Making headlines: Moyane sets the record straight on Makwakwa's reappointment at Sars; Zim President Mnangagwa appoints interim cabinet; And, Kenyan president to be sworn-in as opposition prepares to hold rival rally

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

Moyane sets the record straight on Makwakwa's reappointment at Sars

South African Revenue Services Commissioner Tom Moyane yesterday, set the record straight and addressed the "blatant misrepresentation of facts" regarding Jonas Makwakwa's reappointment as chief officer for business and individual taxes.

Makwakwa, who is widely believed to be Moyane’s number two, was reinstated on November 1, after serving a year’s suspension after the Financial Intelligence Centre flagged several suspicious payments into his bank account and that of another Sars employee, Kelly-Anne Elskie.

Sars then sought an outside legal opinion on the matter after Moyane took the decision to suspend Makwakwa pending an independent investigation into the allegations.

International law firm, Hogan Lovells, was appointed to investigate the matter. Hogan Lovells submitted an investigation report which recommended that disciplinary action be taken against Makwakwa.

Moyane said Sars thought it necessary to address the unsubstantiated tone and the blatant misrepresentation of facts. He said this was a predictable and monotonous media narrative that was aimed at casting aspersions on the integrity of the organization.

Zim President Mnangagwa appoints interim cabinet

New Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday appointed a two-member interim cabinet “to allow for uninterrupted services in critical government ministries”.

Patrick Chinamasa was appointed acting minister of finance and economic development, and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi was appointed acting minister of foreign affairs.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda said Mnangagwa was set to meet all ministry permanent secretaries today afternoon, at the Munhumutapa Offices and added that all the permanent secretaries were “required to attend”.

Mnangagwa was sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new interim president on Friday, at the National Sports Stadium, three days after his predecessor Robert Mugabe stepped down following pressure from the army and citizens after the military took charge of the country on November 15.

And, Kenyan president to be sworn-in as opposition prepares to hold rival rally

Kenyan security forces fired teargas to control crowds trying to force their way into a stadium for President Uhuru Kenyatta's inauguration today, as riot police sealed off an area where the opposition planned to hold a rival rally.

Kenyatta won a second five-year term on October 26 in a repeat presidential election boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair.

The Supreme Court nullified the first presidential election, in August, over irregularities.

The extended election season has divided Kenya, a Western ally in a volatile region, and blunted growth in East Africa's richest economy.

Supporters of Kenyatta - who won with 98 percent of the vote after Odinga's boycott - are urging the opposition to engage in talks and move on.

Also making headlines:
Ousted Zimbabwe finance minister Ignatius Chombo, charged with three counts of corruption in offences that allegedly took place two decades ago, was denied bail on Monday and will be detained in custody until his case is heard on December 8.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today
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