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South Africa President, Zuma signs 10 bills into law.
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma of South Africa on Wednesday, 11 January 2017, signed the following ten (10) Bills into law.
Taxation Laws Amendment Act:
The main purpose of the Bill is to amend certain provisions of various Acts related to the Taxations Laws Amendment Act including, amongst others, Transfer Duty Act, 1949; Estate Duty Act, 1955; Customs and Excise Act, 1964; Value-Added Tax Act, 1991; Skills Development Levies Act, 1999, Unemployment Contributions Act, 2002; Securities Transfer Tax Act, 2007; Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, 2008; Employment Tax Incentive Act, 2013 as well as Taxation Laws Amendment Acts, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
The Bill seeks to amend these laws in order to bring them in line with the new Taxation Laws Amendment Act.
Finance Act, 2016 :
The Finance Act, 2016 (Act No.7 of 2016) seeks to provide provisions for the approval of unauthorised expenditure, recovery of unauthorised expenditure and provide for matters connected therewith.
Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws (Administration) Act, 2016:
The Act aims to provide for administrative matters in respect of additional relief under the voluntary disclosure programme and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Act, 2016:
The Act aims to fix the rates of normal tax; to amend the Transfer Duty Act, 1949, so as to amend the rates of transfer duty and monetary threshold; to amend the Income Tax Act, 1962, so to amend rates of tax and monetary amounts as well as to amend Customs and Excise Act, 1964, so as to amend rates of duty in Schedule 1 to that Act.
The Act further seeks to provide for additional relief under the voluntary disclosure programme and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Tax Administration Laws Amendment Act, 2016:
The main purpose of the Bill is to amend Income Tax Act, 1962, to provide for delegation of power to disclose certain information and to remove an obligation to submit a return for a dividend derived from a tax free investment, amongst others. The Bill further seeks to amend Customs and Excise Act, 1964, so as to narrow the scope of provisions relating to Special Economic Zones and to align terminology with terminology used in the Special Economic Zones Act, 2014.
The Bill also seeks to amend certain provisions of Value-Added Tax Act, 1991; Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty (Administration) Act, 2008 as well as Tax Administration Act, 2011.
Adjustments Appropriation Act, 2016:
The Bill seeks to effect adjustments to the appropriation of money from the National Revenue Fund for the requirements if the State in respect of the 2016/17 financial year and to provide for matters incidental thereto.
Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act, 2016:
The main purpose of the Bill is to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act, 2001, so as to provide for the extension of the unemployment insurance benefits to learners who are undergoing learnership training and civil servants and also, amongst other things, to adjust the accrual rate of contributor’s entitlement to unemployment insurance benefits and to provide for the process of application for maternity benefits.
The Bill further seek to empower the Unemployment Insurance Board to provide its constitution for the functions of regional appeals committees and to amend Scheduled 2 to the Unemployment Insurance Act, 2001, so as to provide for adjustment of the Income Replacement Rate and to provide matters connected therewith.
Children’s Amendment Act, 2016:
The Bill seek to amend the Children’s Act, 2005, so as to insert certain definitions and to provide, amongst other things, that a person convicted of certain offences be deemed unsuitable to work with children and to afford a child offender an opportunity to make representations as to why a finding of unsuitability to work with children should not be made.
Children’s Second Amendment Act, 2016:
The Bill seek to amend the Children’s Act, 2005, so as to insert certain definitions and to provide, amongst other things, that the removal of a child temporary safe care without a court order be placed before the children’s court for review before the expiry date of the next court day. The Bill further seek to provide that an application for a child to remain in alternative care beyond the age of 18 years, must be submitted before end if the year in which the relevant child reaches the age of 18 years and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Performing Animals Protection Amendment Act, 2016:
The Bill seek to amend the Performing Animals Protection Act, 1935 and to provide for a procedure for the application for a license to exhibit and train performing animals or use of animals for safeguarding as well as to provide for the issuance of license and for an appeals process and to provide for matters connected therewith.
President Zuma is confident that these new amended laws will enhance government service delivery programmes and also improve the good work that has been done by departments and institutions who are custodians of these laws.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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