For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: Petrol price to decrease by 28c, but diesel prices to increase by more than 60c; DA proposes Bill to disqualify impeached judges from holding official positions; And, JRA to start Phase 2 of Lillian Ngoyi street reconstruction in September

Petrol price to decrease by 28c, but diesel prices to increase by more than 60c

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has announced that the price of Petrol 93 and 95 will decrease by 28c/ℓ, while the prices of diesel 0.05% and 0.005% sulphur will increase by 65c/ℓ and 63c/ℓ, respectively, from Wednesday.

Illuminating paraffin prices will increase by 32c/ℓ and liquefied petroleum gas prices will decrease by 69c/kg – and decrease by 78c/kg in the Western Cape.

The average Brent Crude oil price decreased during the period under review, owing to increased production in petroleum exporting countries and uncertainty caused by the looming US trade tariffs on various countries, including secondary tariffs that could affect demand for crude oil.

This led to lower contributions to the basic fuel price of petrol by 23.49c/ℓ and higher contributions to the basic fuel prices of diesel and paraffin by 69.94c/ℓ and 35.57c/ℓ, respectively.

DA proposes Bill to disqualify impeached judges from holding official positions

The Democratic Alliance is urging public comment on its proposed Private Members Bill, as it seeks to remove legal gaps that allow impeached judges and chapter 9 heads from being members of national, provincial or local legislatures and councils.

DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach argued that by allowing such individuals to become MPs, public trust in Parliament is eroded and institutions are brought into disrepute.

Breytenbach believes the Bill will be a “strong” step toward bolstering public trust in Parliament and increasing the legislature’s ability to hold other arms of government accountable.

The Bill will seek to amend sections 47, 106 and 158 of the Constitution to achieve its objective.

And, JRA to start Phase 2 of Lillian Ngoyi street reconstruction in September

The Johannesburg Roads Agency says the first phase of the rehabilitation project on Lilian Ngoyi street, between Harrison and Kruis streets, is on schedule to be completed by the end of August, with 86% of the construction scope already finalised.

In 2023, sections of Lillian Ngoyi street were ripped up when a gas blast rocked the busy city centre.

Construction of new and reinforced tunnels, as well as the backfilling and compaction works, are complete. The remainder of the project scope is progressing at the anticipated pace and includes the construction of pavement layers.

The JRA is also installing gas, heat and smoke detection and ventilation systems, currently 60% complete, which will monitor gas build-up and venting of tunnels to protect against any future gas-related incidents.

Lilian Ngoyi street between Harrison and Kruis streets, as well as the affected north-south roads such as Joubert, Rissik and Eloff streets, will reopen to traffic once the first phase of the project is completed at the end of August.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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