May 3, 2013.
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:     
     

MPs and the Public Protector clash over investigation decisions.

South Africa summons Zambia’s envoy for that country’s leader's blunt comments about South Africa.

And, South Africa moves ahead with a big school-building plan amid questions on specifications.

MPs and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela clashed on Thursday over the extent of her independence after the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance queried some of her decisions.

ANC MP John Jeffery questioned Madonsela's move to probe a complaint of former National Consumer Commission (or NCC) member Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi against Trade and Industry Department director general Lionel October, which he believed belonged in the labour court.

The DA, meanwhile, demanded faster feedback on two complaints the party had brought to Madonsela’s office, and criticised her findings on reparations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as "nonsense".

In reply to Jeffery's query, Madonsela said the decision to investigate the NCC matter was hers alone. She said the Public Protector Act, the Constitution and several international treaties to which South Africa was a signatory, clearly proclaimed her independence. She also suggested that a workshop be held to mull the matter, with input from the United Nations.

South Africa's foreign ministry says it has summoned Zambia's ambassador after its Vice President Guy Scott was quoted telling a British newspaper that South Africans were arrogant and that he hated them.  He also likened President Jacob Zuma to FW de Klerk, leader of the apartheid government that ended in 1994.

Relations between Zambia and South Africa are normally cordial. However, Scott's comments reflect the reality that many of South Africa's neighbours feel they live in the shadow of its dominant economy, which makes up about two thirds of the GDP for southern Africa.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Clayson Monyela said South Africa has taken note of the negative remarks on South Africa attributed to Scott, and that the ambassador had been summoned to seek an explanation behind the remarks and what it means in the context of the two country’s bilateral relations.

The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Council (or PICC) has launched a national school build programme, known as Strategic Integrated Project 13 ( or SIP 13), which is driven by uniformity in planning, procurement and contract management, as well as by the provision of basic services.

Department of Basic Education chief director for communication Panyaza Lesufi said the “SIP 13 comprises two programmes: a suite of provincial programmes funded through the Education Infrastructure Grant, the Equitable grant, and the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative which is nationally driven.

SIP 13 was launched to deal with the major challenges that schools face through inter- ventions like replacing inappropriate school structures, providing basic services and addressing basic services backlogs. The programme will also focus on the national classroom, library, computer lab and administration building backlogs, where an improved learning environment will strengthen outcomes, especially at rural schools, and reduce overcrowding.

Publics Works Minister Thulas Nxesi has expressed his commitment to working with the DBE and other stakeholders in rolling out SIP 13.

Also making headlines:

South Africa’s first wind tower manufacturing facility to be built at a cost of R300-million is expected to reach full production by February/March 2014.

South Africa has suspended a senior foreign ministry official over the Gupta wedding flight scandal.

And, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs has launched a plan to develop the local electric vehicle industry.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.