Minister Of Finance, Enoch Godongwana's Highly Anticipated Annual Budget Speech
23 Feb 2024On Wednesday, 21 February 2024, Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, presented the highly anticipated annual budget speech. Godongwana acknowledged the significant challenges facing the 2024 budget, given the country's substantial budget deficit. In the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), he highlighted a current revenue shortfall of R57 billion for the current tax year and R54 billion for 2024/2025.
Read moreCrime Stats For The Third Quarter Of The 2023/24 Financial Year
23 Feb 2024The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, addressed the nation on Friday 16th February, highlighting the crime statistics for the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year. Joined by Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, National Commissioner of SAPS, Gen Fannie Masemola, and other high-ranking officials, the Minister provided a comprehensive overview of the country's crime landscape.
Read moreSouth Africa Is Facing An Escalating State Of Fragility
19 Jan 2024South Africa is facing an escalating state of fragility, characterised by the erosion of crucial social cohesion functions, raising concerns about the potential surge in violence, dissatisfaction, and social unrest, reports Bianke Neethling, writer for the Daily Investor.
Read moreWorld Bank Report Reveals Alarming Economic Toll of Crime in South Africa
27 Nov 2023In a startling revelation, the World Bank's latest report titled "Safety First: The Economic Cost of Crime in South Africa" exposes the staggering economic impact of rampant crime, particularly violent offences, on the nation's economy. The report indicates that crime is not only pervasive but is significantly hindering the country's growth potential, affecting businesses, households, and the public sector alike.
Read moreComplex Coalitions and Crime Fighting Confusion
21 Nov 2023As South Africa ventures into an era of coalition politics, the significance of provincial and municipal powerbases is on the rise. The reported tensions between the provincial African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng and the party’s National Executive Committee regarding working arrangements with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) serve as an illustration. Last week’s remarks by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, stating that a national minister’s "days are numbered," further emphasize this trend.
Read moreRethinking Risk Management
05 Oct 2023In a financial landscape fraught with uncertainties, businesses across South Africa are being confronted with a sobering reality: any reliance on government and municipal emergency services may no longer be a sustainable risk management strategy. Recent data from National Treasury paints a grim picture, urging companies to reassess their approach to resilience in the face of mounting economic challenges.
Read moreWorrying Surge in Truck Torching
18 Jul 2023Last week the perennial problem of truck torching on major routes returned. What started with six trucks being set alight at Van Reenen’s Pass in KwaZulu-Natal in the early hours of Sunday, 9 July, ended with a total of 21 trucks torched — other incidents occurred in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. According to the police, most of the trucks were transporting coal and chrome.
Read moreSAPS: A Case For Devolution?
14 Jun 2023Violent crime continues its unimpeded rise, with the number of murders in the first three months of 2023 increasing by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2022. The latest crime figures, covering reported crimes committed between January and March, show that 6 289 murders were committed — equating to 70 killings per day on average. Despite a rise in the national murder rate, the Free State, the Northern Cape, and the Western Cape experienced declines.
Read moreSouth Africa's Current Electricity Situation
30 May 2023Topline summary: We consider a grid collapse to be a very low likelihood event, but nonetheless one deserving of management attention and preparation because of its significant impact should it occur. Despite the low probability of a blackout occurring, we nonetheless advise clients to put measures in place to protect their staff, operations, and equipment. Should it occur, there would be very little advance warning
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