeing notable increases.
The September consumer price index (CPI) also concluded the housing rental survey for Q3 2024, showing an annual rental increase of 3.3%, alongside a 4.1% rise in domestic worker wages.
RAMAPHOSA CALLS FOR STRONGER TIES IN COUNTRY STATEMENT AT BRICS SUMMIT
President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the significance of the BRICS Engagement and BRICS Plus platforms for fostering deeper international ties, during South Africa’s country statement at the BRICS/Plus Countries First Session in Kazan, Russia. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, gathered for their first meeting since the 2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa stressed the importance of these platforms in building cooperation among countries in the Global South and emerging markets, which together represent 35% of the world’s GDP and 20% of global exports.
He also welcomed Russia’s initiatives to support the development of other BRICS nations.
SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR RAPE AND MURDER OF SIX-YEAR-OLD AMANTLE SAMANE IN ORLANDO EAST
The suspect wanted for the horrific rape and murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane in Orlando East, Soweto, has been arrested by the police. The man, an undocumented foreign national, was known to the community and was found after a three-day manhunt conducted by residents and law enforcement.
Amantle was tragically raped and strangled to death on Monday, 21 October, in the suspect’s rented shack.
SEVEN SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER JEWELLERY HEIST AT CLEARWATER MALL
Seven suspects have been arrested following a brazen robbery at a jewellery shop in Clearwater Mall, Roodepoort, on Tuesday, 22 October 2024. The swift police operation also led to the recovery of four firearms.
A group of eight armed men stormed the store, holding employees at gunpoint before fleeing with a significant amount of jewellery. However, police, private security officers, and metro police quickly intercepted the suspects, leading to a shootout.
Four suspects were cornered near the mall, while three others were arrested in Dobsonville after a high-speed chase. Two police officers and three suspects were injured during the confrontation.
TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR KILLING FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS IN EASTERN CAPE
On Friday night, 18 September, the SAPS launched a manhunt following the brutal killing of five family members in Bityi, outside Mthatha. Two armed men entered the family’s yard in Ncenjana Location, fatally shooting a couple in a rondavel before opening fire on another house, killing three others and injuring two children.
The two children managed to escape and alert neighbors, who called the police. Tragically, five people (two men and three women) lost their lives, while the injured children remain hospitalized.
Two suspects, aged 22 and 39, have been arrested and are set to appear in the Bityi Magistrate’s Court in connection with the massacre. The police are investigating five murders and two attempted murders and have urged the public to come forward with any information.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT REJECTS CLAIMS OF NEGLECT IN CHILD DEATHS FROM SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING
The Department of Health has firmly denied accusations that it is neglecting the recent surge in child deaths linked to suspected food poisoning.
The deaths, believed to be linked to food from foreign-owned spaza shops, have sparked concerns among affected families.
NATJOINTS has tasked the Department of Health with coordinating investigations, with SAPS detectives, environmental inspectors, and the National Consumer Commission all involved in the probe.
Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has enlisted the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) to help identify the cause, drawing on its past success in tracing a listeria outbreak. Authorities suspect a chemical agent and are intensifying efforts, deploying 80 health inspectors to Johannesburg to address the issue.
OVER R6 BILLION IN TAXES COLLECTED FROM RETIREMENT SAVINGS WITHDRAWALS
The new two-pot system for retirement savings withdrawals has generated over R6 billion in taxes for the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Commissioner Edward Kieswetter reported to Parliament’s standing committee on finance that an additional R670 million in outstanding tax debt remains.
Since the pension reform was implemented in September, SARS has received more than 1.4 million applications for two-pot savings withdrawals, with nearly R26 billion approved for payout by pension funds in under two months.
SARS has successfully approved 95% of the applications, with approximately 50,000 being declined.
STUDENTS EXPOSE FLAWS IN SASSA’S SRD GRANT SYSTEM, URGE OVERHAUL
Two first-year Stellenbosch University computer science students, Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai, have called for an overhaul of SASSA’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant system after uncovering vulnerabilities that allowed for fraudulent applications.
Presenting their findings to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, the students revealed that their own IDs had been used to apply for the R350 SRD grant without their consent.
