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Legislative Environment News

Renergen says 'relevant' authorities have found no corporate governance wrongdoing

By: Darren Parker 15th August 2024 ASX- and JSE-listed Renergen says it has been cleared of any wrongdoing following an investigation into allegations levelled at the company over the past few months regarding potential irregularities in its business practices and South African corporate governance. “The relevant South African... →

Transnet initiates investigation into Fidelity security tender award

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2024 State-owned Transnet has commissioned an investigation to determine the facts and associated circumstances with regard to recent allegations in the media casting doubt on the integrity pertaining to the award of a tender that resulted in the Fidelity Group being appointed an outcomes-based... →

Cape Town to launch constitutional challenge if Public Procurement Bill is gazetted

By: Irma Venter 12th August 2024 Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa not to gazette the new Public Procurement Bill into law, as the city believes it will slow down local service delivery and undermine the constitutional autonomy of local government. Despite having already signed the Bill, Cape... →

Geordin Hill-Lewis

SA’s automotive prospects clouded by high taxes and exports risks

By: Darren Parker 2nd August 2024 The importance of export growth as an automotive industry strategy is crucial to mitigate the numerous risks associated with South Africa's low growth environment. "We see export growth as a really key strategy to somewhat derisk the South African industry from a low growth environment . . . and... →

Aggressive scrap metal policies should be based on transparent data, not conjecture, expert says

By: Darren Parker 30th July 2024 Significant alterations to existing scrap metal regulations and outright bans – albeit temporary – on the trade of certain scrap metals should not be made without access to transparent and accurate sector data, international trade consultancy XA Global Trade Advisors director Donald MacKay has... →

Watch this video to see XA Global Trade Advisors director Donald MacKay discuss scrap metal market challenges

National Treasury welcomes signing of Pension Funds Amendment Act into law

By: Darren Parker 30th July 2024 National Treasury has voiced its approval of the Pension Funds Amendment Act being signed into law by the President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. This signals the last part of the significant amendments required to implement the two-pot system, which will start on September 1 after proclamation by... →

Sasol receives DFFE notification to apply concentration-based emissions limits

By: Schalk Burger 29th July 2024 JSE-listed energy and chemicals company Sasol says it has received notification of the concentration-based limits that the Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister has determined to be applied with the load-based limit. On April 5, the Minister permitted sulphur dioxide emissions... →

SAPA asks, once again, that chicken products be made VAT-free

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th July 2024 With President Cyril Ramaphosa looking to expand the basket of essential food items that are exempt from value-added tax (VAT) under the Government of National Unity, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) strongly advocates for targeted chicken products to be included in that basket. SAPA... →

Photo by Reuters
Rainbow frozen chicken

New legislation good for business sentiment in South Africa – Mavuso

By: Schalk Burger 29th July 2024 The continuation of policy reform in South Africa is an important factor for investors and two recent pieces of legislation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, namely the Climate Change Act and the Public Procurement Act, are both important for business, says business organisation Business... →

A coal-fired power station owned by Eskom

Nearly three-quarters of investors unsatisfied with quality of ESG reporting

By: Darren Parker 25th July 2024 Law firm EY research has revealed that about 73% of investors say that companies largely fail to create enhanced reports encompassing environmental, social and governance (ESG) and financial disclosures, while 99% of investors use ESG disclosures in their investment decisions. Speaking at the... →

In this video, EY Africa climate change and sustainability service leader Clemence McNulty and JC Auditors director Oliver Naidoo discuss ESG reporting statistics and challenges

Seifsa cites problems with proposed amendments to scrap metal trading laws

By: Darren Parker 24th July 2024 Industry body the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has criticised the proposed amendments to the Regulations to the Second-Hand Goods Act put forward for public comment by the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service on July 12. Seifsa president Elias... →

Seifsa president Elias Monage

Ramaphosa assents to National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill

By: Schalk Burger 23rd July 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill to establish a new entity – the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency – which will incorporate the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (Sefa), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the... →

