For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: ActionSA calls for policy review, EFF blames govt for ArcelorMittal wind down; AfriForum urges strengthened border security, collaboration to tackle illegal crossings; And, Ghana’s Mahama returns as president, facing old problems

ActionSA calls for policy review, EFF blames govt for ArcelorMittal wind down

ActionSA has expressed concerns with steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa’s decision to wind down its long-products business, which will result in about 3 500 job losses, and is calling for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the country’s industrial policies, while the Economic Freedom Fighters said it was unsurprised by the company’s announcement.

Production at the Newcastle Works, which has been operating under the threat of closure since late 2023, is anticipated to cease by late January 2025, with the wind-down of the remaining production processes completed in the first quarter of the year.

The wind down will also affect the Vereeniging Works, in Gauteng, and the ArcelorMittal Rail and Structural unit, which is located at the old Highveld Steel facility, in Mpumalanga.

ActionSA said ArcelorMittal South Africa’s closure is a stark reminder of the “deep-rooted flaws” in the country’s industrial and economic policies.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters said the delay in retrenchments, based on an unverifiable plan by government, was nothing but a “malicious electioneering tactic”.

The party claimed that the retrenchments were being postponed to cushion a negative electoral outcome for the then ruling party.

AfriForum urges strengthened border security, collaboration to tackle illegal crossings

Non-governmental organisation AfriForum is urging the South African Border Management Authority and law enforcement agencies to strengthen security at all ports of entry and along porous border areas, to combat illegal border crossings from Mozambique into South Africa.

The organisation pointed to the recent unrest in Mozambique, which it said has forced thousands to flee their homes, creating a surge of refugees entering neighbouring countries such as Malawi and Eswatini.

However, AfriForum said the exact number of Mozambicans crossing into South Africa remains unclear, raising serious concerns about border security and the effectiveness of current measures.

The organisation emphasised that South Africa must enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle cross-border trafficking and illegal crossings, and must work with community safety structures, such as AfriForum neighbourhood watches, to monitor and patrol high-risk areas effectively.

And, Ghana’s Mahama returns as president, facing old problems

John Dramani Mahama will be sworn in today for his second term as Ghana's president, with a fresh mandate to tackle familiar challenges, including corruption, high unemployment, inflation and public discontent.

The opposition leader won the December 7 presidential election by a wide margin to stage a political comeback in the West African nation, the world's number-two cocoa producer.

He replaces Nana Akufo-Addo, who steps down after serving two terms, continuing Ghana's democratic tradition in a region gripped elsewhere by military coups and jihadist insurgencies.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA