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President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally fired advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane - a month before her term as Public Protector was due to end. On Monday, 79.5% of the National Assembly voted in support of the section 194 committee that found Mkhwebane incompetent and guilty of misconduct, and unfit to hold office as head of South Africa's watchdog. In a letter to Mkhwebane, Ramaphosa said the Constitution states that following the conclusion of the section 194 process, he "must" remove the Public Protector from office. "I therefore hereby inform you that you are hereby removed from the Office of the Public Protector in terms of section 194(3)(b) of the Constitution on the grounds of misconduct and incompetence," the president said. Mkhwebane on Wednesday morning posted Ramaphosa's letter online, stating: "This injustice, sadly perpetrated on Steve Biko Day, will be legally challenged in review proceedings. "If I perish, I perish. Ngiyathokoza Mzansi and Africa."
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Wednesday that his party is certain that the African National Congress (ANC) will lose Gauteng in the 2024 national elections. He announced the party's Gauteng provincial leader Solly Msimanga as its Premier candidate for the province. Msimanga has been a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature since 2019, having previously served between 2014 and 2016. He was the Executive Mayor of Tshwane from 2016 to 2019 and the DA provincial chairperson from 2014 to 2017. He was the DA's Gauteng Premier candidate for the 2019 elections. Steenhuisen was speaking in Johannesburg, where he pointed out that Gauteng is the economic and political heartland of South Africa and home to one-third of the country's total economy. "While the DA made enormous strides in this province over the years, the outcome of provincial elections were previously always a fait accompli. In all previous elections, we knew that the ANC would get more than 50% and that the Premier would come from the ANC. But those days are long gone," he said. He went on to state that it was not enough that the DA knew that the ANC would lose Gauteng next year. "Our job is to make sure that the DA wins power in Gauteng next year. Our job is to make sure that the candidate we are announcing today is inaugurated as Gauteng Premier two weeks after next year's election," he said. He highlighted that the DA's latest research showed that, together with the party's partners in the Multi-Party Charter, these political parties were already polling as high as 45% in Gauteng. He noted that if the DA could grow beyond the 27% of votes it received in Gauteng during the 2019 elections, then the Moonshot Pact was guaranteed to succeed in the province. He warned that the DA must "not be under any illusions about the desperation of the ANC". He claimed that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had already gone on record to say his plan was to form a "Doomsday Coalition" between the ANC, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) to cling to power next year. Steenhuisen noted that allowing this to happen would leave Gauteng beyond repair. "We have already seen what happens when the Doomsday Coalition comes to power. The unholy alliance between the ANC, EFF and PA has utterly destroyed Johannesburg," he said. Steenhuisen said there were currently no less than 18 different parties in the Joburg Council. Eight of these parties have only one seat each, he said, saying he believed that it was not the way to run a city - much less a whole province. "This is exactly why the DA has tabled a motion to dissolve the entire Johannesburg Council, so that we can hold fresh by-elections to elect a new, less fragmented and more cohesive city government," he explained. He called on every party represented in the Joburg Council to put residents first by supporting the DA's motion for a dissolution.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Premier candidate Solly Msimanga noted that the only way a province can work and thrive, is if it has a good working relationship with municipalities. Msimanga was speaking in Johannesburg, on Wednesday during the DA's announcement of his candidacy for Gauteng Premier, where he said once elected he will address the safety and security of residents as a matter of urgency. Msimanga was elected leader of the DA in Gauteng last month, beating out National and Provincial MPs Ghaleb Cachalia and Khumo Ramulifho. He noted that people cannot walk freely in Johannesburg because they fear for their safety. "You have a Minister that tells women you are lucky if you were raped once and I don't think that is something we can accept. You have people that are killing each other in terms of gangs that are operating in some of the areas such as Eldorado Park, and you have drug infested townships to be dealing with," he said. He also noted that infrastructure was being vandalised daily and while illegal mining continues. He said the DA proposes policing units to deal with safety and security issues. The DA will also prioritise infrastructure, to ensure that it is maintained and upgraded, in light of the recent disasters in the city centre. "We going to continue to have roads that explode, roads which are not safe in the CBD, where people have to drive zigzagging all over. You going to also have a situation where electricity [outages] continues to be the norm and a situation where water outages becomes a norm. And we do not want that," he said. He highlighted that once the DA has prioritised the safety of residents and ensured that infrastructure is looked after, it will demonstrate its seriousness in improving the economy. Meanwhile, DA leader John Steenhuisen explained that the "unholy alliance" between the African National Congress, Economic Freedom Fighters and Patriotic Alliance (PA) has destroyed Johannesburg, saying roads are literally exploding in the CBD. "But Kenny Kunene, the utterly useless MMC for roads from the PA, spends his days gulping down expensive bottles of luxury champagne," he said. Just two weeks ago, South Africans witnessed the horror of 77 human beings burning to death in a hijacked building owned by the City of Johannesburg. Forty-four of the victims were burnt so badly that they are unidentifiable. "I want to say to the millions that are not registered to vote, you staying at home and not voting is not a solution. We need you to register and vote DA for a better Gauteng. We need to get this province working again, because when Gauteng works, Africa works," he said.
Former president Jacob Zuma's attempted challenge to the invalidation of his private prosecution of his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been unanimously dismissed by a full Bench - with costs. In a brief virtual sitting that was not attended by Zuma's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, Gauteng High Court Judge Lebogang Modiba said the Bench's ruling would be uploaded later today. "I should mention, it's a unanimous judgment of this court," she said. Ramaphosa had successfully challenged Zuma's attempt to launch a private prosecution against him for not instituting an inquiry into the former president's corruption prosecutor Billy Downer on the eve of the African National Congress's elective conference. The full Bench agreed with the president's assertion that the private prosecution was an "abuse" launched for an "ulterior purpose". The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday dismissed Zuma's attempt to appeal the invalidation of his private prosecution against Downer and this writer. It found the appeal bid did not have reasonable prospects of success.
South Africa's R4.7-trillion "unsustainable public debt levels", including low growth rates, forced President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider cutting the government's size to stabilise the economy, the Presidency has told News24. This while a public sector union claimed 80 000 jobs would be cut from the government, calling the move "insane". On Tuesday, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said public sector spending would be cut over the next nine months to "restore confidence and bolster the growth strategy going forward". "Work is ongoing on the reconfiguration of government; necessary consultations are taking place and will continue to take place as required with a broader section of stakeholders, including labour," Magwenya said. He was reacting to a recent Sunday Times report that Cabinet mandated the National Treasury to "work with all government departments and relevant stakeholders in [the] national government, as well as with provinces, to identify immediate measures to reduce the level of government spending". Magwenya added that cuts were necessitated by "unsustainable public debt levels due to stagnant GDP growth". He said the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted spending and revenue collection, while the economy was hampered by the "simultaneous growth and unemployment crisis; and low growth due to declining levels of fixed investment, economic concentration, inefficient rail and ports, and high cost of doing business, among other contributors". On 5 September, the Treasury announced that the economy grew by a higher-than-expected 0.6% between April and June after expanding by 0.4% in the year's first three months, well shy of the 5% growth rates the government said it needed to reduce the 32.6% unemployment rate. Magwenya acknowledged that the country's freight rail system was in turmoil and impacted economic growth. This was echoed by logistics parastatal Transnet reporting a staggering R5.7-billion loss in its last financial year owing to low volumes transported due to dilapidated infrastructure. But the Public Service and Commercial Union of South Africa (PSCU), in a statement to News24 on Tuesday, alleged that the government was "insane to get rid of 80 000 public servants", adding that, should the planned retrenchments go ahead, it would be akin to "cutting the flesh, not fat". PSCU deputy president Astrid Al-Anani said, "Over two decades of no accountability for billions of rands lost to corruption and mismanagement of funds received no similar attention. The same corrupt government now delivers devastating news of a jobs bloodbath to public servants through leaked media messaging." Cosatu also rejected the expected job cuts, saying although the union "appreciated" the State's financial constraints, the Treasury was "reckless" in recommending employment losses during a bleak economic period. In his February budget, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the country's debt was R4.7-trillion, supporting Cosatu's view that the State's fiscal position is weak. Cosatu, however, added: "What is needed now is to grow the economy. That is the only sober path to pay down our worrying debt trajectory. Pickpocketing nurses and underpaying police officers is not a solution." But Magwenya said the government was implementing a range of reforms - including the social relief of distress grant (R350 payments to unemployed adults) and amendments to electricity regulation allowing private energy generation to stem crippling power cuts - to "restore efficiency and competitiveness of key industry supply chains". "So, based on the assessment of progress and analysis of the global and domestic environment, the president is driving focus on the actions the government must take to decisively shift the country's growth trajectory. The president wants more impetus on the second wave of reform that is going to make a profound and lasting difference," Magwenya said.
ActionSA founder and leader Herman Mashaba asserted on Tuesday that his party can fix South Africa, as ActionSA hosts its maiden policy conference in Johannesburg this week. While addressing the 614 delegates gathered to discuss the party's policies over the next three days, the South African businessman-turned-politician said his party was a home for all South Africans. The leader of the sixth biggest political party in South Africa said South Africans needed hope. "We do not need political parties to tell us what is wrong with our country. We all live with these challenges on a daily basis and know them all too well." Mashaba said he was humbled by ActionSA's growth. "I am humbled by the speed at which we are building a rational and reasonable political home for all South Africans across the nine provinces of our country. Two weeks ago, ActionSA turned three-years-old. On the day we launched, in the midst of a global pandemic, you could have sat the members of ActionSA around this main table here behind me. Yet, just three years later, I stand before you with the more than 600 delegates, who have travelled from each of the nine provinces to an ActionSA Policy Conference, and who represent just a fraction of our diverse membership," he said. The ActionSA leader said central to the outcomes of the policy conference must be a clear way forward to grow the South African economy and create jobs. He stressed the need for economic certainty in policy, an economic stimulus to move the country's economy forward, and an altogether new approach to small businesses. He is mindful that a growing economy cannot continue to reflect South Africa's unjust legacy and that it must transform it. "ActionSA is unapologetic in our recognition of the continued correlation between race and access to opportunity and quality services in South Africa. In addressing these challenges, we cannot be colour-blind in our approach. While working towards a non-racial future, we must proactively work to address the legacy of racial exclusion," he said. Mashaba said his party would not waste time apportioning blame for the predicament in which the country found itself in, as South Africans "know who has governed for the past 29 years", with unemployment reaching all-time highs, Stage 6 loadshedding becoming the norm, and South Africa becoming the most unequal country in the world. Mashaba made it clear that ActionSA would also not place blame on immigrants as he assured South Africans that the party would present a strong migrant proposal that occupies the rational, middle ground on this important issue. Mashaba reiterated his unwillingness to work with the ruling African National Congress but said if that ever happened his party should rather recall him. He reminded delegates that young South Africans were in need of skills development while communities were protected from criminals. He promised an inclusive and prosperous nation, built by his party. He hit back against suggestions that he was just a businessman with no political knowledge and argued that his business was still popular and his story was exceptional. Mashaba told delegates that ActionSA wanted to build a South Africa with a government that did not stand in the way of prosperity, but which was an active participant in creating it. He stressed that his dream was for communities to be protected from criminals and a South Africa with electricity.
In marking Public Service Month, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Monday that action to discourage corruption in government departments must continue if government is to build an accountable, professional civil service. He said "it is correct" that corrupt activities be exposed and action taken against those responsible. Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that every September South Africa marks Public Service Month to draw attention to the role of the people who work in government. Last week, in Parliament, Ramaphosa outlined the "commendable work underway" in government to discourage corruption, including the completion of over 11 000 lifestyle audits of public servants. "While many citizens daily experience the orderliness, professionalism and courtesy of frontline service officials, the headlines and online debates are often reserved for public servants involved in corruption or mismanagement," he said. He explained that public servants must uphold the standards expected of them, especially at points of service, and are expected to advance social and economic development through the services that they provide to citizens. "We often think that public servants are lacking in the provision of services to citizens and yet there are areas of distinction in the public service that don't make the headlines," he said. Ramaphosa noted that credit must be given, where it is due, to civil servants who serve South Africans with honesty and integrity. He announced that later this year, government will gazette several regulations to guide the implementation of the framework for the professionalisation of the public service, which was adopted by Cabinet last year. He explained that the regulations of the framework will contribute to greater stability in the leadership ranks of the public service, ensuring that recruitment processes are more rigorous and prospective public servants undergo competency testing before taking up positions. Ramaphosa added that the implementation of the framework will improve the conditions of service for public servants and bring stability to departments that have undergone prolonged periods of uncertainty and flux. "A better trained civil service that attracts suitably qualified individuals will engender greater public confidence. As we recognise the critical work of the public service and as we commend the many public servants who diligently serve the nation, we know that there is much room for improvement," he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Monday its latest court application seeks to force the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to re-evaluate its electricity tariff increase, and ensure that public participation is undertaken to provide crucial data on the impact of the proposed tariff increase. The party took government to court over loadshedding and the "unaffordable" electricity tariff hike of over 30%. The DA's court papers argued that Nersa misinterpreted Section 15 (1) (e) of the Electricity Regulation Act, and did not take public participation into account when the Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) was undertaken. DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille noted that the party was seeking to have the MYPD decision declared invalid and suspended, and that it was giving Nersa six months to remedy the situation. She said the ongoing electricity crisis was wreaking havoc on the country's economy, with Stage 6 loadshedding alone costing the nation a staggering R900-million daily. Nersa has granted Eskom a 31.4% electricity tariff hike over the next two years. Zille said this meant that South Africans were forced to pay much more for electricity at a time when millions were unemployed as a result of loadshedding. "This dire situation cannot be allowed to continue. We extend an invitation to all South Africans to join our mission to protect our fellow citizens from skyrocketing electricity prices. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the ANC's [African National Congress'] failures no longer burden the people of South Africa," she said. Zille blamed the ANC government for the energy crisis through its failure to plan, take expert advice, or take action to meet the country's electricity needs, compounded by extreme corruption and administrative failure. This had violated most of the provisions in the Constitution's Bill of Rights, she added. "We seek a declaration from the court confirming that this failure is due to government and State failure, which failed to take responsibility for defending constitutional rights. This failure is inconsistent with the Constitution," she said. Zille highlighted that once such a court declaration had been made, the party sought the appointment of a Special Master to oversee, regulate, monitor, and report to the Court on the government's progress in implementing the Energy Action Plan that is supposed to deal with the crisis and related issues. "This independent Special Master must have the necessary expertise to evaluate the situation, monitor and report accurately, enabling South Africans to know what is going on, and what they can expect, and plan accordingly," she said.
Former president Jacob Zuma's attempt to privately prosecute News24 specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan and senior State advocate Billy Downer has come to an end. Zuma's application to appeal an adverse finding of his private prosecution was heard in the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday. In July, Judges Gregory Kruger, Jacqui Henriques and Mokgere Masipa deemed Zuma's private prosecution against Maughan and Downer an abuse of power. In delivering judgment on Monday, after just 10 minutes of deliberation, Kruger said: "We arrived that there are no merits in any of the arguments raised by Mr Zuma." Zuma was ordered to pay the legal costs of the appeal. Previously, the three judges agreed that Zuma's private prosecution of Maughan had all the elements of a Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit, which is a legal strategy often employed by big corporations or individuals, who bring defamation actions for huge amounts against individuals who criticise them. The arguments Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, for Maughan, submitted to the court that Zuma's lawyer, advocate Dali Mpofu, and his counsel "do not address the findings at all and make no attempt to explain what is wrong with the [previous private prosecution] judgment". "When we talk about abuse [of court processes], you [judges] have dealt with this extensively. There is no basis and no attempt to engage with actual findings to be overturned on appeal." He went on to admonish the appeal of the private prosecution judgment. "The reason why it is a scandalous appeal in relation to the findings is not just that they fail to engage with findings, but the facts [in the original judgment] are so blatant and have common cause." He said it was pointless for the high court to ask the Supreme Court of Appeal to "examine the question of fact". "There are no grounds to argue that there is some other compelling reason to appeal." He said granting a leave to appeal could also counter the judges' findings in the private prosecution. "Given your findings around the abuse, if you allow leave to appeal, you compound the abuse. That is demonstrated by today's proceedings. Very little is said about Ms Maughan and little is being said in heads of argument either. "Then you ask why she is still a subject of these proceedings. It is a deliberately oppressive litigation. As a matter of law, it is vexatious." For Downer, advocate Geoff Budlender SC said there were no reasonable prospects of success for Zuma to appeal. He said Zuma clearly implemented a Stalingrad strategy in his private prosecution and other court matters. "Mr Zuma has never distanced himself from it. He has repeatedly raised interlocutory cases in many instances. When those are rejected, he makes attempts to appeal challenges and then starts interlocutory challenges." Zuma arguments Advocate Dali Mpofu, for Zuma, argued that there were "glaring myths" in the enforcement judgment. One of those was the Stalingrad strategy, something he said was nothing more than media hype. "No court has ever accepted it. This court rejected it twice." He said the rejection of the Stalingrad strategy "should be sufficient because the test is simply whether other judges can find different". He said the assertion that Zuma caused a 20-year delay in his criminal trial was untrue. "The court accepted the Zuma delay theory, even though there is objective information to prove otherwise." He said 20 years should be revised to two to three years, because there were a number of court actions that were out of Zuma's control. Mpofu added that the indispensability of Downer to prosecute Zuma in his arms deal case was a compelling reason for the appeal of the enforcement order.
South Africa's government intends to shut down the Department of Public Enterprises, which oversees seven of the biggest State companies, when a new administration takes office after elections in about a year's time. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of the department in his State-of-the-nation address in February, in accordance with a resolution taken by the ruling African National Congress. Power utility Eskom, port and freight-rail operator Transnet and the other companies will then fall under direct control of their line ministries. "This department is coming to an end," Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises Obed Bapela told lawmakers on Wednesday. "When the president announces the cabinet after the elections, this department will cease to exist and so will its ministry." Nadia Valley, the department's acting director-general, said preparatory work to close the department is under way, pending the issuing of a presidential directive.
An official who was expelled from South Africa's governing party for unlawfully announcing a decision to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa from his post has started a new movement to contest elections next year, adding to an already crowded field of contenders. Ace Magashule, who was the secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC) before his expulsion earlier this year, announced the formation of his African Congress for Transformation in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Berning Ntlemeza, a former top police official, was the only other high-profile figure to attend the event. Magashule is facing a raft of corruption-related charges for his alleged role in the theft of taxpayer funds during former President Jacob Zuma's nine-year rule. He denies wrongdoing. Magashule joins a growing list of disgruntled politicians who have opted to go it alone ahead of the elections, which are due to take place in about a year's time and are set to be the most hotly contested since the ANC came to power in 1994. The proliferation of parties poses a challenge for the Electoral Commission of South Africa - the ballot papers could span three pages and an estimated 105-million of them will have to be printed. The last national vote in 2019 was contested by 48 parties and only 14 secured seats in parliament. New legislation recently passed by parliament will enable independent candidates to contest the upcoming vote for the first time. Civil rights groups have challenged the law in court, arguing that it favors established parties and disadvantages independents because of the thresholds it imposes for them to win seats.
South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago has defended the bank's investigation into Phala Phala, telling MPs its probe found that the $580 000 in cash handed to a lodge manager in 2020 was a "security deposit" and not a final payment. "Mr Hazim (Mustafa) left money at Phala Phala as a security deposit to secure the buffalo," Kganyago told Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance a week after the central bank released a brief overview of its report. The bank had probed whether exchange control rules were broken after $580 000 in cash was stolen from under a cushion on a couch in President Cyril Ramaphosa's private residence at the game farm three years ago. It found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the president or Ntaba Nyoni Estates, the operating name for Phala Phala. The governor said on Wednesday the bank's Financial Surveillance Department found there was no obligation for the wildlife estate to report the foreign currency to authorities within 30 days. The probe concluded there was no "unconditional agreement" for the sale of the buffalo. The final price for the 20 buffalo that Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa wanted to buy still needed to be confirmed, he said. Tests still needed to be conducted on the animals and vets consulted. Permits would also be needed for the transport of the animals. "The foreign currency was stolen before the conditions precedent to the sale transaction could be fulfilled," he said. The governor reiterated that he could not make the full report public. He added that the "mere possession of foreign currency" was not covered by foreign exchange control regulations. Limited scope The governor said bank was careful of not overstepping its mandate, adding it only probed whether exchange control regulations were broken. In response to questions about how the stolen funds entered the country, Kganyago said that the bank was not responsible for SA's ports of entry. While the governor received support from some African National Congress MPs, his explanation did little to convince some of the other committee members. Nqabayomzi Kwankwa of the United Democratic Movement said, "This is unadulterated claptrap if you ask me." The Economic Freedom Fighters's Floyd Shivambu accused the bank of engaging in a "systemic coverup" and asked colleagues in the committee to investigate removing Kganyago as governor. "We are likely to approach the courts on this matter," said Democratic Alliance MP Dion George. Kganyago, meanwhile, sought to defend the bank's employees who conducted the probe against claims of a whitewash. "Our team acted independently without fear, favour and prejudice. That is what we expected of them," he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) stated on Tuesday that it will not be supporting any of the shortlisted candidates for the appointment of Public Protector (PP), and wants Parliament to reopen the application process. Last week the Ad Hoc Committee interviewed the eight shortlisted candidates - advocates Kholeka Gcaleka, Tseliso Thipanyane, Kwena Tommy Ntsewa, Oliver Josie, Lynn Marais and Muvhango Lukhaimane, magistrate Johannah Ledwaba and Professor Boitumelo Mmusinyane. The committee is to report back to the National Assembly by August 31. The term of the current PP comes to an end in October. The DA further strongly recommends that the post be readvertised to attract "more suitable candidates". DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development advocate Glynnis Breytenbach explained that the position was too important to settle for an "unsatisfactory candidate for the second time in a row". She highlighted that the PP often stands as a last line of defence against State capture and corruption, and it is, therefore, of utmost importance that the newly appointed PP restores respect and credibility to the office, and possesses integrity that is beyond reproach. Breytenbach noted that the DA did not nominate any of the applicants and nominees for the shortlist, simply because they were all unknown players, none of whom stood out as a suitable candidate. "It is unfortunate that the pool of applicants and nominees was disappointing when compared with the pool available during the last interviews - however, this may serve as an indication of the damage which has been done to the institution under Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's term," she added. She added that all candidates showed an alarming lack of basic knowledge of the legal framework in which they would be required to operate. "We further hold the view that an appointment should not be made simply due to a lack of any better alternatives," she said. Breytenbach said the current acting PP Gcaleka had an obvious advantage in her position, however, stating that Gcaleka was unable to shake off the baggage from her past and had not demonstrated the dynamism required during her acting stint.
The risk of imposing a new electoral system by the Constitutional Court could curtail independent candidates' legal challenge of what the applicants call an irrational Electoral Amendment Act. On Tuesday, Constitutional Court Justice Leona Theron asked advocate Griffiths Madonsela, the legal representative for the Independent Candidates Association of South Africa (ICA), whether the ICA was not arguing for the infringement on the separation of powers by applying to reverse legislation passed by Parliament and enacted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April. The ICA launched its application to declare the Amendment Act unconstitutional, arguing, among other things, independent candidates being allocated only 200 of the 400 National Assembly seats was "irrational and inconsistent with the rule of law". The association, according to chairperson Michael Louis' founding affidavit, wants the act to allocate 350 seats to be contested by both independent and political party candidates, with the remaining 50 being "compensatory seats" - or proportional allocation to parties - to adhere to the constitutionally enshrined "right to equal benefit of the law", and "to stand for public office". In June 2020, the Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to, within two years of the ruling, amend the Electoral Act to allow independent candidates to contest the national elections. Previously, the law only allowed candidates attached to political parties to contest. Parliament passed the Electoral Amendment Bill that allocates only 200 seats for independents in February, and Ramaphosa signed it into law in April. Theron asserted there was not enough evidence for Madonsela's clients to claim the disadvantage they claimed independents suffered in the current act by being allocated 200 seats was "irrational". "The court will basically be imposing an electoral system on the country," she asserted, arguing that that would be the case should the act be ruled unconstitutional. But Madonsela said Parliament's decision to grant independents only 200 was done arbitrarily. He alleged there was no evidence on the record where there was serious engagement with the 350/50 split proposed by the ICA, rather than the 200/200 ratio in the act. "The problem is that, when they [Parliament] do the compensatory seats allocation [proportional representation seats], the independents are not included. It means independents have no chance [to get the 200 proportional seats reserved for parties]," Madonsela said. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, however, dismissed the ICA's application in his answering affidavit, saying the June 2020 ruling called for the inclusion of independents in national elections, which he stressed the current act encompassed. Motsoaledi added in his affidavit independents being granted more seats would distort the proportional share of political parties, saying South Africa used a proportional representation system that supported multiple parties in its legislatures and councils. "It is only political parties [that] can send representatives in proportion to the support they achieve in an election, [which] can guarantee proportionality. "Political parties are indeed central for this reason to South Africa's multiparty system of democratic government," he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Tuesday that despite difficult global conditions, investors continue to see value in the South African economy and the benefit of the reform agenda government is pursuing. Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation, expressing delight that the Brics Business Forum held last week was attended by 1 500 investors and businesspeople from all five member countries. "We were able to showcase the potential of South Africa and the African continent as the next frontiers of productivity and growth. Many of the participants remarked on the enormous potential of our economic reform agenda to drive growth in the green economy, the digital economy, and other key sectors," he said. This week government released a progress report on the economic reforms implemented through Operation Vulindlela, a joint reform initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury. Ramaphosa explained that since Operation Vulindlela was established, there has been significant momentum in economic reforms to create growth and jobs. "Through these reforms we are steadily laying the foundation for a revival of economic growth. By restructuring our network industries like energy, telecommunications, ports and rail, we are opening the space for investment and a renewal of our nation's infrastructure," he said. He noted that the first reform milestones included the digital migration process, which saw switching off analogue transmission for all frequencies above 694 MHz on July 31, 2023. The implementation of this reform would bring new investment in the telecommunications sector, he said. Ramaphosa explained that work was underway to implement necessary reforms in the logistics sector to address the challenges that had held back the growth of South African exports. He said a key milestone was reached with the selection of an international terminal operator to partner with Transnet at the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, which handles almost half of South Africa's port traffic. "This partnership will increase investment for upgrading equipment and expanding terminal capacity. A key aspect of this partnership is that port infrastructure will remain State-owned and all jobs will be protected," he added. NEW INVESTMENTS Meanwhile, he noted that two critical pieces of legislation were tabled in Parliament this month, which he said would advance economic reform. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill seeks to support the restructuring of Eskom into three separate companies owned and controlled by Eskom Holdings, including an independent grid operator. Ramaphosa said through this Bill government would iintroduce competition in electricity generation, enabling a number of independent generators, alongside Eskom, to produce electricity to meet demand. "This reform will fundamentally transform, modernise and improve South Africa's energy sector to ensure energy security into the future," he believes. The reforms implemented through the Energy Action Plan have unlocked new investment in renewable energy sources to end loadshedding and power economic growth. Another key reform government had prioritised was in the water sector, he said. "We have introduced the South African National Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to establish a dedicated national water agency to design, plan and finance water resource infrastructure," he added. Ramaphosa highlighted that this agency would enable significantly greater investment in bulk water infrastructure to guarantee water security for decades, while creating jobs and unlocking new agricultural potential. He said other reforms to unlock economic growth included creating an enabling regulatory environment for hemp and cannabis production and eradicating the backlog of title deeds for subsidised housing.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged police officers to "be the first to act" and use "proportional force" in the line of duty. Cele was addressing mourners at the funeral of Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo in Schweizer-Reneke, North West, on Sunday. Masilo and her colleague, Constable Okaetse Mandindi, both attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad, were tracing a hired sedan that was allegedly stolen en route from Bloemfontein when the driver of the vehicle shot them last week. Both officers died in the line of duty. Masilo had 16 years of service at the time of her death, while Mandindi had served for 11 years. The driver was later arrested outside Kimberley. The 38-year-old man, Daniel Alberts, is reportedly a "repeat offender", according to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. "The perpetrator has already appeared before the Kimberley Magistrate's Court on two counts of murder, three of robbery with aggravating circumstances, one of motor vehicle theft and one of theft," said Mathe. Those in attendance at Masilo's funeral included Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong, Northern Cape Community Safety MEC Nomandla Bloem, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Northern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola. Cele urged police officers not to hesitate to act. "Be vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances. If force is required, it must at all times be necessary, reasonable and proportional. I plead with you, don't die with the resources and tools that we have given you," said Cele. Mandindi's funeral is expected to take place on Saturday in Pampierstad. A commemoration for officers killed in the line of duty will be held on Sunday at the Union Buildings, after the most recent quarterly crime statistics revealed that 31 police officers were murdered between April and June.
The City of Cape Town plans to sue the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) for damages during the eight-day stayaway earlier this month. The mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, told News24 all departments had been requested to provide an estimate of the damage. "The City is busy assessing and quantifying the full cost of damages to its vehicles and infrastructure, and the cost of additional policing over those days of unacceptable violence. "We have every intention of pursuing civil action to recover these costs and to make sure those responsible for the violence and damage are held both criminally and financially liable," he said. Hill-Lewis said the City, the province and the taxi industry had reached an agreement to end the strike, but it did not absolve the taxi industry of responsibility for the damages caused. Santaco staged an eight-day strike earlier this month after the City impounded dozens of vehicles for a range of infractions. Santaco's Western Cape general secretary, Ryno Saaiers, said they were aware of the City's intentions. "We dispute the City's allegations that our members caused disruptive behaviour during the stayaway. We instructed our members from the beginning of the stayaway to not engage in violent activities. Our members were told to park their vehicles, and we do not take responsibility for the damages caused," he said. Saaiers said they had not received a legal letter from the City - but, should they receive any form of letter of demand, Santaco would seek legal advice. On Monday, the taxi task team met for the start of a three-day imbizo to thrash out issues affecting the taxi industry in the Western Cape. Santaco said they hoped it would yield positive results. "We remain hopeful that all parties will reach a common ground after the three-day talks as we are committed to constructive negotiations," said Saaiers. The police, in a written reply to a question posed by the African National Congress's Ayanda Bans in the legislature, said approximately 466 vehicles were damaged during the taxi-related unrest. Bans had asked the MEC for police oversight and community safety, Reagen Allen, what the extent of the damage was, the number of vehicles attacked or torched, and how many people were injured or killed. The question was referred to the police for a response. In its response, the police said six people were killed and the extent of the damage could not be approximated.
ActionSA has temporarily withdrawn its motion of no confidence against City of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda. The party said it was dismayed by the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) latest decision to amend the motion as it believes that this perpetuates the continuation of an African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rule. On Monday, DA said it would move for an amendment to ActionSA's motion of no confidence calling for the motion to be withheld until November 2, when two years since the last election will have elapsed, legally permitting the Johannesburg city council to dissolve itself. Following the Multi-Party Charter negotiations in Johannesburg last week, ActionSA has reflected on the unanimous agreement that membership required expansion so as to give the Charter the opportunity of winning a majority in next year's elections. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has expressed interest in joining the grouping, however, the DA has been vocal about its distrust of the PA, which is currently in coalition with the ANC and EFF in some districts. ActionSA said the DA's distrust of the PA is an impediment to the Multi-Party Pact and added that the DA's decision to amend the motion places its own political interests above those of the Charter and Johannesburg residents. "The withdrawal of the ActionSA sponsored motion of no confidence is a difficult decision but necessitated after the DA confirmed categorically that they would not support the motion to remove Gwamanda. Without the DA support, the motion cannot succeed and continuing with it would only serve to damage the image of the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa. ActionSA and our partners in the IFP, FF Plus, ACDP, and UIM will use the time afforded by the temporary withdrawal to engage the DA to assist them to look beyond their narrow interests in the Western Cape," said ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont. ActionSA added it would seek clarity on the DA's latest decision, especially in the context of removing the ANC in the 2024 elections. The DA, however, has reiterated its call for the dissolution of the Johannesburg city council to hold fresh elections. The party is of the opinion that no confidence votes does more to perpetuate instability in the city. The party has noted that this marks the seventh motion of no confidence in Johannesburg since the 2021 municipal elections. "The root cause of Joburg's instability is the excessive political fragmentation that followed the November 2021 local government elections. This fragmentation led to no fewer than 18 parties gaining representation in council - with eight of those parties holding the balance of power despite only gaining a single seat each," said DA Joburg Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku. The DA has launched a petition for backing for fresh elections and is urging other parties and residents to support its motion. "If we want to rescue Johannesburg from its downward spiral, voters need to fix this fragmentation through fresh elections where voters unite behind the DA. This will enable us to form a stable and ethical majority government that can begin to restore our country's biggest city," she said.
The process for Judge Nkola Motata to become the first judge to be removed in South Africa has reached the next step, as Parliament on Friday confirmed that it had received correspondence from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo pertaining to a finding of gross misconduct against Motata. "In the letter, Chief Justice Zondo apprises the Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, of the Judicial Conduct Tribunal's determination that Judge Motata has been found guilty of gross misconduct in line with section 177(1)(a) of the Constitution. The Tribunal further recommended the invocation of section 177(1)(a) of the Constitution for potential removal," reads a statement from Parliament. The letter will now be referred to the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. "The committee will assess the contents of the correspondence, including relevant supporting material, in order to formulate recommendations for the consideration of the National Assembly." Motata was found guilty of drunk driving in 2009.
Longstanding Congress of the People (Cope) spokesperson Dennis Bloem has resigned. In a short text message to Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota on Wednesday, Bloem said he resigned with immediate effect. "I wish the party well with its future endeavours," he said. He declined to comment but told News24 he would host a press conference on Saturday to detail his plans. Cope has been beset with leadership challenges. With the expulsion of Cope deputy president Willie Madisha and elections secretary Mzwandile Hleko finalised last month, Bloem was certain to be next in line to exit the party. Madisha, Hleko and Bloem were members of the faction that was pushing Lekota to vacate his position. Madisha and Hleko's memberships were terminated on 25 June, and it is understood that Bloem was also informed of the party's intention to fire him. However, Madisha disputed that he had been fired from the party. In March, Cope Gauteng chairperson Tom Mofokeng and Gauteng deputy secretary Johnny Mokome accused Madisha and Bloem of protecting embattled former Tshwane mayor Murunwa Makwarela after his submission of an allegedly fake insolvency clearance certificate. Also, in July, the SABC reported that Cope had been deregistered as a political party. It was later revealed that the party was registered as a company and had been deregistered as a company. At the time, Bloem said they were shocked to hear that Cope was a company all the time.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen noted on Friday that the Patriotic Alliance's (PA's) actions in Nelson Mandela Bay this week have showed why the party does not belong in the Multi-Party Charter. Steenhuisen said in a statement the DA had come under pressure to accept the PA into the Charter, a pre-election agreement sealed last week between seven opposition parties - the DA, Inkatha Freedom Party, ActionSA, the United Independent Movement, Freedom Front Plus, Spectrum National Party and the Independent South African National Civic Organisation - to get the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) out of power come the elections in 2024. Last week, the PA was reported to be considering leaving its coalitions with the ANC to try to score an invite to join the Charter. On Tuesday, the PA voted against the motion of no confidence in Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Gary van Niekerk, a National Alliance (NA) member; following a vote by the 119 councillors present, 57 voted for the removal of the mayor and 62 against. The DA said the PA had had a chance to vote to remove the ANC and its proxy, the NA, from power in Nelson Mandela Bay, but instead voted with the ANC/EFF/NA coalition. "Actions speak louder than words. This week, the PA's actions yet again told us exactly what kind of party they are: a party that puts their own interests first, a party for sale to the highest bidder, and a party that does not subscribe to the shared governing principles that the signatories to the Multi-Party Charter have pledged fealty to," Steenhuisen said. He explained that the principles of the Charter bound the signatories to a new political axis. He added that it would also be the ideological foundation for achieving the Charter's vision of a new government for a just, inclusive and prosperous South Africa based on opportunity, freedom and security for all of its citizens. "By aligning itself with the ANC and EFF, and through their corruption and cadre deployment in Beaufort West and Knysna, the PA has made crystal clear its disregard for every one of these principles. By their own actions, they have told South Africa they do not belong in the Charter," said Steenhuisen.
South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Solly Mapaila said on Thursday that South Africa is in the throes of a "reorganisation" of politics, which poses a danger in terms of the sustainability of the status quo. Mapaila was addressing delegates at a three-day Indaba of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), in Johannesburg. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and former statistician general Dr Pali Lehohla. Mapaila warned that there was a rupture taking place in South African politics. He averred that there were forces, "similar to a reincarnation of the apartheid and Bantustan forces", coming together to remove the liberation movement. "The liberation movement may be represented by the African National Congress (ANC) but it is bigger than the ANC. It has become the very system of our society that is contested," he said. He said the neoliberal policies upheld by the ANC had reached a point of crisis. "The ANC, therefore, cannot be useful to sustain the implementation of the neoliberal project in South Africa without tempering the neoliberal economic policies. The neoliberal forces understand that because of the social pressure of our society, there is no way in which the ANC can continue to betray the masses and remain in power," Mapaila added. He told the gathering that as Indaba delegates work on solving the country's crime challenges they must think about the fact that the liberation movement is being removed from political power. He also shared the sentiments of Popcru president Zizamele Cebekhulu that the crime statistics that were shared were not real and not reflective of what people were feeling on the ground. Mapaila suggested that there needed to be more coherence within the country's Justice Cluster, including creating synergy with the police and the courts. He said South Africa was an emerging Stateless capitalist society where criminals and corporates "do as they please" because they know that the State system is dysfunctional. "We have a State system that is very good in hosting parties and ceremonies." Mapaila said, clarifying that he was not referring to the Brics conference. "Those are the things that we are able to do better but yet we can't plan properly on how to solve crime, unemployment in our society," he added.
The five Brics developing nations will admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, they said on Thursday, a move aimed at growing the clout of the bloc as it pushes to rebalance the prevailing world order. The expansion could also pave the way for dozens more countries to seek admission to the grouping, which has pledged to address their grievances over a world order many feel is rigged against them. Brics - whose acronym was originally coined by an economist at Goldman Sachs, currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Deepening geopolitical polarisation in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's declining relations with the United States are spurring efforts by Beijing and Moscow to forge Brics into a viable counterweight to the West. "Brics has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous," said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting a summit of Brics leaders. The six candidate countries will formally become members on January 1, 2024. Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva left the door open to the possibility of admitting other countries in future. "We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process and other phases will follow," Ramaphosa said at a media briefing. Lula said globalisation's promises had failed, adding that it was time to revitalise cooperation with developing countries as "there is a risk of nuclear war", an apparent allusion to growing tensions between Russia and the West over the Ukraine conflict. United Arab Emirates' President Mohammed bin Zayed, whose country is already a shareholder of the bloc's New Development Bank, said he appreciated the inclusion of his country in the expansion. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called the Brics leaders' decision to invite Ethiopia to join "a great moment". PLEDGE TO REBALANCE WORLD ORDER In a reflection of the bloc's growing influence, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended Thursday's expansion announcement. He echoed a recurring plea by Brics for reforms of institutions like the United Nations Security Council, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, stating that global governance structures "reflect yesterday's world". "For multilateral institutions to remain truly universal, they must reform to reflect today's power and economic realities. In the absence of such reform, fragmentation is inevitable," he said. The debate over enlargement has topped the agenda at the three-day summit taking place in Johannesburg. And while all Brics members publicly expressed support for growing the bloc, there were divisions among the leaders over how much and how quickly. Though home to about 40% of the world's population and a quarter of global gross domestic product, Brics members' failure to settle on a coherent vision for the bloc has long left it punching below its weight as a global political and economic player. "This membership expansion is historic," China's President Xi Jinping said in remarks following the announcement on enlargement. "It shows the determination of Brics countries for unity and cooperation with the broader developing countries." More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining Brics, say South African officials, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted. They represent a disparate pool of potential candidates motivated largely by a desire to level a global playing field and attracted by Brics' promise to rebalance world bodies dominated by the United States and other wealthy Western states. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the bloc's expansion should be an example to other global institutions. "The expansion and modernization of Brics is a message that all institutions in the world need to mould themselves according to changing times," he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Thursday that Brics countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - have agreed to task Brics Finance Ministers, and possibly Central Bank Governors, to consider the use of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms and to report back to the Brics leaders by the next Summit. Ramaphosa closed the three-day fifteenth yearly Brics Summit, in Johannesburg, where he said Brics members noted an unbalanced recovery from the hardship of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is still exacerbating inequality across the world. He said members noted a global momentum shift in calls for the use of local currencies, alternative financial arrangements and alternative payment systems. Ramaphosa announced that Brics members were ready to explore opportunities for improving the stability, reliability and fairness of the global financial architecture. Brics leaders encouraged multilateral financial institutions and international organisations to play a constructive role in building a global consensus on economic policies. Joining virtually, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised the issues of mutual currencies settlement and united currencies. He said while it was a challenging task, Brics members would move towards resolutions. Putin also spoke about ensuring settlements between Brics member States in economic terms. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that the gross domestic product (GDP) of Brics will make up 37% of global GDP in terms of purchasing power and 46% in terms of the world population. "Brics will continue to open to other members and for that we also approved the criteria for future members, also approving the creation of a working group so that we can study the adoption unit, currency as reference for the Brics," added Lula. He said this measure could increase options for means of payment and reduce vulnerabilities. Brics members have reached consensus on the first phase of the bloc's expansion. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates have been invited to become full members of Brics, from January 2024. Ramaphosa highlighted that through this summit, Brics had embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, just, inclusive and prosperous. Ramaphosa noted that Brics members had addressed their expectations for the Brics economic partnership to generate tangible benefits for communities and deliver viable solutions for common challenges faced by the Global South. "We shared our vision of Brics as a champion of the needs and concerns of the people of the Global South. These include the need for beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and reform of multilateral systems," he explained.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Zingiswa Losi said on Wednesday that as the recent crime statistics painted a bleak picture, there is no exaggeration that the country is under siege by the rampant levels of crime. She was addressing delegates at the Policing Indaba, held by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), in Johannesburg. Losi referenced the quarterly crime statistics, which showed that 31 police officers were killed in the line of duty between April and June. She stated that Cosatu understood the damage done to the moral fabric of society by the violence that had wreaked havoc owing to the decades of apartheid legacy, adding to the ills in South Africa. "South Africa has never healed from the past," she said. Losi warned that society had normalised violence so much that she claimed that half of South African women and girls would be raped or assaulted in their lifetimes, while only a few of their perpetrators would ever see the inside of a prison. She said the country must resolve its fundamental socioeconomic ills, such as youth unemployment and the rising levels of poverty. "Government and the private sector must resolve these fundamentals. No matter how powerful the police is, they cannot resolve the 42% levels of unemployment," she stated. She said Cosatu had also been raising concerns about the declining numbers of police officers, as alluded to by Popcru president Zizamele Cebekhulu. "Whist we welcome the recruitment of the 10 000 police officers this year and 5 000 next year, this is too little to keep the pace with annual attrition rate," she said. She said Popcru was showing leadership by convening the Indaba which was seeking solutions to advance the interests of the working class.
South African's inflation slowed to the lowest level in two years last month, beating expectations and providing room for the central bank to continue keeping interest rates on hold. The headline consumer-price index rose 4.7% in July from a year earlier, compared with 5.4% in June, Pretoria-based Statistics South Africa said Wednesday in a statement on its website. The median of 15 economists' estimates in a Bloomberg survey was 4.9%. Forward-rate agreements starting in a month - used to speculate on borrowing costs - show traders are pricing in an 10% chance of a quarter-point increase in the repurchase rate on Sept. 21 when the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) gives its next decision. That was down from slightly more than 20% prior to the data release. "This reinforces our view that the SARB will be on hold for the rest of 2023, even though the July print was driven in part by a favourable base effect," Razia Khan, chief economist Africa and Middle East at Standard Chartered Bank, said in an email. Government bonds declined, with yields on 10-year notes trading 15 basis points lower from closing levels to 11.79% by 10:30 a.m. in Johannesburg. The rand extended its gains to lead emerging-markets after the data. The currency traded 0.6% stronger at 18.695 per dollar. On Target The central bank targets price growth at 3% to 6% and prefers to anchor inflation expectations at the midpoint of the range. Most economists polled in a Bloomberg rate-decision survey ahead of the data release predict the monetary policy committee will hold borrowing costs for the rest of the year. The MPC last month paused its longest phase of monetary tightening since 2006, leaving its policy benchmark at 8.25%. It raised rates in its 10 prior meetings, to bring cumulative increases to 475 basis points since November 2021. Deputy Governor Fundi Tshazibana said in an interview with Bloomberg TV last week that the bank would resume rate hikes if inflation risks materialize. The slowdown was mainly driven by a decline in the transport component of inflation, which fell 2.6% from a year ago - including a 16.8% drop in fuel prices - which dragged the category into negative territory for the first time since January 2021. Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation cooled to 9.9%, compared with 11% in June, in further encouraging news for the central bank, which has highlighted double-digit food price gains as a concern. Core inflation, which excludes the cost of food, non-alcoholic drinks, fuel and electricity, slowed to 4.7% from 5%.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Wednesday that global financial and payment systems are increasingly being used as instruments of geopolitical contestation. Ramaphosa was speaking during the second day of the fifteenth Brics Summit, currently underway in Johannesburg, where he said global economic recovery relies on predictable global payment systems and the smooth operation of banking, supply chains, trade, tourism and financial flows. He highlighted that peace and stability were preconditions for a better, more equitable world. Ramaphosa said South Africa was deeply concerned about global conflicts that continued to cause great suffering and hardship. This came as Russia continued its onslaught on Ukraine and as African countries faced violence. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that everybody was suffering the consequences of the Russian war, adding that it showed the limitations of the United Nations Security Council. Lula said Brazil was ready to join efforts to effect and contribute towards an immediate ceasefire, while Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa's position that diplomacy, dialogue, negotiation and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter were necessary for the peaceful and just resolution of conflicts. LOCAL CURRENCIES Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said South Africa would continue discussions on practical measures to facilitate trade and investment flows through the increased use of local currencies. He highlighted that new economic, political, social and technological realities call for greater cooperation between nations and for a fundamental reform of the institutions of global governance for better representation and to be able to better respond to the challenges that confront humanity. "While firmly committed to advance the interests of the Global South, Brics stands ready to collaborate with all countries that aspire to create a more inclusive international order," he said. He said South Africa was confident that the fifteenth Brics Summit would advance the cause of common prosperity and progress, explaining that over the past decades the bloc had been a major driver of global growth, trade and investment. "Brics stands for solidarity and for progress. Brics stands for inclusivity and a more just, equitable world order. Brics stands for sustainable development," said Ramaphosa. He said South Africa was also confident that the Summit would enrich and inspire the country's work towards the achievement of a more humane global community. "We are an inclusive formation of developing and emerging economies that are working together to benefit from our rich histories, cultures and systems to advance common prosperity. We do so because we know that poverty, inequality and underdevelopment are the biggest challenges facing humankind," said Ramaphosa. He stressed his determination that the Brics partnership be harnessed to drive an inclusive global economic recovery. Ramaphosa is supported by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and a few of his Ministers including Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande.
The six men accused of murdering whistleblower Babita Deokaran pleaded guilty to her murder in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The plea happened on the second anniversary of Deokaran's murder. Deokaran was killed after she blew the whistle on alleged fraud and corruption at Tembisa Hospital.
Opposition parties are requesting South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Lesetja Kganyago to make public the report into President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to disclose the foreign currency which was stolen at his Phala Phala farm in 2020. This after the SARB announced on Monday that it found that Ramaphosa's Ntaba Nyoni Estate, which owns the Phala Phala game farm, was not "legally entitled" to the $580 000 it received from Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa for 20 buffalo. SARB found no wrong doing by Ramaphosa as it concluded that the transaction was not completed and so there was no contravention of the Exchange Control Regulations. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said his party will be filing an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to get access to the SARB report, explaining that should the application be denied the party will approach the High Court seeking an order compelling the SARB to furnish it with the report. "ActionSA contends that the report is most likely a whitewash and if indeed there is nothing to hide, SARB Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, must honour the party's application in terms of PAIA so that the people of South Africa may satisfy themselves that this is not another cover-up," Mashaba said. Mashaba noted that if the party's suspicions are correct, that the report is indeed a whitewash, the party will take the report on judicial review. Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Finance Dr Dion George said it is exactly one year after correspondence was sent to Kganyago's office by the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance regarding allegations against Ramaphosa. George explained that Kganyago indicated that the SARB will account to Parliament in accordance with its constitutional obligations on August 30. George wrote to Kganyago ahead of the meeting to express his concern at the findings published by the SARB. "SARB finds that there was no perfected transaction and thus the SARB cannot conclude that there was any contravention of the Exchange Control Regulations. Given that there was no legal entitlement to the foreign currency, there was no contravention," he laid out. George explained that the report is completely silent on the apparent fact that foreign currency was actually in the President's possession, saying this is the crux of the matter, not whether the transaction was perfected or not. The status of the transaction cannot be the determinant, it is the possession of the currency, he added. "If the transaction status is considered the deciding factor, then the door is wide open to money laundering and foreign currency being held for lengthy periods pending transaction completion," said George. Mashaba asked how could it be possible that $580 000 (or $4-million as former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser has alleged) can be hidden away in a couch without the country's financial agencies being aware of it. ActionSA has already asked the National Assembly, South African Revenue Service and SARB to hold the President accountable and will investigate other avenues at its disposal. George noted that given the country's recent greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force, South Africa can ill-afford non-compliance with financial regulations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday the Brics group of emerging countries is not meant to challenge other international coalitions, such as the G7, or the United States, but to "organize" the so-called Global South. "We do not want to be a counterpoint to the G7, G20 or the United States," Lula said in a live broadcast on social media as he attends the Brics summit in South Africa. "We just want to organize ourselves." The leftist leader again defended a common trading currency for Brics countries, saying the move would not be aimed at "rejecting" the US dollar but instead facilitating trade between the emerging nations in their own currencies. He said he supported other countries joining Brics - currently made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - but with certain conditions, "so it does not become a Tower of Babel." "We want Brics to be a multilateral institution, not an exclusive club," Lula said, adding the he was particularly in favour of Argentina joining the group. More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining Brics, according to South African officials.
The UDF as both an agent of the ANC as well as autonomous actor This is Part three in a series. Read Part one and two. The relationship between the ANC and UDF is an important and difficult question, read in different ways by authors examining the question. There are some statements of ANC figures suggesting that the ANC set up the UDF or directed the UDF, as the apartheid state alleged. There is no doubt that the ANC had for some years wanted to see the development of mass organisation within the country, the reoccupation of the leadership space by organisations advancing the broad vision of the Congress movement, the term used to refer to the ANC and allied organisations (cf ANC Green Book 1979. I have not been able to check whether or not this is the full version. What I have was originally online then removed and has a prefatory page that is not in this online edition). It is clear that the establishment of a broad front of popular organisations corresponded in many respects with what was required and recognised by the ANC as necessary to remedy organisational deficiency on the ground. The opening up of "legal space" in order to pursue mass mobilisation and organisation constituted what the ANC described as one of its "four pillars" of struggle. The other pillars were international struggle, armed struggle and underground organisation. But that does not mean the ANC "set up" the UDF, nor that it controlled the UDF and its affiliates. This is well captured in an interview of the late ANC President, Oliver Tambo, originally published in 1984: "We called for united action to resist. We called for mobilisation of our entire forces. We called for united action, 1982 and 1983. It was necessary that we should meet this new offensive by the enemy as a united democratic force. Nothing else would help. I think our people responded remarkably to this call. The emergence of the UDF was exactly what we were talking about during the year of Unity in Action, 1982. It was what we envisaged in our call in 1983 for United Action. We had called for confrontation with the enemy on all fronts, by all our people in their various organisational formations. The response to this call was the emergence of the UDF." "Question:. The regime says one of the reasons why it is taking action against the UDF leadership is that the UDF is a front of the ANC. Now if we say that the emergence of the UDF and present day mass upsurge is a result of organisation and mobilisation by the ANC, does it follow that the UDF is a creation of the ANC?" "Tambo: NO! NO! It does not follow, because the ANC has for a long time now, ever since it was banned, actually called on the people to organise themselves: any organisation, even where it differed with the ANC, provided only it was oriented against the apartheid system, we supported it. So we have encouraged the formation of organisations. These 700 organisations that belong to the UDF were not created by the ANC. "But the ANC has called on the people to organise themselves, whether they organise themselves into ping-pong clubs or whatever it is, but we said, organise and direct your attention and activity to freeing yourselves so that you become human beings and citizens of your own country, which you are not!" (Oliver Tambo, Interview, in Mayibuye, nos 10, 11. 1984, Reprinted in Umrabulo, 19. 2003) There is little doubt that members of the ANC underground played a role in UDF organisations and affiliates, but that is not the same as saying the ANC, whether from outside or in the underground, "ran" the UDF. Yet a reality of the time was that many members of UDF affiliates saw themselves as carrying out the mandates of the ANC. Every night many would tune in at 7pm to listen to Radio Freedom (the ANC station broadcasting from a number of African states. See interview, for example, with Pharepare [General] Mothupi, Polokwane 2004). Wherever possible they would obtain ANC and SACP literature. Of particular interest was ...
The current commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the UDF is foregrounding certain elements of the experience of the UDF and underplaying or erasing others. This period was rich with lessons that ought not to be impoverished by shorthand allusions or omission. For example, a poster inviting people to attend the commemoration in the Johannesburg City Hall (and used elsewhere) says, "reignite the UDF spirit of active citizenry for transformation and accountability". (The first part of this series can be found here). I have two problems with this formulation. In the first place, it sees the spirit of the UDF as represented by what is called "active citizenry" [My emphasis]. The UDF came to commit itself to the Freedom Charter. It was not initially a condition for entry, because it was hoped that the UDF would attract a broad range of supporters, including those who did not support the Freedom Charter. Most of the people who were in the UDF appeared to support the Charter, and that is why there was no opposition to adopting it. The opening words of the Freedom Charter, include the phrase that South Africa "belongs to all who live in it, black and white". In other words, South Africa did not belong simply to citizens of the country. And in the context of continued xenophobia, it is somewhat unfortunate to use the word "active citizenry" without qualification or explanation. This is not nitpicking insofar as the Freedom Charter and the UDF people's power experience speak to an understanding of universal freedom. It undermines universality and leaves an opening to those who espouse xenophobia by using terminology that excludes residents of South Africa who may not be citizens. We have seen since 1994 outbreaks of xenophobia which as far as I'm aware, was hardly present in the time of the UDF. It may well be that I do not know of this since I did not live in an African township, but I spent time in townships and much of what I learnt of popular power derives from discussions and interviews with people who lived in those townships. I never then heard of acts of xenophobia but now it can be found in areas where People's Power was strong like Atteridgeville (see here and here). ( and ). Surely the commemoration in 2023 should be sensitive to this in its formulations. Are non-South African residents unwelcome in this commemoration and any re-dedication to the principles of the UDF? It should be recalled that some non-South African citizens, black and white, fought in our struggle, notably Michael Dingake (who served many years on Robben Island) and Fish Keitsing, citizens of Botswana. They made our Struggle their own. (+Dingake+Botswana+citizen+jailed+for+MK&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 and+citizens+who+fought+in+anti-apartheid+sstruggle&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 and there were others:. See Michael Dingake's two autobiographies My fight against apartheid, International Defence and Aid 1987 and Better to die on one's feet, South African History Online, 2015). That would be my first reason for questioning whether the "reigniting" of the spirit of the UDF does not need further interrogation to avoid departures from or set limitations on an enquiry into what that spirit signifies. In the second place, this invitation correctly refers to the spirit of the UDF as being for transformation and accountability. I have no problem with that and it is very relevant to current politics and broader state actions. Likewise, transformation is essential, though we may battle to agree on what it signifies. Erasure of popular power But is that all? What is the place of popular power in our commemoration of the UDF in 2023? Some of those involved in UDF40 were very clear about the importance of People's Power in the 1980s - like Murphy Morobe, who made a key statement on the importance of popular power (see below) and Titus Mafolo (Interviews 1986) then of Atteridgeville, who I interviewed, and he explained the operation of popular justice - and there are others who may o...
When one looks at the statements made in commemorating 40 years since the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF) one does not generally get a sense that there has been a fresh examination of the practices and meanings of the UDF as a period and phenomenon. It is correct that the UDF be celebrated, but it is also necessary to probe its meanings. There is not one meaning. What the UDF and the period of popular power signified varied according to classes, strata, population groups, generations, geographical locations and a range of other factors, only some of which can be canvassed in this short series. [See for example, Ineke van Kessel, Beyond Our Wildest Dreams: The United Democratic Front and the Transformation of South Africa (Charlottesville and London, University Press of Virginia, 2000).] The focus here is on the contribution of the UDF to freedom, to the qualities and potential scope of freedom. Undoubtedly, the period of the UDF when "ungovernability" and then People's Power emerged was a crucial factor in bringing about political conditions that led to a negotiated settlement and ultimately constitutional democracy. The resistance of the 1980s made it impossible for the apartheid regime to govern without continued disruption. At the same time, the forces of resistance were not dealing with an enemy on its knees and this condition, that Antonio Gramsci refers to as a "reciprocal siege", was conducive to a peaceful settlement (). What was negotiated, the Constitution and other institutions that we have today, do constitute freedom compared with the period of the apartheid regime. These signify one of the meanings of freedom in South Africa because the UDF period struggled for the vote, but also bore a character beyond representative democracy, and other meanings that have existed historically in South Africa and other parts of the world. (See Govan Mbeki, The Peasants Revolt (1964) on the Mpondoland uprising of the 1950s, where a mountain court was established, and on democratic experiences more generally, Anthony Arblaster, Democracy, 3 ed 2002). That is not to say that the UDF and People's Power period simply displaced well-established formulations. There were discourses and practices that went beyond these, but the new often coexisted with established formulations. The language of the People's Power period often worked with orthodox formulations despite their practices being in many respects in contradiction with that orthodoxy. This may be understandable insofar as popular power emerged in a period of extreme repression and also insurrection, not in academic seminars where formulations and consistency could be debated with a single-minded focus, as I am trying to apply now. UDF and enhancing the meanings of the first clause of the Freedom Charter The notion of freedom that was prevalent in the discourse of the ANC-led liberation movement at the time of the formation of the UDF, and even enduring throughout the period of People's Power, was one where activists were aiming to realise the first clause in the Freedom Charter, which reads, "The people shall govern!" and this was to be achieved through the "transfer of power" to the people or the "seizure of power". (I return to problems with these formulations in subsequent parts). The clause declaring: "The People Shall Govern!" is at once simple and complex. Its meaning is not obvious and in the decades that followed the adoption of the Freedom Charter it may have come to be understood in new ways, augmenting and expanding the interpretations prevalent in 1955 (see Part Two). This resulted less from the flourishing of debates than from struggles on the ground in the 1980s, what is called "mass creativity" in radical textbooks. In other words, the driving force for enhanced notions of democratic expression was not interpretative skill, though interpretation would be important, but that there were popular initiatives in the years that followed that amplified th...
The battle for the soul of Unisa is not ending soon. The Unisa council has four separate legal challenges against Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande as it fights against disbandment. Higher education spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi confirmed to News24 that the department was embroiled in the four cases in its ongoing battle with the council of the 450 000-student-strong tertiary institution. Unisa's lawyers hope that the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria will grant the draft order they prepared, which puts the brakes put on Nzimande's plans to remove the current council and put Unisa under administration, pending the outcome of a review application. Appointing an administrator forms part of an independent assessor's report into alleged malfeasance at Unisa. According to its chairperson, Mashukudu James Maboa, the Unisa council wants to review and set aside Nzimande's decision, taken about three weeks ago. The minister, explaining his decision in a letter dated 4 August, said Unisa was riddled with "financial and other maladministration", an example of which was a R176-million wage bill that Nzimande said equated to 78% of the institution's total expenditure. Nzimande also said the council was "rife with financial irregularities" and lacked ties of "a deep understanding of the higher education enterprise." But Maboa, on behalf of the council, said the body launched its review application because it had a "statutory mandate" in terms of the Higher Education Act to "protect the institutional integrity of the university". In his founding affidavit, Maboa added that the Act's preamble provided for tertiary institutions to "enjoy freedom and autonomy in their relationship with the state within the context of public accountability", adding that Nzimande's plans to implement the assessor's recommendation of disbanding the council were "premature". "The council has instituted an application.for the review and setting aside of the report of the [independent] assessor," Maboa added. It won't be the first time an institution takes Nzimande to court over his plans to put it under administration. In 2012, Central University of Technology, then led by Professor Thandwa Mthembu, took Nzimande to court and won. Mnisi told News24 the department had "four cases that we have to respond to on Unisa". He could not be drawn into revealing the nature of the cases. Commenting on the current review application of the assessor's report, Mnisi said: "I can't share any information on this case for now as we are yet to appear in court on it."
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday said that South Africa is ready to work with China ahead of the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping on his fourth State visit to South Africa to attend the fifteenth yearly Brics Summit being hosted in Johannesburg. The international community is monitoring the upcoming Brics Summit, which, after much controversy, will not see Russian President Vladimir Putin in attendance. In his weekly letter to the nation Ramaphosa said relations between the China and South Africa were underpinned by a 10-year strategic programme of cooperation - between 2020 and 2029 - and the summit provided an opportunity to assess progress in the areas of cooperation and identify ways of deepening collaboration. This year marks 25 years of diplomatic ties between South Africa and China. In addition to a number of structured bilateral mechanisms, South Africa and China collaborate on international strategic platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Brics, the G20, the G77 plus China alliance, and others. Ramaphosa also views energy cooperation between South Africa and China as a focus area that holds great promise following the New Energy Investment and Cooperation Conference held in June this year. It looked at opportunities for collaboration in the green economy, the just energy transition and in science and technology. There are already about 200 Chinese companies operating in this area in South Africa. "South Africa has a great deal to learn from China's development path. Among other achievements, China has lifted nearly 800-million people out of poverty over a 40-year period. According to World Bank data, through this, China has contributed close to three-quarters of the global reduction in the number of people living in extreme poverty. As partners in development, China and South Africa have long shared a common understanding that trade and investment are the foremost catalysts for improving the living standards of our respective peoples," said Ramaphosa. Further, he said South Africa is eager to deepen its collaboration within the frameworks of China's common prosperity doctrine and strategy and within South Africa's own National Development Plan and Economic Reconstruction and Development Plan. "We are actively collaborating on the design and implementation of poverty alleviation strategies aligned with our respective developmental visions, as well as on women and youth empowerment. As South Africa we want to address the trade deficit between South Africa and China," Ramaphos said. Bilateral trade with China has grown exponentially, from less than R1-billion in 1998 to over R614-billion in 2022.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has found that President Cyril Ramaphosa's Ntaba Nyoni Estate, that owns the Phala Phala game farm, was not "legally entitled" to the $580 000 it received from Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa for 20 buffalo. But because the transaction was not "perfected" - Mustafa never received delivery of the buffalo - there was no legal obligation on Ramaphosa or Ntaba Nyoni to have declared the foreign currency under exchange control regulations. In a terse media statement released by the SARB on Monday morning, the central bank said it would not release the full "private internal" Phala Phala report, but because the matter had "significant public importance" it would release the findings. The SARB took almost a year to complete its investigation, consisting of 15 affidavits, dozens of documents running into hundreds of pages and interviewing relevant individuals. SARB made it clear it was only entitled to investigate potential exchange control violations "in respect of the foreign currency allegedly stolen from the Phala Phala farm on 9 February 2020". "Other matters and where they may relate to the breach (if any) of any other law or otherwise, are matters which are to be addressed by the relevant authorities," the bank stated. The Hawks are still finalising their criminal probe into the Phala Phala matter. "On the facts available to it, the SARB finds that there was no perfected transaction and thus the SARB cannot conclude that there was any contravention of the Exchange Control Regulations. by Ntaba Nyoni Estates CC (the entity involved) or for that matter by the President. "That is because the SARB has concluded that the transaction in question was subject to conditions precedent which were not fulfilled [the delivery of the animals], and therefore there was no legal entitlement, within the meaning of Regulation (6)(1), on the part of Ntaba Nyoni Estates CC, to the foreign currency."
The Gupta-linked company Regiments Capital will now be liquidated after the SA Revenue Service (Sars) triumphed in the Constitutional Court. Regiments Capital featured prominently in questionable tenders awarded to Gupta-linked companies. A Regiments subsidiary was also an advisor to the Transnet pension fund and is accused of abusing this position to the detriment of fund members. This included suspect trades in bonds meant to boost commissions, and questionable payments related to financial instruments that were linked to the corrupt deal in 2012 to supply Transnet with 1 064 locomotives. Several parties with links to Regiments and directors of the company brought an application to set aside the company's liquidation. Sars - which is owed R690-million by Regiments - intervened and opposed the application, but the high court set aside the liquidation. Sars and the liquidators then took this decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which ruled in May that the high court decision be set aside. The directors then approached the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). But on Thursday, the court the Constitutional Court refused leave to appeal, finding that the matter did not fall within the jurisdiction of the court. Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the decision of the Constitutional Court confirms that liquidation proceedings can now continue. "Sars has taken the decision to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion because it believed that the company was acting to the disadvantage of its creditors. Non-compliant taxpayers need to take heed of SARS's determination to make it hard and costly for those who wilfully and intentionally seek to use creative ways remain to abdicate their responsibility," he said in a statement.
African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has called for the advancement of multilateralism at the China-SA Relations Seminar, which took place on Friday. January 1 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa. Mbalula lauded the trade surplus that has resulted from these relations, highlighting that trade between the two countries generated less than R1-billion in 1998 and stood at over R54-billion in 2021. He also applauded the arrival of Chinese Trading Malls, and their significant contribution towards creating employment, with consumers being able to buy and use affordable electronic household goods. Moving forward, the ANC has urged China to make a significant investment in its mineral exploration initiatives. "We aim to capture at least 5% of global exploration funds in the immediate term. Linked to that, as expressed by our President Cyril Ramaphosa recently, we no longer want to export just raw minerals. Instead we want to have our minerals beneficiated here in South Africa as part of our industrialisation drive," said Mbalula. He stressed the party's "non-aligned" stance ahead of the upcoming yearly Brics Summit, set to take place in Johannesburg next week. "The ANC remains firm in its view that all conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. We totally reject gunboat diplomacy. Again, on this occasion, we amplify what [Chinese] President Xi Jinping said on the profound meaning of international solidarity, that we must help others to succeed while seeking our own success and ensure that all can enjoy the outcomes of modernisation," he added. Mbalula noted the geopolitical tensions that were currently gripping the world and alluded that lessons on diplomacy could be learned from China-SA relations. He also highlighted the importance of Brics as a way of promoting a multipolar world. "Certainly in South Africa we share in this profound value and thereby cherish our continued membership of Brics, working together to usher in a new world underpinned by justice and equality. In this regard, we reiterate our message that Brics is not an enemy to any country or any constellation of countries but rather an example of how the entire world could relate in solidarity underpinned by progressive social, economic and political principles. Brics will certainly advance the cause of multilateralism as opposed to unilateralism. It is precisely why we welcome the geopolitical shifts from a unipolar world to a multipolar world," Mbalula said.
Police Minister Bheki Cele noted on Friday that while there are still unacceptably high crime levels, the South African Police Service (Saps) is pushing back, especially on violent crime, which he said has started to decrease. Cele was presenting the quarterly crime statistics, reflecting on crimes reported and detected by Saps from April 1 to June 30, and adding that the 3.1% decline in the murder rate was no cause for celebration. He noted that it could not be normal that 31 police officers were killed in three months, calling on Saps National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to double-up Saps' efforts in ensuring officer wellness. Cele said that for the first time since Covid-19 began in 2020, South Africa's murder rate declined in a single quarter. Between April and June, police recorded 6 228 counts of murders, with Cele saying this was 196 fewer people killed compared to the same time last year. He explained that out of the 6 228 people killed during April to June, 1 188 were women and children. He said apart from Mpumalanga and Northern Cape, all provinces recorded decreases for murder in this quarter. "While the Northern Cape recorded a 11.1% increase in murders, much welcomed double-digit percentage declines were noted in the Limpopo and North West provinces. The murders for April to June 2023 in those two provinces dropped by 10.0% and 11.5% respectively," he said. Cele highlighted that case docket analysis showed that firearms, knives and sharp instruments remained the three top weapons of choice for murder. He added that the majority of murder victims during this period were killed either during an argument, an act of vigilantism or their lives were cut short while being robbed. "The 3.1% reduction in the country's murder rate must, however, further bolster all policing interventions that have led to fewer people being killed in our country," he said. Cele explained that decreases had also been reported in sexual offences, by 1.9%, TRIO crimes (house and business robberies and carjackings), declining by 5.2%, property-related crimes, which decreased by 4.5% and contact-related crimes, down 1.6% Declines have also been noted in rape and sexual assaults reported to the police. In the three months of reporting, both crime categories recorded 2.8% and 3.8% decreases respectively, he said. Cele said these decreases in many of the crime categories would not have been achieved without the dedication, determination and hard work of the men and women in blue, noting that keeping the country safe and going toe-to-toe with criminals was also coming at a high cost for the police service. Meanwhile, Police Portfolio Committee acting chairperson Nocks Seabi said that the committee called on the Saps in Mpumalanga and Northern Cape to strengthen efforts to curb murders in the provinces, also raising concerns at the continued proliferation of illegal firearms. The committee emphasised the need for strategies to reduce the number of firearms on the streets. Seabi noted that the committee was also concerned about the increase in the murder of police officials, highlighting the need for strategies to prevent the killing of officers.
Solicitor General Fhedzisani Pandelani revealed on Thursday that the State has used over R330-million in taxpayer money to deal with claims lodged against government departments relating to the Marikana massacre. On Wednesday the country marked eleven years since the incident in which members of the South African Police Services (Saps) shot and killed 34 striking Lonmin miners. Pandelani said the Marikana massacre is painful and remains a significant and solemn chapter in South Africa's history. "It is something we cannot downplay because people are still impacted emotionally and it casts a sombre shadow over the tragic clash between the striking miners and law enforcement, resulting in multiple fatalities, as a result of which we as government lawyers ceased having to meet the lawful demands that have been lodged with us," said Phandelani. He explained that the government is dealing with the death of the 34 miners plus another 10 miners that were never accounted for. No claims have been lodged against government for the 10 miners. "On the other ten he said there was no causation on the death itself that was attributable to the government or the State. Their settlements might have been settled by other individuals," Pandelani explained. Claims were lodged by the Wits Law Clinic; the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI); Maluleke, Msimang & Associates; Tlhatlha Attorneys; and Nkome Attorneys. Breaking down the claims, Pandelani said the Wits Law Clinic matter was finalised in 2021 and was paid out R3 995 121 plus costs. SERI, on behalf of the miners' families, secured settlements for loss of support amounting to R71 230 491. Notably, SERI has introduced the novel concept of constitutional damages which Pandelani said was a new concept which raises issues such as emotional damages. Maluleke, Msimang & Associates which represented 15 claimants, was paid out R77 034 643,70 in total. Pandelani said the progress of payments to Tlhatlha Attorneys, which handled matters relating to assault and gunshots, was underway with certain claims still undergoing verification. Nkome Attorneys, which claimed for plaintiffs that were arrested and detained, received an amount of R102 305 000, which Pandelani said was an amount for the ten of the twelve cases lodged with the State.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) claims the City of Cape Town has added another condition that allows authorities to impound minibus taxis - being off an agreed route - and alleges that the move and recent impoundments are in breach of an agreement the council had reached with the City and Western Cape government. It made the claim in papers filed in the Western Cape High Court in an urgent application for an interdict against the City. In the application, which is scheduled to be heard later on Thursday, Santaco is seeking the return of impounded minibus taxis. It argues that the taxis were impounded outside of the terms of the 10 August agreement, which ended the taxi stayaway and the violence associated with it. Santaco wants the court to find that the City of Cape Town breached the terms of the truce agreement, which limited impoundments to three particular transgressions: where a minibus taxi is operating without an operating licence; where the driver of a minibus taxi drives the vehicle without a professional driver's permit or driver's licence; and where the minibus taxi is unroadworthy. According to the papers, Santaco also wants the court to direct the City and the Mobility MEC Robert Mackenzie to immediately release all minibus taxis impounded after the conclusion of the settlement agreement on 10 August, which the council says have been impounded on grounds other than those three transgressions. On 11 August, the day after the agreement, eight taxis were impounded, and on 12 August, another six, according to Santaco. The City will argue its case when the matter starts, but Santaco's Nceba Enge said that mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said only one impoundment - for overloading - was made by mistake. Santaco did not have time to present the reasons for the first eight impoundments to the court, but of the six, it stated that one impoundment was on the basis that the minibus taxi operated on a charter permit. They understand this to be in line with the provisions of the settlement agreement. Two impoundments were on the basis that the minibus taxis operated off-route - a term of settlement that, they argue, Smith added in after the agreement. Two impoundments were because the drivers did not have their valid driver's licence or professional drivers' permits with them. One driver said he left his licence and permit at home, so Santaco feels it's not the same as not being licensed or not being permitted to operate. "We were unable to get the relevant driver's licence and permit in the short period of time available to us, but shall have same ready at the return date," Enge's affidavit continues. Santaco also denies that the terms of the agreement reached on 10 August contained the same proposals as before. He said the initial proposals to Santaco included these other terms: Driving while intoxicated; a failure to comply with an instruction of a traffic/peace officer; driving in yellow/red lines; driving in an oncoming traffic lane; driving on the shoulder of road; driving on the pavement; inconsiderate driving; ignoring traffic signals or stop streets; and causing an obstruction to road traffic. These were meant to be discussed over two weeks with the task team to determine whether they too are impoundable offences, or whether a fine is more appropriate. Enge said the claim that they arrived heavily armed for a task team meeting was not true. It was their bodyguards who were armed, not them. Santaco contends that the minibus taxi industry plays an important role in the economy, but the City promotes the idea that it is lawless. They only intended to start a stayaway on 7 August to give commuters time to make alternative arrangements, he continued. However, a large law enforcement operation at the station deck, which was accompanied by stun grenades and officers smashing a taxi window, enraged them so much that they had an urgent meeting and brought the stayaway forward. Sin...