New online information hub on South African scrap metal industry launched

By: Darren Parker 23rd July 2024 A new online platform called MyScrapMatters has been launched, acting as a single centralised hub to provide comprehensive information about the scrap metal industry in South Africa. The aim of the website is to assist in regulating scrap metal in the country by promoting transparency and... →

Ramaphosa signs legislation establishing single public procurement framework

By: Terence Creamer 23rd July 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Public Procurement Bill, which aims to create a single framework for the procurement of goods and services by all organs of state in a manner that facilitates preferential procurement and reduces the risk of corruption. The Public Procurement Act will be... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Standard Bank assesses the impact of elections on capital markets globally

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th July 2024 With 49% of the world’s population having voted in elections this year, experts gathered by Standard Bank have unpacked whether this has an effect on capital markets and investor sentiment Elections represent critical junctures where the “confidence game” between financial markets and political... →

iMasons Climate Accord calls for improved EPD reporting to boost data centre industry sustainability

By: Darren Parker 16th July 2024 The governing body of the iMasons Climate Accord (ICA), which is a programme of Infrastructure Masons, has called on the digital infrastructure industry to more widely adopt the publication of environmental product declarations (EPDs) for materials and equipment used to build and operate data... →

Two employees in a data centre server room

Security agency finalising assessment of govt’s cybersecurity

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th July 2024 Following a public statement by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson on July 10, reporting that R300-million had allegedly been siphoned off from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) over a ten-year period through cybercrime, the State Security Agency (SSA)... →

Eskom employee, service provider face fraud charges in court

By: Darren Parker 9th July 2024 An employee of State-owned Eskom and a service provider to the utility last week appeared in the Hendrina Magistrate Court, in Mpumalanga, on charges of fraud, with each granted bail of R30 000. It is alleged that, between January and April last year, the service provider supplied five valve... →

GNU Cabinet announcement gave business confidence a boost, says BLSA

By: Darren Parker 8th July 2024 Business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso has said that business confidence is growing on the back of the announcement of the new government of national unity (GNU) Cabinet. “Since its announcement a week ago, Cabinet has already brought new energy to... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso

Priyesh Daya appointed to ICC International Court of Arbitration

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2024 Law firm Webber Wentzel partner Priyesh Daya has been appointed as a member of the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC’s) International Court of Arbitration for a three-year term starting on July 1. The ICC Court is the world's leading arbitral institution, facilitating the resolution of... →

Webber Wentzel partner Priyesh Daya

UN calls for Potgieter, Huxham’s immediate release from Equatorial Guinea prison

By: Darren Parker 2nd July 2024 The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for the immediate release of South African engineers Frederik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, declaring in a formal opinion that the detention of the two men in Equatorial Guinea is arbitrary and illegal. The UN decision is a material finding... →

Frederik Potgieter and Peter Huxham

Legislative certainty amid government shuffle crucial for continued renewable-energy investment

By: Darren Parker 26th June 2024 A clear and certain legislative framework is critical for enabling sustainability and green energy investments in South Africa going forward, especially given the changes taking place in government following unprecedented outcome of the May 29 elections, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking... →

In this video, Absa Corporate and Investment Banking environmental, social and governance head Msizi Khoza, Absa regional operations strategy and business transformation executive Linda Sing, and Enel Green Power Southern Africa country manager Manuele Battisti discuss renewable energy investment in Africa.

Families petition Pan-African Parliament to secure release of two South Africans from Equatorial Guinea

By: Sabrina Jardim 24th June 2024 The families of two South African engineers – Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham – who have been held in Equatorial Guinea since February 9, 2023, have on June 24, handed over a formal request to Pan-African Parliament (PAP) president chief Fortune Charumbira asking the institution to intervene and... →

Transnet to take disciplinary action against some TNPA employees

By: Sabrina Jardim 24th June 2024 State-owned Transnet announced at the weekend that law firm Bowmans had concluded its investigation into allegations of impropriety at Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). Transnet also appointed Bowmans to assist with implementing the recommendations of a forensic report by Fundudzi... →

