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

Making headlines: Outa and others welcome termination of State of Disaster for electricity; Controversial Eskom exemption withdrawn 'for now'; And, SACP renews call for inquest into Chris Hani's death

Outa and others welcome termination of State of Disaster for electricity

The government has terminated, with immediate effect, the National State of Disaster, which was declared by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on February 9.

The Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs says the State of Disaster was a necessary response to the impact of critical levels of loadshedding on the economy and vulnerable sectors such as health and small businesses.

Following the declaration of the State of Disaster in February, the government adopted wide-ranging regulations which set out the responsibilities of the different organs of the State to mitigate the impact of severe loadshedding, prevent the escalation of electricity supply constraints and avert a national emergency, the department avers.

It notes that these regulations and the underlying actions were put in place in support of the Energy Action Plan.

Controversial Eskom exemption withdrawn 'for now'

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told MPs that he has decided to withdraw the exemption of Eskom from the Public Finance Management Act "for now" to have further consultation with the auditor-general and Eskom's auditors. 

A special government gazette issued by Godongwana last week had exempted Eskom from reporting in its annual financial statements on wasteful and irregular expenditure that did not arise from corruption.

He noted that the Ministry has decided to withdraw the gazette for now and have more detailed discussions with the auditor-general and Eskom's auditors so that the framing of the gazette is proper and the checks and balances are tightened.

And, SACP renews call for inquest into Chris Hani's death

The South African Communist Party has called for an inquest into the death of its former general secretary Chris Hani.

This year marks 30 years since Hani was assassinated.

As part of the commemoration, the party has started an online petition to garner support for an inquest.

Hani's nephew, Mphatheli Hani, said that he was not aware of the petition, but he fully supported it.

SACP spokesperson Mhlekwa Nxumalo said the party had repeatedly called for an inquest into Hani's death, but had recently renewed this demand following the release of one of his murderers on parole last year.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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