South African President Scraps Free Basic Amenities For Ministers

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has withdrawn controversial perks for cabinet ministers and their deputies that saw their homes supplied with free electricity and water. <br />The benefits caused a public outcry as they were considered insensitive at a time South Africans are struggling with daily power cuts and rising costs of living. <br />A spokesman says the president acknowledges and appreciates the public sentiments on the matter. <br />He says the intention was to try and find some form of balance between what ministers could afford versus some of the costs that they have.