Cedras recommended restarting the entire grant system with stricter verification processes, while Gosai suggested implementing facial recognition or biometric checks to prevent further fraud.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT TEAMS DEPLOYED AFTER FLOODS IN NELSON MANDELA BAY
The Eastern Cape government has activated its disaster management teams to assist communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro after devastating floods displaced hundreds of families. The heavy rains, which hit the area on Monday night, claimed the life of one person and left a trail of destruction.
Over 3,000 residents have been evacuated and are now sheltered in 19 temporary facilities. The government’s main priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected, with teams working around the clock to provide aid and support to the displaced families.
FIRE DESTROYS NINE HOMES IN HARTBEESPOORT
A devastating fire has destroyed at least nine homes in Kosmos, Hartbeespoort, following emergency services’ response to reports of a blaze at the waterfront on Sunday afternoon. Police spokesperson Adele Myburgh confirmed that authorities are investigating the incident, although foul play is not suspected.
Preliminary investigations indicated that a thatched-roof house ignited, with strong winds exacerbating the flames, which began along Simon Bekker Street. The fire rapidly spread, causing significant damage to other residences and nearby vegetation.
KABELO GWAMANDA PLACED ON SPECIAL LEAVE FOLLOWING FRAUD ALLEGATIONS
Johannesburg MMC for Community Development, Kabelo Gwamanda, has been placed on special leave. This decision comes after Gwamanda’s arrest last Friday, where he appeared alongside co-accused Mduduzi Zonde in the Protea Magistrate’s Court, facing fraud charges amounting to R12,000.
Both were released on R2,000 bail, with the case postponed to 3 December. In a statement, the City of Johannesburg’s spokesperson, Nthatisi Modingoane, emphasized that the severity of the allegations necessitated this proactive measure to uphold the integrity of the Executive Mayor’s office and maintain good governance.
AIRBNB DEFENDS CAPE TOWN IMPACT AMID CRITICISM OVER HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Airbnb has released a report defending its role in Cape Town’s housing market, claiming that dedicated rentals account for less than 1% of all formal housing units.
KODWA CORRUPTION CASE POSTPONED FOR REPRESENTATION OUTCOME
The case against former minister Zizi Kodwa and his co-accused, former Enterprise Outsourcing Holdings director Jehan MacKay, has been postponed until next Friday. This postponement is to determine the outcome of their legal representations.
Kodwa and MacKay face charges related to allegations that Kodwa received over R1.6 million in exchange for influencing multi-million rand IT tenders for the government. The pair made a brief appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on Thursday.
During Kodwa’s last court appearance, his attorney, Zola Majavu, expressed frustration over the repeated delays in the case.
SPRINGBOKS WELCOME BACK RUGBY WORLD CUP WINNERS FOR OUTGOING TOUR
The Springbok squad has received a boost ahead of the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour, with hooker Johan Grobbelaar and prop Wilco Louw joining the lineup following Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ injury withdrawal. Four Rugby World Cup winners—Damian Willemse, Andre Esterhuizen, RG Snyman, and Franco Mostert—are also making a comeback after missing the recent Rugby Championship due to injuries.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 34-man squad for the tour, which includes matches against Scotland (November 10), England (November 16), and Wales (November 23). The return of Esterhuizen (shoulder), Snyman (foot), Mostert (broken leg), and Willemse (finger) will significantly enhance the squad’s experience and skill set.
Willemse’s inclusion marks his first appearance in the Springbok setup this year, as he has missed all ten Tests in 2024. The squad, led by Siya Kolisi, will kick off their preparations with a training camp in Jersey on October 27 before heading to Edinburgh for their opening Test.
Injury sidelined players include Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Salmaan Moerat (knee), Steven Kitshoff (neck), and Lood de Jager (shoulder). Erasmus’ squad comprises 18 forwards and 16 backs, gearing up for a challenging tour ahead.
Updated Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
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The post Top Stories in South Africa this week: Ramaphosa BRICS, Inflation, Soweto 6-year old, Food poisoning & more appeared first on YOMZANSI. Documenting THE CULTURE.
