Good morning, here’s what you need to know today:
A damning January 2019 recording between suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and the inspector-general of intelligence has resurfaced. Ramaphosa says he does not have to appear at Mkhwebane’s impeachment hearings to answer questions around funding for the CR17 campaign. Numsa wants a whopping 20% increase for its members working in the automotive industry.
Public protector’s office dealt a blow as inquiry hears damning evidence from former Sars executive – TimesLIVE
A recorded conversation between suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and the inspector-general of intelligence resurfaced during the impeachment inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office.
The recording alleged serious State Security Agency abuses and former top Sars official Johann van Loggerenberg said the recording revealed: “that we seemingly have 180-plus people who are deep-cover agents or sleepers or co-workers whatever they are called, with all sorts of sophisticated listening devices, with homes flush in dollars, pounds, euros and South African rands, multiple passports and identities”. Read more here.
Mkhwebane’s impeachment not the place for ‘unsubstantiated allegations’ about CR17 campaign – Presidency – News24
During a marathon session on Tuesday, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa declared during the Section 194 Committee hearings into the impeachment of suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane that President Cyril Ramaphosa still had something to answer for regarding the funding of his CR17 campaign.
Holomisa appeared to suggest that state funding was used in the CR17 ANC presidential campaign even though Mkhwebane herself found no such abuse of funds in her report on the campaign and the Gauteng high court, as well as the Constitutional Court, overturned her findings against the campaign.
The presidency reacted on Wednesday and said that Ramaphosa had not made any allegations against Mkhwebane and that the president cannot be compelled to appear before the committee to provide evidence to substantiate claims made. Read more here.
Numsa says automotive sector can afford its demand for 20% wage hike – Business Day (for subscribers)
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) is demanding wage increases of up to 20% for the automotive industry.
General Secretary Irvin Jim is adamant that the automotive industry can afford the wage increases because they are a “profitable business.” He added that negotiations are give and take and can be anywhere between 10% and 20%.
Numsa recently strongarmed Eskom into signing a 7% wage increase, which will add around R1 billion to the power utility’s wage bill while the 20% demand is way above the 5.9% headline inflation forecast by the Reserve Bank for 2022. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
Old Mutual to appeal ruling ordering it to pay R1.7bn to widows, orphans invested in Fidentia – Fin24
South Africa’s rooibos industry just paid out R12.2 million to the Khoi and San communities – Business Insider
‘US inflation surge raises spectre of recession, SA in for more rate hikes’ – EWN
SA Express licences, route allocations cancelled with immediate effect – Fin24
South Africa testing ‘digital rand’ – BusinessTech
Nelson Mandela’s boxing belt stolen from Soweto museum – Mail & Guardian
KZN tavern shooting: Two men released from police custody after questioning – News24
Image Credit: Antonio Muchave/Gallo Images
