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

Making headlines: DA requests Defence Force security plan after most recent army base robbery; DA demands accountability from Nersa over tariff error; And, Sudan shuts down Heglig oil facilities after drone attacks

DA requests Defence Force security plan after most recent army base robbery

The Democratic Alliance has requested that Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans chairperson Dakota Legoete summon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga, following the theft of ammunition from the Bloemspruit Air Force Base.

The party condemned the incident, demanding an immediate, system-wide security overhaul across all South African National Defence Force installations.

The DA wants Legoete to summon Motshekga, alongside SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, SANDF chief logistics Vice Admiral D M Mkhonto and Chief of the Air Force Lieutenant-General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, within seven days. It is also requesting that they table a report on the functioning and results of the inter-departmental working group in terms of time-bound workplans with set milestones and funding.

DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh added that this report must also quantify the total value of equipment and vehicle parts stolen across all base, as well as name the responsible officers, deadlines and deliverables, together with the outstanding reports ordered on May 28.

In May, the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans heard evidence of encroachment, theft and infrastructure vandalism at bases and resolved that Motshekga establish an inter-departmental working group to improve security.

DA demands accountability from Nersa over tariff error

Meanwhile, the DA has written to National Energy Regulator of South Africa chairperson Thembani Bukula, demanding public accountability and answers relating to the R54-billion error made in Eskom’s recent tariff determination.

Nersa has agreed to a court order that Eskom can collect an extra R54-billion in tariffs over the next few years, as a result of errors made by the regulator in its sixth multiyear price determination revenue decision.

DA Spokesperson for Electricity and Energy Kevin Mileham stated that this “monumental blunder” was not a simple mistake, but a sign of gross incompetence at the heart of the country's energy regulator.

The DA vowed to protect South Africans from being taxed for “State ineptitude”, calling for a clear outcome, full transparency from Nersa, accountability for those responsible for the mistake, and a complete overhaul of the regulator’s processes.

And, Sudan shuts down Heglig oil facilities after drone attacks

Sudan has initiated a shutdown of the Heglig oil facility following drone attacks it blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, according to a letter sent by its government to its South Sudanese neighbour.

Heglig, which lies along Sudan's southern border, houses the main processing facility for South Sudanese oil, which accounts for the majority of South Sudan's government revenues.

The 2023 outbreak of the war between the Sudanese army and the RSF has disrupted the flow of South Sudanese oil to Sudan, which before the conflict had been receiving between 100 000 and 150 000 barrels of oil per day for further exports.

The letter sent by Sudan's energy ministry to its South Sudanese counterparts cited drone attacks on August 26 and 30 as the cause for the shutdown.

The letter, dated August 30, said such unprovoked attacks represent a serious threat to the stability of oil flows from South Sudan.

As a result, Sudan had instructed the Sudanese companies operating in the area to evacuate.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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