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

Making headlines: Godongwana to re-table Budget on May 21; DA lays criminal charges against Joburg Property officials; And, Ramaphosa appoints Dr Alistair Ruiters as investment promotion special adviser

Godongwana to re-table Budget on May 21

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will re-table the 2025 Budget on May 21, noting that in the meantime funding for provinces and municipalities will continue under the 2024 Division of Revenue Act.

This after he wrote to Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza informing her that he would be withdrawing the Appropriation and Division of Revenue Bills.

This follows the cancelled VAT increase, with Treasury warning that without it, the estimated revenue will fall short by about R75-billion over the medium term.

Godongwana said the comprehensive Budget review, scheduled for May 21, would include the Fiscal Framework, the Appropriation Bill, Division of Revenue Bill, and already tabled Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill.

He assured that the revised Budget would adhere to all technical processes and consultations as set out in the Money Bills and Related Matters Act.

DA lays criminal charges against Joburg Property officials

Following allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement at the Johannesburg Property Company, the Democratic Alliance has filed criminal charges against five officials.

Findings from the Special Investigating Unit show unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in excess of R18.3-million.

The DA has laid charges against former JPC CEO Helen Botes, former JPC CFO Imraan Bhamjee, Supply Chain Management senior manager Fitzgerald Ramaboea, Special Projects GM Gowrie Sunker and Supply Chain Management manager Nandisa Zondo.

The party said the SIU’s investigations uncovered shocking irregularities in procurement and financial management processes at JPC.

The DA criticised the City of Johannesburg’s legal opinion, which it believes sets out to discredit the SIU’s findings instead of implementing the recommendations.

The DA wants the courts to enforce accountability, as it warned of possible threats against those taking action against the implicated officials.

And, Ramaphosa appoints Dr Alistair Ruiters as investment promotion special adviser

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former director-general of the then Department of Trade and Industry, Dr Alistair Ruiters, as special adviser for investment promotion.

Ruiters will advise Ramaphosa on South Africa’s continuing investment drive, which is a principal component of the Seventh Administration’s focus on inclusive economic growth and job creation.

Ruiters held the position of director-general of Trade and Industry for five years until April 2005, which followed 11 years of service in the department.

He holds a PhD degree from Oxford University and a BA Honours from the University of Cape Town, among other qualifications.

He is a former commissioner of the Competition Commission and has served as CE and chairperson of diverse institutions and enterprises, including the National Empowerment Fund, the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor and the Afarak Group.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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