Morning Brief – Thursday, 11 August 2022

Good morning. Today we’re covering the latest testimony from public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s impeachment hearings, Vodacom’s plans to tap into satellite networks, and the lower water level of the Rhine river in Germany will add to the energy crisis in Europe.

Impeachment committee hears about Mkhwebane’s ‘bizarre’ request on SARB’s mandate – News24

Former public protector investigator advocate Livhuwani Tshiwalule testified that it was “bizarre” for public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to look into the mandate of the Reserve Bank during her investigation of the CIEX matter.

Tshiwalule has served as an investigator in both Mkhwebane and former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s office and was testifying during the section 194 committee in parliament.

Tshiwalule told the committee of the work Mkhwebane had assigned to him and asked him to research the ownership structure of other central banks, which Tshiwalule said made little sense as the complaint had nothing to do with the ownership structure. Read more here.

Vodacom to test satellite network for regular cellphones – MyBroadband

Vodacom says it will test AST SpaceMobile’s satellite-based mobile network later this year when the engineering trial gets underway.

The mobile operator says its partnership with AST began in 2020 and the test will involve 20 satellites targeting 49 equatorial countries. Vodacom says the satellite network would complement their existing terrestrial network.

Vodacom said the objective of tapping into the satellite network is to reduce the digital divide that exists in South Africa and deliver cellular coverage to rural areas where it is not currently available. Read more here.

Rhine River withers to crisis level as Europe craves energy – Bloomberg/Daily Maverick

According to the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, the water level of the Rhine River is set to drop to the critical level of 40cm, which would make it impossible for large barges that haul goods from diesel to coal to travel on the river.

Europe is struggling with its worst energy crisis in years as Russia restricts natural gas supply, forcing many countries to use more oil and coal.

The climate crisis, which has seen the level of water in the river drop, has only compounded the energy crisis and threatens to push many of Europe’s largest economies into a recession. Read more here.