The government is walking a tightrope as civil servants embark on industrial action over pay

Decline in the country’s GDP – largely due to record-levels of load-shedding – puts the size of the economy back below pre-pandemic levels

But jobless levels are still above those prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw 2.2 million people lose employment

Financial Action Task Force noted the country made ‘a high-level political commitment’ to work with the watchdog to tackle money laundering

The finance minister’s commitment to toeing the line may send positive signals to ratings agencies, but at what cost?

The finance minister said South Africa still needs to address shortcomings but hopes the sanctions will not be severe

Fresh billions will allow the appointment of 15 000 police trainees and prosecutors with skill in bringing financial crimes to court

The majority of the relief comes in the form of incentives given to businesses and households investing in alternative energy

The debt relief amounts to almost as much as the power utility has received in bailouts since 2008