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

Making headlines: Govt declares foodborne illnesses a national disaster; Reserve Bank trims key rate by 25 basis points, stresses tough backdrop; And, ICC issues arrest warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu on war conduct

Govt declares foodborne illnesses a national disaster

South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre has declared foodborne illnesses a national disaster, in response to countrywide sicknesses and deaths, particularly of children, in recent weeks.

The declaration was made under the Disaster Management Act, No. 57 of 2002.

Ministers in multidisciplinary teams responsible for the national response to foodborne illnesses held a media briefing in Pretoria, to outline government’s plan to manage foodborne diseases.

Justice Minister Thembi Simelane said the disaster classification encourages State entities, the private sector and communities to improve their risk-avoidance practices through adherence to food safety legislation, standards and procedures.

Government has also called on individuals to comply with applicable business registration legislation, standards and procedures.

Simelane pointed out that the classification recommended that the National Executives, respective Provincial Executives, and the respective Municipal Councils implement a multisectoral relief and rehabilitation plan to deal with the effects of the disaster.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of spaza shops implicated in food-borne illnesses that had claimed the lives of 22 children in recent weeks and called for all spaza shops and food handling facilities to be registered with municipalities within 21 days.

Reserve Bank trims key rate by 25 basis points, stresses tough backdrop

South Africa's central bank opted for another small cut to its main interest rate today, stressing the global economic backdrop was tough and the outlook highly uncertain despite domestic inflation falling below its target.

The decision to lower the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.75% was unanimous, with the Monetary Policy Committee not discussing a larger 50 bps cut, South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said.

Annual inflation slowed sharply to 2.8% in October, its lowest level in over four years, dropping below the central bank's 3% to 6% target range.

Kganyago sad the Committee agreed that reducing the level of policy restrictiveness is still consistent with achieving the inflation target. The risk outlook, however, requires a cautious approach.

Alongside other emerging market currencies, the rand has sold off since Donald Trump's US election win, losing more than 3% against the dollar.

And, ICC issues arrest warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu on war conduct

The International Criminal Court judges today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif on war crimes charges, drawing criticism from Israel.

The Hague-based court’s announcement follows an application by the ICC’s chief prosecutor in May for arrest warrants over charges related to the October 7 attack on Israel by the Hamas militant group, and also to the Israeli military response in Gaza. The court also issued arrest warrant for former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

The Israeli government has repeatedly denied charges, saying that its conduct of war against Hamas — designated a terrorist organisation by the US — is in line with international law.

The warrants were issued “for crimes against humanity and war crimes,” the court said in its statement.

The decision to seek charges against the Israeli leader will likely draw criticism from the US which raised concerns over such a move earlier this year. The Israeli government and Netanyahu have also previously slammed the decision.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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