Stories from South Africa

Maikaala, Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Kenya, commented on the benefits of recent Chinese initiatives for South Africa.

China will begin granting zero tariff access to goods from 53 African countries starting May 1. The policy aims to enhance the development capabilities and public service levels of these nations, fostering local employment, technical exchange, talent cultivation, knowledge transfer, and experience sharing, thereby strengthening their endogenous development momentum and traditional friendship with China. This initiative is expected to boost exports from nations like Cape Verde, which exports products such as tuna, lobster, and wine. The zero-tariff trade is also seen as a result of infrastructure support and cooperation projects between China and Cape Verde, enhancing the nation's governance and public services, fostering employment, and facilitating knowledge transfer.

Chukwu Duma Laji, the suspect director of asset protection in the Tshwane Metro Police Department, is scheduled to return to the Magalengana Commission of inquiry in Pretoria this morning. The inquiry is investigating the country's water crisis.

An entrepreneur has accused the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of employing rigid recovery practices. The individual claims these practices ignore the economic impact of COVID-19. The accusation was reported in the Mail and Guardian weekly publication.

Ten officials in Limpopo have been arrested in connection with a 38 million rand landfill site tender. Residents claim the corruption scandal is linked to the collapse of refuse infrastructure and other municipal services. The investigation is part of a broader municipal watch segment. Ten senior officials at the Mule Mule local municipality have been arrested by the Hawks. The investigation is being conducted by the Hawks, South Africa's specialized crime-fighting unit. Ten officials have been arrested in Limpopo regarding a landfill site contract involving a two million rand payment made before work began or a service level agreement was signed. The landfill site in question remains a subject of investigation. The government has arrested several high-ranking officials accused of embezzling funds within the climate sector.

Hundreds of protesters marched on the Johannesburg legislature to demand tougher action against undocumented migrants. Supporters of the march stated that local communities are under strain and businesses are being exploited. The protest took place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Dr. Muguenar Mololeke, the former interim chair of Nesfas, stated he has no regrets regarding his service to the student aid body. His departure occurs during a period of high-level board resignations at the organization.

South Africa's Hillside aluminium smelter is exploring a transition to renewable energy under a plan involving Eskom and South32.

Tanzania's High Commissioner in South Africa, James Buanna, dismissed viral social media claims regarding xenophobic attacks against Tanzanians living in South Africa. Buanna asserted that Tanzanians residing in the country are safe. The Tanzanian embassy in Pretoria has dismissed media reports regarding xenophobic attacks, labeling them as based on misleading video footage. The embassy stated the videos are either outdated or misidentified and contain no verified evidence of Tanzanians being targeted. Community leaders and United States representatives have assisted in identifying the context of the clips. Representatives of the Tanzanian diaspora in Pretoria have denied claims of rising xenophobia, stating that misinformation is causing fear. Reactions in Dar es Salaam are mixed, with some residents citing South Africa's history of sporadic xenophobic violence as a concern.

The South African National Defence Force confirmed a burglary at the Littleton military base in Tshwane on Sunday. Three R4 rifles and 240 millimeter multiple rocket launchers were stolen from a storeroom. Police stated suspects likely entered the facility by cutting through the perimeter fence. Police reported that weapons were stolen from the Nettleton military base in Tabatswane on Sunday. The stolen items include three rifles and two 14-millimeter multiple rocket launchers taken from a storeroom.