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

Making headlines: Ramaphosa aims to use G20 platform to clear hurdles to African green hydrogen; DA concerned IPID case backlog threatens justice, accountability; And, Tanzania sees economic growth rising to 6% this year

Ramaphosa aims to use G20 platform to clear hurdles to African green hydrogen

President Cyril Ramaphosa has again underlined the industrialisation potential of green hydrogen, and has stressed that South Africa will use its G20 Presidency as well as its participation in the upcoming G7 meeting in Canada to call for a prioritisation of just energy transitions as engines of economic growth and social development.

In an address to the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town, Ramaphosa described green hydrogen as an anchor for industrial transformation and infrastructure investment, as well as a bridge to a new export industry for African countries.

However, he said its potential could be realised only if prevailing impediments to the growth of the industry were addressed.

Besides the role of African governments in creating supportive regulations and clear standards, the President expressed concern about skewed global investment patterns and the high cost of capital for African projects.

DA concerned IPID case backlog threatens justice, accountability

The Democratic Alliance has called for a comprehensive turnaround strategy to capacitate the Independent Police Investigative Directorate with permanent staff and modern investigative tools.

The party expressed concerns that currently 14 907 cases remain outstanding for investigation by the IPID across the country.

DA deputy spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling said in reply to a DA Parliamentary question, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had disclosed that KwaZulu-Natal had 4 135 outstanding investigation cases, Gauteng 3 492, Western Cape 2 505, Eastern Cape 2 167 and Mpumalanga had 1 151.

Schickerling noted that these cases included some of the most serious allegations ranging from deaths in police custody to rape, which she said had now been caught in a growing backlog that “threatens” both justice and accountability.

She pointed out that this backlog not only undermines public confidence in law enforcement but also leaves victims and their families without justice – in some cases, for years on end.

And, Tanzania sees economic growth rising to 6% this year

Tanzania's economic growth is forecast to rise to 6% this year from 5.5% last year, its planning and investment Minister said today.

Minister Kitila Mkumbo added that the budget deficit was seen at 3.0% of GDP next fiscal year, from 3.4% of GDP this year.

The East African country is set to hold an election in October. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is seeking to remain in power, having taken office in 2021 after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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