Abongwe Kobokana

South Africa, Southern Africa

Political Correspondent at South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

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Damage from floods in Eastern Cape estimated at R5.1 billion

4 days ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The amount of money required to fix infrastructure damage caused by recent floods in the Eastern Cape is estimated at R5.1 billion. This was revealed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in its briefing to Parliament on the Eastern Cape floods and the state of readiness for the 2025 winter initiation season. The Head of National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Ellias Sithole says available funds in the province’s CoGTA Department are just above R120 million.
Minister Hlabisa confirms 97 fatalities in devastating EC floods

4 days ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The Department of Cooperative Governance says the confirmed number of people who have died due to the Eastern Cape floods is 97. The Co-operative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and senior management are briefing the portfolio committee on COGTA about the floods. Head of National Disaster Management Centre, Dr Ellias Sithole gives details of the deceased persons.
Committee awaits Ramaphosa’s decision on Minister Nkabane’s conduct

4 days ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The Select Committee on Education, Science and Creative Industries says it will wait for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take a decision regarding the Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. The committee was responding to the report that Nkabane had submitted to the President explaining her engagement with members of Parliament last month. This after Nkabane had a confrontation with some of the MPs when she was briefing them about the appointment of the SETA board chairpersons.
Treasury's social grant conditions causing delays: Parly Committee

4 days ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has expressed concern about conditions from National Treasury for the allocation of social grants. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, during his Budget Speech in May, said there would be stricter conditions for social grant allocations. This includes quarterly reporting of grant suspensions and cancellations.
Energy security is government’s first priority: Graham-Maré

1 week ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, says energy generation to deal with load shedding is the government’s priority. Graham-Maré was speaking to SABC News on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town on Friday. It was after a closed session on Energy Justice and Africa’s Role in Decarbonisation. The session concluded that decarbonisation cannot be implemented at the expense of energy security. She says.
Africa must work together to solve energy challenge: Ramokgopa

1 week ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

South Africa will continue to work with other African countries in its efforts to achieve an effective energy transition. This was highlighted by the Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in Cape Town. The Minister was the keynote speaker at the official opening of the Africa Energy Forum at the Cape Town International Convention Center. The theme for the 2025 gathering is ‘Africa United’.
National Assembly passes Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals

2 weeks ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The National Assembly has passed the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals with 268 votes for and 88 against. It has taken three attempts by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to table the budget after unhappiness about his proposed VAT increase in the previous two budget proposals. There were two abstentions from Build One South Africa (BOSA). The Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals contains the general fuel levy increase which was implemented early this month.
MKP tables motion to reprimand Finance Minister in Parliament

2 weeks ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The Mkhonto weSeziwe Party (MKP) in Parliament wants the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, to be censured over the alleged mishandling of the Budget process for 2025/26. Godongwana tabled the national budget for the third time last month, with the MKP and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) expressing their disagreement with the increase in the general fuel levy.
Govt probes financial implications of ghost workers: Buthelezi

3 weeks ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

Public Service and Administration Minister Chief Mzamo Buthelezi says the department is compiling a comprehensive report to determine the financial costs of ghost employees. This comes after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana highlighted the financial implications of ghost and suspended employees during the budget’s tabling last month.
Court dismisses EFF's bid to halt fuel levy increase

3 weeks ago | sabcnews.com | Abongwe Kobokana

The Western Cape High Court dismissed the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) urgent court application to prevent the fuel levy increase with costs. Judge Nathan Erasmus delivered the judgment, indicating that the reasons for dismissing the case with costs will be communicated further. ♦️Must Watch♦️EFF Treasurer-General @OmphileMaotwe Maotwe speaks to the SABC at the Western Cape High Court. The EFF is seeking to stop the fuel levy set to take effect tonight.