The Multi Party Charter for South Africa has agreed on power-sharing principles, such as sharing power proportionally to the election results. Multi Party National Convention independent chairperson Professor William Gumede updated the media on day two of the ongoing coalition talks, where he noted that many coalitions at a local government level have failed because of the challenge of power sharing challenge. However, he said the Multi Party Charter has reached an agreement. "It is important to emphasise that in this kind of coalition that every party will still have individual identity and they will compete in the elections based on the individual identities but part of a coalition. it is very new in a South African circumstance," Gumede said. He added that once the election results are out, parties will then deal with representation among themselves according to how many votes each party would have received in the election. The parties agreed to the principle of merit base appointments in government and not politically based appointments. "This is quite an important principle," said Gumede. Parties have also agreed that the same party cannot lead both in the executive and legislature. Gumede emphasised that the group is determined to ensure that there is diversity in representation in the executive and legislative. Gumede added that if one party is dominant in the legislature, it cannot be dominant in the executive. The parties have also agreed to lifestyle audits of all members of the executives and have also agreed that the leader of the biggest party in the bloc will become leader of government business. Gumede said the parties have agreed to look at the redesign of the national cabinet to be more streamlined. He said while negotiations have been progressing well, he pointed out that parties cannot agree on each and every policy in just two days. "But you can agree on the key policy. So they've done that, so they commit to work on a fully-fledged policy platform in the months to come based on the pillars of the agreement that they have reached today. They have reached the core and pillars agreement, now they have to substantiate that much more fully in a fully-fledged manifesto in the coming months," he said. There are also ongoing negotiations to bring more parties into the coalition and also to give other parties an opportunity to make some inputs. "It is a very significant move for a group of parties that fought each other in the past to actually agree on the fundamentals of a policy platform," Gumede added. Parties have adopted a social media identity, #Charter24, for the 2024 elections. Gumede said parties have reached common ground on key challenges facing the country. Gumede reiterated that the convention was not the first time that parties have been talking to each other. He said he has been chairing the negotiations prior to the convention which is being used to iron out last minutes issues between the parties for a formal agreement. "And now have to agree to partner in a coalition ahead of the elections. It is obviously not easy to do that," he said.
While the African National Congress (ANC) celebrates the R170-million paid to victims of the 2012 Marikana Massacre, calls to bring those responsible to justice continue to ring out. On Wednesday, the party - while commemorating the 11th anniversary of the massacre when 44 people were killed during an unprotected strike by mineworkers at Lonmin's platinum mine in Marikana, the North West - dismissed as "opportunistic" the use of the massacre as "a political tool". Wednesday's statement by the ANC comes amid calls for the arrest of officers, including those who gave the orders to shoot, for the killing of the mineworkers. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, through a statement published on the party's social media sites, said the workers were "executed live on television as a result of a toxic coalition between the state and Lonmin mine". The ANC, in trumpeting what it said was its "progressive laws" that sought to "change [the] face of the mining industry and to guarantee miners' rights", said the government had done well to pay "reparations to the value of R170 million to the widows and families of the tragedy". "The ANC condemns the usage of the Marikana tragedy as a political tool," the party stated. "Insensitive and opportunistic populism and deliberate peddling of misinformation about the tragedy and its aftermath is highly regrettable. It is done at the expense of healing and national unity in a desperate attempt to gain political mileage." The party, in mentioning the millions of rand in reparations, was alluding to the August 2021 announcement made by Fhedzisani Pandelani, an official in the justice and constitutional development's Solicitor-General's office, who said the government paid victims' families a combined R170-million. On Wednesday, the NPA said it was working with IPID to "fast-track the finalisation of reaching a [prosecution] decision", adding the delays were due to its North West office being "challenged with unfilled vacancies, with limited prosecutors to study the voluminous docket". "The necessary resources were made available, and vacancies were filled," it added. The NPA said General William Mpembe, Colonel Salmon Vermaak, Constable Nkosana Mguye, Warrant Officer Katlego Sekgweleya, Warrant Officer Masilo Mogale, and Warrant Officer Khazamola Makhubela were facing murder charges for the death of "three police officers and two miners who died during the confrontation between the police and miners, preceding the incident of 16 August 2012". "The matter is before the [North West High Court], and the trial sat from 1 to 4 August 2023. "It was postponed from 13 to 15 November 202 for further trial, and the State is expected to call on more witnesses to prove its case."
Multi Party National Convention independent chairperson Professor William Gumede announced that the political parties currently holding talks on a potential coalition government ahead of the 2024 elections have decided to rename the Moonshot Pact the 'Multi Party Charter for South Africa'. Gumede provided an update on the closed session talks currently underway, where he added that the negotiations among the parties were robust and going very well. The term Moonshot Pact was coined by the Democratic Alliance. "The big issue is the name - Moon[shot] Pact was the bone of contention. Many of the parties wanted a name because a name is key and is the identity and without an agreement on the name, the name was a big obstacle to agree on," Gumede said. He also highlighted that political parties agreed on a joint vision in working together. He did not elaborate on the agreed upon vision. "I think it is a very big victory for the parties," he said. Noting that there were many other political parties not part of the pact, Gumede said that with the new agreement, it would be easier for the multi-party group to engage with those parties out of the Pact. "So now that this pact has a vision, it will be easier to have conversations with some of the parties. The vision they managed to agree on together gives them the space to begin engagements with other parties outside the pact," Gumede explained. He said discussions were still ongoing and that political parties were making progress. As an independent chairperson of the process, Gumede is not affiliated to any of the participating parties. He said the convention was an historic event, one of the few processes in the world, where a negotiated agreement came before the elections. He said the most important measure of the quality of democracy was the quality of the opposition. Gumede noted that the pact received an outpouring of support from civil society, individuals and business organisations. "I myself personally received over hundred messages of support, not only support but ideas," he said.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen noted on Wednesday that the outcome of the Moonshot Pact negotiations must be judged on whether it provides concrete solutions to improve the lives of the South African people. The DA, together with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), ActionSA, the United Independent Movement, Freedom Front Plus, Spectrum National Party and the Independent South African National Civic Organisation are holding a two-day national convention on coalition governments to explore ways towards a pact that could possibly drive the African National Congress (ANC) out of power, should it fail to garner more than 50% at the general polls in 2024. Speaking during the Convention in Kempton Park, Steenhuisen said that on Thursday evening, when the negotiation process is complete, citizens must judge the gathered politicians on whether the outcome promises tangible improvements to their lives. "Ask whether we are collectively providing solutions to issues like unemployment, loadshedding and crime. If the answer is yes - if these parties emerge with an agreement not only to defeat the ANC but to rescue South Africa - then I ask that you judge it as a success," he added. He said the pact seeks an agreement for every town and city in the country. Spectrum National Party president Christopher Classen said that he prays that all parties currently onboard agree to work together, in a united multi-party coalition after the 2024 elections, with the aim always being to form a new coalition government ready to build a better South Africa, together, rather than divided. "And to replace the generally corrupt ANC," he added. HONEST AND ROBUST DISCUSSIONS Steenhuisen noted that this was the time for the pact leaders to put aside pettiness, ego and the past, so that they could all focus on the future. He pointed out that many people thought opposition leaders would never get to the point of sitting around the same table to find common solutions. "Yet, here we are. And now our biggest test looms before us. Over the next two days, we will have honest and robust discussions. But I know that they will be based on the passion we all share for this beautiful country, and for the people who call her home," he said. IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa president explained that his joined the pact because it believed that there was still hope for the country, and for the people of South Africa. "However, if we want things in our country to change, we cannot continue to walk the same path that we have been walking. If we want change, we will have to do things differently. This Convention is about South Africa and its people. This is not an anti-ruling party club. Our reason for convening here is much more important. We do not hate the ANC, we hate what they have done to South Africa," said Hlabisa. He noted that the IFP joined the convention to determine how best parties could serve South Africa together, how to bring about much-needed change, and how to make sure that the issues that were important to the country's constituencies were on the negotiating table. "The good news is that there is already much that we agree upon. However, as politicians, we cannot bring change alone. We need the support of all South Africans, including civil society," he said. He added that he was hopeful that the Pact leaders would engage in positive, constructive discussions that put the priorities of the people of South Africa first. Last week, the Pact reached out to civil society organisations in the belief that collaboration would result in significant political change. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba noted that his party was committed to the convention and he revealed that according to a party poll, 91% of South Africans want the convention to succeed. "The ANC will lose its majority in the elections, and all South Africans know this, but they have never seen opposition parties putting aside differences to actually give them hope," said Mashaba. He s...
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) is not happy about the latest impoundment of minibus taxis and has vowed to approach the courts to interdict the City of Cape Town. Taxi officials under Santaco were on Monday locked in urgent talks after 14 taxis were impounded over the weekend by the City despite an agreement in place to end the impoundment of taxis for minor offences. Santaco staged an eight-day strike earlier this month against the City impounding dozens of vehicles over a range of infractions, including number plates not being displayed, taxi operators claimed. Santaco insiders told News24 that the association was not happy with the latest impoundments, but quickly dismissed claims of possible strike action. Santaco secretary Ryno Saaiers said on Monday evening that the council's provincial executive committee mostly covered internal issues. "The impoundments of the weekend, where vehicles were impounded under cases not covered under the agreement, were discussed," he said. Part of the agreement was that the Minibus Taxi Task Team - made up of representatives from the City, the Western Cape government and Santaco - must finalise a list of major and minor offences for which vehicles can either be impounded or fined. The task team is scheduled to meet on Tuesday without Santaco after the council requested a postponement. "This was needed to allow the leadership to engage with the members as to what precisely was agreed upon in the agreement with the government," Saaiers said. He added that a court intervention would be explored. "Court intervention on issues of the dispute between the parties was tabled, and it was agreed that this option should still be explored," he said. Western Cape MEC of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie told News24 on Tuesday: "Santaco Western Cape sent a request yesterday for this meeting to be rescheduled as they need to engage the primary associations regarding the impoundments of the past weekend. We are in the process of identifying a new date for the task team meeting."
South Africa's unemployment rate decreased to 32.6% in the second quarter, from 32.9% in the first quarter, Statistics South Africa's data shows. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) shows that the number of employed persons increased by 154 000 to 16.3-million in the second quarter, while the number of unemployed persons decreased by 11 000 to 7.9-million. The youth remain vulnerable in the labour market, with the second-quarter QLFS showing that the total number of unemployed youth between the ages of 15 and 34 decreased by 131 000 to 4.7-million, while there was an increase of 105 000 in the number of employed youth to 5.7-million. This resulted in a 1.1 percentage point decrease in youth unemployment to 45.3% in the second quarter.
The Presidency has shot down Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis's threat to declare an intergovernmental dispute if President Cyril Ramaphosa does not respond to a request to create a joint working committee on rail devolution by the end of August. On Monday, Hill-Lewis said the lack of a functional passenger rail system was severely felt in Cape Town during the recent taxi strike. Tens of thousands of commuters were left stranded as taxis across the Western Cape stopped running for eight days. Bus services were also severely curtailed for safety reasons as striking taxi drivers targeted operating bus drivers. In some instances, commuters were forced to walk as far as 30 kilometres to get to work and home. On Monday, Hill-Lewis urged Ramaphosa to convene the "joint working committee on passenger rail devolution". "We have urged the president to respond by 31 August to our request for a joint working committee on passenger rail devolution, failing which, we will resort to intergovernmental dispute mediation," the mayor warned. He added that passenger rail should be the backbone of the city's transportation network. "But [the rail network] has all but collapsed while Prasa (Passenger Rail Agency of SA) refuses to be held accountable for improving service levels to the public. All spheres of government have a duty to fix this situation without delay," he said. "A joint working committee on devolution is especially important, given the national transport director-general's public commitment to gazetting a rail devolution strategy within 2023. The City wants to provide input to this national strategy and settle plans to devolve rail in Cape Town. Unfortunately, our request for a joint committee has been gathering dust on the president's desk for more than two months now, which is not a situation we are prepared to tolerate," he added. The City has been pushing to take over the management of rail services in the metro for some time. But Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told News24 the Presidency didn't "respond to threats in this regard". "We would rather deal with matters through processes in a constructive manner. The mayor can exercise his prerogative as he sees fit, and we will respond accordingly through due process," he said. In May last year, Cabinet passed the White Paper on National Rail Policy, which commits to devolving rail to capable metros and producing a rail devolution strategy in 2023. Fast-forward to May this year, when newly appointed Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga told the media that there were no plans to devolve rail to the City. Earlier this year, Chikunga's predecessor, Fikile Mbalula, declined to form a working committee, confirming in a letter to Hill-Lewis that his department "has not been given a directive by the government and I to start with any form of devolution".
As political parties prepare to sit for the "historic" Muti-Party National Convention on Wednesday and Thursday, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Monday that the event is a major milestone, and an opportunity that should not be wasted. He stressed that the convention should not be just an anti-African National Congress (ANC) project, but that it must be a pro-South African project. Steenhuisen assured citizens that his party would continue to act in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation and he stressed his hope that political parties would leave the convention with an agreement on how parties could work together to fix the problems plaguing the country. The Independent South African National Civic Organisation (Isanco) became the seventh party that will attend the Convention. Isanco broke away from the ANC alliance in 2021 owing to its failure to address corruption. The DA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, United Independent Movement and the Spectrum National Party will be attending the Convention. Steenhuisen said leaders must ensure that the Convention inaugurates a new Pact government in 2024 that will rescue South Africa. The Convention will be independently chaired by the respected Professor William Gumede. "While the National Convention represents a major milestone, it is also an opportunity we dare not squander. The Moonshot Pact has captured the public imagination like no other opposition project has ever done in the history of our democracy. We dare not mess it up now," he said. He noted that parties involved in this process had already made some progress towards a minimum joint programme of action. Last week the Pact reached out to civil society organisations, inviting them to provide inputs on how political parties could make a success out of the Convention. Steenhuisen noted that if the political parties involved in the Convention emerged with an agreement on Thursday, the Pact hoped to engage civil society with an eye to holding a subsequent joint Summit between the Pact and civil society organisations.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has put an end to its industrial action with immediate effect, following a meeting with the City of Cape Town to find amicable solutions that address Santaco's grievances arising from the municipality's new by-laws, such as impoundment for driving unroadworthy vehicles, and driving without a licence or visible number plates. The taxi strike has been marked by violence, resulting in deaths and the destruction of property. The Department of Transport, on Friday, welcomed the end of the strike and stressed the need for the rule of law to be upheld, ensuring the smooth functioning of public transportation systems. The Department will actively follow any developments arising from further discussions within the 14-day turnaround time set in place. Within this time, a taxi task team will come up with a list of major offences that should result in impoundment and of minor offences for which fines should be issued. "The Minister and the government deeply regret the adverse effects the strike has had on learners, workers, and all those affected in Cape Town and its surrounding areas. The disruption caused by the impasse has had a negative effect on the local economy, and the Minister acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals who rely on public transportation for their daily activities," said Department spokesperson Monageng Mokgojwa. The City of Cape Town expressed its appreciation for the constructive approach taken by Santaco but decried the implications the strike has had in terms of the destruction of lives, property and the local economy. They opined that Santaco gained nothing from the strike, noting that they had accepted the same proposal that the municipality originally set forth a week ago. "It is time for Santaco and for all South Africans to take to heart the lesson from the past week: violence will get us nowhere. While we deplore the impact of this entirely unnecessary strike, Cape Town has set an important precedent for South Africa's future. By steadfastly refusing to capitulate before violence and anarchy, Cape Town has not conceded an inch on our commitment to the rule of law. The message is clear: in Cape Town, the laws of this country apply equally to everyone and violence will not extract a single concession from this government," argued Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. The South African Communist Party (SACP) has commended the leadership demonstrated in resolving the strike and advocated for the arrival at a decision that considered the interests of the working class. "In the course of the strike, lives, livelihoods and wages were needlessly lost, and both public and private property was damaged. Although this resolution has come at a later stage than we would have wanted, it is better late than never. The strike demonstrated that we are all interconnected, even across divides of race and class. Even though it was the working class who suffered the most, the taxi strike interrupted the supply chain to the extent that all citizens in the Western Cape felt the ripple effect," said SACP provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu. The SACP has also called for a Public Transport Indaba to be held within three months to address the structural challenges facing the public transport system. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport has welcomed Santaco's agreement with the Western Cape government and urged the municipality not to renege and make unilateral statements. The Committee opined that the new agreement would greatly assist commuters and implored stakeholders to consider the painful consequences of the strike, especially for poor people. "Everything possible should be done to make sure that there is certainty in the taxi industry, especially because so many people in townships rely on effective taxi services for commuting between workplaces and their homes, as well as learners who attend school in town," said Transport Portfolio chair Mina Lesoma.
The taxi industry will now be required to give 36 hours' notice of strike action, according to a resolution that ended the week-long taxi stayaway in Cape Town. On Friday morning, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis briefed the media on the resolution in the presence of SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) representatives. The agreement, which mirrors one proposed last Friday, includes an "escalation system that will loop in the premier and mayor should a dispute arise", Winde said. He said this would provide "another layer before we end in strike action". The agreement allows for the impoundments under the National Land Transportation Act (NLTA) to continue for vehicles driving without operating licences, on the incorrect route, when the drivers are not licensed, or when the vehicles are not roadworthy. In the next 14 days, the taxi task team will draw up a list of major offences for which vehicles can be impounded and minor offences for which fines will be issued. Santaco first deputy chairperson Nceba Enge said he hoped the taxi task team sessions would be fruitful but added that 14 days were not enough to sort out "some of the issues on the table". During the briefing on Friday, Hill-Lewis said the focus would remain on commuter safety. In terms of the agreement, Santaco will be able to query impoundments for minor offences, and representations will be made to a prosecutor to support the release of the vehicles. Despite coming to an agreement the night before, members of the delegation took the opportunity to throw barbs at each other during Friday's meeting. Both Hill-Lewis and City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for Transport Rob Quintas said they felt the strike could have ended days ago because the agreement was almost identical to the one proposed last week. "It feels like there was an unnecessary extension," Hill-Lewis said. Western Cape Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie said the talks had further fallen apart when "guns were brought to a meeting" on Sunday. Enge said the stayaway had been prompted by alleged heavy-handedness from law enforcement authorities during a traffic operation last week. He said that an urgent meeting had been called between stakeholders at the time, which Mackenzie denied being invited to. Enge also said Santaco had walked out of taxi task team meetings in July because "nothing had been achieved" in five months - something Mackenzie also disputed. Enge again called for the City to cease the impoundment of taxis, saying that operators had had their vehicles repossessed as a result of the impoundments. Mackenzie said Santaco expected the authorities to agree to things "that are not acceptable". "It's a pity your vehicle is impounded, but if an operator gives his vehicle to a drunk driver and expects a traffic officer to look away. I'm sorry, but there is not a government in the world that will agree to that" he said. Enge estimated that the industry had lost around R50-million in revenue per day due to the strike. Five people died in strike-related violence and infrastructure worth millions of rand was damaged.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Friday that the new policy by President Cyril Ramaphosa which has allowed Jacob Zuma to go free has shown that the African National Congress (ANC) membership card is "your best defence" against the rule of law and accountability in the country. The DA leader was responding to the announcement by government that former President Zuma will not be wearing an orange jumpsuit, as he was released from jail on Friday morning, after spending less than two hours there. Ramaphosa approved a special remission for non-violent offenders, due to prison overcrowding. Zuma was released as part of the special remission, which will see 9 488 inmates being released, as well as a further 15 000 inmates who are currently under correctional supervision and parole. Steenhuisen, who was in the Free State to select a DA Premier candidate for the upcoming 2024 elections, said the decision to set Zuma free was an insult to all South Africans who uphold the rule of law. The DA leader said the remission policy was designed to ensure that Zuma once again escapes accountability for his acts of omission and commission in South Africa. "Once again the president's spineless nature to stand up for what is right, his inability to protect the people over party has been on full display. What has happened sets a fundamentally terrible precedent for South Africa and it means all card-carrying members of the ANC, including people like Ace Magashule, are no longer accountable in the South African system," Steenhuisen said. He accused Zuma of being released under the false pretense of special remissions to cover for the "cynical manipulation of justice". He said the confluence of coincidence was too strong to ignore and claimed that it was designed to ensure that Zuma did not spend any further time in jail. Steenhuisen said the action was sly and devious behaviour that required a great deal of planning. "The fact that this remission came into effect today, the very day that Zuma was to go back to jail and to be processed, is a clear indication of exactly what has occurred in South Africa. If it wasn't a new fundamental low in South Africa it would almost be a comedy of epic proportions," he added. He said Ramaphosa disappointed every time he was required to stand up for the fundamental values of the rule of law, and came time to choose his responsibility and constitutional duty to the people of South Africa over the interests of the ANC. Steenhuisen compared these actions, and inactions, to the work done by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis who he said had worked hard to stand firm to the law and against thuggery during the violent taxi strike. "You can burn tyres and wave as many placards in front of municipal offices, this government is beyond listening. The only language they will now understand, is the one that is translated to them through the ballot box and through the vote of every South African," said the DA leader. He pleaded for all those who were eligible to vote to register to do so. "The power in the next 12 months only lies with those who are registered to vote," he added.
Iran asked South Africa's government to support its "accelerated membership" of Brics, as the five-nation bloc prepares to hold a summit later this month. "We hope to obtain the opportunity of accelerated membership under strong support we hope to receive from South Africa," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said at a briefing in the capital, Pretoria, on Thursday. The heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are scheduled to hold a meeting August 22 to 24 to discuss issues including the expansion of the group.
The political parties exploring a multi-party agreement are reaching out to civil society organisations ahead of their national convention, in the belief that collaboration will result in significant political change. The political multi-party formation, which includes the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, ActionSA, the United Independent Movement, Freedom Front Plus and Spectrum National Party, have organised a national convention for August 16 and 17. The multi-party formation says South African civil society organisations have played a huge role in fighting for change, particularly during State capture. The Zondo Commission has helped to uncover the extent of the rot in government over the years. Letters have been sent to organisations, inviting their written inputs into this process and confirming an intention to host an engagement with civil society in the period following a successful National Convention. The multi-party coalition believes that only through a broader cross-section of society working together will change be delivered in the country. "Written submissions received will form part of the engagements of the beginning of the National Convention in such a manner that the engagements that follow will be guided by the wisdom of civil society. While the details will require further engagement at the National Convention, it is the view of these political parties that the political change that South Africa needs will require a partnership with non-government organisations, think tanks, organised labour, business, faith-based organisations and many others," they said. The organisations are asking for written submissions to be sent via nationalconvention2024@gmail.com by Monday August 14.
African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula admitted on Thursday that as the ruling party in government, the ANC has not done enough to better the lives of South Africans, and added that the party accepts the criticism that it could have done better. He was addressing the media on the review of the party's Election Manifesto, which will take place on September 2 at the Orlando Stadium, in Soweto, and where President Cyril Ramaphosa will give a detailed account on the party's progress in renewal and the promised made to South Africans. This will be followed by reviews in all nine provinces, regions and branches. Mbalula said the review is an opportunity to turn the practices that undermine the integrity of the country's democratic institutions and creates the potential for higher rates of economic growth and development. "Although we could have moved faster and the quality of services could have been much better, regrettably there has also been reversals in some critical areas. As a nation we have also learnt the harsh impact of society and the economy, arising from loss of integrity in institutions of State and business and in political and other formations," said Mbalula. South Africa is currently faced with an energy crisis, with long bouts of loadshedding, which continues to cripple small businesses and, in some cases, also results in job losses. Mbalula said the ANC has learnt hard lessons about the vigilance needed to stop crippling lawlessness, greed and selfishness. He said as the party of governance, the ANC should have acted faster and moved decisively. "We were remiss in not preventing a drift from the campus of integrity that inspired the generation whose mission was to achieve a democratic and inclusive society. We have heard the cries of millions about things that went wrong. We accept the criticism. Having learnt from both the good and the bad of the past 25 years informed by our history of commitment to the people's cause, we are resolved to make this an era of renewal and hope," said Mbalula. Outlining the ANC 's renewal plan to turn things around, he said the ANC has started to revive the economy and speed up the growth and creation of economic opportunities. He added that the Stimulus and Recovery Plan will help improve the lives of South Africans. Mbalula believes that working with all sectors, his party will renew State institutions and point the economy towards a better life for all. "A march to a better South Africa is unstoppable. The road ahead will not be easy," he admitted.
KwaZulu-Natal African National Congress (ANC) provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo stated on Tuesday that no one will unseat the ANC in the province in the 2024 elections, as he boasted that the current membership of the party in KZN is above 200 000. He was speaking during a dialogue with the media in the province, which aims to build relations. Mtolo said ANC officials had taken a decision to interact with party members to discuss the challenges and successes of the organisation's National Democratic Revolution. He said the ANC could not share its strategies on how it could win the upcoming 2024 elections. He added that the ANC and other political parties were analysing the upcoming elections based on reliance on the local government 2021 results, which he said would be unhelpful. Mtolo said the party lost many votes that year, as the election was on a Monday, which was a long weekend during the Covid-19 lockdown. He believes contesting parties in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will not be able to unseat the ANC. He called the suggestion "a pipe dream". He warned journalists against involving themselves in internal factions. "If you choose a life of a journalist and a politician, your skin must be hard as we are going into the elections. There will be heated moments," said Mtolo. He further criticised the media for not reporting on positives in the province. Mtolo said it was unfortunate that the media was not highlighting the achievements of KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Siboniso Duma for their clean governance in the province, after the Provincial Legislature and six provincial departments obtained clean audits for 2022/23. ANC KZN chairperson Siboniso Duma stressed that the ANC in the province was the "only vehicle that can totally liberate South Africans" if its policies were implemented. He warned journalists to tread carefully and not be absorbed by political infighting. "If you write incorrectly, many people, even your extended families, will be affected," he warned. He said the eThekwini municipality was working swiftly to address water issues in the province, while 58 000 youth were being trained as school assistants to address unemployment. He said there were more developments in the pipeline and asked the media to assist in selling the province to the world. KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said the ANC leadership had had sleepless nights relating to service delivery. "We sit and take stock of how far we have gone. We exist to change the lives of our people, primarily the previously disadvantaged," she said. Mutual respect, she noted, was important between the leadership and the media. "We take journalism as a profession. Do not ask us questions like why are comrades not shaking hands? We believe that the media should be partners of all political parties. We respect you, but be respectful professionals," said Simelane. She promised a follow-up on departments that take an extended amount of time to respond to media questions. On the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital that was recently built in KwaMashu, Simelane said 1 400 posts were filled following proper procedures. She said the hospital catered for all people in the province, and dismissed protests against hiring staff from outside of KwaMashu. Simelane said people from KwaMashu should not complain as "some of their people also work in far-flung areas in the province". She said she was aware that those who were complaining wanted tenders, which the health department did not have.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has denied that there is crisis within the party, and assured that the IFP is "solid, strong, and united". Hlabisa was speaking on Tuesday during a press conference where he allayed any fears of tension in the party, following reports that some members had planned a motion of confidence against him. Last month, IFP secretary-general Siphosethu Ngcobo received a request from 20 petitioners for a special urgent sitting of the IFP National Council. The IFP's National Executive Committee (NEC) considered the matter and resolved not to accede to the request. Hlabisa said the National Council members were called to appear before the NEC, on Monday, to engage colleagues on their petition. Furthermore, two signatories withdrew their signatures, thus the petition no longer held constitutional muster in terms of the IFP constitution, which prescribes a minimum of 20 signatures. "We had a fruitful and constructive engagement with the colleagues, who went as far as offering an apology to the Party for the confusion and public anxiety the petition has caused. Whilst the IFP constitution provides for petitions, it must be understood that this is an exceptional measure. The colleagues have categorically distanced themselves from the speculation that suggested that through their petition they would table a motion-of-no-confidence in the IFP president," said Hlabisa. He reiterated that the IFP will not be distracted by the "desperate mischief" of its detractors who seek to sow divisions in the party through speculation or rumour mongering. The IFP leader said the National Council members indicated that they wanted the party to finalise the issue of party regalia and branding relating to the use of the face of the IFP founder and president emeritus, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. There have been reports that the party is divided on whether the party should use Hlabisa or Buthelezi's face as preparations for the 2024 elections gain traction in the country. Hlabisa has said contrary to speculation, the IFP has emerged out of Monday's NEC meeting stronger in its unity and has full confidence in the leadership collective of the NEC and National Council. "We are a united leadership at work. Any speculation to the contrary is wishful thinking by our opponents. The country is in trouble on every front: from poverty, to crime, to corruption, to unemployment, to lack of service delivery. Therefore, the IFP, as an alternative to those in power, is firmly focused on securing a decisive election victory in 2024," added Hlabisa.
Policing the ongoing taxi strike in Cape Town has resulted in law enforcement resources being pulled away from "other policing functions", which has led to opportunistic crimes such as looting. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said on Tuesday that the strike had crippled the transport industry and left two people dead, scores injured and many public and private vehicles torched. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said that "isolated incidents of looting and damage to structures" had been reported and were under investigation. "We can confirm that police members have arrested and detained suspects in various policing precincts on charges of public violence. Integrated forces will remain deployed to ensure that the safety and security for the inhabitants of the entire province is maintained," he said. Cape Town Safety and Security MMC JP Smith said on Monday night that there had been "sporadic attempts at looting" at small retail centres and convenience stores, and "numerous offenders were arrested". According to estimates by Smith, about 100 people were arrested on Monday. On Tuesday, Winde chaired an extended meeting of the Western Cape cabinet where the provincial government heard updates from police and mayors on the strike. He said municipal services had been disrupted since Thursday last week, with healthcare and education disproportionately affected in the Cape Town metro. "It angers and saddens me to see how law-abiding residents are being prevented from going about their everyday lives by this deadly thuggery. "In our meeting this morning, I again made it clear that those who break the law and place our residents at risk must face the consequences," said Winde. He called on law enforcement agencies to arrest those blocking roads and shops. Winde said, "Our main objective is to protect law-abiding residents, businesses and communities; to reopen the economy; and to restore calm and order." "It is encouraging to see that the leadership of the SA National Taxi Council in the Western Cape is calling for calm." "I appeal to the council to take every opportunity to ensure that its affiliates respect and abide by the court interdicts granted by the Western Cape High Court to prevent further unrest." Winde also called for negotiations to continue to end the strike, with further talks to resolve long-standing issues.
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has announced that he intends to put Unisa under administration after a report revealed "financial and other maladministration" at the institution. Nzimande wrote to Unisa council chairperson James Maboa on Friday to inform the council of his intention to appoint an administrator. "Minister Nzimande intends to exercise his powers in terms of Section 49B of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, which empowers him to appoint an administrator. In terms of Section 49E of the Higher Education Act, the council of Unisa will be dissolved upon the appointment of an administrator," Nzimande's spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, said. He said the decision followed reports from independent assessor, Professor Themba Mosia, and a ministerial task team, chaired by businessman and academic, Vincent Maphai. "Minister Nzimande is satisfied that the independent assessor's report reveals financial and other maladministration of a serious nature which affects the effective functioning of Unisa. The report reveals that the appointment of an administrator is in the best interest of Unisa and of higher education in an open and democratic society," said Mnisi. The Ministerial Task Team conducted an independent review of Unisa's "mission drift". It made a "rigorous assessment of how the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its associative disruptions and shifts" would affect the university's operating model. Nzimande has allowed the Unisa council to make written representations to him within seven days of receipt of his letter. A little more than a week ago, News24 reported that Professor Steward Mothata had been fired as registrar following a scathing 309-page report into various allegations, including poor leadership and governance. Mothata's dismissal came after Unisa principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, put him on precautionary suspension for, among others, failing to advise her, the council and its committees about governance matters and possible related risks. The registrar was accused of breaching confidentiality policies and of gross abuse of office, gross dishonesty, and gross insubordination. In his report, Mosia recommended that Unisa be put under administration, and that the council and management members be relieved of their duties. The report details his findings on various issues, including the state of governance at the institution, the performance of management and the council, financial management, upgrades to the vice-chancellor's home, claims of intimidation and bullying, and the leaking of confidential reports. Mosia found the registrar's portfolio needed to be fixed due to poor consequence management, outdated policies and a failure to protect student data, among other concerns.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that it is only through greater sponsorship and support that women's sport will be able to grow and attract larger audiences. Ramaposa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that increased participation of women and girls in sport supports women's empowerment and advances gender equality. South Africa recently held the Netball World Cup, where South Africa finished sixth. The FIFA Women's World Cup, meanwhile, South Africa bow out in the Round of 16 on Sunday, after a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands. On Wednesday, the country will celebrate National Women's Day to mark the anniversary of the great women's march of 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the carrying of pass books. Ramaphosa explained that male-dominated team sports, such as football, cricket and rugby, still receive the lion's share of funding and sponsorship, and have established professional leagues, whereas women's football, cricket and rugby do not. He said this contributes to the huge disparity between the remuneration of female athletes and their male counterparts. "Equal pay for work of equal value is one of the most fundamental tenets of gender equality. The sporting fraternity is neither exceptional nor is it exempt. That female athletes should still earn less than their male counterparts is an affront to our nation's sportswomen, more so at a time when the achievements of some of our women's sports teams surpass those of our men's teams," he added. Ramaphosa noted that sponsors and sporting bodies should direct greater resources to women's sports. "It is only through greater sponsorship and support that women's sport will be able to grow and attract larger audiences. As they attract a greater following, women's sports events will provide greater value to sponsors," he said. Ramaphosa explained that participation in sport provides numerous benefits and positive effects. "Engaging in sports helps maintain a healthy lifestyle, improving overall physical fitness, building strength, perseverance, endurance and flexibility. Regular physical activity through sports can also reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Sports can also impart critical life skills like discipline. These skills also include leadership, time management, goal setting and problem-solving," he said. He added that competing in sports fosters a sense of empowerment among women, helping them build confidence in their abilities and breaking gender stereotypes. He noted that, through sports, women can challenge societal norms, experiencing personal growth and achievement. "All of these can enable women and girls to be more assertive and confident in society, and can support the fight against discrimination and gender-based violence," he said. SPORTS WOMEN'S SUCCESSES Ramaphosa said the country's female athletes have reached new heights across a number of sporting codes, and have hosted several women's international sports tournaments. "As a nation we are exhilarated by the successes of our sportswomen on the field, track and pitch. Our women's national football team, Banyana Banyana, the reigning Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions, has delivered some stunning performances in the FIFA Women's World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand. Our women's netball team, the Proteas, put in a strong showing at the Netball World Cup that ended in Cape Town yesterday," he added. In February, South Africa hosted the first International Cricket Council Women's T20 Cricket World Cup to take place on African soil. The country's national team made history as the first South African team to reach the final. Ramaphosa explained that the success of the major women's sports tournaments that have been hosted in South Africa will no doubt bolster the county's bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027. "Our nation's sportswomen have proven themselves, time and again. It is up to us, as a society, to provide the necessary enviro...
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says the provincial government is pursuing legal action and an interdict against striking taxi operators, along with the City of Cape Town. The taxi operators have been protesting since Thursday, with widespread torching of buses and City resources. On Monday, Winde chaired a special cabinet meeting to discuss the ongoing taxi strike and report back on the various engagements and interventions since the beginning of the strike. He said that despite the "urgent negotiations" since Thursday, there was still no resolution. "I am angry that as a result of the strike, residents have been unable to get home to their families or to work, school, shops, clinics and other critical sites. Many government services, including health and social development, are having to close facilities and are unable to provide desperately needed services to our communities," he said. "Our schooling system is also being affected. This is not acceptable." On Sunday, Golden Arrow Bus Services was granted an interdict by the Western Cape High Court against the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and its affiliates. Winde said the provincial government would also be "pursuing legal action". Winde welcomed the Santaco in the Western Cape's condemnation of the violence, but said he remained "deeply concerned". "The ongoing violence is making it very difficult for negotiations to proceed. We are a government that stands for the rule of law. A withdrawal of services is an important constitutional right, but violence, intimidation and destruction of property are not," he said. "This is non-negotiable. We want to bring all stakeholders back to the negotiations, but this has to be in an environment of calm. We must also not allow this issue to be politicised as this will only further complicate matters." Winde added that his cabinet would continue to meet daily.
Former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution against News24 specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan and senior State advocate Billy Downer has been postponed. Zuma still has two appeals outstanding - one for his private prosecution loss and another for an enforcement order to prevent private prosecution actions. Three judges set aside his private prosecution, calling it an abuse of power. Zuma took the ruling on appeal. The private prosecution could fall away if the appeal fails. On Thursday, the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg ruled in favour of Downer and Maughan in their enforcement application, halting actions relating to Zuma's private prosecution. Zuma, who is back from Russia where he sought medical treatment, was present in court. Zuma filed a leave to appeal application immediately after the enforcement order ruling. Through his lawyers, Zuma called for the dismissal of the enforcement order, arguing that the urgency of the enforcement application was contrived and amounted to an abuse of court process. He said no exceptional circumstances for the order had been established on a balance of probabilities and added that the underlying decision for the order was "inherently deficient and riddled with irregularities". The private prosecution matter is scheduled to return to court on 1 November. Outside court, News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson said he didn't expect to see Maughan back in the dock. "This is a huge win for media freedom. The only aim of this private prosecution is to intimidate Karyn Maughan and Billy Downer. This court has been unequivocal in the ruling of the private prosecution, and that is why an enforcement order was granted yesterday. "We believe the enforcement order case will go to the Supreme Court of Appeal, but we don't think there is any prospect of success. We believe Karyn will not have to be back in the dock after today," he said. Speaking on behalf of the Jacob Zuma Foundation, Mzwanele Manyi said he believed Maughan and Downer would appear on 1 November. "This is not about media freedom," he said.
African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general (SG) Fikile Mbalula argued, on Friday, that legislative framework should be put in place to regulate coalition governments to safeguard democracy, sustainable development and service delivery. Mbalula spoke at the two-day gathering of the National Dialogue on Coalition Governments held in Cape Town where he said the squabbles in current coalition governments impact on service delivery in municipalities. About 80 municipalities and metros in the country are in a coalition arrangement. "Having observed the disturbing developments in hung municipalities and metros, affected communities and citizens will have good reason to believe that collectively as political parties, we are only interested in power politics instead of addressing their needs. This dialogue should, through a sufficient degree of consensus, prove that we are truly and generally committed to stable functional developmental and accountable government. We must, therefore, strive to come out of this dialogue with a framework that will lay a basis for new legislation," said Mbalula. Among the measures proposed by the ANC for a framework he said coalitions must be based on a common minimum programme, or a "citizens charter", that focuses on measurable targets for service delivery and development in the communities. Secondly, coalition partners must commit to shared values, stability, accountability, ethics and integrity, Mbalula said. The ANC also wants the party with the largest votes to lead said coalition and fill executive positions proportionally. The ANC is also seeking a threshold relating to what amount of electoral support qualifies a party or candidate to be part of councils and coalition governments. The ANC hopes that framework will restore confidence to frustrated communities that have at times resorted to service delivery protests. He reminded other political parties that the ANC is not in attendance to discuss the upcoming elections in 2024. The ANC SG said the ANC is concerned about the coalition chaos in municipalities and added that the framework should help to resolve it. Mbalula added that his party is confident that 2024 will result in none of the parties having obtained an outright majority to govern. He acknowledged that the coalitions in their current "free floating institutional set-up" are not working for the people and are not held together by any transparent safeguards. "The health of our democracy should be measured by the well-being of citizens as well as stability and ability of democratic institutions to serve the people even when there are changes after every five year electoral cycle," he said.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile said on Friday that government is fortunate that this could be the generation in the country's evolving democracy that co-creates and designs resilient solutions to the country's political architecture. Mashatile was delivering the keynote address at the two-day National Dialogue on Coalition Governments, held in Cape Town, where he pointed out that despite a promising future, the "frequent collapse" of coalitions at a local government level is deliberate, and is sometimes even unrelated to the pursuit of the public good. The aim of the dialogue is to lay the foundation for a National Framework on Coalition Governments, which will serve as a guide for effectively managing and navigating coalition governments where they become necessary. In attendance were political parties, Ministers, Premiers and civil society organisations. Former President Kgalema Motlanthe, former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and retired South African politician Mac Maharaj were also among those attending the dialogue. Mashatile said coalitions must consolidate national efforts to create a truly substantive democracy that was based on the will of the people. This as South Africa deals with increasingly unstable coalition governments. He saluted the work done by a number of institutions to improve and stabilise coalition governments at the local level. Mashatile said government had contributed to a commitment to a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous society and a coalition leadership based on the actual votes received by each party in an election. He added that it had also committed to Batho Pele principles, working towards poverty eradication through a growing and inclusive economy, good governance and zero tolerance for corruption. Mashatile explained that people were free to make proposals, saying government intended to synthesise proposals from as many South Africans as possible and present these in the coming months as a framework for consideration, which may or may not end up in legislation. "This is the first time ever that the leadership of as many sectors of our country have met to deliberate on a critical issue that has caught the imagination of the nation and will undoubtedly resonate beyond our borders," he said. Mashatile acknowledged that in reality, the political parties' deliberations over the next two days were several years late, as the country's democracy had been continuously evolving, though with little collective reflection among broad sections of the country's leadership. He said had government paused earlier to reflect on how best to promote and maintain consensus within the country's evolving democracy, some of the recent unstable coalitions that had played out dramatically in some metropolitan municipalities, could have been avoided. SOCIOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS Mashatile said while government must be ready and willing to learn from the coalition experiences of other countries, it must also bear in mind South Africa's unique sociological and political characteristics. He noted that challenges were also exacerbated by an economy that had not grown sufficiently over the years to absorb greater numbers of job seekers. He said the sociological characteristics of the country's society and the stagnant economy manifested in a stampede towards the political sphere, especially by the youth, who increasingly demanded greater representation in politics than in the professional space leading to a rise in variants of right-wing and left-wing populism. He explained that the country's sociological reality impacted the state of political parties and the country. "I am suggesting that our social structure and its economy are central to all our endeavours. With or without coalitions in any sphere of government, but most especially because of coalitions, South Africa requires a growing economy, which creates opportunities for people beyond the political sphere. As an enduring divide...
Political parties exploring a multi-party agreement announced on Thursday that Professor William Gumede will be the Independent Chairperson of the Multi-Party National Convention. The parties involved are the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), ActionSA, the United Independent Movement (UIM) and Spectrum National Party. Opposition party leaders will hold a National Convention on August 16 and 17 in Johannesburg to discuss a possible pact in the run-up to the 2024 elections. As an independent chairperson of the process, Gumede is not affiliated to any of the participating parties. He is an Associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Governance and founder of the Democracy Works Foundation. He also teaches a programme for MPs of the Commonwealth on how to manage country Parliaments, ensure effective oversight of the executive and government entities, and how to conduct themselves ethically as MPs. He also runs a course on public policy and economics, including how to put together the National Budget for MPs from all political parties in South Africa. He mediated in several country civil and communal conflicts, including the eSwatini conflict between the king and his allies and opposition parties ahead of the 2013 national elections. Gumede has advised several African governments on alternative approaches to hold violent belligerents accountable following civil wars, including the civil war between Christians and Muslims in the Central African Republic and the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was the facilitator in the healing and reparation process between the mine, victims and communities, following the Marikana Massacre in South Africa. The parties noted in a joint statement that there was a need for the talks to benefit from the wisdom and experience that was available in South Africa and, which they sid, was too often ignored by political leaders. "In considering Professor Gumede's significant contributions to South Africa and various democracies around the world, it is evident that there is no South African who is better placed to guide our multi-party process," the political parties explained. For the Pact conversation, Gumede will manage the process together with former Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration CEO Nerine Kahn, Germany's Trier Institute for Democracy and Party Research director Professor Uwe Jun and experienced journalism and communications specialist Zamayirha Peter, who will be a communications adviser for the convening team. The parties said Gumede had already begun chairing weekly meetings to establish a multi-party agreement for the event. "These meetings enable parties to engage around the agenda for the Convention and to build greater consensus ahead of the Convention. Already these engagements are benefitting from the experience and wisdom that Professor Gumede and his team have brought to the table," the parties said. They expressed their commitment to presenting South Africans with a compelling alternative vision and direction for the country, adding that the basis for this agreement would be an agenda to address the greatest challenges facing the country. This agreement must lay the foundation for a new multi-party government in 2024 that can start the work of moving the country forward again, they said.
As part of its commitment to accountability and transparency, non-governmental organisation My Vote Counts on Thursday launched an online party funding tracking tool, Whose Vote Counts, which aims to provide voters with information on private political donors and their business interests. Speaking during the launch, My Vote Counts director Minhaj Jeenah explained that the tool covered donations made in-kind, as well as monetary donations worth over R100 000 over the last two financial years. He added that the data included the identity of donors, their businesses and through which channels they funded parties. This did not include gala dinners and dinner tickets. In April 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Political Party Funding Act, which regulates public and private funding of political parties. The Act establishes funds to provide political parties represented in Parliament and legislatures with funding to undertake their work, and it also requires that donations be disclosed by parties and donors to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Since 2021, 22% (or over R61-million) of all disclosed private funding donations has been from the mining industry followed by the energy industry at 19.4% (R54-million), and 16% from online gambling businessman Martin Moshal, who spent just over R44-million. The Whose Vote Counts tool was developed by civic technology organisation Open Up to assist media houses in their reporting when tracking and assessing the relationships between donors and parties. "Working with an investigative journalist, we gathered as much information as we could and put together a report. Open Up then did the incredible work of putting this information into the easily understandable format that is," Jeenah said. He revealed that last year, activist organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi approached My Vote Counts wanting to know if any funder linked to a property development in Cape Town was also linked to the Democratic Alliance (DA). Public health and law initiative Health Justice Initiative also wanted to know if the organisation knew of pharmaceutical or health insurance companies that were linked to the African National Congress (ANC). "Other organisations approached us. prompting us to develop something that helps civil society, the public and journalists better understand the relationship between parties, donors and donors' business interests," Jeenah explained. He said with the Whose Vote Counts tool users could see not only the sources of funding to political parties and their numerous interests, but also understand in more detail how trusts were set up to fund political parties. It did this through graphs and other visuals, he added. "While not all private funding can be assumed to be for dubious reasons, it is important to zoom in. For example, is there a link between Martin Moshal's wallet, the DA, and the online gambling Bill? What about Shell, the West Coast, and the ANC? United Manganese?," he questioned. Jeenah noted that there were also donors who were not necessarily "household names" who seem to have an interest in funding political parties, such as the Mashaba family, and investment company CEO Khandani Msibi. "We will look into working with partners such as Corruption Watch SA to gather this information. Transparency is only part of this work, we will strengthen the accountability aspect of this tool as we want the people to have an equal say in decisions that are made by them," said Jeenah. He added that the IEC had also mentioned in the past that they would set up a team of investigators and work with fiscal institutions to maximise party funding transparency and ensure that disclosures from parties were truthful. The journey to maximum party funding transparency was not done yet, he said. In May, the organisation approached the Western Cape High Court to get the Political Party Funding Act amended to allow for the disclosure of all private donations made to political parties,...
The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg has ruled in favour of senior State advocate Billy Downer and News24 specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan in their enforcement application, halting actions relating to former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution. It effectively means that the court has ruled in favour of the enforcement order, preventing Zuma from further pursuing private prosecution against Maughan and Downer while he appeals the ruling that invalidated his private prosecution. Maughan and Downer are scheduled to appear for their private prosecution summons on Friday. Zuma's lawyer Dali Mpofu has previously indicated that he would exercise his right to automatically appeal the enforcement order, if it was granted. Maughan's lawyer previously said that, if the private prosecution summons was actioned, it would leave the courts previous ruling to set it aside as "empty and vacuous". Zuma was outside the country, allegedly for medical treatment in Russia, but his foundation has since stated that he has returned to South Africa. Facts in judgment and Stalingrad strategy Addressing the issue of Zuma's Stalingrad strategy, the judges said the former president had never disavowed this defence, "despite being afforded several opportunities to do so". They said that Zuma's private prosecution had served as a precursor to an application for the recusal of Downer as prosecutor in the main trial. "This, in our view, clearly evidences the Stalingrad strategy. We also note that [Maughan and Downer] are not challenging the constitutionality of the private prosecution, but are merely exercising their common law rights not to be subjected to an unlawful prosecution which is an abuse of power." The judges also stated that Zuma did not address the assertions of irreparable harm from Downer, but instead raised "irrelevant considerations that Downer is biased and unable to conduct a fair trial". They noted that Maughan had raised issues of the infringement on her rights to freedom of movement, her personal liberty, and suffering social media abuse due to the private prosecution. "This abuse has not been denied by [Zuma]," the judges said. The judges added that there was no harm to Zuma in granting the enforcement order, saying that if he won his appeal against the private prosecution being set aside, he could just reinstitute charges.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak out against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and the "party's radical and dangerous vitriol". This after Malema sang 'Kill the Boer' during the EFF's tenth-anniversary celebrations over the weekend, in Johannesburg. In an open letter addressed to the President, Steenhusien urged Ramaphosa to advance the rights of all South Africans and ensure the well-being of the Republic. "I urge you to be as courageous as those who came before you to speak out against the very same injustice and racial division which scars our country's broken past. For if you are the first citizen of the nation, then you must set the example against hateful prejudice and violence, especially when used as a dangerous political tool in our free and fair democracy," said Steenhuisen. He emphasised that this was not the first time that Malema has incited anarchy and citizen-on-citizen violence. "It is not the first time that he has called for a civil war and wanton bloodshed for political gain, and it will certainly not be the last. But given the tightrope that South Africa now walks between a nation in pursuit of peace and unity, and a people divided by hatred and intolerance, this must be the last time that you remain silent on Julius Malema and his vitriolic and fascist hatred for his fellow citizen," Steenhuisen added. South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk also joined the fray and, in a post on X, he accused Malema of encouraging the genocide of white people. He also urged Ramaphosa to speak out. Steenhuisen said the world was watching as Malema undid the South African dream with absolute impunity. He said South Africans now cowered away from each other, fearful of their fellow man. "All because you refuse to call out and condemn those who dare to spit in the face of Nelson Mandela and the sacrifices he and many others made for the South Africa we all so desperately want to call our own," he said. Steenhuisen highlighted that the longer Malema used racial nationalism and Chavez-style rhetoric to pull South Africa apart, the more disgusted and dissuaded investors will become with South Africa and its economy. He added that Ramaphosa's continued silence on Malema as chief antagonist to the South African dream was deafening. "In the nearly five years since you took up office in 2019, your refusal to condemn Julius Malema's repeated hateful utterances has shown our country what kind of man you are, and indeed what kind of President you are: one who seemingly condones racial division and hatred, and whose oath of office means little to nothing when the blood of innocent citizens is shed at the command of one man and his red cult," he said. He said Ramaphosa's failure to condemn Malema was an indictment on his responsibility and capacity to uphold the very foundations of the South African Constitution which he helped forge, and to which he had pledged unwavering allegiance.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed off on a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into alleged misconduct in the KwaZulu-Natal premier's office. In the investigation, which was gazetted on Friday, the unit will look into the appointment of a consultant that supported six provincial priority programmes, including the Luwamba Wellness Centre and Operation Sukuma Sakhe projects. Although the unit has been mandated to look into transgressions committed from April 2007 to date, the gazette states that investigators may also probe offences committed before then. Former African National Congress bigwig S'bu Ndebele served as the premier from 2004 to 2009. He was succeeded by Zweli Mkhize from 2009 to 2013, after which Senzo Mchunu, Willies Mchunu, Sihle Zikalala and the incumbent, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, served single terms. According to the gazette, the probe will zoom in on all irregular, improper or unlawful conduct by "contractors, employees or officials of the office of the premier in KwaZulu-Natal, or the suppliers, service providers or any other person or entity, relating to the allegations". "The investigation will also look to see if there was any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the Office of the Premier in Kwa-Zulu Natal, or losses suffered by the provincial office or the state," said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago. In addition, investigators will consider "failures" and make systematic recommendations to prevent future losses. "The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a special tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration," Kganyago said. "In line with the Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action."
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on Wednesday declared the party's tenth-anniversary celebration a success and said the EFF is preparing for the 2024 elections. Last week, the EFF held a gala dinner and filled the FNB Stadium with almost 100 000 supporters as part of its tenth-anniversary celebrations. Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Malema said the success of the rally showed that there was no debate about the success of the party. "It was a show of intent and force that led to the most measurable political events at the FNB Stadium since the funeral of Chris Hani. The EFF is proud of the monumental feat it achieved at FNB Stadium and the success is not a claim made by the EFF on its own but confirmed by the stadium management itself. We can confirm, and this is a figure received from the management of the stadium, that there were 97 436 attendees at the tenth anniversary of the EFF. There were more than 6 000 at a tent overflow which in total accounts to more than 100 000 people who attended the rally of the EFF physically," said Malema. The EFF leader saluted all attendees and public representatives who brought their constituencies to what he called an historic occasion. Meanwhile, Malema warned of consequences for EFF public representatives who failed to execute their mandates ahead of the EFF's anniversary celebrations, including selling gala dinner tables and procuring transport. He said the EFF would not tolerate individuals who were unable to make meaningful contributions towards the party's activities. On the death of two attendees at the celebration, Malema said the party sent its deepest condolences to their families and their loved ones. The EFF leadership had already met with their families and preparations were underway to honour the two lives that were lost after celebrating what Malema called "a decade of unbroken struggle". The two people who lost their lives are Mapaseka Sebolawa from the North West and Moses Mazamulela from Gauteng. ELECTIONS Malema said the ballot box battle had begun as the party prepares for the 2024 national and provincial election through massive consultations with all sectors of society to deliver a people's manifesto. Malema said the upcoming elections would be the most important since the country's democratic transition in 1994. He said the EFF preferred a grand opposition coming together to replace the "kleptocratic" ANC government. He encouraged South Africans to vote for the EFF, which he said would usher in economic freedom. Meanwhile, the EFF is also working on a documentary to show the evolution of the organisation over the last decade, as well as provide in-depth insight into the life and times of the party.
The office of national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola says a senior police officer will investigate Major-General Feroz Khan's attendance at the Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF's) gala dinner last week. Khan is the second-in-command of the police's pivotal Crime Intelligence division. He attended the EFF's lavish dinner at Emperor's Palace, east of the Johannesburg CBD, on Thursday evening. The event was one of the political party's gatherings to mark its 10th anniversary. Last week, News24 revealed that Khan's ticket to the event was purchased by Mohammed Sayed, who is said to be Khan's friend. Khan had earlier told News24 he was attending the event for work. EFF head of international relations Godrich Gardee, responding to a News24 article about Khan, tweeted that the publication had "blown" Khan's cover. He wrote: "He is gathering intelligence in funerals and weddings and wherever many people gather. He is doing his job undercover. You are exposing the work of State security. You blew his cover and guilty of transgressing the intelligence act... shame on you." Sayed is business partners with Adriano Mazzotti, who is also close to Malema and has donated money to the EFF in the past. Malema and his family have in the past lived in properties owned by Mazzotti. On Tuesday, Masemola's office confirmed a "senior police officer has been appointed to investigate this matter". Talk Radio 702 host Clement Manyathela quoted Masemola as saying Khan had told the police's top brass that he was on official duty at the gala dinner. The police chief added that they later heard that Khan's ticket had been paid for by someone else. Policies governing police and their activities prohibit officers from publicly supporting or associating with political parties or movements. However, the policies do not bar police employees from attending meetings of political parties, provided they don't wear their uniform while doing so.
Solidarity Research Institute economic researcher Theuns du Buisson said on Tuesday that his union is in discussions with US diplomats to ensure that South Africa is not kicked out of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) which would lead to job losses. This comes after reports that South Africa allegedly provided weapons to Russia. The US is one of the countries that has been assisting Ukraine to fight back against Russia. Du Buisson says Agoa, which is expected to be renewed in September, offers extremely favourable trade terms to African countries, including South Africa, and argues that the government's "nonchalant attitude" about the Agoa agreement could have a devastating impact on many jobs and industries. Solidarity has compiled a report, which found that, among other things, South Africa's exports to the US amounted to R178-billion in 2022, of which 20% benefited from the Agoa agreement. Du Buisson avers that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) despises South Africa's relationship with the US which is the country's second-largest trading partner. "Exports to the USA put food on the table for one in 37 South African families. Agoa currently provides 85 000 jobs, many of which are in extremely vulnerable sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. Too many people depend on the income they generate from this deal for it to be ignored. The US must know that the ANC government does not always embody the will of the people or act in their best interest. The report was very well received in Washington," said du Buisson. Solidarity-AGOA Report Attached.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is the owner and CEO of X, formerly known as Twitter, has accused Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema of prompting the genocide of white people in South Africa. In a brief but heated back-and-forth on the social media platform on Monday evening, Musk condemned Malema for chanting the struggle song Kill the boer during the party's 10th-anniversary rally at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg In a post on X, Musk bashed Malema for "openly pushing for the genocide of white people in South Africa". He also questioned President Cyril Ramaphosa's silence on the matter. Malema told the platform owner: "O bolela masepa (You are talking shit)." Addressing the outrage against the EFF and Malema, the party shared a statement published in August 2022 following a High Court ruling that dismissed a case by civil rights organisation AfriForum, which argued that Malema was guilty of inciting violence and hate speech by singing the controversial song. In 2020, AfriForum lodged a complaint against Malema at the Equality Court to have the song declared hate speech and unfair discrimination. After the ruling, the EFF statement read: "In a landmark judgment, the court ruled today that AfriForum failed to show that the song's lyrics contravene the Equality Act or demonstrate a clear intention to harm or incitement. Furthermore, the court ruled that the song must be protected under the rubric of free speech, and debate around the song must be left to political contestation within society." "The court ruled that declaring the song hate speech would curtail freedom of expression. Therefore, the court dismissed that the song constitutes hate speech and ordered that AfriForum must pay the legal costs." AfriForum has since appealed the ruling and its case will be heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal in September. But others have come to Malema's defence, with various X users lambasting Musk for condemning the singing of a struggle song. EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo shared a video of the late political activist Peter Mokaba, who also chanted the song and explained its significance. The video places Malema and Mokaba side by side singing Kill the boer, with another clip of Mokaba explaining the song's meaning, specifically the word "boer". "The question of 'boer' has changed in content on the basis of the reality of the situation and our policy. It has always meant the enemy as a system of white supremacy and has never meant any individual on the basis of colour. "Even as we chanted these slogans during the armed struggle, they never drove us to the houses of the whites or the farmers as farmers, as individuals, to kill them. Now, what has changed?" said Mokaba. EFF head of international relations Godrich Gardee also joined the conversation, accusing Musk of attempting to twist history. He wrote: "You know that it is a heritage liberation struggle song as old as the fight against white supremacy and the racist apartheid government of whites pre-1994. You are a revisionist who twists history to feed into the frenzy of perpetuating white economic domination of Africans!" On Monday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it would report Malema and the African National Congress to the UN Human Rights Council. DA leader John Steenhuisen said that the party would be opening charges against Malema for inciting violence and civil war. Meanwhile, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald opened a criminal case against Malema on Monday.
The African National Congress (ANC) Veterans' League noted that the party cannot invest its energy in coalition politics, as coalitions don't work for the people. The Veterans' League held its third National Conference in Ekurhuleni, where the new leadership was instated and resolutions for the next five years were passed. Snuki Zikalala was re-elected as president, Mavuso Msimang was elected deputy president, Ilva MacKay-Langa was elected secretary general, Connie September was elected deputy secretary General and Fazel Randera was elected treasurer general. In media briefing on Monday, the ANC Veterans' League explained that the Conference called for the party to immediately review its participation in coalition arrangements, saying coalitions are costly for the ANC and are not consistent with the Framework adopted by the party's National Executive Committee (NEC). The Veterans' League added that the Conference reasserted the need for an outright victory for the ANC in the 2024 elections. Also discussed were the problems of instability and dysfunctionality in hung councils and local government coalitions, which seriously impact service delivery. "The Conference welcomed the Framework approved by the ANC NEC and the nine principles contained within it. They, thus, expressed their disappointment that some of the coalitions in which the ANC is involved are not informed by the Framework adopted by the NEC of the ANC and this is discrediting the movement in the eyes of ordinary people," the League stated. It pointed out that ANC veterans from all walks of life, and from all parts of the country committed themselves to work tirelessly to build ANC structures and help with problems facing their respective communities and the country. "Time and again delegates called on the ANC to be a disciplined and coherent organisation which is free from corruption, factionalism and political violence. [Veterans] committed themselves to be a resource for the organisation, especially in terms of cadre development and political education," the League said. It said several concrete and implementable proposals were made to renew the ANC. These include tightening membership criteria and strengthening the disciplinary structures and Integrity Commission.
Renewable energy company G7 has failed to interdict Eskom from applying its new grid access rules. Had the interdict been granted, the progress of new energy projects, both those planned by the private sector and those commissioned to supply Eskom, would have stalled. Judge Basheer Vally dismissed the application for an interdict, with costs, on Monday. Part B of the case - on the substantive issue of Eskom's authority to change grid rules - is still to be argued. SA urgently needs to bring new generation capacity onto the grid to fill the supply and demand gap. Privately initiated projects are the fastest way of adding more megawatts to the system, but these, too, need to connect to the Eskom transmission grid. Eskom changed the rules on 27 June due to concerns that some developers were "hogging" the grid, and although they had been given access, they were not ready to proceed with their projects. The grid has become increasingly constrained, especially in areas optimal for renewable energy. G7 argued that the change from a first come, first served basis to a first ready first served arrangement placed the two wind farms it has in development in jeopardy. It said Eskom did not have the authority to change the grid access rules, which is the sole responsibility of the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa). While G7 failed to persuade the court to grant an urgent interdict, it will now argue the substantive part of its case to set aside the new grid rules. The ruling will come as a relief to Eskom and the National Energy Crisis Committee, which is seeking to fast-track new projects to reduce the intensity of loadshedding.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen in his capacity as a Member of Parliament (MP), announced on Monday that his party will be filing a complaint with Parliament's ethics committee against his fellow MP, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema. Over the weekend, during the EFF's tenth birthday celebrations at the FNB Stadium in Soweto, Malema was heard chanting "Kill the Boer, kill the Farmer". Speaking during a live address to the nation, Steenhuisen said a political leader who incited mass murder and an MP who called for the killing of an entire section of society, was not normal. He also added that "cowardly politicians" who turned a blind eye to the incitement of civil war, were not normal. "We are further obtaining legal advice on approaching the Public Protector and the courts. But it is also important that we are honest about one thing. For more than a decade, the South African State has utterly failed to use appropriate internal remedies to stop Malema," Steenhuisen stated. He said instead of dealing with Malema, senior law enforcement officials drank expensive champagne with him at a fundraiser. Steenhuisen is looking for support from the global community and political and civil society leaders to publicly denounce Malema and he wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly condemn Malema. "To the media, I ask that you put pressure on Ramaphosa to come out of hiding for once. If Ramaphosa fails to denounce Malema, it can only mean that he is too cowardly to honour the oath he took to uphold the Constitution and defend all the people of South Africa," he said. YEARS-LONG FAILURES Steenhuisen also announced that the DA was filing charges against Malema and the African National Congress (ANC) government at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. "The first element of our UN case will focus on Malema's repeated incitement of ethnic violence. The second element will charge the ANC national government, before the UN, over its years-long failure to take action against their one time protégé even as brutal farm murders continue to escalate in the wake of Malema's demagoguery," the DA leader said. He explained that the charge would be laid in terms of Malema's violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. He added that Malema would also be charged in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. "Julius Malema told us exactly who he is. It is time that we believe him. For far too long, people in government, the media, civil society and constitutional institutions refused to acknowledge Malema for the bloodthirsty tyrant and demagogue he really is. These people helped to normalise Malema's hatred and racism," he noted. The DA recently forced the South African government to live up to its international responsibility to comply with warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. "We will now do the same to force it to act against Malema," said Steenhuisen.
Judgment was reserved in an enforcement appeal related to former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of News24 specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan and senior State advocate Billy Downer. Maughan and Downer filed an enforcement appeal to prevent any action resulting from Zuma's private prosecution while he appeals the matter. Three judges - Gregory Kruger, Jacqui Henrique and Mokgere Masipa - deemed Zuma's private prosecution against Maughan and Downer was an abuse of power. Downer is the prosecutor in Zuma's arms deal corruption trial. The judges agreed that Zuma's private prosecution of Maughan had all the elements of a Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) suit, which is a legal strategy often employed by big corporations or individuals that bring defamation actions for huge amounts against individuals who criticise them. Zuma has, however, appealed the matter. The former head of state has resorted to Stalingrad tactics, using almost every opportunity to appeal processes of the court. Speaking on behalf of Downer, Geoff Budlender SC commenced proceedings before the same three judges, saying Zuma was obsessed with removing Downer from his arms deal prosecution case. He said Zuma chose to privately prosecute Downer in a bid to remove him from the years-long matter. He added that, if the enforcement order was not granted, interim issues related to the private prosecution would be problematic while an appeal process unfolded. "We will have endless problems with private prosecutions launched for alternate reasons." He said the order they sought was an interim order and would not impact or prejudice Zuma. Steven Budlender, for Maughan, said the relief they sought "would render the criminal proceedings annulled until this court's order is set aside on appeal". "We are not debating a permanent interdict, we are debating the section 18 (3) order which lasts while appeals are taking place. "His rights are fully protected if his appeal wins and there will be a trial and everything will be in order." Dali Mpofu SC, for Zuma, said the matter should be dealt with in a criminal court. He added that the judges should decide whether the appeal would have no prospect of success in the Supreme Court of Appeal. He said the upcoming private prosecution appearance on 4 August would still likely be postponed as Zuma's appeal was dealt with. Judgment was reserved.
Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders' woes are still not over. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is heading back to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in a bid to appeal a finding on the his decision to terminate the permits. The ZEP system was introduced in 2009 to regulate the status of Zimbabweans fleeing to SA for political or economic reasons. It allows permit holders to live, work and study in South Africa. In the initial court application, the Helen Suzman Foundation and Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa challenged Motsoaledi's decision to terminate the ZEPs. A full Bench of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled against the minister in June when it held that the termination of the permits was invalid, unlawful and unconstitutional. The court found that the minister did not follow a fair process, which should have included consultation with and an opportunity for ZEP holders to make representations. The ZEPs were supposed to expire in December 2021 but the deadline was extended to the end of June 2023, and then to December 2023. But, as the date approaches, Motsoaledi wants to appeal the High Court's decision and filed an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal. The application was filed on the basis that the court erred in concluding that his decision required compliance with Section 4 of Promotion of Administration of Justice Act, which deals with public procedures that an administrator must decide on, when dealing with issues that have a general impact, meaning that public participation was required. "The decision to not call public participation was justifiable. First, the decision affected a specific category of persons, not the public. Second, such a decision is not administrative action and is voluntary," Motsoaledi submitted in his papers. The minister said his decision not to call for public participation didn't show disdain for the value of public participation, as the court found. He added that the court failed to consider that representative groups, such as the Scalabrini Centre, African Amity, Freedoms Advocate and Zimbabwean Diaspora Association, were consulted after the decision was made. The papers read, "There is no factual and legal basis for the conclusion that. the minister failed to conduct any prior consultations before announcing the decision to terminate the ZEP programme, rendering the decision procedurally irrational, given the far-reaching implications of the decision." Motsoaledi also submitted that a special project to grant exemptions was financially unsustainable. He said the department had asked the National Treasury to make just over R145-million available to start a special project. But the Treasury only approved R15-million to deal with the exemption process for SADC nationals. "The court correctly agreed with the applicant's case that the minister is empowered to terminate the temporary exemption regime granted to the Zimbabwean nationals. It erred, however, in finding that the decision of the minister is reviewable under any of the grounds advanced by the applicants," the papers read.
African countries should, as sovereign states, be able to pursue independent foreign policy approaches which are not beholden to any of the major global powers or blocs. This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who delivered his opening remarks at the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg. Ramaphosa met Russian President Vladimir Putin a week after his publicised affidavit to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that his fear of war with Russia was the reason he did not want to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin, should he visit South Africa. The government claimed a diplomatic victory last week when it announced that Putin would not physically attend the Brics summit next month. Domestic and international laws would have forced the government to arrest him. "African countries should, as sovereign states, be able to pursue independent foreign policy approaches that are not beholden to any of the major global powers or blocs. This second Russia-Africa Summit is an opportunity to further enhance and strengthen international cooperation and partnership for Africa's development," Ramaphosa said. He welcomed cooperation between Russia and Africa to promote investment, facilitate the development of value chains, and boost capacity to produce and export manufactured products. "The proposed Russia-Africa Action Plan for the coming years should align with the second 10-Year Implementation Plan of the AU's Agenda 2063. This will ensure better coherence and more action-orientated interventions," he said. Ramaphosa's visit to Russia comes a month after the peace mission by heads of state from Comoros, Senegal, Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Egypt and Uganda. War talk aside, Ramaphosa was highly positive of Russia's role in Africa. "As South Africa, we remember with deep gratitude how the support of the people and the government of the then-Soviet Union sustained our struggle for liberation. Today our bilateral relationship remains strong," he said. "We continue to collaborate in the political, economic, social, defence and security spheres. We work closely across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, G20 and as members of Brics. "As South Africa, our participation in forums such as this one is guided by our quest to realise the African Union's Agenda 2063 vision of economic integration and inclusive socio-economic development." He added that geopolitical tensions were negatively affecting countries across Africa. "As part of Russia-Africa cooperation, we must repeat our call for existing global institutional mechanisms to be both strengthened and reformed. Greater participation of countries of the Global South will promote inclusiveness and engender trust. The reform of the multilateral financial institutions and the UN Security Council remains a priority." Ramaphosa said that, in an interconnected world, everyone wass affected by conflict and instability in other parts of the globe. On South Africa hosting of the upcoming Brics summit, Ramaphosa said it was an opportunity to promote enhanced global cooperation. "The Brics partners are significant investors in Africa. The upcoming summit will therefore give particular attention to infrastructure development, supported by the New Development Bank, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. As African countries, we are shaping own destinies, as nation states and as a continent."
