Friday March 16, 2012

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Brad Dubbelman

Making headlines:

Inflation pressures in South Africa are now likely becoming more generalized, reflecting demand-side pressure rather than only external factors, the central bank warned, seeming to signal an eventual monetary tightening. "In general, monetary policy can do little to combat the impact or first round effects of inflation that is driven by exogenous shocks," South African Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus said in a statement on the bank's website. "However, the most recent data seems to suggest that inflation is becoming more generalized, and may reflect the emergence of demand pressures. This is something that the Bank will monitor very carefully," she said.

President Jacob Zuma again defended the government's decision to assess how Constitutional Court rulings have impacted on the law. He was responding during question time in the National Assembly to Koos van der Merwe of the IFP, who wanted to know whether he envisaged a constitutional amendment to amend the power of the Constitutional Court. Zuma said he was a bit surprised by the concerns that had been raised regarding amendments to the Constitution. The Constitution was a "living document", meant to be reviewed yearly by a committee of Parliament, he said.

Eighteen critics will be invited to address hearings on the Protection of State Information Bill later this month, but only one media body will be heard, ANC MPs ruled yesterday. Sanef is the only body that will be allowed to speak on behalf of the fourth estate, said Raseriti Tau, the chairman of the ad hoc committee processing the Bill in the National Council of Provinces. Tau said he did not want the process, likely to be the last hearing on the contentious "secrecy" Bill, to be dominated by the media.

Also making headlines:

President Jacob Zuma steered clear of saying whether he would make public the commission of inquiry into the arms deal's final report.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.