September 14, 2012
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.
Making headlines:

Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile says corrupt officials should be fired.

New Libyan Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour prioritises improving security.

And, there’s an urgent need to close South Africa’s infrastructure funding and regulatory gaps.

Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile says that Government officials found guilty of corruption must be fired. He says this is particularly relevant considering that corruption results in limited resources and inefficiencies in government.

He notes that an example of inefficiency is in government's delay to approve environmental impact assessments (or EIA) for companies that want to start projects in the country.

Mashatile also urges the private sector to show confidence by investing in the South African economy, saying that for the economy to thrive, South Africa has to invest in skills development.

Libya's new prime minister says he will strive to improve security by boosting the national police force and army as well as collecting weapons. This follows a deadly attack on the US consulate in the east.

Mustafa Abu Shagour says he will crack down on militias who have refused to lay down their arms and at times take the law into their own hands.

Militias spearheaded the rebellion that ended Muammar Gaddafi's rule. While many have scaled back their activities, gone back to their hometowns or merged into national security services, others have yet to give up their arms.

Abu Shagour, a US-trained academic, said that on top of security, his priorities are boosting the economy and services such as education and health.

The ‘State of Infrastructure Report’ reveals that for South Africa to raise the developmental impact of its large-scale economic infrastructure investment programme, there is a need not only for improved planning within the energy, transport, water and telecommunications sectors, but also with integrated planning across sectors.

The report says that integrated planning is necessary to ensure that the right investment choices are made. These choices together with effective delivery, have been proven to “distinguish high-growth economies from low-growth ones”.

The report maintains that a systematic infrastructure development planning process is required to prioritise, sequence and resource projects, including the mobilisation of private sector participation.

Also making headlines:

A hepatitis outbreak kills 16 people in South Sudan refugee camps.

South African miners’ threats put pressure on the ANC.

And, a community leader claims the Department of Education 'intimidates' Limpopo schools.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.