The rand has gained sharply as the ANC contradicted President Jacob Zuma regarding the leak of the #GuptaEmails, which implicated him and other officials in state capture.

South Africans were treated to an extraordinary sight on Monday night: the sight of a government at war with itself. The sight of the National Treasury telling the nation that Eskom was lying. At the same time, Eskom was accusing the National Treasury of “gaming”, of playing games with regulations and laws, all to protect itself. If ever you wanted proof that the instability in the ANC was going to have an impact on government, on governance, on our everyday lives, this was it. By STEPHEN…

A court battle is looming between the Reserve Bank and the public protector

National Treasury turned down a request from Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba for staff travelling with him to fly business class, according to a response to parliamentary question. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan gave details of instances where treasury received requests for permission to deviate from cost-containment measures introduced three years ago.

Religious leaders are praying for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, his deputy and staff, Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba said in an open letter on Wednesday. They and the vast majority of citizens were behind Treasury's "efforts to ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent for the benefit of all and not to enrich a few". Gordhan is set to table his medium-term budget in Parliament on October 26. "We want to highlight the critical values of openness and transparency and urge you within the…

It was an unfortunate mistake to suspend loans to State Owned Enterprises, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) said on Thursday. This comes hours after Futuregrowth Asset Management announced it was suspending its loans due to possible “patronage network” and “conflicts” in government.

Amidst extreme levels of unemployment and the economy in a recession, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba announced a plan on Thursday to improve confidence in the economy and boost growth. While the intervention was welcomed, issues of political credibility and government’s implementation abilities could hold it back. By GREG NICOLSON & ORATENG LEPODISE

The airline posted a net loss of R1.9-billion rand in March this year. Economists say the latest bailout could spark another ratings downgrade.

Radical enough?

South Africa's credit downgrades and slow economic growth could negate the benefits of this year's record maize harvest, according to Wessel Lemmer, senior agricultural economist at Absa. Statistics South Africa recently indicated that the agricultural sector had increased 22% in the first quarter of 2017 and that a record maize harvest is expected this year.

A financial system that is sure to collapse if the central bank cares about people’s well-being goes against democratic principle.

Irregular expenditure ballooned by billions of rands as municipal leaders looked elsewhere

Even Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba has publicly distanced himself from the recommendation that would cater for altering the SA Reserve Bank mandate.

"We need to protect at all times the independence of the South Africa Reserve Bank so we don't subject it to undue influence from anybody," FinMin Malusi Gigaba said.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane says the Reserve Bank should be consulting with Parliament and not Treasury, as is currently the case.

The independence of the SA Reserve Bank is one of the strengths of the country’s financial system, former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene told Fin24.