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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa to host Guinea Bissau President on State visit; DA calls on Parliament to suspend Scopa chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa pending investigation into his conduct; And, Makhura appoints new head of the Gauteng Health Department

Ramaphosa to host Guinea Bissau President on State visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday host President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau His Excellency General Umaro Sissoco Embaló, on a State visit to Pretoria.

The visit will provide an opportunity for South Africa and Guinea Bissau to strengthen bilateral, political and socioeconomic relations.

The visit is expected to explore possible new areas of economic, trade and investment cooperation, especially in Guinea Bissau’s key sectors such as agro-processing, defence, infrastructure and mining, to the mutual benefit of both countries.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor; Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise; Minister of Health Joe Phaahla and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Fikile Majola.

DA calls on Parliament to suspend Scopa chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa pending investigation into his conduct

The Democratic Alliance has written to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to request an urgent investigation into, and what action should be taken against, Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

Hlengwa came under fire this week after he got into a heated confrontation with Eskom board member Busisiwe Mavuso during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Hlengwa reprimanded Mavuso for implying that the African National Congress was responsible for Eskom's woes, calling her actions "gutter politics" and ordering her to leave.

DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone described Hlengwa's actions as reprehensible.

And, Makhura appoints new head of the Gauteng Health Department

Gauteng premier David Makhura has appointed Dr Nomonde Nolutshungu as the new Head of the Gauteng Department of Health.

Nolutshungu was appointed to the role on Monday, replacing Dr Sibongile Zungu, who has been acting in the role since July 2021.

She has been working in the public health sector for almost 30 years. "Prior to her appointment to the provincial government, Dr Nolutshungu was the Minister Counsellor for health in Washington District of Columbia, in the US.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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