For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: South Africa consumer inflation rises in February; Parly committee confident with IEC’s readiness for elections; And, Public servants in for salary increase from April 1

South Africa consumer inflation rises in February

South Africa's consumer inflation ticked up for the second month in a row in February, moving closer to the central bank's upper target, which economists say could mean a longer wait for rate cuts this year.

Headline consumer inflation rose to 5.6% year on year from 5.3% in January, Statistics South Africa data showed.

Key contributors to the annual inflation rate included food, housing, transport and miscellaneous goods and services, which include medical insurance, according to its report.

The South African Reserve Bank, which targets inflation of between 3% and 6%, will announce a monetary policy decision next week.

The higher inflation print was considered a surprise by some analysts, who said this could further delay interest rate cuts by the central bank.

Analsysts say the news doesn't bode well for expectations of rate cuts in the local economy for the first half of 2024.

Parly committee confident with IEC’s readiness for elections

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs welcomed the Independent Electoral Commission’s assurances that it has put in place contingency plans to mitigate the impact of loadshedding on the voting and counting process, during the May 29 elections.

The committee says it is confident in the IEC’s capacity and systems to deliver a credible, free and fair election.

Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane said that it is worth noting that procurement process for electoral materials have been finalised and that ballot paper printing capacity is in place.

The committee emphasised the importance of enhanced voter education, given that there will be three ballots this year, and called for voter education initiatives to ensure that voters mark the ballots correctly.

The IEC has planned extensive voter education initiatives that will focus on the three ballots, on special votes and voting where registered.

These initiatives will include face-to-face education, social media platforms, television, radio, and printed information factsheets.

And, Public servants in for salary increase from April 1

Public servants are set to receive a 4.7% salary increase from April 1, according to Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet.

This will apply to non-senior management service members on salary levels 1-12 and Kiviet says this is in line with government’s commitment to fair compensation and quality public services.

The department said that the government prioritises fair and competitive compensation for public servants to attract and retain talented individuals dedicated to serving the nation.

Kiviet said government had struck a balance between the needs of public servants and delivering efficient services.

The Minister urged the continued delivery of quality services and expressed government’s commitment to professionalising the public service through training investment and capacity building.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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