For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: Political parties mourn passing of James Selfe; South Africa's inflation slows but no rate cut seen in election week; And, Chad's PM Masra resigns after disputed election, Deby confirmed winner

Political parties mourn passing of James Selfe

Political parties expressed deepest condolences at the passing of former Democratic Alliance Federal Council chairperson and MP James Selfe, noting his contributions to the opposition political landscape. 

Selfe died on Tuesday following a lengthy battle with illness.

DA leader John Steenhuisen extended the party’s condolences to those closest to Selfe, saying the DA’s thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sheila, and three daughters, Chloe, Stephanie and Emma during this very difficult time.

Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa described Selfe as a dedicated public servant, having spent most of his life serving the people of South Africa with distinction.

ActionSA president Herman Mashaba extended the party’s sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Selfe, noting his career featured a “commendable” track record of genuine dedication to strengthening the country’s democracy and constitutional order.

Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane said Selfe was a great friend, a trusted adviser and a true Statesman, who he was privileged to serve alongside for many years in the DA

RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said Selfe exemplified how leaders and public representatives in open democracy should behave – caring, respectful, diligent and deeply committed to the Constitution.

South Africa's inflation slows but no rate cut seen in election week

South Africa's headline inflation slowed slightly in April, but analysts said an interest rate cut was unlikely next week when the central bank's monetary policy meeting overlaps with a national election whose outcome is uncertain.

Headline consumer inflation dropped to 5.2% year-on-year in April from 5.3% in March, Statistics South Africa data showed on Wednesday, whereas economists polled by Reuters had predicted another reading of 5.3%.

The slowdown was driven by a decrease in annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages, offsetting fuel price increases.

The South African Reserve Bank has tried to steer inflation back to the midpoint of its target band of between 3% and 6% by keeping its main interest rate at its highest level since 2009 for the past year.

And, Chad's PM Masra resigns after disputed election, Deby confirmed winner

Chad's prime minister and opposition leader Succes Masra has tendered his resignation after interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby was confirmed as winner of the May 6 presidential election.

Masra, a staunch opponent of the junta, which seized power in April 2021, was appointed prime minister of the transitional government in January, four months ahead of the poll, in a move to appease the opposition.

In March, his candidacy was cleared for the presidential election to return the country to constitutional rule. The oil-producing country is the first of a string of coup-hit states in West and Central Africa's Sahel region to attempt such a return.

Before the official announcement of preliminary results Masra claimed victory, alleging that electoral fraud was being planned.

Chad's State election body said Deby had won the election outright with 61% of the vote and the constitutional council later confirmed him as a winner.

Masra has acknowledged the council's ruling and said there were no other legal means to contest the results.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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