First Take SA

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank has left the repo rate unchanged at seven percent - meaning that the prime lending rate remains at ten point five percent. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kaganyago has cited concerns about the increase in consumer inflation - but he says the central bank also has to take weak economic growth into account. The move was widely expected by economists.

COSATU has resolved to support and lobby for Cyril Ramaphosa as the next ANC president. This is one of the resolutions of the labour federation's Central Executive Committee meeting. COSATU says Ramaphosa is best placed in a position to unite the ANC. COSATU's general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali briefed the media in Johannesburg following the meeting.

COSATU has resolved to support and lobby for Cyril Ramaphosa as the next ANC president. This is one of the resolutions of the labour federation's Central Executive Committee meeting. COSATU says Ramaphosa is best placed in a position to unite the ANC. COSATU's general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali briefed the media in Johannesburg following the meeting.

NPA head, Shaun Abrahams and his two colleagues, Torie Pretorius and Sibongile Mzinyathi are the heart of the NPA and cannot be removed on untested allegations. Advocate Hilton Epstein has told the high court in Pretoria that Abrahams cannot be fired based on a perception that he may charge Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan again. The Hellen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law want President Jacob Zuma to suspend Abrahams immediately.

Police say they cannot, at this stage, confirm that the body found in Buccleuh, North of Johannesburg is of a three year old Everite Chauke. Chauke went missing two weeks ago during the flash floods in Johannesburg. Emergency services officials have been searching for her body and had yesterday extended the search to parts of Hartebeespoort.

The official unemployment rate figure in South Africa has increased to 27 point 1 percent in the third quarter from the 26 point 6 percent recorded in the second quarter. This is the highest unemployment figure in 13 years. Releasing the results of the labour force survey, Statistician General Pali Lehohla says the unemployment rate figure continues to grow and there is a need to identify economic sectors that will help create jobs.

The official unemployment rate figure in South Africa has increased to 27 point 1 percent in the third quarter from the 26 point 6 percent recorded in the second quarter. This is the highest unemployment figure in 13 years. Releasing the results of the labour force survey, Statistician General Pali Lehohla says the unemployment rate figure continues to grow and there is a need to identify economic sectors that will help create jobs.

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Irregular expenditure has increased by almost 40 percent since 2013/14 to R46‚36-billion. Auditor General Kimi Makwetu says there is concern over state owned entities and uncertainty over their financial sustainability. Makwetu was releasing the audit results of the national and provincial departments and their entities for the 2015-16 financial year in Parliament.

The AbaThembu Royal Family has confirmed that the acting Abathembu king and brother of jailed king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo has filed an urgent application in the Grahamstown High Court. This in a bid to interdict the coronation of Buyelekhaya's eldest son, Azenathi as acting king on the 25th of this month. Royal family spokesperson, Daludumo Mtirara says after Prince Mthandeni consulted with provincial government and the AmaDlomo clan, he was advised to take the matter to court.