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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa affirms Nersa’s independence in setting tariffs; EFF cuts ties with IFP over power sharing in coalition municipalities; And, Gauteng High Court grants DA request to interdict Ekurhuleni special council sitting

Ramaphosa affirms Nersa’s independence in setting tariffs

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that tariffs that reflect the cost of producing electricity are necessary for Eskom’s financial sustainability, as well as for the utility to service its debt and to undertake the critical maintenance needed to end loadshedding.

Writing in his weekly newsletter he also affirmed the independence of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa in setting such tariffs using a prescribed process, which includes public consultation, as well as the “importance of following the due legal process in setting tariffs”.

Without backing away entirely from his assertion that consumers should be shielded from the effects of the 18.65% hike approved for implementation on April 1, the President acknowledged, too, that government should be wary of short-term solutions that we will be regrated in years to come.

Nevertheless, Ramaphosa still called on stakeholders to work on a solution that strikes a balance that ensures that Eskom has the resources it needs to resolve the electricity crisis while protecting South Africans from the effects of higher prices.

EFF cuts ties with IFP over power sharing in coalition municipalities

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema says the party has cut all ties with the Inkatha Freedom Party.

Malema said the EFF would initiate and support motions of no confidence in all IFP mayors in the municipalities in which they previously voted with them.  

This is after the parties met earlier this month to discuss a balance in terms of power-sharing in coalition municipalities.

These include the Zululand, Amajuba, Uthukela, Umkhanyakude and King Cetshwayo district municipalities, as well as the Ulundi, Nongoma, Mtubatuba, uMhlathuze, Jozini, Dannhauser, Alfred Duma, Nkosi Langalibalele, Abaqulusi, Uphongolo and Umhlabauyalingana local municipalities. 

Malema said the EFF would make sure the IFP was removed from all positions of responsibility in all Gauteng municipalities.

And, Gauteng High Court grants DA request to interdict Ekurhuleni special council sitting

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has granted the Democratic Alliance in Ekurhuleni an urgent interdict to halt a special council sitting.

The DA and council Speaker, Raymond Dhlamini filed an urgent application to interdict a special sitting of the Ekurhuleni council, which City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi called.

The urgent court application was argued two hours ahead of the start of the special sitting. Dhlamini is facing a motion of no confidence vote, which was brought by seven minority political parties at the Ekurhuleni council.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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