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

Making headlines: DA lays criminal complaint against Tshwane deputy mayor, with Gerrie Nel’s help; Ramaphosa leaves Bi-National with Mozambique with new gas facility; And, Namibia holds key rate, citing South Africa's new inflation target

DA lays criminal complaint against Tshwane deputy mayor, with Gerrie Nel’s help

The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane today formally laid a criminal complaint against Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise at the Brooklyn Police Station, assisted by the private prosecution unit of AfriForum under former National Prosecuting Authority prosecutor Advocate Gerrie Nel.

DA Tshwane spokesperson for finance Jacqui Uys said this follows the findings of a Tshwane investigative report which confirms that Modise failed to declare and divest his interests in Triotic Protection Services, a service provider of the municipality.

Uys said Modise continued to benefit from this contract in contravention of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

She also pointed to a R59-million judgment granted in favour of the South African Revenue Service against Triotic Protection Services in August 2023, which she said raised the question whether, at material times, the company submitted the tax clearance certificate necessary to do business with the State.

⁠She highlighted the need for a thorough investigation in terms of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act into the circumstances under which Triotic's contract with Tshwane was procured and extended.

Uys explained that Nel’s assistance was to ensure that the case against Modise was properly investigated.

Ramaphosa leaves Bi-National with Mozambique with new gas facility

Concluding the fourth Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Mozambique, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mozambican President Daniel Chapo will jointly launch a gas facility built by Sasol.

Speaking at the Bi-National, in Maputo, Ramaphosa said the two countries agreed on the need to implement decisions, identify opportunities and explore investment avenues for mutual benefit.

Ramaphosa explained that the launch of the gas facility, the Integrated Hydrocarbons Infrastructure Facility, exemplifies how neighbouring countries can collaborate effectively and said the project also illustrates how public-private sector partnerships can be used successfully.

Both countries signed the Memoranda of Understanding today, which Ramaphosa said is a significant development and provides impetus towards firm cooperation.

And, Namibia holds key rate, citing South Africa's new inflation target

Namibia's central bank left its main lending rate unchanged at 6.50% today,saying neighbouring South Africa's decision to lower its inflation target meant it had to be extra careful about controlling price pressures.

Namibia's monetary policy is closely aligned with South Africa's as the Namibian dollar is pegged to the rand.

South Africa's government changed the country's inflation target to 3% last month from the previous 3%-6% range.

The central bank also said it wanted to narrow the interest rate differential with South Africa, whose benchmark rate is 25 basis points higher.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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