CoJ, City Power say High Court did not consider all evidence in Eskom case

By: Darren Parker 21st June 2024 In response to a recent Johannesburg High Court order favouring State-owned utility Eskom in a payment dispute with the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and City Power, the CoJ and City Power say the court did not fully consider critical aspects of the evidence. “While we accept and respect the... →

Families to petition Pan-African Parliament for release of two South African prisoners

By: Darren Parker 21st June 2024 On June 24, 501 days after two South African men were allegedly unlawfully arrested in Equatorial Guinea, their families are going to hand over a formal request to Pan-African Parliament (PAP) president Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, in Midrand, to ask the institution to help secure the... →

Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham

Streamlined PPP framework could unlock infrastructure investment

By: Darren Parker 21st June 2024 In February, the National Treasury asked for public comments to be submitted in respect of the newly drafted amendments to the National Treasury Regulations (NTR) 16, and key elements of municipal public-private partnerships (PPPs) legislation, to bring it in line with recommendations based on a... →

New government partners poised for Cabinet battle

By: Bloomberg 18th June 2024 South African political parties that last week agreed to form a governing alliance are limbering up for a tussle over cabinet positions, as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to be sworn in for a new term. Senior leaders of Ramaphosa’s African National Congress met on Monday to prepare for... →

Opinion: Beware, but do not fear!

14th June 2024 In this article, Webber Wentzel senior associate Francois Sieberhagen writes about the implications of the Supreme Court of Appeal's (SCA's) judgment in the case of Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy & Three Others vs Sustaining the Wild Coast NPC and Eight Others. →

Webber Wentzel senior associate Francois Sieberhagen

Event highlights gains, challenges in competition law space

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 12th June 2024 As South Africa commemorates 25 years of the Competition Act, there has been much progress in the competition law landscape and the learnings and insights gleaned from this can be used to support further gains and shape the future. This was highlighted by speakers during law firm Webber Wentzel’s... →

Judge David Unterhalter

Accreditation Day underlines importance of the SANAS

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th June 2024 In the current environment of fast-paced technological advancement, accreditation can enable organisations to embrace new technologies and drive innovation, as it provides a framework of trust and reliability. This was highlighted by speakers during the South African National Accreditation... →

Green Connection petitions court to ‘force’ Nersa, DMRE to supply Karpowership information

By: Darren Parker 5th June 2024 Environmental activist nonprofit organisation the Green Connection has taken the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to court in an effort to “force” them to supply key information regarding the Karpowership deals.... →

Mavuso reflects on government progress, says private-sector partnership key

By: Sabrina Jardim 27th May 2024 Ahead of the national elections on May 29, Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busisiwe Mavuso says that, despite the challenges facing South Africa, voting is a foundation for democratic governance that “binds us together.” In her latest weekly newsletter, she calls on South Africans to... →

BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso

Vaal Water Lettuce invasion signifies need to weed out water pollution

By: Natasha Odendaal 24th May 2024 The Vaal Barrage is now home to an invasive plant species that has had significant negative economic and environmental consequences for the region, and its rapid spread will not slow down without intervention. This has left the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Rand Water and local... →

TNPA signs terminal operator agreement with Mnambithi Terminals in transformation deal

By: Darren Parker 23rd May 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has signed a terminal operator agreement (TOA) with Mnambithi Terminals for the development of a liquid bulk facility at the port’s Maydon Wharf precinct, in KwaZulu-Natal. The project is expected to result in improved operational efficiencies... →

Speakers highlight focus areas to tackle mine water challenges

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 23rd May 2024 South Africa has made considerable strides in addressing mine water challenges; however, it is imperative that these efforts are bolstered and improved upon, through aligning research with implementation, ensuring that the correct processes are in place and adapting the regulatory environment to... →

Speakers who participated in a Mine Water webinar hosted by Creamer Media.

Speakers highlight focus areas to tackle mine water challenges

Reserve Bank warns carbon taxes may cut exports by 10%

By: Bloomberg 21st May 2024 South African economic growth could be severely stunted if carbon taxes are widely imposed on its exports, according to a new report by the country’s central bank. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) said the hit could reach 10% of exports and more than 9% of gross domestic product in 2050... →

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