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News today: Govt overspending due to salaries, Ramokgopa’s Eskom contradictions, dagga cookies, and more
Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
Elements from iStock, editing by Cheryl Kahla
News today includes Parliament overspending on its annual budget by more than R60 million, and Minister Ramokgopa contradicting himself again regarding load shedding.
Meanwhile, Thabo Mbeki believes the state of the country can be turned around, including putting an end to load shedding.
News Today: 23 September 2023
In today’s weather update, multiple impact-based warnings had been issued for severe conditions – full forecast here.
Luckily, Eskom said we’re going to have a long weekend free of power cuts. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.
MPs’ salary increases, budget reductions
Parliament is expected to overspend its annual budget by more than R60 million by the end of March next year.
This came to light on Friday when the Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament convened its first meeting since MPs returned from the constituency break.
The committee was briefed on Parliament’s performance in the first quarter between April and June.
CONTINUE: MPs’ salary increases, budget reductions force Parliament to overspend by millions
Ramokgopa’s Eskom contradictions
Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has seemingly contradicted himself again regarding load shedding and the end of power cuts.
According to Ramokgopa, there is a lack of grid capacity in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape which is hindering Eskom’s ability to incorporate new renewable energy sources. This issue is expected to worsen within the next year.
The minister was speaking at the South African Transmission Financing Seminar with Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on Thursday.
CONTINUE: Ramokgopa contradicts himself again – this time about Eskom finances
Thabo Mbeki on service deliver and elections
Former President Thabo Mbeki believes the state of the country can be turned around, including putting an end to load shedding.
Mbeki said the current load shedding crisis can be resolved with “new money”.
Speaking on SABC News, he said the renovation of old power stations and implementation of the renewable energy can improve the availability of electricity.
CONTINUE: ‘Focus on service delivery before worrying about who wins elections’ – Thabo Mbeki
Parliament fire restoration delayed
The completion date for restoring Parliament’s buildings after they were severely damaged by a fire has been pushed back by two months.
The 2 January 2022 blaze gutted the National Assembly and some parts of the Old Assembly wing leaving MPs without a permanent venue.
Zandile Mafe was arrested in connection to the fire.
CONTINUE: Parliament fire: Restoration completion date pushed back by two months
Space cookies
Three children are reportedly still receiving medical attention at George Mukhari Hospital in Tshwane after eating cookies allegedly laced with dagga.
90 pupils between grades R and 7 from the Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve were treated on Wednesday after eating the biscuits allegedly from a street vendor on their way to school.
According to Sowetan, three of the pupils are still undergoing medical observation.
CONTINUE: Three children still in hospital after eating ‘space cookies’
In other news today:
- Hunt on in KZN for councillor’s killers
- Victim bites robber’s hand during altercation
- Busy traffic conditions expected on the N3 ahead of long weekend
- Despite Sassa and Nsfas issues, ANC applauds itself for ‘addressing poverty’
- Will Postbank resignations leave social grants unpaid next month? Government clears the air
Yesterday’s News recap
READ: Repo rate, SABC bailout, DA blames ANC for Eskom cadre deployment, and more
