For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: SA has R660-billion shortfall on its R1.5-trillion just climate transition plan; Mashatile's protectors are back at work after highway assault; And, Councillors munch their way through three courses as Joburg crumbles

SA has R660-billion shortfall on its R1.5-trillion just climate transition plan

Despite wealthy nations’ pledging $8.5-billion (approximately R150-billion) and further pledges and investments, South Africa faces a R660-billion financing shortfall for the just energy transition, which is expected to cost R1.5-trillion over five years.

This was revealed by Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy in a response to a parliamentary question.

Democratic Alliance MP David Bryant asked whether Creecy was actively exploring additional funding mechanisms for the implementation of the Just Transition to a Decarbonised Economy for South Africa to supplement the initial $8.5-billion commitment.

The $8.5-billion package, revealed at COP26 in 2021, comprises $1-billion from France, Germany, the US and the EU.

The UK has pledged $1.8-billion, and $2.6-billion of the funds will be accessed from the Climate Investment Funds Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Plan.

The monies include $500-million or R9-billion to accelerate the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations.

Mashatile's protectors are back at work after highway assault

Eight Presidential Protection Services members, caught on camera assaulting motorists on the N1 near Olivedale in Johannesburg in July, are back at work.

The officers were part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protection detail. 

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said that their return to work was aligned with police disciplinary regulations.

Suspension is for 60 days, thereafter, the suspension is automatically uplifted in terms of the organisation's disciplinary regulations.

Mathe said the members were confined to the office and were not operational, pending the finalisation of the internal departmental investigation and the criminal case before the court.

The eight men are each out on R10 000 bail.

And, Councillors munch their way through three courses as Joburg crumbles

A single sitting of the Johannesburg council can cost R600 000, with the lion's share going toward catering.

Former Speaker Vasco da Gama has claimed the taxpayer coughs up these eye-watering amounts for sittings, with catering costs R800 per person, including guests during special meetings.

But Speaker Colleen Makhubele says the last council meeting, at the beginning of August, cost the city less than R400 000.

As 270 councillors munch their way through three courses, the city is crumbling.

At the end of the 2022 financial year, the City's debt was R24-billion, and its unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure rose to R20.8-billion.

Its finances were so bad that it had to hire a panel of debt collectors to try and scrape back revenue, which it failed to collect.

Now, it can't even pay the debt collectors.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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