For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Haydon Whitley.

Making headlines: ActionSA demands Parliament probe into Tony Leon’s PR firm; Rand Water Foundation launches borehole project in Mpumalanga; And, PMI shows Kenya private sector activity picks up in June

ActionSA demands Parliament probe into Tony Leon’s PR firm

ActionSA has formally called on National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and the relevant Parliamentary portfolio committees to launch an urgent investigation into Resolve Communications, the public relations company linked to former DA leader Tony Leon.

The party is demanding a thorough parliamentary probe and has filed an official complaint with the Public Protector’s office following claims that Resolve Communications allegedly leveraged its political proximity to the Government of National Unity to secure backdoor executive access for corporate clients.

This has ignited an intense debate over the fine line between legitimate government lobbying and potential State capture.

ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni has requested that portfolio committees summon the affected DA Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as representatives from Resolve Communications to account for their engagements and verify whether ethical governance safeguards were upheld.

Yesterday, ActionSA said it had lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector’s Office, demanding an official investigation into Resolve Communications.

Rand Water Foundation launches borehole project in Mpumalanga

Water utility Rand Water’s social development arm has donated and commissioned four fully equipped boreholes in the communities of Vezubuhle, Rhennosfontein Farms and Gemsbok within the Thembisile Hani local municipality, in Mpumalanga.

The Rand Water Foundation, mandated to promote access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services within Rand Water's area of supply, implements programmes that improve quality of life, promote environmental sustainability and contribute to the long-term development of communities through strategic partnerships and community-focused interventions.

The foundation undertook the R2.09-million intervention following a request from the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation to assist communities experiencing persistent water supply challenges.

The project provides a sustainable water source for about 1 687 beneficiaries, including learners attending a local school.

Overall, it included drilling and equipping four boreholes with filtration and purification systems and the installation of 10 communal water taps, six 10 000-litre water storage tanks, six steel tank stands and the supporting manholes and associated water infrastructure.

And, PMI shows Kenya private sector activity picks up in June

Kenya's private sector activity picked up in June, breaking a run of three previous monthly contractions, a survey showed today.

The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 50 in June from 46.6 a month earlier. Readings above 50 indicate growth in business activity, while those below that signal contraction.

Inflation slowed to 6.4% year on year in June from 6.7% in May, data from the statistics office showed.

The finance ministry forecasts the economy will grow 5.0% this year and 5.2% next year, from 4.6% last year.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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