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Palestinians burn an Israeli and a US flag during a protest against the US intention to move its embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

SA faces continent’s wrath as xenophobia rears its head again

A resurgence of anti-immigrant violence has sparked outrage in other African countries and spurred calls for more to be done.

JSC commissioner Mathole Motshekga said he was concerned the backlash against Judge Thokozile Masipa’s judgment in the murder trial of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius might “stigmatise” the new Limpopo division.

Conspiracy, disinformation and Zuma-Gordhan fight loom over budget

A year after President Jacob Zuma began feuding with his finance minister the conflict appears to be coming to a head.

The hike was announced in former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba in the 2018 Budget.

Competition Commission seeks to fine banks for rigging rand

Local and international banks allegedly created fictitious bids and offers and co-ordinated trading times to distort demand and supply for profit.

President Jacob Zuma says a policy overhaul is essential because black South Africans directly own just 10% of the top 100 companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Battered Zuma gambles on populist shift to ensure survival

Once President Jacob Zuma steps down as ANC leader at the party’s next congress, he’ll have to answer to a party that may no longer share his vision.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says the president is ‘serious’ about his Cabinet’s performance.

ANALYSIS: Ramaphosa makes his play in the presidential succession race

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to have hit the campaign trail for the leadership of the ruling ANC, criticising the way it’s being run.

Angie Motshekga has also given credit to her department’s policy to promote more than 100 000 pupils.

Increased education spending bears fruit as pass rate climbs

The pass rate rose for the first time in three years as government boosted spending on education and teachers got to grips with a new curriculum.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane released her report on the multimillion-rand Vrede Dairy Project — initiated by the Free State government in 2012 as part of its efforts to boost the province’s agricultural economy — in February last year. (Gallo)

Reserve Bank leaves repo rate unchanged, warns of risks to the rand

The MPC decided unanimously to leave the benchmark repurchase rate at 7%.

In this week’s Mail & Guardian

NEWS ANALYSIS: Zuma’s waning power exposed by stalled nuclear plan

Government’s decision to stall plans championed by President Jacob Zuma to build nuclear plants has exposed his waning authority.

Men looking for work at companies in Protea Glen in Soweto towards the end of last year.

Unemployment rises to its highest level in more than a decade

The unemployment rate rose to 27.1% in the quarter through September, from 26.6% in the previous three months, Statistics South Africa said.

The transfer of Eskom’s transmission assets appears to be a sticking point.

Government delays nuclear plant plans as economy stagnates

South Africa delayed plans to build new nuclear power plants over concern about their cost and the waning demand for additional electricity.

Battle lines: Pravin Gordhan and President Jacob Zuma are said to be at odds over the finance minister’s former colleagues at Sars.

Breakdown: Courts emerge as main theatre for SA’s political wars

The courts are becoming the main theatre of political battles in South Africa as feuding for power and access to state funds intensifies.

The Constitutional Court will decide early this year whether to hear and rule on the bid by the EFF to force Zuma to pay back the money spent on nonsecurity upgrades at Nkandla.

DA lays corruption charges against President Zuma

The DA also asked the police to investigate the Guptas and Zuma’s son, Duduzane, who is their business partner, the party’s leader Mmusi Maimane said.

President Jacob Zuma laughs after EFF MPs were forced to leave the house.

ANC backs Zuma as MPs prep for DA’s ‘annual and frivolous’ no-confidence motion

The ruling party leadership has rallied around President Jacob Zuma despite the release of the State of Capture report.

Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma are regarded as front-runners to take over from Zuma as ANC president next year

Ramaphosa gains from Zuma’s woes in presidential succession race

Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma are regarded as front-runners to take over from Zuma as ANC president next year, and possibly president in 2019.

Zuma has repeatedly undermined Gordhan’s authority

How apartheid torture steeled Gordhan for political warfare

Gordhan was detained three times as he worked to bring an end to apartheid, enduring beatings and suffocation at the hands of the police.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers his 2016 budget speech.

Key numbers to watch out for in today’s midterm budget

The heat will be on South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan when he delivers his mid-term budget.

Ndumiso Madlala

Splits widen in ANC as Jackson Mthembu breaks ranks

The ruling party is divided over President Jacob Zuma’s leadership and a decision by prosecutors to charge Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan at a media briefing ahead of his budget speech.

Gordhan faces test of resolve as he delivers budget amid charges and #FeesMustFall

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s resolve to maintain fiscal discipline and avoid a junk credit rating is facing a severe test.

President Jacob Zuma has relied on his lawyers to stall and delay cases against him.

Gupta bombshell: Zuma on the ropes after Gordhan’s gloves come off

South African President Jacob Zuma appears increasingly vulnerable in a power struggle with his finance chief after a series of new allegations.

Finance minister Pravin Gordhan operates on a two week cycle as he prepares to be ousted at any stage.

Pravin Gordhan: ‘There is no need for judicial probe into South African banks’

The courts offer recourse to companies that are unhappy with banks, finance minister tells audience at Cape Town book festival.