M&G

 

Steinhoff implosion staggers SA

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The collapse of Steinhoff International’s share price this week, following allegations of accounting fraud, is being described as the biggest corporate failure on the JSE so far, but it may just be the tip of the iceberg. On Thursday afternoon, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said he supported a decision by the Financial Services Board (FSB)..
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Treasury senior official calls it quits as Zuma takeover looms

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Michael Sachs, the head of the budgeting office at the national treasury, has reportedly resigned because of interference in its budgeting process by the presidency. The Business Day newspaper reported on Monday morning that “a joint team from the treasury and the Office of the president” are searching for R40-billion in expenditure cuts from the..
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How you will pay for Zuma’s free education plan

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The government is considering drastic budget cuts to fund free higher education, including cutting social grants, freezing the roll-out of RDP houses and increasing taxes. With the country facing an unpre-cedented R50.8‑billion revenue hole, a treasury document has been put before President Jacob Zuma by the presidential fiscal committee, outlining possible areas where budgets could..
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Saudi tensions could increase SA fuel prices

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The recent political upheaval in Saudi Arabia will lead to South African motorists paying an additional 70 to 80 cents more for fuel in December. And there could be a further increase of about 60 cents in January if current tensions persists, says Econometrix chief economist Azar Jammine. Oil, which has traded at about $50..
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The State Security Agency makes second attempt to gag Jacques Pauw’s book

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The State Security Agency has sent yet another cease and desist letter to get The Presidents Keepers withdrawn from bookshelves, but this time the letter was sent to its title editor Russel Martin. Authur and veteran journalist Jacques Pauw announced during the official launch of his book that the SSA’s cease and desist letter gave..
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Treasury letter – Sassa should not have disqualified Post Office

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A letter by National Treasury to acting South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) CEO Pearl Bhengu says the agency should not have disqualified the South African Post Office (SAPO) from three possible services in the social grants scheme. Treasury was given a week last Wednesday to review all the deal points of the then-collapsing deal..
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Sassa and Sapo agreement date pushed back yet again

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The striking of the elusive deal between the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the South African Post Office (Sapo) has been pushed back yet again. MP’s at a joint meeting in Parliament on Tuesday heard that an offer to the Post Office to build an integrated IT payment system for a new “hybrid”..
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South Africa is held hostage to the toxic politics of the ANC

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If it showed anything, the recent medium-term budget policy statement has proven that South Africa does not have a government capable of dealing honestly and head on with the developmental crisis that the country finds itself in. It will not have such a government for some time, at least not until the 2019 general election..
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State capture fiasco shows why collaboration is key to tackling global crime networks

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Lord Peter Hain tabled a series of allegations in the UK’s House of Lords relating to the possible role of British banks in alleged money laundering and illicit financial transactions centred around President Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family. The Conversation Africa’s Charles Leonard asked him to explain why he took the step. Hain, who..
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Gigaba’s first test: Can he ace the mid-term budget?

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Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba is in an unenviable position. In his maiden budget – today’s medium-term budget policy statement – he must confront, among other things, low economic growth, a tax revenue hole big enough to fly a plane through and the budgetary consequences of struggling state-owned enterprises. These issues are some of the chief..
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