President Cyril Ramaphosa has made several changes to the national executive following consultation with the leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA) as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU). According to the Presidency, the changes will affect the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Environment; Trade, Industry and Competition; Electricity and Energy; Higher Education; and Water and Sanitation. “Accordingly, President Ramaphosa will, in line with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution, appoint Willem Aucamp as Minister of Agriculture and David…

The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has adjourned the high-profile R228-million Medicare24 tender case to 13 July for further discussions on sentencing businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The court on Wednesday rejected a proposed plea and sentencing agreement between the State and defence, which recommended an eight-year direct imprisonment term, describing it as too lenient for the severity of the offences. Instead, the court indicated that a harsher sentence of 12 years would be more appropriate. Matlala has pleaded guilty to…

As part of ongoing efforts to bring immigration under control, the government has started relocating refugee application offices from inland areas to the country’s ports of entry. The relocation is expected to prevent asylum seekers whose applications are declined from absconding and remaining in the country illegally. The move effectively restores the country’s right to determine who is admitted as a refugee or asylum seeker, and who is not. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mamoloko Kubayi said the relocation of…