Good morning.
Today we’re covering President Cyril Ramaphosa’s refusal to answer any questions surrounding the Phala Phala farm robbery, a police plane crashed after take-off from Rand Airport, killing five people, and South African GDP growing slower than the rest of the world.
Uproar in parliament as Ramaphosa stays mum on Phala Phala robbery – Times LIVE
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is ready to answer all questions related to the Phala Phala farm robbery but that the investigation must run its course before he can speak on the matter publicly.
That was Ramaphosa’s response at yesterday’s parliamentary session where the president said he was ready to be accountable and to co-operate with the investigation, and give an explanation of the events that unfolded in 2020 when the robbery took place.
But the president refused to answer any questions posed to him by opposition MPs, which caused a stir in the House.
EFF leader Julius Malema said he found it strange that Ramaphosa was willing to co-operate with and speak to all the agencies investigating the robbery but that he would not answer parliament – the body to which he is accountable.
One police officer, four others die in Rand Airport crash – News24
Five people died following an aeroplane crash shortly after take-off from the Rand Airport in Germiston, Gauteng on Tuesday.
The fixed-wing aircraft belongs to the South African Police Service (SAPS) with two police officers among those in the crash.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the crash while the details of the deceased and the pilot, who is alive in hospital, will be released once their next of kin have been informed said police spokesperson colonel Athlenda Mathe.
South Africa is driving at 60 – while the rest of the world is going 100 – BusinessTech
South Africa’s economic growth is slowing down while the rest of the world passes the country by, says financial services firm PwC.
Current economic forecasts have real GDP growth at 2% this year while over the long-term, growth is expected to be around 1.5% per annum.
In turn, the global economy is expected to have a healthier growth rate of 2.6% over the long term.
Five factors leading to SA’s poor showing are global market uncertainty, oil and fuel prices, food prices, interest rates, and trade and supply chains.
“If these growth rates could be translated into the speed at which a car travels, South Africa would be driving at 60 km/h while the global average is above 100 km/h,” said PwC.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
CEO ‘horrified’ to hear reported R3bn ‘laundered’ through Sasfin by Gold Leaf – EWN
Sasfin suspends two employees amid claims of fraud with cigarette group Gold Leaf – Fin24
Transnet: OUTA is calling the latest round of arrests “better late than never” – BizNews
Tesla driver reportedly found a dead mouse and rat poison in their ‘frunk’ after service centre visit – Business Insider
Govt paid out R2.4bn so far to businesses affected by July unrest – News24
Oil set for its worst losing run since 2020 on slowdown concerns – Daily Maverick
Last Soviet leader Gorbachev, who ended Cold War and won Nobel prize, dies aged 91 – Daily Maverick
VBS Bank gets order to seize Jacob Zuma’s assets – News24
Musk requests to delay Twitter trial to November – court filing – Fin24
New Russia gas halt to tighten energy screws on Europe – SABC News
Image Credit: GCIS
