For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Opposition MPs unhappy about date set for Ramaphosa to answer Phala Phala questions; Stage 2 load-shedding to continue throughout Thursday night as Eskom faces depleted storage dam levels; And, South Africa consumers remain bleak over rising inflation and rates

Opposition MPs unhappy about date set for Ramaphosa to answer Phala Phala questions

Lawmakers have refused President Cyril Ramaphosa's request to answer questions on the Phala Phala scandal.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told the Programming Committee today that Ramaphosa had written to her requesting that he answers questions on September 29.

Ramaphosa was already scheduled to answer questions on the same date.

However, opposition parties have, objected to the date, saying Ramaphosa should urgently return to the National Assembly to complete the remaining questions before then.

During a sitting earlier this month, chaos erupted after Ramaphosa did not answer questions on the Phala Phala matter.

Stage 2 load-shedding to continue throughout Thursday night as Eskom faces depleted storage dam levels

In addition to the load-shedding currently underway, Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented throughout tonight. It was previously set to stop at 10pm, Eskom said on Thursday.

Stage 2 load-shedding will then continue to be implemented at 5am to 10am daily until Saturday night.

Additional load-shedding is needed to preserve the pumped storage dam levels, part of the emergency generation reserves. Eskom currently has 4 588MW on planned maintenance, while another 15 204MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns. 

And, South Africa consumers remain bleak over rising inflation and rates

South African consumer confidence remained in the doldrums in the third quarter, weighed down by rising inflationary pressures and lending costs.

FirstRand’s First National Bank said a quarterly index measuring sentiment rose to minus 20, from minus 25 in the previous three-months, with the removal of all remaining coronavirus restrictions contributing to the marginal improvement. The index has been negative for 13 straight quarters, the longest stretch since the series began in 1982.

FNB said consumer confidence in general remains very low and not conducive to healthy growth in real consumer spending. Mounting inflationary and interest-rate pressures coupled with dismal consumer confidence point to a significant deterioration” in spending, especially on durable goods.

Sentiment improved most among low-income earners, mainly due to the government extending the payment of welfare grants and increasing the number of those who are eligible.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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