Making headlines: New police commissioner says he won't bow to political pressure'; Holomisa says Presidential hopefuls have been protecting Zuma; And, National Treasury says Fitch is giving South Africa a chance to address issues

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

New police commissioner says he won't bow to political pressure

Newly-appointed national police commissioner General Khehla Sitole said he would not bow to political pressure or interference as it was his duty to protect the integrity of the South African Police Service.

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula introduced the new national commissioner in Pretoria yesterday.

Sitole outlined his vision for Saps and made it clear that there would be no political interference as he executed his vision.

He said it was his responsibility to orientate the minister on all operational policies that govern the police.

The general added that, if he was ever put in a position which required him to do something that was outside of operational policies, he would defend the policy against the police minister, but first opt for a more proactive approach.

Holomisa says Presidential hopefuls have been protecting Zuma

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa yesterday said South Africans could no longer pin their hopes on the African National Congress and its presidential hopefuls.

Holomisa said these three or four presidential hopefuls have been protecting President Jacob Zuma and defending the caucus and now they want to be president.

Holomisa was speaking at the Sandton Convention Centre at the Daily Maverick's The Gathering, which discussed the upcoming ANC elective conference. He was part of a panel which discussed: "What future, South Africa?"

Save South Africa convener Sipho Pityana said December's elective conference was about "putting icing sugar on a rotten cake".

Professor Nomboniso Gasa said those responsible for State capture needed to be arrested.

And, National Treasury says Fitch is giving South Africa a chance to address issues

Fitch ratings agency’s decision yesterday, to maintain South Africa’s long-term foreign and local currency debt rating at BB+ has given the country a chance to address issues in a manner that will see an upward revision in its ratings, National Treasury said.

It said the reprieve could not see South Africa become complacent, and it should be remembered that Fitch’s decision in April to downgrade the country to ‘junk’ status contributed to a recession, a decrease in revenue and higher borrowing costs.

“Government and the country collectively cannot afford to become complacent about these rising risk exposures.”

Fitch downgraded South Africa weeks after the firing of Pravin Gordhan as finance minister.

Yesterday, it also opted to maintain the country’s outlook as “stable”, but the treasury warned that South Africa needed to regain investment grade status or every citizen would pay the price.

Also making headlines:
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele will represent Zuma at Zimbabwe inauguration

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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