South Africa

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the number of those that have died as a result of the tragic gas tanker explosion in Boksburg in December has increased to 40.

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu will on Friday, 13 January 2023, officially recommission aqueduct 1 and open reservoir 3 at Umgeni's Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant.

State ports and freight rail company Transnet has announced that it will issue an open tender for eligible original equipment manufacturers to step in to rehabilitate locomotives supplied by CRRC E-Loco Supply.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, says he remains confident that the police will arrest those behind the suspected assassination attempt on the University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor, Sakhela Buhlungu.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says international and local challenges continue to pose as obstacles in the growth of the economy.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed a message of condolence to the government and people of the Republic of Senegal following a bus accident, which resulted in the death of about 40 passengers and injuries to 80 travellers.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has assured the management of Fort Hare University that police are intensifying their response to the recent violent and fatal attacks at the institution.

South African media have been invited to submit their entries for the 2023 SADC Media Awards competition.

The Department of Health will begin to make additional COVID-19 vaccination booster doses available to all adults following the detection of the more transmissible XBB.1.5 sub-variant of the Omicron variant in the country.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has resumed its campaign of processing and paying unemployment benefits to former teaching and general assistants in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says an investigation is underway into a video depicting South African soldiers watching as deceased bodies are thrown into a fire.

The 2023 academic school year for the majority of learners in inland schools has commenced today with a number of leaders conducting oversight visits to various schools to monitor their overall readiness.

Eskom has escalated load shedding to Stage 6 between 4pm and 5am until further notice.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says for now, government will not impose any internal restrictions as a result of the emergence of a newly found sub-variant of the COVID-19 virus.

South Africa and Türkiye remain committed to strengthen bilateral relations, says International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor.