For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lynne Davies.

Making headlines:  SA Jewish Board of Deputies labels ANC and SA govt 'bullies' following Israeli ambassador recall, Zandile Gumede swings donation bowl to help foot bill for corruption case and, South Africa’s quest for energy security threatens climate goals

 

SA Jewish Board of Deputies labels ANC and SA govt 'bullies' following Israeli ambassador recall

"Bullying and demonisation" is how the South African Jewish Board of Deputies described Israeli ambassador Eli Belotserkovsky's recall by his government following South Africa's recall of its Israel-based diplomatic staff.

SAJBD chairperson Karen Milner chastised the African National Congress and the South African government after Israel's foreign ministry called Belotserkovsky back to his native land on Monday for "consultation".

The Israeli government's move follows the 6 November announcement by its South African counterpart that the latter's diplomatic staff in Israel would be recalled for "consultation" with Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, asserting that Belotserkovsky's "position … in South Africa is becoming very untenable".

It was Ntshavheni's comments – echoed by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor's views on the same day that Belotserkovsky was "disrespectful" – that drew the SAJBD's ire, with Milner accusing the South African government of "hostility" towards Belotserkovsky.

 

Zandile Gumede swings donation bowl to help foot bill for corruption case

Former eThekwini mayor and corruption accused Zandile Gumede is open to taking donations for her criminal trial fees.

This was according to her spokesperson, Siphelele Jiyana.

On Monday, Gumede appeared for the first time since a jarring emotional breakdown in open court last week, where she burst into tears.

Jiyana said Gumede was open to donors, saying she was struggling to pay her lawyers.

Last week, after her breakdown in court, Jiyana said she had to borrow money the previous day to pay counsel.

On Monday, Jiyana said Gumede still had several financial obligations.

 

South Africa’s quest for energy security threatens climate goals

South Africa is likely to prioritise energy security over its decarbonisation aspirations to avoid further damage to its economy, said James Mackay, the chief executive officer of the Energy Council of South Africa.

That would involve extending the life of some of state power utility Eskom’s coal-fired plants.

The cost may be reduced access to concessional climate finance and a decline in the competitiveness of South African exports as the European Union ramps up levies on imported products that have carbon-heavy production processes, he said.

Mackay, whose organisation’s members include Anglo American and Glencore said energy security is fundamental to economic growth and activity.

South Africa is the world’s 14th-biggest source of climate-warming greenhouse gases.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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