Good morning. Today we’re covering the latest details surrounding the Phala Phala farm robbery, SA women prioritise holding onto their jobs over pushing for higher salaries, and the UK might find out what load shedding feels like as the government battles to secure an adequate energy supply.
EXCLUSIVE | Phala Phala theft: The Dubai buyer, a buffalo and the stolen $600 000 – News24 (for subscribers)
In an exclusive from News24, the publication’s investigative team has found out that the amount stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in 2020 was closer to $600,000 and not the $4 million that was initially reported.
The money was not stuffed under a mattress or in a couch cushion either, as was previously speculated, but rather stored in a cupboard. Former state security agency director-general Arthur Fraser made the initial claims that millions of dollars were stolen from the Phala Phala farm.
The money was paid over for a single buffalo with the buyer believed to be from Dubai but the identity remains unknown although the name has been submitted to the public protector’s office. Read more here.
For many women in SA, keeping a job more important than asking for higher pay – EWN
As we celebrated Women’s Day yesterday and continue to champion women throughout August, inflation increases are hitting pockets hard while the gender pay gap continues to widen.
In the recently released, Global Gender Pay Report for 2022, South Africa ranked 123 out of 146 countries and this was no more evidenced than by the recent victory of the Women’s African Cup of Nations by Banyana Banyana.
Unlearning expert and innovation facilitator Zanele Njapha says there are many factors to women wanting to hold onto a job rather than fight for a higher salary. One of the reasons cited is with so many single-mother households in the country, the priority is to keep hold of a job over pushing for a salary increase. Read more here.
UK braces for blackouts in January as part of emergency energy plan – Bloomberg/Daily Maverick
The United Kingdom is about to experience something South Africans have become all too familiar with, a bout of load shedding.
Bloomberg reports that the UK government is planning for a potential electricity shortfall in January during the peak winter months as officials struggle to secure adequate gas supply for the country.
The UK government have said that a worst-case scenario would see a shortfall of gas supply by about a sixth of peak demand even with emergency coal plants fired up, according to those familiar with the planning. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
Oil settles lower as halted Russian pipeline flows appear temporary, demand fears rise – SABC News
New blow for Mango, Comair – The Citizen
Special Tribunal freezes millions in assets belonging to former Transnet execs – EWN
Eskom fails to approach courts in property ‘garbage sale’ – Mail & Guardian
SA women encouraged to take charge of their finances – SABC News
SA’s bumper olive crop won’t result in cheaper olive oil, as steep input costs hurt farmers – Business Insider
Geopolitical realities may shape the US’s ambitious ‘new strategy’ for engagement with Africa – Daily Maverick
Audits in North West reflect ‘a worsening culture of (un)accountability in the province’ – Daily Maverick
‘It is a problem of men’: Ramaphosa, political parties make GBV focus of Women’s Day – News24
Leaked document on troop deployment in SA was ‘internal notice for planning’ — SANDF general – Daily Maverick
Image Credit: GCIS
