November 14, 2013
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Shannon de Ryhove.
Making headlines:

The Infrastructure Bill is introduced in the National Assembly.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is ready to sign a "declaration" that reflects the defeat of M23 rebels.

And, the Public Administration Management Bill is withdrawn from the National Assembly.

A proposed law meant to fast-track the implementation of the government's infrastructure development plan was introduced in the National Assembly by Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel on Wednesday.

The Infrastructure Development Bill, if passed, will formalise and establish in law the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission (or PICC).

It spells out the powers of the PICC, chaired by President Jacob Zuma.

The commission would have to meet regularly to drive the implementation of infrastructure, Patel said. He added that the proposed law also sets clear time-frames for government to implement strategic integrated projects.

The Democratic Republic of Congo said on Wednesday it was ready to sign a "declaration" that reflects the defeat of M23 rebels. This is despite pulling out of Ugandan-hosted peace talks a day earlier.

DRC and M23 rebels, the latest incarnation of Tutsi-led insurgents to battle the government near the border with Rwanda and Uganda, had been due to conclude a deal on Monday but Congolese negotiators rejected the name of the document.

Kinshasa's accusations against Uganda and the failure to conclude a political deal to accompany M23's military defeat underscored deep-rooted tensions that will complicate efforts to end Congo's most serious rebellion in a decade.

Speaker of the National Assembly Max Sisulu has approved a request to withdraw the Public Administration Management Bill from the National Assembly so that it can be tabled in the National Council of Provinces (or NCOP).

The request came from the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Lindiwe Sisulu.

The Department of Public Service and Administration said the withdrawal would allow the NCOP an opportunity to consider the bill in detail and after approval, then return it to the National Assembly for further processing. The minister called on members of the public to participate in the public hearings and ensure that their voice was heard.

Also making headlines:

Gauteng launches a R140-million job creation initiative that is expected to move over 6 000 people off the unemployment line.

Three people were killed and several wounded in Central African Republic's capital Bangui in clashes between security forces and former rebel fighters.

And, the Department of Basic Education has released the Incremental Introduction of African Languages Policy for public comment.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today.