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

Making headlines: Defence Force rubbishes claims of abandoned Oryx helicopters in DRC; DA calls on Godongwana to immediately fire Pensions Agency CEO following misconduct allegations; And, first 11 train operators selected for 41 routes as South Africa takes big step in opening freight rail to private sector

Defence Force rubbishes claims of abandoned Oryx helicopters in DRC

The South African National Defence Force has dispelled claims that its Oryx helicopters were abandoned in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reaffirming that these aircrafts are being maintained according to technical and safety requirements.

This after media reports stated that five of the military’s Oryx helicopters were likely to remain permanently stranded in the DRC, owing to an alleged lack of funds to replace the engines of two of the five helicopters.

Furthermore, it was claimed that there were no spare engines available to cannibalise from other helicopters.

The SANDF said such allegations were misleading and did not reflect the actual condition or status of the SANDF aircraft.

It explained that out of the three helicopters reported, only one sustained damage during the United Nations peacekeeping military operations last year, and it would undergo repairs.

DA calls on Godongwana to immediately fire Pensions Agency CEO following misconduct allegations

The Democratic Alliance called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to immediately dismiss Government Pensions Administration Agency CEO Kedibone Madiehe, given the alleged ongoing misconduct at the agency.

The party announced that during the coming weeks, the DA-chaired Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration will summon the GPAA as well as the Public Investment Corporation to account for recent misconduct scandals in the public pension space.

Media reports allege that a senior manager was suspended for refusing to pay R21-million for a dodgy contract.

Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration has requested a joint meeting with the Standing Committee on Finance to discuss allegations of irregularities at the GPAA.

And, first 11 train operators selected for 41 routes as South Africa takes big step in opening freight rail to private sector

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced that 11 of the 25 private train operating companies that applied to operate routes on Transnet’s rail network have met the requirements to do so and will now enter into contract negotiations to enable them to gain access to the network and begin operating the routes.

The announcement represents a significant step in opening South Africa’s freight rail network to third-party operators.

This change is catered for in the country’s rail policy and has been facilitated by the recent vertical separation of Transnet’s rail business into the Transnet Freight Rail Operating Company and the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager, which published the Network Statement that created the operating and tariff framework for the entry of private TOCs.

The inaugural application process for slots opened in December following the publication of the Network Statement and closed in February. It was followed by an evaluation process that culminated in the Minister’s confirmation today, of the first 11 successful TOC applicants.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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