Daily news update: National State of Disaster, fuel price and Mpofu found guilty

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Daily news update 16 March 

National State of Disaster extended by another month

The national State of Disaster has been extended by another month yet again, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has confirmed.

The extension was published in the government gazette on Monday, and was granted “taking into account the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of state to address the impact of the disaster”.

ALSO READ: Dlamini-Zuma to oppose court bid to end national State of Disaster

The latest extension could see the State of Disaster ending on 15 April as government continues to finalise the new National Health Act regulations.

Prepare for more pain: Fuel price predicted to soar even higher in April

Motorists’ pain at the pumps will continue in April with another record increase expected, come the 6^th of next month.

According to data published by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) on Tuesday (15 March), projections point to an over recovery of between 35 and 36 cents in the price of petrol and 37 cents for illuminating paraffin.

Based on the period under review period of 25 February to 14 March therefore, the CEF says it expects the price of 93 unleaded to increase by R2.19 a litre, 95 unleaded by R2.27 and paraffin by R2.66 a litre.

The price of diesel, currently between 38 and 39 cents, will result in users having to fork out between R3.11 and R3.25 more from next month.

Mpofu found guilty for telling advocate to shut up during Zondo commission – report

The Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA) has found advocate Dali Mpofu guilty of an ethical violation for telling advocate Michelle le Roux to shut up during a hearing at the State Capture Inquiry.

According to News24, the JSA sent a letter to Mpofu stating, “It is indisputable that… you used intemperate language vis-à-vis Le Roux SC by telling her to shut up, whether directly or indirectly”.

Mpofu was found guilty of violating Rule 4.12 of the General Council of the Bar’s Uniform Rules of Ethics.

The JSA has asked Mpofu to “provide written submissions in respect of an appropriate sanction”before deciding what punishment the advocate should face.

AfriForum takes government to court for extension of national state of disaster

AfriForum is taking the government to court again, accusing it of being “power hungry” after extending the state of the national disaster by a month.

The civil organisation has been at logger heads with the government over the constant extension of the national state disaster.

The organisation began legal action in February to declare the station disaster invalid, arguing that there was currently no disaster.

Citing current Covid-19 hospitalisation and mortality rate, Afriforum said there was no justification for the “continued repression of civil liberties.”

Government, Huawei settle out of court: Locals will make up 50% of staff within 3 years

The Department of Employment and Labour and Huawei Technologies South Africa, have reached an out of court settlement.

The settlement follows the department’s filing papers at the Labour Court on 11 February 2022, relating to Huawei’s 90 % foreigner staff complement.

Huawei has since committed to a new employment equity plan that will see 50% of locals, being absorbed into the company over a three-year period.

The Department has accepted this plan, which addresses the equitable representation of South Africans within the Chinese-owned tech giant, 

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