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

Making headlines: South Africa prepares Bill to form State-firm holding company; 150 000 Sassa beneficiaries not paid in January due to 'verification' delays; And, NSFAS board ‘vindicated’ by court’s decision on termination of CEO's employment

South Africa prepares Bill to form State-firm holding company

South Africa’s minister of public enterprises will soon introduce a bill in parliament to establish a government firm that will own and manage at least 13 of the country’s State-owned companies.

The National State Enterprises Bill will establish the State Asset Management and provide for the phased transfer of State enterprises to the holding company, according to an explanatory note dated January 9 in the Government Gazette.

Many of South Africa’s State-owned companies, including power utility Eskom, rail and ports operator Transnet and arms maker Denel have been plagued by mismanagement and corruption. These firms are currently overseen by the Department of Public Enterprises.

150 000 Sassa beneficiaries not paid in January due to 'verification' delays

More than 150 000 people did not receive their social grant payments in January, with the SA Social Security Agency saying the delay was due to a verification process.

Initial estimates were that 70 000 people had been impacted, but Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi confirmed the figure stood at 150 000 today.

Letsatsi said the agency undertakes a verification process every month to prevent fraud.

The process ensures that banking details, names, addresses and ID numbers are all correct to protect beneficiaries from scammers and fraudsters who may be trying to make off with their money. 

Letsatsi said the beneficiaries could have been impacted by recent flooding in parts of the country and their subsequent relocation.

And, NSFAS board ‘vindicated’ by court’s decision on termination of CEO's employment

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme board says it is vindicated by the Labour Court’s decision on the termination of former NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo’s contract of employment following his irregular involvement in the appointment of the direct payment service providers.

On Monday the court declared Nongogo’s termination as lawful and valid, dismissing his bid for his reinstatement.

The NSFAS board welcomed the decision by the Court to dismiss with costs the application by Nongogo to strike out certain paragraphs as contained in the Werksmans Attorney’s report, which implicated him in irregular conduct in relation to the appointment of direct payment service providers.

In August, Nongogo was placed on special leave after an uproar over the scheme’s direct payment contract.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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