For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa accepts IDAC head’s resignation amid inquiry interference claims; Godongwana to appoint new board at PIC; And, CoJ makes substantial payment towards electricity debt

Ramaphosa accepts IDAC head’s resignation amid inquiry interference claims

Advocate Andrea Johnson has resigned as Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption with immediate effect, prompting the DA to emphasise the need for an independent inquiry.

President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted Johnson's resignation following recommendations from Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi.

The resignation follows explosive testimony heard earlier this month at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Witnesses accused Johnson of improperly interfering with a criminal investigation involving suspended Crime Intelligence Major General Feroz Khan.

The allegations suggest that Johnson illicitly obtained sensitive information regarding a police assault docket and forwarded it directly to Khan.

Compounding the controversy, Johnson repeatedly failed to appear before the commission to answer these claims. Her most recent absence, excused owing to an urgent hospital visit on the day she was scheduled to testify, drew sharp rebukes from the commission’s chairperson and various political observers.

Prior to her resignation, the MKP had mounted pressure on the State, calling on Mothibi to suspend Johnson over the interference allegations.

Godongwana to appoint new board at PIC

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said he would appoint a new board for the Public Investment Corporation after a series of board resignations at the state-owned asset manager.

Eight board members, including Deputy Finance Minister David Masondo, who served as PIC board chair, have resigned, Godongwana said in a statement, with Masondo's departure on Thursday marking the latest exit.

The asset manager faces mounting scrutiny after Chief Executive Patrick Dlamini was suspended pending an investigation into allegations raised by a whistleblower, while South Africa's financial regulator has launched a separate governance probe.

Local newswire has reported that Godongwana has called a general meeting of the PIC today to vote on the removal of the remaining board members.

The asset manager is one of Africa's largest, overseeing more than R3-trillion of funds.

And, CoJ makes substantial payment towards electricity debt

State-owned power utility Eskom has announced that it is currently reviewing the representations received from residents and other affected stakeholders following a notice issued in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act regarding its intention to interrupt the electricity supply to the City of Johannesburg and State-owned power utility City Power.

Eskom highlights that the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act process was initiated on May 17 after the CoJ and City Power accumulated overdue electricity debt amounting to R5.2-billion. Since then, Eskom notes that the city has made payments totalling R4.3-billion; however, as of July 24, the overdue balance remains R3.8-billion.

A current electricity account of R2.6-billion is due on August 3 and Eskom says the CoJ has committed to making payments totalling R5.1-billion by August 21.

Meanwhile, Eskom highlights that the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act consultation process remains ongoing and has been extended to August 22 to allow it to complete the assessment of the representations received and to monitor the CoJ’s compliance with its electricity account obligations and the payment obligations it has made.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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