Cosatu Launches Nationwide Strike, Alcohol Industry Resumes R2.5bn/m Tax Payments

LOCAL NEWS

• Thousands expected to join union Cosatu's one-day nationwide strike today against corruption, retrenchments, high levels of unemployment, gender-based violence and "an attack on collective bargaining."
• Alcohol industry resumes paying monthly R2.5bn in excise tax after a 90-day payment deferral following the fourth alcohol sales ban in June. The industry contributes R72bn in tax yearly & R173bn to GDP
• Sarisa MD says the state insurer will require 'far less' than R14bn from the Treasury to recapitalise its balance sheet after it paid out R5.8bn for the July unrest. The final amount here will be announced by Finmin Godongwana at the MTBPS
• The UK is expected to remove SA from its travel red list today in what should result in a substantial boost for SA's embattled tourism industry after an extended period of travel restrictions – The Guardian

Data:

• 1200BST: Aug electricity consumption, 3.5% prior
• 1200BST: Aug Electricity production, 2.9% prior