May 10, 2012

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Reggie Sikhakhane.

Making headlines:

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale says his department is considering establishing a State-owned construction company.

Sexwale says when houses are built in the government housing programme, the department relies on inexperienced shovel, wheelbarrow and bakkie brigades, many of whom discredit the good name of genuine and committed small to medium emerging contractors.

He says his department is exploring this idea together with Public Works. The department is a key player in the property market, with 24% of the total number of registered residential properties being government subsidised.

The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, expects to have an additional $1.6-billion to fund projects in 2012 and 2014.

The money includes funds from new donors, from traditional donors who are advancing their payments or increasing contributions and from some donors, such as China, that have offered to support projects in their own country to free up cash for more pressing needs elsewhere.

Last November a lack of donor funds prompted the Global Fund to scrap new grants until 2014, triggering a crisis for agencies working to tackle Aids around the world.

Opposition MPs urged government on Wednesday to take firmer action on service delivery problems, warning that the situation is spiralling out of control.

Congress of the People MP Juli Killian says local governments have sunk beyond the crisis level, while Democratic Alliance MP John Steenhuisen says drastic steps are needed to reform local government.

The country is currently facing service delivery protests at a rate, on average, of two a week.

Also making headlines:

South African Police Service crime intelligence unit head Lt-Gen Richard Mdluli has been "shifted” from his position with immediate effect.

And, the International Finance Corporation and Standard Chartered have unveiled a new African bond programme.

That’s a round up of news making headlines today.