The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) executive director Dr Gilad Isaacs is optimistic that legal proceedings on the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will highlight and secure solutions to the unfair and unlawful exclusion of millions of vulnerable, poor and hungry people from accessing, and benefitting from the grant. Last week the IEJ and organisation #PayTheGrants (#PTG), through their lawyers at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri), filed court papers challenging regulations that unlawfully and unconstitutionally exclude millions of people living in poverty from receiving the R350-a-month SRD grant. The SRD grant offered by the South African Social Security Agency aims to provide temporary assistance to individuals and families facing financial hardship. In a briefing on Thursday, the IEJ noted that fewer people have access to the grant today than at its peak in March 2022. Research estimates at least 16-million people should be eligible for the SRD grant, yet, in May 2023, while 14.4-million applied for the grant, only 8.4-million were approved, with 7.1-million people actually being paid. The organisation said this is a dramatic decline from 10.9-million people paid in March 2022. In addition, the real value of the grant has been eroded owing to inflation. "Together this constitutes a retrogression of the constitutional right to social assistance. As 93% of grant recipients spend their grant on food, it also negatively affects the right to food," Isaacs said. The papers filed in the North Gauteng High Court include 79 supporting affidavits from people directly impacted by these regulations. Isaacs explained that the respondents named in the case are the Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu and Sassa. He noted that the court papers outlined the over-broad definition of income used to measure whether an applicant falls below the means-test threshold and the unlawful questions in the online application form. The exclusionary online-only application process, flawed bank and database verification processes, and a narrow appeals process that excludes relevant new evidence, are also some of the reasons included in the court application. Isaacs added that an arbitrary exclusion of qualifying applicants when funds are depleted and a reduction in the grant's value over time, are some of the reasons eligible people are excluded from receiving the SRD grant. The organisations stressed that an irrational and retrogressive income threshold, and widespread and systemic non-payment of approved beneficiaries were others reasons for exclusions. "Government's failure to meet its constitutional obligations has forced our organisations to bring this court case. South Africa's crisis of hunger and deprivation is only growing. Social assistance is our most direct and effective tool for fighting hunger, and the Constitution demands that government progressively realise the right to social assistance and to food," Isaacs said. He said the applicants, alongside many civil society organisations, had repeatedly raised these impediments to access in good faith with government, in meetings and submissions over the last two years, in the hope that they would be resolved and rectified. He added that, unfortunately, the barriers remained while the situation deteriorated further.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday told African leaders he would gift them tens of thousands of tons of grain within months despite Western sanctions, which he said made it harder for Moscow to export its grain and fertilisers. Speaking at a summit in St Petersburg devoted to Russian-African ties, Putin said Russia was expecting a record grain harvest and was ready to replace Ukrainian grain exports to Africa on both a commercial and aid basis to honour what he said was Moscow's critical role in global food security. "We will be ready to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea with 25-50 000 tonnes of free grain each in the next 3-4 months," Putin told the summit, whose participants applauded. "We will also provide free delivery of these products to consumers." Last year, Russia exported a total of 60-million tonnes of grain, of which 48-million tonnes was wheat, Putin said. The event follows Russia's first Africa summit in 2019 and is part of a concerted push for influence and business on a continent where mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group remain active despite an abortive mutiny at home last month. Responding to Western criticism of Moscow's decision to quit the Black Sea grain deal, in which it allowed Ukraine to ship grain from its seaports despite the war, Putin restated his argument that promises made to Russia about facilitating its own grain and fertiliser exports had not been met. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that a jump in world food prices from the collapse of the Black Sea deal and Russia's bombing of the Danube river ports that Ukraine has used as a roundabout export route was "especially devastating for vulnerable countries struggling to feed their people". PUTIN SAYS POOR COUNTRIES 'SCREWED OVER' BY WEST Putin told the summit that over 70% of Ukrainian grain exported thanks to the now-lapsed deal had gone to high- or above-average-income countries, including in the European Union, and that the poorest countries, like Sudan, had been "screwed over" and received less than 3% of the shipments. He made no mention, however, of the broader effect of Ukrainian supply in lowering global market prices. He said Western sanctions, imposed in response to Russia's war in Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", had even prevented Russia from supplying free fertiliser to poor nations. "A paradoxical picture is emerging. On the one hand, Western countries are obstructing supplies of our grain and fertilisers, while on the other they hypocritically blame us for the current crisis situation on the world food market," said Putin. African Union chair Azali Assoumani, who shared the stage with Putin, used his own speech to appeal for "peaceful co-existence" between Russia and Ukraine, saying this would save the lives of those who depended on their food exports. Russia says 49 of the continent's 54 states are represented in St Petersburg, including 17 by their heads of state and four by heads of government. That is fewer than half the number of leaders who took part in the last summit in 2019 - a fall that the Kremlin has blamed in part on efforts by the United States, France and other Western countries to dissuade leaders from attending. Putin in his speech listed numerous sectors - such as energy, media, transport, trade, financial services, medicine, agriculture and car manufacturing - where Moscow was ready to share its expertise or do business. He also said Russia was ready to welcome more African students. The programme includes panel discussions on topics ranging from security, nuclear energy and artificial intelligence to education and sport. Visiting dignitaries were also invited to visit Russia's imperial palaces or watch a gala match between Russian and African "football legends".
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says the Africa-led peace mission to war-ravaged Ukraine and Russia is the genesis of a process to returning the world to peace. Speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, Pandor emphasised that security, peace and trade were important subjects for the summit. "We have also added a much stronger focus on matters of trade and, of course, seven presidents of the African continent are part of the Africa-led peace initiative that seeks to encourage the beginning of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict between the countries. "This is to start a process of returning the world to a context in which we have peace and stability, and thus allows for economic growth and development which are urgently necessary for many countries in the world, most particularly for us in the developing world," she said. President Cyril Ramaphosa - who is also attending the summit - will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin a week after his publicised affidavit to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that his fear of war with Russia was the reason he did not want to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin, should he visit South Africa. The government claimed a diplomatic victory last week when it announced that Putin would not physically attend the BRICS summit next month. Domestic and international laws would have forced the government to arrest Putin. Ramaphosa told both the ICC and the High Court that he feared that Russia would wage war on South Africa if it were to arrest Putin. He said the government took threats by Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev seriously. Ramaphosa's visit to Russia comes a month after the peace mission by heads of state from Comoros, Senegal, Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Egypt and Uganda. Meanwhile, Pandor says the summit presents African leaders with a chance to engage on pressing issues. "There are a number of areas we have agreed upon, particularly in the area of digital innovation, collaboration in space science and strengthening people-to-people exchange. All of these will be part of the subject. "For the first time, it is not just heads of state attending. We also have a number of state-owned enterprises from various African countries, [as well as] finance institutions from the continent and the president of the New Development Bank. This will be her [Dilma Rousseff's] first meeting with several African leaders," she said. The summit ends on Friday.
Racial quotas are about centralising ultimate power in the African National Congress (ANC) and aimed at giving it enormous power over employment at private companies. This is according to Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen who led an anti-race quotas march in Cape Town on Wednesday. "We have already seen how organised mafias have taken over economic sectors like the construction industry. Mark my words: if these race quotas are implemented, you will soon see mafias going to private businesses and telling them which cadres to employ, while honest and hard-working South Africans of all backgrounds are pushed even deeper into suffering," Steenhuisen told a group of DA supporters outside Parliament. Steenhuisen told his supporters that the ANC had already used cadre deployment to loot, collapse service delivery, and reserve jobs in the public sector. "Now, the 'Race Quota Act' will give the ANC enormous power over employment at private companies. This Act is not about empowerment or equality. It is about centralising the ultimate power in the ANC. The power to decide who should be employed, and who should starve," he said. In April, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Employment Equity Amendment Bill of 2020 into law, which empowers the Department of Labour to set new transformation targets for different industries. Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi recently released the targets for 11 sectors, that have to be achieved in five years. Targets for African, Indian, white and coloured employees in top and senior management, as well as for skilled and professionally qualified positions, were put forward. There are different targets for men and women, and there are also targets for people with disabilities. There are also two sets of targets - nationally and provincially. Companies that operate throughout the country must comply with the national targets. So, for example, the top management of a national manufacturing company has to be 35% African (22% male, 13% female), 4% coloured (2.5% male, 1.5% female), 1% Indian (0.7% male, 0.4% female) and 8% white (4.5% male, 3.5% female). Companies that employ fewer than 50 employees, irrespective of their annual turnover, don't have to comply with the targets. Responding to written parliamentary questions, Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi denied that there were any race quotas in the Employment Equity Amendment Bill. DA MP Michael Cardo wanted details on the Bill and how the race quotas were calculated. "I sincerely have no details of the Bill that I have no knowledge off. In the department, we are currently busy looking as some gaps that may be there in some of our labour laws. These have not reached Parliament yet," Nxesi said. "As they are busy deliberated at Nedlac level. Once those deliberations are accordingly processed, I have no doubt in my mind that they will reach Parliament and at that stage you will once again have an opportunity of adding your voice." In separate response to Cardo, Nxesi said South Africa no longer had "the racist apartheid government that used to establish the racial benchmarks".
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka is among the eight candidates the ad hoc committee selecting a new Public Protector has shortlisted. At a meeting on Wednesday morning, the committee nominated advocates Gcaleka, Muvhango Lukhaimane, Tseliso Thipanyane, Lynne Marais, Oliver Josie, and Tommy Ntsewa, and magistrate Johannah Ledwaba, as well as Professor Boitumelo Mmusinyane. After the shortlist was drafted, Al Jamah-ah leader Ganief Hendricks noted that the last two Public Protectors were women. "It may be time for a male to be Public Protector," he said. He wanted to ensure that half the number of candidates on the shortlist were men. As it happens, four of the candidates are men. "I can live with that," said Hendricks. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Yoliswa Yako said there was one name on the list which they "are not fine with, which everyone knows, but we're not going to talk to that now". This was in reference to Gcaleka, who enraged the EFF when she cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala investigation. Other parties said they were happy with the shortlist, which was duly adopted. The eight candidates were selected from a list of 36 individuals nominated for the position. Initially, there were 38, but Mukhali Thenga and Elizabeth Mthimkhulu withdrew from the process. As part of the selection process, all shortlisted candidates will be subjected to processes such as suitability screening, reference checks and qualification verification. They will also be expected to complete a questionnaire. The interviews will take place between 21 and 25 August, whereafter the committee will deliberate on a suitable candidate to present to the National Assembly. The support of 60% of the National Assembly is required for the selected candidate to be appointed by the president.
City of Johannesburg (CoJ) manager Floyd Brink said on Wednesday that the municipality has mandated its Disaster Management Centre to finalise a report to declare the recent gas explosion in the central business district a local state of disaster. The report will be submitted to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre in the next seven days. Brink was addressing the media on the progress of restoration efforts in the inner CoJ, where he noted that the municipality had commenced processes of compiling the report to begin with the necessary legislated processes. "The declaration of the disaster is critical in order to allow us to assess the impact of the explosion on infrastructure and to cost the rehabilitation work required," he said. Wednesday marked seven days since the explosion occurred on Lilian Ngoyi street, formerly known as Bree street, which tore through the road, and which claimed a single life and left 46 people injured and hospitalised. Brink highlighted that the CoJ had also assigned the Group chief financial officer to oversee a team to manage and oversee any procurement to facilitate its work in response to the disaster. He further stated that the mandate was to ensure that the City complied fully with legislated procurement rules and audits, as it procured services for the response effort. RESPONSE EFFORTS Meanwhile, on Monday Brink said the City's preliminary investigations into the explosion pointed to an accidental leakage of natural gas into the service duct, reaching explosion concentration levels of 5%-15% and ignited by an unknown source. He said investigations would continue to try to locate the source over the next few days. "As you are aware, investigations are still inconclusive on the cause of the explosion and what may have ignited the gas or the source of the gas in the underground tunnels," he added. He noted that the City continued to receive regular updates from experts on site and was also pushing to restore services and to prepare for the rehabilitation work of the road and underground tunnels. "We have established a team of engineers from the various entities of the City to begin planning and scoping of the work we will need to undertake. It is evident to us that in rehabilitating the road surface and underground tunnels, we will have to implement new standards of how we manage and lay out underground service lines and connections. Amongst the anomalies currently, we have gas pipelines running parallel to water lines," he said. He added that this was not ideal and as the CoJ prepared to restore the street, its work would seek to set the standard of what should be the most suited, safe and appropriate layout of services infrastructure in the City.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has called on all political parties and candidates standing for election to approach the Electoral Commission, law enforcement agencies or the Electoral Court with any evidence of suspected malfeasance. The IEC was responding to a news report, which said that 188 voters were registered in one household, in George. Last week, the GOOD party approached the Electoral Court to urgently block the IEC from conducting by-elections in Pacaltsdorp, a suburb in the George municipality. GOOD accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of deliberately re-registering 174 voters in wards that they were not residents of. The court dismissed the application and the by-election went ahead. The Electoral Commission noted that in keeping with its obligation to ensure free and fair elections, it concluded that all those voters were correctly registered in the voting district and ward linked to their addresses, and thus entitled to vote in the by-election. "An inadvertent error allocated a common address to the 174 voters when the given addresses were checked against the ward boundaries. This is normal practice for wards with prospective by-elections," noted the IEC. The IEC said the affected voters were not, as alleged, new entrants on that ward segment of the voters' roll. "The voters have been historically registered in the voting district and in the ward. In fact, some have voted in previous elections, including the 2021 Local Government Elections," added the IEC. The Electoral Commission also confirmed that all 174 voters were not registered using any of the online platforms, given that their registrations pre-date the introduction of electronic means of registration. The IEC said as per the law, contestants were provided copies of the voters' roll ahead of the by-elections held in George, adding that no objections were lodged within the objection period in terms of the election timetable.
Power was restored to households and businesses feeding off the Bree substation in Johannesburg's central business district on Tuesday morning, following a gas explosion last week. "The whole street of the epicentre of the explosion is now on," City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said. City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Molingoane said 100% of the power was restored within the CBD. "The switch on the last distributor has just been flipped now at 14:20." In a statement on Tuesday, City Power said gas levels were at 1% on the risk matrix, making it possible for the entity to restore the feeder cables under the collapsed road structure. Sections of Lillian Ngoyi Street in the busy city centre were ripped up during the gas blast during the afternoon rush hour last Wednesday. One person was killed and 48 were injured. Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said on Monday that around 2 800 households were left in the dark as a result. City Power customers who have not received electricity by Tuesday evening can log a call so technicians can attend to it. Johannesburg City manager Floyd Brink said all entities were on the scene to fix the damage caused by the explosion. Brink conducted an inspection on Tuesday morning. "Water and the sewers and electricity should be back on [on Tuesday]. We will report if there are any changes, but all seems to be in order." He said the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) had cleared the way for a Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB) to excavate a part of the road so Johannesburg Water could reach damaged water and sewage pipes. "[Joburg Water] is looking at the sewage lines with cameras to see the damage to the infrastructure." He said Pikitup, the City's waste management service provider, was also on the scene to help clear illegal dumping. Security in the area has also been strengthened. The JRA installed a 900-metre diamond mesh wire fence and green covers around the blast site after passers-by damaged the razor wire used to keep pedestrians off the road. The fence was installed from Von Willigh Street and extends towards the Lilian Ngoyi Street intersection with Loveday Street. When News24 visited the area over the weekend, people had entered the road to take photographs.
South Africa's electricity minister attacked the country's groundbreaking $8.5-billion climate finance pact with some of the world's richest nations whereby it will close some coal-fired power plants and re-purpose them to produce renewable energy. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told a meeting organised by Standard Bank Group that the closure of Eskom Holdings's Komati Power Station, the first plant to be shuttered, was "an injustice that is unfolding at Komati in the name of the transition." Ramokgopa's observations, while chiming with earlier comments made by Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and the concerns of labor unions, may further inflame tensions around the so-called Just Energy Transition Programme, which is behind schedule. South Africa is yet to produce an implementation plan that would allow money to flow from France, Germany, the US, UK and the European Union. "If I had my way we would go and restart the units at Komati," he said. "We closed a power station which was the best performing power station at the time that we closed it and because someone gave us money and said decarbonise we are getting 217 MW of alternative energy and we removed 1 000 MW." Ramokgopa repeated comments made previously by Mantashe that South Africa was being used as a "guinea pig," for the green transition. Vietnam, Indonesia and Senegal are pursuing similar JETP agreements. South Africa is currently suffering its worst ever power cuts - known locally as loadshedding - as its aging coal-fired plants, which supply more than 80% of its energy, regularly break down. Ramokgopa's description of Komati don't match its condition prior to its closure last year. When Bloomberg reporters visited the plant in early 2021 only one of its nine generating units was still operating, meaning it was producing just over 100 MW. The town surrounding the plant was rundown and there was little evidence of economic activity.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that because of its vital developmental function, government continues to prioritise investment in infrastructure across government. However, he admitted that government was concerned that municipalities were failing to spend conditional grants allocated to them for maintenance and upgrades of infrastructure. He wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that infrastructure development played a key role in ensuring fast economic growth and alleviating poverty. "However for this world-class infrastructure to continue to support our developmental goals, it has to be properly, effectively and efficiently maintained. And decisions on infrastructure investment have to respond to the growing need and be upgraded appropriately," he said. Ramaphosa highlighted that South Africa had good quality infrastructure, but in far too many instances it was not being properly maintained and upgraded. He explained that last year, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering gave the country's social infrastructure a D rating, with E being failed or failing. Passenger rail scored particularly low, achieving an E. "We continue to witness the detrimental consequences of failure to maintain public infrastructure. We are seeing accidents, disease outbreaks and other tragedies that in a number of instances have been associated with dilapidated infrastructure," Ramaphosa pointed out. He said the maintenance of public infrastructure was often the responsibility of local government. The National Treasury recently reported that slightly more than half of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant was being spent by municipalities. Ramaphosa said this grant was for upgrading and building new infrastructure and rehabilitating existing infrastructure. He explained that at the last meeting of intergovernmental forum the President's Coordinating Council, in June, it was agreed that greater accountability from municipalities that consistently underspend on their conditional grant allocations was necessary. Part of the problem was that municipalities, especially smaller municipalities, lack implementation capacity, he said. "However, there are municipalities that are spending conditional grants successfully and timeously. For example, about 91% of funding allocated to municipalities to fund reconstruction and rehabilitation after floods in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal was spent by the respective municipalities," he said. Ramaphosa said this illustrated that with the necessary support, technical assistance, planning and coordination, the problem of municipal underspending on public infrastructure could be overcome. MORE INVESTMENTS Ramaphosa announced that construction was underway on several bulk water, housing, energy and roads projects. He explained that together with better infrastructure maintenance, government was determined that these investments would make a big difference in people's lives. Last week, Ramaphosa attended the launch of a new phase of upgrades to the Vulindlela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal, a water infrastructure project that mainly services the uMgungundlovu and uMsunduzi municipalities. He said when the first phase of the scheme was commissioned 25 years ago, it was only servicing 100 000 people, that number has almost tripled in the intervening years, putting a strain on the existing infrastructure resources. Once the current upgrades were completed, about 350 000 residents would receive clean, quality water, added Ramaphosa. The Darvill wastewater treatment plant outside Pietermaritzburg has also been upgraded and will now be able to treat up to 100-million litres a day and better service households, businesses and industries in the municipality.
Defence Minister Thandi Modise has admitted the defence force is becoming more and more unsustainable, while an expert believes if a military super power were to attack, South Africans would be defenceless. Modise's admission comes against the backdrop of severe budget cuts which has led to a weakened South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Responding to a written parliamentary question from Economic Freedom Fighters's Washington Mafanya, Modise said reviving the SANDF required a comprehensive approach that encompassed various aspects, including leadership, funding, training, and strategic planning. Mafanya had asked Modise whether she intended to resign in light of the failure to revive the SANDF and make way for new leadership that will understand the 2015 defence review. "The South African Defence Review 2015 is, and remains, the national policy on defence. The Defence Review 2015 remains largely valid and appropriate, even though it was predicated on a steady-stream improvement in defence allocation, agreed to by Cabinet at that time, but which did not materialise," Modise said "The defence force is becoming progressively more unsustainable in terms of the declining defence baseline allocation and we have now reached the point where the Republic must decide on the kind of defence force it wants and what it can afford." According to Modise, it is within the context of a constrained fiscal environment that a review and analysis of the South African Defence Review 2015, will be required by 31 March 2024. This is to provide a realistic and sustainable future-orientated defence value-proposition, cognisant of current fiscal realities, that delivers against the constitutional mandate of defence, South Africa's national interests and the government's priorities and risk appetite. Defence expert Helmoed Heitman believes the country's defence systems are virtually gone. "If any big player came to attack us, we would not be able to do anything. The only reason we are not in trouble is because no one is attacking us. In the state of our navy, we cannot patrol our waters and we can't prevent smuggling," he said. Hietman added, "The army does not have enough troops to go everywhere. It's got troops in Mozambique, in the DRC, plus they do work on the border. Then every now and then they get called out to do work locally. They just don't have enough bodies to do the work." Heitman said if there were more serious threats, the army would have issues with equipment. "The defence force has no money to maintain its equipment. So [much] of it simply does not work. Almost all defence forces use drones, but we don't have a system to counter attack drones and we don't have much anti-aircraft capability," he said. In May, Modise tabled her department's budget and warned of a looming budget shortfall of R3-billion. For the 2022-23 financial year, the defence department was allocated R49.1-billion. This was increased by R2.5-billion through the adjustment budget, bringing the total to R51.6-billion. However, when the financial year closed on 31 March, the unaudited actual expenditure was R54.6-billion, R3-billion over budget, Modise revealed. Modise said her department is focused on the five military priorities. These include: Promoting nation building through the pursuance of a common national identity coupled to values and ethics that reinforce such an identity. Safeguarding the country and building internal stability by strengthening the institutions of the state and growing the economy. Securing regional development by creating conditions conducive to regional security and stability as well as increased investment that drives regional growth and development through consumer economies. Enhancing cyber resilience through a focused strategy that enhances the resilience of critical digital infrastructure. Enhancing the hard power capability of the SANDF through a small but core major combat capability that is relevant and ready to meet futu...
The Presidency on Monday noted that South Africa will use the second Russia-Africa Summit backdrop to further engage Russia at a bilateral level to finalise the contents and substance of the upcoming fifteenth annual Brics Summit. South Africa will, in August, host the first in-person Summit of Brics nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. Before that, President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a South African delegation to the second Russia-Africa Summit, in St. Petersburg on July 27 and 28. This Summit was first convened in October 2019 with a commitment to continue meeting every three years. It aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent. The Presidency explained that the Summit background will also offer an opportunity to African Heads of State who are part of the African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on measures to create conditions for a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine. Putin will not attend the Brics Summit in person "by mutual agreement" owing to the International Criminal Court warrant for Putin's arrest, the Presidency announced last week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia instead. Meanwhile, the Russia-Africa Summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration. These submissions will focus on strengthening cooperation between Russia and African States in politics, security, trade, science, IT, humanitarian support, education, culture, sports, youth and the environment. The declarations also seek to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and in information security. Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Scheduled side events will include an exhibition to showcase investment opportunities in Russia and Africa, a space to demonstrate new technologies, and a Business Development and Social Partnership Zone for networking between the heads of global corporations, government officials, business and the media.
Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen said on Friday that his province is determined to fight crime despite recent quarterly crime statistics which revealed that 39 children have been murdered in his province since January. Speaking to Polity, he said although his province is seeing a reduction in murders in the quarterly crime stats, he wants to see no murders in the province due to flare ups between gang members. He said a suspect, who allegedly shot a nine year old two weeks ago, has been arrested. When asked about the recent move to beef up Neighbourhood Watch personnel in problem areas to support the South African Police Service (Saps) and the City's Law Enforcement Advancement Plan in Delft, he said Saps cannot fight crime alone and relies on community activism and stakeholders to work hand in hand with government. "In Delft, we had engagements with the Saps and the Department of Social Development as they play a key role in the fight against gender based violence, which is also an evil in our society, but also [with] the launch of anti-gender based ambassadors. Besides us working with our communities and safety stakeholders, we are working across our government. In some places we are going to ramp up partnership and cooperation," said Allen. He commended the support his office is receiving from 17 500 community Neighbourhood Watches and volunteers in the Community Policing Forums who are fighting to reducing crime within their communities. There has been a reduction in the amount of home and vehicle break-ins owing to more security personnel on the ground. Allen urged more communities to actively sign up to fight crime. In addition, the province is also introducing sporting programmes to keep teenagers away from drugs and gangsterism. The province has relaunched a programme to collect illegal firearms. Those who comply will receive a reward for R5 000. Eighteen illegal firearms were collected in June and Allen is urging more people to anonymously report information on illegal weapons via 021 466 00 11. "We want to make sure that the illegal firearms that are tormenting our communities are not in the hands of the gangsters and children that are being used by gangsters to perpetuate crime," he said. The province continues to advocate for the devolution of policing powers as Allen believes that the current policing method is no longer working. "From 1994 we have had the same system where policing is at a national level. We all know that the policing system in our country has sadly failed. We have been calling for the devolution of powers and that call is now resonating with other provinces. The Premier of Gauteng has been advocating for a new policing model. It is the same thing that we are asking for," he stressed.
City of Johannesburg (CoJ) manager Floyd Brink revealed that the City's preliminary investigations into the recent explosion in the CBD pointed to an accidental leakage of natural gas into the service duct, reaching explosion concentration levels of 5%-15% and ignited by an unknown source at this stage. An explosion occurred on Wednesday on Bree street, tearing through the road, claiming a single life and leaving 46 people injured and hospitalised. "At this stage, our preliminary investigations have presented us with three possible scenarios for the explosion. These are: ignition of methane gas in underground stormwater systems due to sewerage ingress. The second possibility considered is the ignition of natural gas, mixed with air (oxygen) in underground stormwater drainage systems or service ducts. The third and last possibility, is the ignition of gas from a gas pipe burst," explained Brink. He said investigations would continue to try to locate the source over the next few days. Brink highlighted that buildings adjacent to the collapsed road had been inspected and, at this stage, the buildings were regarded structurally sound for occupation. "We have also assessed the gas leaking into the atmosphere and have been assured by the Environmental Services and Air Quality Controllers of the City that the gas leaking into the atmosphere poses no risk to residents as its concentration reduces rapidly in open air. However, gas leaks into subsoil cavities such as basements can be fatal," he explained. He said the City was confident it had mobilised the best skills and expertise required to respond to the explosion. Brink explained that within an hour of the explosion, plans were afoot to manage the scene, search for survivors and any fatalities, locate the source of the explosion and secure the perimeter of the site. "For those who were present here at Mary Fitzgerald Square, they would have witnessed the rapid deployment of Command Units and support resources to immediately coordinate all response efforts across all three spheres of government," he said. IMMEDIATE ACTIONS Brink explained that the City had deployed water tankers to support residents in the area and City Power would also be deploying technicians to assess the power lines for damage along the 400 m of the site and would only be able to reenergize the area once it had been declared safe. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department and South African Police Service will barricade the area to limit access and movement to allow for the efficient management of the site to minimise risk to residents. He said barricades would also be manned by 250 members per shift supported by 50 private security personnel. The City will also commence with the work of sampling all bulk service manholes in the area for gas leaks and ruminants. "This will include the opening of bulk manholes belonging to City Power, Telkom and other service departments and entities. Some of the manholes are welded, due to theft and vandalism and at this stage we are unable to immediately open them for fear of igniting a further blast. Where possible, our teams, led by Johannesburg Emergency Services, will be placing Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans down the manholes to blow out any gas that may still exist below. This is intrinsically safe equipment and will assist in the effort to disperse trapped gas," Brink added. He emphasised that the tasks being undertaken were complex and at this stage would have to be handled with care, meaning no heavy equipment could be deployed to the site immediately. "The digging and trenching to be done now will have to be done by hand until we are confident the site is safe and all hazardous factors are cleared. We have also deployed advanced technologies to assess and review underground damage to the infrastructure," he said. The City will, over the coming days, ensure residents are updated and informed on work being done to mitigate the risks and repair the site.
The South African government has conceded that it failed to execute its international responsibilities by failing to issue a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin if he enters the country. On Friday, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria confirmed that the justice department had finally sent the Putin arrest warrant to National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi on Monday. This was more than two months after the international relations and co-operation department sent its justice colleagues the warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC issued the warrant on the basis of Putin's responsibility for war crimes allegedly committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Democratic Alliance (DA) went to court to compel the government to arrest Putin if he travels to South Africa for the Brics summit, scheduled for August in Johannesburg. But after the government announced that Putin would not travel to South Africa, the DA asked the court to compel it to execute the arrest warrant any time the Russian president travels to the country. The government agreed. In an affidavit on Thursday, on the eve of the court challenge, justice department director-general Doctor Mashabane conceded that he was "obliged" to forward the arrest warrant to Batohi immediately upon receipt of it on 8 May, in line with South Africa's Implementation Act. However, Mashabane said he did not "discharge" that obligation because he wanted to consult with the ICC first. That meeting happened on 8 June. "On 29 June 2023, I signed and authorised the dispatch of the letter to the NDPP.in which I transmitted the ICC's requests for cooperation to the NDPP," Mashabane said. The court order stated that the justice department "tenders the applicant's costs, including the costs of two counsel and all costs previously reserved". In a statement after the court order, DA leader John Steenhuisen claimed victory, saying Mashabane only sent the ICC's documents to Batohi on Monday because the application put them under "pressure".
In his speech at the launch of the book 'Reluctant Prophet: Tributes to Albert Nolan OP', Fr Peter-John Pearson reflected that, how even in death, Nolan had again provided words to disrupt complacency and to offer sustenance to those continuing the "venerable tradition of raising the lowly and casting the mighty from their thrones and righting human wrong". Pearson, who is director of the Parliamentary Liaison Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, delivered this address at St Michael's Church, Rondebosch, on July 8. I marvelled, as I read these chapters, at just how we were drawn almost effortlessly into the utterly remarkable life of Albert; how the words gave us the shapes, shadows and the substance of his life; gave us a glimpse into the rich legacy of his ideas, into the courage of his activism, the depth of his pastoral commitments and the complexity and contradictions of the theological burden that he carried in his heart. I dared to think, as I read the book, that maybe for the second time in Dominican history the Order has birthed another Albert the Great. But I marvelled even more at the way this book, the testimony of these words, also handed us an incendiary torch; how even in death Albert gave us words, gave us a book that would disturb us, disrupt our complacency and allow us to continue that venerable tradition of raising the lowly and casting the mighty from their thrones and righting human wrong. Albert understood well the disruptive power of words. I thought often, as I read this work, of Wole Soyinka's insight, I think from his 1986 Nobel speech, that 'books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to supress the truth.' As I read and was further enthralled, I moved further and further from the task I was given for these few minutes, and I found myself not so much reflecting on what was new about Albert for me but about what I was learning anew about Albert's legacy. My one lesson, as I read, was that Albert's legacy of the need for what Lenin called the 'permanent revolution', and what the Church has called 'semper reformanda', is indispensable for our very conflicted, contested times as we retreat deeper and deeper into political depravity and delinquency, the theft of land and livelihoods, and the existence of cultures of cruel exclusion. Bertolt Brecht captures it magnificently: 'There are those who struggle for a day, and they are good. There are those who struggle for a year, and they are better. There are people who struggle for many years, and they are better still. But there are those who struggle all their lives: these are the indispensable ones.' A close reading of our text leaves me with the indelible impression that the challenge of life-long struggle, of solidarity, of the occupancy of the barricades, is for our times. Following Brecht, the most basic of human vocations is to be on the barricades, it's to be in the places of contestation, it's to be in the places of struggle, it's to be in the places of burgeoning hope, it's to be in the places of resistance and resilience, and in places where we say loudly: No, not in my name! From the pages, Albert bids us not be afraid of lifelong struggle, not to be afraid of using words to disrupt what is wrong, what does not favour justice. It is the only chance we have of making a difference. James Lowell in the midst of the NYC race riots and as a protest against the American-Mexican war penned that hymn about the decisiveness of taking sides, opting for the poor or in Pope Francis' words being a church of the poor for the poor. James Lowell wrote at that time, being the protester that he was, the intellectual giant that he was, the person of deep faith that he was, he wrote (and just excuse the gender-exclusive language): Once to every man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side; Some great cause, God's new Messiah, Offering each the bloom or blight, A...
President Cyril Ramaphosa asked Russian President Vladimir Putin not to attend the Brics summit but could not announce Putin's non-attendance before receiving support from the Chinese and Indian heads of state. Ramaphosa, in a supplementary affidavit filed in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, said it was "moot" for the Democratic Alliance (DA) to continue its application to compel the government to state whether it would have executed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant on Putin. This followed the Russian president saying he would not attend the Johannesburg summit next month. Ramaphosa's supplementary statement was filed on Tuesday before Wednesday's announcement Putin would not attend by "mutual agreement". The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March for alleged war crimes in Russia's war with Ukraine that began in February last year. In his affidavit, Ramaphosa said he first asked Putin not to attend Africa's Ukraine-Russia peace summit on 19 June, and the Russian leader said he would "apply his mind" to the request. Three days later, Ramaphosa added he met with Brazil President Lula da Silva at the Global Financing Pact summit in Paris, France, and lobbied South Africa's position that Putin does not attend the Brics summit, expected to run from 22 to 24 August. "At this meeting [with Da Silva], the president of Brazil agreed that the preferred option, being that President Putin would not attend the [Brics] summit in person, had his support," he said. Ramaphosa said the Brics formation worked on "a consensus" and buy-in had to be sought and received from all five member countries before a decision was taken. "I believe that in these circumstances the DA's application is moot and must be withdrawn," he added. On Thursday, News24 reported the DA was forging ahead with its application, despite Putin saying he would not attend. The party's leader, John Steenhuisen, said it sought a declaratory order for this saga not to repeat itself. "[We] believe that we will continue to court because we believe that the obligation of [the] government needs to be confirmed and because we would like the precedent to be set for any future situations such as this that may [arise]," he said. On Thursday, Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the government knew for a month Putin would not physically attend the summit. Monyela added the delay was due to the ironing out of diplomatic issues. Ramaphosa had consulted Brics member state leaders of China, Russia, and India. The president told the court by Tuesday, the department had not managed to arrange a meeting with China President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ramaphosa asked the court to keep his supplementary affidavit confidential so as not to jeopardise the negotiations and consensus-seeking efforts. The department's director-general, Zane Dangor, in his confirmatory affidavit, told the court contacting Brics heads of state was "time consuming and difficult to arrange" owing to the leaders' schedules. "Such consultations are always complex, and there is nothing unique about the amount of work needed to arrange them, or the time it takes to finalise such discussions with five heads of state," Dangor said, adding the consultations were finalised on Tuesday. Putin would attend the summit virtually and be physically represented by his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. The Russian leader's decision had been labelled as reasonable by the Presidency and Russia's most significant political party, United Russia. The South African Sherpa to Brics, speaking at the media engagement, Professor Anil Sooklal, said Ramaphosa had engaged with Brics leaders regarding Putin's visit. The Brics ambassador labelled the Russian president's decision not to come as a substantial move which allowed the summit not to face threats of withdrawal like the G20 summit in Indonesia in 2022. Other world leaders had protested...
The South African rand weakened on Thursday afternoon after the central bank held its key interest rate at 8.25% following 10 consecutive rate hikes since 2021, as expected by a majority of economists polled by Reuters. At 1323 GMT, the rand traded at 17.915 against the US dollar, around 0.25% weaker than its previous close. At one point it was down as much as 0.53% as the currency reversed gains made earlier in the day. Twelve out of 21 economists in a Reuters poll published last week expected the bank would hold its rate at 8.25%, while nine economists predicted a 25 bps hike. The South African Reserve Bank had been on a rate-hiking cycle since September 2021, raising the repo rate by a total of 475 basis points (bps). Consumer inflation data on Wednesday showed inflation fell to 5.4% year-on-year in June, down from 6.3% in May and back within the central bank's target range of 3% to 6% for the first time in over a year. "SA June inflation at 5.4% (was) lower than consensus but on our forecast. To us (this) affirms the SARB MPC will not have to hike today," Rand Merchant Bank analysts had said in a research note before the rate decision. The dollar was up about 0.2% against a basket of global currencies after US jobless claims unexpectedly fell, pointing to strength in the labour market. This raised expectations that Federal Reserve monetary policy will stay tighter for longer, pressuring other currencies globally. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was slightly stronger, with the yield down 1.5 bps to 10.29%.
Former president Jacob Zuma has extended his trip to Moscow as the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) decides whether he should return to prison. News24 understands from two sources who have knowledge of Zuma's trip that he was meant to return on Tuesday, but that he extended the trip. He is seeking medical treatment in the Russian capital, although the details of his illness are unknown. The DCS said on Wednesday that the department was yet to decide on Zuma's fate. Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi confirmed that Zuma had not returned from Moscow. "I don't know when he will be coming back," he said. Manyi, who is also an Economic Freedom Fighters member of Parliament, said he did not know what Zuma's health condition was. A source said Zuma planned to return next Wednesday, but Manyi said he could not confirm when the former head of State would return. Last Thursday, the Constitutional Court dismissed the Department of Correctional Services' application for leave to appeal a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that Zuma should return to prison. The apex court found the department's appeal "bears no reasonable prospect of success" and dismissed the application with costs. Zuma was jailed in July 2021 after he was sentenced to 15 months for contempt of the Constitutional Court after he refused to obey an order to appear before the Zondo Commission. However, hardly two months later, he was released on medical parole after then national commissioner of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, overruled the Medical Parole Advisory Board's (MPAB) recommendation that the former president did not qualify. The Democratic Alliance, AfriForum and Helen Suzman Foundation asked the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to review Fraser's decision and set it aside, which it did. Zuma and the DCS then appealed, but the SCA upheld the High Court's decision. The SCA found Zuma "has not finished serving his sentence". It said: "He must return to the Estcourt Correctional Centre to do so. Whether the time spent by Mr Zuma on unlawfully granted medical parole should be taken into account in determining the remaining period of his incarceration, is not a matter for this court to decide." "It is a matter to be considered by the commissioner (Makgothi Thobakgale). If he is empowered by law to do so, the commissioner might take that period into account in determining any application or grounds for release." After the Constitutional Court's decision last week, the SCA's ruling stands.
Russia did not tell South Africa that arresting President Vladimir Putin on an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) would mean "war", the Kremlin said on Wednesday. Shortly after the Kremlin's comments, South Africa said that Putin would not attend a summit of the Brics group of nations in South Africa in August "by mutual agreement." The ICC has accused Putin and his children's commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova of the war crime of deporting children from Ukraine to Russia, something Moscow rejects as false. A local court submission published on Tuesday had shown that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked permission from the ICC not to arrest Putin in the context of the Brics summit because to do so would amount to a declaration of war. Speaking before South Africa said Putin would not be attending, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that everyone understood - without having it explained to them - what an attempt to infringe on Putin's rights would mean. "No, no such formulations were uttered, no one gave anyone to understand that," said Peskov when asked about any warning from Russia about the possibility of war if Putin was arrested. "It is clear to everyone in this world what an attempt to infringe on the rights of the head of the Russian State means. So there is no need to explain anything to anyone here."
Annual consumer price inflation slowed dramatically to 5.4% in June from 6.3% in May. The last time consumer inflation was within the Reserve Bank's target range of 4% to 6% was more than a year ago. This may help to convince the monetary policy committee not to hike interest rates on Thursday. June's inflation data was also the lowest level in 20 months, Statistics SA reported. The CPI increased by only 0.2% from April to June 2023. The annual inflation rate for goods was 6.3%, down from 8.0% in May and for services it was 4.5%, down from 4.6% in May. Lower fuel prices contributed to the much softer inflation number, with annual transport inflation tumbling from 7.0% in May to 1,8% in June, dragged lower mainly by softer fuel prices. The fuel index was 8.3% lower in June 2023 than in June 2022. Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices also cooled for the third month in a row - from 14% in March to 11% in June. Most food categories saw slower price growth, with some products actually becoming cheaper - the average price of a 750 ml bottle of sunflower oil was R35.57 in June, from almost R44 a year ago, for example. However, Statistics SA reports that prices for sugar, sweets and desserts increased from 11.9% to 16.4%. Prices for brown sugar (+17.4%), white sugar (up 17.1%) and chocolate slabs (up 16.2%) saw the biggest hikes. Wine (+9.4%) and beer (+5.5%) prices also saw sharper increases. The latest CPI number shows that residential rent increased by 2.7% in June compared to a year ago. Over the past quarter, rent prices increased by 1.2% - the biggest hike in almost five years.
The Presidency announced on Wednesday that, by mutual agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the fifteenth Summit of Brics nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - taking place in Johannesburg, in August. The Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Democratic Alliance launched a court application in the Gauteng High Court requesting a declaratory order to the effect that if Putin arrives in South Africa to attend the summit, the South African government must immediately detain and surrender him to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has an arrest warrant out for the Russian President. The Presidency said this would be the first in-person summit to be held in four years, the last three having been held under the chairmanship of Russia, India and China in virtual format on account of the Covid-19 pandemic. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed South Africa's readiness to host the Summit. The Presidency noted that Ramaphosa had, in recent months and weeks, held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit, with Ramaphosa's most recent consultation taking place on Tuesday night at the Brics Political Party Dialogue underway in Gauteng. "In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued," said the Presidency. Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the Summit would be a success and called on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who would arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe.
A book of tributes to Albert Nolan, the renowned South African Catholic priest, author, theologian and anti-apartheid activist, has been published less than nine months after his death on October 22 last year. Edited by Nolan's fellow Dominicans Mike Deeb, Mark James and Philippe Denis, and published by ATF Press, the 500-page volume includes contributions from 71 of Nolan's friends and contemporaries, including his Dominican brothers and sisters, former students from his days as a Young Christian Students chaplain, as well as colleagues, academics, and political activists. Archbishop Stephen Brislin, who addressed the book's Cape Town launch on July 8 and was named as one of 21 new cardinals by Pope Francis the very next day, described Nolan as a great intellectual and academic with a special gift for being able to speak and write profound thoughts and ideas in a way that was easily understandable to people. "There was no complicated language disguising or softening what he taught - he was straight forward and to the point. He lived what he taught, especially through his simple lifestyle. Always kind and gentle, he had a wonderful sense of humour," Brislin recalled. Many of the tributes in the book, Deeb noted during the Gauteng and Cape Town launches, referred to Nolan as a 'prophet', a view that is partly mirrored in the book's own title. However, its full title, 'Reluctant Prophet', is more reflective of who Nolan actually was - especially his humility. Drawn from a documentary interview with the Irish TV company, Radharc, and described in Joseph Dunn's book No Lions in the Hierarchy, Nolan was quoted as saying: "If there's any sense in which (my speaking up) is prophetic, then like Jeremiah I'm a very reluctant prophet, and I wish to God that I didn't have to do it". Deeb went further at the launches by distinguishing Nolan from the traditional view of prophets as people who can come across as serious, grumpy, aggressive and abrasive. "Albert was always so joyful and welcoming even of those who disagreed with him." In his foreword to the book, former Master of the Dominican order Timothy Radcliffe also reflected on Nolan's "simple, whole-hearted joy", recalling a memory of a pub visit some forty years earlier when Nolan came to stay in Blackfriars, Oxford. "[His joy] so overflowed that when the time came for the pub to be closed for the night, the publican invited us to stay on and share some more drinks with him. I had never had that honour before or since." The book and the launch events also underlined Nolan's commitment to the anti-apartheid struggle, including his unprecedented 1983 request to be excused from taking up the role of Master of the Dominican Order, to which he had been elected, so that he could remain active in his opposition to the system that discriminated against black South Africans. In his contribution, fellow Dominican priest Nicholas Punch recalls how the Dominican Chapter had to vote again to see if they accepted Nolan's reasons for declining, which they duly did. "So, we had to go through the process of electing again! It did not take long for the Irish provincial Damian Byrne to be elected . [Damian] promised obedience not only to the Order and to the pope, but to Albert Nolan. That received a standing ovation! I dare say this was probably the most unusual election in the history of the Dominican Order," Punch writes. Addressing the Gauteng launch, well-known anti-apartheid activist and theologian Reverend Frank Chikane (who also wrote a chapter in the book) recalled how Nolan and his Catholic network kept him out of the clutches of the notorious apartheid security police when he was once again facing arrest and detention in the 1980s. "I was hidden in convents and community houses and Albert even arranged for me to stay for three months with the Jesuits in Jules Street. The Catholics really took care of me," the ordained Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa minister recalled. That netwo...
South Africa's Finance Minister rebuffed a call by some in the nation's governing party for him to push the central bank to use measures other than lifting borrowing costs to curb inflation, as he reaffirmed the bank's independence. The African National Congress (ANC) on Sunday asked Enoch Godongwana to hold urgent talks with the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) about ways to address the surging cost of living "other than raising interest rates." The comments come as the ANC gears up campaigning for presidential elections next year, when the party risks losing political support because of weak economic growth, high unemployment and growing inequality. "I'm not in discussion with the central bank on that matter," Godongwana said Tuesday in an interview with Bloomberg Television at a meeting of Group of 20 finance chiefs in Gandhinagar, India. "The central bank in South Africa, by constitution, is independent and its purpose is defined as that of protecting the value of the currency in the interests of balanced growth." The Sarb's monetary policy committee has raised its benchmark rate by 475 basis points since November 2021 in a bid to rein in inflation that has been above the 4.5% midpoint of its target range, where it prefers to anchor price-growth expectations, for more than two years. The central bank is scheduled to announce its next rate decision on Thursday, the day after latest inflation data is released. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg forecast annual price growth slowed to 5.5% in June, compared with 6.3% in May. They expect the Sarb to raise rates by 25 basis points to 8.5%. Godongwana regularly meets with central bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago to make proposals on the direction of policy. While the ANC has previously called for the central bank's mandate to be broadened to shore up the economy, it has said it's committed to preserving the bank's independence. Rate Decision The bank is "required to be in consultation with the minister responsible for finances" under the constitution, "but that doesn't mean the minister responsible for finances can tell them what to do," Godongwana said. Kganyago said earlier this month that while tight monetary policy is painful, high inflation does even more harm to those who can least afford it. "Inflation is ravaging the poor," he said in a July 5 interview with Johannesburg-based broadcaster Metro FM. "The rich have got property. They've got shares, and those cushion them against rising inflation." Those craving relief from elevated borrowing costs should understand that the way to get them is price stability. "Inflation has got to fall because we know historically that when inflation is low in South Africa, South Africa experiences lower interest rates," Kganyago said. "That is where we should be going." Godongwana also said the Treasury expects to reduce its economic growth forecast because of frequent power outages in South Africa. The revised estimate will be announced when the finance ministry unveils its medium-term budget statement in October, he said, declining to provide specific numbers. The Treasury forecast in February that the economy will grow 0.9% this year, compared with 2.5% last year. The fluctuation in electricity output make it hard to make a reliable estimate at this stage, Godongwana said.
As the African National Congress (ANC) expressed confidence in the African peace initiatives led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and seven other heads of State, it also called for a reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and the inclusion of the African continent in the global decision-making body. ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile was speaking at the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (Brics) Political Parties Dialogue in Boksburg, on Tuesday, where he said the party believes that through inclusive multilateralism, with which all Brics members would in principle be aligned, institutions of global governance should be reformed, especially the UNSC. Mashatile explained that although governments shared a common vision of partnership for mutual accelerated growth, sustainable development and inclusive multilateralism, each government had different levels of economic development and geopolitical positioning "in a world increasingly trying to return ebullience and polarisation of the Cold War". Mashatile noted that the ANC was encouraged by the show of interest from other countries to join Brics, which he said illustrated that many of the world's citizens saw their future in "a truly multipolar world", which represented global diversity. "Much of the world now sees survival within institutions such as Brics. This is an affirmation of alternatives to the unipolar world and its effects on the world. The combined influence and potential of Brics cannot be understated, [and] for this reason we should expect the fact that it will have detractors who will, from time to time, throw spanners in the works in order to frustrate us from relealising our goal," said Mashatile. RUSSIAN WAR Meanwhile, Mashatile reiterated the ANC's call for a peaceful solution to the Russia/Ukraine conflict by initiating dialogue between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The ANC echoed its anti-war stance which it had asserted since the war began more than a year ago. "We are for the silencing of the guns in Ukraine [and for] the achievement of genuine peace and the peaceful co-existence between Russia, Ukraine and the neighbourhood," he explained.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the High Court in Gauteng that arresting Russian President Vladamir Putin, if he travels to South Africa for the Brics summit in August, would be a declaration of war against Russia. And the president did not want the public to know that. However, the court ruled on Tuesday that Ramaphosa and his government's response to the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) legal attempt to force the government to arrest Putin should be made public. "It would be a reckless, unconstitutional and unlawful exercise of the powers conferred upon the government to declare war with Russia by arresting President Putin," Ramaphosa told the court in his affidavit, which he argued should be kept a secret. The court disagreed with the Presidency's assertions that Ramaphosa wanted to keep his affidavit secret "to keep the interactions with the ICC [International Criminal Court] on the warrant of arrest against President Putin confidential". In the affidavit, which has since been made public, Ramaphosa said he did not want to risk waging war with Russia. "It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia. I have constitutional obligations to protect the national sovereignty, peace and security of the republic, and to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights of the people of the republic to life, safety and security, among other rights in the Bill of Rights," he said. In arguing for confidentiality, Ramaphosa quoted a Rome Statute article which states that a requested country "shall keep confidential a request for co-operation and any documents supporting the request confidential, except to the extent that the disclosure is necessary to the execution of the request". South Africa is a signatory to the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC. Following Tuesday's judgment, the Presidency said that Ramaphosa "was never opposed to making the affidavits public; it was only in compliance with the ICC directive that the Presidency sought to maintain confidentiality on the affidavit". The High Court order came in response to the DA's application that the government must "take all necessary steps to arrest and detain President Putin for surrender to the ICC" should he arrive for the Brics summit, expected to run from 22 to 24 August in Johannesburg. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March, accusing him of war crimes relating to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine since February last year. The DA is relying on the Supreme Court of Appeal's (SCA) 2015 judgment that it was unlawful for the government not to have arrested Sudan's former president Omar al-Bashir when he attended the African Union summit in June of that year. The ICC had also issued an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir for alleged war crimes he committed during his 26-year reign before being ousted by a 2019 military coup. Ramaphosa said in his affidavit that the DA's demand for the government to arrest Putin was "incompetent" because "the government of South Africa is not cited as a party to the application, and no relief can therefore be granted against it". The DA has cited government ministries such as justice, police, international relations and cooperation, as well as the national police commissioner. The DA disputed Ramaphosa's arguments in its replying affidavit, saying the 2015 SCA Al-Bashir judgment "referred to the cited state functionary as the government". "For this reason alone, the respondents' complainant is baseless," said Elzanne Jonker, the DA's attorney of record. She added that Ramaphosa, in his papers, had not claimed that Putin was entitled to immunity from arrest and surrender to the ICC, either internationally or domestically. "All defences seek to poke holes in the way the DA has brought the case, rather than to assert that, if President Putin arrives, the government is entitled to arrest him. Yet at the same time, the president never clearly states that, he will be arrested," she said. "Instead, he [Ram...
Chairperson of the Section 194 committee inquiring about suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness for office, Qubudile Dyantyi will respond to Mkhwebane's latest attempt to remove him by Friday. Last week, the beleaguered Mkhwebane brought her second application for Dyantyi's recusal. The Section 194 committee is inquiring whether Mkhwebane displayed misconduct or incompetence warranting her removal from office. Mkhwebane's application has its genesis in allegations by her husband, David Skosana, that the late African National Congress (ANC) MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson solicited bribes of R200 000 each for herself, Dyantyi and ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina. Skosana opened a complaint with the police while Mkhwebane did so with Parliament's ethics committee. Dyantyi and Majodina have publicly denied the allegations. Joemat-Pettersson died on 5 June. Her death is the subject of an inquest. After Mkhwebane, backed by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the African Transformation Movement, insisted on Dyantyi's recusal at a meeting of the Section 194 committee last month, he indicated that he would consider a written recusal application, as required by the committee's directives. On 12 July, Mkhwebane filed her formal application for his recusal, compiled by her counsel, Advocate Dali Mpofu SC and his juniors, advocates Bright Shabalala and Hangwi Matlhape, a day before the Constitutional Court upheld her suspension by President Cyril Ramaphosa and dismissed her challenge to the impeachment proceedings. Mkhwebane presented seven grounds for Dyantyi's recusal: Allegations of bribery, corruption and/or extortion against the presiding officer; The chairperson is a subject of a pending investigations by Parliament's ethics committee (sic); Chairperson is a subject of a pending police investigations (sic); Disparaging media statements and interviews; Committee and/or chairperson is proceeding despite Public Protector's lack of legal representation; The role of Joemat-Pettersson as a member of the committee; and The role of Majodina as the ANC chief whip. In her application, Mkhwebane argued that it is immaterial whether actual bias from Dyantyi exists and that questioning her and her legal team's motives in bringing a recusal application is also grounds for recusal. According to a statement from Parliament, Dyantyi noted the recusal application and informed Mkhwebane's attorneys that he would respond in writing by Friday. "Mr Dyantyi indicated that he will apply his mind to the content of the application. The committee awaits the summation of evidence from the evidence leaders. The committee has noted that Advocate Mkhwebane did not indicate her intention to make a closing argument or submit a written closing statement," reads the statement. Mkhwebane has a history of accusing those attempting to hold her accountable of bias or disparaging them. In September last year, she brought another application for Dyantyi's recusal, along with an application for the recusal of DA MP Kevin Mileham. She claimed that Dyantyi had been biased against her and her legal team, and had allowed the process to be procedurally unfair. Dyantyi refused to recuse himself. "I do so in the belief that the Public Protector has failed to establish any grounds upon which it can be said that I am biased or that my conduct may give rise to an apprehension of bias," he stated on 17 October. Mkhwebane wanted Mileham to recuse himself because the motion that led to the impeachment proceedings was moved by his wife, DA MP Natasha Mazzone, in her capacity as DA chief whip at the time. Even though the motion was adopted by the National Assembly - thus becoming a motion of the National Assembly - Mkhwebane and her legal team continue to refer to it as the "Mazzone motion" and refer to Mazzone as the "complainant". Mileham, too, refused to recuse himself. Mkhwebane subsequently challenged Dyantyi's decision in court, ...
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has set aside the African National Congress's (ANC's) chaotic May 2022 Ekurhuleni regional conference in which Mzwandile Masina was elected leader. "The eighth regional conference of the Ekurhuleni region of the ANC, held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways on 27 to 29 May 2022, and all decisions, resolutions and election results emanating from the conference are set aside," Judge Denise Fisher ruled on Monday. The verdict means that the conference will have to be reconvened. A group of disgruntled ANC members took the matter to court last year after the conference was marred by fraud allegations and the allegedly unfair exclusion of branches. In the judgment on Monday, Fisher said the ANC's own constitution was not adhered to by TK Nciza, who oversaw the preparations for the conference at the time. Nciza was elected as regional secretary at the conference. The judge also said Nciza and ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane unilaterally decided to exclude some branches from participating in the conference. "In order to conform to constitutional prescripts of justice and fairness, the taking of decisions must be in accordance with an empowering rule and must be procedurally fair. If the decision to qualify a member of a branch is not taken in a procedurally and substantively fair manner and this has a material effect on the rights of the applicants, the applicants are entitled to relief," the judgment stated. The judge found that it was clear that the procedures in the lead-up to and after the conference were not based on the law. "Undoubtedly, the processes leading to the exclusion of the branches had no foundations in the guidelines or the constitution. The decision by Mokonyane to disqualify these branches on the purported complaint of Nciza is unlawful and void." The judge added that the fact that the national organising committee of the ANC concluded that the results of the conference should be quarantined, showed that there was a problem with fairness and adherence to rules. The ANC national executive committee (NEC) was also criticised for not deciding on what actions to take concerning irregularities raised. The NEC decided to refer the matter relating to disqualified branches and quarantined votes back to the provincial executive committee (PEC) after marathon meetings that ran into the early morning. The Gauteng ANC PEC decided shortly after its conference in July that the regional conference matter had been settled. The judge said," In this case, the entire lapse in process was so egregious that it evidences a complete disregard for the application of fair process on the part of the national organising committee." "The NEC followed this up by abdicating its responsibility to a conflicted PEC, led by their very actor whose conduct was under scrutiny. In my mind, in doing this, it acted contrary to its duties under its own constitution and denied the applicants of their rights." The Ekurhuleni ANC was supposed to hold a special regional council in June to replace Masina as leader and Nciza. Masina resigned as a councillor in November 2022 after a bitter spat with the Gauteng ANC over its coalition strategy. He was elected as an ANC NEC member at the ANC's national elective conference in December. Mokonyane said on Monday that she believed the election of the ANC's Gauteng leadership would not be affected by the court's decision. Speaking to News24 on the sidelines of a wreath-laying ceremony of predecessor, Jessie Duarte, Mokonyane said she had not heard about the judgment yet, and would speak to the party's lawyers about the way forward. "But I don't think that [the court judgment] will affect the PEC of the ANC. It is branch delegates that attend a conference, and not only regional leadership. The lawyers will reflect on that. This is my own immediate response. Interpreting [the judgment] and understanding it in its entirety is important. We will be going to the of...
African National Congress (ANC) first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane says the party will not lobby the government to pardon former president Jacob Zuma. This followed a recent Constitutional Court decision that could see the former president return to jail. The apex court dismissed an appeal of a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that Zuma's release on parole was unlawful. It is now up to correctional services commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale to decide if Zuma must return to jail. The former president is currently in Russia seeking medical treatment. Asked whether the ANC would call for the pardoning of the former president, Mokonyane said: "That would be called interference. "The most important thing is that we think there has to be objectivity in handling this matter, and the relevant authorities have that task of reflecting on it and ensuring that it is handled in a manner that will not create unnecessary perceptions going forward." Zuma was jailed in 2021 and was expected to serve a 15-month sentence for defying a subpoena to give evidence at the Zondo Commission. Former correctional services commissioner Arthur Fraser released the former president on medical parole in a decision that has been ruled unlawful. While the ANC will not lobby for a pardon for Zuma, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has indicated it would ask President Cyril Ramaphosa to pardon him should he be sent back to jail. "If they say he must go to [jail], I will go to him and argue my case with him that the guy is sick. "The guy is old; his struggle credentials, his service to the public office and the fact that he served time in prison and the fact that parole on its own does not mean you are free; you continue to serve even from outside. "It is enough for you to give him a presidential pardon to avoid the possibility of instability which was experienced in KZN," EFF leader Julius Malema said on Friday. On coalition governments following next year's general elections, Mokonyane neither rejected the Democratic Alliance nor EFF as potential partners should no party receive outright majorities in provincial legislatures or the National Assembly. She said the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) had decided to establish regulations that would govern how to work in coalitions in the future and those regulations must clearly state the minimum programmes. "We will work with everyone and anyone who agrees with us on those minimum programmes. So, the NEC [has] yet to deliberate and do an assessment of the current coalitions. Gauteng [has] yet to give us a report as well," she added. Meanwhile, former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils warned Ramaphosa he should not allow South Africa to be a "pawn" to imperialist nations. Kasrils said Western nations were warmongers, referring to Russia's war with Ukraine, calling Ukraine NATO's "proxy". "If we don't stand foursquare together, those imperialists - comrade president [Ramaphosa], you will know it more than us - will want to browbeat us into being their pawns," he added.
South Africa has deployed the army in four of its provinces on Friday after at least 21 trucks carrying goods were set on fire on national roads in various parts of the country over the past week. Authorities have not established the motive for the attacks but Police Minister Bheki Cele said there is a possibility of economic sabotage against South Africa. He did not say who might be behind the campaign but police are hunting for at least 12 people believed to be linked to the attacks. "These are organised and sophisticated operations," Cele said in a statement released by the South African government's official news agency. Cele said there was no evidence that the truck burning was connected to the week-long violence and unrest in July 2021, when more than 350 people were killed and businesses were looted in a wave of protests sparked by the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma for contempt of court. That case was back in the headlines on Thursday when South Africa's apex Constitutional Court upheld a ruling that Zuma's early release from prison on medical parole was improper and he should serve the remaining 13 months of his 15-month sentence. South Africa braced itself on Friday for more violent unrest over the decision. The Department of Corrections has not said if it will order Zuma back to jail or if the time he spent on medical parole will count as him having served his sentence. South African media reports said the 81-year-old former president was in Russia receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. Soldiers were deployed in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal where Zuma is from, and the central province of Free State. The army would support police in their response to the truck attacks, the South African Department of Defence said. Cele said 21 trucks had been burned down since Sunday in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Sunday, when the truck burning apparently started, was the second anniversary of the start of the 2021 violence. "No matter the motive, the country's law enforcement remains on high alert and is hard at work at preventing more attacks but also finding these individuals or gangs of thugs who are hell-bent on causing havoc on our roads," Cele said. Authorities have not reported any deaths or serious injuries related to the torching of trucks.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the government is still trying to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin not to attend the next month's Brics summit. As a signatory to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for his arrest, South Africa is obliged to arrest Putin, should he come to SA. But this is an unthinkable proposition for the government, as the government invited him. "It's a big dilemma for us. Of course, we cannot arrest him. It's almost like you invite your friend to your house, and then arrest them. That's why for us, his not coming is the best solution. "The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come," he said in an interview in Johannesburg on Friday. Mashatile was tasked with dealing with the dilemma by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and proposed three options, none of which have been accepted by all the Brics partners. These included relocating the summit to China, Putin not attending but sending his foreign minister in his place, and holding a virtual summit. "So, we are in a situation where the summit will probably be here, and the Russians want Putin to come. So, we've now decided to leave this matter with the president who is talking to Putin. The president is going to the Russia-Africa summit later this month, so they will continue to talk. We want to show him the challenges that we face because we are part of the Rome Statute and we can't wiggle out of this," Mashatile said. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor confirmed last week that the Brrics summit will be held in South Africa. Mashatile said that no decision had been taken to uninvite Putin, and the strategy remained one of persuasion until Ramaphosa met him in Russia at the end of July. Uninviting him was tricky as Russia had been an original member of Brics while SA joined later, he said. South Africa's bonds and currency were hit hard after the claim by US ambassador to SA Reuben Brigety that South Africa had sold arms to Russia, which were loaded onto the now famous Lady R, which had docked in Simonstown. Mashatile says he is keenly aware of the financial consequences for South Africa should Putin arrive and not be arrested.
Former president Jacob Zuma is currently unwell and seeking medical assistance in Moscow, Russia, News24 has confirmed. This is as the Constitutional Court on Thursday dismissed the Department of Correctional Services' application for leave to appeal a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that he must go back to prison. Two sources with direct knowledge of Zuma's trip said the former president had left on Monday for Moscow, where he was receiving medical treatment. He flew commercially to Russia, accompanied by six VIP protectors paid for by the state. Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi confirmed to News24 that the former president was in Moscow and was seeking medical assistance. "He went for medical check ups. He has not been feeling well," Manyi said. He is expected to return to South Africa next week. Zuma has long relied on the Russian healthcare system, ever since he was allegedly poisoned in 2014. In dismissing the application for leave to appeal Zuma's medical parole, the Constitutional Court said an appeal had "no reasonable prospects of success". This means the November judgment of the SCA, which said: "Mr Zuma, in law, has not finished serving his sentence. He must return to the Estcourt Correctional Centre to do so," stands. Zuma was jailed in July 2021 for 15 months for contempt of the Constitutional Court after he refused to obey an order to appear before the Zondo Commission. However, hardly two months later, he was released on medical parole after the then-national commissioner of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, overruled the Medical Parole Advisory Board's (MPAB) recommendation that the former president did not qualify for it. The Democratic Alliance, AfriForum and Helen Suzman Foundation asked the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to review Fraser's decision and set it aside. Judge Elias Matojane found the decision unlawful. Manyi said the foundation would not comment on the Constitutional Court decision. "It was only DCS that appealed the SCA judgement, and H.E President Zuma only applied for leave to intervene as an interested party only if the appeal was to take place," he said.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile's spokesperson's assertion he must live in a R37-million mansion owned by an enterprise run by his son-in-law and son is "simply ludicrous", says Rise Mzansi. Following the second instalment of News24's investigation into Mashatile's lavish lifestyle, Rise Mzansi will now amend its initial complaint to the Public Protector. On Wednesday, News24 revealed Mashatile was staying in a R37-million house in an exclusive Waterfall estate in Midrand, Johannesburg. The house is registered on a 99-year lease to Legacy Properties. According to company records, the directors of Legacy are Mashatile's son, Thabiso, and his son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo. Nonkwelo Investments received at least four loans from the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF), totalling at least R30-million, between 2013 and 2017 - overlapping with Mashatile's second stint as human settlements MEC. According to Nonkwelo, the loans were to develop a property in Highlands, Johannesburg, for student accommodation which, News24 has learned, was to be named Hunter Heights. Construction, however, has not been completed, with no discernible construction having taken place on the property. On Wednesday afternoon, Gauteng Human Settlements and Infrastructure MEC Lebogang Maile ordered the GPF's board of directors to undertake an urgent investigation into whether the fund offered excessive loans, spanning more than a decade, to Nonkwelo Investments. Mashatile's spokesperson, Vukani Mde, and the deputy president's son, Thabiso, said Mashatile had to move to the house because of threats by a former girlfriend in March 2023, shortly after he married another woman. But Rise Mzansi is not buying this. "The deputy president's spokesperson cites security concerns as the primary reason for Mashatile to occupying his official state residence. Tebogo Moalusi, the party's spokesperson, said, "This is simply illogical and ludicrous given the permanent security around state residences and the deputy president himself." In the investigation's first instalment, News24 reported Mashatile lived a life of luxury in expensive homes, owned by businesspeople who benefitted from state contracts. One of his largest benefactors is Edwin Sodi, the politically connected businessperson currently on trial on charges of corruption and fraud linked to a R255-million Free State asbestos eradication tender, together with former Free State premier Ace Magashule, who was recently expelled from the African National Congress. After that report, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Rise Mzansi laid complaints with the Public Protector. On Wednesday, the DA's Solly Malatsi said the party would request the Public Protector to extend the scope of her investigation to include these latest allegations. On Thursday, Rise Mzansi announced the same. "In order to assist the work of the Public Protector and the assigned senior investigator, Rise Mzansi will submit the latest revelations to add to the docket as part of the ongoing investigation by the Chapter 9 body," said Moalusi. "The Union Buildings are occupied by a president and a deputy president who are compromised and focused on fighting their own political battles and allegations of unethical and criminal conduct, rather than building a capable state and the country we all deserve."
The unlawful appointment of a Limpopo government official implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal and another who has a criminal record for fraud, are expected to test President Cyril Ramaphosa's "renewal" project ahead of his visit to the province on Friday. Ramaphosa will host the presidential imbizo - or community gathering - in Limpopo amid a scenario in which provincial government officials are blatantly ignoring Cogta MEC Basikopo Makamu about the reversal of two appointments he did not concur with, making them invalid in line with the Municipal Systems Amendment Act. The appointment of Morris Maluleke as municipal manager at the Mogalakwena Local Municipality was ruled "unlawful" by the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane in September last year, but Maluleke is still in the post. Mogalakwena is an ANC-led municipality. News24 has seen a report dated May 2023 by the Limpopo ANC provincial executive committee, which states that the municipality spent more than R20-million in legal fees trying to overturn the High Court's judgment. The party conceded that the money could have been used to deal with "service delivery issues", including "sewer spillage, water provision and [the] patching of potholes". Spokesperson Jimmy Machaka authored the Limpopo ANC report. Machaka sits on the provincial executive committee. Speaking to News24 on behalf of the Limpopo ANC, Machaka confirmed authoring the May report and said the party "supported the appointment of Maluleke". He added that it would allow Mogalakwena "time and space" to deal with the court matter. "We are worried about the amounts [spent], but it is something that is out of our control," Machaka said. The next court date for Mogalakwena's leave to appeal application is 4 August. But sources in Limpopo said the municipality would ask for another postponement as part of an alleged delay tactic to stall the removal of Maluleke as the municipal manager. "They are abusing municipal funds because they know they will get away with it. There is no hope of the High Court's decision being overturned, and Maluleke knows this," said one source, who asked to remain anonymous. VBS scandal and criminal records According to a national government warning letter dated April 2022, which News24 has seen, Maluleke deposited R50 million into the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank in 2018 while he was the chief financial officer of the Madibeng Local Municipality in the North West. It is against the Municipal Finance Management Act for municipalities to deposit money into mutual banks. Mbulelo Sigaba, the acting director-general of institutional development in the national co-operative governance department, warned the Mogalakwena council in his April 2022 letter that Maluleke, although he resigned before he was disciplined, had a tainted past related to VBS. Only R20-million of Madibeng's money was recovered, Sigaba said. Sigaba's letter read, "Although Mr Maluleke does not appear in the record of dismissed staff, the [Mogalakwena] municipality's attention is drawn to the fact that, while acting as chief financial officer and municipal manager, respectively, at Madibeng Local Municipality, the municipality was allegedly implicated in the VBS Mutual Bank investment." In May, Mogalakwena, according to a document authored by MEC Makamu, appointed Kulungwana Ngomana as its chief financial officer despite a 2017 fraud conviction. Makamu, in a document dated 18 May 2023, wrote that the Municipal Finance Management Act stipulated that anyone found guilty of corruption or fraud should serve a 10-year cooling period "before a person may be redeployed in a municipality". "The State Security [Agency] report indicates that the preferred incumbent has committed fraud.The municipality is requested to comply with all legislative requirements pertaining to the appointment of senior managers," Makamu wrote. His document was addressed to Mogalakwena Mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala, who, along with Maluleke, ignored Makamu's di...
In a unanimous judgment written by Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, the Constitutional Court upheld President Cyril Ramaphosa's suspension of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and dismissed her application to halt the Section 194 inquiry into her fitness for office on Thursday. In June 2022, two days after Mkhwebane informed him that she was investigating the Phala Phala matter, Ramaphosa suspended her. It came after letters went to and fro since March about her suspension, pending the Section 194 inquiry, which started in July. Mkhwebane applied to the Western Cape High Court to have the suspension overturned and to have the Section 194 process declared unlawful. In September, a full Bench of that court appeared unconvinced by the bulk of Mkhwebane's challenges to the impeachment process against her, but it found that "from the objective facts, the decision of [Mkhwebane] to investigate the president and to put 31 questions to him [about the break-in], prompted the president not to wait a day more and to immediately suspend her". Given that Ramaphosa was "sitting with a letter from [Mkhwebane] with a long list of questions" that he was required to answer within 14 days at the time he suspended her, the High Court found that to "suggest that such a suspension would not have any effect on delaying the course of investigation would be a difficult proposition to convincingly sustain". "Thirdly, the expansive nature of the questions that the president was required to answer in the said short space of time in respect of events that took place some two years ago may well have caused the president to conclude that 'there she goes again' in those circumstances, rather than to have to contend with [Mkhwebane], he was better off with any person but [Mkhwebane]," it stated. But the apex court didn't agree after the Democratic Alliance and Ramaphosa appealed. Mkhwebane filed a cross-appeal, which the apex court found to be meritless. Justice Maya said they found that the mere fact that Mkhwebane was investigating Ramaphosa, wasn't enough to say there was a conflict of interest when he suspended her. The suspension didn't have any benefit for him, as it did not hamper the investigation, and there was no evidence that he suspended her due to the Phala Phala investigation. "It cannot be said that the president's decision was irrational," Maya said. Furthermore, the court found Ramaphosa had "rational reasons" for the suspension, including allowing her to prepare for the impeachment proceedings. The suspension wouldn't cause her irreparable harm, it added. The court also noted that the independent panel Parliament had appointed found that there was a prima facie case for her removal, and that the court itself made "grave" findings against her in the past. Mkhwebane must pay part of the costs personally. Arguments were heard in November. Mkhwebane, and the African Transformation Movement have complained about the long wait for a judgment. Mkhwebane said the judgment would be merely academic. On 30 June, Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka released the report on Phala Phala, which cleared Ramaphosa. After several delays, Mkhwebane didn't conclude her testimony before the Section 194 inquiry and refused to answer the committee's questions, which it had to submit in writing. The committee will now only consider the evidence already before it is expected to adopt its report on 28 July. Mkhwebane's term expires on 14 October, at which time she will receive a gratuity of around R10-million.
