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

Making headlines: South Africa's inflation pushed to 10-month high by food and fuel prices; ActionSA calls on Zungu to voluntarily step down from MMC role in CoJ; And, Embassy says US suspends visa processing in Zimbabwe

South Africa's inflation pushed to 10-month high by food and fuel prices

South Africa's consumer price inflation rose to 3.5% year-on-year in July, driven to its highest level since September 2024 by higher food and fuel prices though still within the central bank's target range.

The increase from June's 3.0% reading matched economists' expectations.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation ticked up to 5.7% year-on-year in July from 5.1% in June, while fuel prices edged higher after four months of deflation, the statistics agency said today.

Annual core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as food and energy, stood at 3.0%, slightly below analysts' forecasts of 3.1% and remaining within the central bank's 3% to 6% target range.

Inflation has been well under control, allowing the South African Reserve Bank to cut interest rates at three of its four policy meetings so far this year.

Last month the Reserve Bank cut its main lending rate by 25 basis points to 7.00% and signalled a shift towards a lower inflation goal of 3%, down from the current 4.5%. The finance minister has yet to sign off on the change.

ActionSA calls on Zungu to voluntarily step down from MMC role in CoJ

ActionSA’s Johannesburg Caucus has called on former City of Johannesburg Chief Whip of Council and now Group Corporate and Shared Services MMC Sithembiso Zungu to voluntarily step down from his role in light of the allegations levelled against him.

The party expressed concerns that despite the existence of a prima facie case of corruption and extortion against Zungu, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has proceeded with the “reckless” appointment.

It has been alleged that Zungu received funds from CityDev director Bernard Stegmann, deposited into his personal bank account through a company called CityDev Construction, which is involved in housing development projects.

ActionSA said it would write to the South African Police Service, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to investigate these claims.

And, Embassy says US suspends visa processing in Zimbabwe

The United States has stopped processing most visas in Zimbabwe until further notice, its embassy in the capital Harare said today, citing unspecified concerns with the government.

It said the move was not a travel ban and that current visas would remain valid.

The pause took effect on August 7, according to a notice on the US State Department's website, which said it applied to all visa services with the exception of most diplomatic and official visas.

US President Donald Trump's administration has restricted travel from a number of African countries, saying it is working to prevent visa overstaying and misuse.

Zimbabwe had a visa overstay rate of 10.57% in 2023, according to a US Department of Homeland Security report.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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