For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa reaffirms SA's stance on Israel and Palestin, fifteen bills, including NHI, awaiting Ramaphosa's signature ahead of festive season and, AmaPanyaza the cause of crime in North West

Ramaphosa reaffirms SA's stance on Israel and Palestin

President Cyril Ramaphosa met the South African Jewish Board of Deputies at his presidential residence, in Pretoria to discuss the county's stance on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

The board made requests relating to diplomatic recognition of Israel and to the boycott of Israeli and Jewish businesses in South Africa.

With regard to the first issue, the board petitioned Ramaphosa to restore full diplomatic recognition of Israel, including the reopening of the South African embassy in Tel Aviv, and to assure that the Israeli embassy in Pretoria will not close to enable the Israeli ambassador's return to South Africa.

It has been reported that the previously reported that Israel's foreign ministry recalled its South African ambassador after South Africa recalled its diplomatic staff from Israel.

Fifteen bills, including NHI, awaiting Ramaphosa's signature ahead of festive season

Passing a slew of legislation in the final days of this year's parliamentary calendar, Parliament left President Cyril Ramaphosa with a full inbox heading into the festive period.

There are currently Fifteen bills on Ramaphosa's desk awaiting his signature.

All these bills, bar two, have been passed by Parliament in November or early December, shortly before Parliament rose for the year.

There has already been a clamouring for Ramaphosa to not sign at least one of these pieces of legislation, the National Health Insurance  Bill, which was passed by the National Council of Provinces on 6 December.

Business Unity SA and Business4SA indicated they were preparing to submit a formal petition to Ramaphosa, requesting he refer the NHI Bill back to the National Assembly for amendment.

AmaPanyaza the cause of crime in North West

The Gauteng Crime Prevention wardens continue to catch flak from all sides as they have been barred from performing police duties at police stations, accused of assaulting residents.

They are also blamed for the spread of crime in the neighbouring North West province.

The Chief Director of the Civilian Secretariat at the Department of Community Safety and Transport in the North West province, Mpho Maleme, has blamed the launch of the Crime Prevention Wardens project in Gauteng for increasing crime and attacks on tourists in the North West, saying the criminals have fled next door.

The wardens, referred to as amaPanyaza, are the brainchild of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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