January 28, 2025.

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

Making headlines:

Four more South African soldiers killed in Congo, defence department says

Faith-based eco-justice organisation calls for reforms to SA’s electricity pricing

And, Zimbabwe inflation rises sharply, spurred by food and housing

Four more South African soldiers killed in Congo, defence department says

Four more South African soldiers have been killed in fighting with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government said, taking the number of South African peacekeepers killed to 13 since the conflict escalated last week.

South African troops are in Congo as part of UN and Southern African missions.

The Department of Defence said in a statement that on Monday M23 rebels had launched mortar bombs in the direction of Goma airport in eastern Congo, resulting in three South African National Defence Force soldiers being killed.

Another soldier injured in combat with M23 rebels over the past three days died from their injuries, it added.

The defence department said that the SANDF remained committed to its peacekeeping duties in Congo under the UN-mandated MONUSCO and Southern African Development Community missions.

Faith-based eco-justice organisation calls for reforms to SA’s electricity pricing

As Eskom seeks approval from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa for a 36% electricity tariff increase, faith-based eco-justice organisation, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute, is calling for reforms to South Africa’s electricity pricing system.

The organisation warned that approving the hike would push many households deeper into energy poverty and said the focus should rather be on addressing Eskom’s shortcomings. 

It said it also did not support Eskom’s proposed Retail Tariff Plan, which proposes far-reaching changes to the residential tariff structure that some warn could penalise households with rooftop solar, arguing that low-electricity consumers will pay a similar network fee to that of a household that uses more electricity.

Instead, the organisation is urging Eskom to continue with the Inclining Block Tariff, noting that it protects low-income households from high electricity price increases.

It suggested that fixed electricity charges should not follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach and added that tariff restructuring should be done in line with South Africa’s transition to sustainable and secure energy.

Zimbabwe inflation rises sharply, spurred by food and housing

Zimbabwe's inflation rate rose sharply in January in both US dollar and local currency terms, spurred by food and housing prices.

In dollar terms inflation accelerated to 14.6% year on year after rising by 2.5% in December. On a local currency basis inflation rose to 10.5% month on month in January compared to an increase of 3.7% in December, statistics agency data showed.

Independent economist Prosper Chitambara said last year's severe regional drought and additional taxes introduced this month had likely contributed to the inflation increase.

In his latest budget Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube introduced a 0.5% tax on fast food and a 10% tax on all sports betting proceeds, which took effect this month.

Another independent economist, Tony Hawkins, said US dollar inflation had been "grossly understated" and authorities in the Southern African country were playing catch-up.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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