The bereaved Maluleke family at Maphophe village outside Malamulele in Limpopo has expressed sadness over the killing of their son, allegedly by the police. 16 year old Wisani Maluleke was shot and killed during the protest outside the Saselamani police station on Sunday evening. The community has been protesting to demand the arrest of the motorist who allegedly shot to death 20 year Adoly Maluleke, who was part of a group that was filling potholes at the village.

Unions at the SABC say the retrenchment process at the public broadcaster has been flawed. The Section 189 process was meant to be completed at the end of February, but unions say that key positions in the coporation's new structure have not yet been advertised. The public broadcaster had indicated that it wants to cut just over 300 permanent jobs as part of its restructuring plans. Unions however claim that almost double that number will find themselves without jobs.

Some former Lily Mine workers in Barberton, Mpumalanga YESTERDAY blockaded the R38 road demanding that the potential investor, Arqomanzi to withdraw its case against Vantage Goldfields and business rescue practitioners. Last week, Arqomanzi obtained a court interdict against the implementation of an amended business rescue plan.

The independent review panel, appointed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise, has found that prima facie evidence exists to institute removal proceedings against Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Chaired by Justice Bess Nkabinde, alongside Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza and Advocate Johan de Waal, the panel had to investigate whether there is proof of incompetence or misconduct by Mkhwebane. The DA brought a motion to Parliament for Mkhwebane's fitness to be tested, following several damning court findings against her.

Cosatu has vowed to convene a Special Central Executive Committee meeting soon to review its support for the ANC in the forthcoming local government elections. The labour federation says it will also have a bilateral meeting with the SACP with a possibility of supporting the party in future elections should its planned meeting resolve to withdraw support for the ANC. This is part of the resolution taken at the end of its three-day meeting held earlier this week.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on private sector corporates to help government in growing and developing small-to-medium and micro-enterprises or SMMEs in South Africa through capital support, skills development and access to markets. Ramaphosa was addressing entrepreneurs and cooperatives during an SMME focused webinar hosted by the Department of Small Business Development this afternoon. Ramaphosa encouraged SMMEs to take advantage of the Africa Free Trade Agreement to access new markets on the continent.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has expressed optimism about the country's economic recovery. Mboweni tabled the 2021-2022 budget in Parliament, with revenue projected to be 1.35 trillion rand. He says non-interest spending will remain steady at approximately 1.56 trillion rand over the next three years, but will decline as a share of GDP to 26.2 percent in 2023/24.

Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane has made four changes to her cabinet. The new members are Nkangala ANC chairperson, Speed Mashilo, responsible for Human Settlement. Former Deputy Speaker of the Legislature, Vusi Mkhatshwa is now MEC for Finanace, Economic Development and Tourism, while ex-Speaker Busi Shiba presides over Co-operatives Governance and Traditional Affairs. Mohita Latchminarain is MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport.

Economists and the business community at large have welcomed Finance Minister Titio Mboweni 's2021 budget. Many industry experts who were interviewed said the budget was balanced and showed compassion for the corporate sector that is struggling. Markets also reacted positively to the minister's speech in late evening trade (wednesday 24 February)

Economists say Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is unlikely to increase taxes in order to finance the country's vaccine rollout programme. Their comments come as Mboweni is expected to table the 2021 Budget THIS AFTERNOON. Experts say Mboweni should rather focus on keeping spending low in order to make fiscal room to fund an effective vaccination programme. Other experts say the minister should lean more on the private sector for support.