The Constitutional Court has found that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (Aarto) is constitutional. On Wednesday, the apex court overturned an order of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, which had found Aarto to be unconstitutional and invalid and that it should be scrapped in its entirety. In a unanimous decision delivered by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, the justices agreed that Aarto and the way notices would be served to alleged offenders was not inconsistent with the Constitution. The court also concluded that Parliament had the competence to pass the Act. "It cannot be said that Parliament had no power to make this law," Zondo said while delivering the judgment. He added that the court had rejected Outa's contention that Aarto removed certain powers from municipalities and gave them to other state organs. The Act set up a single national system of road traffic regulation, to hold motorists to account for traffic violations.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has verified the registration of the Congress of the People (Cope) as a political party. This comes after news reports alleged that the party was deregistered. Party spokesperson Dennis Bloem has since clarified that Cope has deregistered as a company by the Companies Intellectual Properties Commission and remains a political party. The IEC confirmed on Wednesday that "the Congress of the People is registered with the Commission as a political party in terms of Section 15 (A) (1) of the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996." However, the IEC noted that it reserves the right to cancel the registration of a party if it finds that a party no longer has the intention to participate in an election; when a party is not represented in the National Assembly, a Provincial Legislature or Municipal Council; and if a party has not participated in a national, provincial or municipal election after the date of its registration. Cope is facing leadership battles, with the recent expulsion of the party's deputy president Willie Madisha and elections secretary Mzwandile Hleko.
Police Minister Bheki Cele on Wednesday assured citizens that the recent attacks on trucks were not linked or related to the 2021 July unrest. Cele was speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, to provide an update on criminality targeted at trucks. He said there was no evidence before the South African Police Service (Saps) to suggest that the targeting of trucks was in any way linked to the July insurrection. This week marks two years since the country witnessed mass looting, acts of arson and wanton destruction in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng province, where 354 people lost their lives as a result of the mayhem. "I wish to take this opportunity to allay any fears that what transpired in July 2021 will repeat itself," said Cele. To date, 67 people have been arrested in 11 cases related to the July insurrection. Cele noted that police were also, in fact, investigating 107 cases in KwaZulu-Natal related to the torching of trucks since 2018. "We have a capable State that has learnt from the past. The security apparatus is working in unison and the Security Cluster is in a better state to respond to any eventuality," he said. Cele highlighted that 21 trucks had been burnt since Sunday, nine in KwaZulu-Natal, three in Limpopo and nine in Mpumalanga. Intelligence suggests that these attacks on trucks may be business related as opposed to random acts of criminality. "Evidence before us points to organised, coordinated and sophisticated operations that seek to undermine and sabotage the State," Cele added. He noted that 12 persons of interest had been identified through investigations and intelligence collection. "These people are around the country but more specifically they are concentrated in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga," he stated. He explained that a plan of action from the police was already underway. "No matter the motive, the country's law enforcement remains on high alert and is hard at work at preventing more attacks but also finding these individuals or gangs of thugs hell-bent on causing havoc on our roads. It is on this score, that the Saps has heightened police visibility and is leaving nothing to chance in all provinces," he added. Cele noted that all major truck routes had been secured and regular patrols were being conducted along identified high-risk routes. Meanwhile, he added that the Saps had noted incorrect media reportage of trucks being torched in Gauteng, as part of the coordinated truck attacks. He said the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner had confirmed that two trucks were involved in two separate accidents. He explained that the Saps remained adamant that both these incidents were unrelated to the coordinated and planned attacks on trucks and should be reported as such. Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola said the Saps would maintain the deployment of law enforcement agencies on highways until arrests had been made.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) on Tuesday expressed concern that government is using the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI) to campaign for the 2024 elections. The PSA is also calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reconsider the NHI and instead allow for further discussions to clarify unanswered questions and concerns raised by relevant stakeholders and warned that if that is not done, the NHI will be a “dead elephant” like the e-tolls. It said while it supports the rehabilitation of the public health sector, the PSA’s view is that members, like other citizens, must reserve the right to choose whether to use public or private healthcare. The PSA warned that the current single funding model for the NHI will plunge the citizenry into a deeper financial crisis as they will be burdened to fund this initiative. “The idea that workers might be expected to pay for private medical insurance and the NHI simultaneously, induces anxiety amongst public sector employees. The chief priority of health reform in South Africa should be the rehabilitation of the public health sector. This can be best achieved by a competent, non-partisan public health service, free of corruption and political interference,” said the union. The union is also concerned about the future of medical schemes, especially as it relates to employees’ access to medical aid schemes. It further warned that the NHI Bill may reverse the gains workers have made in respect of access to quality healthcare.
The committee chairperson for the Section 194 Enquiry into Public Protector (PP) Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, Qubudile Dyantyi, emphasised on Tuesday that the deadlines set by the committee for Mkhwebane to submit written notice will not be extended any further. This after Mkhwebane failed to meet another deadline on July 7. She had also missed a June 19 deadline to submit additional information for the committee’s consideration. The committee was established on March 16, 2021 to conduct a constitutional enquiry into the PP’s fitness to hold office. Dyantyi said up to this point, Mkhwebane had failed to meet any of the deadlines stipulated in the new path that the committee was forced to take so as to fulfil its constitutional mandate and finalise its work. He explained that, according to the new timetable, Mkhwebane had to submit written notice to the committee secretariat indicating whether she will make a closing statement and the format of her statement by no later than July 7. He noted that the committee’s July 28 deadline for the consideration of the draft report for its adoption would still stand. “In fact, to the contrary, her continued non-response to questions and deadlines means that we may produce a report much sooner than initially planned because there would be no reason for the chairperson not to direct evidence leader to do the summation earlier than planned or to convene a committee meeting earlier than 28 July if this is practical,” he added. He noted that the committee provided an opportunity to Mkhwebane to explain her version of the allegations against her, but she failed to respond. “This is not the first deadline missed by Adv Mkhwebane since the committee was forced to forge a new path after various challenges and delays arose in relation to the PP’s legal assistance, even though the Public Protector South Africa made another R4-million available in additional funds and the PP was granted permission to retain all three of her counsel at increased fees,” explained Dyantyi. Last week Mkhwebane also ignored the deadline to respond to written questions posed by Members and evidence leaders. Mkhwebane was also due to notify the committee by June 19, whether she would be responding to questions in writing or orally. Dyantyi noted that Mkhwebane was granted another opportunity, until June 22, to submit any additional affidavits or documentation in support of Part B of her statement or in relation to the evidence leaders’ presentation to the committee on Part A of her statement to the extent that there is a part that was not addressed in her oral evidence or written statement. “Adv Mkhwebane did not meet the deadline of 19 June and did not submit any additional information for the committee’s consideration. On 25 June 2023, two sets of questions - one by Members of the committee and one by evidence leaders - were sent to Chaane Attorneys, Adv Mkhwebane’s attorneys of record. This due date was also not adhered to,” he added.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday signed a Service Delivery Pact, to bring much needed stability to a number of municipalities where both parties are involved. The agreement has been six months in the making and follows on from the parties’ successful cooperation in by-elections to win wards from the African National Congress (ANC). The agreement will ensure that where each party holds seats in a hung municipality, the DA and IFP will work together to improve service delivery and better the lives of residents. The parties said in a joint statement that they shared a strong commitment to Constitutionalism, the rule of law and service delivery improvement. “We are also parties of government that govern in various local municipalities across the country and are only two of three parties that have governed a province,” they pointed out. Both parties have pledged to ensure that communities have access to basic service delivery and will also relieve residents and businesses from crippling loadshedding by accessing affordable and sustainable electricity. The DA and IFP said they would bring in investment and jobs to the local economy and make it easier for businesses to trade. The parties have promised to support devolution of power within the constitutional and legislative framework and eliminate corruption and patronage networks. Both parties will also promote multilingualism and enhance the province’s heritage landscape. The DA and IFP have included 15 priorities that the joint caucuses will set to work on to radically change the landscape of local government in KZN, if successfully implemented. The parties accused the ANC of wrecking local government across the province. “That is why we believe we are able to come together and put the interests of citizens first. In the interests of transparency and to gain the trust of voters in these municipalities we will also be publishing these agreements so that they can hold us accountable. This is a first for KZN and a fresh approach from the shady ANC/Economic Freedom Fighters coalition agreement that is built purely on corruption and access to state resources,” said the parties. Both parties explained that it is their collective view that they can achieve more together than separately, as well as being able to learn from one another. “We are guided by the approach of IFP Founder and President Emeritus Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi who has sought to bring parties together from across the political, religious and racial divide for over 40 years and the current work that DA Leader John Steenhuisen has been doing to bring various opposition parties together to unseat the ANC in next year’s election,” parties added.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that for government to end poverty, it needs an economy that grows, attracts investment, creates jobs and allows new companies to emerge and thrive. Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that the provision of comprehensive social protection will not, on its own, end poverty or inequality in the country’s society. This month, South Africans will celebrate the life and work of former President Nelson Mandela, on Mandela Day on July 18. “In everything we do this month to honour the founding father of our nation, let us recall his observation that, while poverty persists, there is no true freedom. Since the advent of democracy, we have dedicated great effort and resources towards alleviating poverty and reducing inequality. Through its substantial social protection programmes, government has provided vital support to millions of South Africans, lifting many out of extreme poverty and meeting many of their basic needs,” he said. Ramaphosa said social protection in South Africa goes far beyond the provision of social grants for the elderly, children, people with disabilities and military veterans. He added that it goes beyond the work of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, which provides income support for unemployed workers, or the Compensation Fund, which supports those involved in workplace accidents. “It encompasses all support provided to South Africans, mainly the poor, through what has become known as the ‘social wage’. This includes the provision of free basic services, health care, basic education, higher education, social housing and transport,” he said. Ramaphosa explained that the country’s policies and programmes needed to work together to build an inclusive economy and provide social protection to the poor and unemployed. He added that a growing economy provided the funds government needed to strengthen its social protection measures, and that the support that poor people received, especially through access to education and health, enabled them to better contribute to that economy. “Because expansion of social protection can only take place at the pace and scale the fiscus can afford, we are focused on growing our economy and developing sustainable solutions to support pro-poor spending. Through an integrated and comprehensive system of social support, we are not only meeting our collective responsibility to the most vulnerable in society, we are also investing in our country’s future,” he said.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has granted the government's application to place the South African Post Office (Sapo) in business rescue, putting a halt to ongoing liquidation proceedings and paving the way for a R2.4-billion taxpayer bailout. Sapo was placed in provisional liquidation in February due to its failure to pay rent and other liabilities, but its provisional liquidators did not oppose the application. The judgment, delivered by Judge Elmarie van der Schyff following an urgent hearing in Pretoria, confirmed the appointment of Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Martins Damons as joint interim rescue practitioners. Roolpal has been overseeing the liquidation of VBS Mutual Bank since 2018 and will now also help guide the process of looking to prevent Sapo from being wound up and its assets sold off. The appointment of the business rescue practitioners must be ratified by a meeting of the majority of Sapo's creditors. Judge Van Der Schyff said placing the state-owned utility in business rescue would allow the government to inject the much-needed R2.4-billion in funding it has committed to providing. "It is gleaned from the minister's papers, and no objective reason exists to doubt the correctness of the evidence provided under oath, that Cabinet has not only pledged to provide Sapo with the initially earmarked R2.4-billion, but also indicated its intention to support Sapo's application for an additional R3.8-billion in the October budget," she wrote in the judgment. In addition to the already announced cash bailout, "there is a further possibility of continued government funding to see Sapo through the business rescue process," the state's application reads. The Sapo's provision liquidation came after a case brought by property company Withinshaw. It also owes hundreds of millions of rands in unpaid salaries to its staff, retirement and medical funds, the SA Revenue Service, landlords, and other suppliers. Turnaround hopes Mondli Gungubele, the communications minister, is pinning his hopes that the business rescue process - which offers temporary protection against creditors - will save as many jobs as possible. "The purpose of this application is to avoid the destruction of the Sapo by placing it under business rescue," said Gungubele in the court application. "This will give Sapo the space and time it needs to restructure its affairs and implement a turnaround plan under the supervision and direction of the business rescue practitioner. There is a reasonable prospect of Sapo being rescued." Sapo has been making annual losses of more than R2-billion the past three years. Of its 1 266 branches, fewer than a quarter were profitable, its 2022 annual report reads. To return Sapo into an operational state and solvency, the minister's plan approved by Cabinet and filed as part of the court application, seeks to reduce about R1.33-billion in employee costs. This would cut 7 000 jobs in Sapo, leaving just under 5 000 employed by the postal services company. Sapo's current workforce is just under 12 000 employees. "The harsh reality is that the facts point to it that Sapo's workforce needs to be extensively curtailed for Sapo to survive, but business rescue proceedings are prone to have a less severe impact on the workforce than final liquidation," wrote Judge Van Der Schyff. This remedy will be robustly opposed by the trade unions that represent employees at Sapo. The Democratic Postal and Communications Union (Depacu), which was represented in the court proceedings, said it would resist any attempt to cut jobs at the utility. The union's secretary general, Livy Zwane, said Depacu is the majority union representing about 63% of the Sapo employees. The funding committed by the government could be increased as the government has already indicated its support for increased funding should the entity be placed in business rescue, said Gungubele in the court application. No state funding, however, would be available should Sapo...
African National Congress (ANC) first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane stressed on Monday that South Africa will remain a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), however, she stressed that her party would not remain silent if its membership is "abused for other motives". The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. ICC president Piotr Hofmanski said the Russian president can be arrested if he travels to ICC member countries, including South Africa. South Africa is set to hold a Brics Summit in August and speculation about whether Putin will attend is rife. Meanwhile, Mokonyane also announced on Monday that her party will host a Political Party Plus Dialogue ahead of the Brics Summit. The dialogue is set to take place on July 18, in the Maropeng Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and Soweto and will be attended by representatives from more than 54 global political parties. The dialogue will focus on global peace and security, inclusive multilateralism, strengthening Brics and expanding its membership and partnership for mutually accelerated growth and sustainable development. Mokonyane said these are the pillars of the ANC and provide for a vision of a prosperous Africa and better world, as the party forges alliances and builds party-to-party relationships and inter-party relationships, as well as bilateral and multilateral relationships to deepen internationalism, solidarity, peace and friendship as advocated by the Freedom Charter and the founding principles of the African Union its Agenda 2063. "This dialogue will give political parties and former presidents a platform to tackle and unravel complex issues that affect the globe. These issues range from global change, famine, poverty, disease, food security, information technology to industrialisation, the International Criminal Court, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Sustainable Development Goals, transformation of the global institutions, the impact of the dwindling dollar as the international reserve currency and the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine which has a debilitating effect on the global economy,” said Mokonyane. She added that NATO expansion and the geopolitical shift towards the new paradigm of collaboration, and the diplomatic policy towards dialogue and cooperation for mutual growth and shared prosperity, will also be discussed. The ANC believes that the upcoming dialogue repositions South Africa as an important role player and change catalyst in the global arena. Brics political parties expected to be present are the Chinese political party, the Communist Party of Russia, the Indian Congress Party and the Workers Party of Brazil. Mokonyane said the University of South Africa would also host a seminar targeting academia and stakeholders. The ANC’s Progressive Business Forum will also host a Finance Colloquium on July 13, targeting the business community and the financial sector, based on internationalism, and the pillars and resolutions of the ANC's 55th National Conference. "The ANC will continue to work towards a multipolar world order where national sovereignty is not undermined. We will work with progressive forces in the world by focusing on the implementation and the goals of Agenda 2063 for Africa and the world we want," added Mokonyane.
The suspended Pretoria chief magistrate Desmond Nair will be making representations on why he should not be prosecuted for corruption based on witness testimony from his misconduct hearing. Nair briefly appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday. Prosecutor Bheki Manyathi placed it on record that Nair would be making representations on why he should not be prosecuted on a charge of corruption. It relates to security installation at his home by the controversial company Bosasa. The cost of the upgrade is said to be R200 000. Manyathi said the representations would be based on the testimony of two State witnesses during Nair's misconduct hearing which was held by the Magistrates Commission. However, the prosecutor said they still needed to obtain the transcript of the second witness' testimony, former Bosasa employee Richard le Roux, before making the representations. Le Roux implicated Nair in the State capture Inquiry. The State asked for a postponement to 30 November, which is only a provisional date. This is because if it finds in favour of Nair, the charges will be withdrawn and a court date won't be necessary. However, if Manyathi is not persuaded by the representations, a date in January 2024 has been set for pre-trial. Corruption charges News24 previously reported that Nair was charged with one count of corruption after allegedly accepting the installation of Bosasa-sponsored security systems at his Pretoria home, including a full electric fence, CCTV and alarm systems valued at R200 000. According to the charge sheet, Nair is accused of accepting a bribe from Bosasa in or near Silverton, Pretoria, in September 2016 while he was a judicial officer and the chief magistrate of Pretoria. News24 reported that Nair confirmed that security cameras were installed at his private residence, but said this was "pursuant to a private agreement".
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) regional leaders who fail to sell gala dinner tickets and fill hundreds of buses for the party's 10th birthday celebration will be publicly shamed and banned from attending its rally on July 29. This according to party leader Julius Malema. The EFF is celebrating its founding anniversary with a rally at FNB Stadium. Malema said all leaders were mandated to bring as many supporters as possible to the celebration. Those who fail will be publicly exposed. Malema said the EFF had told its representatives in Parliament as well as municipal and provincial legislatures to send busloads of constituents they claimed to be representing to the event. The directive's deadline was 30 June. Tickets to the EFF's gala dinner were on sale for thousands of rand. "This directive to EFF representatives was to ensure that they bring those they claim to represent and that the people of South Africa are part of this event. "All those who failed to comply with this directive, including members of the central command, are prohibited from attending the birthday celebration, and the EFF will publicly release the names of the representatives who are banished from attending. "Action will be taken against them immediately after the rally. "The EFF will host a gala dinner, and all members of the EFF and public representatives are expected to sell tickets to the gala dinner. If they fail, their names will be published to the public," Malema said on Thursday. He was speaking at the Uncle Tom community hall in Orlando, Soweto, where the EFF was founded in July 2013. Malema also touched on current affairs, which include the Phala Phala report issued last week by acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka. It cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing. The EFF leader said the report was laughable. "It exonerated Ramaphosa from the very same business he controls. It is an illogical document." Malema said the only valid legal document left unchallenged and spoke truthfully about Ramaphosa's guilt was the Section 189 report compiled by former Justice Sandile Ngcobo which resolved the president might have a case to answer to. Parliament did not adopt this report after the African National Congress (ANC) voted against it. Malema said the report was rejected by the EFF, and its legal findings were a direct sign Gcaleka was aligned with Ramaphosa. "The claim by Gcaleka that there is no conflict of interest in a president engaging in the exchange of millions of foreign currencies, without any declaration to the South African Reserve Bank or consideration of the Executive Members Ethics Act is a sign that a lowly puppet is occupying the Office of the Public Protector," he added.
Jacob Zuma, the former president who brought South Africa’s renewable-energy programme to a halt in 2016, announced that a Belarus trade association will list the first carbon credits on a newly created exchange in Zimbabwe. The Belarus African Foreign Trade Association, of which Zuma is a board member, has allocated 2-million carbon credits to initiate trade in the offsets on the Africa Voluntary Carbon Credits Market, he said on Friday. “I have the memorandum of intent of these carbon offsets which have been certified and validated,” Zuma said at a carbon-credit conference in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. “This is our pledge to kick-start the process.” In his speech on Friday, Zuma gave no indication of why he was representing a Belarus-backed organization or where the association accessed the carbon offsets. Zimbabwe has close ties with Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenko visited the African nation earlier this year. A single carbon credit represents a ton of climate-warming carbon dioxide or its equivalent that’s either removed or prevented from entering the atmosphere. The credits are bought by companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions as tighter legislation forces them to do more to slow global warming. The global trade in carbon offsets is projected to grow to as much as $1-trillion within 15 years from $2-billion now, according to estimates from BloombergNEF. Zuma, apart from presiding over a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2011, has no known track record in the carbon credits industry, but had close ties with Russia, an ally of Belarus, during his nine-year rule that ended in 2018. His daughter, Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma, who accompanied him to the conference, was placed at the center of a Russia-backed Twitter campaign to bolster support for its invasion of Ukraine, according to research commissioned and funded by the Centre for Information Resilience. In 2016, when Zuma was in power, South Africa halted one of the world’s most successful programmes to attract private investment into wind and solar power and, under Zuma’s direction, unsuccessfully pursued a plan to have Russian companies build a nuclear power plant in South Africa. Since being ousted by South Africa’s governing African National Congress as its leader, Zuma has spent much of his time fighting legal battles related to a charge that he benefited from an arms deal in the 1990s. He has spent time in prison for contempt of court after refusing to testify to a judicial commission of inquiry into state corruption. He has denied wrongdoing. Zuma, who arrived at the Zimbabwe conference on Wednesday and was seen wearing a brightly patterned shirt as he dined with his daughter, spoke passionately about the effects of climate change on Africa as he gave a speech. “Climate change is a global challenge that does not respect national borders,” he said. “Emissions affect people everywhere. It does not pick and choose any type of person. It attacks all type of persons.” He said the new carbon market, part of the dollar-based Victoria Falls Securities Exchange, was an “Afro-centric” solution to climate change. The exchange is in talks with the Zimbabwean government and a partner to launch trade in the offsets, Justice Bgoni, the exchange’s chief executive officer, said by text message. He didn’t identify the partner.
Civil society groups have lodged their appeal against a decision granting Eskom a temporary exemption to bypass pollution controls at Kusile. The exemption allows Eskom to run Kusile without flue gas desulphurisation (FGD), which is required to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions. Eskom had applied for the exemption following the collapse of a flue gas duct at Kusile's unit 1 last year, owing to ash buildup inside the pipe. This affected the operations of units 2 and 3 - which meant Eskom lost about 2 100MW of generation capacity, or two stages of load shedding. The exemption, granted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment's (DFFE) National Air Quality Office, would effectively allow Eskom to return the units into operation earlier than if the flue duct first had to be repaired. The exemption applies until 31 March 2025. The Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action and groundWork, which are represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), are appealing this decision, they said in a joint statement on Thursday. The organisations said that they understand the concerns about load shedding and the impacts on the economy and livelihoods. However, they have questioned whether Eskom and the National Air Quality Officer had "adequately" evaluated the proposal to run Kusile without FGD - given its consequences for health as well as the costs. "The costs of the permanent repair to the failed stack are not being disclosed by Eskom, making a sound cost-benefit assessment by interested and affected parties impossible," the groups put forward. Sulphur dioxide pollution is associated with respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Research by the Centre for Research into Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has also highlighted that if Kusile were to run without FGD it would significantly increase sulphur dioxide and mercury emissions that would affect health and cause hundreds of deaths: In addition to the sixfold increase in SO2 emissions (an excess of 280 000 tonnes), bypassing the FGD will also see a 40% increase in the emission of mercury - a potent neurotoxin which persists in the environment for years. "The increased emissions from Kusile are projected to result in 670 excess deaths, 3 000 asthma emergency room visits, 720 000 days of work absence and a societal costs of health impacts to the tune of up to R24-billion," the CER said, citing CREA's research. A 2021 data analysis by CREA also found Eskom to be the world's worst sulphur dioxide polluter. The exemption is subject to the condition that Eskom take steps to mitigate the harm caused by exposure to sulphur dioxide, but the groups have criticised these as being weak. For example, Eskom is required to have independent health screenings and refer people to "appropriate" public health facilities for treatment. But the groups want a more proactive approach - such as the introduction of mobile clinics, a health management outreach programme, chronic treatment and improved air quality monitoring and installing filtration systems at schools and public buildings. "The mitigation measures required of Eskom are weak and general, and there are concerns about how effective they will be. As things currently stand, public health facilities in the area are woefully underequipped to deal with the air quality-induced crisis in the region," said Ntombi Maphosa, CER attorney. "We are expecting hundreds of people to sacrifice their lives and thousands more to experience disabilities because of our poor energy choices. This is unconscionable. We need to shift to renewable energy as a matter of utmost urgency," added Michelle Cruywagen, senior just transition and coal campaign manager, groundWork.
Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as the country's acting president, will deliver the eulogy at the special funeral for former Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad. Mashatile is acting president while President Cyril Ramaphosa is on a working trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pahad will be buried at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg, at 14:00 on Thursday in a special official funeral.
The Johannesburg CBD was covered in a sea of red on Wednesday as Cosatu members marched to protest high unemployment rates, load shedding and climbing interest rates, among other economic difficulties. Cosatu was joined by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA; the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union; and the Agricultural Food And Allied Democratic Workers Union. Cosatu's second deputy president Duncan Luvuno said the march was one of many. Speaking of the growing crowd, he said it was "evident that workers are saying that whatever leadership is doing in the boardrooms is not working". "They are prepared to sacrifice a day without pay so that future generations don't have to pay. "The unemployment rate is unacceptable, at 40% and 60% youth unemployment. We want to advance policies that have social impacts. "We want to show the government that we are willing [to stand up] and be [behind workers] every day." Although the crowd was not as large as in past marches, Cosatu leaders said size doesn't matter, the fact that workers are protesting across the country speaks volumes. Luvuno also said workers were tired of the high levels of crime and corruption in South Africa. Cosatu members nationwide will be handing memorandums to various government entities on Thursday afternoon. In Johannesburg, protesters will march to the SA Local Government Association, the SA Human Rights Commission, the Department of Employment and Labour, and the office of the premier.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) announced on Wednesday that it will be tabling a constitutional amendment for the establishment of the “Scorpions 2.0” - a Chapter 9 anti-corruption body to work independently of the executive and without the threat of disbandment by Parliament - to tackle State capture in the country. DA deputy shadow minister of justice and correctional services Werner Horn addressed the media in Johannesburg, where he noted that the DA strongly believed that this institution must be set up to fortify against political manipulation by the African National Congress (ANC) government or even a future government. “This will prevent politicians from disbanding it when it does its work, like we have seen with the Scorpions, which was abolished by a simple majority vote in Parliament. If this entity is positioned in Chapter 9 of the Constitution and identified as being critical to the rule of law in our country, it will require the support of at least 75% of Members of Parliament to be disbanded should it be deemed central to the rule of law,” explained Horn. DA leader John Steenhuisen said it was almost a year since President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Anti-Corruption Council was established, however, there’s no legislation that has come to Parliament to establish a new South African corruption-fighting body. Steenhuisen explained that in the year since Chief Justice Raymond Zondo released the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector - an exercise that cost the South African taxpayer in excess of R1-billion - the process to implement a raft of recommendations and structural changes to South Africa’s State institutions and oversight bodies had come to a grinding halt. He added that of the 98 ANC members mentioned in the Zondo Report, not one has been reprimanded by the party nor handed over to law enforcement for investigation. “In the National Assembly, of the 16 recommendations made by the Zondo Report to bolster and fix Parliament’s model of accountability over the executive, the majority of the substantive and immediately implementable recommendations have already been voted down by the ANC,” he said. He highlighted that the DA had taken several steps to ensure that accountability was strengthened, that institutions were rebuilt and bolstered independently and impartially, and that organs of State tasked with the investigation and prosecution of those implicated in corruption were strengthened. The party announced that it had written to the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) Professor Firoz Cachalia, to highlight a number of concerns the party had with the council’s work, which the DA believed had taken place predominantly in a vacuum of transparency where only the executive had had sight of the council’s proposals, and not the necessary independent institutions such as Parliament. “This should be of particular concern to all South Africans given that we cannot trust the NACAC’s impartiality and credibility if it is proposing solutions to a problem of corruption to the very source of the corruption problem itself. This despite an initial assurance from President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2021 State of the Nation Address that the NACAC would report to Parliament and not the executive,” said Steenhuisen. WHISTLEBLOWERS’ SAFETY The DA believes government is moving at a “snail’s pace” to strengthen and expand whistleblower protection, as well as the substance of the amendments government is considering. The DA said government had failed to show the type of urgency and seriousness demanded by the critical role whistleblowers needed to play in an effective fight against corruption. During the 2022 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa announced that the relevant law enforcement agencies were to take the “necessary steps to address the immediate concern about the safety of whistleblowers”. Horn noted that unfortunatel...
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed cases containing three charges were opened on Tuesday against the members of the police's VIP unit who assaulted motorists in Gauteng at the weekend. IPID spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said three charges to be investigated were assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, and pointing of a firearm. The case was opened on Tuesday night, Raburabu said.
Former president Jacob Zuma’s "private prosecution" of his successor Cyril Ramaphosa has been declared unlawful and unconstitutional and has been set aside. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg also ordered that Zuma pays Ramaphosa's costs. Zuma launched his private prosecution in December last year, on the eve of the African National Congress's national elective conference, in which Ramaphosa was competing for the party's leadership, eventually successfully. Zuma accused Ramaphosa of "being [an] accessory after the fact to crimes committed by, among others, Adv Downer" - alleged breaches of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act. Advocate Billy Downer is prosecuting Zuma on behalf of the State for arms deal-related corruption. Zuma is seeking to privately prosecute Downer and News24 specialist legal writer Karyn Maughan for allegedly violating the Act by sharing court documents - filed by Zuma's lawyers and the State - that contained a sick note from the former president's military doctor. Zuma argued that Ramaphosa's failure to investigate made him an accessory after the fact. Ramaphosa subsequently filed an urgent two-part application. In the first part, he asked for an interdict against Zuma continuing with his purported private prosecution, pending the finalisation of the second part. This interdict was granted in January. The second part asked the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg to declare the purported private prosecution unlawful, invalid and unconstitutional and to set it aside. After arguments were heard in May, the court handed down its judgment on Wednesday. The judgment reads, "Mr Zuma's private prosecution of Mr Ramaphosa in respect of the charges set out in the summons and grounded on the allegations set out in the summary of facts attached to the summons is interdicted. "Mr Zuma is bound by s1(c) of the Constitution to respect the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution. While he enjoys the right of access to the court and to have any dispute that can be resolved by the application of law decided in a fair public hearing before a court, the content of this right does not extend to an unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid private prosecution process. "If allowed, such a private prosecution would breach Mr Ramaphosa's right to human dignity, privacy and security of the person. The Applicant has established a clear right on the basis on which he has been found to enjoy standing in this application, to ensure that both Mr Ramaphosa and the office he occupies as President are protected from such constitutional breaches." Downer and Maughan also brought applications to have the summons Zuma served them with reviewed and set aside. The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg last month ruled in Maughan and Downer's favour, setting aside the private prosecution. Zuma will appeal that ruling.
South Africa’s energy crisis may have reduced the nation’s economic growth rate by as much as 3.2 percentage points last year and is likely to dampen output until at least early 2024, according to the central bank. Eskom frequently implements loadshedding to protect the grid from collapse as the State-owned utility’s aging and poorly maintained plants can’t meet demand. Regular outages since January have lasted as long as 12 hours a day. In May they started easing after South Africa managed to boost its generating capacity. That’s in part because of winter storms and the company’s decisions to scrap the post of chief operating officer and give individual plant managers more direct access to senior executives, a change Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana said has boosted morale. Governor Lesetja Kganyago has estimated the supply disruptions will cut 2 percentage points off output growth in 2023. Last year, the country had 3 776 hours — about 157 days — of loadshedding, more than triple the amount in 2021, authors including Theo Janse van Rensburg and Kgotso Morema said in a South African Reserve Bank economic note published on June 29. By mid-February this year, the outages surpassed the cumulative totals for 2019 and 2020, the authors said. By May, interruptions to supply had exceeded those for all of 2022. The central bank’s models estimate power cuts trimmed between 0.7 percentage points and 3.2 percentage points off the GDP growth rate in 2022, according to the authors. The outages also have repercussions for potential growth as, for example, machinery that would have operated for 24 hours a day has to shut down when loadshedding is in effect, Van Rensburg and Morema said. Potential growth was estimated at about 0.7% last year and “given that loadshedding is expected to be worse in 2023, potential growth is forecasted at 0.0% in 2023,” they said. “This is well below the steady state of 2.5%,” Van Rensburg and Morema said, referring to the rate at which the economy would grow without any new shocks. “Loadshedding has severe negative implications for production and overall confidence in the economy,” the pair said. The authors expect the risk of rolling blackouts to remain high this year and into early 2024 because of unreliable power supply, alleged sabotage at plants, corruption and other factors, they said in the note. Major repairs, new capital investment and maintenance projects that could alleviate the pressure are only expected to be completed over the next 12 to 18 months, the authors said.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen on Tuesday maintained that forming a united opposition Pact ahead of the 2024 election offers political parties the very best chance to unseat the African National Congress (ANC), keep the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) out of power, and form a stable new government to rescue South Africa. Steenhuisen was speaking during a live broadcast to the nation, where he urged citizens not to vote for any political party that is not part of the Moonshot Pact. “The most important thing we should not do, is to vote for parties that pretend to be in opposition but are actually fronts for the ANC. Any political leader who refuses to put the needs of South Africa ahead of the narrow interests of their party, does not deserve your vote,” he said. He accused the Patriotic Alliance, Al Jamah and GOOD party of being mired in corruption and selling out to the ANC. The DA, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, United Independent Movement and the Spectrum National Party have established sufficient common ground to hold a National Convention for the Moonshot Pact on August 16 and 17. Steenhuisen hopes the Moonshot Pact will form a strong, united opposition, and provide a way for political parties to “break free from the abuse the country suffers at the hands of the ANC”. Steenhuisen explained that this Moonshot Pact would bring together different parties – excluding the ANC, EFF and “their proxies” – to ensure that the opposition focuses its collective energies on defeating the ANC, rather than on attacking each other. He said his party was deeply committed to this process, and believed the Convention in August would be the most important political conversation to take place in the country since the transition to democracy. “We believe that the outcome could provide opposition voters with something they have never had before: the credible prospect of victory. By working together, the Pact can be greater than the sum of our collective parts,” said Steenhuisen. He added that the Pact could energise the 14-million unregistered voters to vote, and give the 13-million people who are registered but failed to vote in 2021 a new reason to vote. CERTAINTY AND STABILITY He noted that a successful Convention would also provide the certainty and stability that would be crucial to forming a Pact government in 2024. He noted, however, that many were still sceptical about the effectiveness of coalitions given the attention that had been paid to “the few that have not worked”. “That is precisely why the National Convention is designed to negotiate many key elements of a post-2024 government up front – so that we don’t have to rush to meet the two-week deadline after the election,” said Steenhuisen. While the political leaders inside the Pact had the responsibility to lead by example by working together in the national interest, the success of the Pact would ultimately depend on the people of South Africa doing the same, he said. The DA hopes that the Pact will set a worthy example of how South Africans from all backgrounds can unite and take action around a common set of values and policies to rescue the country.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday condemned acts of violence by his security detail and appealed to South Africans to allow law enforcement to complete its investigation. This follows a viral video that showed unarmed civilians being assaulted by what looks like members of the South African Police Service (Saps) VIP Protection Unit, on a Johannesburg highway. The video has angered many South Africans who are calling for the security detail involved to be brought to book. In a statement, Mashatile said he has full confidence in the Saps under the leadership of Police Minister Bheki Cele and the command of National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola. “Members of the Saps are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner,” he said. He added that he abhors unnecessary force, particularly against unarmed civilians and revealed that Masemola had promised there would be an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, the Independent Investigative Directorate (Ipid) national spokesperson Robbie Raburabu has said that it is investigating the allegations of assault against members of Protection Security Services in the Saps. Ipid has also contacted family members of the victims to lay a charge. Raburabu says they have also contacted management of the Saps who are cooperating with the IPID investigation.
With the 2024 general elections approaching, seven opposition party leaders will, in August, hold a National Convention to negotiate a pre-election pact. The National Convention will be held on August 16 and 17 and will see the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, National Freedom Party, United Independent Movement and the Spectrum National Party come together, following a series of exploratory meetings over the past two months. The party leaders said in a joint statement that while there was still much work to be done, parties were working in unison to provide hope and a new way forward for South Africa. “As the leaders of seven different political organisations, this is a responsibility we take seriously. We know that many citizens are anxious about the future. We know that they want certainty that the new national government that replaces African National Congress (ANC) domination next year will be stable, viable and effective. Above all, they want opposition parties to provide a viable path to achieving the 50%+1 majority we need to form a government without the ANC, the Economic Freedom Fighters and their proxies that can deliver a prosperous future for all South Africans,” said the leaders. Party leaders have agreed on an agenda that will guide negotiations at the Convention to ensure that they emerge with the strongest possible agreement. Important items on the agenda include the values and principles that will guide a pact government and the formulation of a joint minimum programme of action. The agenda also includes rules of engagement during the upcoming election campaign, and a formula to form a Cabinet after the 2024 election. The leaders explained that these items were critical to forming a stable pact government that could deliver. “We wish to emphasise that every party leader that has engaged in this process so far has done so voluntarily, and it is for each party to ultimately decide whether it wants to formally join the Pact once negotiations have been concluded at the upcoming National Convention,” leaders added. The leaders assured that there were no predetermined outcomes, and negotiations at the Convention would be robust, honest and constructive. The African Christian Democratic Party and Build One South Africa have attended various meetings as observers and are yet to decide if they will attend the National Convention.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that government will soon be finalising a strategy to support the transition to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing to keep up with global developments. Worldwide, countries are incentivising the manufacture and uptake of EVs as the world moves towards decarbonisation. Ramaphosa explained that the decarbonisation of the country’s society could drive growth, improve industrial competitiveness, create jobs and harness the potential of innovation. “South Africa has some important advantages. We have the world’s largest reserves of platinum and are an attractive location for renewable energy, both of which are important elements in the production of green hydrogen. Such hydrogen can be used as an e-fuel in some models of vehicles, which are exempted from the European Union ban,” he stated. He argued that while there were fears that the move towards decarbonisation would result in job losses, BMW’s plans for job retention, reskilling and training on electro-mobility would provide certainty to more than 20 000 employees at the company’s facilities across the country. Last week, the BMW Group announced that it would be spending R4.2-billion over five years to prepare its local manufacturing plant for the production of the next-generation BMW X3. The plug-in hybrid X3 will be exclusively manufactured in South Africa at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria from the second half of 2024. Ramaphosa said while other vehicle manufacturers were producing hybrid vehicles, the X3 will be BMW’s first locally-produced electric vehicle. Ramaphosa noted that the investment announcement affirmed the confidence investors continued to have in the country’s economy and said it also gave effect to the principle of the country’s transition to low carbon energy. “Working in partnership as government, business, labour and civil society, we have to ensure that the transition to new forms of production is managed in a just, equitable manner. Among other things, this means that auto manufacturers need to be supported to expand their investment in the production of new energy vehicles in South Africa,” he said. Ramaphosa highlighted that the country currently had a range of measures to support automotive manufacturers, such as the special economic zone incentives, the Automotive Investment Scheme and others.
Trade union federation Cosatu and its affiliates will strike on Thursday in protest against the state of the economy, poor governance, and the falling living standards of workers, it said in a statement on Monday. The strike will occur under section 77 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), for which the federation has received a strike certificate from Nedlac. The strike is therefore protected under the LRA, and no one can be dismissed for participating. However, the no work, no pay rule will apply. "It is a demonstration by workers that government needs to do more to end the levels of load shedding, cable theft, crime and corruption, wasteful expenditure, and austerity crippling the state, suffocating the economy, and further plunging workers into high levels of indebtedness and misery. This is also a signal to the government, the Reserve Bank, and the commercial banks that the working class can no longer afford to bear the burden of rising levels of inflation, electricity tariff hikes, and relentless and reckless increases in the repo rate," Cosatu said. Cosatu claims its affiliates have a membership of 1.8 million, but a substantial section of these is in the public service, which includes essential services workers which may not strike. Cosatu's last day of action just under a year ago did not cause significant disruption to the economy as it was poorly attended by workers. Last year's protest was also backed by rival federation SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu). Cosatu says, among other things, it wants the government to: Raise the R350 social relief of distress grant to the food poverty line (which is R624); Increase the number of participants in the presidential employment stimulus programme, which employs mainly unemployed youth, to 2-million participants by February; To intervene and rebuild Transnet and Metro Rail; and To provide more resources to the SA Post Office to prevent its liquidation.
The provisional liquidators overseeing the SA Post Office (Sapo) have come out against a plan put forward by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to place the struggling entity in business rescue. Just days before a court is set to hear the department's application, provisional liquidators Anton Shaban and Gerry Musi have said they fear business rescue is "not an option" and will not work. The post office was placed into provisional liquidation in March as it could not pay its debts. In a statement on Friday, Shaban and Musi said that for business rescue to work, Sapo would need billions of rands in extra funding and a complete overhaul of its business operations. Parliament still needs to pass the Post Office Amendment Bill, they stated. Instead of business rescue, the Shaban and Musi have put forward a compromise agreement under section 155 of the Companies Act. This is the same section of the act used by retailer Steinhoff in its R25-billion settlement agreement with creditors and shareholders. This section of the act allows a company to put forward a compromise agreement to creditors to bypass being liquidated or placed into business rescue. Let's compromise Shaban said a compromise agreement was the best route to restore the Post Office to solvency. He said it could be done more quickly and at a lower cost than business rescue, without revealing any figures. The DCDT, meanwhile, is hoping to convince the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that the Sapo is a candidate for business rescue when the matter is heard on Tuesday. The department has nominated Anoosh Rooplal, the chartered accountant who has overseen the liquidation of VBS Bank for the past four-and-a-half years, as the Post Office's business rescue practitioner. "We are crossing our fingers that the court responds to our prayer favourably," DCDT Minister Mondli Gungubele told a Parliamentary briefing earlier this month. If the court declines to place the debt-laden State-owned entity into business rescue and the section 155 settlement proposal does not pan out, the Sapo will face a final liquidation hearing later this year.
South Africa must balance the need to cut emissions with increasing electricity access and developing its natural resources, according to the nation’s energy minister. “We can’t be only about decarbonisation,” Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said in a televised speech in Johannesburg on Friday. “We must deal with energy poverty.” South Africa’s transition from a reliance on coal to cleaner sources of power is a massive undertaking that includes changing a significant social aspect centered on mining of the dirtiest fossil fuel. Mantashe’s position has complicated the implementation of a $8.5-billion pledge by rich nations to help South Africa move to green energy. Mantashe, a former mine worker and labor-union leader who has previously said he doesn’t have a problem with being identified as a “coal fundamentalist,” has overseen a stop-start programme to boost renewable power generation. South Africans must “never allow ourselves to be encircled by the developed nations who fund lobbyists to pit our country’s developmental needs against their own self-serving protection of the environment,” he said. “Our country deserves an opportunity to transition at pace and scale determined by its citizens.” The country has a number of offshore oil and gas prospects, proven by recent discoveries in neighbouring Namibia, but searches for the resources have been blocked by environmental groups, according to Mantashe. “Every time we touch that, we go to court. Touch it, go to court.” The environmental concerns should be balanced with development, he said.
While the office of the Public Protector has cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in the Phala Phala scandal, it found that Presidential Protection Service head Major General Wally Rhoode was not authorised to conduct an investigation into the burglary on the farm. Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka held a media briefing on Friday afternoon where she released the much-anticipated report on allegations of misconduct by Ramaphosa relating to the Limpopo farm, which is owned by a company that the president is the sole director of. The matter relates to a burglary on the farm on the night of 9 February 2020, where at least two burglars stole an undisclosed amount of dollars stuffed under a sofa cushion. News24 previously reported that Ramaphosa claimed the $580 000 in cash was paid to his former farm manager, Sylvester Ndlovu, by Sudanese businessman Hazim Mustafa on Christmas Day in 2019. The president has maintained the cash was in exchange for a group of buffaloes, even though the buffaloes remained on the farm more than three years later. After the theft, Ramaphosa is said to have reported the matters to Rhoode, who allegedly conducted his own investigation. In her report, Gcaleka dealt with the following allegations against Ramaphosa: Whether Ramaphosa acted in a manner that is inconsistent with his office in dealing with the alleged housebreaking and thus abused state resources, exposed himself to any situation involving a risk of a conflict between his constitutional duties and obligations and his private interests arising from or affected by his alleged paid work in violation of the Executive Ethics Code. Whether the President failed to report the crime and abused his power in utilising state resources by causing the Presidential Protection Services (PPS) to be deployed to Phala Phala farm and to investigate a housebreaking thus the Executive Ethics Code; and whether such conduct constitutes improper conduct as contemplated in the Constitution and abuse of power as contemplated in the Public Protector Act. Whether members of the South African Police Service attached to the PPS acted improperly by investigating the alleged housebreaking and if so, whether such conduct constitutes improper conduct as contemplated in the Constitution and maladministration as contemplated the Public Protector Act. Gcaleka said they could not investigate tax matters, or foreign exchange control regulations, as that fell under the mandate of the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The Public Protector's office also did not investigate whether Ramaphosa had correctly reported the burglary to law enforcement in terms of Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (Precca). Gcaleka said this formed part of the Hawks investigation. Findings on Ramaphosa The acting Public Protector found there was no evidence that Ramaphosa was involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, or that he received and remuneration from the farm. "No evidence could be found indicating that the president either works at Phala Phala farm or receives remuneration from Phala Phala farm," Gcaleka said. However, she did note that evidence arising from the inspection of the president’s register for financial interests revealed that he retained financial interests in Ntaba Nyoni, the holding company of the Phala Phala farm. Gcaleka said that, while not conclusive, there were also facts that pointed towards Ramaphosa being more actively involved in the "management of the affairs of the closed corporation than he appears to let on in his general submissions". "The evidence revealed that the president held discussions with farm managers, notably, regarding the disposal of certain animals due to them being substandard. "There are, of course, other facts which point away from the president being involved in paid work. For one thing, he neither draws a salary from the Ntaba Nyoni CC nor receives any distributions (o...
South Africa said on Thursday it will host the Brics bloc summit in August as planned, amid speculation that it may move to China so Russia's President Vladimir Putin can attend in a nation not obliged to arrest him on war crimes accusations. South Africa has a duty as a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest Putin if he attends the talks between the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China, due to an arrest warrant over the deportation of children from Ukraine. Putin denies the charges. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with him on June 17 in Russia, historically a strong ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC) since it was a liberation movement fighting white minority rule decades ago. "South Africa will host the 15th Brics Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 August 2023," the Department of International Relations said in a statement. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed to Reuters in a text message that this meant the whole summit, including the main part involving the Brics heads of state, would take place in South Africa. He and a spokesperson for the international relations department declined to comment on whether or not Putin will attend. South African officials had at the end of last month said the Brics countries were considering moving the summit to China, which is not a member of the international court. They could still decide to change the venue at the last minute. On Tuesday, South Africa's Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor said Putin had not yet replied to an invitation, sent before the ICC charged him on March 18. Chinese President Xi Jinping, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are all planning to attend, Pandor said. South Africa says it is neutral in the Ukraine conflict, but has been criticised by Western powers for being friendly to Russia, including hosting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and conducting joint naval exercises.
South Africa's consumer confidence fell further in the second quarter, according to a survey released on Thursday, as the country struggled with soaring fuel and food prices and higher interest rates. The consumer confidence index, sponsored by the First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, fell to a reading of minus 25 points, from minus 23 points in the first quarter of 2023. South Africa has been battling high inflationary pressures and local power cuts that have led to a rise in diesel consumption by households relying on back-up generators. The June-quarter reading is the second-lowest on record since 1994 and indicative of concerns among consumers about economic prospects in South Africa and household finances, according to the survey. "Further interest rate hikes, rand depreciation and concerns about South Africa's diplomatic relations with the rest of the world in all likelihood compounded the negative impact of the electricity crisis on high-income confidence," said FNB chief economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngweny. A vast majority of consumers expects a deterioration in South Africa's economic growth over the next 12 months, and considers present time as highly inappropriate to purchase durable goods such as furniture, vehicles and household appliances. The confidence levels of high-income households fell to a record low of minus 40 in the quarter, and they were far lower compared to low- and middle-income confidence, and even below the extraordinarily depressed levels attained during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. "The further deterioration in the confidence levels of high-income consumers does not bode well for the retail sector, as affluent consumers have the greatest spending power among the different income groups," the survey added. The South African central bank in May revised its headline inflation estimate for 2023 up to 6.2% from 6%, and raised its bank rates by 50 basis points to a 14-year high, as domestic food price inflation remains elevated.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Justices Tshifhiwa Maumela and Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi on suspension following allegations of misconduct by excessively delaying the handing down of a significant number of judgments. The Judicial Service Commission took a decision during a meeting in April to advise the President to suspend the judges pending a tribunal process as laid out in the Judicial Service Commission Act. The President informed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and the suspended justices of his decision in accordance with the Constitution, which empowers him to suspend a judge on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). In January, the JSC accepted a recommendation by the Judicial Conduct Committee that there were reasonable grounds to suspect that the judges were guilty of misconduct in delaying the handing down of a significant number of judgments. Both judges are suspended subject to the condition that they finalise their part-heard matters.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s spokesperson Vukani Mde argued that Mashatile has never awarded, influenced, or in any way caused any State or public sector contract to be awarded to the individuals and companies mentioned by recent expose. On Monday, an investigation by a local news publication revealed that Mashatile lives a “life of luxury, living in expensive homes owned by businessmen benefitting from State contracts”. One of Mashatile's largest benefactors, according to the news report, is Edwin Sodi, the politically connected businessman currently on trial on charges of corruption and fraud linked to a R255-million Free State asbestos eradication tender, together with former Free State premier, Ace Magashule, who was recently expelled from the African National Congress. Mde stated that Mashatile does not have ownership or permanent use of any properties bought by these individuals or mentioned companies. He said the Deputy President would challenge anyone to prove otherwise. Mde highlighted that Mashatile has, throughout his life as an activist and public representative, met many people from different walks of life, including the individuals mentioned in the investigative news report. “Naturally, some of the people he has interacted with throughout that long time have become close personal associates. There is nothing wrong or unusual about this, and the attempt to scandalise such associations is unfortunate,” he said. Mashatile assured the nation that he is committed to his oath of office and the principles of the Constitution, reiterating his commitment to fight corruption and build an ethical and competent developmental state. “In line with these commitments, the Deputy President has always conducted himself in ways that comply with the letter and spirit of the law and executive disclosure requirements throughout his career spanning nearly 30 years of service to the people of South Africa. Any allegation or insinuation that he has ever betrayed this commitment is categorically denied,” said Mde. The Deputy President’s spokesperson added that “the most unfortunate parts” of the news report, is the “gratuitous suggestion” that Mashatile is “working hard behind the scenes to ascend to the office of president”, supposedly by some underhand means. Mde stated that this is strenuously denied. “The primary mandate of The Presidency is to provide support to the President and Deputy President in leading the Executive and to assist them in the coordination and supervision of Government. The Presidency translates and implements the commitments of the President as outlined in the State of the Nation Address,” he said. Mde noted that while the Deputy President denies any and all allegations of wrongdoing, the Presidency note that the investigating news publication failed to offer any real evidence of misconduct on the part of the Deputy President, and chose to rely on innuendo, suggestion, and guilt by association. He added that this is a regrettable approach to journalism and it has the potential to hinder rather than help the cause of accountability in public life.
South Africa’s central bank will keep monetary policy tight for longer to tame persistent inflation, Governor Lesetja Kganyago said. The central bank’s monetary policy committee has raised the benchmark rate by a combined 475 basis points at its 10 past meetings with the aim of bringing inflation back to the 4.5% midpoint of its target range, where it prefers to anchor expectations. “What is in no doubt is that policy is going to have to remain tight for a little bit longer than actually the market had been pricing,” Kganyago said in an interview on Bloomberg TV on Wednesday. “And the reason has been that inflation has been more persistent than we had actually thought.” Last month inflation slowed more than projected to a 13-month low of 6.3%. Still, inflation has been above the South African Reserve Bank’s target range for a year. The key repurchase rate stands at 8.25%, the highest level in 14 years. The governor said it is too early to say whether the MPC will follow the Federal Reserve and pause interest rate hikes at its meeting next month. For how long it will be higher is a function of whether inflation declines to target, Kganyago said. “If inflation declines to target and is sustained at target and thus inflation expectations become anchored then you would say that it is time to recalibrate policy.” Inflation is forecast to return within its target range this quarter or next, Kganyago said. “There are still risks to the inflation outlook and we have seen that inflation has been sticky, but we are confident that inflation is coming down.” Forward-rate agreements starting in a month — used to speculate on borrowing costs — show traders are pricing in a more than 63% chance of the MPC increasing the repurchase rate by 25 basis points on July 20. Of the 16 economists polled in a Bloomberg survey earlier this month, 10 expect the central bank to pause and the rest forecast a quarter-point hike.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya on Wednesday rejected the narrative that President Cyril Ramaphosa is not engaged with his job, saying the President remains deeply motivated with leading reforms and resolving the many challenges facing the country, particularly those facing the economy. Magwenya was briefing the media on the President's weekly agenda, where he explained that the Presidency had noted with concern the ongoing narrative that sought to suggest that the President was not fully engaged with his job and the task of leading South Africa. Magwenya said the Presidency rejected this impression, and called it cheap political point-scoring and an attempt to distract from the difficult task of reforming the economy. He noted that over the last six months Ramaphosa had focused on resolving multiple challenges and advancing the economic growth agenda. Magwenya highlighted that on Tuesday government finalised the partnership with organised business on three joint work streams – electricity; logistics; and crime and corruption. He went on to explain that ongoing interactions with business in different sectors, organised labour and the disability sector, continue. Magwenya highlighted that Ramaphosa had convened the fifth South African investment conference, which exceeded its five-year investment target. He said on employment the President had established and continued to champion the Youth Employment and Service initiative, which Magwenya said had placed about 1 000 youth in one-year work experience opportunities. “The Presidential Employment Stimulus created 1.2-million public employment opportunities since 2020," he added. "On electricity, President Ramaphosa has taken a hands-on approach to solving the crisis by chairing the National Energy Crisis Committee which was established last year in July,” he continued Magwenya noted that reforms had led to a pipeline of over 100 private sector projects totalling 10 000 MW. He noted that the President was also actively involved with Operation Vulindlela, which had driven reforms in water, electricity, ports and rail, telecommunications and visas. Magwenya said Ramaphosa had met with the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) three times between June 2 and June 20. The PCC is the President’s platform for consultation and crucial engagement with provinces and organised local government to raise matters of national interest, coordinate alignment of priorities, strengthen strategic priorities, and discuss performance. The PCC transcends local boundaries and coordinates responses in a transversal and holistic manner. SOUTHERN AFRICA CUSTOMS UNION Ramaphosa will, on Thursday, participate in the eighth Southern Africa Customs Union (Sacu) Heads of State and Government Summit in Eswatini. The President‘s working visit at the Sacu Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, King Mswati III, and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini. Ramaphosa will lead a delegation comprising Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana; and South African Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter.
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal, along with its alliance partners, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), have agreed on the need for an Alliance Energy Summit to help solve the ongoing power cuts affecting the province’s economic gains. The partnership calls itself the ‘political alliance council’. Addressing the media ahead of a meeting with its alliance partners in Durban on Tuesday, ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said an energy strategy that would ensure energy security would be developed by the organisations. Mtolo said the Alliance Energy Summit, which would be coordinated by the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, would be championed by KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs MEC Siboniso Duma, on behalf of the ANC government. Mtolo said through the Energy Summit, the alliance partners wanted the ANC government to establish a cohesive plan, involving all stakeholders, to ensure the availability of sustainable energy resources in the province, to meet its future economic and domestic growth requirements. RISING FOOD COSTS The ANC and its alliance partners blamed the intermittent energy crisis for the rising cost of living. “The rapid increase of the repo rate by the Reserve Bank [and an] exorbitant increase [in] electricity tariffs, reflect the neo-liberal offensive that subjects the majority of our people to abject poverty as a result of credit impairments and unaffordability of basic necessities,” Mtolo said. ACCOUNTABILITY The political alliance council said it took seriously the task of holding all leaders deployed by the ANC accountable. It said the party had a responsibility, more than opposition parties, to ensure that the ANC-led government delivers. “The political alliance council believes that the conditions of freedom and democracy mean that the ANC as a ruling party, representing the majority of the people of our country, has the responsibility to preside over the resources of the public to improve their lives. This makes the poor people and the majority of all South Africans to be the main and the only focus for the ANC as the leading party in government,“ the political alliance council said and added that narrow and individual interests must be a thing of the past. GOVERNMENT MATTERS The political alliance council noted the collapse of service delivery in various municipalities owing to corruption, maladministration and the abuse of political offices. It said municipalities under the ANC must be at the forefront of service delivery and ensure good governance. The council is also concerned by the political instability created by coalitions which have also stalled service delivery. It said alliance partners in these regions must work as a collective to ensure that local government remained the centre of popular participation in the ANC's programme of action aimed at strengthening service delivery.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen noted that the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) released on Tuesday provided damning proof that South Africa is in the midst of a “jobs bloodbath” at the hands of failed African National Congress (ANC) policy and rampant corruption. Stats South Africa highlighted that total employment in the formal non-agricultural sector decreased by 21 000 in the first quarter of 2023, bringing the level of unemployment to almost 10-million. The report indicated a tragic loss of 97 000 jobs between March 2022 and March 2023, which equated to more than 8 000 jobs per month or 260 jobs each day, said Steenhuisen. He explained that the QES was proof that South Africa was edging closer to a failed State and the collapse of the country’s society. “This is an indictment on the ANC and a clear sign of a failing State and an uncaring government. ANC policy has created both the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, as well as one of the worst performing public education systems,” said Steenhuisen. He noted that between a stagnating and receding economy, and a growing population “that is ill-equipped for the working world”, the ANC is solely responsible for South Africa’s job losses and the state of despair millions of South Africans find themselves in. “To add insult to injury, the ANC’s introduction of race quotas in the South African labour market will hammer the final nail in the coffin for the South African economy, further entrenching poverty and misery into the lives of the South African people,” he said. Steenhuisen said if the ANC’s race quotas were enforced, 600 000 currently employed South Africans stood to lose their jobs based on the colour of their skin. He added that until “these draconian” race quotas were removed, South Africa could expect more catastrophic employment statistics in quarters to come. “It is truly baffling that in a country where jobs numbers are already disastrous, the ANC would seek to introduce race quotas to make finding a job even more difficult for millions of citizens,” Steenhuisen stated. Earlier this month the DA approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to declare various sections of the Employment Equity Amendment Act unconstitutional and invalid.
An aborted mutiny in Russia will not affect efforts by African leaders to seek an end to the war in Ukraine, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor said on Tuesday after holding talks with her visiting German counterpart. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Saturday's mutiny by Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin showed that President Vladimir Putin was destroying his own country. Baerbock's visit to South Africa came after President Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders visited Russia and Ukraine on a peace mission this month. South Africa has insisted it is non-aligned in Russia's war in Ukraine. It has faced criticism from Western powers for maintaining close ties to Russia, a historic ally. Before the visit, Baerbock had said that she wanted to hear South Africa's view on the "dramatic developments" in Russia and discuss how South Africa can use its weight as an African opinion leader to help end the Ukraine conflict. Pandor said the "attempted mutiny ... will not affect our intention of continuing to engage with both countries as has been agreed by the presidents who were part of the African peace mission". The peace mission to Kyiv and Moscow was preliminary and the leaders of both countries had agreed to further meetings in the next few weeks, she added. Baerbock said Prigozhin's mutiny "makes it clear once again that Russia's illegal war of aggression is not just an attack on Ukraine ... but that President Putin is destroying his own country". Pandor defended South Africa against criticism for abstaining from voting on United Nations resolutions condemning Russia over the war, saying her country was now in a valuable position able to negotiate with both sides. South Africa has not received a response as to whether Putin would attend a Johannesburg summit of the BRICS group of nations, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, scheduled for August, Pandor continued. South Africa would theoretically be required to arrest Putin if he attends, as it is a member of the International Criminal Court which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for suspected war crimes.
African National Congress (ANC) first deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane is optimistic that young people will turn up in their numbers to register to vote. Mokonyane made the comments during the Online Voter Registration Drive in Hazyview, in Mpumalanga which was aimed at supporting the Independent Electoral Commission’s efforts to mobilise eligible citizens to vote. The ANC has begun preparations for the 2024 national elections. Mokonyane, alongside Mpumalanga ANC leaders, led the campaign where netball and soccer tournaments were organised as part of encouraging young people to register to vote. “As part of working towards the coming general elections, the ANC understands that you win elections by registering voters on the voter’s roll. What we are doing here in Hazyview is work that is going to be rolled out through the country. The target is the first-time voters, which is our young people. It is also a new way of reaching out to the youth by finding them where it excites them,” she said. The youth response was positive as they expressed joy at being part of the voters’ roll, she said. According to Ehlanzeni ANC Youth League regional secretary Kabelo Ndziyo, registering young people to vote meant a registration for the future of South Africa. “This campaign brings excitement to us as the ANCYL as we prepare for our own conference this coming week, but after that our aim, as part of our programme as a region going forward, is to do door-to-door campaigns to ensure that all the eligible youth registers to vote. We will also be going into TVET colleges to make sure that no young person is left behind and that their voice is heard,” said Ndziyo. He further assured that Mpumalanga would have an 89% to 90% voter turn-out from new voters and especially the youth in the 2024 elections. “The ANC has done so much for our youth, hence we are confident that as they register to vote, they will vote no other party than the organisation that has been standing in the gap to ensure that the rights of the masses are covered and that the youth is empowered as the vital organs of our country,” Nziyo said.
The Presiding Officers of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo, have formally requested an urgent meeting with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, to clarify any potential misunderstandings. Addressing a Human Sciences Research Council symposium last week, which analysed the State capture report's impact on democracy Zondo said if there was another attempt at State capture, Parliament would fail to prevent it. Parliament has since strongly objected to the public criticisms made by Zondo and said a meeting with the Chief Justice would be to establish a common understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of each arm of government within the context of Parliament's implementation of the commission's recommendations. “Recognising the importance of maintaining a healthy working relationship between the Judiciary and the Legislature, the Presiding Officers have sought this meeting as a platform for constructive dialogue. The meeting is intended to address matters of concern between the Judiciary and the Legislature, specifically in relation to recent public statements made by the Chief Justice regarding Parliament's role in the implementation of the Judicial Commission into State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud in the Public Sector, Including Organs of State,” said Parliament. It added that the Presiding Officers of Parliament were fully aware of their constitutional mandate and the need to collaborate and work harmoniously with the Judiciary. “This meeting is an important step towards strengthening the relationship between the Judiciary and the Legislature, as well as fostering public trust and confidence in our democratic system,” Parliament said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday that with improved funding for the country’s Just Energy Transition, government will be able to invest substantially in strengthening the country’s electricity grid and new renewable energy generation. In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa said that this will make a significant contribution towards ending loadshedding and securing a reliable and affordable supply of electricity. “This will, in turn, promote economic growth, make our exports more competitive and create employment,” he added. South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, which was released last year, estimates that the country will need around $98-billion over the next five years to transition towards a low-carbon economy. Last week, several world leaders gathered in Paris, France for a global summit on financing development and climate action in developing economies, where there was a broad consensus among most of the countries that much more funding is needed and that international development banks need to be significantly reformed to direct that funding to where it will have the greatest impact. Ramaphosa, who was in attendance, said that there was general agreement that additional private sector funding should be mobilised and that funding should be provided on better terms. “This funding will also enable us to develop new industries, such as electric vehicles and green hydrogen, which will increase our industrial output and create jobs for the economy of the future. Through such funding, we can increase our investment in infrastructure, expanding the capacity of our economy and reducing the costs for emerging businesses,” he added. He explained that the country is working to accelerate the implementation of its Energy Action Plan and Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan so that it can end loadshedding, grow the economy and create jobs. “We need to continue to assert the needs and interests of developing economies in these international forums, so that we can raise the funds that are required to achieve a just transition and advance our developmental objectives. This is important not only for people in South Africa, but for people throughout the Global South,” he said. Ramaphosa noted that global development financing, if properly directed and provided on a significant scale, can make a huge difference to the lives of people living in countries like South Africa. “As we said at the summit, we do not want to be treated like beggars, as if we are asking for charity. The industrialisation and economic development of the Global North was achieved at the expense of the Global South. Wealthier countries, therefore, have both an obligation and an interest in supporting development and climate action in poorer countries,” Ramaphosa added. He highlighted that while much has been achieved in South Africa to address the needs of the poor since the advent of democracy, this work has been undermined by slow economic growth, State capture and corruption, the electricity crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) agreed with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's assessment that, if there was another attempt at State capture, Parliament would fail to prevent it. Addressing a Human Sciences Research Council symposium on Thursday, which analysed the State capture report's impact on democracy – a year to the day that the final instalment of the report was released – Zondo defended his inquiry's wide-ranging recommendations. The recommendations included the establishment of a commission to monitor State capture if Parliament failed in its legal duties. "If another group of people were to do exactly what the Guptas did to pursue State capture, Parliament would still not be able to stop it. That is simply because I have seen nothing that has changed. If Parliament won't be able to protect the people's interests, who will protect the people?" Zondo asked. In his report, Zondo recommended safeguards to protect the country against State capture and Parliament's lack of action. On Thursday, he repeated this recommendation, adding that electoral reform to allow for a constituency-based system would give voters more power. If public representatives, elected directly by constituencies, acted against the mandate given, they would be held accountable by those voters, Zondo said. Currently, political parties decide who they will deploy to Parliament - and the party's mandate takes precedence over voters' demands and needs. On Thursday evening, Parliament reacted with "shock and strong objection", and accused Zondo of "encroaching" on the doctrine of separation of powers. However, the DA's chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, agreed with Zondo. Gwarube had been trying to get Parliament to move on the reports emanating from the Zondo Commission since March last year, only to be met with resistance from the African National Congress (ANC). In a statement released on Friday morning, she said the DA noted Zondo's comments that should State capture occur again, Parliament would never be able to prevent it. "This is true. And the DA has long held that a working and effective Parliament is not in the interests of the ANC. The ANC in Parliament has blocked every attempt to reform its way of conducting business. "They have treated the Zondo Commission's report and its recommendations with disdain, and keep reminding people that these are mere recommendations and the institution isn't bound by them," Gwarube said. She said the ANC sought to shield those implicated by the commission from accountability and blankly refused to make any meaningful changes before the term was over. "This will mean that the seventh Parliament will have nothing to rely on and insulate Parliament from within." She said the DA's recommendations flowing from the commission's report to the Rules Committee "were bluntly voted down by the ANC, which has the majority". "The DA and other opposition parties have long called for a portfolio committee to oversee the work of the growing Presidency. This hasn't been implemented, despite the fact that it's been a long argument even before the work of the Zondo Commission. "Instead of simply implementing this, the ANC wishes to first do a comparative study on the practice. This isn't needed. It's a delaying tactic. "It is clear the ANC does not want to implement the recommendations of the Zondo Commission. The R1-billion, which was spent on the commission, and the years of work gone into the commission, have unfortunately proven to be a waste. "Between Parliament's unwillingness to act on the recommendations of the Zondo Commission, and the NPA's admission that they lack capacity to successfully prosecute high-level corruption from State capture, it is clear that corruption and State capture will not be decisively dealt with until the ANC is removed from government in 2024."
The powers of Johannesburg's Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) have been given to the City manager, Floyd Brink. This came after a behind-closed-doors report at the 13th Ordinary Sitting of Council on Wednesday. The report was item 17 of 19, which took council until 21:00 to get through. It said the "investigations conducted by the GFIS were neither compliant with the local government disciplinary regulations for senior managers, nor compliant with the approved GFIS delegations of authority". The report was adopted by the Government of Local Unity, the name given to the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Patriotic Alliance and minority party coalition. The GFIS was created by the Democratic Alliance (DA), when they took over in 2016, as Johannesburg's anti-fraud and corruption service. It is also responsible for investigating the theft of assets, vandalism, maladministration, illegal connections, breach of security, and hijacked properties. In 2022, the GFIS commissioned the law firm, ENSafrica, to investigate irregularities related to the approval of a R320-million public safety transaction. The ENSafrica report found Brink did not act when he discovered the multimillion-rand transaction had been pushed through without following due process. Brink was voted in as the City manager in February. On Tuesday, the DA approached the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg to reverse this decision.The DA's Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the conflict of interest in Wednesday's decision was "surreal in its irregularity". "The highly irregular adoption of the report also creates the unacceptable and illegal situation where the current City manager... whom the DA is litigating to have declared unlawfully appointed, is responsible for making key decisions even where he himself is the subject of possible investigation," she said in a statement on Thursday. She said the report on GFIS was "devoid of truth and riddled with error", adding, "This report... effectively reverses all the work done by the GFIS taskforce by giving the City manager the power of prosecutor, investigator, judge and jury over matters of corruption and criminality." Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the DA was seeking urgent legal advice on the matter. Responding to queries by News24, the mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, welcomed the resolutions and said it strengthened the GFIS by "regularising its operations and investigations". Gwamanda said the report "laid bare serious irregularities in how GFIS conducted allegations and investigations against senior City officials and councillors". He claimed the previous administration, led by the DA, had abused the department by using it to harass officials. "Several investigations of allegations against councillors were undertaken without following the due and legal process requirements." He said the allegations against the City manager and senior managers must be approved by council, which he said was following the requirements of the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, issued in terms of the Municipal Systems Act. On Wednesday, Brink was mandated to handle any litigation which stemmed from investigations into these "rogue investigations". Brink has also been mandated to appoint a senior counsel "in cases where there are cases of litigation against the City, and for senior counsel to advise on any other actions which must be taken to remedy the prejudice caused by the abuse of investigative powers and unlawful investigations". Gwamanda said the City was committed to accountability and consequence management, but in a lawful manner.
Parliament has strongly objected to the public criticisms made by Chief Justice and former head of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture Raymond Zondo for suggesting that Parliament would be incapable of preventing another bid to capture the State. Zondo has bemoaned Parliament’s progress in implementing the recommendations of the State capture commission report. Parliament also noted his criticism of the policy position regarding the existing electoral system. Parliament said it would have been permissible for the Chief Justice to use appropriate channels to address his concerns over the implementation of the State capture report recommendations. “It is not the place of a Chief Justice to make such public remarks unless and until he is required to adjudicate on a matter with impartiality,” said Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. “The principle of separation of powers is important to our democracy, and it requires each branch of government to respect the roles and responsibilities of the others. Chief Justice Zondo’s public attack on Parliament encroaches on this doctrine,” he argued. Mothapo has highlighted the important steps Parliament is taking to improve accountability and strengthen oversight within its ranks. Parliament says it is currently developing rules and guidelines that strengthen oversight and the cooperation between Parliament and the executive. Further, it is conducting research on international best practices focused on the enhancement of oversight and accountability within the executive. Quarterly reports on the progress of these initiatives have been tabled. Parliament has alluded to the importance of the Chief Justice fostering an environment of mutual respect and cooperation.
