A Winter’s Poll: Municipal Elections 2016 |
David van Rooyen will not be delivering Budget 2016 this year after being hastily moved out of the Finance Ministry, but he will get to decide when South Africa will hold its fifth local government elections. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has to decide on a date between May and August this year when the country’s most contested poll will take place. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has a few matters to iron out before the date can be proclaimed, such as the verification of addresses where voters are registered. But they vow this will be a credible poll. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY. |
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Analysis: Taxing the relationship between ANC & Cosatu |
T-day is coming. President Jacob Zuma has signed the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill into law and on 1 March the changes will take effect. While the Act, which most affects provident fund members, has caused a rift between Cosatu and the ANC, it’s unlikely federation will follow its harsh words by shifting its voting power and campaign support. By GREG NICOLSON. |
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Traditional leader deposed: A massive victory for North West Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela community |
North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has signed a significant report declaring that the reign of the autocratic Kgosi Nyalala Pilane be “disregarded and nullified with immediate effect” ending years of legal wrangling and internecine warfare over how land and the wealth which belongs to the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela tribal authority should be shared. Merafe Ramono now has been declared the rightful senior traditional leader of Bakgatla ba Kgafela community in the platinum-rich North West. Will it change the fortunes of the embattled and abused community? By MARIANNE THAMM. |
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Drought: Time to call it a national disaster, says DA |
On Thursday, the DA called for the drought to be declared a national disaster, just hours after Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, stated that drought was an “absolute priority” for the Government. Dam levels are down in all provinces, at 57% of capacity. Food security, healthcare and employment are increasingly under threat, with no end in sight. By MARELISE VAN DER MERWE. |
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#FeesMustFall: Cue the commission of inquiry |
As student demonstrations continue in 2016, President Jacob Zuma on Thursday announced a commission of inquiry into the funding of higher education. The question is, will it end the protests? By GREG NICOLSON |
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‘Riotous Behaviour’: Policing through a law easily abused |
The purpose of arrest can only be to ensure an accused’s attendance at court. No other purpose is lawful. It is not up to an arresting officer to determine whether an arrested person should be detained pending criminal trial. That is a decision reserved for the judiciary alone. By ANDREW FAULL and JOSEPH SHAW. |
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Kenyan civil society: Down, but Not Out |
Kenyan non-governmental organisations (NGOs) head into 2016 facing a deeply uncertain future as their government intensifies its effort to crack down on an independent civil society. Between administrative harassment, legislative hurdles and a public campaign to tarnish their reputation, many NGOs are finding it harder and harder to perform their core function of holding the government to account. By SIMON ALLISON for ISS Today. |
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SA vs ENG, 3rd Test, day one: South Africa bat like its 2015 |
South Africa squandered their advantage of winning the toss by gifting England wickets on day one at the Wanderers; suddenly they are looking like the 2015 team again. With a bowling attack that shares just 77 caps between them – 70 belonging to one player – some hard graft awaits. By ANTOINETTE MULLER. |
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Twitter sued by widow of ISIS attack |
Jan 14 (Reuters) – Twitter Inc is being sued by the widow of an American killed in Jordan who accuses the social media company of giving a voice to Islamic State, adding to the pressure to crack down on online propaganda linked to terrorism. |
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GE moving headquarters to Boston for tech talent |
BOSTON/FAIRFIELD, Conn., Jan 13 (Reuters) – General Electric Co’s decision to move its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to Boston will boost the city’s efforts to revitalize a once run-down district where mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger carried out some of his most notorious murders. |
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