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Thursday, August 27, 2009.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Jonathan Faurie.

Making headlines today:

The Department of Transport is not aware that a court interdict has been filed by taxi associations in an attempt to suspend the start of the operation of the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

Deputy director-general of public transport George Mahlalela said that the department had not yet received any information regarding a court interdict to suspend the system.

The United Taxi Association Forum had reportedly filed an emergency court interdict at the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the launch of the BRT system on Sunday, until negotiations between the taxi industry and government could be finalised.

The legal action comes only days after the Johannesburg Taxi Industry Negotiating Team said that it supported the public transport system "in principle".

Telecommunications operator, the MTN group, has reported that it spent R15,5-billion on capital expenditure (capex) in the six months ended June 2009, which was a 50% increase on the comparative period.

The company added that it anticipates that while a substantial portion of the approved capex has been committed as part of its expansion strategy, some investments are only likely to be capitalised in the first half of 2010.

The MTN group, headed by CEO Phutuma Nhleko, felt that its financial results for the half-year were satisfactory amid the economic downturn affecting markets worldwide.

The group increased revenue by 24,2% to R57,3-billion from June 2008, while earnings before tax depreciation and amortisation were up 24,8% to R24-billion from June 2008.

Also making headlines:

Highveld Steel & Vanadium sees signs of improved steel demand.
Murray & Roberts order book consolidates at R40-billion, following project terminations worth R25-billion.
Sasol earnings fall to 42% following revision.
And South Africa's July consumer price index slows which indicates that a rate cut is still possible.

That's a roundup of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories please visit engineeringnews.co.za.