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

Making headlines: Parties question Menzi Simelane’s NDPP shortlist, DA threatens legal action; Cabinet approves draft Gas Bill for processing by Parliament; And, US House committee to take up Africa trade bill, but South Africa risks exclusion

Parties question Menzi Simelane’s NDPP shortlist, DA threatens legal action

The Democratic Alliance said it will interdict any appointment emerging from what it describes as a “flawed” National Director of Public Prosecutions interview process.

Last month, the party called for the removal of Johannesburg Society of Advocates' advocate Menzi Simelane from the shortlisted candidates being interviewed for the role.

ActionSA joined the DA in rejecting Simelane’s possible appointment, stating that he is “not a fit and proper candidate”, noting that the justice system urgently requires an “unimpeachable steward” to restore public confidence in the National Prosecuting Authority.

The panel handling the selection process, chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, today begun with interviews, which will continue until Thursday.

The DA claimed that the ongoing process to appoint a new NDPP has gone “badly off the rails”.

Yesterday, the DA told President Cyril Ramaphosa that if he appoints anyone from the panel’s recommendations, the DA will approach the court to interdict that appointment.

Cabinet approves draft Gas Bill for processing by Parliament

Cabinet approved the submission of the draft Gas Bill 2025 to Parliament for further processing at its last scheduled meeting for 2025, which took place last week.

Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the Bill sought to repeal the Gas Act of 2001 and introduce a modernised legislative framework that reflected recent technological developments in gas transportation and storage.

Through the proposed legislation, government aimed to introduce empowering provisions for the centralised planning of new gas facilities, particularly the transmission and regasification infrastructure needed to import and transport gas.

Ntshavheni said the Bill also addresses challenges experienced in the implementation and enforcement of the current Act by positioning South Africa to better manage its gas resources and infrastructure in line with global best practices and national energy priorities.

Also included in the Bill were provisions equipping the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to set, monitor and regulate distribution tariffs, regulate the registration regime and determine licence periods.

And, US House committee to take up Africa trade bill, but South Africa risks exclusion

A US House committee will today consider a three-year extension to Washington's flagship trade initiative for Africa which lapsed in September, but South Africa risks being excluded amid tensions between Pretoria and the Trump administration.

Ties have deteriorated this year with a row over trade and as President Donald Trump has frequently criticised South Africa for its domestic laws addressing racial inequality.

The House committee meeting is the most significant progress Congress has made towards renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act, but its ultimate prospects remain unclear.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer yesterday said the Trump administration was open to a one-year extension but might exclude South Africa, which he described as a "unique problem".

He said South Africa needed to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US products in order for the US to reduce its 30% duties on South African goods. South Africa has previously said the Trump administration based its tariffs on an inaccurate view of the two countries' trade.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA