Making headlines: Ramaphosa says South Africa will tackle tax avoidance; EFF threatens to boycott Budget Speech; And, Zuma, Ramaphosa share a laugh during farewell party

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’ m Marleny Arnoldi.

Ramaphosa says South Africa will tackle tax avoidance

South Africa will continue to play a leading role in international efforts to stem the tide of various forms of tax avoidance, President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

He reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption when he replied to the debate on his State of the Nation Address yesterday.

"Institutions like the South African Revenue Service, the Reserve Bank, the Financial Intelligence Centre and the law enforcement agencies work together to detect and prosecute tax evasion.

Corruption and State capture were hot topics on Monday when speakers from the opposition and governing party debated Ramaphosa's inaugural Sona.

Ramaphosa said the matters were raised "quite correctly" during the debate.

Ramaphosa said to applause from both sides of the House that lifestyle audits would take place for all people who occupy positions of responsibility, starting with members of the executive.

EFF threatens to boycott Budget Speech

On the eve of the crucial Budget Speech, South Africa's second opposition party the EFF had yesterday, called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba with immediate effect or it would boycott the proceedings.

In a statement, the EFF said that throughout his tenure as public enterprises minister until 2014, Gigaba was engaged in the restructuring of State-owned enterprises boards, surrendering them to the "Gupta syndicate".

The EFF said that their call for Gigaba’s removal was based on the fact that he was a Gupta-stooge who was the engine of State capture under [former president] Jacob Zuma.

They said Gigaba, as Minister of Home Affairs, ensured that the Guptas attained citizenship in South Africa, aiding them to qualify for BEE deals with State-owned enterprises.

And, Zuma, Ramaphosa share a laugh during farewell party

President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted a farewell function for his predecessor Jacob Zuma at Tuynhuys in Cape Town yesterday afternoon.

According to the Presidency, the farewell – attended by various ministers, deputy ministers and Presidency officials – was aimed at paying tribute to Zuma "for his contribution to South Africa's development during his nine years in office".

In pictures published by the Presidency, Zuma seemed to be in a jovial mood with Ramaphosa, who took over from him after he resigned as president on February 14.

Also making headlines:
Civil rights group AfriForum wants South Africa's highest court to quash a rule signed by former president Jacob Zuma that says evidence produced at a judicial inquiry into allegations of influence-peddling cannot be used in a criminal case.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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