The national legislatures of South Africa and the United Arab Emirates are ready to host the parliaments of Ukraine and Russia to find possible avenues of convergence amid the conflict between the two nations. This emerged in a parliamentary report detailing the work South African MPs had undertaken at the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in March. A delegation from South Africa participated in the assembly under the theme of promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies and fighting intolerance. The IPU Task Force for the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine met with high-level delegations of MPs from Russia and Ukraine separately to keep parliamentary diplomatic channels open for future peacebuilding. During the meeting, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa announced their readiness to host the parliaments of each country for further discussion on the ongoing war. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula delivered the report and noted that the parliaments of Ukraine and Russia welcomed the work of the task force. The next step involves engaging the two parliaments on the following: sending a letter detailing avenues to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the war in four areas: nuclear safety, food security, protection of environmentally vulnerable sites, and access to and exchange of prisoners of war; engaging with other parties to help bring about positive change in the ongoing escalation of the conflict; and endeavouring to find possible avenues of convergence and inviting both delegations to convene in a suitable venue for discussion. News24 previously reported that, to spare itself from having to comply with the ICC warrant of arrest for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ANC had instructed its ministers to consider moving the summit. As per talks in the party, suggestions were that India, despite having hosted the summit in 2019, and China, despite having hosted it in 2011, 2017 and last year, could be the hosts this year, given that they are not member states of the ICC, and have never signed its core treaty, the Rome Statute. News24 understands that what further exacerbated the situation was a legal opinion the BRICS-appointed technical team sought, which was presented to the inter-ministerial committee, headed by Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The legal opinion was said to have discouraged the government from having Putin attend the summit. Last month, a political firestorm erupted when US Ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety accused the country of supplying weapons to Russia. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed former Supreme Court Judge Phineas Mojapelo to chair a three-member independent panel to probe the veracity of allegations related to the docking of the Russian vessel, the Lady R, in Simon's Town in December last year. Recently, Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, received a peace mission, led by six African heads of state, in their respective capitals. Ramaphosa pleaded with both heads of state to end the war.
Eskom has placed its acting head of security Karen Pillay on precautionary suspension. This is related to a R500-million emergency security contract awarded to Fidelity Services to investigate coal theft last year, News24 understands. According to senior Eskom sources, pressure came from the board to suspend her. She continues to co-operate with a probe into the contract, according to the sources. The accusation is that Eskom did not follow proper procurement processes. But Eskom said the contract was awarded in line with its procurement procedure and National Treasury directives for emergency procurement of services. Eskom said Fidelity was hired after its management received information about a potentially serious security risk to its operations and assets. While the initial contract price was R500-million, in the end it paid only R250-million. Pillay joined Eskom in 2004 from the Special Investigating Unit. She started her career in the police.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo argued on Thursday that changing rules and regulations is not an essential requirement for State capture to occur, admitting that the capturing of the State has placed South Africa’s democracy at risk. June 22 marks a year since Zondo handed over the commission’s last Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Report to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zondo was speaking at the Human Sciences Research Council’s colloquium on the post-Zondo commission and the future of democracy on Thursday, where he said that State capture in South Africa, whether by the Guptas, Bosasa or Bain & company did not include that any rules or regulations be changed. He explained that the country’s version of State capture entailed having great influence or control over government officials, which included the head of State. “I do not think the changing of rules and regulations is an essential requirement of State capture. I cannot see why, if instead of asking that the rules be changed, one uses illicit payments with government officials in order to ensure that existing rules are bridged while they should not be State capture, seems to me that there are different forms of State capture but one must recognise the essential elements,” said Zondo. He explained that the capturing of State does not require that all three arms of State be captured. “If a group of individuals has a strong influence on a head of State, such as the Guptas [did], and that influence is used not for the head of State to make decisions that are lawful and serve the interests of the people but serve the interests of only some of the individuals or group, or entities that is still State capture, notwithstanding the fact that not all three arms of the State are involved,” he added. Zondo believes that there is no doubt that when one goes through the commission’s evidence that the Guptas and their allies had planned the State capture project in good time and worked on it for quite some time. “You will remember that in 2009 we had general elections and after the election President Jacob Zuma became the President of the country but the Guptas had been close to the [President] before for quite a few years, but where they started was with Transnet. Now that was 2009, so for about two years President Zuma did not want the position to be filled, that is the position of the CEO of Transnet because he wanted Siyabonga Gama and this was the time Gama had gone through a disciplinary process,” Zondo highlighted. He explained that evidence from the commission might not be strong enough to determine why Zuma insisted on Gama being the CEO of Transnet and that it was at the behest of the Guptas. But, he believes what came after suggested very strongly that it was at the request of the Guptas. Retired Judge Kathleen Satchwell found that the State freight rail entity initially tried to cut corners to get rid of Gama, but eventually found the legitimate contractual grounds to achieve the goal. Zondo said nevertheless Zuma wanted Gama to be the CEO of Transnet. Over two years the vacancy was not filled.
Popo Maja, the director of communications at the national Department of Health, has appeared in court on corruption charges related to a tender awarded to Digital Vibes. Maja appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday morning after handing himself over to the police. He has been charged with two counts of corruption for his alleged role in awarding a contract worth more than R140-million to Digital Vibes to provide communication services to the department for the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme. According to the charge sheet, Maja was part of the bid evaluation committee, which assessed the different bids for the tender. It's alleged that he was paid two bribes amounting to R15 000 during this process. According to the charge sheet, the money for the alleged bribes flowed from a Digital Vibes bank account into another account owed by Tahera Mather. From there, the money was allegedly deposited into Maja's bank account. The State has accused Mather of being the true owner of Digital Vibes. Maja was sanctioned by the department last July for his involvement in awarding the tender to Digital Vibes. One of the charges he faced in an internal disciplinary hearing was gross misconduct as a member of the bid evaluation committee, City Press reported. Maja was found guilty of two charges against him, including initiating the request to extend the service-level agreement with Digital Vibes. He was subsequently demoted as the department's spokesperson. He was issued a final written warning and demoted one salary level. Both sanctions were made valid for 12 months. Former health minister Zweli Mkhize resigned over the Digital Vibes scandal after it was claimed that he was linked to the company's alleged owners, Mather and Naadhira Mitha. The Special Investigating Unit is probing the matter. Maja's case is the second investigation linked to Digital Vibes that has come before the court. Lizeka Tonjeni, an employee of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), is on trial for allegedly accepting a bribe from Digital Vibes to help the company bag a R3.9-million contract from the state organisation. MISA falls under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.. Mkhize was the department's minister at the time the contract was awarded. No allegations have been levelled against Mather, Mitha or Mkhize in the Tonjeni case.
A Dutch court has confirmed Steinhoff's plan to switch from a publicly listed company owned by shareholders to a delisted group under the control of its creditors. The decision was handed down shortly after news broke that a German court had issued an arrest warrant for Steinhoff's former CEO, Markus Jooste. Once one of South Africa's largest and most successful companies, the furniture retailer never truly recovered from the financial shock of a fraud scandal, which has dogged its every step since Jooste resigned in late 2017. While it sought to keep afloat by selling shares in its subsidiaries and selling off some of its prize assets, its debt burden kept growing larger. After finally facing the reality that it would never be able to pay off its €10.2-billion (R200-billion) debt burden by the due date of 30 June this year, it changed tack to seek out a deal with financial creditors to forestall a messy liquidation. The deal, which has the group's financial creditors taking over 80% of its equity in exchange for a three-year debt repayment holiday, has now been upheld by a Dutch court. The matter was heard in Amsterdam where Steinhoff is registered. "[Steinhoff] and its subsidiaries will now proceed to implement the ... restructuring plan, which is expected to close on or before 30 June 2023," Steinhoff said in an update to shareholders on Wednesday. The court rejected a petition by a shareholder body that had asked for the deal to be blocked on the basis that it discriminated against shareholders, who would not get paid out for their shares.
May's annual consumer price inflation slowed to 6.3% from 6.8% in April, with food prices finally cooling. May's inflation rate, which was also slowed by an easing in fuel prices, is the lowest since April 2022, Statistics SA said. It was also cooler than economists expected. The median expectation among economists in a Bloomberg survey was 6.5%. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.2% between April and May. Food inflation – the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages - eased to 11.8% from 13.9% in April, which was close to the hottest level in fourteen years. Food inflation only increased by 0.3% between April and May – the smallest increase since November 2021. Meat prices fell by 0.4% from April to May and were 7.1% higher than a year before – from 9.5% in April. Bread and cereals inflation slowed to 18.1% in May from 20.8% in April. Prices for oils and fats are now 2.4% cheaper than a year before. But sugar, sweets and desserts grew more expensive - increasing by 11.9% in the year to May – from 10.7% in April. From April to May, the price of white sugar increased sharply by 2.7% and slabs of chocolate by 2.9%. In the 12 months to May, the average price of a 2.5 kg bag of white sugar increased from R49.68 to R53.00. The average price of a slab of chocolate (80 grams) rose from R17.11 to R20.26 over the same period. Prices of cold beverages were 10.5% higher in May from a year before – the highest rate since 2019. Statistics SA also reported that restaurant prices increased by a sizeable 1.2% between April and May – taking the annual rate for restaurants to 7.4%. Fish and seafood dishes were 11.3% more expensive, followed by pizza (up 9.3%) and red meat-based products (up 9.0%). Between April and May, the prices of pies were hiked by 2.3%, followed by hikes of around 2% for hot beverages, poultry-based products, hamburgers and red meat-based products. While diesel and petrol prices were hiked in May, fuel prices were only 3.5% higher than a year before - from 5.0% in April. However, vehicle prices increased to 7.5% - the highest increase since 2017. Statistics SA also noted sharp monthly price increases for pain killers (+3.0%) and vitamin and mineral supplements (+6.6%). Impact on rate hikes? The latest CPI number will reassure the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee, which has already hiked interest rates by 475 basis points in an effort to cool inflation. Last month, interest rates were increased by 50 basis points. This came in the wake of a rand crash triggered by US allegations that Russia received arms in South Africa has raised inflation risks. A weaker rand fuels inflation. South Africa imports almost all its fuel (in dollars). Other imports will also be more expensive, but also locally produced maize and wheat. Their prices are determined by international prices, usually in dollars. In addition, loadshedding is pushing costs and prices higher. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago took a less hawkish stance about rate hikes at the last meeting. He said monetary policy had now reached "restrictive territory" (hurting the economy). "We have got to see the effects of this policy stance and what it means." Some economists expect the first interest rate cut only at the start of next year.
President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined the country’s challenges and stressed the importance of partnerships in his opening remarks during official joint working visit of the Netherlands and Denmark, in Pretoria, on Tuesday. The dignitaries included the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Ramaphosa opened his address by highlighting the country’s energy challenges and the impact on the local economy. “Renewable energy forms an increasingly important part of our energy mix and it is vital to both the achievement of a just transition and greater energy security. We hope to benefit from closer cooperation with your countries in this regard, ”Ramaphosa told Rutte and Frederiksen. He commended South Africa’s longstanding relationship with the Netherlands and Denmark, and has called for increased co-operation towards shared objectives. The President stressed the importance of building mutually beneficial partnerships between regions of the Global North and South to bridge growing divides and addressing common challenges. “Given the current challenges in Africa and Europe, it is important that we broaden our dialogue to include regional issues,” Ramaphosa added. This sentiment follows on from Ramaphosa’s recent visit to Kyiv and St Petersburg for meetings with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenkskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside a delegation from seven African countries. The delegation called for a de-escalation of the conflict and the release of children and prisoners of war. Further, it highlighted the devastating effects the war is having on African economies, such as food shortages and a rise in the cost of living. “We believe that our mission was successful in registering the willingness of African leaders to contribute to a negotiated peace and to highlight the broader effects of the conflict. We hope that it will contribute in some way towards international peace efforts,” Ramaphosa opined.
Petrol prices currently still look set for a small cut at the start of July. Diesel, however, may be hiked. Based on the current oil and rand prices, the latest data from the Central Energy Fund shows that diesel prices may be increased by 10c to 15c a litre, depending on the grade. Petrol 95 and 93 unleaded may be lowered by 6c a litre and 15c, respectively. However, there is still some time to go before the final prices are set. Fuel prices will only be adjusted on 5 July. South African fuel prices are largely determined by international oil costs and the rand exchange rate, as oil is priced in dollars. Brent crude oil has strengthened slightly since the beginning of the month, from $74 to $77 a barrel. But oil remains under pressure owing to a strong supply flow from Russia – as well as concerns about the Chinese economy, which is not rebounding as fast as expected. After crashing to close to R20/$ last month amid continuing worries about South Africa's close relationship with Russia, the rand has since recovered and is currently trading around R18.17/$. At the beginning of June, the petrol price was cut by 71c a litre, while diesel was lowered by around 80c. This brought the price of a litre of 95 unleaded petrol to R22.63 in Gauteng, compared to R24.17 a year before – and a record price of R26.74 in July last year. The wholesale diesel price is currently R19.31 per litre in Gauteng. As recently as in November last year, diesel cost close to R25.50. Diesel is back to levels before the invasion of Ukraine caused a big spike in oil prices.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane successfully interdicted a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into a qualifications scandal at the University of Fort Hare. Mabuyane launched a two-pronged application in the Eastern Cape High Court in Bhisho related to his enrolment at the university. The first part of the application was an urgent interdict against the SIU probe, until the court had heard the second part of the application. He approached the court to have the entire SIU probe with regard to his enrolment declared unlawful and set aside. The premier argued the investigation was unconstitutional because it went beyond the scope of a proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The proclamation, he argued, was limited to the admission of individuals who enrolled for Honours degrees. Mabuyane also argued that the SIU was not empowered to investigate educational matters. He said only Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande had the authority to investigate academic matters. During the hearing before Judge Thandi Norman last week, Mabuyane's legal counsel, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, argued that the SIU had expanded its scope to include Mabuyane, who was not covered in the original proclamation. Mabuyane's team said the SIU could not change the scope of a presidential proclamation without notifying Ramaphosa. Ngcukaitobi said Mabuyane did not enrol for an Honours degree, but was enrolling for a Master's degree via the Recognition of Prior Learning programme. He said the SIU's behaviour was unlawful, irrational and abusive, considering that Mabuyane was the one who had approached the university and offered to help its investigation. In response, the SIU's legal counsel, Gilbert Marcus, said that, if Mabuyane was innocent, he had nothing to fear. Marcus argued that the SIU was empowered to probe corruption, adding that often the scope of the investigation changed based on the evidence that emerged. Delivering judgment, Norman declared the SIU was interdicted, pending the hearing of the second part of Mabuyane's application. Norman ruled the SIU had misinterpreted its authority - and, although it mentioned Master's degrees and doctorates in its motivation to Ramaphosa, it never motivated for an inclusion in the proclamation. She said the terms, "such as or including", which the SIU and the university had used to grant itself extended investigative powers, were not in the original proclamation. Norman cited responding papers from Ramaphosa, which urged the SIU to write a motivation if it sought to expand the scope of the probe to Master's degrees. The SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said they were studying the judgment and would respond at a later stage. The university, in turn, said its attorneys were studying the judgment. "The University of Fort Hare is committed to see all issues of maladministration and fraud in the institution being dealt with in order to root out corruption," said the university's spokesperson, JP Roodt. Mabuyane was approached for comment, which will be added once received.
Former president Thabo Mbeki says the non-aligned stance taken by South Africa in the Ukraine-Russia war is correct, especially if the country is to play a role in mediation between the two countries. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of his 81st birthday celebrations on Sunday, the former statesman said South Africa's position on the war was no different from the stance that African countries have previously taken to conflicts on the continent. "This is a traditional African position. If you look at the way we approach conflict on the continent, it does not matter which country is involved; we always say: 'Let's stop the guns firing and sit down,' and we can then decide the causes of the war and so on to find the solution," said Mbeki. South Africa has faced criticism for its non-aligned stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The decision has seen tension arising between the country and others in the West, particularly the US.The US had expressed concern over African countries taking a non-aligned stance in the conflict, as the powerhouse pushes for countries to condemn Russia for its invasion. Last week, speaking at a digital press briefing, US President Joe Biden's special assistant and senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, Judd Devermont, said: "We share Congress' concern about South Africa's potential security partnership with Russia. As you know, Russia is waging a brutal war against the people of Ukraine, and we are constantly working on cutting off support and funding for Putin's war machine and undercutting Russia's ability to carry out this conflict. As part of these efforts, we are strongly encouraging countries not to support Russia's war." :"If you want to be a mediator, you cannot start by condemning one side or the other. You have got to say: 'First of all, let us sit down. Silence the guns, let's talk.' It is during the negotiations that you can say: 'You were wrong; you were right.' This neutral position in that sense is correct," Mbeki said. Speaking on the African Peace Initiative led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mbeki said African presidents had taken the right approach by first listening to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish the facts on both sides. Last week, Ramaphosa led a delegation including Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Comorian President Azali Assoumani, as well as leaders from Uganda, Egypt and the Republic of Congo, to Ukraine and Russia to meet with Zelensky and Putin as part of peace initiative talks. "I think that is an important decision to take because you must try and understand what each side is saying, what the nature of the problems is, and what the nature of the solutions is. I think it is only on that basis that it becomes possible for us as Africans to have our own proposals, having listened to both sides..." said Mbeki, who is no stranger to mediation. Addressing the audience that had gathered to celebrate his birthday with him at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, he encouraged South Africans not to lose hope even as the country weathers various problems. "It is winter, but I think we are suffering from a different kind of cold as a country. It will not snow tonight in Johannesburg, but it will be cold for other reasons because the electricity supply system is unreliable, there is too much criminality, too many people are unemployed... Lots of problems. And I think that is what makes South Africa cold," he said. "But I am very glad indeed, and [his wife] Zanele is very glad that we were able to convene here today to keep one another warm. To keep one another warm in this sense that the performers we see here today. communicate a message of hope. It is a message of hope that even as we sit here, we communicate joy." The performers he was referring to included Ringo Madlingozi, Linda Skhakhane, Simphiwe Dana and the Drakensberg Boys Choir. "Yes, there is a lot of mi...
Although precise details remain unknown, claims of racism have arisen following the Polish authorities' refusal to grant South African media and the president's security personnel access to Poland and Ukraine. This comes after the Polish government restricted the media tasked with covering the peace mission of President Cyril Ramaphosa and a delegation of African leaders and representatives last week from disembarking for over 24 hours due to administerial issues. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has since demanded decisive action. Touching on the matter on Sunday, the EFF described Poland's treatment of the South African journalists and presidential security as "racist and a constraint on human rights and the media's freedom". In a statement, the party said, "Poland outwardly restricted media freedom and human rights of passengers and the crew by detaining them on a flight and then refusing them their journey forward to Ukraine and thereafter Russia." While the party lambasted Polish authorities for compromising Ramphosa's safety, it also threw jabs at the president for his "non-aligned" stance in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying it contributed to the country being "undermined". The EFF said: "The South African head of state had to travel to Kyiv in a compromised state, in a war zone, without his security detail. This is an unacceptable and deliberate form of humiliation. While Cyril Ramaphosa is an incompetent and corrupt buffoon of imperialism who is incapable of taking a firm stance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the South African state and our sovereignty was undermined through him." It urged the South African government to defend its dignity by downgrading Poland's embassy in the country and recalling its ambassador to Poland. Meanwhile, Priyal Singh, a senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies, has advised against the country making severe decisions as the facts relating to the matter have yet to be disclosed. He said: "We still need to wait for the facts. I don't think any of us has a clear picture or understanding of exactly what transpired in Poland. Making a call to reorient or review our relations with Poland, I think, is a premature and unwise move. We first need to clearly establish what the facts are before we can make a very serious decision such as that." Although Singh would not interpret the incident without the relevant information, he said the incident did not mean there are strained relations between Poland and South Africa. "I don't think it is a proper reflection of South Africa and Polish bilateral relations in any way. This was a peculiar, isolated incident and, again, we need to establish what the facts were." Depending on who we listen to, there are different sides to the story. Some point towards serious logistical and planning blunders made by the South African government [while], on the other hand, we can point towards the Polish authority for how they handled the situation. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced it plans to submit questions to the Presidency to clarify whether the allegations of racism made by the head of the Presidential Protection Unit, Major General Wally Rhoode, were true and accurate. In a statement, DA leader John Steenhuisen slammed the Presidency's administration for its "sheer incompetence" which contributed to the detainment of journalists and security. Steenhuisen said the party would also be enquiring into the total cost of the trip and seeking a breakdown of the security detail accompanying Ramaphosa on the trip.
De-escalation of fighting, increased negotiations, and renewed trade in grain are among some of the points listed in a proposal by African states to end the war in Ukraine, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said in his weekly newsletter. The president has just returned from Ukraine and Russia as part of a delegation from seven African countries to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The delegation met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin separately to present a 10-point proposal that could "contribute to various efforts that have been made by various parties to bring the conflict to an end". "Included in the proposal being put forward as part of the African Peace Initiative are calls for a de-escalation of fighting and for negotiations to commence with urgency; for the release of prisoners of war and return of children; for greater humanitarian support; and for reconstruction efforts to be prioritised," said Ramaphosa. He added that it "is having a very real effect on African countries and economies" and that the continent had a "material interest in seeing a resolution to the conflict". "Both Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of grains and producers of fertiliser destined for African markets. According to the African Development Bank, the conflict has 'triggered a shortage of about 30-million tonnes of grains on the African continent, along with a sharp increase in cost'. As a result of this conflict, African countries are negatively affected by the rising costs of food and energy," Ramaphosa said. "Another point of the peace proposal being put forward by African leaders is for the opening up of the movement of grains across the Black Sea for grains from Russia or Ukraine to reach world markets." The president said South Africa would continue to maintain a neutral position and advocate for the conflict to be settled through negotiations and diplomacy. Ramaphosa added that both Zelensky and Putin had agreed to further engagements.
Heavy rainfall led to flooding across many parts of Cape Town on Wednesday evening, with authorities attending to several affected areas on Thursday morning. The City of Cape Town's disaster risk management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said teams were working hard to implement flood alleviation measures, especially where stormwater systems were blocked. "There have been mudslides in the Oudeskip area in Hangberg, Hout Bay. The Eerste River/Kuilsriver has burst its banks, causing flooding of some properties in Zandvlei, Macassar. "Informal settlements have been affected in Sir Lowry's Pass Village, Old Crossroads and Schaapkraal areas. The Mosselbank River burst its banks, affecting residents in Philadelphia and Klipheuwel," she said. Powell added that Keyser River was also a concern, as it had burst its banks again. "The City's Roads Infrastructure and Management Services are assisting to divert water from surrounding properties. Numerous uprooted trees have been reported. Recreation and Parks is attending to these incidents, and numerous roadways have been flooded across the city," she said. Meanwhile, Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayor Elna von Schlicht has appealed to the public not to travel this long weekend and to keep roads clear to ensure that emergency and clean-up crews can move freely. She said: The severity of the weather over the past few days has had a significant impact on our daily lives. Citizens across the district have been affected. The stormy weather is expected to persist through the weekend and into next week. Von Schlicht also appealed to residents to stay home over the long weekend and to travel only if absolutely necessary. "It is crucial that we keep our roads clear for emergency personnel and other essential services as they navigate to areas that pose a threat to our safety. If there is no alternative and you must travel, please adhere to traffic and road instructions," she stressed.
An African National Congress (ANC) branch chairperson in Ekurhuleni has been ordered by the party's provincial disciplinary committee to publicly apologise on Facebook for questioning the ANC Gauteng's political partnership with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to take over several municipalities. Andrew Baloyi faced a disciplinary hearing by the ANC provincial disciplinary committee after he was charged with contravening the party's constitution in a Facebook post which accused Gauteng ANC leaders of plotting to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa. The ANC Gauteng said Baloyi, a branch chairperson from Kempton Park, had "embarrassed" the party nationally and internationally when he accused the province of plotting with the EFF. Baloyi shared a lengthy Facebook post in February in which he questioned the ANC Gauteng leadership's decision to partner with the EFF in a power-sharing deal in the province. The two parties have successfully toppled Democratic Alliance (DA) elected mayors and council speakers in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and the West Rand. Baloyi faced a hearing in May and pleaded guilty after having first indicated to News24 that he planned to fight the charges against him. The ANC Gauteng said in a statement on Thursday that Baloyi had shown remorse during the hearing and pleaded guilty. The provincial disciplinary committee ordered him to apologise on Facebook for his comments. "As a branch chairperson, Andrew spearheads the organisational renewal programme. The ANC communications protocol is further at the forefront of the renewal process, as it seeks to regulate the conduct of members on social media platforms, among other conduct relating to the use of public communications platforms by members. "In the light of the guilty plea and remorse shown and expressed, the provincial disciplinary committee found it prudent to make the following sanctions against Andrew: That he makes an unequivocal public apology for the harm caused to the ANC by his conduct of publishing the statement. He must make an unequivocal retraction of the statement and use the same Facebook page [he used for the infraction] to issue an apology and retraction of the statement," the committee said. Baloyi has also been instructed to attend ANC political and media education workshops. He had faced the likelihood of his membership being terminated. The sanctions were awarded based on the condition that he is not found guilty of breaching the ANC constitution in the next two years. The ANC said Baloyi's hearing served as a reminder to members that ill-discipline would not be tolerated. "The unity of the ANC is sacrosanct, but that must never be viewed as an indictment to sacrifice the ANC's values on the altar to achieve that unity. "To this end, the provincial disciplinary committee has committed that wherever ... ill-discipline rears its ugly head, it shall be addressed consistently, across the board, without fear or favour," the party said.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has romped to victory in the Ward 2 by-election in the uMvoti Municipality, defeating the African National Congress (ANC) and the Abantu Batho Congress (ABC). The ward became vacant after ANC councillor Mdu Ngcobo died in a car accident last year. The IFP's candidate received 1 052 votes to beat the ANC, ABC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The party won 53.13% of the votes, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, which pegged voter turnout at 50.72% in the Matimatolo ward during the 14 May polls. The IFP had won 47.05% of the vote during the 2021 municipal elections. The ANC only got 24% of the votes, and the ABC 19%. In an interview with News24, new IFP councillor Zwakushiwo Zondi wasted no time in attacking ABC president Philani Mavundla, calling him a "power hungry and jealous man", who he said was now probably going to "try his luck" in the legislature. Mavundla recently resigned as eThekwini deputy mayor after disagreements with the ANC. He also dropped the IFP as a coalition partner after a fallout in uMvoti. Mavundla, who was the former mayor of uMvoti when he was still an ANC member, was recently appointed as an advisor to Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini. Zondi said the IFP would continue to grow "because we don't lie to the people". "The community is delighted by the outcome. I'm very happy that they've placed their faith in us. We last saw service delivery in around 2009 or 2012," he added. "Everything was fine then. People started remembering those times when service delivery still reached them." He said that during the door-to-door campaign, the IFP had only asked for a chance, basing this on the party's record. He acknowledged that roads had been fixed, but he added that water and unemployment were still major issues in the ward. Zondi said: The first order of business is to address the issues plaguing the ward. It's winter and we're going to try to get this water issue fixed. Whatever the community complains about, we're going to try to fix. He also took digs at the ANC. "They brought the big people, but we still beat them," Zondi said, in reference to national ANC leaders' visits in May. The ANC deployed first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to campaign in the area last month. The IFP's victory comes just weeks after the ANC's national leaders descended on the province to scold its provincial leadership for poor performance in governance and in by-elections. When they visited in May, the party had won only four out of 12 by-elections since the ANC's provincial elective conference. IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli echoed Zondi's statement about voters' trust. "The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal continues to grow from by-election to by-election and has achieved another remarkable feat," Ntuli said. "This victory is a testament to the trust and confidence the community has in the IFP as the best alternative to address their challenges." He said the by-election victory was a testament to the "enduring legacy" of IFP founder Mangosuthu Buthelezi, whose leadership continued to resonate with supporters. "Despite [Mavundla's] high-profile candidacy, the ABC could not secure victory," Ntuli added. "This outcome reinforces the people's unwavering belief in the IFP as the party that best understands and addresses their needs. "It is essential to highlight the challenges the IFP faced during this campaign. The ANC resorted to the unfair use of state resources at government events for their campaign in uMvoti. Such actions undermine the democratic process and create an uneven playing field. "We acknowledge their faith in the IFP's ability to champion their concerns and deliver meaningful change to their lives. We will not disappoint them." Meanwhile, the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the ANC had retained its seats in Eastern Cape by-elections in Ward 5 of the Kou-Kamma Muni...
Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann on Wednesday said his union is getting ready for what it calls a major court case against the government’s plans for National Health Insurance (NHI) which were approved in Parliament on Tuesday. The objective of the NHI Bill is to provide universal access to quality health care for all South Africans, but Hermann says government has already failed with the public healthcare system, and it now wants to fail on an even bigger scale. He says the government’s plans of trying to capture healthcare through the NHI are unaffordable and unimplementable as it will lead to a mass exodus of health practitioners from the country. He says government has a history of failure when it comes to State enterprises, and there is no reason to believe the proposed NHI will not be to the serious detriment of South Africans. Solidarity has participated in all the public participation processes and has already achieved several victories against the NHI in court. “We cannot trust the government and we cannot deliver our medical professionals to them and trust our health to their hand. This is going to be a major court battle,” he warns.
The African National Congress (ANC) failed in its latest bid to continue to hide its cadre deployment records from when President Cyril Ramaphosa was the cadre deployment committee chairperson. The governing party sought to overturn a court ruling that it must hand over its cadre deployment records to the Democratic Alliance (DA). In February, the DA succeeded in its court bid to force the ANC to hand over the complete records of the cadre deployment committee since 1 January 2013, when Ramaphosa became its chairperson. This information would include meeting minutes, WhatsApp conversations, email threads, CVs and all other records of its committee. The ANC was ordered to hand over its records within five days of the judgment, but sought leave to appeal. On Tuesday, Judge Willem Wepener of the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed the party's application with costs, finding that it had "no reasonable prospect of success in an appeal, nor is there any reason to refer the appeal to another court". DA MP Leon Schreiber, who is spearheading the party's campaign against the ANC cadre deployment policy, said in a statement: As a result of today's ruling, the original ruling stands, which means that the ANC has five days to hand over to the DA complete records of its cadre deployment committee, including meeting minutes, WhatsApp conversations, email threads, CVs and all other relevant documents. "The fact that the ANC fought tooth and nail to hide these records from the public suggests that the documents will, for the very first time, expose Ramaphosa's personal complicity in State capture and corruption as cadre deployment chairman." Schreiber's battle to obtain the records started in 2021, when he lodged an application in terms of the Promotion to Access to Information Act. The ANC refused this application and he turned to the courts. The Zondo Commission took a dim view of cadre deployment, saying it is unlawful and unconstitutional. Shortly before the commission's report about cadre deployment came out last year in June, the DA lodged a court application to have the policy declared unlawful and unconstitutional, which the ANC and Ramaphosa, in his capacity as president of the country, rather than president of the ANC, opposed. Arguments were heard in January, but this judgment is still awaited.
The Constitutional Court – led by Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya – has unanimously denied suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s bid to get direct access to its Bench, so that she could argue for untrammelled state funding of her impeachment legal costs. "The Constitutional Court has considered the application for direct access brought by way of urgency and has concluded that no case has been made out for exclusive jurisdiction and direct access," the apex court stated in a two-page order. "The court has decided to dismiss the application without directions for filing answering papers. The court has decided not to award costs." Mkhwebane will now have the option to pursue her case for unlimited State funding of her impeachment trial costs in the High Court. She had argued that this application was one of the reasons that the investigation into her fitness to hold office should be postponed. She has previously argued that the R4-million cap placed on her continued legal representation by the Public Protector was "a non-starter" and "represents the surest way to guarantee that the present impasse [over funding] will replay and repeat itself come the projected and totally improbable June 2023 end-date of the enquiry or the depletion of the capped funds". Based on estimates from Mkhwebane’s own lawyers, Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) had initially budgeted R4.55-million for her impeachment defence costs. This subsequently ballooned to R30-million – an amount that resulted in the watchdog body being unable to pay some of the costs orders issued against it as a result of Mkhwebane’s disastrous reports. Mkhwebane wanted the apex court, which previously found that she was entitled to be legally represented during the Section 194 inquiry into her fitness to hold office, to order that Parliament, the inquiry chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi and President Cyril Ramaphosa and "alternatively the state bears the legal obligation to provide resources" for that legal representation.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to form a joint working committee with the City of Cape Town for the urgent devolution of the railway system. In a letter sent by Hill-Lewis to Ramaphosa on Monday, the mayor asked the president to confirm if the Cabinet-approved White Paper on National Rail Policy to devolve rail to capable metros still stands, given a "series of recent anti-devolution comments from within the African National Congress (ANC)". He asked Ramaphosa "to form a joint working committee with the City to chart the way towards rail devolution in the shortest possible time. If we don't do this critical preparation now, it will take many years for rail to be devolved for the metro to run." Hill-Lewis said the City could not accept delays, given that residents desperately need an affordable, safe and reliable rail service in Cape Town. "In fact, lower-income households will save up to R932-million per year with an efficient passenger rail service in Cape Town. Our research also shows that getting the trains running will sustain over 51 000 jobs and add R11-billion to the local economy each year." The City has been pushing to take over the management of rail services in the metro. Hill-Lewis said the municipality's devolution feasibility study was well under way, adding that they were ready to join hands with the national government to resuscitate Cape Town's collapsed passenger rail system. "We are concerned about recent anti-devolution comments in the media by the newly appointed transport minister and the ANC's policy head economic transformation," he said. Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed receiving the letter. "The process is still with the Department of Transport. The president will respond directly to the mayor," he said. In May last year, Cabinet passed the White Paper on National Rail Policy, which commits to devolving rail to capable metros and producing a rail devolution strategy in 2023. Fast-forward to May this year and newly appointed Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga told media that there are no plans to devolve rail to the City. Earlier this year, outgoing transport minister Fikile Mbalula declined to form a working committee, confirming in a letter to Hill-Lewis that his department "has not been given a directive by the government and I to start with any form of devolution".
Four members of the Section 194 inquiry into suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness for office have recused themselves from a Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests probe into allegations that three African National Congress (ANC) MPs solicited bribes from her. Mkhwebane's husband, David Skosana, alleged that late ANC MP Tina Joemat-Pettersson, who served on the committee but wasn’t an active member, sought bribes of R200 000 each for herself, committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi and ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina. Dyantyi and Majodina have publicly denied the allegations. Skosana has laid a complaint with the police, and Mkhwebane, after being so advised by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, laid a complaint with the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests. Mkhwebane, along with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), United Democratic Movement (UDM) and African Transformation Movement (ATM), insist that Dyantyi should recuse himself. Mkhwebane also brought an unsuccessful application for Dyantyi's recusal last year. This ethics committee does its work behind closed doors. According to a statement from Parliament, the committee met on Monday when it received a briefing from the Acting Registrar of Members' Interests, advocate Anthea Gordon, on Mkhwebane's complaints. "The matter is on the ongoing agenda of the committee," the statement read. It said: The committee noted that four of its members serve on the committee for Section 194 inquiry. The four members, Mr Bekizwe Nkosi, Mr Julius Malema, Ms Violet Siwela and Ms Mimmy Gondwe have been recused from the committee for the purpose of the complaints by the Public Protector. This is to ensure that the process before the committee is fair, ethical, and conducted with integrity. "The committee will process the complaints in line with the provisions of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosures of Members' Interests and will at its next meeting engage on the substance of the complaints. The committee observes principles of natural justice, which must be adhered to." TimesLIVE reported that the committee advised Mkhwebane against releasing audio recordings she claims relate to the bribery allegations at a media briefing she scheduled for 12:30 on Tuesday because doing so could jeopardise the committee's work. Mkhwebane nonetheless released the audio recordings, and called it the biggest corruption scandal ever for Parliament. "For the first time, we can talk about state capture," she claimed. The National Assembly rises on Thursday and only reconvenes in September. The ethics committee is not expected to meet during the recess. However, the Section 194 Committee, under pressure from Parliament to conclude its work, will meet during the recess and intends to finalise its report on 28 July. This means that the committee, never known for the speed with which it processes complaints, will only finalise its investigation after the Section 194 Committee concludes its work. The inquiry has suffered many delays in the last two months, relating to Mkhwebane's legal costs and representation, and on Friday it decided that it would pose written questions to Mkhwebane. If she chooses not to answer, it would only consider the evidence before it. Mkhwebane has been waging a war of attrition with the inquiry, including court applications, calling irrelevant witnesses and filibustering by her advocate, Dali Mpofu, SC. This means the process, which was initially scheduled to be completed by September last year, with R4.5-million as Mkhwebane's legal costs, is ongoing, and her legal costs have ballooned to R30-million.
The minority shareholders in the Takatso Consortium have accepted the Competition Commission condition that they exit the strategic equity partnership with South African Airways (SAA) in order for the deal to go through. The minority shareholders are now in the process of appointing a corporate advisor with experience in global aviation deals. The advisor will help assess the market for potential buyers, confirm the fair value of the business and assist with the legal process, according to Gidon Novick, who represents the minority shareholders. "We will use our best endeavours to sell our minority stake, but obviously the outcome cannot be guaranteed," Novick told News24. "It's a pity. We really wanted to play a meaningful role in a successful privatisation in this country." In May, the commission recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the disposal of a 51% stake in South African Airways (SAA) to Takatso – provided certain conditions are met. One of these conditions is that the minority partners in the consortium, Global Aviation and Syranix - which co-owns LIFT airline – exit, to avoid decreasing competition in the domestic passenger market. In terms of the Takatso deal, the consortium would obtain 51% of SAA's shares and provide the airline with a capital injection of R3 -illion over two years. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), as government's shareholder representative, would keep 49%. Takatso consists of infrastructure investment firm Harith (80%), Global Aviation (10%), and Syranix (10%). The consortium will only take the helm at SAA once the deal is finalised. It has also indicated that it will not take on any of SAA's remaining legacy debt - which stands at about R1.5-billion. Novick said they have written to the Competition Tribunal to say a process has been initiated for the sale of shares held in Takatso by the minority shareholders to take place. A tribunal hearing is expected to take place in June. Asked what the value of the minority stake is, he said it will be best assessed by the interest expressed by potential buyers. "That would be an honest reflection of the market value in conjunction with going through the asset base of SAA and the potential income generation of the airline," said Novick. SAA went into business rescue in December 2019. When the Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed and the rescue practitioners could not get more funding from the government at that time, all flights were halted. SAA came out of business rescue in April 2021 and restarted commercial flights on a smaller scale in September 2021. It is currently operating to some domestic and African destinations. The DPE hopes that the Takatso deal will provide the airline with the necessary cash injection needed in the absence of further government bailouts.
The government's biggest challenge in improving South Africa's waning economic situation is failing to implement policies. This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who gave a keynote address to the Batseta Winter Conference at the Sun City Resort in North West on Monday morning. He said "the [country's] challenge remains execution", but added that this could be overcome by joining forces with the private sector. "At the centre of our economic reconstruction and recovery efforts is the mobilisation of the public and private sectors around an infrastructure-led recovery. We are envisioning an aggressive expansion of social and economic infrastructure that meets the needs of the people of South Africa. "This includes new investments in energy, mining, water and sanitation, roads and bridges, human settlements, health and education, digital infrastructure and public transport." The government previously announced that private participation would be enlisted to tackle the challenges in public transportation, particularly in the ailing rail sector. In February, Transnet announced that it would bring in a private partner to take over the running of its Durban-Johannesburg rail corridor for the next 20 years to help it deliver on its mandate. Transnet ruled out complete privatisation of its assets, but has invited private players to participate in its rail and port network, which has been hampered by inefficiencies, ageing infrastructure and congestion. Batseta is a non-profit organisation that is focused on the interests of principal officers, trustees and fund fiduciaries within the retirement industry. Its recent conference was intended to be an opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest trends, research and solutions offered by local and international industry experts. Mashatile's utterances come after Stats SA announced last week that South Africa narrowly avoided a recession. The country's economy delivered a surprisingly positive first quarter despite load shedding fears, with Gross Domestic Product expanding by 0.4% in the three months to end-March 2023. Despite the recent economic challenges, Mashatile said, over the past 29 years the African National Congress-led government has adopted policies that have contributed to the transformation of the economy. "The policy interventions have resulted in the transformation of key sectors of the economy and indeed society. We are, however, concerned that the economy is not growing at a rate that results in many being absorbed by the economy." He said the government was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the gathering, as it allowed for the exploration of a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic growth. "In discussions over the past few days of the conference, I have observed with keen interest the topics and areas of focus, which include a discussion on climate change; energy and a just transition; and the smart use of investment funds. These topics demonstrate your commitment to finding lasting solutions in the economy. "Hence we believe that, by working with you, we can build an inclusive and sustainable economy that grows and much higher levels than it is now," said Mashatile. He cited the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan that was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October 2022 as the government's lodestar towards a new, inclusive economy. "Our goal is to make a permanent and decisive break from an economic trajectory characterised by low and declining growth; the exclusion of women, young people and people with disabilities from the mainstream economy; falling per capita incomes; low investment; as well as high and deeply entrenched levels of inequality, poverty and unemployment," said Mashatile. A recent Stats SA announcement said South Africa's dwindling economy was due to increased load shedding. Mashatile said the government was continuing to strengthen the security of energy supply to mitigate the impact of p...
South Africa is considering a legislative amendment that would domesticate the Rome Statute amid controversy over Russian President Vladimir Putin's planned visit the country for a Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) summit in August. According to Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, South Africa remains a full member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and has all the rights and obligations that accrue to all members of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute), which state that it is the duty of every state to exercise its criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes. The ICC intervenes only where a state is unable or unwilling to carry out the investigation and prosecute. The statute established four core international crimes – genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression. It is the very ICC arrest warrant for Putin that has placed South Africa in a diplomatic storm and led to the establishment of an interministerial committee to explore the legal options available to the government regarding Putin's visit. South Africa, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, has an obligation to execute the arrest warrant issued against Putin. Responding to a written parliamentary question, Lamola said the African Union's (AU) resolve to reform or transform the ICC from within rather than through withdrawals was a notable development. "South Africa is considering a legislative amendment that would domesticate the Rome Statute so that it reflects all the articles of the Rome Statute. This includes the provision of Article 98 of the statute, which requires a waiver of immunities for persons charged by the ICC from third-party countries where there is no referral by the UN Security Council," Lamola said in response to a question from Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa. Last month, Zane Dangor, director-general of the international relations department, said the case with Putin was the first time that a third party state had been issued a warrant of arrest where the investigation had not been triggered by the United Nation (UN) Security Council. He told MPs on the Portfolio Committee on International Relations that Article 98, which deals with countries' obligations under international law, provides that the ICC must get a waiver of a person's immunity from a third state before proceeding with a request for the surrender of a person. The Security Council may refer a situation to the ICC, which empowers the ICC to investigate all four crimes which fall under the Rome Statute without any further conditions. The Security Council's powers under the UN Charter are the legal basis on which the ICC can investigate such crimes without any consent requirement by the states involved. Where an investigation is initiated by the prosecutor proprio motu (on one's own initiative), or where a situation is referred by a state party, the prosecutor must inform the Security Council about the investigation and give the Security Council six months to determine that an act of aggression has occurred. In February 2022, the Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution on ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as Russia wielded its veto power. The Security Council's presidency is rotated on a monthly, alphabetical basis, and February 2022 put the Kremlin at the head. Russia is one of the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council. In October 2016, the fifth administration took a decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute. South Africa sent a written notice of withdrawal to the secretary-general of the UN shortly after its decision. In January 2017, the AU took a decision followed by a resolution issued in February 2017, encouraging member nations to withdraw from the ICC. Two other AU members – Burundi and The Gambia – also indicated their intention to withdraw from the Rome Statute in 2016. However, The Gambia ...
The African National Congress has expelled its former secretary-general Ace Magashule. The party's National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) confirmed this on Monday. It said the decision came after Magashule failed to respond to the NDC after it gave him seven days to state why he should not be expelled. He had been found guilty of bringing the party into disrepute following his unsanctioned attempt to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa and failure to apologise, despite being instructed to do so by the party.
The number of people who have died as a result of cholera-related illnesses in South Africa has risen to 32 after the Free State recorded its second fatality - that of a 42-year-old woman. The woman was a patient at Boitumelo Regional Hospital in Kroonstad. Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said laboratory results confirmed the woman's death was cholera-related. "The patient is confirmed to have died, and thereafter laboratory tests confirmed that the death is attributable to cholera," Mvambi said. He said the province's two cholera-related fatalities occurred in the same area. Free State MEC for Health Mathabo Leeto conveyed her condolences to the deceased's family when department officials visited the family. "The department would like to take this opportunity to urge the public to believe information about causes of death that are confirmed by laboratory tests and not opinions that are not scientifically supported by facts. "The department continues to make a clarion call for all people to continue washing their hands and boiling water before they can consume it. If anyone experiences any slight symptoms of diarrhoea, they must please go to our health facilities to get help as a matter of urgency," Leeto said. On Thursday, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the country had recorded 166 laboratory-confirmed and 202 suspected cases of cholera in five provinces between 1 February and 6 June. He added: "The majority of cases were recorded in Gauteng, which accounts for 152 cases, while Free State province accounts [for] nine cases. Other provinces which recorded positive cases include Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West." "So far, more than 600 people with suspected cholera symptoms have been seen in Gauteng and Free State hospitals." Mohale said a well-equipped temporary field health facility, the Kanana Cholera Treatment Centre in Hammanskraal, relieved pressure at Jubilee District Hospital and contributed to improved health-seeking behaviour among people who have cholera symptoms. "Over 200 people have been seen at this makeshift hospital. The facility has been operating 24/7 since 26 May." He added that national, provincial and district outbreak response teams had been activated and managed to reach more than 300 contacts as part of case-finding and contact-tracing activities. "The Department of Social Development continues with psychosocial support and social relief packages to the families of the deceased," Mohale said.
The controversial Electoral Amendment Act faces another Constitutional Court challenge, this time related to the signatures prospective independent candidates must obtain to be eligible and the way the seats will be recalculated when there are vacancies. Last month, Independent Candidates Association (ICA) chairperson Michael Louis applied for direct access to the Constitutional Court to challenge the Act. The challenge is based on the fact that only 200 of the National Assembly's 400 seats are available to independent candidates, and will create an "unfair election, distorts proportionality, and reduces the value of votes cast in favour of independent candidates for no reason, let alone a convincing reason". Now One South Africa (OSA) has followed suit. The Act requires independent candidates to submit to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) a declaration with names, identity numbers, and signatures of voters who support their candidature. To be elected to the National Assembly, the names must equal 15% of the number of votes required to obtain a seat for that region in the preceding election, if contesting only one region. This means independent candidates contesting in next year's elections will have to get the following number of signatures in each province, based on the 2019 election results: Eastern Cape: 11 656 Free State: 11 340 Gauteng: 13 890 KwaZulu-Natal: 13 045 Limpopo: 11 329 Mpumalanga: 11 924 North West: 10 652 Northern Cape: 10 271 Western Cape: 13 201 If you intend to contest more than one region, you need to get signatures amounting to 15% of the province with the highest quota in the preceding election. For instance, if a candidate wants to compete in Gauteng and the Northern Cape, they will need to get the Gauteng figure of 13 890, instead of the Northern Cape's 10 271. In his founding affidavit, OSA national chairperson Jonas Mothibe Mogoale states: "The chief complaint of OSA is that the Amendment Act requires both political parties and independent candidates to acquire the same number of signatures in order to register." He noted that the signature requirement’s stated purpose was to "limit the number of frivolous candidates on the ballot" and that the requirement for new parties, before the amendment, was 1 000 signatures. 'Out of kilter' "The only reasonable inference to draw is that 1 000 signatures satisfied the same purpose: So that political parties are serious about entering the election race," Mogoale said. "OSA believes that the Amendment Act unjustifiably, arbitrarily and disproportionately sets an independent candidate's requirement at 15%. It further submits that the requirement does not fulfil any legitimate government purpose and that less restrictive means, such as the original 1 000 signature requirement, would achieve the same objective." He added that Parliament used provinces as large constituencies, making the signature requirement relative to the large vote thresholds of those provinces. Mogoale said: The inescapable inference is that the deliberate decision to use provinces as a unit of measurement for the number of signatures required, is arbitrary. "Not only does this approach lead to exorbitant numbers of signatures being required, but the principle is out of kilter with the rest of our electoral system. The previous 1 000 signature requirement had no link to the vote threshold nor was it linked to the number of voters per province. It represented an ordinary, feasible and reasonable measure. "The second issue is that the 15% threshold is arbitrary and is not apparently linked to any legitimate government purpose or objective. Parliament has failed to justify the figure. In other words, it has failed to show a rational connection between the threshold and the purpose sought to be achieved." OSA is also questioning the constitutionality of the complicated way seats will be recalculated when vacancies occur. Mogoale argued that it benefits the bigger parties and that ...
Just a week after the African National Congress (ANC) announced its intention to expel former secretary-general Ace Magashule, President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the dealings of the Free State premier's office, particularly those during Magashule's tenure. This opens the door for law enforcement officials to shine a light on Magashule's bursary payments to students while he was the Free State premier, which has been shrouded in controversy. The recent development was revealed through a proclamation by the president on Friday. In the proclamation, Ramaphosa states that the SIU may investigate allegations that have been made concerning the affairs of the Office of the Premier of the Free State. It's alleged that there may have been "serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the Office of the Premier; improper or unlawful conduct by employees of the Office of the Premier; and that unlawful expenditure of public money" may have occurred as a result of Magashule's bursary scheme. Two years ago, News24's sister publication, City Press, reported that a director at the Free State premier's office during Magashule's tenure requested exorbitant scholarships for herself, a "private individual", and two government officials to study in the US. At the time, Sheila Goldinah Mazibuko was the director of intergovernmental relations. The scholarships were detailed in a report, according to City Press, titled "Approval for scholarships for four students to study at Bay Atlantic University in Washington DC in the US and special leave for three Free State provincial government officials". The request was said to have been submitted by Mazibuko on 10 December 2017, and approved by Magashule. According to her request, each recipient was awarded close to R1-million a year to study towards a two-year executive master's in business administration (MBA) programme at the Washington-based university. A comparison with other local universities showed that the University of Cape Town offered the same programme for R328 000 a year per student at the time. Still, according to the report, each recipient received $79 913, which translated to R926 741 a year at the time. Magashule was quoted as having said at the time: "I don't deal with processes ... When it comes to me, I note or I approve . Nothing wrong happened there." The proclamation by Ramaphosa only instructs the SIU to investigate whether there was any "unlawful or improper conduct by any person, which has caused or may cause serious harm to the interests of the public or any category thereof. It further states that the SIU should look into incidents "that took place between 1 January 2018 and the date of publication of this proclamation, or which took place before 1 January 2018 or after the date of publication of this proclamation, but are relevant to, connected with, incidental or ancillary to the matters mentioned in the schedule or involve the same persons, entities or contracts investigated under the authority of this proclamation". Magashule has maintained his innocence, claiming that all allegations against him are politically motivated, given his political beliefs, which were poles apart from that of the president and his allies who now dominate the ANC's national executive committee, the party's highest decision-making body.
Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has extended the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP) for another six months. According to Motsoaledi, the validity of the ZEP will be extended from 30 June to 31 December 2023. The extension comes after the department had "approved thousands of waiver applications of the affected Zimbabwean nationals" and was "considering and approving waiver applications daily". "This has resulted in a significant increase in the number of visa and waiver applications. The Departmental Advisory Committee (DAC) led by Dr Cassius Lubisi is now dealing with the increased number of visa applications," Motsoaledi said. The department, said Motsoaledi, has been receiving between 1 000 and 1 500 visa and waiver applications daily, and more officials have been deployed to assist in processing the applications. The extension period will now end on 31 December 2023. Under the extension, no holder of a valid ZEP may be arrested, ordered to depart the country or be detained for deportation for any reason related to them not having a valid exemption certificate. The holder of a ZEP will be allowed to enter and exit South Africa, provided they comply with all entry or exit requirements. ZEP holders would not be required to present an exemption permit or authorisation letter to remain in the country during the extension period, Motsoaledi said. During the economic and political strife in Zimbabwe in 2008 and 2009, many of the country's citizens fled to South Africa. At the time, the South African government created a blanket exemption so that Zimbabweans could get permits to live and work legally. The permits were effectively extended by creating another permit over the years, which has since become known as the ZEP. More than 178 000 ZEP holders have been in South Africa for over a decade. In December 2021, Motsoaledi announced that the ZEP would not be renewed. The special permits were due to expire in December 2022, but an initial six-month extension was granted to allow people to apply for other available visas. Motsoaledi is expected to request that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor issue a note verbale (a diplomatic communication from one government to another) to the Zimbabwean ambassador informing him of the extension.
The late African National Congress (ANC) MP and former Cabinet minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson is to be honoured at a national memorial service in her home town of Kimberley in the Northern Cape. At a press briefing on Wednesday, ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane said Joemat-Pettersson's brother would work with the ANC to prepare for a national memorial service next week. "The family appreciates all the messages and calls that have been coming through. The children also appreciate it very much. Of importance is the further request that we should give the family the space to mourn and prepare for a decent burial," Mokonyane said. Joemat-Pettersson's family have asked for privacy during their mourning period. "We wish to extend our gratitude for the supporting messages and calls we have been receiving since the unexpected death of our mother, Tina Joemat-Pettersson. We humbly request for privacy while we process the sudden death of our mother. There will be a private funeral. We thank everyone for respecting our privacy during this difficult time," her sons, Terrence and Austin Pettersson, said in a short statement. Meanwhile, the ANC Women's League will hold its own national memorial service next Thursday." "We will give the family the necessary support and give her a good send-off that is in accordance with their wishes. She has spent the better part of her life in the Western Cape. Condolences should continue to be sent through. Her kids are still going through this difficult time," Mokonyane said. Joemat-Pettersson was a stalwart member of the women's league. She was vying for the position of the league's deputy president at its conference later this month. "There is a ceremony that is very solemn which the women’s league holds for its deceased members – the hanging of the blouse – which will take place on Thursday in Kimberley." Mokonyane led a delegation to pay the party's respects to the family on Wednesday. She was accompanied by ANC Northern Cape leader Zamani Saul and ANC deputy parliamentary chief whip Doris Dlakude. "During this visit, the ANC leadership extended condolences and offered support that is befitting the stature of comrade Tina. Regarding memorial and funeral proceedings, details will be shared once the necessary consultations have been concluded with the family," ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement. "Once again, the ANC extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, friends and comrades of comrade Tina Joemat-Pettersson. Her passing has left an indelible mark, with deep sadness felt across the ANC and wider democratic movement." Joemat-Pettersson died on Monday. Two weeks ago, reports surfaced that she had allegedly asked for a bribe from David Skosana, the husband of suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, to make the Section 194 Inquiry into Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office go away. Joemat-Pettersson served as a member of the investigating committee. The allegations were that she had been facilitating the talks on behalf of committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi and ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appeared visibly shocked as he was told that Hammanskraal residents could have already had safer drinking water if a R295-million tender had completed its work in time. Ramaphosa visited Hammanskraal on Thursday, where 23 people have died due to a cholera outbreak in the area. Although the outbreak's source is unknown, the functioning of the Rooiwal waste treatment plant has been in the spotlight. The president's visit began at the Rooiwal plant in Tshwane, where he met with officials who operate the plant. Gauteng Premier Panayza Lesufi and Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink accompanied him. The Rooiwal plant has been pointed at as the centre of the crisis facing the Hammanskraal community, who have lived without safe drinking water for years. The plant, which was built in the 1970s, has been ageing for years. It is responsible for cleaning the bulk of the city's water. A joint venture by companies with links to controversial businessman Edwin Sodi was awarded a contract worth R295-million in 2019 under questionable circumstances. The contract with the joint venture was terminated in 2022 after failing to perform. When the project came to an end, only 60% of the work was completed for phase one. For the next phase, the City plans to source funding through a loan. Ramaphosa was shown a portion of the plant with visible sewage streaming through pipes during his visit. This area is where sewage is cleaned and eventually processed for later consumption. But the bulk of the pipes in the water waste area are not functional, and instead of processing water to a light brown colour, it remains dirty and polluted. A City official in charge of Tshwane's waste plants told Ramaphosa that most of the pipes were not functioning. "The problem here is the colour is supposed to be light brown, but because a lot of the defuse pipes that pool oxygen into the water, some have popped, and some have burst. They are not all working, so we have a lot of leaks," the official, who identified himself only as David, told the president."We had done some work to fix the pipework and have it all done, but the project didn't run to completion and stopped at 60% because of tender processes."
President Paul Kagame has made sweeping changes at the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and appointed a new minister and head of the army. At the top of the list of changes was the firing of two senior commanders and more than 200 soldiers with immediate effect. He dismissed RDF Major-General Aloys Muganga, Brigadier-General Francis Mutiganda, as well as 14 commissioned officers. "He (Kagame) has also authorised the dismissal of 116 other ranks and approved the rescission of service contracts of 122 other ranks," said the statement from his office. Muganga was appointed in 2018 to the position of Reserve Force Chief of Staff (RFCOS) taking over from General Fred Ibingira who retired. The same year, Mutiganda was redeployed from the Director-General, External Security at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), back to RDF Headquarters. The changes by Kagame came a day after he also appointed 58-year-old Juvenal Marizamunda as the country's 11th defence minister since independence in 1962. The head of the RDF is now Lieutenant-General Mubarak Muganga (no relation to Major-General Aloys Muganga), who takes over from General Jean Bosco Kazura. The RDF is made up of three arms, with the reserve force made up of part-time military personnel who may be recalled whenever necessary to operate alongside the army and the air force.
The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), which had listed former President Jacob Zuma as one of its disputed office bearers in KwaZulu-Natal, has informed the African National Congress (ANC) that it has disbanded its warring provincial executive committees (PEC) in pursuit of a united organisation. This means that Zuma and others elected earlier this year in a disputed provincial election no longer have their initial positions, but will steer an interim structure. On 1 June, Sanco KwaZulu-Natal wrote to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, notifying him that the organisation was disbanding its divided structures. On 6 June, the warring provincial factions held an "integration meeting" at the Coastlands Hotel in Durban. The organisation also has two national executive committees (NEC) embroiled in a court battle, but said it was working on reaching a compromise. A letter by Sanco convener Richard Hlophe Mbalula titled "Request for Sanco to resolve internal issues and provide details of authentic representation as alliance partner", stated: "Please be informed that the two general secretaries from the Alexandra and Durban NECs [who are in court] met as directed by both their NECs to deal with the challenges faced by the organisation and come up with proposals that would help to unite Sanco." The two structures agreed to disband. They also agreed to allow the establishment of a National Interim Coordinating Committee [NICC] and that a previously agreed upon constitution be used by the interim structure in the lead-up to a suggested elective conference. The conference will be coordinated and convened by the leaders of the two factions. Another agreement they reached was to settle an outstanding issue out of court. The two camps also proposed for the elective conference to sit in November. Meanwhile, Zuma told Sanco members at the integration meeting that their movement was of great importance. He said it was important that the ANC doesn't fall "to 30%" because that means Sanco would've failed, too. Zuma was referring to a comment attributed by the Sunday Times to Mbalula, who had been musing about the party's fortunes in next year's general elections. Zuma said he wouldn't leave the ANC as it was his home. His foundation's spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi has hopped from the ANC to the ATM and now the EFF. Zuma told Sanco members: "I was talking to some men. I told them you don't run away from home. How do you run away from your parent's home [the ANC]? "Even if a mamba attacked me, I will hold it with my hands... But I won't run away from my home," Zuma said. In a veiled reference to his political nemesis, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma said they needed to get rid of the person in charge as he "wasn't born to be there". "And if he has brothers like him, we push all of them out as well," Zuma said. Zuma told the audience that rich white people doled money out to ANC members to divide and conquer them. "Since 1994, white people have been consolidating. With the majority we have, we can change everything, including the Constitution," Zuma said. In a bid to unite the organisation, the two "NECs" are trying to reach an out-of-court settlement and have appointed Richard Mkhungo as national convener and Mike Soko as national coordinator. In a statement first issued to News24, Sanco said that now that the organisation has one NEC, their "unitary" decision will have to find expression at the grassroots level as "whatever happens at the NEC level must find expression at the PEC level." "Therefore, it is inevitable that provinces which have two PECs will be collapsed and merged into one," the statement said. "The opposite is true that not all provinces had more than one PEC because other provinces were not affected by this division, such as Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces. Of course, unity meant that people would lose their positions both in the NEC and PEC, but cognisance is given to the fact that it was never about pos...
Former president Jacob Zuma's attempt to privately prosecute News24 legal journalist Karyn Maughan and senior prosecutor Billy Downer has failed. "The respondent (Zuma) is interdicted and restrained from re-instituting, proceeding with, or from taking any further steps pursuant to, the private prosecution," said Judge Paul Wallis in the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday. Zuma's bid failed after he accused Downer of leaking confidential medical information to Maughan in breach of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act. Both brought applications to have the summons they were served reviewed and set aside. In asking the court to set the matter aside, Maughan stated that Zuma did not obtain a nolle prosequi certificate against her. The certificate is key to Zuma being procedurally allowed to privately prosecute. In March, the hearing ended abruptly as Zuma's advocate, Dali Mpofu, made long-winded submissions and went at least an hour over his allocated time toward the end of the day. Maughan's counsel, advocate Steven Budlender, argued in court that Zuma brought the charges against Maughan because of the former president's "extraordinary animosity toward her".
The Hawks are investigating four cases of fraud and corruption that saw the Department of Defence and Military lose R167-million in public funds. Hawks boss Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya revealed this during a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on 31 May. In the latest case reported at Sunnyside police station on 24 April 2023, it was alleged that the Department of Defence and Military Veterans awarded a R57-million tender to a service provider to procure machines and to train 900 people to repair potholes in all the provinces. But Lebeya said proper supply chain processes were not followed during the awarding of the tender. Lebeya said investigators interviewed the complainant on 16 May to get more clarity on the matter. "[The] investigation is ongoing." In a case from 2022, reported to the Pretoria Central police, the Hawks investigated cases of fraud and corruption involving the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Department of Defence. Lebeya said the matter came to light during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, but was only referred to the Hawks in 2022. According to Lebeya, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) investigated the case and submitted a report to the Department of Defence. "DoD (Department of Defence) charged its members, and according to their Defence Act, they could not charge the civilians and the companies involved in the commission of crime on the procurement of the PPEs. "The alleged companies supplied masks to the department and allegedly paid kickbacks to the officials," Lebeya said. A total of R44-million in public funds were lost. Lebeya told the committee that 17 SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members, four company directors and eight companies were under investigation. Lebeya said the Hawks also investigated a fraud, theft and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act case reported at Sunnyside SAPS in April 2021. He said a complainant reported maladministration within the Department of Military Veterans offices in Pretoria. "These allegations eventually led to the suspension of the five suspects. When accepting tenders, they disregarded the policies that are put in place by the DoD governing the procurement processes and the awarding of the tenders. "This habit led to the service providers being awarded tenders for Sewing Project and Furniture Making Project, but the money was deposited into the closed corporate account that belongs to the individuals," he said. Lebeya said no valid service level agreements or contracts were signed between the Department of Military Veterans “irrespective of the full compliance with what was expected to be done in terms of giving training to the Military Veterans and their beneficiaries”. The Hawks investigation found that there were no advertisements nor invitations of the bidders to all the awarded tenders. "The tenders were awarded to their favoured friends. They irregularly employed their favourites to senior positions without the necessary qualifications. Such people were never graded in terms of the Public Service Act; nevertheless, they were placed in Senior Management Service level," Lebeya said. Lebeya said five companies and five suspects were linked to the case, which led to the loss of R37.4-million. In the last case, involving R29-million in fraud, corruption and theft, from January 2022, the Hawks investigated allegations of irregularities regarding the procurement of skills development at the offices of the Military Veterans Department. Lebeya said it was alleged that a company provided three-day security courses for more than R4-million, despite not being registered with Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). He said a second company was awarded a machinery contract of more than R25-million by National Treasury, but proper processes were not followed. "The third company was appointed as the new service provider; however, correct processes in appointing the...
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says the war between Russia and Ukraine should not detract from the world's developmental goals. Pandor launched a veiled critique of developed nations who fail to reform and transform global institutions. On Friday, she welcomed non-Brics nations to a dialogue on the sidelines of the foreign ministers' summit in Cape Town. These countries include the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. "It is clear that today, we no longer share an understanding of the greatest global challenge. This is despite the reality that the Covid-19 pandemic set back our efforts to achieve Sustainable Developments Goals by almost a decade," Pandor said. "We are led by the 2030 Agenda. A regional conflict has not replaced eradicating global poverty as the world's greatest global challenge. How do we bring the world's attention and resources back to this fact?" she asked. According to Pandor, there is increased economic risk for the most vulnerable with low growth levels in much of the globe and neglect of those in the greatest need. "Food inflation and high energy prices have strained incomes and resulted in high debt costs and persistent uncertainty. And the attention and resources of our Western partners have been diverted and the agendas of our multilateral organisation no longer respond to the needs and demands of the Global South. "The world has faltered in cooperation. Developed countries have never met their commitments to the developing world and are trying to shift all responsibility to the Global South," she said. Furthermore, Pandor said the poor and marginalised are facing the greatest threat in that their plight is forgotten while the so-called great powers fight. "This is not the world we hoped for when the Cold War ended. This is not the world we promised our people in the 2030 Agenda. "South Africa desires a return to peace, multilateralism, and partnerships for development," she said.
Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla announced on Friday the appointment of Professor Taole Mokoena as the new Health Ombud of South Africa as of June 1. Mokoena is a graduate of the Universities of KwaZulu-Natal and Oxford and served as the Chief Surgeon at the Department of General Surgery at the University of Pretoria and at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. He previously chaired a panel investigating surgical deaths and discrimination within the cardiology department at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The Health Ombud is an independent body established in terms of the National Health Amendment Act of 2013, with a responsibility to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services by considering, investigating and disposing of complaints in the national health system relating to noncompliance with prescribed norms and standards. Mokoena accepted the magnitude of his role in assisting the Department of Health to deliver a healthcare system that timeously responded to the demand of a growing population. Phaahla expressed gratitude to the outgoing Professor Malegapuru Makgoba for his efforts as the inaugural Health Ombud. “Professor Makgoba displayed patriotism and commitment to the creation of an improvement of the health services in our country, by impartially and with no favour or prejudice investigating complaints brought to his office and also made recommendations which are invaluable to the health system and the country as a whole,” Phaahla said. Considering the Life Esidimeni tragedy, the alleged Covid-19 fraud within the Tembisa Hospital and the dilapidated conditions at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, the Minister has heeded the criticisms Makgoba levelled at the Department regarding issues of staff capacity and resource allocation. Alluding to a high turnover of MECs, Phaahla highlighted the importance of ensuring stability at an institutional level towards ensuring that people in South Africa receive quality healthcare. “Strengthening management capacity at the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) does help the Ombud administratively and does offer a full secondment of staff. At the moment, there is a core staff complement with an executive manager that works with the Ombud on a day-to-day basis. However, the caseload outweighs the staff complement,” said OHSC CEO Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni.
Eskom will implement continuous stage 2 loadshedding until further notice due to the breakdown of six generating units at five power stations, the power utility said on Friday afternoon.There has also been a delay in return to service of "numerous" generating units, spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha added. A generating unit each at Duvha, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Majuba and two units at Arnot Power Station, were taken offline for repairs over the past 24 hours.The delay in returning to service two generating units at Camden and one unit each at Arnot and Duvha power stations contributed to capacity constraints. Eskom is moreover facing a budget crunch for diesel supplies for its open cycle gas turbines.It anticipates increased loadshedding over the next 6 to 12 months, it said."The imminent refuelling and maintenance outage, as well as the long-term operation project of Unit 1 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, together with the October chimney failure that has forced three generation units offline at Kusile Power Station, will further reduce available generation capacity and significantly increase the occurrence of loadshedding during the next 6 to 12 months."Currently 4 423MW of capacity is out on planned maintenance, while another 16 708MW is unavailable due to breakdowns.
An urgent African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at Nasrec ended abruptly with a decision that the Section 89 Phala Phala report should be processed by the top four officials and national working committee (NWC).Treasurer general Paul Mashatile told the media that the NEC adjourned after it decided that the report should first be processed by the top officials - President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President David Mabuza, ANC chair Gwede Mantashe and Mashatile himself.They must consult Ramaphosa and report to the NWC, before reporting back to the NEC before Tuesday's meeting of Parliament, which will need to decide whether to adopt the Section 89 report or not.Mashatile said the president had yet to discuss the matter with any structures of the ANC since the report was published on Wednesday.Mashatile said Ramaphosa was still consulting, but he didn't know with who.
If President Cyril Ramaphosa were to resign, it would be "chaotic" for the country and the ruling party, according to African National Congress (ANC) national chairperson Gwede Mantashe.The mineral resources and energy minister was interviewed by the SABC at Nasrec, Gauteng, ahead of a meeting with ANC leadership on Friday. The party's National Executive Committee is meeting to discuss Ramaphosa's fate following the release of an independent panel report on Wednesday, with findings against him related to the handling of a theft of $580 000 in cash at his game farm in Limpopo, Phala Phala.According to the panel, the President "may have committed serious violations" and breached anticorruption laws, News24 reported.Mantashe said the report has "a lot of loopholes" and can be challenged. "If it were me, I would have kicked dust about it," he added. But unlike him, Ramaphosa would probably take a more "gentle" approach, Mantashe said."I think we must give him space to do that."He also pointed out the use of the phrasing " may have" which indicates the findings against the President are still to be tested."No one says the President has committed a crime. it says he 'may have which opens a way for a parliamentary process," said Mantashe.He emphasised that space should be created for the report to be "processed properly" and to allow Parliament to handle the matter as it should.Mantashe said that Ramaphosa should do "anything that can be done" before taking a decision to resign – this includes taking the report on review.Ramaphosa may face impeachment, but has been leaning toward resignation, while some of his allies have been encouraging him to "fight" the report, according to News24.'Chaos'Asked what the implications of Ramaphosa resigning would be, Mantashe said it would be "chaotic"."The country would be leaderless. We would have an acting president . We (the ANC) have a conference in two weeks' time, and to me, that is chaos," he shared. Mantashe stressed that it is important to maintain stability.Ramaphosa, the incumbent leader, will have his position contested at the ANC's elective conference, which will kick off in two weeks. "My view is let us go to the conference, elect a leader for the ANC and see what happens beyond that point," he said.If Ramaphosa is elected for a second term, then he would continue to deal with the Phala Phala report as a "sitting" president, Mantashe said.On Thursday, the rand and local equities crashed on rumours that Ramaphosa may be resigning.Given that, the priority is to signal to society and the markets that there is stability in South Africa and that legal processes will unfold and there will be compliance with those processes, Mantashe said.Members of Parliament are expected to vote on Tuesday on whether or not to adopt the report, News24 reported.
Multinational engineering firm ASEA Brown Boveri (ABB) has agreed to pay over R2.5-billion in punitive reparations to South Africa for "serious crimes" committed at Eskom during the State Capture-era. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in a statement on Tuesday that its Investigating Directorate finalised a settlement agreement with ABB. "This settlement represents a bold and innovative step towards accountability and justice for alleged offenders, particularly in the form of restitution for the serious crimes committed at Eskom during the state capture period," the NPA said. ABB’s payment must be made into SA’s Criminal Asset Recovery Account, within 60 days of 1 December. The amount will "be used as restitution for victims, and to assist in building South Africa’s capacity and resources in its ongoing fight against serious corruption." The R2.5-billion is over and above the R1.6-billion that ABB previously paid to Eskom in 2020. Arrests ABB was awarded a R2-billion contract in 2015 to install control and instrumentation (C&I) systems at the troubled Kusile power station. The station has suffered time delays, cost overruns running into the billions and design defects, and problems at the station have regularly contributed to load-shedding. In October, the faulty installation of an exhaust vent resulted in ash particles building up inside a massive duct over nearly five years, which caused the collapse of a section of the pipe at Kusile. The Kusile deal resulted in ABB paying Impulse International R549-million in 2016 and 2017 - when former acting Eskom CEO Matshela Koko's stepdaughter, Koketso Aren (neé Choma), was a shareholder of Impulse. Koko, his wife, Mosima, and his stepdaughters, Koketso and Thato Choma, Thabo Mokwena, a former employee of the State Security Agency, Eskom's former project manager for Kusile, Frans Sithole, lawyer and alleged Koko fixer, Johannes Coetzee, and Koko associate Watson Seswai were arrested in late October and appeared in the Middelburg Regional Court on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. They were all granted bail, ranging from R70 000 to R300 000, and will appear in court again on 23 March. Former ABB employees, and German citizens, Markus Bruegmann and Sunil Vip - also part of the accused in the case - were not in court. In July two former ABB employees and their wives - Muhammed and Raeesa Mooidheen and Vernon and Aradhna Pillay were arrested in connection with alleged kickbacks in exchange for inflated contracts that were awarded to Impulse. Both couples appeared in different courts and were granted bail. Cooperation In September ABB said it put aside $325-million (R6-billion) as a provision to cover costs related to corruption probes at Kusile power station. It said at the time it was cooperating fully with the authorities and "hopes to reach a final settlement with them in the near term". The NPA said on Thursday that ABB had "acknowledged liability and taken responsibility for the alleged criminal conduct of its employees involving contracts with Eskom". "As a result, ABB has been forthcoming in cooperating with law enforcement agencies conducting the investigations into such alleged conduct." The NPA said it also assisted in securing evidence and key witnesses as part of its ongoing investigation. "This settlement agreement was negotiated with partner countries, including the USA, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. South Africa is getting the bulk of the settlement amount due to the nature of the crimes and the negative impact on South Africa and its people," the NPA said. It however pointed out the settlement did not indemnify any ABB staff, directors and contractors. "The NPA will continue to pursue these criminal prosecutions, with the support of ABB who has committed to ongoing collaboration to ensure accountability for the crimes allegedly committed by its employees."
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen wants all members of the National Assembly, regardless of party or affiliation, to support its Section 50(1) Motion, which he says he will table in the National Assembly against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The DA wants a majority vote for the dissolution of government, which would then trigger an early election. Steenhuisen said the hand-over of the independent panel’s report into the Phala Phala allegations represented a seismic shift in South African politics, where a sitting President stands accused of breaching the Constitution. He noted that if Ramaphosa is recalled now, the country will end up with a “corrupt” President David Mabuza and if Ramaphosa survives until the African National Congress (ANC) elective conference only to be defeated, the country will end up with a “corrupt” President Zweli Mkhize. “And if President Ramaphosa somehow triumphs at the conference we’re stuck with a corrupt President Ramaphosa, whose focus will be on his own political survival rather than on the good of the nation,” he said. Steenhuisen stressed that now was not a time for cheap point-scoring and also urged caution against the proliferation of small parties and new movements that are being added to the country’s political landscape every few months. He said the myth of the “two ANCs” has now been shattered. “Now is the time to stand up and be counted. The Democratic Alliance calls for a national election – not one involving 4 000 delegates at an ANC conference, but one that gives all South Africans the opportunity to determine their future,” he said. He went on to urge South African’s to not become despondent and added that what looks like a crisis could be a leap forward for democracy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has lost the political support of the African National Congress (ANC) and is "very likely" to announce his resignation as head of state in the next few hours. Ramaphosa will also resign as president of the ANC and will pull out of the race to be re-elected in just over two weeks' time at Nasrec. In accordance with the Constitution, Deputy President David Mabuza, a former premier of Mpumalanga, will step in as acting president until Parliament votes for a new president. It is expected that whoever is elected as the next ANC president mid-December will be sworn in as state president at a special sitting of Parliament at the end of the month. The Democratic Alliance has tabled a motion, arguing for Parliament to be dissolved and for an early election to be held next year. News24 has spoken to a range of senior politicians and civil servants close to the president's decision, that is likely to trigger a credibility crisis for South Africa. A source close to talks said Ramaphosa did not have to be convinced of the case to resign. The insider said Ramaphosa argued that it was in the best interest of the stability of the country for him to quit. "There is nothing we can do now," the source said. Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa's spokesperson, said the president would address the nation "soon". He said the president was still considering his options. "The primary concern in the president's mind is the stability of the government and the country." Ramaphosa has run out of options after a Section 89 panel, headed by former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, found that he may have violated the Constitution and anti-corruption laws in his Phala Phala game farm dealings. News24 understands the president's legal advisors told him that, although they took the view that the Ngcobo report was "full of contradictions, flaws and mistakes", chances of successfully challenging it in court was not guaranteed. "Which court will rule that a report by a former chief justice is irrational?" one source said. Ramaphosa also does not want to put himself through a "public trial" in Parliament, in an impeachment hearing, while he was the one who suspended Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the Public Protector, to face a similar process. Ramaphosa is a multi-billionaire who built his fortune outside of politics before being plucked back into the ANC's fold as former president Jacob Zuma's deputy in 2012. He has served as deputy president and president of the country for a decade, and oversaw the "reform" agenda in the country to restore institutions and state-owned enterprises that were plundered during the so-called "lost decade" under Zuma. Some of his biggest achievements have been the credibility restoration of the National Prosecuting Authority, which has been driving state capture arrests and prosecutions, and empowering the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) with the capacity to reclaim millions of taxpayers' money lost to corruption. But Ramaphosa himself has been mired in a credibility crisis since the country's former spy boss, Arthur Fraser, opened a criminal case against the president for a burglary of millions of rands that happened at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in early 2020. Ramaphosa was accused of covering up the source of the money, allegedly stashed in furniture, and of thwarting a proper police investigation into the case. The Ngcobo report confirmed the suspicions and found Ramaphosa had to answer the case for possible impeachment. Ramaphosa had limited options, which he discussed with political and legal advisers since late on Wednesday night. News24 understands his decision was mainly influenced by the lack of political support he suffered in the ANC since the release of the report. The president has seemingly bled support on the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) over the last 18 hours following the release of the independent panel's report. This follows a marked sea-change in recent times, with frustration among supp...
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in flatly denying any wrongdoing related to the Phala Phala saga, has revealed that his game farm operates "largely at a loss" and has funded it largely out of pocket. This is revealed in Ramaphosa’s response to the panel appointed by the Speaker of the National Assembly to assess whether or not he has a case to answer. The panel, headed by former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, delivered its report to the Speaker on Wednesday and it is expected to be published later Wednesday evening. The panel’s appointment and work is a preliminary step in Parliamentary processes around a motion, brought by opposition MP Vuyo Zungula of the ATM in July, that seeks to remove the president in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution. Section 89 allows for the removal of sitting president on the grounds of a serious violation of the Constitution of the law; serious misconduct or an inability to perform the functions of the office. Zungula’s motion advanced four charges that Ramaphosa was called on to respond to all linked to the burglary at his Phala Phala farm in February 2020 – but rather than focusing the allegations on the contents of the affidavit filed by former SSA boss Arthur Fraser with the police in June 2021, the charges in the motion centre around Ramaphosa’s public statements in the wake of Fraser opening the criminal complaint and causing the information to become public. Ramaphosa has, in a detailed response running to some 138 pages including annexures, rebutted all four charges and advanced his own version to challenge not only the allegations, but also the premise of the charges themselves. Charge 1 – The ANC Limpopo Speech Charge This charge accuses Ramaphosa of violating two key sections of the Constitution – Section 96 (2) (a) and 83 (b) – the first that members of cabinet and deputy ministers may not undertake any other paid work and in the latter that the President must uphold, defend and protect the Constitution. Zungula bolstered the charge by including a link to a speech Ramaphosa gave at an ANC conference in Limpopo. He alleges that Ramaphosa’s comments that he was a farmer, in the cattle and game business confirmed that he was actively involved in his business. Ramaphosa’s response Ntaba Nyoni Estates, a company of which Ramaphosa is the sole director, operates his game farming business at Phala Phala. "I am the sole member [director] of the close corporation but I do not work for it and do not get any remuneration from Ntaba Nyoni. From the inception of Ntaba Nyoni in and around 2001, I have invested my and my family’s money to fund its operations largely at a loss," his submission to the panel reads. Ramaphosa also said he was entitled to retain assets or financial interests "where no conflict of interest would arise, if these were declared". "The ATM and EFF’s proposition that I have misconstrued my obligations in this regard is entirely without merit. I do not perform paid work for Ntaba Nyoni – nothing I said has ever suggested as much – nor do I receive remuneration for work or service other than my functions as President," the response adds. Ramahosa also points out that the charge is "based on an error of law". "The ATM seems to labour under the impression that I am forbidden from having any financial or business interests, or even investing in such interests. No such blanket prohibition exists." Charge 2 – Failure to report The second charge advanced is a violation of the law, with the ATM’s Zungula saying Ramaphosa violated Section 34 (1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). Zungula alleges that Ramaphosa failed to report the theft of cash from his residence on the farm “to any police official as required by the Act”. The reporting of the burglary to Major General Wally Rhoode, a policeman and head of the presidential protection unit, was not compliance with the South African Police Service Act which directed that Section 34 PRECCA reports needed to...
Chris Hani's widow wants the Constitutional Court to rescind its decision to give murderer Janusz Waluś parole, but this will be a tall order a law expert told News24. Limpho Hani and the South African Communist Party (SACP) have applied to the Constitutional Court to rescind its decision to give Walus parole. They want the case to be heard anew at a date to be determined by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Last week, the apex court ruled that Waluś be released from Kgosi Mampuru prison in Tshwane within 10 working days, after he had served his sentence for Hani's 1993 murder. On Tuesday, correctional services said an inmate stabbed Waluś. He is in a stable condition after receiving treatment in prison. On Wednesday, members of the ANC, SACP and Cosatu staged a protest outside the prison. Organisers said they wanted to express their anger and dissatisfaction that Waluś was set to be released. In her court papers, Hani argues that she was not "treated fairly by the court". She also says the judgment had "a patent error" because her submissions were not fully examined. She said only applications by Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola and Waluś were fully considered. She said the court "lacked independence" by not evaluating her submissions. In her affidavit, Hani said the decision by the court to grant Waluś parole by taking the power away from Lamola was an error. She said Waluś's South African citizenship was revoked in 2016, and the court should have considered this before granting the parole. "This Court denied the Minister an opportunity to deal with the most important aspect of parole in the present case, being the fact that the first respondent's citizenship has been revoked. "Given the importance, the citizenship status on parole matters, and the fact that the status of the first respondent has never been fully canvassed before this Court and less or no information is placed before this Court. The Minister is incapable of releasing the applicant on day parole and/or imposing parole conditions on him in circumstances where his release from prison to serve parole in South Africa shall itself be an offence," she said. Earlier this week, Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said Waluś had been granted citizenship so he could serve his parole here and not in his native Poland. Constitutional law expert Professor Pierre de Vos said it was hard for the judgment to be rescinded. "Right now, it will be hard to say, but it will all depend on the arguments they bring. They have to bring something that is plausible for it to be successful." Waluś's lawyer, Julian Knight declined to comment on the application.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has stressed that the ceremonial handover of the Phala Phala report marks one of the indicative milestones in the country’s maturing constitutional democracy. On Wednesday the Section 89 inquiry panel handed over the report to Mapisa-Nqakula, which consists of three volumes. While Volume 1 is the report itself, Volumes 2 and 3 are a record of the proceedings which contains every document the panel relied on to prepare its report. Retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, Judge Thokozile Masipa and advocate Sello Mahlape had been tasked with assessing whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer for on constitutional grounds for the alleged theft of foreign currency at his Phala Phala farm nearly three years ago. The panel was granted a 13-day extension to conclude its work by November the 30th. In June the African Transformation Movement (ATM) submitted to Mapisa-Nqakula a motion requesting the House to initiate an inquiry into the removal of Ramaphosa on specific charges, but Mapisa-Nqakula declined the motion. After further engagements, the ATM submitted an amended version of the motion in July, which Mapisa-Nqakula said was found to be in order. The Speaker referred the submission, with supporting documents, to the Independent Panel, which she appointed after nominations by political parties. She noted that the involvement of political parties in the constitution of the panel formed an essential element of independence to remove any perception of bias. Ngcobo thanked the ATM, Economic Freedom Fighters, the United Democratic Movement and Ramaphosa for contributions made. “Ironically it is precisely this information which made it impossible for us to meet the required deadline,” he said. He highlighted that there had been anxiety from South Africans and he thanked them for their patience and for allowing the panel necessary space to do its work without any interruption. He said the panel also made available the electronic version of the report to the Speaker. The report will be communicated to MPs through the publication of the announcements, tablings and committee reports on Wednesday evening. December 6 has been set aside for consideration of the report by the National Assembly. Mapisa-Nqakula noted that the House would consider the report, its findings and recommendations then adopt a resolution through a symbol majority vote on whether further action by the House is necessary or not. Attached is Ramaphosa's submissions to Independent Panel.
Not-for-profit organisation Freedom Under Law (FUL) has recommended that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) be reconstituted to include more senior judges and fewer party-political appointees. This comes from the organisation’s report ‘A Review of the Activities of the South African Judicial Service Commission 2009 to 2022’, which highlights key deficiencies in the composition and operation of the JSC and makes remedial recommendations and proposals to address the structural problems inherent in the JSC, as well as the challenges in its current processes. FUL argued that, for years, the JSC had been prone to political interference in the appointment of judges. Lead researcher and author of the report Calli Solik said the JSC’s Sifting Committee, which compiles a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed by the Commission, should reflect on how it decided on suitable candidates. The report also highlighted the various criticisms levelled against the Sifting Committee’s interview process. These include, “the clumsiness in its processes that is the result of an overlarge and eclectic body; the frequent failure on the part of the Chair to maintain fairness; the lack of clear guidelines or criteria in assessing candidates; great inconsistency in the depth and length of the questioning of candidates; the JSC’s understanding and implementation of its constitutional mandate in section 174(2); and party-political interference.” The FUL said a major issue of the interviews was the lack of guidelines on how they arrived at their candidates. FUL calls for clear guidelines for the interview process. Solik also suggested the strengthening of the JSC’s secretariat, in-depth interviews and greater standardisation of the interview process. She added that questions should be required to cover specific areas of accountability and the JSC should produce its reasons on how a particular candidate was appointed to reduce political interference. Professor Emeritus of Public Law at the University of Cape Town and Freedom Under Law board member said the appointment and accountability of judges was critically important. He said FUL had watched with dismay as the JSC failed to maintain the standards set by the transformative ethos of the South African Constitution since 2009. He said the FUL board resolved in January to commission research into mandate appointment and accountability of the JSC. FUL executive director Judith February said judicial selection, appointment and accountability were key aspects of the judicial system which was "fit for purpose and operates on the bases of integrity”. She said over the past decade South Africa’s constitutional democracy had come under scrutiny, particularly relating to politicians and those who were under pressure from the recent damning findings of the Zondo Commission and even the legal fraternity. She cited suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane “protecting” former President Jacob Zuma and some within the African National Congress and called out "narrow political focuses as factional battles are at play”. She noted that many South Africans had criticised how matters had been politicized in the JSC, but added that despite pressure, the JSC had proven to be a resolute. She emphasised that the strength of the judicial arm was a national constitutional asset and it should not be taken for granted.
Hawks boss Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya announced on Tuesday that Siphesihle Nkosi has been appointed new Deputy National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. Nkosi was appointed on November 1 and comes into the position with experience in fraud and commercial crime investigations. Nkosi, seven senior managers and 244 members – ranging from junior level to middle management – have been recently appointed as part of the Hawks’ continuous quest to fully capacitate the Directorate. “It is encouraging to report that the DPCI has grown to 52% from the last financial year. The process of capacitating the DPCI is continuing,” Lebeya said. He highlighted that the Hawks would be appointing a further five senior managers by December 1 and another three by January 1, 2023. “Should an additional ten designate appointees successfully negotiate their Top Secret Security Clearance certificates, we will announce their appointments immediately,” he added. Presenting the success of the DPCI in the least financial year, Lebeya revealed that at least 827 suspects had been arrested and appeared before the various courts across the country. He said during the same period, 217 accused persons were convicted and sentenced. Most of the arrests emanate from Serious Organised Crime Investigations, which made up 524 arrests. Fraud cases, which are investigated by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, recorded the highest number of arrests overall. They secured 222 arrests across all provinces, Lebeya said. He noted that Serious Commercial Crime was followed by Precious Metals and Diamonds – illegal mining activities – with 126 arrests. Non-Ferrous Metal cases followed with 97 arrests and this involved theft of copper, railway lines and other essential infrastructure that aided economic activities in the country. Lebeya noted that corruption continued to surface as one of the biggest threats posed by criminals in the country. He said illicit financial funds triggered the Hawks’ response to focus on money laundering charges initiated through criminal investigations. He said corruption cases were a special breed, in that they were committed in secret by consenting parties, which required a lot of digging to unearth such cases. “Although the number of arrests are the lowest from the Serious Corruption Investigation component, it is in line with the number of cases and resources assigned to deal with the phenomenon. A number of other corruption cases are also appearing in the figures of Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. We have made some strides in that front and some of the cases that required high level of meticulous investigation carried out by our team of investigators in rooting out these corrupt elements are mentioned here,” he highlighted.
The official unemployment rate declined further to 32.9% in the third quarter of 2022, from 33.9% in the second, Statistics SA reported on Tuesday. Unemployment hit a record high of 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) shows that 204 000 jobs were gained between the second and third quarter of 2022. The largest job gains were in manufacturing (+123 000), trade (+82 000), construction (+46 000) and transport (+33 000). Job losses were however recorded in the finance sector (-80 000), private households (-36 000) and mining and agriculture (-1 000) each. The expanded unemployment rate - which includes discouraged job seekers who have given up looking for work - decreased to 43.1% from 44.1% in the second quarter. The QLFS has faced some scrutiny in recent months, amid growing concern about the reliability of SA’s employment data. Statistics SA is meant to collect data on the employment status of 33 000 households – which is extrapolated to determine the jobless rates for around 40-million adults in the country. However, last year it contacted fewer than 14 300 households. The interviews were done telephonically - not face-to-face as before the pandemic. At the start of this year, however, in-person interviews resumed. News24 previously reported that the head of the Statistics Council, the advisory board to Statistics SA, raised the alarm about the quality of the unemployment data.
The Western Cape legislature Speaker Masizole Mnqasela has been given one day to re-apply for Democratic Alliance (DA) membership. The DA announced on Monday it had terminated Mnqasela's membership following disparaging comments he made about the party during a media briefing on Sunday. The party's federal chairperson Helen Zille said his remarks were "in violation of the terms of the cease-and-desist letter sent to the Speaker by the party's federal executive". "Mnqasela has until 10:00 tomorrow to re-apply for membership to the DA," she added. The move comes after the DA filed a motion of no confidence against Mnqasela on Friday. During Sunday's briefing, Mnqasela made remarks about the party's caucus leader Alan Winde, who had asked him to resign after whistleblowers had handed over a mountain of evidence revealing Mnqasela's travel and entertainment claims as well as apparent lavish spending while on official government business. "There has been a jumping of the gun by individuals, and I'm not surprised Alan Winde told me in May already that I should go," he said. Mnqasela slammed the party's motion against him as a "witch hunt". I believe that it was important to speak about this and what it means for me and for the legislature. I am a politician, so I'm not naive, and I have continued to dismiss these allegations as baseless and malicious. It was a political witch hunt. Mnqasela added that he was not above the institution, but stressed processes must be followed. "People must not be excited to remove me as Speaker. I believe in something called process integrity. It protects you even though people don't like you. I don't expect people to like me," he said before issuing a stern warning to the party. "You don't touch me and expect ... no consequences for those actions. This has done so much damage to me as an individual, to my family and my character," he said. Mnqasela was suspended from all DA-related activities, pending an investigation into the allegations of fraud and excessive spending. News24 understands that Mnqasela will be consulting with his lawyers following the termination of his membership. The provincial legislature's programming committee is expected to sit on Tuesday to deliberate when to schedule the motion of no confidence against him. Winde declined to comment on the matter.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to legally challenge Parliament's decision to not find suitable venues after the devastating January fire. According to the DA, little to no work has been done to investigate and hold to account the people responsible. "It has been over 10 months since the fire that gutted Parliament," said DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube. On Monday, party bosses presented their year in review of the work done in Parliament. "This is why we have taken the decision to refer Parliament's refusal to find alternative venues for the institution to conduct its work – while the rebuilding is set to commence – to our lawyers for review and challenging. "We believe that this decision is in direct contravention of Sections 59 and 72 of the Constitution, which force both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces – respectively – to facilitate public involvement in the processes of the Assembly, committees and conduct its business in a manner that is accessible to the public," Gwarube said. In addition to this, Chapter 4, part 4, of the National Assembly Rules places the responsibility for ensuring public access and participation in the business of Parliament firmly with the Speaker. "Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is responsible – as per the rules – to ensure that the institution gives effect to the Constitution. We have given this process almost a year; it is clear that the ANC is only too happy to have Parliament's oversight mechanisms hamstrung. That is why we will seek to approach the courts. For South Africa to work, Parliament must work optimally," Gwarube said. Parliamentary meetings have, in the main, been held on virtual platforms, while some, like the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, have recently opted for physical, in-person meetings. The virtual meetings were implemented in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the destruction of the National Assembly building saw the online system's continued use. According to Gwarube, progress should have been made to find suitable, alternative venues for Parliament and its committees to convene. "The Good Hope Chamber, which has been a stop-gap measure, cannot be the way that Parliament conducts its business. The chamber can only accommodate 120 of the 400 members. Of our 84 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are accommodated as the official opposition," she said. Other political parties have far less representation in the Good Hope Chamber. "Many committees – which are meant to be the engine-room for the business of Parliament – meet online, which is less than optimal, and is exclusionary to most South Africans who wish to follow the work done here," she said. Gwarube said there was a misconception that Parliament belonged to politicians. "It belongs to the people who have sent us here to serve them. The business of Parliament must directly reflect the issues facing many South Africans. It cannot be a detached institution that is not fulfilling its constitutional mandate," she said. In October, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that R2-billion would be set aside to restore the parliamentary buildings. Parliament will also receive an allocation of R118-million for unforeseen and unavoidable expenditure, as a result of the impact of both the fire and Covid-19 on the operations of Parliament.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that to give meaning to 16 Days of Activism, men need to be engaged in a dialogue about their responsibility towards women and toxic masculinity. Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that all of society should be mobilised to organise these men’s dialogues. Last week Police Minister Bheki Cele released the quarterly crime statistics, which showed that between July and September 30, 989 women were murdered, 1 277 were victims of attempted murder and more than 13 000 were victims of serious assault. In just these three months, more than 10 000 rape cases were opened with the South African Police Service (Saps) and over 500 children were killed. Ramaphosa said the men of South Africa owe it to women and children to take up the struggle against gender-based violence (GBV). “While we should be encouraged that many of the perpetrators are not being allowed to get away with their crimes, our foremost task is to prevent men and boys from becoming abusers in the first place,” said Ramaphosa. He noted that men are the perpetrators of GBV and it is therefore men that need to change. “It is men – as husbands and partners, as fathers, colleagues, peers and classmates – who need to consider their own attitudes towards women and girls,” he explained. Ramaphosa called on Ministers, Premiers, religious, political and community leaders, sports people, artists, celebrities, and businesspeople to participate in men’s dialogues, and said he himself is ready to participate. He said these men’s dialogues can be platforms for men to challenge each other to become better men, more responsible, more understanding and more caring. He highlighted that government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector should be encouraged to support such dialogues in every workplace, place of worship, school, college and university, and in every community. “Every day various entities devote resources to public engagements, conferences and seminars on various pressing social, economic and political issues of the day. These are forums where this engagement should happen,” he said. Ramaphosa noted that eradicating GBV is no less urgent or important, saying these crimes affect every aspect of the country’s society, including health and well-being, safety and security, and economic growth and productivity. “In these dialogues, we need to examine our understanding of sexual consent. We must challenge the myth that rape is only considered rape if it involves a stranger, or if the victim responded by screaming for help, fighting back or reporting the matter immediately to the police,” he said. He went on to say that by bringing together men of all races, classes and generations to speak frankly about their understanding of masculinity, it can be shown how some assumptions and practices that many people consider ‘normal’ are harmful to women and children. “We must change beliefs that men are strong and women are weak, that men have to be in charge, or that men can do as they please with women. Men need to understand that they can and should express their pain and frustrations without inflicting harm on others,” Ramaphosa said.
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has accused the African National Congress's (ANC's) election committee of "blatantly ignoring rules" and disadvantaging her candidacy for party president. In a letter addressed to the party's electoral committee chairperson, Kgalema Motlanthe, she lodged a dispute in which she bemoaned her exclusion from the top six nominations. Her main bone of contention is that she met the 25% threshold of support she requires for nomination, but that her name was excluded. "My team, therefore, requested to know what happened to those nominations, or maybe your committee can provide us with raw data because we can help your committee and produce them for your benefit as and when such information is required from our side," she said in the letter. According to Sisulu, who launched a campaign to run against President Cyril Ramaphosa, her team filed all their nominations from branch general meetings across the country with the suspicion in mind that they could be lost in the pipeline. "Our suspicions are confirmed. We are more than ready and prepared to come and present to your committee with all our nominations from the branches that nominated us," she added. Sisulu also claimed that there was a violation of Rule 8.4, which states that the electoral committee will publish a list of the top three nominees for each of the official positions. This was the case with the nominations for the treasurer-general and secretary-general positions. "In the position of president, the committee under your esteemed leadership, published only two names, that of Comrades Cyril Ramaphosa and Zweli Mkhize, and thus have excluded our candidature, despite meeting the 25% threshold of support from the branches," she said. Sisulu added that at the national elective conference in December, the first ballot will contain the top three nominees for the positions of president, secretary-general, national chairperson, and treasurer-general, with each position on a separate page. "We hereby request to be furnished with reasons as to why, in the instance of the Presidency nomination, distinct from all other [branch nominations], only two nominees for the position of president were publicly announced, when the rules require the publication of the top three nominees for each of the official positions. In some categories, other candidates qualified with a mere 300 plus nominations and their names are there," she said. Sisulu claimed the committee's practices were unjust and that the processes and outcomes were rendered biased. "Our competitors are unilaterally promoted at the expense of rules and the choice of branches that entrusted in us such nomination. It would appear the rules were bent or blatantly, if not deliberately, ignored to treat our candidacy at a disadvantage," she added. Sisulu implored the committee to consistently and faithfully enforce the rules to ensure a credible, transparent and lawful conference. "We stand ready, willing and able to provide you with records supporting our argument that we have met and exceeded the threshold. We have collected affidavits and records from branches that nominated us and we stand ready to assist you in this regard," she said. The committee is expected to consider Sisulu's complaint.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has submitted a motion of no confidence against the provincial legislature Speaker, a suspended DA member. The motion was submitted on Friday morning against speaker Masizole Mnqasela after the party had charged him with misconduct and suspended him from all party activities. The party's caucus leader, Alan Winde, confirmed that a motion against Mnqasela had been filed. "In accordance with section 20(4) of the Constitution of the Western Cape 1997, a motion expressing that the house has lost confidence in the Speaker ... was submitted on Friday. The motion is submitted in light of serious allegations of misconduct against the Speaker, which are material to the Code of Ethics for Members of the Executive Authority and the Speaker's functions. The motion will be set for debate and a vote in the house," he told News24. Mnqasela was subject to a disciplinary hearing last month where he faced off with the party's top brass over extravagant spending allegations. The DA unanimously decided to file a vote of no confidence to axe him from his position in the legislature. The motion filed by the party's deputy chief whip, Diedre Baartman, reads:"(The house) has lost confidence in the Speaker's ability to fulfil his responsibilities as Speaker, and hereby removes the Speaker from office forthwith." In May, whistleblowers handed over a mountain of evidence to Winde, revealing Mnqasela's travel and entertainment claims and apparent lavish spending while on official government business. Mnqasela denied the allegations and, after being charged with misconduct, said the allegations levelled against him were influenced by a political agenda. The motion will now be considered by the legislature's programming committee. The next house sitting will take place on Thursday next week.
Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse has called motions of no confidence to remove herself and members of the mayoral committee a "desperate attempt. without substance". The two motions were withdrawn in council on Thursday, the second day of its ninth ordinary sitting. Two other members of the Democratic Alliance-led coalition were also facing motions of no confidence – the chair of the Section 79 committee for gender, youth and the disabled, DA councillor Nakita Dellwaria, and the chairperson of the environment, infrastructure and service delivery Section 79 committee, ActionSA councillor Lerato Ngobeni. These were also scrapped. Phalatse said those submitting the motions had "no confidence in their own abilities to garner enough support" to remove her or other executive members. "A reading of the two motions makes it clear that the desperate attempts and campaign to remove the Multi-Party Government are without substance. "What we are dealing with is a political operation aimed at gaining power and access to the City's bank account by any means possible – all at the expense of residents," she said. "If indeed there was a case for me to answer for, matters of substance that speak to service delivery, governance and the rule of law would have been put forward, but these were never put forward." Phalatse also called for council to "seriously consider the rules around motions of no confidence". "It cannot be that these motions are tabled on a monthly basis, thus interrupting the business of the administration and council, and affecting the focus and morale of officials; and in some extreme instances, service delivery takes a hit," she said. "Our focus as the Multi-Party Government is on ensuring that quality services are delivered to all six-million residents and that we work with and for residents in the repair and rebuild of Joburg until our electoral term in office reaches its natural conclusion in 2026."
"There is no longer any doubt that government has fallen behind in implementing priority objectives of President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration, which include eliminating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030." This was the admission Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele made on Thursday when he led the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) during a media roundtable discussion. The roundtable was held to discuss the bi-annual report on the progress, challenges and next steps for the department's implementation of the current administration's medium-term strategic framework. The 2019-2024 medium-term strategic framework is the government's plan for the current electoral term. The seven priority areas Ramaphosa's administration adopted were ensuring that the government "builds a capable, ethical and developmental state; fosters a healthy economy; provides education, skills, and health; provides social wage, safer communities, social cohesion and a better Africa and better world". Gungubele admitted that more still needed to be done to ensure that all seven priority area goals were realised. He added that while no one was deceived into believing that the targets had been met, the government was not "admitting to failure but looking at what we can do now to ensure that we meet the targets that we had set for ourselves". DPME director-general Robert Nkuna attributed the government's failure to meet its targets to its lack of capacity and the inability of its departments and clusters to work together. "Everything that we do hinges on the ability and the capacity of government to deliver what we have committed to do. In our assessment as DPME, we find that there are interdependencies in the work of different facets of the government, so we find that if we don't succeed in the security area... we are not going to succeed in the economic area," he said. He said government departments should never lose sight of the interdependencies necessary for the state to honour commitments made to the South African population. "When we go to our colleagues in the security cluster, we find that they say they can't succeed because of the failures in the economic cluster, and when we go to the colleagues in the economic cluster, they also say they can't succeed because of challenges that we see on the security front," he said. He reiterated that "the interrelated nature of government must not be seen only on organograms, but must be visible and real in the way that government does its work". Nkuna and Gungubele were adamant that if the government fails to ensure that it builds a capable state, all the other priority areas will not be achievable. The bi-annual report contained a finding that corruption and weak accountability were eroding the state's capability. The DPME also found that were severe challenges in the elimination of poverty. "The percentage of the population living below the food poverty line is estimated to be at 32.6%, a significant increase from 20.5% in 2011," the report stated. It also contained a finding that Ramaphosa's administration failed to reducing inequality because the level of inequality had "stagnated at best", and job creation wasn't bearing any fruit, with unemployment having risen to 46.2%. Gungubele, however, argued that "in the face of adversity arising from unemployment, poverty and inequality, the government has expanded the safety net to the most vulnerable segments of society". He reiterated that human capability was being improved through access to primary and higher education, healthcare and social security. Despite this claim by the minister and the DPME, the report cited "weak learner performance in Mathematics, Science and languages, shown in international assessments" and "slow eradication of infrastructure backlogs" as reg flags that need urgent attention. The report also lamented school ICT connectivity for teaching and learning as very low and stated that there was an urge...
The African National Congress’s (ANC’s) Ekurhuleni chairperson Mzwandile Masina has said he will voluntarily resign as a councillor in the region. Earlier this month, the ANC’s Gauteng leadership said Masina would face disciplinary action for allegedly defying an instruction to withdraw a motion of no confidence against the Democratic Alliance‘s Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell in October. Masina is also expected to offer a public apology to members of the ANC. “The PWC wishes comrade Mzwandile well on his endeavours and thanks him for leading one of the most stable, innovative and well run municipalities for the past 5 years as a Mayor. The City of Ekurhuleni under the stewardship and exemplary leadership of comrade Mzwandile Masina and his collective was a model for good governance,” said ANC Gauteng provincial secretary Thembinkosi Nciza.
Interest rates are now at their highest level since 2016 after the South African Reserve Bank hiked rates by 75 basis points, for the third meeting in a row. Three members of the monetary policy committee voted in favour of the 75 basis point hike, while two wanted a 50 basis point increase. The move brings the repo rate to 7%, and the prime rate to 10.5%. On a new home loan of R2-million at the prime rate, the latest increase hikes the monthly installment by around R1 000. Since November last year, monthly payments on a R2-million home loan are almost R4 500 more expensive due to a raft of rate hikes. The latest rate hike was in line with economists' expectations. On Thursday, Governor of the SA Reserve Bank, Lesetja Kganyago, warned of high inflation and weak economic growth. The monetary policy committee expects the headline inflation rate to remain above its maximum target rate of 6% until the second quarter of 2023. Headline inflation is only expected to "sustainably revert" to the mid-point of the target range (4.5%) by around the second quarter of 2024. Economists expect that rates will only be lowered when inflation reaches this level. The Reserve Bank is under pressure to hike rates to cool inflation – but also to protect the rand's value. Higher interest rates appeal to foreign investors, who are on the hunt for good returns. South Africa needs foreign inflows of money to keep the rand stable, and local interest rates have been attractive for many years compared to other countries. But over recent months, other countries – particularly the US – have hiked their rates aggressively to subdue inflation. South Africa cannot afford to be left behind. On Thursday, the rand was trading at its best level in months. However, the sharp hike in interest rates will heap more pain on the embattled South African economy and consumers, who are already struggling with sky-high fuel and food prices and record load shedding.
October inflation picked up to 7.6%, from 7.5% recorded in the previous month. Economists had expected inflation to ease to 7.4%. Stats SA released the figures on Wednesday, which show a 0.4% month-on-month increase in October. The main contributors to inflation were food and non-alcoholic beverages, which increased 12% on a year-on-year basis and transport, which was up 17.1%. Housing and utility prices were up 4.3% on a year-on-year basis, and also contributed to the increase. Breads, cereals, meat and dairy are the key product groups which drove food inflation, explained Patrick Kelly, chief director for price statistics. "The bread and cereals category continues to see high levels of inflation with the annual rate increasing to 19.5%, compared to 19.3% last month," Kelly said. Large monthly price increases were recorded for sweet biscuits, macaroni, and maize meal - Stats SA highlighted. Annual meat inflation rose to 10.5% from 9.9% in September and milk, eggs and cheese prices saw an increase of 10.5% - the highest rate since February 2017, Kelly said. Hot beverage prices increased by 14% - also the highest annual reading since February 2017. The oil and fat products category, which drove food inflation higher for many months, had recorded its second consecutive month of disinflation. Prices fell by 1% after a 6.1% decrease in September. Transport inflation was driven by vehicle prices - which climbed to 6.1% from 5.8% in September. This is mainly due to higher used vehicle prices - which are, on average, 14.5% more expensive than they were a year ago, Kelly said. Lower petrol prices have seen fuel inflation decline for a third consecutive month. As for household utilities - detergents such as washing powder and dishwashing liquids and health insurance premiums all reflected increases. Economists expect the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates by 75 basis points at its next meeting on Thursday - given risks around the inflation outlook and a "softer" rand exchange rate, the Bureau for Economic Research said in its weekly overview.
A plan to deal with Eskom's diesel crisis will be announced in the coming days, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan told Parliament on Wednesday. Eskom said last week that it had overspent its budget for diesel and had no more cash to buy new stocks until 1 April. Diesel is used to run Eskom's two open-gas cycle turbine power plants, each of which can ward off a stage of load shedding. News24 reported earlier on Wednesday that Eskom was in talks with the National Treasury to "find a mechanism through which diesel can be bought" to minimise load shedding until the end of the financial year. Government sources said Eskom had requested R10-billion to fund diesel purchases and R5-billion for fuel oil. Briefing Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations, Gordhan said within the next few days, the department would get going on interventions for Eskom's diesel supply for open-cycle gas turbines. "Eskom has utilised a lot of its allocated cash that Nersa [National Energy Regulator of SA] would allow to be recouped in one way or another. We did issue a statement on Sunday which said that we will find the cash and we are still in the processes of engagement around those issues. "We will, hopefully in the next few days - and I was hoping it would be much sooner - get this process going. But we will issue a statement later today which will indicate what the status is and what the availability of diesel is currently as far as the open-cycle gas turbines are concerned," said Gordhan. Gordhan said oil costs have been rising, which presented a challenge for Eskom and the electricity grid. He said the country will be kept up to date about Eskom's diesel requirements and the funding needed to fulfil them. "Given the cost of crude oil and its derivatives like diesel have been rocketing for some time and that has serious implications for the cost factor as well. But we do want to reduce the levels of load-shedding. We do want to have predictability as far as load-shedding is concerned," said Gordhan. Transnet group CEO Portia Derby told the committee the appropriation of R2.9-billion that the entity was seeking from the fiscus would help Transnet to recover from damage caused by the floods in KwaZulu-Natal and improve capacity to meet the economy and Eskom's commodity demands. Derby said national coal demand is equivalent to 198 trains, but Transnet only has a capacity of 138 trains available. She added that Eskom's Majuba coal power station has a demand equivalent to 42 trains, but Transnet only has a capacity equivalent to 21 trains.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Wednesday that a double-digit percentage increase for murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against women was recorded. The quarterly crime statistics reflected crimes that were reported to the South African Police Service (Saps) between July 1 and September 30. “As we edge closer to commemorating the commencement of the global 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign on November 25, the reality is women continue to be victims of violent crimes in South Africa,” he said. Over 13 000 women were victims of assault with intend to cause grievous bodily harm between July and September. 1 277 women were victims of attempted murder and 989 women were murdered during this reporting period. Cele said the rate at which women are abused, violated and killed in the country remains worrying and unacceptable. Many are killed by people they know, love and trust, he said. He explained that the crime statistics also highlighted that communities continue to fail to protect some of the most vulnerable in society, such as children. He said it was shocking that in just six months 558 children were killed in the country, with 1 895 assault to cause grievous bodily harm cases. Cele said last month the kidnapping, rape and brutal murder of four-year old Bokgabo Poo shocked the nation and world at large. Over 10 000 rape cases were opened with the Saps, with 1 651 of the rape incidents occurring at public places and 5 083 of the incidents happening at the residence of the victims, while 69 people were raped at abandoned buildings. Cele highlighted that 4 375 perpetrators of crimes committed against women and children were arrested by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit with 410 rapists traced and arrested, 68 of them having been sentenced to life behind bars. “While the overview of these crime statistics may be disheartening at face value, they should not make us lose confidence in our endeavour to fight crime. The rule of law must stand firm in South Africa,” he said. He said the crime figures are a management tool to guide the Saps and streamline policing operations, by shifting resources to where they were needed most. He added that the Saps must continue to sharpen its response to crime including arresting some members of the Saps who choose to work against the law.
King Charles hosted his first State visit since becoming British monarch on Tuesday, welcoming South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace. Charles, 74, rolled out the traditional pomp and ceremony for the first time as head of State, as Britain seeks to bolster its relations with its biggest trading partner in Africa. Ramaphosa and his wife were officially greeted by Charles's eldest son and heir Prince William and his wife Kate at a central London hotel to mark the start of his two-day trip, the first state visit to the UK by a world leader since that of former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania in 2019. Gun salutes and a ceremonial welcome from the king and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, followed before a grand carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where a banquet will be held later in the president's honour. Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and see the memorial stone for former South African President Nelson Mandela. He will also address lawmakers in parliament and meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Britain hopes the visit, which had been planned before the death of Queen Elizabeth in September, will strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations, and show the importance of links with the Commonwealth of Nations, the international organisation which Charles now heads. "This is a reinforcement of the strong bilateral relationship that we have with South Africa, a real opportunity to build on that close working relationship and discuss some of the issues that affect us all," British foreign minister James Cleverly told Reuters. The last state visit to Britain by a South African leader was that of President Jacob Zuma in 2010, when he was met by Charles and Camilla at the start of the trip.
South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Solly Mapaila reacted to the Constitutional Court ruling on Janusz Walus by stating that it was “sickeningly disappointing” and by claiming that it failed to protect the party’s right to exist as communists. On Monday the Constitutional Court ruled that Walus - who gunned down SACP leader Chris Hani nearly 30 years ago - should be released on parole within 10 days. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said more than 15 years had passed since Walus had become eligible for parole. Mapaila explained that the judgment did not say anything about the submissions made by the SACP and the Hani family when the court heard the matter. “The judgment has far-reaching implications that compel the SACP to analyse it deeper and look for a new way forward under the circumstances. The reality we now face is that the court failed to protect our right to exist as communists. We will have to protect this right ourselves,” said Mapaila. He said the assassination of Hani left a gaping wound in his family, the SACP and the ranks of the working class and added that the judgment has rubbed salt granules to the wound. “Hani was assassinated for being a communist, for leading the struggle for democracy in our country, but the Hani family permanently lost a husband, father, uncle, you name it all,” he explained. The SACP highlighted that like Hani, they are unapologetic for being communists.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the African National Congress (ANC) branch nominations for party President with Zweli Mkhize also in the running as the party prepares for its upcoming 55th National Conference. Announcing the final list on Tuesday, the party’s Electoral Committee chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe said 89% of the ANC branches have successfully participated in the nomination process, surpassing the 70% threshold required for the National Conference. The conference will take place between December 16 and 20 at Nasrec, in Johannesburg. A total of 3 543 out of 3 982 branches in good standing have held successful Branch General Meetings which produced the approved outcomes of the nominations for both branch delegates and National Executive Committee (NEC) candidates. Ramaphosa received 2 037 nominations from branches for President while Mkhize received 916. For the position of ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile received 1 791 nominations, Ronald Lamola collected 427 and Oscar Mabuyane received 397. Battling it out for the National Chairperson position, Stanley Mathabatha collected 1 492 nominations, Gwede Mantashe received 979 votes and David Masondo received 501. For the Secretary-General position Mdumiseni Ntuli leads with 1 225 nominations, Phumulo Masuale received 889 and Fikile Mbalula garnered 749. Nomvula Mokonyane received 1 779 nominations for Deputy Secretary-General and Febe Potgieter received 905. Benjamin Chauke leads with 552 nominations for the position of In Treasure General, Pule Mabe received 428 and Mzwandile Masina received 349.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA’s) decision to uphold the Gauteng High Court’s finding that former president Jacob Zuma’s medical parole was illegal. The DA applied to the Gauteng High Court in September to review and set aside former Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser’s decision to place Zuma on medical parole. Judge Tati Makgoka ruled that Zuma must return to the Estcourt Correctional Centre to finish serving his prison sentence. “This SCA judgment is a victory for the DA on behalf of the people of South Africa. It is a victory for the rule of law, for the principle of equality before the law, and for accountability, all of which are essential prerequisites for a successful, prosperous society,” said Steenhuisen. The DA pointed out that Fraser’s medical parole decision was unlawful because it was taken against the recommendation of the Medical Parole Advisory Board, which did not want to grant medical parole to Zuma. The party went on to state that if left unchallenged, Fraser’s parole decision would have harmed the court and future decisions made by the judiciary. It also lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa for not challenging Zuma’s parole and for moving Fraser from the State Security Agency to Correctional Services. “The president’s ulterior motive for allowing Mr Zuma to be placed on medical parole has become clearer with the benefit of hindsight. It was not only an attempt to placate the Zuma faction of the ANC for the sake of ANC unity, and to avoid another frenzy of mass destruction as happened in KZN in July last year after Mr Zuma was convicted. It was also aimed at stopping the president’s own smallanyana skeletons from tumbling out the Phala Phala closet, since Mr Fraser held the key to that closet,” Steenhuisen said.
The Constitutional Court has ruled that Janusz Walus - who gunned down South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Chris Hani nearly 30 years ago - should be released on parole within 10 days. In handing down judgment, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said Justice Minister Ronald Lamola’s decision was irrational and should be reviewed and set aside. Zondo said more than 15 years had passed since Walus had become eligible for parole. He said Walus apologised to the family more than once. Walus approached the apex court to review Lamola’s decision on 16 March 2020 not to approve his release on parole. The Polish immigrant is serving a life sentence at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility for the murder of anti-apartheid activist Hani in 1993.
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has found that former prisons boss Arthur Fraser had no legal power to override the Medical Parole Advisory Board and release Jacob Zuma – and slammed him for using the July unrest as justification for his "unconstitutional decision". In a ruling written by Judge Tati Makgoka, the SCA on Monday morning confirmed that the medical parole granted to Zuma by Fraser was unlawful and set it aside. The unanimous Bench stressed that the effect of this order was that "Mr Zuma, in law, has not finished serving his sentence". "He must return to the Estcourt Correctional Centre to do so. Whether the time spent by Mr Zuma on unlawfully granted medical parole should be taken into account in determining the remaining period of his incarceration, is not a matter for this Court to decide," the court ruled. "It is a matter to be considered by the Commissioner. If he is empowered by law to do so, the Commissioner might take that period into account in determining any application or grounds for release." The Department of Correctional Services said it was still studying the ruling, which effectively put the decision about Zuma's future incarceration in its hands – with the caveat that the commissioner must be "empowered by law" to make a call on the impact of Zuma's time on medical parole on his 15-month sentence for contempt of the Constitutional Court. That will put significant pressure on the department to make sure that any decision it makes in regard to Zuma can withstand legal scrutiny. Zuma was jailed by the apex court after he defied its ruling to appear before the State Capture Inquiry to answer questions that did not implicate him in specific crimes and then launched scurrilous attacks on its justices. His imprisonment was followed by eight days of deadly unrest and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which left 350 people dead and resulted in billions of rands in damage to businesses and properties. Fraser had tried to use the unrest to justify his decision to grant Zuma medical parole, which he granted despite the Medical Parole Advisory Board – which is made up of doctors and medical experts – finding that the former head of state did not qualify for it. While stressing that Fraser did not have the legal power to override the board after it recommended against medical parole being granted, Makgoka found that – even if he was "the ultimate decision-maker" on medical parole – the former Zuma administration spy chief's decision "does not pass muster". The judge said Fraser "took into account factors which are totally irrelevant in the enquiry of whether Mr Zuma qualified for medical parole", including the former president's age, his "status as former Head of State" and "the riots which occurred in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July 2021, allegedly as a result of Mr Zuma's incarceration". Fraser had also claimed that the Department of Correctional Services had "no capacity to give Mr Zuma the specialised care that he requires". "While these factors may well be taken into consideration in an application for normal parole, they have no bearing at all in an application for medical parole. To that extent, the Commissioner acted irrationally," Makgoka said. Makgoka said Fraser also failed to make any mention of a crucial requirement for the granting of parole: the risk of re-offending. Following his release on medical parole, Zuma has continued his unsubstantiated attacks on the courts that have ruled against him. "Thus, on any conceivable basis, the Commissioner's decision was unlawful and unconstitutional," Makgoka said. "The High Court was correct to set it aside." Crucially, the SCA's ruling has confirmed that the commissioner of correctional services cannot grant medical parole to an inmate "unless the [Medical Parole Advisory] Board makes a positive recommendation on the appropriateness to grant medical parole". The "upshot", Makgoka said, was that, "once the Board has properly applied its ...
After a key member in South African Airways's (SAA's) chosen equity partner, the Takatso consortium, resigned over concerns around the deal, government claimed that "deliberate misinformation" was being spread by "certain elements" aimed at scuttling the transaction. On Monday, Gidon Novick, the former co-CEO of kulula.com and co-founder of LIFT, announced his resignation from the board of the consortium, telling News24 this was amid concerns around its ability to raise enough money and "a lack of information and communication". Novick represented Global Airways, an aviation leasing group which owns LIFT, on the board. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) said in a statement on Friday morning that the "public should be aware of the efforts of competitors, detractors, and other forces to undermine our efforts to save jobs and ensure a viable airline". "Government is awaiting the completion of the regulatory processes and thereafter will finalise Takatso’s acquisition of the 51% shareholding in SAA. The deal is not at risk," DPE said. "We condemn the deliberate misinformation and casting of doubt about the transaction and regulatory processes since the resignation of Gideon Novick [sic] as a board member of the Takatso consortium." "DPE wants to thank the travelling public and loyal SAA customers for their continued support. Your support has helped to create over 800 jobs for pilots, cabin crew and other workers. "Their jobs are being endangered by the selfishness, reckless behaviour and greed of certain elements." Takatso consists of the infrastructure investment firm Harith as majority shareholder, and Global Airways, which owns airline LIFT, as minority shareholder. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan this week dismissed Novick's resignation in Parliament, calling him a "small and relatively minor party in a transaction". However, a senior industry player told News24 that Novick was crucial to the due diligence for the SAA deal given his experience. Novick and Global Airways were supposed to contribute aviation expertise to a "new" SAA. The DPE said on Friday that it was certain "Takatso will introduce the required technical, financial, and operational expertise into the business". There has also previously been doubts about Harith's ability to raise the funding from the start. Harith CEO and Takatso chair Tshepo Mahloele told News24 on Tuesday that until government pays SAA’s outstanding debt, Harith is unable to wrap up the final funding for the deal. Mahloele told News24 he also welcomed Novick's resignation, saying it resolved competition issues with LIFT.
An index measuring South African economic transactions fell to a 10-month low in October after a strike at the State-owned port and rail operator hobbled exports, suggesting a weak start to the final quarter. The BankservAfrica Economic Transactions Index, which tracks interbank payments, dropped to 130.7 from a revised 131 in September, signalling ongoing strain in the economy, independent economist Elize Kruger said in a statement. Labour unions at Transnet went on a 12-day pay strike last month curtailing mineral, agricultural and manufacturing exports. The Minerals Council South Africa estimated that the industrial action cost mining companies about R815-million a day. In addition to the strike and ongoing power cuts, “the economy has also been buckling under the significant rise in the cost of living,” said Kruger. The South African Reserve Bank has increased interest rates by a cumulative 275 basis points since November 2021 to curb surging prices, adding to pressure on consumers with debt exposure. Another hike is expected on November 24, when the central bank’s monetary policy committee is due to announce its final interest-rate decision of the year, Kruger said. That may crimp economic expansion in the coming months because household spending accounts for about two-thirds of gross domestic product. Slowing global growth may also weigh on the economy. International trade flows in October continued to dwindle in the face of heightened economic, inflationary and political pressures, according to Kruger. The deteriorating economy may result in labour protests and potential social unrest, which the country can ill afford, she said. “Much needed infrastructure upgrades -- including road, rail, power and water -- and broader structural reforms are urgently needed to address the declining trajectory of the South African economy.” The central bank and National Treasury predict the economy will expand by 1.9% this year, though the former may revise its forecast next week. BETI is an early economic scorecard for South Africa in terms of growth trends and correlates closely with the central bank’s co-incident indicator and GDP data.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Friday, addressed the community of Ugu, in KwaZulu-Natal, where he said the local community should join hands with government to strengthen their municipality and local governments throughout the province. He was speaking during the outreach programme of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) where, for the first time this week, taking Parliament to the People took place in the Ugu district municipality, on the South Coast. The municipality was badly affected by floods early last year alongside its counterparts in eThekwini, KwaDukuza, and in Msunduzi. Since then, the state of the roads has been a challenge for workers travelling to work, and for businesses that transport their products to markets. “We have heard during the public hearings that the people of this district need housing, particularly after the floods earlier this year destroyed many homes and businesses. The poor state of the roads in parts of the district also did not spare difficulty for leaners to get to schools and for people to get to the clinics. Good roads are not just important to people’s everyday lives; they also open up economic opportunities and strengthen local economic development,” he stated. Ugu is an agricultural district, and the president acknowledged that the majority of people relied on the land to feed themselves and their families and to grow crops and for their livelihoods. “Challenges with agricultural production are also having a direct impact on people’s lives in this community. There are also longstanding issues with land tenure in areas under traditional administration,” he pointed out. He acknowledged that reports from the Auditor-General and National Treasury pointed to inefficiency, maladministration, lack of financial controls and poor governance in many municipalities. However, he welcomed the new Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Act, which he declared as an important tool for improving the manner in which municipalities function and for accountability. “This should be viewed alongside the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, which was adopted by Cabinet last month. This makes specific proposals to ensure merit-based recruitment and promotion and more effective consequence management for all public servants. This is going to have a big impact on how government, at all levels, works,” he said. The President said that the task of this year’s Taking Parliament to the People was to deliberate on what was being done and what must be done to strengthen local government. “The interaction with the people of Ugu district municipality has no doubt done much to enrich the NCOP’s deliberations. We often spend a great deal of time diagnosing the problem and painting a picture of what a poorly-run municipality looks like. We should instead be focused on what an ideal municipality should look like and how to build such municipalities across the country,” Ramaphosa said. He reiterated that the key elements of an ideal municipality included a vibrant economy, places which tourists wanted to visit, inter-connected communities and skills and training hubs. To achieve this, he said local government needed to be capacitated to play a far more prominent role in implementing the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. “We cannot achieve higher economic growth, we cannot create more jobs and we cannot grow more businesses, if local government does not function well. We know there is so much further we need to go if the promise of our Constitution is to be fulfilled for all,” Ramaphosa said.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KwaZulu-Natal obtained a forfeiture order to seize the Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe belonging to accused unrest looter Mbuso Moloi. Moloi is currently facing charges of theft and public violence relating to the looting at a Woolworths store in the Glenwood area during the July unrest. "The car, which was forfeited on the basis that it is an instrumentality of the offences, was valued at approximately R500 000 at the time of the offence. Since the vehicle is still under purchase agreement from a bank, the vehicle will be handed over to the bank in due course," National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Kara said on Thursday. The criminal matter against Moloi is set down for trial from 27 to 31 March 2023. He is out on bail of R5 000. The AFU welcomed the development, saying it reinforces the NPA's strategy to focus not only on prosecutions but also on taking away assets where they are proven to be instrumental in the commission of a crime.
Seven unions in the public service, representing 800 000 members, have vowed to disrupt service at offices, including hospitals and courts, in a national day of action next week Tuesday in protest against the unilateral implementation of a 3% baseline increase in public wages. The national day of action will include a march to the offices of the National Treasury in Pretoria, and protest action in all nine provinces. The announcement was made at the headquarters of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) on Thursday morning. The government's decision to unilaterally implement a 3% baseline increase prompted the Public Servants' Association (PSA) to hold a one-day public service strike last Thursday, demanding a better wage offer and ending job cuts in the public service. Along with the PSA, other unions at the briefing were the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), the Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru), the SA Policing Union (Sapu), the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa), the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) and the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA (Hospersa). Addressing a media briefing announcing the national day of action, Popcru's first deputy president Khehla Masemola said the unions rejected the 3% baseline increase, especially after the government reneged on a previous wage deal in 2020. Masemola called Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's remarks during his medium-term budget speech on the public wage an insult. "As a collective, public service unions at the PSCBC carrying the hopes of public servants, we could not stand by as the government erodes public bargaining. We observed with disdain as the government made jokes about assisting workers by saying 'sibazamile (we tried to help them)' in Parliament," said Masemola. Masemola said demonstrations would continue beyond next week's national day of action "until the day that unions declare a [full-blown] strike". Masemola said the government's actions in the public service wage talks sought to erode the bargaining power since reneging on a wage deal in 2020, and that longstanding vacancies in the public service undermined service delivery more than a bloated public service. "Our standpoint is also to demonstrate the seriousness with which we take the government's efforts to undermine collective bargaining and previous agreements. They want workers to be at peace with less than inflation increases," Masemola said. The unions at the briefing said even public servants who constituted essential services were prepared to embark on industrial action. The government has previously said that no-work, no-pay would apply at public service offices. The PSA gave the government a week to respond to its demands at last week's one-day strike. The unions said the government had yet to respond to the demands at the time of the briefing.
The National Assembly will consider the report of the independent panel on Phala Phala, tasked with determining whether President Cyril Ramaphosa should be impeached, on 6 December, 10 days before the African National Congress's (ANC's) conference in Nasrec is set to begin. The panel's report, which should include recommendations to the National Assembly, was due on Thursday - but, on Wednesday, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula granted the panel until 30 November to complete its work. The National Assembly rises for the year the very next day, and on Wednesday, it appeared unlikely that the panel's report would be considered by MPs before the ANC's conference, which starts on 16 December in Nasrec, Johannesburg. Opposition MPs were none too pleased, and said they would do everything in their power to ensure that Parliament deals with the report before the year ends. On Wednesday, Mapisa-Nqakula met with the Chief Whips Forum, where she explained the panel's reasons for seeking an extension and why she had granted it. She left with the whips to arrange a date to deal with the report. At Thursday's National Assembly Programming Committee meeting, programming whip and ANC MP Mina Lesoma informed the committee that another sitting would be arranged on 6 December, where the Section 89 report will be considered. The report will also be distributed to members before the sitting. Last month, former president Thabo Mbeki cautioned that the ANC had to decide what should happen if the independent panel found Ramaphosa had a case to answer, and that the party could not shy away from the inevitable conversation around Ramaphosa's fate. "As comrades know, they [the independent panel] have been given 30 days to do that. The 30 days will run out some time in the month of November. What happens if they say he has got a case to answer? What do we do?" Mbeki asked. Unless opposition parties get their way at Thursday's National Assembly Programming Committee, Mbeki's point becomes moot in the run-up to Nasrec. Mapisa-Nqakula ceded to a request by the panel's chairperson, former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, who, in a letter to her, "indicated that the panel had assessed the inquiry process to determine if it will meet the submission deadline of Thursday, 17 November 2022, and had, based on its assessment of the amount of ground still to be covered, and the available resources, determined that the inquiry should be completed within 13 days, that is by 30 November 2022", according to a statement from parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. "The panel said the additional time requested was realistic, taking into account the importance of the inquiry, its complexity, as well as the novelty of the nature of work involved." The panel further believes that it is in the public interest that an inquiry of this nature "be scrupulously conducted and all the information and submissions placed before it be carefully considered". Mapisa-Nqakula agreed to extend the deadline for the panel's report from 17 November to 30 November. "The Speaker concurs with the panel chairperson that the extreme importance of the panel's work to the members of the National Assembly, the president and the people of South Africa required the panel to carefully consider all the information and submissions placed before it," said Mothapo. Opposition parties are not happy. Democratic Alliance chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said on Wednesday that she would "make the case" at Thursday morning's meeting of the National Assembly Programming Committee that Parliament's programme must be extended to deal with the report. "The matter cannot be delayed or deferred to next year. It is urgent. No sitting president should have a question of whether or not he broke the law and, by extension, his oath of office hanging over his head," she said. She added that the National Assembly's rules for the Section 89 process compelled the Speaker to table the report before the House urgently. Gwarube said it only m...
The tide is turning. Impunity is no longer a given. That is according to National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) advocate Shamila Batohi, who has assured Parliament that the wheels of justice are turning. On Wednesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit briefed the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on the investigations into corruption at state-owned entities and the Department of Water and Sanitation. "Over the past six months, since we were last before Scopa, the NPA's leadership and its staff – by design and not by default – have implemented key initiatives to rebuild a fit-for-purpose organisation to deliver accountability and uphold the rule of law. The Investigating Directorate (ID) has stable and competent leadership, whose successes result from enhanced internal and external collaboration and focused case prioritisation. "This strategy resulted in the enrolment of nine seminal cases at the end of September 2022, the product of long-standing investigations by the ID and Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs), in close collaboration with the DPCI (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks)," Batohi said. While speaking of successes, Batohi said work still needed to be done. "The hard, focused work and close collaboration are bearing fruit. Criminals will exploit the gaps in law enforcement cohesion. We need clear strategies to stay one step ahead of them by ensuring our respective mandates align to close these gaps," she said. Key to turning the tide at the NPA, Batohi said, was their focus on building the NPA into a fit-for-purpose organisation. "The wheels of justice – grinding at first – are now turning and will gain momentum. Our actions demonstrate that impunity is no longer a given. We are confident that the rule of law will prevail," she said. Batohi said several measures were established to increase capacity and strengthen the NPA's work. This included the establishment of the joint NPA and DPCI task force. There is also a multiple partner approach between the DPCI, NPA (which includes the ID, Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit and Asset Forfeiture Unit) and Financial Intelligence Centre. "Its mandate is to drive coordination and coherence in responses to Zondo [Commission] reports. Reliance on prosecution-guided investigation approach. [It aims to build] partnerships and adopt bold and innovative measures with the private sector to strengthen and supplement the skills of our prosecutors through specialised training and the contracting of forensic specialists, while zealously guarding our independence," she said. Establishing the ID as a permanent entity is beneficial as it: Facilitates attraction of needed specialised skills and qualifications Provides security of tenure to investigators and prosecutors as permanent staff Enables continuity in case work without risk of being recalled/reassigned, as is currently the case Safeguards the independence of a pivotal corruption-fighting entity in SA architecture President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the ID would become a permanent organ in his response to the Zondo Commission's recommendations. "Permanence will require legislative changes that will take time. In the interim, the minister has been asked to confer, by regulation, peace officer powers to ID investigators in terms of the CPA without delay to enhance significantly their ability to do their work," Batohi said.
Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse will face a second vote of no confidence in less than two months. The latest vote of no confidence in Phalatse will take place next week after the programming committee heard two requests for motions of no confidence in the mayor on Monday. The committee is headed by the council speaker and meets to discuss and set down the agenda of council meetings. The City of Johannesburg council will meet on 23 and 24 November for an ordinary sitting. The no-confidence motion will be heard on one of the two days. According to a source within the committee, members discussed two votes of no confidence at the meeting. The minority opposition parties brought one. At a briefing last week, the parties said they were concerned about what they called a "financial crisis" within the City. They indicated that they would be requesting a motion of no confidence in Phalatse. It is still unclear which party brought the second request for a no-confidence vote. There was also a request for a motion of no confidence in Johannesburg speaker Colleen Makhubele. The programming committee rejected this as a similar request was currently before the Section 79 Rules Committee. The City of Johannesburg has 270 council members. For a motion to pass, it needs 136 votes or more. Last week, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said the party would vote in defence of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg until the African National Congress (ANC) agreed to back the EFF in Ekurhuleni. This came after the ANC and EFF disagreed on who should govern in Ekurhuleni after Tania Campbell was axed in a motion of no confidence last month. Campbell, a DA leader, was reinstated following a vote in the council because of this disagreement between the EFF and the ANC. The EFF has 29 councillors in Johannesburg, and if they were to back the DA, it would likely give the DA-led coalition the majority needed to keep Phalatse in power.
A day before its report is due, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has extended the deadline for the independent panel appointed to determine whether there is a prima facie case for President Cyril Ramaphosa's impeachment after the Phala Phala saga. Parliament announced the extension on Wednesday after chairperson of the panel, former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, wrote to Mapisa-Nqakula. "In his letter, the chairperson indicated that the panel had assessed the [inquiry] process to determine if it will meet the submission deadline of Thursday, 17 November 2022, and had, based on its assessment of the amount of ground still to be covered, and the available resources, determined that the [inquiry] should be completed within 13 days, that is by 30 November 2022," reads a statement from Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. "The panel said the additional time requested was realistic, taking into account the importance of the [inquiry], its complexity, as well as the novelty of the nature of work involved." The panel believes that it is in the public interest that an inquiry "of this nature be scrupulously conducted and all the information and submissions placed before it is carefully considered". In considering the request, Mapisa-Nqakula was mindful that rules governing the Section 89 process do not provide for a deadline extension for the panel to submit its report. She invoked Rule 6 - which deals with unforeseen circumstances - to accede to the panel's request. In terms of this rule, the speaker may give a ruling or frame a rule in respect of any eventuality for which the rules or orders of the House do not provide, having due regard to the procedures, precedents, practices and conventions developed by the House, and based on constitutional values and principles underpinning an open, accountable and democratic society. "The speaker concurs with the panel chairperson that the extreme importance of the panel's work to the members of the National Assembly, the president and the people of South Africa, require the panel to carefully consider all the information and submissions placed before it," Mothapo added. She extended the deadline from 17 November to 30 November. "The speaker has advised the chief whips of political parties of her decision this morning. The speaker continues to wish the panel well in its work." On 14, September, Mapisa-Nqakula appointed Ngcobo, Judge Thokozile Masipa and Professor Richard Calland to the panel. But, before it could start with its work, the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters raised concerns about Calland's alleged bias towards Ramaphosa. After a discussion with Mapisa-Nqakula, Calland withdrew and Mapisa-Nqakula replaced him with advocate Mahlape Sello, SC. This meant that the panel started with it is work on 17 October - a month after it was appointed. All parties represented in Parliament are entitled to make submissions to the panel. Ramaphosa was also expected to provide a written submission to it, which he did. The panel isn't allowed to have oral hearings. In its report, it must include any findings, with reasons, upon which its recommendations are based. It must also include a minority view - if there is one. The National Assembly will then consider it. If a simple majority votes in favour of a recommendation that Parliament should investigate Ramaphosa, an impeachment committee will be formed for this purpose. This will be a similar process to the one under way for suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Mapisa-Nqakula's predecessor, Thandi Modise, also granted an extension to the independent panel that considered whether there was a case against Mkhwebane.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said the South African Airways (SAA) deal with government's chosen partner, the Takatso consortium, "remained alive" and dismissed a major schism in the consortium as "argy-bargy". On Monday, Gidon Novick resigned from the consortium's board, citing concerns about its ability to raise the money needed for the deal. The former co-CEO of kulula.com and co-founder of LIFT, also represented Global Airways, an aviation leasing company which owns LIFT. They are the minority shareholders in Takatso, and were supposed to contribute aviation expertise to a "new" SAA. The investment fund Harith is the majority partner in the consortium and was responsible for raising money for the deal. Takatso is supposed to take a 51% stake in SAA. In return, they would invest R3-billion in the airline over two years. For its part, Harith said Novick's resignation was "appropriate" given the potential conflicts of interest between LIFT and SAA. On Tuesday, Gordhan told Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts that it was intriguing that Novick resigned from the Takatso board, but did not resign as a partner, likening such an act to "having your cake and eating it". Global Airways and Novick are retaining their stakes in Takatso. "Mr Novick was a small and relatively minor party in a transaction. Just because he happens to be somebody with experience somewhere in his past, as all of us do, doesn't discredit everybody else, nor does it mean that what he puts on the table is something that one must take seriously," Gordhan said. Gordhan said that despite concerns the deal was still moving along. "Issues have emerged in the public domain over the last 24 hours, but that is an internal matter as far as the consortium is concerned and is part of the argy-bargy of such a transaction. The transaction remains both alive and live," said Gordhan. 'Minor party' Gordhan and multiple members of the delegation, which included the Department of Public Enterprises and SAA, told Scopa that the Takatso deal was in a "sensitive" stage, which prevented them from sharing the finer details. Scopa member and Democratic Alliance MP Alf Lees insisted on the committee getting a full report of SAA's financials, saying that Scopa and the South African public must know what SAA's financial position and the process of the transaction was. "This cannot be a closed process. Who is the department talking to at Takatso if the CEO does not know the details? This is a parliamentary committee that is owned by the South African public. To say that performance is better than budget is really treating us with disdain," said Lees. In response to a question from Lees on how SAA hoped to fund the transaction if Takatso did not have the funding, Gordhan said the department had been given an assurance that the deal would not fall through over a lack of funding. SAA CEO and interim chair John Lamola said on 3 November, the Special Investigating Unit was making progress in investigating 23 contracts at SAA relating to general procurement and aircraft leases dating back to 2015-16. "Matters being investigated were indicated without providing detailed information into what they are investigating that all of them are sensitive and withheld so as not to impugn on the reputations of companies under investigation," said Lamola.
The number of failed former ministers who have in the past been redeployed to the African National Congress's (ANC's) Luthuli House head office is set to be significantly reduced should the party adopt proposed constitutional amendments. A move to reduce to three the number of members deployed to permanent positions at Luthuli House is among the proposed constitutional amendments put forward by ANC structures. The proposals will be published on Tuesday. The proposed amendment limits the positions to secretary-general and two deputies. During a media briefing on Monday following the national executive committee (NEC) meeting over the weekend, Ronald Lamola confirmed that party structures had proposed various changes to the party's constitution. Lamola, the head of the party's constitutional development committee, said one of the most significant proposed changes was the introduction of a second deputy secretary-general. The party has had to redeploy more than five NEC members to the secretary-general's office since Ace Magashule's suspension and the death of his deputy, Jessie Duarte. As such, the proposal to have two deputy secretaries-general has found resonance among the party's structures. Lamola said that "with regards to the deputy secretary, the rationale is that we will need to have a second deputy secretary who will be able to be assigned specific responsibilities by the NEC". Should the proposed new resolution be adopted at the ANC's conference next month, the headcount of permanent staff deployed by the NEC will drop significantly. Several former ministers and NEC members, including Malusi Gigaba, Nomvula Mokonyane, Jeff Radebe, and NEC members Nkenke Kekana, Dakota Legoete, and Sibongile Besani, are employed at Luthuli House. It's been reported that these members are paid the equivalent of a deputy minister's salary, placing further strain on the party's already bloated salary bill. Over the last two years, the ANC has struggled to pay its administrative staff, with disgruntled employees speaking out over the late payment of their salaries. They have also had to make ends meet after only portions of their salaries were paid. Delegates attending the elective conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg, next month will vote on the proposal on the first day of the event, ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said last week. Mashatile, who is also the acting secretary-general, said deliberations on the proposed change would also take place on the first day. Lamola said for the proposed change to take effect, at least three-quarters of voting delegates would have to support the constitutional amendment. Just more than 4 500 voting delegates will be attending the conference. Attempts to increase the number of positions for deputy secretaries-general and deputy presidents have failed in the past. The party's contentious step-aside rule is also expected to be put to a vote at the conference. The step-aside rule stems from the party's 2012 Mangaung conference, where delegates deliberated on what should happen when someone tarnished the organisation's image and integrity, usually after being linked to criminal charges. Given that no mechanisms were in place to ensure that members could be held accountable, the ANC's national elective conference in Nasrec in 2017 resolved to put specific guidelines in place and will now seek to strengthen the resolution by constitutionalising it. "Once the amendment is made, it can be applied in a manner that is transparent and is also consistent because when it's in the constitution, the NEC and any structures will be obliged to follow the constitution," Lamola said. He explained that all the proposed changes to the party's constitution were being advanced to "enhance the work of the ANC on renewal". "They should give the impetus to guide what was started at the 2017 elective conference in terms of restoring the image of the party," said Lamola.
South Africa's struggling State power utility Eskom warned on Tuesday that planned maintenance could cause power outages lasting up to a year. The utility relies on a fleet of ageing, unreliable coal-fired power stations that are often in need of repairs, causing crippling power cuts in Africa's most industrialised economy. South Africa has already experienced its worst power cuts in years over the past six months, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa pledging new moves to tackle the crisis. Eskom, which has implemented intermittent power cuts for more than a decade, will start on several maintenance projects in the next few weeks that will take additional units offline, removing more than 2 300 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity from the system, it said. One of the units, Koeberg 1, is part of Africa's only nuclear power station and the most reliable of Eskom's power generation plants, Eskom said. It will be offline from December 8 until June 2023 for routine maintenance and refuelling. "This loss of capacity, temporary as it is, will make for a very challenging summer season," Eskom's Chief Operating Officer Jan Oberholzer said in a statement. "We will have to continue limping along to meet demand for electricity, particularly over the next six to 12 months." There have been 155 days of power cuts, or loadshedding, since January, Eskom said. Large and small businesses and residential homes have borne the brunt of the power cuts, cited by policymakers as one of the major obstacles to economic growth.
