August 13, 2014.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Samantha Moolman.
 

Nkandla architect Minenhle Makhanya faces a R155-million civil claim.

KwaZulu-Natal commits to economic growth and jobs.

And, the UN is concerned over South-Sudan arms reports as famine looms.
 

Architect Minenhle Makhanya and the department of public works are facing a R155-million civil claim relating to work done at President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla home.

According to a news report, court documents lodged by the Special Investigation Unit (or SIU) showed that Makhanya and the department have 20 days to dispute the claim and to defend the action.

The SIU’s claim states that the department offered to appoint Makhanya as the principle agent of the Nkandla upgrade project, but that the appointment was unlawful as it was not preceded by an open tender process.

The SIU was confident of a successful outcome and is expected to hand in its report on Nkandla security upgrades next week.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has committed his office to economic growth, food security and job creation for the people of the province. Mchunu was tabling his R697- million Budget Vote at the Provincial Legislature on Tuesday.

He said his office would drive the province, mobilise all provincial resources and gear the public service to delivering with speed on government priorities.

He said it was no longer the time to theorise but to implement, and the province had demonstrated its resolve and commitment to economic growth, food security and job creation by commissioning two labs through an “Operation Phakisa” approach, which would focus on Makhathini Flats and poverty eradication respectively.

Operation Phakisa is aimed at fast-tracking the delivery of the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan, which is the country’s blueprint for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality.

A delegation from the UN Security Council said there were reports that South Sudan's warring factions were arming themselves for another bout of fighting,  threatening both sides with sanctions amid growing fears of a man-made famine.

At least 10 000 people have been killed since fierce fighting erupted in December, pitting President Salva Kiir's government forces against supporters of Riek Machar, his former deputy and longtime rival. Diplomats said both sides had violated the truce while negotiations continued.

The US and the European Union have slapped sanctions on commanders from both sides and diplomats who were in the meeting with Kiir said the delegation had made it clear the United Nations could also impose sanctions if there was no commitment to a peace process

Adding to South Sudan's many problems, aid agencies say it could be headed for the worst famine since the mid-1980s, when malnutrition swept through East Africa and killed over a million people. US ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said 50 000 children under five were at risk of dying of malnutrition in the coming months.

Also making headlines:
 

Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies says South Africa and Africa in general benefitted immensely from the recent US-Africa Leaders’ Summit held in Washington last week.

Rhino along the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park are to be moved to so-called strongholds both inside and outside the flagship reserve to protect them from poachers.

Some 250 000 Zimbabweans living in South Africa on temporary visas due to expire this year can get three-year extensions, delaying a possible mass expulsion of workers.

And, Canada will donate a small quantity of an experimental Ebola vaccine developed in its government lab to the World Health Organisation for use in Africa.

Also on Polity:

Don’t miss the latest political analysis from Professor Raymond Suttner in this week’s Suttner’s View. Also, be sure to read the ninth and final issue of EISA’s election updates, examining the issues of political parties’ private funding, youth participation and new political entrants.

Don’t forget to follow @PolityZA on Twitter for updates on breaking news.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.