For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: DA calls for swift investigation of suspended Sassa CEO, who is on full pay; Presidency clarifies visa application process for Nigerian nationals; And, South African Airways cancels some flights as pilots go on strike

DA calls for swift investigation of suspended Sassa CEO, who is on full pay

The Democratic Alliance said the investigation into South African Social Security Agency CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula must be rapid, and thorough, to avoid wasting millions on her suspension.

Memela-Khambula has been placed on precautionary suspension on full pay pending the outcome of an investigation into her appointment, after issues were raised by the Public Protector.

Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe announced the suspension on Tuesday, saying the decision was prompted by the need to investigate without hindrance or interference.

DA Social Development deputy spokesperson Alexandra Abrahams said the party wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa to proclaim a Special Investigating Unit investigation to probe the wide-scale fraud at Sassa, as the Department of Social Development “seems to be out of its depth and slow to action on numerous issues at Sassa”.

The party expressed concerns that the Social Relief of Distress Grant system remains compromised, with fraudsters continuing to syphon off public funds meant for the poor and vulnerable, while desperate eligible South Africans, who are predominately youth, remain locked out of receiving social assistance.

Abrahams pointed out that Sassa beneficiaries, including SRD recipients, had suffered under the “insensitivity and incompetence” of the suspended CEO.

Presidency clarifies visa application process for Nigerian nationals

The Presidency has clarified a misunderstanding from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening remarks at the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission on Tuesday about changes to the visa application process for Nigerian nationals.

The confusion stemmed from Ramaphosa’s comments that Nigerian tourists did not have to submit their passports when applying for a visa.

At the commission, Ramaphosa stressed the South African government’s commitment to facilitating business and leisure visits, thereby promoting increased investment and tourism between the two nations.

In a statement today, the Presidency clarified that prospective travellers could apply for their visas without submitting their passports at the time of application.

Prospective travellers are only required to submit certified copies of the biopage of their passports, and their actual passports should also be availed during the application process for verification and confirmation.

Once a visa has been approved, they are required to submit their passports for the process to be completed and for the visa to be affixed in the passport, it added.

And, South African Airways cancels some flights as pilots go on strike

South African Airways said it had cancelled flights to Perth and Sao Paulo today after receiving confirmation from the SAA Pilots Association that they planned to strike following a deadlock in pay talks.

The company decided to cancel the Perth and Sao Paulo routes last night after being told the strike planned for today would go ahead, said Khaya Buthelezi, the airline's senior manager of corporate relations.

Early on Thursday, there were no disruptions to domestic flights and routes across Africa as the airline had made contingency plans.

Some pilots were seen picketing outside the SAA office at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

SAAPA's initial demand proposed in May was for a 30% increase in pilot salaries, which was subsequently reduced to 15.7%, including associated benefits, SAA said in a statement earlier this week.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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