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

Making headlines: Nkabane appointed acting chairperson of Parly Agriculture Committee; DA to lead massive anti-crime march in Nelson Mandela Bay; And, Johannesburg, other municipalities face funding freeze over high spending

Nkabane appointed acting chairperson of Parly Agriculture Committee

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture has officially elected Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as its acting chairperson, invoking Rule 159 of the National Assembly Rules to ensure stable leadership.

The position became vacant after President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed former chairperson Dina Pule to the Cabinet as the Social Development Minister.

The committee moved swiftly to elect an acting head to maintain continuity in its intensive oversight work. This interim appointment allows the committee to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities without delay while political structures finalise the election of a permanent chairperson.

Following the vote, Nkabane thanked fellow committee members for their confidence and pledged to work collaboratively across party lines to advance the legislative programme.

DA to lead massive anti-crime march in Nelson Mandela Bay

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis will on Friday spearhead what is anticipated to be the largest anti-crime demonstration in Nelson Mandela Bay’s recent history.

The mobilisation comes as communities across South Africa grapple with a deepening and violent crime crisis. Organised under a unified "Catch, Convict, and Clean-up" agenda, the DA is demanding urgent federal intervention to protect citizens living in constant fear, including devolving certain policing functions to capable local governments.

Hill-Lewis is expected to use the platform to deliver a serious, national demand directly to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Central to the party's platform is a call to overhaul the centralised policing model.

The march will proceed from the corner of Aubrey road and Amelia street in Bridge Haven, Gelvan Park, Gqeberha, and conclude at the SAPS 10111 Centre in Schauderville.

And, Johannesburg, other municipalities face funding freeze over high

South Africa's National Treasury will withhold funding from Johannesburg and dozens of other municipalities for at least a month over persistent and serious non-compliance with financial management regulations, officials said today.

The move comes before local elections on November 4, in which Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub and largest municipality, is expected to be among the most hotly contested battlegrounds.

Treasury's deputy director-general of intergovernmental relations, told a news conference that R3.6-billion in funding would be withheld from Johannesburg in July.

She stressed the move did not amount to placing the city under administration.

Almost 70 municipalities will have a portion of their funding suspended until September unless they can show they have reduced wasteful expenditure by at least 25%, Treasury officials said.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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