African National Congress (ANC) treasurer general Paul Mashatile said on Monday that government must strengthen and expand funding for black industrialists and also create platforms for new entrepreneur industrial classes that can fully harness the resources of the country. Mashatile was addressing the media, following the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting over the weekend. He assured that the party’s fifty-fifth national elective conference in December will deliberate around improving the lives of the majority black population who still live in poverty. He said the ANC must continue to spare no efforts to implements its programme to tackle the triple the fault lines of poverty, unemployment and inequality. “NEC remains clear that the movement it leads remains resolutely committed to the implementation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). It noted that whilst progress has been made in empowering people and women in the economy, the benefits of the progress have not been felt by all South Africans,” he explained. As President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his address to the NEC on Sunday, Mashatile reiterated the need for the ANC to intensify rather than relax BBBEE measures such as skill development, preferential procurement, investment in black-owned and managed firms and an increase in the number of black people who manage, own and control enterprises and productive assets in the economy. Mashatile explained that such measures have been implemented in the context of an economy with a degree of market concentration which limits the opportunity for new entrance. “We have, therefore, been using our competition laws to promote emergence of new black owned companies in various sectors of our economy. The NEC however noted that we need to do more and that there are attempts on the part of opposition parties to reserve this critical policy of economic transformation,” he added. He said the party must also do more to advance the empowerment of young people. The NEC noted the creation of youth employment service, established with the private sector. In only two years, the youth employment service created opportunities for many thousands of unemployed young South Africans, with 84% of participants being youth and 62% women. Meanwhile, the NEC said it noted the work by Treasury in responding to the Constitutional Court deadline on preferential procurement in the public sector. The NEC reaffirmed its position that BBBEE remains its key policy instrument and urged all its deployees to ensure that this principle is sustained. Mashatile said the ANC, through its economic transformation committee, will monitor progress in government and continue to engage with stakeholders, especially black business and professionals. He explained that the ANC's NEC deliberated on the recent congresses of its alliance partners, the South African Communist Party and Cosatu at which it's party leaders were booed and refused an audience. He said the ANC’s 55th elective conference will discuss the status of the alliance.
Leading up to the promulgation of the Public Procurement Bill, which the National Treasury will soon submit to Cabinet and Parliament for approval, President Cyril Ramaphosa has clarified the intention of the Bill and the Preferential Procurement Regulations that were published last week. He says government remains wholly committed to transformation and empowerment and that broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) is here to stay, with no prospect of being reconsidered. The Bill is aimed at unifying the currently disparate and fragmented laws dealing with public sector procurement by creating a single regulatory framework for local, provincial and national governments, as well as State-owned enterprises. It repeals the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework, or Preferential Procurement Regulations of 2017. The Preferential Procurement Regulations serve as a “placeholder” until the Bill is finalised and becomes effective from January 16, 2023. Ramaphosa cites the Constitution in his latest weekly newsletter, stating that, to promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures may be taken to advance people who had been disadvantaged by unfair discrimination – this being black people, women and persons with disabilities. The same Constitution provides for both value-for-money and empowerment in public procurement and that, when public bodies contract for goods and services, they must do so in a manner that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective, Ramaphosa highlights. “It also says the State must implement a preferential procurement policy that advances people who have been disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. It is in this context that the new Preferential Procurement Regulations need to be understood. Some people have mischaracterised the purpose and effect of the new regulations,” the President explains. He says some commentary has claimed that the current government is back-tracking on its commitment to BBBEE; however, this is “far from the truth”. The new regulations fulfil an order of the Constitutional Court last year declaring that the preferential procurement regulations of 2017 are illegal and requiring that the Finance Minister replace them within 12 months. “Some of the commentators on this matter neglect to mention that the crux of the judgment is the scope of Ministerial powers to make preferential procurement regulations. “These regulations now fully comply with Section 217 of the Constitution in that they empower organs of State to develop and implement preferential procurement policies when contracting for goods and services,” Ramaphosa explains. These regulations are an interim measure pending the enactment of the Public Procurement Bill, which Treasury will soon submit to Cabinet and Parliament. The Public Procurement Bill will maximise both value-for-money and preferential procurement objectives to enable the delivery of services and transformation. The new regulations have no effect on the BBBEE Act, as all organs of State must fully comply with this Act when developing their procurement policies. This Act remains in force as one of the most transformative pieces of legislation to come out of democratic South Africa. “Government’s policy framework has not changed with the introduction of these regulations, nor has our commitment to service delivery and black economic empowerment,” Ramaphosa affirms. Empowerment criteria will still be applied in government contracting and organs of State must comply with the BBBEE Act when developing their procurement policies. “What has changed is that organs of State will be able to set and apply specific ‘goals’ when evaluating a tender under a preferential procurement policy. “Despite the provisions of the Constitution, despite the introduction of measures to advance the economic empowerment of black South Africans and women, we are certainly not as far as we had hoped to be with economic transformation,” Ramaphosa st...
After extensive debate over the weekend, ActionSA decided that it will not be part of a multiparty coalition government with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and its coalition partners in Ekurhuleni, according to national chairperson Michael Beaumont. The decision means the party's councillors won't form part of the mayoral committee that Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell is scheduled to announce soon. But the move isn't surprising. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has long decried the instability of the minority government in Ekurhuleni. The DA and its coalition partners do not have enough seats to form a majority government in the Gauteng metro. The fragility of the governance pact was most evident when Campbell was ousted in a motion of no confidence last month. However, she was re-elected as mayor last week with the support of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Her return was only the result of the failure of the African National Congress (ANC) and EFF to broker a coalition deal. Service delivery ActionSA doesn't believe that it can form part of another unstable government in Ekurhuleni, which it says won't be able to fend off motions of no confidence from the ANC. Instead, the party will take on an opposition role and ensure the DA coalition delivers services to residents, Beaumont said at a briefing on Monday. Beaumont said the party would "continue voting with the DA to block the return of the ANC", on council decisions, but negotiations would "be treated on a case-by-case basis". The party bemoaned what it believes is poor service delivery in the metro, even though it formed part of the previous government there. "We believe we need to fight for better service delivery for all residents in Ekurhuleni. This requires us to give up executive positions and ensure we can fight [un]encumbered by positions that co-opt our support. "Going forward, ActionSA will form part of the voting bloc that will work to keep the ANC out of this metro by defeating motions of no confidence and working to pass decisions that serve the service delivery needs of residents of Ekurhuleni," Beaumont said.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has invalidated suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's final report on Minister Pravin Gordhan, quashing her investigation into a South African Revenue Service (Sars) IT contract. The Office of the Public Protector did not attempt to defend Mkhwebane's report on Sars' appointment of IT company BB&D in 2007, which was already found to have been above board by, among other investigations, the Nugent Inquiry. As a result, it was declared invalid and unlawful, reviewed and set aside. Former Public Protector SA (PPSA) spokesperson Oupa Segalwe previously told News24 the office's decision not to defend the report against a previous legal challenge by former Sars official Ivan Pillay was "based on prospects of the PPSA successfully defending the review application". "In the main, the PPSA considered the fact that the grounds for review were procedural aspects of investigation and the publication of the report, which were the subject of unfavourable judgments against the institution in other matters," he said. "Financial implications were the other reason," he added. This is the 39th report by Mkhwebane to be overturned, with 47 of her investigations currently facing legal challenges. Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office is currently the subject of an investigation by a Section 194 committee in Parliament.
President Cyril Ramaphosa refused to divulge any information to the African National Congress's (ANC's) integrity commission (IC) about his Phala Phala dealings, citing a gag order by acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka. This emerged in a draft ANC integrity commission report, which contained a finding that the scandal engulfing the president had brought the party into disrepute. However, News24 understands that members of the commission have been deadlocked about the sanction he should face. The commission is due to update the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) at a meeting that starts on Friday, and the matter is expected to be fiercely debated. The commission, led by ANC veteran George Mashamba, met on Wednesday and agreed to order Ramaphosa to take the NEC and the public into his confidence about the allegations of impropriety related to dealings at his Phala Phala farm. Insiders noted that the commission did not reach a consensus on a proposal that the president should be suspended or step aside, given the accusations he faces. They are expected to present a progress report to the NEC. "The IC finds that while the Phala Phala incident and events around it have definitely brought the ANC into disrepute, at this stage, it is not possible to determine individuals' responsibilities in bringing the ANC into disrepute. The IC, therefore, recommends that the president takes the NEC into his confidence and the NEC takes the people of South Africa into its confidence, on a matter which has brought the ANC into disrepute," the leaked draft report reads. Ramaphosa's refusal to discuss the matter both inside the ANC and publicly is expected to come into sharp focus at the NEC meeting this weekend. Party leaders opposed to Ramaphosa have said they will insist that he be made to step aside, given the accusations he faces. "As long as he is not saying anything, we will have to assume that he is guilty," a known Ramaphosa opponent said. However, Ramaphosa's allies conceded that his refusal to shed any light on the matter made it difficult for his supporters to defend him in the NEC meeting. "It's going to be tough. Those contesting him are going for blood. His posture can't be defended," an NEC member said. ANC NEC member Nomvula Mokonyane said on Friday that she expected the meeting to be heated. Ramaphosa first appeared before the integrity commission in July after former spy boss Arthur Fraser opened a criminal case against him for allegedly being part of an effort to conceal the theft of millions of US dollars from his Phala Phala farm in February 2020. The president is the subject of a Hawks investigation, a probe by the South African Reserve Bank, a Public Protector probe, and an investigation by an independent panel appointed by Parliament on whether there is a case for him to answer to. "He explained that he had every intention of fully engaging with the IC on this issue but the day before the engagement, the Acting Public Protector (APP) had issued an injunction advising him not to talk to anyone on the issue. He reported that he was therefore in a 'quandary' because he was unable to now discuss the issue. Since no engagement took place, the IC was unable to produce a report," the draft report reads. For two months after that, Ramaphosa had no further engagement with the commission. The commission noted that it was concerned about the continuing damaging effect that the Phala Phala issue was causing to the image of the ANC. The draft report states, "The IC met with the president for the second time on 27 September 2022. The IC raised with Comrade President that it is acutely aware that the issue is not in any way resolved and is continuing to escalate. It is being used to damage the organisation, further fuelling the factionalised environment which in the view of the IC is paralysing the leadership and its promise of renewal." Ramaphosa is said to have told the commission that his hands were tied because the acting ...
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has issued a “heartfelt” apology to former employees affected by the organisation’s State capture years, and has reached a settlement with them. The settlement give effect to one of the recommendations of the Nugent Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by Sars which found that there had been a massive failure of integrity and governance at Sars under the tenure of former Sars Commissioner Tom Moyane. On Friday Sars announced that it has settled with former employees who were adversely affected between 2014 and 2018. This also comes after the Constitutional Court finally ended, after years of litigation at the cost of taxpayers, suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's attempts to appeal the invalidation of her so-called Sars ‘rogue unit’ report. After an extensive enquiry into the matters that transpired at Sars, including allegations that the ‘rogue unit’ was unlawfully set up in 2008 to counter the illicit economy, the Nugent Commission found in 2018 that there was no basis for the allegations. In its final report the Commission also recommended that Sars consider reparations to current and former employees who were negatively affected by actions taken by Sars owing to the now retracted Sikhakhane and KPMG reports. Some of those whose reputations were affected affected by ‘Rogue Unit’ narrative include Ivan Pillay and Johann van Loggerenberg, as well as Peter Richer, Andries Janse van Rensburg, Adrian Lackay, Pieter de Bod, Gilbert Gunn, Nkele Pitsi, Siobhan Wilson, Telita Snyckers, Charl Fourie, Gene Ravele and Marika Muller. Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the organisation should not have used the Sikhakhane and KPMG reports as a basis for any of the actions taken against the affected people and other Sars officials. He said Sars recognised that the reports were deeply flawed. In line with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, Sars has paid “fair and reasonable pecuniary compensation” for the infringement of the participants’ personality rights as well as compensation for any loss of employment during this time. “Unfortunately, because Sars itself became the victim of state capture in this period, Sars acknowledges that it failed to defend and protect its employees when the false allegations and imputations of wrongdoing resurfaced in October 2014 and in the subsequent years thereafter,” Kieswetter said. Sars has also tendered a private apology to each affected person and their families for the ordeal and any harm caused to them. “Sars deeply regrets the hurt, pain and suffering visited on them and their families as a result of certain actions implemented by Sars in this period,” Kieswetter added.
ActionSA has terminated the membership of its Gauteng leader, Abel Tau, with immediate effect amid allegations of sexual assault. This leaves a vacancy both in council and for the MMC for Human Settlements position that Tau held. Speaking to News24 on Thursday morning, ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that Tau had been made aware of the decision on Thursday morning, and that the party had also sent a communiqué to its coalition partners in the metro. Beaumont said the party's senate had met on Wednesday night to deliberate over recommendations made by the disciplinary panel that was convened to consider the charges levelled against Tau. ActionSA offered its apologies to the residents of Tshwane and its coalition partners for Tau's conduct, and assured them that the party would act decisively against any violations by its leaders. The panel, chaired by advocate Gill Benson, is said to have heard evidence from several witnesses, but determined that it would be more appropriate for a court to deal with the charges relating to the alleged criminal conduct. In addition, Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams has written to council speaker Murunwa Makwarela, asking him investigate whether Tau's alleged conduct was in breach of the code of conduct for councillors. Tau, who is also ActionSA's Gauteng secretary, was last month placed on precautionary leave after it surfaced that he was facing allegations of attempted rape levelled against him by the wife of his friend. William also indicated that Tau had to be investigated for the alleged inappropriate use of City resources for personal use while he was on leave. Speaking to News24, Tau said he had been made aware by a friend about the decision taken to terminate his membership. "I have not read the statement. I was told by a friend that apparently a finding has been made against me and that my membership should be terminated." Tau said he was convinced that during the disciplinary hearing, he had demonstrated that he had not done what he was being accused of. He said he welcomed the decision by the party, but still reserved his right to challenge it. Tau joined ActionSA in 2020 after resigning as the DA's regional chairperson in Tshwane.
The Public Servants' Association (PSA) has given President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government seven days to respond to its demands, or face a national shutdown. Scores of union members marched through the streets of Tshwane on Thursday, before handing a memorandum of demands to the Treasury department. They are demanding a 6.5% wage increase, after the government implemented a 3% baseline increase in October. PSA president Lufuno Mulaudzi accused the government of being "very arrogant". "When they took power in 1994, they claimed to be a government that listens to its people. They said they are a government of the people. "They are not the government of the people. We can't tolerate this nonsense. We have been warning them about their attitude. Their attitude is a threat to collective bargaining. In 2020, they reneged on the 2018 resolution," he said. Muladuzi lashed out at Ramaphosa, claiming he promised to establish an independent body to assess wages for public servants. “An independent body established by Ramaphosa can't look at the public service wages. We have the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council looking at labour issues, including salaries of public servants. "If he appoints that independent body led by a judge, we will fight with the government. We are not backing down. This [march] is not the end of it." The union has given the government seven days to respond to its memorandum. "We are going to shut this country down. We are going to shut down every office. Those sitting at home thinking the strike won't happen, they will join us when we meet next time," Mulaudzi warned. "The PSA expects our demands to be favourably considered by Ramaphosa. We expect to receive a response in seven days to avoid any further or increased action and mobilisation by PSA. "We have shamed our enemies. They thought this march was going to be a flop. Wherever they are, they are ashamed. Unfortunately, the Presidency is not here. It is very disrespectful to the PSA." Mulaudzi warned the government to refrain from sending junior officials to receive their memorandum. "We can’t have a situation, when we need the president, [he] is not here. He has sent junior officials to accept our memorandum. We expected to have the director-general receiving our memorandum. "We have a single-term agreement for the years 2022 and 2023. We agreed after the employer had shown that they can't be trusted with the multi-term agreement. The government has reneged from implementing a negotiated three-year agreement in 2020." Mulaudzi said the government's failure to implement decent salary increases for public servants was the result of years of unabated fraud and corruption. The PSA claims its members are being crippled by rising inflation, escalating fuel prices, food, transport, and interest rate hikes. "Public servants are expected to render services without receiving pensionable salary increases for the past three years. We demand protection of cash gratuity beyond 31 March 2023. "Some of our government workers are scared that if they don't come out and join our march, they will have their salaries deducted. They don't know that come 32 March 2023, they won’t have that R1 000 they are budgeting for," Mulaudzi said. 'Government is playing with us' Meanwhile, more than 500 PSA members and affiliates protested in the Durban city centre on Thursday. They were joined by a small group of Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) members. The PSA's national director, Nondumiso Mvubu, said they were frustrated with the government's failure to provide adequate salary increases over the past two years. "We have not had a decent wage increase. We want to make an impact and show government they are playing with us by not giving us any increase," she said. Mvubu said a 3% increase was disrespectful and well below inflation. Statistics South Africa recorded headline Consumer Price Inflation at 7.5% in September. Hospersa natio...
The Constitutional Court has unanimously dismissed suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's attempts to appeal the invalidation of her so-called SARS "rogue unit" report, ending years of litigation. The apex court has also found Mkhwebane and her office jointly and severally liable for the legal costs of Minister Pravin Gordhan and former SARS official Ivan Pillay, who she unlawfully implicated in wrongdoing linked to the establishment and operations of SARS' high-risk investigations unit. Gordhan and Pillay successfully challenged the "rogue unit" report in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria – a ruling Mkhwebane then spent years, and millions of rand in taxpayers' money, trying and failing to overturn. Mkhwebane's conduct in her "rogue unit" investigation and the litigation that followed are among the bases upon which Parliament is investigating her fitness to hold office in a Section 194 inquiry process, which will continue on Thursday morning.
The African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League said it wants to see qualitative and equitable representation of women in critical positions of leadership and decision-making at the party’s fifty-fifth national elective conference. The conference will be held between December 16 and 20. The Women’s League’s top five nomination comprise 70% of women. It has nominated Cyril Ramaphosa as party president, Thandi Modise as deputy president, Gwede Mantashe as national chairperson, Fikile Mbalula as secretary general, Febe Potgieter as deputy secretary general and Gwen Ramokgopa as treasurer general. The Women’s League stressed that the ANC and society at large were still lagging in terms representation of women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, and ally community in leadership positions. The Women’s League announced that it is currently in the process of drafting a position paper on how the ANC should be reconfigured to effectively deliver on its mandate of building a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous society. “.an organisation that will be responsive to the present-day challenges our society faces. The position [paper] will be made available in due course after undergoing all appropriate organisational channels,” said the ANC Women’s League.
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba has warned government that it is “playing a very dangerous game” by tampering with South African’s right to vote, with the adoption of the controversial Electoral Amendment Bill. He said the Anglican church has been monitoring the electoral reform journey closely with the hope that government would use the Constitution Court judgment to usher a new electoral system and new leaders. In June, the Constitutional Court ordered the Electoral Act be changed to allow independent candidates to participate in the provincial and national elections. Parliament was given until December 2022 to finalise the Bill and last month the National Assembly adopted the controversial Bill. Civil society organisations have been urging MPs to reject the Bill, saying if it is passed, Parliament will jeopardise citizens’ right to vote and cause injustice to the country’s democracy. Makgoba said the Anglican Church does not endorse the current Electoral Amendment Bill as it believes that the Bill does not fulfil the principle of the one man, one vote of equal value. “Our country and people deserve better and we are heading for disaster if the voices and concerns of civil society are not taken seriously. These are the voices that will give the system credibility. Our plea is for the National Council of Provinces to do all in its mandated authority to remedy the constitutional flaws in the Bill so that we can have an electoral act that can truly enhance the much needed accountability we desire for our public servants and to give back the power to the people where it belongs,” said Makgoba. The South African Council of Churches (SACC) also lent it voice against the Bill. “Political parties are being advantaged by the Bill as it stands presently and we have to reject that. We support the principle of political accountability, which is fundamental to the shift that we want to see that politicians have to be held accountable because we now suffer from the consequences of the lack of accountability that has been prevalent by virtue of political party bosses wilding the power,” it said. It highlighted that politicians must be reminded that they are expected to exercise servant leadership or else be removed from those positions. Meanwhile, SACC said civil societies must approach the Constitutional Court to remedy the Electoral Amendment Bill, saying if the Court does not intervene, the change to accord the right to people to exercise their right to be candidates will not be honoured. “So we support the notion that we go back to the Constitutional Court, irrespective of what happens because we now clearly understand that even the NCOP is not going to be able to do what it has to be done because the political will lack,” said SACC.
The South African Human Rights Commission has found that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema's speech and some of the posters/banners displayed at the party’s Provincial People’s Assembly in the Western Cape last month “collectively, constitute incitement of violence, hate speech and possibly other transgressions of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 4 of 2000. ”Malema reportedly told EFF members that they must "not be afraid to kill" and "killing is a revolutionary act". Accordingly, the Commission has given Malema and the EFF until 18 November to retract and apologise for his statements. The EFF has since rejected the findings and argued that the party and Malema were never invited to make representations for themselves.
The Auditor-General will scrutinise the Office of the Public Protector's legal fees in future audits, the office said in a statement on Tuesday. While Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and her supporters have made much about the office achieving three clean audits in a row, recent evidence before Parliament's Section 194 inquiry into Mkhwebane's fitness for office, has raised questions about its expenditure on legal fees. Evidence before the inquiry calls into question the R147-million spent on legal fees in relation to the quality of services provided given Mkhwebane's dismal litigation track record. It also appeared from email evidence that counsels' political affiliation played a role in their appointment. Since 2018, Seanego Attorneys received the most briefs, and evidence shows the firm has to date been paid more than R55-million in legal fees and, out of this amount, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, was the highest-paid counsel, having received about R12-million. Furthermore, evidence before the inquiry also shows Paul Ngobeni, a fugitive from US justice who is not allowed to practice law in South Africa, was paid thousands of rand for "legal opinions" and communications services, including attack articles against judges who ruled against Mkhwebane, from the legal services budget through Seanego Attorneys. Ngobeni subcontracted RET commentators Kim Heller and Professor Sipho Seepe for "communication services" - for which he invoiced Seanego Attorneys. This while PP had a department for communication services. After this evidence was revealed, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it would write to Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka to "request that a full audit is conducted on all funds spent by the Public Protector to defend Mkhwebane both in court and in the media space". "Regarding the calls for an investigation/audit into the expenditures incurred by the institution in respect of legal fees over the last number of years, there is a process currently underway in Parliament, which, amongst other issues, is tasked with ventilating this matter," read a statement from acting PP spokesperson Ndili Msoki. He said while the office is still awaiting the outcomes of this process, it had reported the matter to the Auditor-General "and confirmation was received that the matter will be an area on which they will focus on, within the scope of the next audit". Meanwhile, the PP says it is reviewing its systems, including those relating to procurement of legal services. "This is to identify gaps and put in place appropriate corrective measures, which will include reporting to the relevant authorities where necessary, in order to ensure that its message of promoting good governance in state affairs is lived up to from within. "We wish to assure the people of South Africa that we are acting within the parameters of the law in every action being taken. As an institution that is entrusted with ensuring accountability in state affairs, we too remain accountable. The institution will not be making any further comment on this matter." The office also said Mkhwebane was not being evicted from the ministerial home she was occupying. On Sunday, City Press reported the beleaguered Mkhwebane - who is facing a parliamentary inquiry into her fitness for office - was "on the verge of being evicted from the prestigious Bryntirion ministerial estate in Pretoria". In July, News24 reported taxpayers forked out R3.7-million for Mkhwebane to live alongside ministers in the government's Bryntirion Estate, while she owned her own house in the capital city. Mkhwebane was afforded this perk in 2017, after former police chief General Khehla Sitole, who at the time was divisional commissioner for protection and security services, performed a threats assessment. Erstwhile public works minister Nathi Nhleko - a key player in the sham to absolve former president Jacob Zuma from culpability for Nkandla - approved Sitole's recommendation to move Mkhwebane into Brynti...
Owing to South Africa’s investment plan requiring much more money to be properly and fully implemented, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday called for reforms of multilateral development banks, international financing institutions and the mobilisation of commercial banks to meet the needs of developing economies for sustainable development and climate resilience. Ramaphosa was delivering a National Statement, at COP27, held in Egypt. He highlighted that African countries were losing between 3% and 5% of their gross domestic product owing to the effects of climate change. South Africa recently endorsed the national Just Energy Transition Investment Plan as a basis for its pathway towards a low carbon, climate resilient society. However, it will need about $98-billion over the next five years to enable a just transition and achieve the ambitious targets the country has set. Ramaphosa explained that the plan includes a portfolio of investments across the electricity sector, green hydrogen sector and new energy vehicle sector, and also said financing mechanisms from public finance institutions and commercial institutions needed to provide good concessional loans and further stressed that more grants or non-debt instruments needed to be considered. Ramaphosa said, at present, multilateral support is out of reach for the majority of the world’s population, owing to lending policies that are risk averse and that carry onerous costs and conditionalities. “We have already communicated the structuring of the offer that they made to us at Glasgow, that we need to restructure and have more grants, as already we can see that our investment plan requires much more money to be properly and fully implemented,” he added. He noted that at COP26 in Glasgow last year, France, Germany, the UK, the US and the European Union offered support in the form of a Just Energy Transition Partnership. “It is our hope that this partnership will offer a ground-breaking approach to funding by developed countries for the ambitious but necessary mitigation and adaptation goals of developing countries,” Ramaphosa said. He went on to say that a number of “beneficial” bilateral meetings were held, aimed at consolidating common views on climate action, on the just transition, as well as on funding processes. “We believe that it is only with substantial support that Africa can build the resilience that is required to build, to protect itself and safeguard our economies. It is only with significant additional funding that we can ensure that future generations of South Africans and indeed Africa at large live in an environment that is clean, conducive to health and wellbeing and that has not been destroyed because of the inaction of today’s leaders,” concluded Ramaphosa.
Tania Campbell has been voted back into office as the mayor of Ekurhuleni. Campbell received 124 votes in a special council sitting convened to elect a mayor. She was voted out during October in a motion of no confidence tabled by the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC's Jongizizwe Dlabathi failed to garner enough votes to usher in the ANC's return to power in Ekurhuleni. The ANC failed to reach an agreement with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) which would have seen the two co-govern Ekurhuleni. The EFF helped re-elect Campbell on Wednesday just as the party did in 2021.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week attend the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, where South Africa will make a clear call for developed economy countries to support developing ones meet their climate change obligations. Ramaphosa wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that seven years since the Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21, countries with developed economies have largely failed to honour their commitments to provide substantial financial support for climate actions in developing economies. “Africa historically bears the least responsibility for climate change, but it is Africa that is feeling its effects most,” he pointed out. Ramaphosa said South Africa will chair a high-level roundtable on the just transition at COP27, and will be going into the conference in a strong position with the recent adoption of the Just Transition Framework and the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, which is out for public comment. “Although South Africa is playing its part in the global climate change effort, we have been consistent in emphasising our right to development. We must ensure that the transition to a low-carbon, climate change resilient economy does not jeopardise our developmental goals. The move from fossil fuels to greener, cleaner energy sources cannot take place at the expense of economic growth and job creation,” said Ramaphosa. At the conference, South Africa will highlight the need for multilateral financial institutions to lower the borrowing costs for developing economies to fund their climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. “Many people may think that the discussions taking place in Egypt at COP27 are far-removed from their everyday lives. This is far from the case. We all have a clear stake and an abiding interest in the outcomes of COP27,” Ramaphosa stated. He pointed to climate change activity that recently plagued South Africa, such as economically distressing floods, wildfires and a locust plague and stressed that these events had a strong likelihood of reoccurring. He urged developed countries to meet their climate change obligations, which he said would help developing countries, such as South Africa, build the resilience needed to protect their respective economies. “It is only with significant additional funding that we can ensure that future generations of South Africans live in an environment that is clean, conducive to health and well-being, and that has not been destroyed because of the inaction of today’s leaders,” said Ramaphosa.
A motion of no confidence in Johannesburg executive mayor Mpho Phalatse will be held on Friday. Speaker Colleen Makhubele has called for the 12th extraordinary council meeting after minority parties in the opposition coalition were able to table the motion successfully. The parties, led by the African National Congress, called a press briefing on Monday to announce the motion.
The African National Congress Youth League's (ANCYL's) National Task Team (NYTT) says President Cyril Ramaphosa cannot be granted a second term to govern the ANC, and further tarnish the party's image. The ANCYL decided on its nominations for the ANC's top six, ahead of the national elective conference in December. After a contentious debate which ended on Monday morning, the league voted to endorse former health minister Zweli Mkhize for the ANC presidency, and current treasurer-general Paul Mashatile for deputy president. Mkhize beat Ramaphosa by a slim margin, News24 has been informed by those who attended the meeting in Birchwood on Sunday. Ramaphosa received 16 votes, while Mkhize got 19. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma received the least votes - four. Sources from the meeting told News24 that there had been fierce arguments about procedural irregularities leading up to the vote. The ANCYL also endorsed Fikile Mbalula for the secretary-general position, Nomvula Mokonyane as deputy secretary-general, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha as national chairperson, and Pule Mabe as treasurer-general. Mashatile was unopposed in the vote, but there was a fierce contest between Mathabatha and NEC member David Masondo over the position of chairperson. Asked why the youth league had decided not to endorse Ramaphosa for a second term, ANCYL NYTT spokesperson Sizophila Mkhize said they did not believe he had lived up to expectations. Mkhize cited Ramaphosa's lack of "decisiveness" as the reason why he should not be given another chance to lead the party. "We are saying he did not live up to our expectations. We believe he is really a president who is not in touch with reality. When you are not in touch with reality, you make wrong decisions. Some of the president's comments during the July unrest worsened matters. The issue of the rising unemployment rate is also a concern. The current leadership is not close to the people. There is no plan. People no longer care that the ANC went into exile. People want to put food on the table, and crime is rising every day," she added. "Why is Pravin Gordhan still a minister? The lack of ability to take decisions also becomes a problem," the league's spokesperson said. Mkhize said some members had supported Ramaphosa during the meeting, arguing that he deserved another chance. But this would have further damaged the party, she said. "If we give people more chances to ruin things, we are going to create problems for ourselves and drive ourselves out of power as the ANC. We cannot afford any more damage to the name of the ANC." Concerning Mkhize, Mashatile and the other nominated top six leaders, the league argued that they would "complement each other". "They can at least try and bridge the gap between the ANC and the people." A source from the meeting, who had backed Ramaphosa, said the decision to support Mkhize was "shameful". They said the meeting had heard that the ANC would have to "explain to the voters" how it was supporting Mkhize for the presidency. "It was procedurally unfair. They did not apply the rules properly. We were meant to vote for a second round but they did not allow us," the source said. ANC branches and regional youth leagues were wrapping up nominations for leadership positions over the weekend. The final date for holding the meetings was 7 November. A clear picture of the nominated leaders will be evident once the ANC consolidates the provincial nominations on 15 November.
The State is still trying to get a mental assessment for Parliament arson-accused Zandile Mafe, after the first one was cancelled due to procedural issues. Mafe who was arrested on 2 January while the National Assembly building was on fire, finally made it into the dock of the Western Cape High Court on Friday, after refusing to attend the last two dates. Judge Mokgoatji Josiah Dolamo postponed the pre-trial to 27 January so that Mafe's legal team could give this some consideration and get back to the court. They also needed a postponement to get a room to take a laptop into for consultation with Mafe on the contents of a memory stick. His lawyer Luvuyo Godla said on the sidelines of the matter that his client received a kettle and a TV, as requested when he refused to go to court for his last appearance.
National Treasury acting director-general Ismail Momoniat said the medium-term budget made allocations to struggling parastatals to supplement infrastructure investment for growth, warning some were so dysfunctional that they were close to becoming "zombies". Momoniat was leading a delegation that briefed a joint sitting of Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance and Parliament's Select Committee on Finance. The briefing was a response to submissions received on the Revised Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. According to Select Committee on Finance chair Yunus Carrim, 10 submissions were received by the committees in the process from institutions including unions, nongovernmental organisations, and business lobby groups. Submissions criticised the Medium-term Budget Policy Statement's decision to take on a portion of Eskom's R400-billion debt, to allocate R2.9-billion to Transnet to return out-of-service locomotives, and an allocation of R23.7-billion to Sanral, as well as R3.4-billion to Denel. Over the medium term, government consolidated spending on building new and rehabilitating existing infrastructure will increase from R66.7-billion in 2022/23 to R112.5-billion in 2025/26. They were also alarmed that no relief was provided for households facing rising costs, other than a one-year extension of the Social Relief of Distress grant (SRD) to March 2024. Decreasing fiscal space Momoniat said there were views from institutions, but the provision of funds to ailing SOEs and remuneration often undermined allocations. He said "spending our way" out of the country's economic challenges alone would not bring growth. "The difficulty we have, having been in a budget before, in 2008, when we were running a surplus, [was that] we had a lot of fiscal space. And in a sense, a lot of that fiscal space, then, was used over the next few years. We have had mediocre growth since say 2010 and it has reduced our fiscal space considerably," said Momoniat. No zombie SOEs Momoniat said while the National Treasury wanted to prioritise more spending on infrastructure, the spending on social grants and remuneration alone numbered R1-trillion. He said the special appropriations for SOEs like Transnet were there to get entities functioning to catalyse growth. "We tend to squeeze out funds for infrastructure and maintenance, funds that are growth-enhancing. And yes. The issue of the SOEs taking money. They have almost become like a fourth sphere of government, wanting their share of the equitable share. "And if we don't want to fund some of them, you know, we've got to take a view either some of them need to be closed down if you don't want to fund them, or you fund them so little that they become like zombie companies, they can't really do much. And that is the difficulty we face," said Momoniat. He said it was vital to have Transnet healthy and operating at optimum levels to get the freight and logistics sector working again. A permanent grant comes with a tax Regarding the basic income grant proposals, Momoniat said any permanent increase in non-capital expenditure by the fiscus, like a new grant, will have to come with a tax increase in the order of R40-billion to R140-billion. Deputy director-general in the budget office, Edgar Sishi, said Treasury understood that the basic income grant was a political decision that did not lie in its domain. He said Cabinet gave the National Treasury guidance on the decision to extend the Social Relief of Distress grant by a year. "Our humble opinion in this regard is that the political decision needs to centre around not just what we want to do but also what the trade-offs are, because everything has trade-offs. So, for the basic income grant, there are trade-offs in respect of what that means for the taxes you have to raise, who must raise those taxes, and what the impact would be on the economy and investment," said Sishi. Sishi said Treasury needs to see a higher level of investment to improve growt...
President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet the deadline to respond to the independent panel probing the Phala Phala allegations. On Friday, Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told a media briefing that Ramaphosa would submit his responses to the panel on time. "The president, with respect to the inquiry panel, will deliver his submission to the panel by 6 November as per the published rules. Those rules do not provide for a direct in-person engagement, but he will comply with the ruling and the deadline. The details of the president's submission, I suppose, will be made available once the panel concludes its work," Magwenya said. Ramaphosa has until Sunday to submit his responses. The period 22 to 27 October was the time frame allowed for any member of the National Assembly to submit information on the issue. Ramaphosa has been allocated the period 28 October to 6 November to respond to information and questions received. Between 7 and 17 November, the panel will consider all information received, conduct any additional research, deliberate on the facts, and write and finalise its report. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appointed the Section 89 inquiry panel following a motion by African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula for Ramaphosa's removal on the grounds of "a serious violation of the Constitution or the law and serious misconduct". Former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo chairs the independent panel, which will determine whether there is a prima facie case that requires an answer from Ramaphosa. Following objections from the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) last week, legal academic and political commentator Richard Calland announced he would no longer serve on the panel. Replacing him is advocate Mahlape Sello, SC. The third person is former judge Thokozile Masipa. Magwenya reiterated that the matter was under investigation. So far, only the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and EFF have made their submissions to the committee known. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa called on the committee to look at the sources of the controversial money. EFF leader Julius Malema asked the panel to scrutinise the constitutional rules about Cabinet members' profits from sources other than their official work. The Phala Phala saga became a burning issue in June, after former director-general of the State Security Agency (SSA) and former correctional services commissioner Arthur Fraser opened a kidnapping and money laundering case against Ramaphosa, the head of the Presidential Protection Unit Major General Wally Rhoode, and Crime Intelligence members. He stated that they had allegedly concealed a burglary at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in February 2020. According to Fraser's affidavit, Ramaphosa had at least $4-million in cash stashed in a couch on the game farm, and played a part in covering it up, following an allegedly illegal investigation.
Mmusi Maimane's party Build One SA has agreed to a formal partnership with the Unemployed Educators' Movement of South Africa (Uemsa). The partnership will see the two organisations working together to bring national attention to the cause of unemployed qualified teachers across South Africa. It is geared towards launching a programme of action to demand tangible action from the Department of Basic Education on the matter. At a media briefing outside Parliament on Thursday, Maimane said when BOSA was launched 40 days ago, the party committed itself to offering a real alternative to the political party establishment. "Instead of simply making empty promises, we committed to being a constructive force by working in conjunction with established role players to solve our country's core challenges. These being unemployment, education, safety, healthcare, and government efficiency," he said. According to Maimane, Uemsa straddles with two of these core challenges – unemployment and education. "Uemsa is currently regionally based in Gauteng, with an active membership of 1 500, and a database of almost 30 000 qualified educators who are either sitting at home unemployed or working another job while wanting to be apply their trade as educators. It exists to represent this constituency of unemployed educators and seeks to expand to all other provinces in the coming months," he said. The signed memorandum of understanding between the two organisations will work towards: creating public awareness and taking a stand against issues such as the teachers' intake process; the ratio of qualified teachers to pupils in the country; subject allocation to unqualified teachers; abuse of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative; salary kickbacks; and quid pro quo assault requesting the Department of Basic Education to conduct a third-party audit of the aforementioned issues assisting in creating employment for members to the best of its ability working together with the National Unemployed Workers' Union to upskill members as coaches, and providing legal aid in the legal action to be taken against the Department of Basic Education. Added to that, BOSA said it would work to advocate for pressing issues that include dropping the 30% pass mark for subjects. It is also looking at ways to introduce an independent education ombudsman, incentivising pupils during the academic year and implementing tighter security at all schools. Other plans include expanding extended programmes for underperforming pupils; reprioritising funds for digital learning and infrastructure; higher pay for performing teachers; a nationwide skills audit for teachers; and addressing the disproportionate power trade unions wield over teachers and the functioning of the education system. Maimane also said parents must be given a far greater choice in how and where their children were schooled and educated.
City of Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse said on Thursday that there is anecdotal and documented evidence that the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) only ploy is to corrupt, capture and collapse the municipality. Phalatse held a media briefing, where she stated that should the ANC get the keys to the City, the municipal bank account would be emptied out like never before. “Much was said about the finances of the City, because of course that is where the attention of the corrupt is focused. There was little to no truth about what was said, in the main because the figures are unaudited. We have nothing to hide because the audited figures will be presented before Council, as per legislation,” she said. A motion of no confidence was meant to be tabled on Thursday against Phalatse, however, Joburg council speaker Colleen Makhubele withdrew the notice on the basis that the motion was inadmissible. Phalatse highlighted that what was of concern, was how “nonchalant” former Joburg Mayor Dada Morero was about the delayed R2-billion short-term loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa. She explained that a report was supposed to have been revealed at the last Council sitting but was blocked, and had been kicked further down the road due to the cancellation of Thursday’s Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Council. This showed that the ANC is willing to collapse the City in order to grab power, she said. She noted that while its finances were not in the best position, the municipality was taking active steps to rectify this. Phalatse highlighted that the notion that there was anxiety about the payment of salaries was a fabrication and claims that the municipality cannot meet its financial obligations were a lie. She said the City of Johannesburg was in fact one of the few municipalities across the country that does not owe Eskom or Rand Water. “In the less than 30 days that the illegally elected government was in office, we began to see and hear of the tearing down, bit-by-bit, of the foundations and structures of good governance and the effects thereof that we had established,” said Phalatse. REPAIRING JOBURG She said while another motion of no confidence against her was staved off, Phalatse said she was aware that another motion was already in the works. She added that data showed that the Multi-Party Government were beginning to repair Joburg. “Residents have shared their experiences of the rebuild of Joburg. Indeed, the City was starting to gradually look and feel better. The Multi-Party Government is not claiming to have done a perfect job, but we had only just begun,” she said. The already set out budget of the Multi-Party Government has allocated R795-million to water supply infrastructure, and an additional R600-million for sanitation infrastructure. Phalatse explained that many of these projects are on the go, and will see completion between 2023 and 2024. Some storage and distribution projects were delayed because the scope of the projects had to change to accommodate the inclusion of back-up power generation, she added. Joburg Water has made steady progress in replacing Johannesburg’s old sewage and water piping infrastructure, and in completing road reinstatements following emergency and scheduled maintenance. In the final quarter of the 2021/22 financial year over 100 km of water piping, and just under 70 km of sewage piping, was replaced against the targets of 26 km and 15 km respectively. Rolling blackouts having tragically becoming part and parcel of everyday life, with deep and negative effects on the economy and people’s way of living. The Multi-Party Government, through City Power has partnered with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to procure 15 000 solar water geysers at no cost. City Power will develop the criteria for the beneficiaries who need them the most such as orphanages, hospices, old age homes and animal shelters.
The Western Cape High Court turned down Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's application for leave to appeal the court's earlier decision which prevented her from immediately returning to her office. The court also hit Mkhwebane with a personal costs order. Along with the United Democratic Movement, African Transformation Movement and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, who backed her in the application, she has to pay the costs of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Democratic Alliance court fees.
South Africa’s economy needs to expand consistently at 5% for years to create jobs and lower an unemployment rate that’s among the world’s highest, according to central bank Deputy Governor Rashad Cassim. For an economy that expanded at an average rate of 1% in the past decade and is being buffeted by rolling electricity outages, labor unrest and transport bottlenecks, accelerating growth to 5% may be a challenge. “Going from a 1% economy to 3% isn’t rocket science” for South Africa, Cassim told reporters in Johannesburg on Tuesday. “Unfortunately, 3% gets the economy going, but it will not bring the unemployment down. To get unemployment down, we really need systematic 5% growth every year and that’s a different debate.” Power outages -- known locally as loadshedding -- reached a record this year and are deterring companies from expanding and adding jobs. Rising labour and utility costs spurred Sibanye-Stillwater South Africa’s second-largest precious metal miner by sales, to consider cutting about 2 000 jobs at some of its gold mining operations. The unemployment rate in the continent’s most-industrialized nation is currently 33.9% -- the highest on a list of 82 countries and the euro zone monitored by Bloomberg. The International Monetary Fund projects the nation’s jobless rate will reach 35.2% this year, the highest in the world, though data for some countries is unavailable. A Bloomberg survey of economists forecasts the jobless rate will be 34% this year, before declining to 32.7% next year and 31.8% in 2024.
Acting Treasury Director-General Ismail Momoniat has come under fire for failing to account for how much money has been allocated nationally towards fighting gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and how much of the allocation has been spent. During a question-and-answer session on the second day of the presidential summit on gender-based violence and femicide in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Wednesday, an uncertain Momoniat initially said the national allocation to government departments and provinces was R20-billion. He said he thought R13-billion of that had been spent. Momoniat painstakingly tried to explain why it was difficult to establish how much of the allocated funds had been spent and what had been returned due to underspending by government departments. "Let me explain the figure. It's not as straightforward as it seems. If we want to understand the figure, we need to understand how the government is organised. You have government departments, and then you have programmes within those government departments. "So, firstly, the budget will be allocated to the government department, and from that, it will be allocated to the programmes, and it's up to each department whether it spends those funds or not," added Momoniat. He said identifying what had been spent was an extensive exercise as one would have to monitor the various financial statements of the departments and locate the spending on eradicating gender-based violence and femicide. Momoniat said according to the breakdown that was in his possession, national government, which included "the departments of health, education, social development", spent R10-billion annually. "We think provinces have spent R3-billion over this 2022 financial year," he said. An activist at the summit criticised Momoniat. "Why then have you attended this summit where delegates are expected to account for the progress made towards eradicating GBVF if you do not have the figures to give as feedback?" the said. The acting director-general replied that "it doesn't matter how much we spend, when we look at the enormity of the problem, it's never going to be enough". He added that while state capture had exacerbated the lack of accountability, "the problem of lack of accountability was there in government departments even before that". "If a programme has been budgeted for, can departments spend money on what they say they are spending it on? It's a problem that we have, not only with allocations around eradicating gender-based violence but across the government. "All of us as public servants must be accountable and make sure we spend what we have said we are going to spend," said Momoniat. He was then asked to confirm that money allocated to GBVF programmes was returned to Treasury after not being spent. "I don't have that figure. I should have that figure... You must wait until the end of the year – once they have produced their financial statements. It still required a research effort," he replied.
Majority of political parties at Ekurhuleni council have supported a motion to postpone the election for a mayor. The African National Congress (ANC), Inkatha Freedom Party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance all supported the sitting being cancelled due to council voting technicalities. The main reason that the meeting has been postponed and supported by the EFF and ANC follows the collapse of talks between the two parties. Council Speaker Raymond Dhlamini supported the postponement and said he would call a special council sitting in the next seven days. News24 reported that the ANC and EFF had tense talks during caucus breaks at the special council sitting. The two parties were win negotiations about mayoral candidates in hopes of striking a deal. These talks seem to have deadlocked and negotiations were expected to continue following the postponement of the meeting.
Parliament has been warned that, should the Public Service Wage Bill be escalated, it could pose a great risk to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Medium-term Budget Policy Statement outlook. The warning came courtesy of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), which presented its recommendations on the medium-term budget as presented by Godongwana last week. It is the FFC's mandate to respond to inquiries on fiscal policy from any organ of the state. The FFC briefed a joint sitting of Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance, the Standing Committee on Appropriations, the Select Committee on Finance, and the Select Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday morning. FFC chair Nombeko Mbava told MPs that debt service costs remain high and that the debt finance strategy should work in tandem with economic growth initiatives, and "growth-friendly fiscal consolidation" should be applied. In light of this, she said, the public wage bill could not be ignored. "The commission notes the provision for the public wage bill increase for this financial year and calls for more comprehensive planning - including developing a long-term plan to address increases in the public sector wage bill and improve public sector productivity," said Mbava. Godongwana pencilled in an average 3.1% growth in the public service wage bill in the medium-term budget last week, after acting Public Service and Administration Minister Thulas Nxesi invoked section 5 of the Public Service Act to implement an increase unilaterally. However, this happened amid adversarial wage talks in the public service, with the Public Servants' Association (PSA) set to strike for the first time in over a decade next Thursday. The government is also in dispute resolution processes with at least five unions in the public service. Unions in the public service are also expected to march to Parliament on Tuesday. FFC specialist on macroeconomics and data information, Thando Nkozo, said the extension of the Social Relief of Distress grant by a year to March 2024 implied that the government had no permanent social relief solution as yet. Nkozo said the windfall revenue would not fund permanent spending increases but will address only critical issues at strategic state-owned entities. He said struggling state-owned entities and a ballooning public wage bill undermined the government's ability to keep a grip on spending and debt. "With regards to the wage bill, we see that no wage bill increase is assumed for the next financial year. Only 3% has been pencilled in for this year. But what we note is that the public service salary negotiations are ongoing, and this means, to us, that there is great uncertainty around the issue. "We note that transferring up to two-thirds of Eskom's debt to government's balance sheet is necessary to make Eskom fundable, but what we note is that it will increase government debt," said Nkozo. FFC researcher Noxolo Mahlalela said main budget revenue is expected to increase to 25.5% of GDP in the current year, due to higher revenue collections, and is projected to average 24.9% over the medium term, but that global economic headwinds could undermine South Africa's chances to improve collections. "Although the upward revisions of the revenue estimates are encouraging, we note that revenue could decrease if power cuts escalate, if global growth slows further or if the Ukraine-Russia conflict intensifies," said Mahlalela. Mahlalela warned that while South Africa could expect a primary balance surplus, debt service costs and risks of the public wage bill escalating more wildly than expected added uncertainty and risk in the medium term. "A primary balance surplus is projected from 2023/24 increasing in the following years. This reflects the government's commitment to fiscal discipline which is in line with its stance on ensuring fiscal credibility and sustainability. However, debt servicing costs present an escalating risk to the framework in the medium term," Mah...
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that government has sought to establish an enabling environment to support women entrepreneurs, which informs government’s determination to direct at least 40% of public procurement to women-owned businesses. Speaking during the second Presidential Summit on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in Midrand, Ramaphosa said government had been working to ensure that South Africa’s efforts to turn the tide against gender-based violence (GBV) were aligned with global efforts. He highlighted that late last year, South Africa ratified the International Labour Organisation’s Convention number 190, aimed at eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace. A key aspect of South Africa’s National Strategic Plan was the economic empowerment of women, he said. “We have trained more than 6 000 women to prepare them to take up procurement opportunities. Through the Women’s Economic Assembly, we have seen industry associations and companies committing to industry-wide gender transformation targets,” he explained. Ramaphosa noted that government could, therefore, say that it had made significant progress in putting the supporting architecture in place that was critical to a coordinated and collaborative fight against GBVF. “In the Joint Sitting of Parliament in 2019, I called for government departments to allocate the necessary resources to combat GBVF. As a result, in February 2021, government announced the allocation of approximately R21-billion over three years to implement the various components of the National Strategic Plan,” he said. A significant portion of these funds has been committed to advancing the empowerment of women through procurement, business support and access to economic opportunities. Funds have also been directed towards expanding support to survivors, strengthening the response of the criminal justice system and undertaking prevention programmes. Ramaphosa said the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation had been tracking expenditure of the R21-billion allocated over the medium term. “We need to ensure that our resources are being directed to where there is the greatest need and where they have the greatest impact. Last year we established a private sector-led Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Response Fund 1, which received a commitment of R162-million and has to date funded 112 grant partners,” Ramaphosa explained. He said it must be acknowledged, however, that given the demand for services to address the different aspects of the fight against GBVF, these funds were currently inadequate. He urged the private sector to join hands with government – as it did with the Solidarity Fund – to make more resources available where it was most needed. PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE “We must accept that as individuals, institutions and leaders across society, we all must play our part. This fight is about far more than ensuring that survivors of GBV get justice. It is about preventing violence against women and children from happening in the first place,” said Ramaphosa. He noted that it was in the area of prevention that government needed to place greater attention, exert more effort and dedicate more resources. “As government, we have developed a comprehensive National GBVF Prevention strategy and, in March this year, we also launched the National Integrated Prevention Strategy against Femicide,” he said. However, he acknowledged that government had not mobilised the resources required for effective behaviour change programmes that link up with the efforts of social partners in communities to address the attitudes and actions of men.
South Africa’s central bank said it will continue using interest rates to curb inflation, and responded to calls for its mandate to explicitly include promoting economic growth and creating jobs by saying monetary policy already targets those indicators. At 6.25%, the Reserve Bank’s repurchase rate is still below long-term levels and in expansionary territory, South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said in a speech in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The consequences of the central bank loosening its grip on inflation and falling behind global peers as rates are being normalised would be “too costly,” he said. “The best chance we have with monetary policy to get faster, more job-rich growth is to maintain our focus on price stability with flexible inflation targeting, a proven framework.” The Reserve Bank’s price-stability mandate, which is prescribed by the constitution, has been a contentious issue for the governing African National Congress (ANC) for years. With the unemployment rate at 34.5% and the ANC heading into a five-yearly elective conference, where it also decides on policies, next month, calls to widen the central bank’s policy focus have resurfaced. South Africa has an unemployment problem that needs more credible solutions, Kganyago said. Job creation and growth are both limited by factors that are beyond the reach of the central bank’s tool set, he said. Kganyago, who has been in his role for eight years, is a staunch proponent of inflation targeting. Under his leadership the central bank started to manage price growth to be close to the mid-point of its target range of 3% to 6%. “Inflation erodes the buying power of the population,” Kganyago said. “If the authorities do not step in a deal with inflation, we are selling our people short.” South Africa’s inflation rate declined for a second straight month to 7.5% in September. However, central bank forecasts show that it will only return to the 4.5% mid-point of the target range by the fourth quarter of 2024. The central bank’s critics say its focus on inflation, which has meant higher interest rates over the past year, increases poverty and only hurts consumers. But Kganyago said high inflation affects poorer and less-skilled South Africans more than the wealthy, and exacerbates inequality. “We hear your cries when you say inflation is eroding your income, whether a salary or a grant from government,” Kganyago said. “Erosion of that income by inflation is what the central bank should deal with. But in dealing with your cries there will be short-term pain and that comes in the form of medication that is interest rates.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Imtiaz Fazel as the Inspector-General of Intelligence, following Parliament's approval, for a tenure of five years from Tuesday, 1 November. Last month, the National Assembly approved Fazel's appointment after interviewing 12 out of 25 people who applied for the position. In a statement, Ramaphosa's office said the Intelligence Services Oversight Act mandates the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) to recommend a candidate for approval by at least two-thirds of the MPs. "Following National Assembly approval, the name of the candidate is submitted to the president to consider the nominee for appointment as Inspector-General. The president has appointed Mr Fazel in accordance with Section 210(b) of the Constitution, read in conjunction with Section 7(1) of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act of 1994," the statement read. The Inspector-General monitors and reviews the operations of the intelligence services, including the State Security Agency, the defence intelligence division of the South African National Defence Force and the Crime Intelligence division of the South African Police Service. According to the Presidency, the appointment is a continuation of the attention Ramaphosa is giving to efforts to strengthen the capability of the state, including the security sector. "Mr Fazel is a former chief operating officer - at the level of deputy director-general - in the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and a former deputy director-general in the office of the director-general of the State Security Agency. From 2015 to 2020, he served as deputy director-general for governance, risk and compliance in the Department of Public Works, following which he served as acting director-general in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure," the statement read. Fazel obtained a Master's Degree in Security Studies from the University of Pretoria and holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from the University of South Africa. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of the Western Cape and is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. Ramaphosa wished Fazel well in his new role. In June, the committee announced that it had nominated former anti-apartheid activist Reverend Frank Chikane, but he didn't get the National Assembly's nod.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said new requirements for entry into public service will include competency assessments, as part of government’s National Framework towards Professionalisation of the Public Sector, which will strengthen the management of State-owned entities and prioritise merit in the appointment of board members. The Framework was made public last week. Ramaphosa said in his weekly letter to the nation on Monday that government needs to build a public service that is professional, ethical and driven by merit, as the country recovers from State capture. He said one of the “bitter lessons” South Africans took away from the State capture era is how fragile the country’s public sector can be and how it needs to be strengthened. The State Capture Commission report laid bare how organs of State were systematically weakened by political and corporate interference. It further detailed instances where individuals without the necessary competence and experience were appointed to strategic positions so that they could be manipulated by private interests. The finalisation of the Framework, which will be applied across all spheres of the public sector, fulfils the President’s commitment, made in his February State of the Nation Address, to build a more capable State. The Framework highlighted clear requirements for recruitment and selection processes, mandatory induction for new public servants and performance management. It prioritises continuous learning so that the skills and capabilities of public servants are always improving. Ramaphosa said that this is to ensure that only qualified and competent individuals are appointed to the ranks of the public service. “Those people who are unfit or unwilling to serve the public should make way for those who are dedicated and capable. We will be introducing competency assessments as part of new requirements for entry into the public service. Those seeking appointment or promotion will need to complete compulsory courses with the National School of Government (NSG); those who are newly appointed will not be allowed to assume duty until they have successfully completed induction programmes. Long-serving public servants will also have to undergo regular refresher training,” he explained. Further, the Framework seeks to reduce undue pressure placed on directors-general and CEOs of public entities to carry out unlawful instructions, break public procurement rules or favour certain private sector interests, as happened during the State capture era. The Framework will also contribute to greater stability in the senior leadership of the public service. Ramaphosa said staff appointed into political offices, including ministerial advisers, must complete a pre-entry course for middle and senior management with the NSG, as well as competency and integrity assessments within 90 days of their appointment. “We have accepted several of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission in this regard, including that independent panels with appropriate technical expertise be constituted to recommend suitable candidates for boards,” he added. He said this Framework should be welcomed by the country’s public servants as an important tool for progression as they work on the frontline to deliver on the promise of a better life for every South African.
Reinstated City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Mpho Phalatse announced on Monday that the multiparty government will start the major task of fixing Johannesburg, beginning with the rollout of the asbestos pipes replacement project. Phalatse was reinstated as the mayor after last week’s court judgment confirmed the African National Congress (ANC) illegally removed her from the position, which she said was a win for democracy. She highlighted that the Democratic Alliance (DA) had already begun replacing asbestos pipes in the greater Fourways area, and begun the upgrades of the Brixton and Crosby reservoirs. Phalatse said Joburg Water has replaced 100.8 km of water pipes and 69.5 km of sewer pipes between April and June. “But today I stand before you, as the executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, a city I so dearly love, and I make a commitment that only a party with a proven track record of service delivery can make: using concrete solutions to real problems, the multiparty government will start the major task of fixing Johannesburg. Truly fixing, not merely sticking on a plaster,” she stated. She stated that the ANC’s solution to the water crisis included Jojo tanks and boreholes. “It can only be the corrupt ANC that suggests a plaster to heal a severe wound,” she said. “Joburg Water has proposed medium- and long-term interventions and projects to ensure the sustainability of water supply to our municipality. Plans for a new connection from Rand Water to supplement supply to critical bulk water supply areas in Joburg are underway,” she added. Despite the interventions, Phalatse claimed that maladministration remained in the City’s bulk water supplier, Rand Water. She said the entity failed in the maintenance of electric infrastructure which now impacts its ability to pump water. Phalatse highlighted that over the coming days, the party will also be working to ensure that urgent matters, such as the water and power crises, and the safety and security of residents, are attended to. “I believe most residents of this City know that there is still a long way to go to turn around Johannesburg and will likely take many years to fix. But if there is one thing I know to be true, it’s that the DA can get it done,” she said.
ActionSA has succumbed to the outcry from its supporters and says it will not hold coalition talks with the African National Congress (ANC). The party conducted a survey involving about 30 000 participants, following the collapse of the multi-party government in Johannesburg in September. The overwhelming majority of respondents did not favour a coalition with the ANC. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said: "The ANC got a score of -32% of the favourability index. ActionSA's senate has resolved that there will be no talks with the ANC regarding coalitions." "And there can be no arrangement where an ANC government exists because of ActionSA, or an ANC government is kept in power because of ActionSA. South Africans were clear that ActionSA must provide an alternative, and there can be no co-governance with the ANC." Instead, the party's supporters favoured coalition partnerships with the Inkatha Freedom Party, United Democratic Movement, African Christian Democratic Party and Freedom Front Plus. The Democratic Alliance (DA) polled fifth, a decrease from a similar poll the party conducted ahead of the municipal elections in 2021. "The ActionSA senate met last night to discuss the public engagement phase of our review of multiparty coalitions. Sixty-one percent of respondents were unhappy with how coalitions were being handled and did not feel that coalitions delivered effectively for them. Eighty-four percent of respondents still want ActionSA to enter coalitions because they see coalitions as the future. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has written to the DA about co-governance concerns, and power sharing is prioritised and placed on the agenda," Beaumont said. In Johannesburg in September, the removal of former mayor Mpho Phalatse and intense debate among coalition partners, mainly the DA and ActionSA, showed cracks in the coalition government arrangement. The DA and ActionSA also fought about the candidate for the speaker position in the Johannesburg council. The failure of coalition partners to reach a compromise prompted a key ally, the Patriotic Alliance, to switch sides, ensuring that an ANC-supported bloc in the council won the speaker and mayoral positions. ActionSA indicated that it would engage with all political parties in Gauteng, including the ANC, on how best to stabilise coalition governments. The ANC's inclusion may have surprised many people because, ahead of the municipal elections, ActionSA branded itself as an alternative to the ANC. The party's leader, Herman Mashaba, repeatedly emphasised the need to remove the ANC from power in campaign messaging.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) have criticised the National Assembly’s (NA’s) decision to adopt the Electoral Amendment Bill, saying this was another blow to the public's faith in Parliament. On Thursday, 232 MPs voted in favour of the controversial Electoral Amendment Bill, 98 rejected it and three abstained from the vote. The Bill will be sent to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for concurrence. This despite civil society organisations urging MPs to reject the Bill, saying if it is passed, Parliament will jeopardise citizens’ right to vote and cause injustice to the country’s democracy. The majority of the vote falling in favour of the Bill can be attributed to the African National Congress, Economic Freedom Fighters and Al Jama-ah. The Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, African Christian Democratic Party, Inkatha Freedom Party, United Democratic Movement rejected the Bill. “We are dismayed at Parliament’s utter lack of consideration for the constitutional concerns that Outa and other civil society organisations and experts raised. We believe the Bill in its current form fails to pass constitutional muster,” said Outa parliamentary engagement and research manager Rachel Fischer. She said after failing to meet the Constitutional Court’s two-year deadline, the Bill still fails to protect voters’ constitutional rights. Fischer highlighted that MPs who voted in favour of this Bill ignored a resounding call from Outa and more than 50 other civil society organisations to reject the Bill in its current form. “It is a disgrace that Parliament was given 24 months from the ConCourt judgment to amend the Electoral Act but not only missed the June deadline, but there’s a good chance that the Bill will not be finalised by the extended deadline of 10 December 2022. Unless, of course, the NA and NCOP pull out all the stops to force this Bill through, trampling on any substantial and valid effort to critique it,” added Fischer. She claims that the Bill, as it stands, was not developed with constitutional law experts or civil society organisations. Fischer noted that with the NCOP’s public participation process commencing Friday, it is evident that the NA and NCOP are intent on forcing the Bill through to meet the December 10 deadline. She said it was now up to civil society and South Africans to ensure proper electoral reform that respects citizens’ civic rights and protects the country’s Constitution.
KwaZulu-Natal prosecuting authorities are still investigating whether or not they should prosecute former president Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile, for instigating violence during the unrest that occurred in parts of South Africa in July 2021. "That matter is still under investigation. These matters are not easy to deal with and are not dealt with overnight," KZN director of public prosecutions, Elaine Zungu, said on Friday at a rare press briefing. She outlined the progress made in cases and the general state of prosecutions in the province. When she was asked about Duduzile Zuma's case, she responded that it was a complex matter. Zuma's daughter came under fire after she posted a now deleted video of someone firing a rifle at a poster of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zungu pointed out that there must be "sufficient evidence linking the accused to the offence". "We also look at our prospects of success. Investigations are continuing and the matter continues to be looked into by prosecutors." She compared the case to the arrest of the so-called instigators. "Even in the WhatsApp matters (a reference to the so-called instigators), it took time. We do not enrol cases overnight." It took authorities more than a year to arrest the most low-level suspects, many of whom are accused of sending out text messages and forming groups on WhatsApp to coordinate violence and looting. Thus far, Zungu said, 61 people have been arrested in relation to unrest-related activity on WhatsApp groups. Two other cases, including those of alleged instigators Bonginkosi Khanyile and Mdumiseni Zuma, are on the court roll. The 61 accused belonged to just three WhatsApp groups that were active during the unrest period, Zungu said. Political killings Zungu also shed light on cases involving political killings, saying that organised crime prosecution officials work on matters involving the death of a councillor, mayor, any person "belonging to a political party who has been killed", or cases where "there was an attempt to kill such a person". Authorities are dealing with 145 political cases and 57 of those are in court. Of the fifty-seven, 31 are decision dockets, meaning that some are under investigation and others are pending prosecutorial decisions. Fifty-eight of the matters have been closed for "various reasons".
The review of the ministerial handbook, which outlines perks for ministers and deputy ministers, will be handled by a neutral structure, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said. The review of the Guide for Members of the Executive follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent withdrawal of amendments to the handbook. The amendments would have seen ministers and their deputies benefit from additional perks, which included an increase in staff at their official residents. The perks would have also seen taxpayers pay fully for water and electricity for officials. Ramaphosa withdrew the amendments, which he first approved in April. Gungubele said Cabinet welcomed Ramaphosa's withdrawal but called for a review of the ministerial handbook. Once the guide had been reviewed, it would be made public through the Department of Public Service and Administration.
The motion of no confidence in Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell will be debated and voted on by political parties in the Ekurhuleni council on 26 October. A council committee programming meeting on Thursday certified the motion, paving the way for it to be debated and voted on by councillors. The African National Congress (ANC) caucus submitted the motion. Ekurhuleni council Speaker Raymond Dlamini said the motion was submitted on time and met the standards to be debated by the council. Campbell will be the second Democratic Alliance-elected mayor to face a motion of no confidence. Last month, DA councillor Mpho Phalatse was ousted as the mayor of Johannesburg and replaced by ANC councillor Dada Morero. The DA coalition runs a minority government in Ekurhuleni which means the numbers held in the council may not be enough to protect Campbell from removal. Campbell, like Phalatse, was voted into office with the support of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) after the municipal elections failed to provide a majority government for the two metros. Whether the EFF helps the ANC remove Campbell remains unclear.
On Thursday, 232 MPs voted in favour of the controversial Electoral Amendment Bill. Civil society organisations have been urging MPs to reject the Bill, saying if it is passed, Parliament will threaten citizens’ right to vote and cause injustice to the country’s democracy. 98 MPs voted against the Bill and there were 3 abstentions. The Bill will be sent to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. The votes were broken down as follows: 197 ANC MPs vote in support 73 DA MPs vote against 32 EFF MPs vote in support 13 IFP MPs vote against. 8 FF Plus MPs vote against 4 ACDP MPs vote against 2 GOOD MPs and 1 AIC MP abstain 1 PAC MP and 1 Al Jama-ah MP vote in favour. 1 COPE MP votes against Parliament was given until December 2022 to finalise the Bill and a committee was established to advise Parliament what electoral system South Africa could adopt in accommodating the change in the Act – the current electoral system or a mixed-member constituency. “Much to our disappointment, Parliament has opted to endorse a minority view of the report that does not make substantial changes to the electoral system. The Electoral Amendment Bill consultative process undertaken by Parliament has been equally flawed, as citizens’ preference for the majority view was overridden,” said civil society organisation Defend Our Democracy. Supporting the call for the rejection of the Electoral Amendment Bill Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said the reform Bill presently favours political parties, and centers power and control within them and not the electorate. Defend our Democracy warned that if the Bill is passed, independent candidates will need to receive about 8 000 signatures to stand for elections. This while political parties only need 1 000 signatures. It also points out that independent candidates could lose out on winning seats in Parliament and have their votes given to political parties. “If for example, 50 000 votes are required to win a seat, and an independent gets 250 000 votes, then 200 000 votes get discarded and wasted. However, if a political party that gets 250 000 votes, they will likely get five or even more seats. At a provincial level, if for example, 50 000 votes are required to win a seat, and an independent gets 250 000 votes, then their 200 000 votes are distributed between political parties,” the organisation warns. It also questioned the equality of votes by noting that independent candidates will be required to get twice as many votes for a seat in Parliament, compared with political parties. Further, the Bill does not allow for a by-election once an independent candidate vacates their elected position. Instead, it uses a "recalculation" which could allow a political party to fill the vacancy. Defend Our Democracy also argued that Parliament did not adequately publicly consult on the Bill or consider arguments against the Bill made by civil society. It added that if the Bill is passed as is, voters will not be able to vote for or hold MPs or MPLs directly accountable in their respective wards or districts.
Defend Our Democracy campaign is calling for support in rejecting the Electoral Amendment Bill, calling it flawed and a threat to South Africa’s Constitutional democracy. The Bill is being drafted in Parliament after the Constitutional Court ordered the Electoral Act be changed to allow independent candidates to participate in the provincial and national elections. Parliament was given until December 2022 to finalise the Bill and a committee was established to advise Parliament what electoral system South Africa could adopt in accommodating the change in the Act – the current electoral system or a mixed-member constituency. “Much to our disappointment, Parliament has opted to endorse a minority view of the report that does not make substantial changes to the electoral system. The Electoral Amendment Bill consultative process undertaken by Parliament has been equally flawed, as citizens’ preference for the majority view was overridden,” said Defend Our Democracy. Supporting the call for the rejection of the Electoral Amendment Bill Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said the reform Bill presently favours political parties, and centers power and control within them and not the electorate. "We call and we want reforms that will bring more representative accountability to the people, not only to the party, and for our vote as citizens to count. This is our principle stance. We want MPs accountable to the people and not to the political parties so that the national interests are placed above party politics,” he said. He added the campaign also wants the Zondo Commission recommendations to be seriously considered and implemented in the Bill. Makgoba said there is no protection in the Bill for an MP to vote with their conscience, adding that if they do, MPs risk their livelihoods because the party can withdraw their membership and they will also lose their seat. “Perhaps we need to look at different models that exists within other Constitutional democracies. What the Bill is proposing, I am informed, has not been implemented or practised anywhere in the world. I know some people would say its innovative but it does not seem to cut the cheese for us as citizens. We need to remember that the Constitutional Court does have residual powers to make laws at a very narrow circumstance, so perhaps in this instance rather than rush a Bill that excludes accountability to the majority citizens and favours political parties we may ask the Constitution Court to draft an enabling Bill that will take into consideration some of our concerns," he said. Defend our Democracy points that if the Bill is passed, independent candidates will need to receive about 8 000 signatures to stand for elections. This while political parties only need 1 000 signatures. It also points out that independent candidates could lose out on winning seats in Parliament and have their votes given to political parties. “If for example, 50 000 votes are required to win a seat, and an independent gets 250 000 votes, then 200 000 votes get discarded and wasted. However, if a political party that gets 250 000 votes, they will likely get five or even more seats. At a provincial level, if for example, 50 000 votes are required to win a seat, and an independent gets 250 000 votes, then their 200 000 votes are distributed between political parties,” the organisation warns. It also questioned the equality of votes by noting that independent candidates will be required to get twice as many votes for a seat in Parliament, compared with political parties. Further, the Bill does not allow for a by-election once an independent candidate vacates their elected position. Instead, it uses a "recalculation" which could allow a political party to fill the vacancy. Defend Our Democracy also argued that Parliament did not adequately publicly consult on the Bill or consider arguments against the Bill made by civil society. It added that if the Bill is passed as is, voters will not be able to vote f...
In a major twist to the oft-delayed Jacob Zuma corruption case, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen has invited arguments from the State and defence as to whether he should continue to preside over the former president's trial. "The integrity of the trial must be beyond any criticism or reproach. It is my task to ensure that it meets that expectation," Koen stated in a brief ruling delivered on Wednesday morning. The judge then adjourned Zuma and French arms company Thales' trial to 30 January 2023. His self-initiated invitation for submissions on his potential recusal came after Zuma's lawyers asked that he make a decision on whether the prosecutor, Billy Downer, should continue to participate in the case – given that the former president had initiated a private prosecution against him and News24 journalist Karyn Maughan for allegedly violating the National Prosecuting Authority Act. In a letter sent to Koen on Sunday, Zuma's attorney, Bethuell Thusini, stated that the former president objected "to any further involvement of Adv Downer in this matter [the corruption trial]" as Downer is "Accused 1 in the ongoing private criminal prosecution in which our client [Zuma] is the prosecutor". "He [Downer] is therefore ethically and professionally bound to recuse himself as he is clearly conflicted," Thusini said, before adding that "(f)or now, we leave that issue in the hands of the court to regulate in the exercise of its own management of the proper administration of justice". Koen had on Monday pointed out that he had previously addressed the subject matter of Zuma's criminal complaint against Downer in his ruling on his "special plea" application, where he dismissed the 14 grounds upon which Zuma contended that Downer lacked the "title" to prosecute him. Those grounds included Zuma's claims that Downer had criminally violated the NPA Act by allowing court papers, containing a note from one of his military doctors, to be provided to Maughan. Maughan had received the disputed court papers from advocate Andrew Breitenbach SC, who was acting for the NPA at the time. Zuma contended that his private medical information was "leaked" by Downer, despite the fact that he failed to claim confidentiality when his lawyers filed the disputed letter in court. Koen found that the letter was submitted to Downer "without any specific restrictions as regards confidentiality". The judge held that the letter was vague and general, and did not disclose anything that could be said to amount to "an actionable violation of Mr Zuma's rights". On Monday, Koen appeared concerned that the findings he had made on this issue, which he stressed at the time could still be the subject of more intensive investigation, might impact perceptions about his ability to determine whether Downer should be required to step down. While the judge had initially invited the parties to address any written submission they "may wish to place before me in regard to my possible recusal" by 22 October, he has now extended that deadline to 3 November. He also adjourned Zuma's trial, so that he could decide on the issue. Koen added that, upon careful reflection, he had "concluded" that the issue of his continued involvement as presiding judge in the trial needed to be addressed. While he appreciated that the adjournment would take up time, Koen said the delay, and the fact that the trial would not continue on its mooted resumption date of 7 November, was "inevitable and required in the interest of justice". On Friday, Zuma filed a fresh appeal application, to force Downer's removal, in the Constitutional Court through a so-called "special plea". The NPA is expected to oppose this latest appeal attempt, which Downer on Monday slammed as a further continuation of Zuma's so-called "Stalingrad" litigation strategy. The former president continues to argue that – should he successfully challenge Downer's title to prosecute him – he will be entitled to an acquittal on charges th...
