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

Making headlines: South African consumer inflation quickens to 3.6% y/y in October; Motshekga to act against Navy Chief over ‘disingenuous comments’; And, Putin to meet Togo's president in the Kremlin

South African consumer inflation quickens to 3.6% y/y in October

South African inflation rose slightly in October, but by less than expected, prompting analysts to predict tomorrow's interest rate decision by the central bank as likely to be a close call.

Headline consumer inflation climbed to 3.6% year-on-year from 3.4% in September, staying within the 1 percentage point tolerance band of the central bank's new 3% target announced last week.

Economists polled by Reuters had predicted 3.7%.

A breakdown by Statistics South Africa showed categories like transport and recreation recorded hotter rates in October, but price pressures cooled for others like restaurants and food.

Before today's data, economists had been split on what the South African Reserve Bank would decide at this week's monetary policy meeting.

Motshekga to act against Navy Chief over ‘disingenuous comments’

The Department of Defence and Military Veterans says Minister Angie Motshekga will be taking “appropriate steps” against Navy Chief Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, for what the department termed “unfortunate” statements that cast aspersions at the leadership of government.

Last week, at two events in Tshwane, Lobese cited chronic underfunding of the South African National Defence Force, which he said impacted the country’s navy and weakened South Africa’s national security.

He noted South Africa needed to advocate for a stronger, well-resourced defence force.

He said he was stressed by the Navy’s prolonged absence at sea due to non-availability of serviceable ships and submarines.

Motshekga regarded Lobese’s remarks as “inappropriate, disingenuous and unfortunate”, claiming that the SANDF budget was receiving attention in the department and in Parliament.

And, Putin to meet Togo's president in the Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Togo's president, Faure Gnassingbe, in the Kremlin today for talks that will focus on developing ties between Moscow and the tiny phosphate-producing country on the West African coast.

Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled Togo since 1967, was invited to visit Russia by Putin, Togo said in a statement.

The statement said they will hold a one-on-one meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of diplomacy, economy, trade, agriculture, energy, training, and food security.

Russia's growing clout in Africa, including in countries such as Angola, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Madagascar, Mali and Mozambique, is viewed with concern by Western European states and the United States.

Russia sells grain to Togo and is the world's second-largest fertiliser producer behind China and the largest global exporter of fertiliser.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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