Daily Podcast – June 5, 2019

5th June 2019 By: Thabi Shomolekae - Creamer Media Senior Writer

Daily Podcast – June 5, 2019

Photo by: Creamer Media

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

Making headlines: SA could have fuel price reprieve in July; Northern Cape Premier Saul keeps his promise; And, Zimbabwe and EU seek to move on from Mugabe-era strains

 

SA could have fuel price reprieve in July

Minister of Mineral Resources and energy Gwede Mantashe has said that there could be a reprieve from fuel price hikes in July.

Recent fuel price hikes are due to "local and international factors" including the carbon tax levy, effective from June 1.

However, Mantashe said, "Going forward, the expectation is that barring any negative geopolitical event, the indications are that there will be a reprieve in Fuel Prices for the month of July."

 

Northern Cape Premier Saul keeps his promise

New Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul has made good on his promise to cut spending on cars for his provincial executive, instead choosing to direct that money towards buying new ambulances for the province.

The premier took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that twenty-seven new ambulances were released, the first batch of 63 ambulances.

He said his administration was resolute that there would be no new cars for Premier and MECs.

Saul has been lauded by a cross-section of South Africans for his pledge to ensure that his administration is characterised by servant leadership that places the welfare of ordinary citizens above that of elected leaders.

 

And, Zimbabwe and EU seek to move on from Mugabe-era strains

Zimbabwe and the European Union have begun political talks aimed at turning the page on hostile relations during Robert Mugabe's rule, a step that could enable a resumption of direct financial aid for the ailing economy.

During Mugabe's four-decade rule until 2017, he would routinely blame European "colonialists" for Zimbabwe's problems, and snarled at EU and US sanctions for rights and vote abuses.

The EU has only kept sanctions on Mugabe, his wife and the state arms manufacturer, but is yet to resume direct funding to the new government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, preferring to channel money through local charities and UN agencies.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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