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

Making headlines: ANC celebrates by-election victories; Lillian Ngoyi street to reopen to traffic; And, DA refers Nersa to Public Protector

ANC celebrates by-election victories

The African National Congress said by-elections wins in Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State and the Eastern Cape are proof that the party’s renewal project is succeeding.

In Gauteng, the party retained ward 130 in Soweto.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said this demonstrated what she said was the “enduring bond” between the ANC and the Sowetan community.

The party also won ward five in Bela Bela in the Waterberg region, in Limpopo; ward seven in the Lejweleputswa region, in the Free State; and ward one of the Kou-Kamma municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Meanwhile, ActionSA lauded its electoral support surge in the by-election, after tripling its support.

The party won outright the eMseni voting district, closely trailing the ANC in the overall ward result.

Lillian Ngoyi street to reopen to traffic

Lilian Ngoyi street, in Johannesburg, will officially reopen to traffic tomorrow, with Phase 1 of the rehabilitation project completed, the Johannesburg Roads Agency says.

Public transport routes will return to their original route configurations.

The newly rebuilt road, between Loveday and End streets, will be a one-way street travelling eastbound.

Intersections along Lilian Ngoyi street at Rissik, Joubert, Eloff, Von Brandis and Wanderers streets will be fully accessible.

However, some continued closures will remain in place, with access to and from Loveday street and Kruis street at the Lilian Ngoyi street intersections to remain closed until further notice.

And, DA refers Nersa to Public Protector

The Democratic Alliance today formally referred the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to the Public Protector for investigation over the R54-billion error made in its recent Eskom tariff determination.

Nersa 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 said the party also wanted a reconstitution of the Nersa board with “competent professionals”.

The DA said it was outraged by what it termed the “most staggering regulatory failure in recent memory”, noting that the error, admitted to in writing by Nersa chairperson Thembani Bukula, would directly result in higher electricity tariffs for South African households and businesses, with increases now projected at 8.76% in 2026/27 and 8.83% in 2027/28.

Last week, the party wrote to Bukula demanding public accountability and answers.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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