By enhancing the operational capacity of electoral bodies through coordination, training, skilling and effective leadership, citizens can take forward democratic gains in established and emerging democracies, as well as in post-conflict societies. This was according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who gave a pre-recorded address to the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) fifth General Assembly and International Conference, held in Cape Town. Ramaphosa said building resilient and sustainable democracies was a collaborative effort. South Africa assumed the chairpersonship of the A-WEB from the Election Commission of India. Jang In-sik from South Korea was elected the Secretary-General of the world body. Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya said he accepted, on behalf of the IEC, the responsibility that had been placed on South Africa and the African continent by the A-WEB to act as chairperson for the next two years. Ramaphosa said South Africa was honoured to assume the chairpersonship of the association and he congratulated the organisation for its work in strengthening election management bodies across the world. “In an age where the threats to consolidating democracy are multiple and varied, it is encouraging that the general assembly will be looking, among other things, at how disinformation spread online can undermine democratic processes,” he stated. He said the general assembly will be deliberating on these threats to democracy and how to overcome them. Ramaphosa added that the assembly was a vital platform for dialogue on elections between peer organisations from across the globe and an opportunity to advance participatory democracy and accountability. He explained that in recent times several instances of unconstitutional changes of government and an erosion of democratic practices around the world were being witnessed. “We need to work together to meet this critical challenge of our time. As South Africa assumes the chairship of the association, we once more pledge our support for the Independent Electoral Commission at this challenging and important endeavour,” Ramaphosa said. Also addressing the conference, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi noted that in the last decade many nations, including regional and economic powers, have been confronted with challenges of protracted violent conflicts and political instability, as well as an assault on democratic institutions and constitutionalism. According to the 2021 Global State of Democracy Report, more than 70% of the global population now lives either in non-democratic regimes or democratically backsliding countries. This is matter of overriding concern, said Motsoaledi. IEC vice-chairperson Janet Love said the A-WEB conference was taking place at a very important time in history. “It is a time when democracy is under threat across all continents of the world. Not only is Europe caught in the grip of war, but the foundation and pillars of some of the world’s oldest democracies have been shaken and tested. How can we not take note of the January 6, 2021 events at the Capitol in the USA?” she said.
The lawyer representing former Bosasa COO-turned-whistleblower Angelo Agrizzi has told News24 that the pulmonologists who examined his client agree that he can't physically attend his court case. Agrizzi's corruption case was back before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday. But the case was postponed to 23 January 2023, to await the outcome of a case in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on whether Agrizzi could physically stand trial. Earlier this month, News24 reported that the High Court would have to decide whether Agrizzi could physically stand trial for his role in the R1.8-billion Bosasa fraud case. If the High Court determines that he is fit to stand trial, it will also have to determine whether he must attend court physically or virtually. That application will be argued on 2 December, and the arguments will be based on medical reports. On Tuesday, Agrizzi's lawyer, Mannie Witz, told News24 the State's appointed doctors and Agrizzi's doctors had done "all" medical examinations. Witz said they appeared before Gauteng Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, who had given directives for the doctors to do "joint pre-trial minutes as to whether they agree to agree or agree to disagree" "The pulmonologists have already agreed that he can't physically come to a court. He is not in good condition. He is obviously on 24/7 oxygen. "His condition is very bad, and so they are in agreement of that, but the State is persistent. They say they still want to proceed against him. They want to try and do it virtually. If anything, I think they are talking [about] maybe half an hour to an hour a day, with nurses and doctors assisting him," Witz said. "There are other medical aspects that still need to be investigated. The doctors are going to get together and do joint minutes." Agrizzi has not appeared in court since October 2020, due to his health. He and former ANC MP Vincent Smith were arrested and charged with corruption after Agrizzi allegedly offered gratification to Smith on behalf of Bosasa, in exchange for his influence as the then-chairperson of Parliament's oversight committee on correctional services. Smith faces additional charges of fraud for alleged payments made to his company Euroblitz in 2015 and 2016. He also faces charges of money laundering, tax evasion, and contravention of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. The court previously granted the State's application for trial separation due to Agrizzi's ill health. Smith had pleaded not guilty and maintained the money was a loan from Agrizzi, a claim Agrizzi denied.
The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will on Wednesday take over the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) chairpersonship from the Election Commission of India, at an event on Wednesday. South Africa is currently acting as deputy chairperson of A-WEB. Delegates from 63 countries will attend the A-WEB’’s first meeting in Africa, the fifth General Assembly, which incorporates the A-WEB Executive Board Meeting and an International Conference. The Commission’s delegation will be led by newly-appointed Commission chairperson Mosotho Moepya, while the secretariat of A-WEB will be led by a new secretary-general, to be elected at this General Assembly. The IEC said it was pleased to take over the chairpersonship and have the opportunity to lead the “august body”, and serve the objectives of electoral democracy. The Commission will work with sister election management bodies – in particular its African colleagues – to raise electoral excellence in electoral democracy not only within Africa, but across the world, it said. “Accordingly, the Commission acknowledges and pays tribute to Glen Mashinini who served as the Deputy Chairperson of A-WEB on our behalf, and the Election Commission of India, led by its Chairperson and outgoing Chairperson of A-WEB, Mr Rajiv Kumar, for their sterling leadership of this important organisation – especially during the turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the IEC said. IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said the IEC looked forward to an exciting exchange around best practices internationally on measures to mitigate the effects of the democratic recession.
South Africans will have to wait another month to find out whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer for, with regards to allegations relating to an incident at his Phala Phala farm. On Monday night, Parliament announced that an independent panel tasked with probing the allegations would start its work on Wednesday. "The 30-day timeline within which the panel must report in terms of Rule 129G(1), starts from 19 October 2022," a report on Parliament's announcements, tablings and committee reports read. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appointed the Section 89 inquiry panel, following a motion by ATM leader Vuyolwethu Zungula for Ramaphosa's removal on the grounds of "a serious violation of the Constitution or the law and serious misconduct". "Reporting the matter to General Wally Rhoode, a member of the Presidential Protection Unit, is not in compliance with the South African Police Service Amendment Act, 2012, which directs that reporting should be made to the police official in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in terms of Section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004. The fact that there is no case number to date is proof that the manner in which the purported reporting was made was irregular and unlawful," Zungula alleges. He added that Ramaphosa's "life and limb" were not threatened by the burglary. "Thus, General Wally Rhoode had no business to be investigating anything at the Phala Phala farm as unlawfully directed by the president," he added. The National Assembly's rules for the Section 89 process - the section of the Constitution dealing with the removal of the president - require three "fit and proper, competent, experienced and respected South African citizens" to serve on the panel. Former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo will chair the independent panel, which will determine whether there is a prima facie case that requires an answer from Ramaphosa. Following objections from the DA and EFF last week, legal academic and political commentator Richard Calland announced he would no longer serve on the panel. Replacing him is advocate Mahlape Sello, SC. The third person is former judge, Thokozile Masipa. The Phala Phala saga became a burning issue in June, after the former director-general at the State Security Agency (SSA) and former commissioner of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, opened a kidnapping and money laundering case against Ramaphosa, Rhoode and Crime Intelligence members for allegedly concealing the February 2020 burglary. According to Fraser's affidavit, Ramaphosa had at least $4-million in cash stashed in a couch at the game farm, and played a part in covering it up, following an allegedly illegal investigation.
Well-known South African Catholic priest, anti-apartheid activist and internationally renowned theologian and author Fr. Albert Nolan has died at the age of 88. He died peacefully in his sleep under the care of the Dominican Sisters at Marian House in Boksburg in the early hours of Monday October 17. Born Denis James Harry Nolan in Cape Town on September 2, 1934, Nolan was born to a family of South Africans of Irish descent, who lived in Gardens. He went to school at St. Joseph's Marist Brothers in Rondebosch and after a period working for a bank, entered the Dominican Order of the Catholic Church in 1954, taking the name Albert. Awarded the ‘Order of Luthuli in Silver’ by then President Thabo Mbeki in 2003 for his “life-long dedication to the struggle for democracy, human rights and justice and for challenging the religious ‘dogma’ especially the theological justification for apartheid”, Nolan inspired a generation of Christian activists and theologians. His dedication to the anti-apartheid struggle saw him decline the prestigious role of Master of the Dominican Order to which he was elected in 1983, as it would have meant him being transferred to the Order’s Rome headquarters. Instead, he convinced the Dominicans to allow him to remain in South Africa. At the height of the second State of Emergency in 1986, he was forced into hiding in order to escape from the notorious South African Security Police. Nolan was particularly vulnerable to arrest for steering the drafting process of the Kairos Document in mid-1985, which arose primarily from the work of grassroots theologians in Soweto and Johannesburg, but which he and Reverend Frank Chikane of the Institute for Contextual Theology (ICT) played a central role in editing. Described as a ‘theology from below’, the document critiqued the role of the churches in apartheid South Africa, dismantled any theological justification for racism and totalitarianism and proposed instead a ‘prophetic theology’ akin to Liberation Theology. From 1973-1980, he served as national chaplain for the National Catholic Federation of Students (NCFS) and also, until 1980, for the Catholic Students Association (CASA), which was formed in 1976 after black students began organising themselves into separate formations as Black Consciousness flourished. In 1977, Nolan was instrumental in establishing Young Christian Students (YCS) in South Africa after he attended an International Movement of Catholic Students gathering in Lima, Peru, in 1975, where he was introduced to the See-Judge-Act method of social analysis and was inspired by Gustavo Gutiérrez, who later also became a Dominican and who is regarded as one of the pioneers of Liberation Theology. From 1977-1984, Nolan served as national chaplain of YCS, which affiliated itself to the United Democratic Front, initially formed in 1983 to oppose the Tricameral Parliament but which also united more than 400 organisations across all sectors of society in the struggle for a ‘non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa’. Nolan also played a brave role in the "underground work" of the liberation movements, notably the African National Congress, offering his support to activists, especially those who became victims of the apartheid regime’s violent and repressive security police. He was part of a secret underground network that managed logistics, including the transportation and movement of activists, providing safe houses and a means of communication while in South Africa. The full extent of his role in these networks was revealed by Horst Kleinschmidt in a tribute to Nolan on October 20, 2022. Kleinschmidt, who was himself banned, detained, and exiled by the apartheid regime, disclosed that Nolan was part of a group of more than 20 operatives who smuggled communication out of South Africa to the then exiled African National Congress and returned with messages from Oliver Tambo and Thabo Mbeki to activists inside the country. “I reveal today for the first...
Former Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse has accused the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Johannesburg of wasting no time in resuming “corrupt dealings” after what she called her “unlawful removal”. Addressing the media on Monday, Phalatse said the ANC in Johannesburg has reinstated people who were previously removed from critical positions owing to corruption. “As we speak, Johannesburg’s top Investigative Group Forensic and Investigation Services Unit is without a head. We now hear that the ANC intends to place it under a? unit that is meant to ensure clean governance but is led by one of the individuals who was previously dismissed... Since she was re-engaged by the ANC, billions of rands of irregular expenditure have been incurred and, once again, corruption abounds,” Phalatse alleged. She said a coalition with the ANC in Johannesburg should not be considered because of corruption and added that a party that wants to be successful in government should be in a position to appoint the best possible Mayor. “While we are confident in our own ability to choose the right person to be the Mayor of our City, we have no confidence that the ANC could ever provide someone with integrity; someone with the political will and the latitude to deal with the hordes of corrupt cadres deployed by the ANC over decades,” added Phalatse. Phalaste said it is a given that ANC corruption would be exposed at some point.
ActionSA announced former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Zwakele Mncwango as its KZN provincial chairperson. Earlier this month Mncwango resigned from the provincial legislature and the DA. “For me is about looking forward, the big question now is many people want to know why I joined ActionSA? And the simple answer is because I want to fix South Africa,” said Mncwango. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said Mncwango brought to the party an enormous amount of leadership ability and experience. “But certainly looking forward to applying that in a new dynamic in a party that is much more free to build and grow in all directions,” said Beaumont. He described Mncwango as a man of principle, with high ethics and a man who would put South Africa at the core of his agenda, saying these were the leaders ActionSA looked for. Mncwango said he travelled the entire province and he noted that all people wanted was hope. He said that politicians must continue to give people that hope to build South Africa. “I have an assignment to serve the people of South Africa, more especially people of KZN,” he said. He went on to explain that ever since he left the DA he had been approached by former members of ActionSA who were keen to return to the organisation. He explained that ActionSA's policies and values were aligned to his personal values. “It’s very important that we build a country on a piece of principle and I think we can do that. What touched me, mainly because I believe in non-racial society, and I believe it’s a core principle of the ActionSA, is we need to start focusing on equality in terms of opportunities,” he added. He said the party must start building an inclusive economy in the country as many people were starving in poverty. “I know, Mashaba, you always talk about social justice. It’s close to my heart because we need a pro-poor agenda, we cannot play around that. We need to start engaging on this issue, we need to say how do we help our poor people on the ground because there is no use to sit in luxury life while you pass many areas people starving on poverty. The question is how do you take those people along with us?” he said. He said he hopes ActionSA would play a role in fighting for quality and equal education. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba said after 2024, his party would lead the coalition that runs South Africa. "We will be a party that treats our coalition partners with the utmost respect, because without them, we will never achieve anything,” he said.
Jacob Zuma's arms deal case was adjourned on Monday after the former president objected to the further involvement of Billy Downer, the prosecutor in the matter. Downer is facing a fresh appeal, which was submitted by Zuma's team on Monday, for him to step down for "ethical reasons". Zuma's legal team argued that Downer should step aside in order to ensure the integrity of the court. In a letter to the court, Zuma's legal team said: "We have been instructed to register our client's objection to any further involvement of advocate Downer in this matter. "As you are no doubt aware, advocate Downer is accused one in the ongoing private criminal prosecution, in which our client is the prosecutor," read the letter. It went on to state that Downer had appeared in the same court on Monday, 10 October, and was, therefore, "ethically and professionally bound to recuse himself as he is clearly conflicted". Downer said he was acting on the instructions of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi. He said the NPA cannot be forced to withdraw its prosecutors when they are attacked, particularly in cases where the attack is not merited. Zuma's legal team said the former president had filed an application in the Constitutional Court to urge it to direct the Supreme Court of Appeal to reconsider its decision to deny him leave to appeal against the dismissal of his special plea, which challenged Downer's standing as a prosecutor in the arms deal case. Zuma's lawyer, advocate Sifiso Buthelezi, proposed that, as a result of the parallel proceedings, the arms deal matter should reconvene only in the second term of next year. Buthelezi argued that Monday's court hearing was meant to be a status quo meeting, in which Zuma's legal team was to provide updates on the pre-trial appeals. Downer, however, made a case for the trial to go ahead on 7 November, despite the pending decision from the Constitutional Court relating to a pre-trial application to have him recused. He summed up the latest application as yet another Stalingrad attempt by Zuma in his many attempts to delay proceedings. Judge Piet Koen adjourned the matter until Wednesday, when he will deliver a ruling on the progress of the case. The 80-year-old Zuma and French arms firm Thales are facing 18 counts of corruption, including money laundering, tax evasion and racketeering, in connection with the multibillion-rand arms deal. While legal exchanges were flying inside the courtroom, outside the court there was none of the hype and fanfare seen last week, where Zuma lodged an attempted private prosecution against Downer and News24 journalist Karyn Maughan. Both Maughan and Downer have denied any wrongdoing. Zuma and his usual entourage of political heavyweights did not attend Monday's proceedings.
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has told Parliament that it expects to forgo R10.1-billion in revenue in the coming year because of its inability to enforce revenue collection for its ill-fated electronic tolling project in Gauteng. Sanral was briefing Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport on Thursday afternoon amid several challenges facing the agency, including the cancellation of billions of rands' worth of tender awards and bottlenecks in getting procurement going. The entity received an unqualified audit with material findings affecting the audit report. Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke raised concerns about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern because of the low collection of tolls on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). In June, it emerged that Sanral spent less than half of its government grant over the past two years. The agency's directors introduced a procurement process stopping management from using the same consulting engineer to design the technical specifications of a project and evaluate the technical bids. The industry warned that this instruction would lead to higher costs, longer delays, and a greater chance that projects could go wrong as different engineers were called on to manage designs that were not theirs. Sanral CFO Inga Mulder said issues flagged by the Auditor-General included the valuation of the road network, expected credit losses due to e-tolls, and the GFIP revenue reflections. She said the pressure on Sanral's toll road portfolio put pressure on the agency's position as a going concern. "If you look at Sanral holistically as a company, it is a going concern. However, because the two portfolios, toll and non-toll, are separated and ringfenced in terms of the Sanral Act, you have to look at the toll portfolio and the non-toll portfolio by itself to see if they are healthy. "It is in this assessment that you see significant pressure on the toll side because of the uncertainty of revenue in the future," Mulder said. Mulder said the AG raised material uncertainty as there was no certainty regarding the agency's ability to raise funding on via tolls to fund the significant capital expenditure required on toll roads across the country. "We expect not to collect about R10.1-billion [...] because of our inability to enforce the collection there. That's why the AG brings emphasis on matters there," she said. Speaking on the maintenance of the national road network, Sanral acting CEO Lehlohonolo Memeza said the agency's underperformance was due to delays in the award of new reseal contracts and very limited actual expenditure from projects procured in terms of the latest procurement requirements. Resealing refers to road repairs. "Reason for non-achievement of the target is delays in the award of the reseal contract. The drop in maintenance is due to delays in managing projects. But we have a procurement turnaround strategy that will catch up on the backlog," Memeza said. Asked about the possibility of scrapping e-tolls, Memeza said: "Sanral has been consulted and has worked together with the minister of transport and the minister of finance in providing all of the info required by the ministers for that decision to be made, but it is not up to Sanral to make that decision". The Sanral annual report said the entity's credit losses mainly relate to e-toll debtors amounting to R9.5-billion, which is down from R9.6-billion in 2021. AG Maluleke wrote in her audit report that she recognised material impairments of R9.6-billion as a result of expected credit losses. "The public entity's funding strategy for the next 12 months relating to the toll portfolio is dependent on positive developments relating to the increase in the borrowing limit and the public entity raising funding either from government grants or further borrowings. "These events or conditions, along with other matters show ... a material uncertainty exists that may cast signifi...
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday assured that outstanding recommendations made by the Nugent Commission of Inquiry will continue to receive the attention of his administration and the relevant institutions. Ramaphosa was speaking in Pretoria during the the twenty-fifth anniversary of the South Africa Revenue Service (Sars), where he said many of the Commission’s recommendations have been implemented by the Ministry of Finance, National Treasury and Sars. In 2018 Ramaphosa instituted the Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Robert Nugent, to investigate the state of the revenue collector, which had deteriorated from being a world class institution to one that no longer held any public trust. The most damning finding of the Commission of Inquiry was that there was massive failure of governance and integrity at Sars, facilitated by the deliberate dismantling of tried and tested organisational arrangements. The President said since its inception, Sars had provided South Africa’s democratic government with the financial resources to fulfil the promise of freedom, and to create a better life for all. Since its formation in 1997, Sars has been able to collect over R18-trillion for government to provide fund various programmes that have supported the lives of South Africans. Ramaphosa said when one compared the amount of R1.6-trillion collected by end of March 2022 to the R147-billion Sars collected in 1996/1997, one became aware of the enormously impressive work that had been done by the organisation. He said South Africa was grateful for the assistance that Sars received in its formative years from institutions such as the Swedish tax authority and the Australian and Canadian revenue authorities. He explained that this assistance helped accelerate the pace of learning for Sars during that early period. “Unfortunately, none of those lessons could have prepared Sars to protect itself against well-orchestrated capture by self-serving individuals who were not only unbothered by the higher purpose I spoke about but were in fact hostile to it,” the President said. Ramaphosa thanked Nugent, his team and the evidence leaders, for providing the recommendations that had assisted Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and his team in restoring the integrity of the institution, in improving efficiency and in regaining public trust among taxpayers, traders and other stakeholders. Ramaphosa said for Sars to deliver optimally on its work, it was critical that all taxpayers and traders complied with their legal obligations. “Over the past few years, Sars has been accessing data locally and across the world to help the organisation to detect and act against non-compliant taxpayers and criminal syndicates. To those compliant taxpayers who meet their legal obligations, I salute you. It is your compliance that enables Sars to fulfil its mandate of collecting all the revenue that is due,” he explained. EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE Ramaphosa noted that Sars’ path of transformation had been a long journey, following various iterations, remodelling and operational shifts, and asserted that it would continue to be a growing and maturing institution. He highlighted that Sars was an “excellent example” of a government entity that was efficient and effective. “The encouraging progress of rebuilding Sars is evidence that it is possible to arrest and rebuild ourselves to continue in this vein, and to inspire other government departments and entities to follow suit. It is crucial that Sars continues to pursue its mandate without fear, favour or prejudice,” Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa went on to thank the staff at Sars, particularly for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Government supported businesses in distress with tax relief measures that were well administered by Sars,” he said. He pointed out that none of the financial interventions would have been possible were it not for the work of “the committed employees at Sars”.
Former President Jacob Zuma has launched a Constitutional Court appeal application aimed at ensuring his prosecutor Billy Downer’s removal and his acquittal on Arms Deal corruption charges – days before his trial is due to resume. Late last month, the apex court unanimously dismissed the former president’s arguments that then Supreme Court Appeal President Mandisa Maya had grossly misdirected herself by refusing to reconsider his failed legal bid to force Downer’s removal. Maya had found there were no exceptional circumstances justifying her reconsidering her court's previous dismissal of Zuma's attempted challenge to Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen’s ruling that Downer had the title (legal standing) to prosecute him. Zuma has since launched a private prosecution against Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan for allegedly violating the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act through the sharing of court documents submitted by his own lawyers and the prosecution, which contained a note from one of his doctors. Maughan received the documents from advocate Andrew Breitenbach SC, who was acting for the NPA. Zuma contends that his medical information was leaked, despite the fact that he failed to claim confidentiality when he filed the letter to the court. Koen found that the letter was submitted to Downer “without any specific restrictions as regards confidentiality”. The judge further held that the letter was vague and general and did not disclose anything that could be said to amount to a violation of Zuma’s rights. Zuma is now seeking to challenge that ruling. He argues that Koen failed to consider “the impact of the alleged criminal acts and prosecutorial misconduct by the prosecutor in conjunction and in concert with those associated [with] the institution assigned to conduct the prosecution on behalf of the State, the National Prosecuting Authority on the requisite title to prosecute and my guaranteed constitutional rights”. Should he convince the apex court that Downer lacks the title to prosecute him, Zuma argues, “then I would be entitled to demand an acquittal”. “The implications of this application and/or appeal upon my rights are therefore far-reaching."
The African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni on Thursday submitted a motion of no confidence in Mayor Tania Campbell and accused her of racialising service delivery in the metro. ANC chief whip in the metro councillor Jongizizwe Dlabathi said under Campbell's leadership "service delivery has taken a racial turn, and our townships, where the majority black communities reside, have been clearly neglected". "The DA [Democratic Alliance] has actually pursued an anti-pro-poor (sic) budget, with one case in point being the abrupt decision of taking away the free basic electricity, which was a necessary relief for our communities, especially amid the tough economic conditions," said Dlabathi. The DA has rubbished the reasons cited for the motion of no confidence. DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille said opposition parties always made up excuses in their attempts at unseating a party in power. "The ANC makes better offers to our coalition partners, and it is very easy for them to then follow the coalition of extortion and not place the needs of communities first," she said. According to her, South Africa does not have coalition politics. She said the current situation was akin to kingmaker politics where those joining forces were always looking out for what was best for them and not the communities they were supposed to serve. Zille said 90% of the time was being spent trying to keep coalitions together, instead of service delivery. According to Campbell, her multiparty coalition government is as diverse as the communities it serves. She said the coalition government "gives us a distinct advantage in understanding the real challenges facing communities across the city. As a result, we are well placed to resolve the service delivery and financial quagmire we encountered when we acceded to office barely four months ago". The motion of no confidence, which was submitted on Thursday, paves the way for an ANC takeover in coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), as was the case when the party recently managed to wrestle back power in Johannesburg with the assistance of the EFF. Dlabathi said the motion was scheduled to be voted on at the next ordinary council sitting on 26 October. Campbell has been leading a minority coalition, but with fractured relations between the DA and ActionSA, the party could lose control of a second Gauteng metro in the space of three weeks. Dlabathi said the ANC was confident of "the basis under which we are putting the motion; the reasons that we are raising should resonate with the majority parties in council". EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga said they were yet to decide on the matter but added that they were aggrieved by the DA's leadership in the metro. "Currently, there are motions adopted by the council that the DA administration is stalling in implementing because there is no political will to carry decisions of council out on the basis that they do not resonate with the DA ideology," said Dunga. "We can't allow such a situation. We, however, remain committed to being constructive and ensuring that there is a stable government. However, the stability of a formulated governance will lie purely in its effectiveness in rendering basic services," Dunga added.
Transnet group CEO Portia Derby has hit back at critics who may feel Transnet should accede to union demands simply to end the "rough" strike, stressing that it is crucial to ensure the state-owned freight and logistics company remains sustainable. "We cannot have labour being 66% of our cost. The next big cost driver on our side is interest cost, followed by electricity and fuel costs," Derby said at theAgri SA annual congress in Pretoria on Thursday. "We are worried about the perishables. The citrus season is pretty much done, and we are now looking at the deciduous season starting. We are watching anxiously like everyone else. We are talking to the shipping lines and hoping really hard that we will get a solution. "I live in hope," she said. On Wednesday Transnet tabled a three-year wage offer to the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) and the United National Transport Union (UNTU) during wage talks facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA). It includes a 4.5% across-the-board increase in the current year, a 5.3% across-the-board increase in 2023/24, a 5.3% across-the-board increase in 2024/25, and a 4.5% increase in the medical aid allowance in 2022/23 to be adjusted in subsequent years, in line with the increase. Estimates are that the strike could cost the SA economy up to R1-billion a day. The Minerals Council SA, whose members account for more than 80% of Transnet’s rail business and 50% of the group’s income, is concerned that the strike is damaging exports and imports, "threatening not only mining companies but the country’s fragile economy at a time when 44% of people are unemployed". "According to our estimates, bulk mineral exporters are losing R815-million worth of exports per day because they are unable to rail and load 357 000 tonnes of iron ore, coal, chrome, ferrochrome and manganese onto ships daily. "On average, South Africa exports about 476 000 tonnes of bulk minerals a day worth R1.06-billion. We estimate that [at present] just 120 000 tonnes of minerals worth R261-million are being exported daily. Major mineral export harbours are operating at between 12% and 30% of their daily averages." An executive at a fruit export body, who wanted to remain anonymous, said high-level decision makers like President Cyril Ramaphosa needed to intervene and classify staff at South African ports as essential workers. The executive said the Transnet strike puts SA's R3-billion berry export season at risk. South Africa is currently in its berry export season and exporters expect this will be the sector of the country's fresh produce export market that will, therefore, be the hardest hit by the Transnet strike. "Ports are strategic assets of SA. Logistic activities like exports must continue without interruptions," says the exporter. "All SA's competitors in the southern hemisphere will now be able to enter the overseas markets before SA and be seen as reliable suppliers. The longer SA harbours are impacted by Transnet strikes, the bigger the market share SA will lose overseas." According to Brent Walsh, CEO of producer organisation Berries ZA, harvesting of berries is happening and a lot of containers will require freight services over the next few weeks. "Any delays will slow down getting SA berries onto retail shelves in export markets. Berries are highly perishable and cold chain storage in Cape Town is going to come under a lot of pressure if there are significant delays," says Walsh. "We are waiting with bated breath to hear about the outcome of Transnet wage negotiations." The peak for SA's berry season is coming up over the next six to eight weeks. Berries ZA forecast the revenue from this season's berry crop could be more than R3-billion. Last year it was R2.8-billion. Mostly blueberries are exported by sea freight, while raspberries and blackberries are mostly sent by air. "The Agriculture and Agri Processing Master Plan confirms the importance of f...
South Africa’s biggest opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) has outlined what it calls “pro-active measures” to fix “messy” coalitions, as the country prepares for general elections in 2024. In a press briefing on Thursday, attended by DA leader John Steenhuisen, party Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube and spokesperson Solly Malatsi, the party denied that the ousting of Mpho Phalatse as City of Johannesburg mayor had prompted its call for measures to manage coalitions in the country. Steenhuisen said the DA’s legislative agenda in the run-up to the 2024 elections was to prepare Parliament for the likelihood that, for the first time in 70 years, the era of one-party domination could come to an end. He stressed the need for a legislative framework that was in keeping with the state of democracy and current South African reality. Steenhuisen said any party contesting the elections in 2024 should support the DA’s proposal. He explained that more consultations would be conducted with relevant stakeholders, including the electorate. Outlining the party’s suggestions, Gwarube said there should be an electoral threshold for national, provincial and local governments. This would require that a political party secure 1% or 2% of the overall vote to qualify for seats in a legislature or council. The party also wants formal coalition agreements in place. “There is currently no legislation that regulates coalitions or that stipulates what must be included in a coalition agreement to make it valid. There is also no oversight body or institution which holds and publishes these agreements. A coalition agreement is currently merely a document of goodwill between parties, with no consequences for breaching it,” Gwarube pointed out. The DA suggested the establishment of an independent Registrar of Political Parties for public accountability in coalition governments. Gwarube said South Africa could learn from Kenya, where political parties who negotiate to enter into a coalition are required by law to deposit their written political agreement with Kenya’s registrar of political parties. She explained that the registrar could be a politically independent individual, such as a retired judge. Meanwhile, the DA also wanted to extend the time period for the election of mayors from the current 14 days from the declaration of the election result. It says this would give parties sufficient time to negotiate functional, binding coalition agreements. The DA also believed that there was a need to limit the frequency of motions of no confidence. It says setting a limit will give the governing coalition an opportunity to govern without the “constant distraction and threat of being removed”.
The pending decision by the global Financial Action Task Team (FATF) on whether to greylist SA is a "sword of Damocles" hanging over the economy with an 85% probability of falling, says a new research report commissioned by Business Leadership SA. FATF is a global body that monitors compliance with anti-money laundering and combatting terrorism financing measures. In SA's last mutual evaluation undertaken in 2019, it was found to be partially compliant or noncompliant with 20 of FATF's 40 recommendations. The body will take a final decision at its plenary in February. Greylisting is an indication of the risk that the rest of the world attaches to South African companies and individuals as counter-parties to transactions. While some of the weaknesses relate to legislative shortcomings, which are being processed in Parliament now with the prospect of becoming law before February, many of SA's failings are due to the weakness of the criminal justice system and the absence of prosecution for crimes of money laundering and terrorism financing. The economic impact could range between less than 1% and 3% of GDP depending on how quickly SA can exit the greylist, says the report compiled by consultancy Intellidex. SA must be seen to be making a concerted effort to meet the requirements of FATF if this damage is to be limited to the lower end of the scale. The immediate effect will be an increase in the risk category for all South African clients at many international financial institutions, particularly those in the European Union and UK. "South African clients will become subject to enhanced due diligence, which will mean more frequent [usually annual instead of every three years] and more invasive assessments for AML [anti-money laundering] and CFT [combatting of terrorism financing measures] risks. This will mean increased costs for SA businesses and individuals that trade internationally and have bank accounts or investment accounts abroad. Costs will increase particularly for SA banks in managing correspondent banking relationships and relationships with global infrastructure providers such as payment systems," the report says. The nonprofit sector and bilateral funding arrangements with other countries – such as SA's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) transaction with international partners - will also be subjected to enhanced due diligence, complicating access to this type of funding. Given the high probability of greylisting, the best that can be done is to minimise its impact and aim to exit the greylist as soon as possible, says the report. Still insufficient Intellidex recommends that government mounts a "comprehensive and credible effort" to address FATF's concerns, coordinated from the highest level of government. As the most difficult challenges are to build institutional capacity in a range of areas and departments, from the prosecuting authorities to the Hawks, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Department of Home Affairs, police, SARS and others, Intellidex recommends that this be done by the Presidency. Private-sector companies and individuals should also prepare for the enhanced due diligence that will accompany greylisting. They should engage foreign service providers to establish how their risk rating will be affected; what enhanced due diligence measures will be taken (if any); and how they can prepare. While the report notes that there are some areas where SA has made good progress since the mutual evaluation – such as progress in prosecutions, arrests and asset forfeiture related to state capture – there are many other areas in which SA will not be able to make progress in time for the February meeting. Intellidex also acknowledged efforts under way to pass the necessary legislation that would, for example, put in place controls over sectors not presently monitored by the FIC such as estate agents and attorneys. Still, it was doubtful that this would have become embedded by February. Similarly, the...
The Presidency on Wednesday confirmed that it has received the amended version of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry report from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who chaired the Commission. The release follows the granting of permission by the Pretoria High Court on the 4th of October 2022, to allow Chief Justice Zondo to make corrections to the final volume of the report which was submitted to the Presidency in June 2022. The corrections will be in Volume 2 and Volume 3 of the report. Both were handed to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 22 June. The amended report will be made available on the Presidency’s website, the Presidency said.
After multiple tense meetings characterised by infighting within President Cyril Ramaphosa's CR22 caucus, the grouping has come up with a list of leaders to be his running mates. On Wednesday, the caucus confirmed that it stood by Cabinet minister Senzo Mchunu as the candidate to be Ramaphosa's deputy, despite several of Ramaphosa's allies putting their hand up for the position. The slate supported by the caucus, which is made up of African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) members who are Ramaphosa's firm lieutenants, caused ructions among his supporters. The final line-up ditched former ANC KwaZulu-Natal secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, who has a firm grip on the position of secretary-general. But, a personal grudge between Mchunu and Ntuli and a push to appease all ANC provincial blocs, led to the caucus opting to support Cabinet minister Fikile Mbalula for the secretary-general position. Mchunu hails from KwaZulu-Natal. News24 understands that a rule by the ANC elections committee, led by Kgalema Motlanthe, that two women ought to be in the ANC top six pushed the caucus to punt Febe Potgieter-Gqubule as its candidate for the deputy secretary-general position and Gwen Ramokgopa as treasurer-general. An initial push to support Tina Joemat-Pettersson fell through after some back and forth. The latest list is expected to set the tone for Ramaphosa's campaign as nomination processes will conclude by the end of the month. But the slate is facing vehement opposition internally among Ramaphosa allies in provincial ANC structures, who claimed that their views were not taken into account. The ANC in Limpopo agreed to support Ramaphosa for a second term on the proviso that its chairperson Stanley Mathabatha would be elected as ANC national chairperson. The ANC in the Eastern Cape pushed Premier Oscar Mabuyane as deputy president and was said to be firmly against a plan to catapult Mchunu as Ramaphosa's running mate. Mchunu's candidacy threatens to rule out several others who are loyal to Ramaphosa and who have indicated their willingness to contest for the deputy presidency at the ANC's December conference, including Ronald Lamola, Mmamoloko Kubayi and Mabuyane. The front runner for the position, however, remains ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, with incumbent deputy president David Mabuza hopeful of remaining in that position. "What the CR22 caucus wants is not necessarily what Ramaphosa wants," said a Ramaphosa ally and NEC member. However, another NEC member, who is in the running for a top six position, said if Ramaphosa supported the latest line-up from his supporters "it will cause cracks in his campaign". Ramaphosa's political advisor, Bejani Chauke, was excluded by the CR22 caucus despite him having led Ramaphosa's efforts to be elected in 2017. He is in the running for the treasurer-general position. Chauke told News24 he was not bothered by his exclusion from the CR22 line-up. "I was approached by branches from different provinces regarding my possible contribution to providing service as treasurer-general. I am humbled by this consideration for such an important position in the movement. I am not in a position to decline the nomination should it be a popular stance from an overwhelming number of branches," he said. At least two other ANC NEC members who spoke to News24 questioned whether Mchunu and Mbalula enjoyed "ground support" in terms of nominations from ANC branches. Mchunu confirmed he was in the running for the ANC deputy presidency after being approached by "several branches." However, he denied assertions that the interfactional jostling by Ramaphosa's allies would weaken the president's bid for a second term as party president. Mbalula told News24 he had long been engaged to contest the position of secretary-general but would prefer to discuss whether he would accept the nomination in November "when there's a clearer picture". "I think it's still early days. Nominations will tell a dif...
President Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing for an intense period of economic diplomacy, including participation in the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, and the COP27 climate negotiations to be held at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. In a statement, the Presidency reported that Ramaphosa would participate in a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements during October, November and December, describing economic diplomacy as a key lever for the realisation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan to rebuild the economy. In October, the South African President will meet host President Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain in Pretoria, before undertaking a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He will then travel to Egypt in early November to participate in COP27, where South Africa is hoping to announce the conversion of the $8.5-billion Just Energy Transition Partnership offer made at COP26 by France, Germany, the UK, the US and the European Union into funding for projects in the electricity, electric vehicle and green hydrogen sectors. He will then visit Kenya for his first engagement with recently elected President William Ruto, before participating in the G20 Summit in Bali, where leaders of the world’s major developed and emerging economies will hold discussions on global priorities, including the energy transition. Also in November, Ramaphosa and First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe will honour an invitation by King Charles III to undertake a State visit to the UK. Then in early December, the President will host President Nicolás Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for bilateral discussions in Pretoria.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will file a complaint with the Public Protector, calling for the abolition of the Ministerial handbook, which sets out the perks that Ministers and deputies are entitled to. Recent media reports suggested that Ministers and deputies were now entitled to free water and electricity, following amendments made to the handbook by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Government has since clarified that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will be responsible for water and electricity costs at State-owned residences. DA Shadow Minister for Public Service and Administration Dr Leon Schreiber said his party had spent years exposing and fighting back against the abuse of taxpayer money contained in the ministerial handbook, which provided benefits to Ministers who are already paid R2.4-million a year. “But as the public outcry following the DA’s latest revelations confirms, President Cyril Ramaphosa has now gone a step too far. Forcing South Africans to pay the private electricity and water bills for the very same Ministers who have robbed citizens of access to these critical services is a slap in the face that the people will not accept,” Schreiber said. He said the party’s complaint to the Public Protector challenged the legality of the Ministerial handbook in its entirety, as the DA’s own legal research suggested that there was no law that made provision for the handbook to even exist. “While the handbook – formally entitled the ‘Guide for Members of the Executive’ – notes that ‘Members are required at all times to ensure compliance with the Executive Ethics Code,’ there is no provision in the Code or in any other law allowing for the existence of a handbook that gives the President dictatorial powers to force taxpayers to pay for the perks of Cabinet members. The handbook, therefore, appears to exist ultra vires – outside of the Constitution and the law,” highlighted Schreiber. He explained that because there was no law governing the existence of the handbook, Parliament had no authority to exercise oversight or approve the contents of the handbook. He went on to say the President was completely unaccountable for the way in which he forced taxpayers to fund the “ANC gravy train”. The DA believes that Parliament should decide on cases where certain benefits, such as security measures or transport for official duties, may be warranted. “Should the Public Protector confirm that the Ministerial handbook is indeed unlawful in its entirety, it would mean that Ramaphosa and all of his ANC predecessors have for decades illegally taken hundreds of millions of rands from taxpayers in order to fund the luxury lifestyles of multi-millionaire cadres,” Schreiber stated.
Renowned South African political commentator and columnist Justice Malala on Tuesday asserted that African National Congress (ANC) treasurer general Paul Mashatile would definitely become the party’s deputy president and added that he could also be elevated to the presidency of the ANC. Malala was speaking during a PSG webinar where he said that if President Cyril Ramaphosa and former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize (who is also in the running for party president) have to step aside for the Phala Phala and Digital Vibes sagas, respectively, two of the top runners will be out of play. He predicted that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who has been linked to the Jacob Zuma faction, would not ascend to the presidency. The ANC will hold its fifty-fifth elective conference in December, where Ramaphosa is due to again come up against Dlamini-Zuma, after he defeated her in 2017. Malala explained that Ramaphosa’s second-term bid had been endorsed by Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga. Gauteng and the Northern Cape are also expected to rally behind him. He reiterated that while Dlamini-Zuma vies for the ANC presidency, she won’t make it as recent events have marked the end of former President Zuma in the party. “I think the ANC delegates have rejected the influence of Jacob Zuma in the ANC and the attempt by him to influence who gets chosen as the ANC leader,” Malala explained. He said Mashatile had been very interesting in policy terms, particularly around his pronouncements on land. Mashatile revealed that the ANC may have to scrap its plans to change the Constitution to make it easier for the government to seize land without paying for it and address racially skewed ownership patterns. He also highlighted that Mashatile had always been interesting in as far as business-friendliness was concerned. Malala noted that Mashatile would not be a bad choice to lead the ANC, explaining that Mashatile could attract the popular vote in 2024 to mitigate against the party’s bad press. COALITION GOVERNMENTS He said recent developments in the country’s political arena were “heart-breaking for voters”, referring to coalition governments in Nelson Mandela Bay and in the City of Johannesburg. “A lot of people would have chosen an alternative to the ANC, voted for it and said ‘Well, even if I voted DA and they work with ActionSA and the IFP at least these guys can form something’. The collapse, and high profile collapse, we have seen in the City of Johannesburg leads to a certain disgruntlement with the political establishment so people will be asking themselves why should I be voting for a small party, what is the point because they going to collapse at coalition,” he said. He noted that while coalition governments had worked in some parts of the world, he believed that some had been very damaging in recent times. He suggested that the City of Johannesburg prepare for a coalition government again in the 2024 election, and added that the ANC would have to rethink how it worked with the EFF, IFP, and others in a coalition. PROGRESS DURING RAMAPHOSA’S PRESIDENCY Meanwhile, Malala said he has not seen the kind of speed and resoluteness needed to achieve the results which Ramaphosa set out to achieve when he became President. He highlighted that the country’s problems were massive, specifically referring to “catastrophic youth unemployment” in an economy that had hundreds of thousands of youth coming into the system every year and that was only growing at 1%. He said government was adding to tensions that could lead to actions such as the 2021 July unrest. Malala said he disagreed with former President Kgalema Motlanthe who said the ANC had heard the alarm bells ringing for change in the party. Malala explained that he was not convinced that the ANC was talking renewal and leadership changes, saying the party’s momentum unfortunately included usage of State resources for its own enrichment a...
The Gauteng High Court is set to hear the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) case on overturning, what the party calls the “unlawful City of Johannesburg council meeting”, on October 18. As submitted to the High Court, the DA wants ousted City of Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse, along with the executives of the City, to continue in office. Phalatse was removed as the mayor of Johannesburg in a special sitting and replaced with African National Congress (ANC) councillor Dada Morero. Last week Phalatse launched a court bid to overturn her removal as Johannesburg mayor. “The Council events of that day saw the laws of the country and Rules of Council thrown to one side, in a desperate grab at power by a corrupt cabal whose only goal is to control and corrupt the City’s R77.3-billion budget,” Phalatse stated. She said this was not about the positions that members hold or once held, but rather was about the rule of law. “Whether we go back into government is one issue, but our removal from Government and the preceding events were illegal. And, therefore, as legislators who swore to obey, respect and uphold the Constitution and all other laws of the Republic of South Africa, it would be wrong of us to simply ‘let this go’ on that basis alone,” Phalatse added. The DA wants the High Court to declare the decision of the Programming Committee of Council taken on September 29 to place a motion of no confidence in Phalatse on the agenda for the Extraordinary Council Meeting on September 30, as unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid. The party also wants the High Court to declare the decision by Speaker Colleen Makhubela on September 29, to schedule an Extraordinary Meeting of Council for September 30 as unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid. The DA is seeking a cost order and a personal cost order on Makhubele. Phalatse warned that service delivery would collapse under the “illegally installed government”. “We have been informed that the illegitimate ANC-administration has issued a directive that all the City’s Entity Boards be replaced in order to appoint their own people to continue facilitating their looting and corruption. We are concerned about what will happen to the Entities and service delivery through this move, hence we will put pressure on the courts to reinstate the legitimate government for our residents,” she explained. She highlighted that the events leading up to the September 30th removal of the Multi-Party Government were a political hit not just on the law, but also on the work the party was doing to stop corruption and advance a pragmatic service delivery programme that was already showing results.
After a term in which opposition parties criticised the African National Congress (ANC) caucus for its failure to uphold the Constitution – which they swore to do when they became MPs – a senior ANC MP likened the opposition to fascists and accused the media of not reporting on the party's "tremendous success" in Parliament. Ahead of Parliament's fourth term for the year getting underway after a brief recess, the chairperson of the ANC caucus, Seiso Mohai, penned a missive with regard to the third term, which was released to the media at the weekend. In the letter, he criticised the opposition and the media. The term saw the ANC circle the wagons around President Cyril Ramaphosa, as opposition parties turned up the heat over the allegations around the break-in at his Limpopo game farm, Phala Phala. In August, after Ramaphosa refused to answer a question on Phala Phala, the ANC alleged that he did, indeed, answer the question. In September, the ANC nixed a DA motion to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate Phala Phala, using a discredited notion that other agencies must first investigate before it comes to Parliament. This is the same excuse the ANC used not to appoint an ad hoc committee into state capture, and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo rubbished this reasoning in his report. "Leaving it exclusively to other agencies to investigate and, if necessary, to take action regarding these allegations, at this time, was not in the commission's view consistent with Parliament's constitutional responsibilities," the Zondo report read. The third term also saw the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) disrupting plenaries, with some of their members physically removed from the chambers. This is what led Mohai to the history books, comparing Julius Malema's red overalls to Adolf Hitler's Brownshirts and Benito Mussolini's Blackshirts, even though he never mentioned the EFF by name when he wrote about fascism. "When historians write about Parliament's third term of 2022, they will most likely remark about the attempt by minority opposition political parties, with less than a third of seats in the National Assembly, to dominate the house through coercion and bullying. The events of this term have a historical ring to them (sic)," wrote Mohai. "The attacks on democracy by some of the South African opposition parties, with the uncritical complicity of some in the media, I might add, have been concentrated on the head of state, President Cyril Ramaphosa." He complained that by disrupting National Assembly sittings to "force the president to account on a matter still under investigation by other state agencies, opposition parties have taken a leaf out of Mussolini and Hitler's playbook". "They use the most vulgar language, threats and actual violence to drown out the voices of the elected representatives of the majority party and abuse opposition party leaders who disagree with them. "When the Speaker calls upon the Parliamentary Protection Services to restore order, the same politicians project themselves as victims of unfair rulings by the Speaker." Mohai said the ANC caucus and presiding officers in Parliament are "often projected as lackeys of the Executive by the media". "The reality, however, is different. In the seven weeks of the third term, Parliament had a week-long capacity-building course for MPs. It hosted successful question and answer sessions for the president, deputy president, and all the ministers in the NA and NCOP, adopting many committee reports and legislation. The NCOP held a successful local government week, which discussed solutions to the multiple challenges facing our municipalities. "In the NA, we dealt with pressing matters, like fuel prices and the criminal vandalisation of public infrastructure. We passed consequential legislation, including the Children's Amendment Bill, Traditional Courts Bill and the Expropriation Bill. Incidentally, the vote on the Expropriation Bill exposed the duplicity of the EFF. This...
Former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of News24 specialist legal journalist Karyn Maughan and senior State advocate Billy Downer got under way in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday. The matter was adjourned to 2 February 2023, with an urgent application by Maughan to be heard in December. Maughan's urgent application was postponed due to a conflict of interest on the part of Judge Rishi Seegobin. He did not elaborate on what these are. Downer has launched his own application to have the private prosecution declared an abuse of court processes. The applications by Maughan and Downer will not be joined, but are likely to be heard one after the other. During Monday's proceedings before Judge Nkosinathi Chili, Zuma's advocate Dali Mpofu conceded that the private prosecution was "unique" and "even strange" for him as a legal practitioner. He said it was also "unique" because Zuma, a former president, was the private prosecutor. Mpofu said Zuma had put down a R500 000 deposit to continue with the prosecution. Advocate Wim Trengove SC, representing Downer, told Chili they had launched an application against the private prosecution and would ask the court to hear it. Zuma has accused Maughan of colluding with the State to publish his medical records without his permission. Zuma wants Maughan's urgent application to be dismissed, arguing that he was entitled to prosecute the journalist. The charges against Maughan and Downer relate to News24's publication of an update on Zuma's medical condition. The medical document was attached to court papers lodged at the High Court in 2021. Documents filed with the court are deemed to be public records unless a judge instructs otherwise. There was no instruction in this instance. It didn't reveal details of Zuma's condition. Last month, Maughan filed an urgent application asking the court to set aside Zuma's prosecution. She argued that the summons issued against her by Zuma's legal team was a gross abuse of court processes and, therefore, should be thrown out. She said the former president had not obtained a nolle prosequi (a Latin phrase that translates to "not wishing to prosecute") certificate from the Director of Public Prosecutions to entitle him to institute a private prosecution against her. In addition, she said Zuma lacked standing to institute the private prosecution. "He has no substantial and peculiar interest in the issue of the trial since he has personally suffered no injury as a consequence of the offence he alleges I have committed."
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have wished the people of Lesotho a peaceful and fair election, with the hope that it will be a catalyst for change in the country. Voters head to the polls on Friday to vote in an election that follows years of political instability. "The EFF hopes to see a solution to the socio-political and economic problems in the country and is calling on Lesotho voters to cast votes for the "young and dynamic revolutionary activists", the Lesotho Economic Freedom Fighters (LEFF). “All political parties in Lesotho have failed to bring the much needed stability and progress of the people. It is only the EFF that will bring much needed stability and economic emancipation for the people of Lesotho,” the EFF said. The party also urged non-violence from all parties, including the LEFF.
Load shedding will be suspended at 05:00 on Saturday morning due to lower weekend demand and adequate emergency generation reserves, Eskom said in a statement on Friday. The embattled power utility has implemented a record spell of unbroken rolling power cuts as it suffered a series of breakdowns at many of its key power stations in recent weeks. "While the generation capacity constraints persist, the suspension of loadshedding is possible due to the anticipated lower weekend demand, as well as adequate levels of emergency generation reserves. Eskom will publish a further update on Sunday afternoon, or as soon as there are any significant changes. Since yesterday afternoon a generation unit each at Camden, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Kendal, Kriel, Majuba and Tutuka power stations have returned to service," spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said. A generating unit at Duvha Power Station was taken offline to be repaired. Eskom currently has 5 512 MW on planned maintenance, with another 13 484 MW out due to breakdowns.
Friday officially marked the end of former president Jacob Zuma's prison sentence for being in contempt of court. The Constitutional Court sentenced him to 15 months in jail in its judgment on 29 June last year and he was admitted on 8 July 2021. He was subsequently placed on medical parole on 5 September 2021. If Zuma had not been granted medical parole, Friday 7 October would have been his prison release date. "Medical parole placement meant that Mr Zuma was to serve the remainder of his sentence under Kranskop Community Corrections. Essentially, Mr Zuma complied with his conditions for medical parole as set out during his placement," said correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo. "All administrative processes have now been concluded and the sentence expiry date marks the end of him serving his sentence under community corrections."
Retaining suspended managers found to be conducting business with the state and paying them a salary is required in law while the official is still being investigated and not found guilty of any offence. This was the reason given by acting Minister of Public Service and Administration Thulas Nxesi, in his response to a written parliamentary question from EFF MP Rosina Ntshetsana Komane, who wanted the reasons behind the government's decision to retain managers who were found doing business with the state. “When a person is suspended, it does not mean the person is guilty of an offence. An employee is only placed on suspension when there is a real fear that the person will intimidate witnesses and/or tamper with (or destroy) evidence. Suspension is, therefore, a measure to ensure a disciplinary hearing continues without interruption and not an indication of guilt,” Nxesi said. Previously, News24 reported that the government had not recovered a single cent from dodgy public servants doing business with the state. Law enforcement agencies were assisting the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to identify the culprits. However, in most cases still under investigation, no money had been recouped. Furthermore, Nxesi said while employees were still being investigated for conducting business with the state, they would receive their full salary even if they were suspended. “Only once a disciplinary process is concluded and a person is found guilty and sanctioned to be dismissed, that employee’s salary will be terminated. Other than that, it would be illegal to stop an employee’s salary,” he added. The government had around 1 500 employees in its sight for doing business with the state, but said few would be apprehended as many resigned before being held liable. At the end of April 2020, the department found 1 539 government employees were conducting business with the state, of which 1 111 were working at provincial and 428 at national departments. The National Treasury started a process in 2017 to identify government employees doing business with the state. In KwaZulu-Natal, employees at 13 provincial departments were possibly doing business with an organ of state. In Gauteng, public servants at 11 provincial departments were possibly conducting business with the state. In the troubled North West, eight departments have employees possibly doing business with the state. In the Eastern Cape, staff at 11 provincial departments could have possibly scored tenders from the government. Employees at nine Limpopo provincial departments were alleged to have done business with the state. Public servants at 10 Mpumalanga government departments were allegedly doing business with the state. In the Free State, the same number of departments had employees doing business with an organ of the state.
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says there haven't been cancellations by German tourists who had booked trips to South Africa following the murder of a German visitor on Monday. Sisulu briefed the media on Wednesday about her department's response to the incident, which claimed the life of a 67-year-old German tourist. He was shot dead in Numbi, Mpumalanga. The man and three other tourists, including his wife, were ambushed by three armed men near the Kruger National Park. "There hasn't been anybody who has pulled out of their trips. We wanted to have a press conference to show everyone that we are on top of the situation and that we are looking into our hotels to increase the safety of our tourists," Sisulu said. The minister and tourism stakeholders met the three other tourists, who asked not to be identified, at OR Tambo International Airport. Sisulu tried hard to allay concerns about the safety of tourists and assured them that South Africa was safe for travellers. She said the incident was isolated, claiming that the German man was the third tourist death in the country in 27 years. "The only murder we have had – the Dewani case (Anni Hindocha's murder) – was a planned hit on the woman, and the other one was an accident in Cape Town," Sisulu said. Although Sisulu did not say how many tourists were robbed during the same period, she said the government had successfully addressed their robbery complaints in the past. "A few years ago, tourists would complain that they were followed from Johannesburg airport and robbed along the way to their hotel. The former minister looked into this matter, and we ensured that everyone who comes into the airport is followed through and warned about the possibility of being followed," she said. German Ambassador Andreas Peschke commended the government's swift response and acknowledgment of its responsibility to ensure tourist safety. He said Germany was one of South Africa's biggest tourism markets, and efforts to attract more visitors from that country would continue. "[Germany] is the third largest tourism market for South Africa... We still plan to bring a direct flight from Germany to Mbombela (in Mpumalanga) to increase the possibilities of exploring this beautiful country... We have the impression that the government is fully aware of the situation and is taking the necessary steps. We are ready to cooperate," he said. The three German tourists who survived Monday's incident flew back home on Wednesday after arriving in the country on 20 September. According to the tourism department, they spent their first five nights in Cape Town, and the next four nights in Durban. They then travelled to the Drakensberg, where they stayed for two nights. They were driving to their accommodation in the Kruger National Park when they encountered the armed men on Monday. Sisulu said the tourist's body would be repatriated to Germany on Thursday. His wife had asked to travel with it on Wednesday, but this was not possible. "We hired a plane from Mpumalanga because we intended that the wife should take the body back home. She had wanted to take the body home because she wanted to arrive with her husband so that her children were assured that he was finally back home, but this could not happen because of the German immigration requirements. We will be here at the airport tomorrow (Thursday) to ensure there is a good send-off of the body back home." While police indicated in a statement on Wednesday evening that three people had been taken in for questioning in connection with the murder, Police Minister Bheki Cele said the suspects had been arrested.
Gauteng has a new premier in former MEC for education Panyaza Lesufi who was elected during a special sitting of the legislature on Thursday. Lesufi defeated Democratic Alliance candidate Solly Msimanga by 16 votes. He received 38 of the 60 votes that were cast while Msimanga got 22. There were 13 members that did not vote. His election comes as a result of the resignation of former premier David Makhura who has been at the helm of the province since 2014.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg said the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ousted Johannesburg City Mayor Mpho Phalatse were desperately trying to hang on to power. On Monday the DA and Phalatse submitted papers at the Gauteng High Court to try to reverse Phalatse’s removal from office and the election of Dada Morero as the new mayor. ANC Johannesburg secretary Sasabona Manganye said the latest moves by the DA and Phalatse confirm their “arrogance and anti-democratic tendencies” that had led to a failed multi-party government in Johannesburg. “We have taken note of papers submitted to the Speaker of Council Colleen Makhubele and the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg and are confident that both the Speaker and Mayor will successfully defend the matter and not be distracted from the immediate tasks that require their attention, that being serving the residents of Johannesburg,” said Manganye.
Incoming Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to reshuffle his cabinet when he assumes office, the African National Congress's (ANC's) provincial executive committee (PEC) said during a press briefing on Wednesday. Provincial secretary Thembinkosi "TK" Nciza said "the new premier always comes with his own cabinet". Nciza refused to comment further on Lesufi's replacement. "We will have to await the new premier's announcement of his own cabinet; it's his prerogative," Nciza said. He warned that no one "owns any positions within the ANC" and that members should not take offence if they are moved to a different portfolio or if they are not considered for any of the 10 MEC positions. Lesufi declined to comment on the looming reshuffle and said: "I don't even have a draft list as it stands. "The choice does not lay entirely with me; I must consult with the ANC and then the alliance before we can announce the new MECs," he said. PEC members who were part of the deliberations said Finance and e-Government MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, who was Education MEC for a day in May 2019, could replace Lesufi. A PEC member who spoke to News24 on condition of anonymity added that Bandile Masuku, a staunch ally of the incoming premier, was another name that was mentioned. "While Masuku's name has been discussed, the province is aware that it would be a hard sell to the ANC national office bearers and alliance partners, given the allegations that led to him vacating his position as Health MEC," the PEC member said. Talks of a possible reshuffle come after the ANC in the province received and accepted the resignation of outgoing premier, David Makhura. Transition The PEC said on Wednesday: "The resignation by Makhura was informed by his desire to facilitate a smooth transition and to afford the newly elected provincial leadership space to run a far-sighted and inventive campaign towards the 2024 general elections." Makhura served as the province's sixth premier since 2014. Taking over the reins, Lesufi said the ANC in the province had a clear plan on how to turn around declining electoral support. He added that the provincial leadership had a plan in place in the lead-up to the looming national elections, which it kickstarted through meetings with every ANC branch in the province, outlining its vision and how to take the party forward.
Ousted City of Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse said on Wednesday she and her party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), were confident the Gauteng High Court will declare last week’s council meeting in whch she was ousted a mayor irregular and unlawful. Phalatse was removed as the mayor of Johannesburg in a special sitting and replaced with African National Congress (ANC) councillor Dada Morero. On Monday, Phalatse launched a court bid to overturn her removal as Johannesburg mayor. The matter will be heard on October 11. “I will continue to fight with and for the people of Johannesburg, and the next round of that fight is our court application to have last Friday’s sham council sitting declared unlawful. The sitting, rushed through by the new Speaker Colleen Makhubele, in order to vote me out of office before a court could stop her, was irregular and unlawful and we are confident that the court ruling will confirm this,” she said. She said this fight was not hers but that it was for the people of Johannesburg and added that the DA needs to fight on principle. Briefing the media, Phalatse introduced herself as Johannesburg’s Mayor - despite the council having appointed Morero. “I introduced myself as Johannesburg’s Mayor because I believe that sitting was a sham, and the decisions taken there unlawful. I believe a court will soon confirm this view. As far as I’m concerned, I still have a duty of service to the residents of Johannesburg - a duty which I intend to perform to the best of my ability,” she said. She stated that she would not back down at the hands of a takeover by a corrupt few. She asserted that she would keep the promises she made to the residents of Johannesburg before last year’s elections, and when she took office in January. Phalatse went on to say that the recent events in the Johannesburg Council have dealt a major blow to the progress the DA made in the City since the beginning of the year. “Turning Johannesburg around after decades of corruption and mismanagement was never going to be quick or easy, but I am proud to say that our coalition government has made great strides in a very short time,” she said. She cited the R2.8-billion invested in the city’s water infrastructure, a 157% increase in the arrest of cable thieves, and the 1 800 new JMPD officers deployed in the inner city. However, she said all the successes were brought to a halt last week when the ANC was let back into office. The DA will ask the court to set aside all decisions taken by Morero since his appointment. “And then I want to get back to work, because every day wasted on these cynical plots and schemes is a day we could have spent fixing something in this broken city. We have so much to do and we really cannot afford this distraction,” she said. RIFT IN THE PARTY Phalatse dispelled speculation that there was a rift in the party and affirmed that she had the full backing of the DA and its national leadership. “And we have always remained united in our mission, which is to offer Johannesburg’s 6-million residents a government that truly cares for them. Our work here, to bring dignity to Johannesburg’s vulnerable and neglected communities, and to restore this city to its rightful place as this continent’s beating economic heart, has only just begun,” she added. She highlighted that it was a pity that some who have abandoned the multi-party coalition have now given power back to the ANC. She called on coalition partners to reconsider. “They have shown that a vote for parties that let us down is actually a vote for the ANC. I will not allow the coalition of corruption to simply waltz back in and undo everything we’ve accomplished here,” said Phalatse.
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy on Tuesday appealed to the Mpumalanga police to find the perpetrators who killed a German tourist. A group of German tourists was travelling to a Mdluli community-owned safari lodge, in Mpumalanga, when they were held up by a group on the Numbi road on Monday afternoon. One member of the group of four tourists was shot and killed during the attack. Creecy condemned the crime and added that the tourist’s murder will undermine the country’s tourism recovery and job creation as it emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. “The killing of a foreign tourist to South Africa is detrimental to the country’s attempts to recover from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The safari lodge, which opened its doors to the public shortly before the international travel ban to stem the spread of the pandemic, employs 200 local community members comprising 95% of the staff complement. These men and women are also part of a skills development programme,” explained Creecy. She said police should work tirelessly to bring the murderers to book.
A special sitting of the Gauteng provincial legislature has been called for Thursday where a new premier will be sworn into office. Gauteng Premier David Makhura and the Gauteng African National Congress (ANC) had indicated his departure from the position last month. Makhura said he was not being forced out of office and that it was his desire that a new person take over the helms of province just before the 2024 elections. The leadership shift in the province follows the election of Panyaza Lesufi as the Gauteng ANC chairperson. Lesufi is believed to be the person likely to replace Makhura. Three preferred names were picked by the province which included Lesufi.
Former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse has asked the High Court to set aside decisions taken by Dada Morero in the interest of justice because he was unlawfully appointed as the new mayor. Phalatse said council Speaker Colleen Makhubele had an ulterior political motive when she "unlawfully" called for an extraordinary council sitting which saw her being removed as mayor. The former mayor and the Democratic Alliance (DA) argued in court papers, filed at the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, that Makhubele wanted to help her political allies and disregarded councillors when she approved Friday's special council sitting. The court application was filed on Monday. The DA wants the following declared unlawful and unconstitutional: the programming meeting held on 29 September, which rubber-stamped the extraordinary sitting; the council sitting held on 30 September; Phalatse's removal and Morero's election as the new mayor for Johannesburg. In an affidavit, Phalaatse conceded Makhubele had the powers to call a special sitting, but took issue with the importance of the matter to be discussed which was the motion of no confidence against her. Phalatse said despite these powers and council rules did not specify the notice that must be issued for the sitting, councillors were supposed to be allowed at least three days to prepare for the meeting and ensure they could attend. The DA Johannesburg leader added if less than three days were required for the sitting, Makhubele should have justified the urgency for the motion to be debated. She said the decision was unlawful because it violated the Municipal Structures Act. "The notice, in this case, met neither of the requirements. Councillors were only given 20 hours' notice that there would be a council meeting. And at best, 16 hours that a motion of no confidence would be debated. "The urgency was entirely unjustified. The motion of no confidence in me had been pending against me for more than two months. Nothing had happened to suddenly make it so urgent less than a day's notice should be given to moving the motion," Phalatse said. She added Makhubele had political motives in fast-tracking her removal to achieve a political advantage for herself and her allies. "I am advised that it is contrary to the principles of legality to act for an ulterior purpose not permitted by an empowering provision. That is what Colleen Makhubele has done. Her decision must be set aside for that reason." Phalatse argued the council meeting was illegal because the programming committee that approved it did not quorate because the DA and other political parties had walked out. Another argument for the former mayor was the special sitting was unlawful because DA councillors present were not allowed to speak, Makhubele denied the DA a caucus break, and the motion of no confidence was not debated. Phalatse said the court should treat the case with urgency for herself and the residents of Johannesburg. She also asked the court to set aside and review any decisions Morero had taken while in office. "My removal as mayor was an abuse of power. Should I return to the office, I should not return to be faced with decisions taken by an unlawfully appointed mayor. It is in the interest of justice to set aside all these decisions," Phalatse argued. The case will be heard next Tuesday.
On Monday, the Western Cape High Court ordered that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) provide Toto Investment Holdings with all confidential documents pertaining to their decision to sell a 51% stake of South African Airways (SAA). But the court turned down Toto's application to halt the sale of shares of SAA, punishing it with costs. Judge Nathan Erasmus ordered that Gordhan and the DPE provide a non-confidential record and a confidential one and that all parties in the litigation be bound by confidentiality agreements. Toto Investment Holdings, an unsuccessful bidder for some of the assets of SAA, has launched an application to have the sale to Takatso's parent company Harith set aside. This application is to be heard at the end of January 2023. In terms of the uniform rules of court, Gordhan and DPE were compelled to provide the record of decision for the transaction. But only a part of the record was handed over to Toto, as Gordhan and his department argued that crucial parts of it could not be disclosed due to commercial sensitivity. They said that some records must remain confidential. Erasmus ordered that for purposes of the case management of the January hearing, these records must be disclosed within 20 days of Monday's order. They will remain confidential and only parties to the litigation may be present in court when they are aired. Monday's order followed an urgent application by Toto last Wednesday to force Gordhan to provide the record. The applicants also asked the court to interdict the sale of shares to Takatso. Erasmus dismissed the application with costs on several grounds. Among the reasons was that Toto could have applied for an interdict last year when the sale was first announced, but opted not to. Toto had also failed to join Takatso as a party, citing instead its parent company Harith as a respondent. Despite the dismissal, Erasmus said that he had the "obligation and authority" to ensure that the process was appropriately managed, leading up to hearing of the main application in January. With the approval of the Judge President of the Western Cape High Court, Erasmus said he would case manage the matter, the first step of which was to regulate the furnishing of confidential documentation under a confidentiality regime.
ActionSA Gauteng Chairperson Bongani Baloyi has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of destabilising the coalition in the City of Johannesburg “in the interest of power and position”. ActionSA briefed the media following the collapse of the multi-party government in the municipality. The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Mpho Phalatse was voted out as City of Johannesburg mayor in a motion of no-confidence against her last week. The African National Congress's Dada Morero was voted in as the new mayor. Baloyi announced that there is no coalition arrangement in the City of Johannesburg moving forward and added that his party has accepted the “new reality” that they are now an opposition party. He promised that ActionSA will be a formidable opposition by ensuring that a budget approved is affected and by holding the executive accountable. “We are going to do our part. We have decided to place the residents ahead of everything else and ensure that they will get the services that they need,” Baloyi stated. ActionSA wished former mayor Phalatse well and added that despite her removal she was a great leader of the now disbanded coalition. “We are not there subserving into the will and the whim of the DA and to help it govern. No one won, there is no majority party there. All of us are the same. It’s important that the coalition appreciates theses dynamics and also acts in the best interest of stabilising our coalition by making sure that the members’ participation is deepened and that you don’t have the same party occupying the key leadership positions, that being the speaker, the chief whip and the executive mayor,” said Baloyi.
As the Presidential Employment Stimulus reaches a milestone of one-million participants, President Cyril Ramaphosa assured that government will continue to build on the success of the programme and expand its reach. The Presidential Employment Stimulus was launched less than two years ago as part of government’s economic recovery plan during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many South Africans lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic and the programme was created in response. In his weekly newsletter to the nation, Ramaphosa attributed the achievement to a collaborative effort between government, the private sector, community-based organisations and others. “As we pursue economic growth to deliver decent and sustainable employment at a much larger scale, we will continue to build on the success of the Presidential Employment Stimulus and expand its reach. It is still very much needed to complement recovery of the job market. It also supports that economic recovery in important ways,” the President said. Highlighting some of the achievements of the programme, Ramaphosa revealed that almost 600 000 young people have been placed as school assistants in over 22 000 schools across the country. He said school management, teachers and other stakeholders all agree that school assistants have improved the learning environment in schools. Over 140 000 subsistence farmers have received production input vouchers to assist them following the disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Presidential Employment Stimulus is also supporting graduates with the help of universities, 26 of which are helping place unemployed graduates in work relevant to their qualifications. “The Department of Science and Innovation has introduced a range of innovative citizen science programmes, such as the Duzi uMngeni Conservation Trust, which employs local youth as Enviro-Champs to empower communities to rehabilitate local water sources. Another programme by the department helps entrepreneurs to develop business proposals in the green economy,” explained Ramaphosa. The President added that government wants to expand and deepen the impact of graduate hiring and he urged businesses to hire young people with newly-acquired work experience as they leave these programmes. “Once employers see the Presidential Youth Stimulus as a place to find young talent, then we will be able to realise the full potential of this innovative and hugely successful initiative,” he said.
Swiss Engineering firm Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) says it has put aside $325-million (about R6-billion) as a provision to cover costs related to corruption probes at Kusile power station. On Friday, the Zurich-headquartered firm said it was cooperating fully with the authorities and "hopes to reach a final settlement with them in the near term". ABB won a R2.2-billion contract for work at Kusile in 2015. Its subsequent subcontracting of some of the work out to a company called Impulse International is being probed by authorities. In July, two former South African ABB employees and their wives were arrested in connection with kickbacks allegedly paid by Impulse to ABB for inflated contracts. ABB South Africa has already paid back R1.56-billion as part of a settlement reached in 2020. At the time, it warned that it may have to pay more based on further reviews of its work at Eskom.
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla announced that the Health Department is considering a phased approach investment in renewable energy, specifically solar power installations at health facilities, as part of an energy mix. South Africa is currently facing it longest bout of load-shedding, which is negatively affecting businesses and health facilities such as hospitals and clinics. Phaahla said the impact of load-shedding on the provision of healthcare services cannot be underestimated or overemphasised. Nine hospitals in Gauteng have been excluded from load-shedding, one in the Free State; thirteen in KwaZulu-Natal; four hospitals in Limpopo; five in the Eastern Cape and three in the Western Cape. Three hospitals in the Northern Cape and two in Mpumalanga are waiting response from Eskom. Phaahla said the exemptions were done in collaboration with his department, Eskom and municipalities. Meanwhile, he said the proposed energy mix needed a feasibility study before plans progressed. Solarised energy will be prioritised for areas such as theatres, Intensive Care Units, high-tech and advanced equipment, he said. “We would like to ensure that all facilities have Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) technology to improve the reliability and efficiency of an electrical system across an entire hospital facility to sustain critical services and data protection for its patients and staff,” he said. Phaahla said in terms of the department’s response to the disruptive challenges caused by load-shedding, the Health Department has developed a multifaceted strategy for immediate short- and long-term implementation. He said the criteria for hospital exclusion include the volume of patients, the nature of specialised services they provide and the technological and medical equipment they have. “These are mostly academic, regional and district hospitals. The exclusions or exemptions do not mean the facilities should use electricity without limitations, we have made it clear to Eskom that we have joined their call to ensure that even our health facilities use electricity sparingly, productively and purposefully at all times,” he added. He announced that his department is further engaging the National Treasury to discuss the additional budget implications to sustain the load-shedding contingency plans, including an unbudgeted increase in diesel and oil expenditure to run the generators and maintenance costs. “The Department has committed to work with Eskom to install, where required, the dedicated feeder line that isolates the power supply line of the facility from that of the rest of the community. We will, together with Eskom, consider the costs of these infrastructures as we view it as a necessary investment to ensure the long-term exemption of all facilities,” said Phaahla. He added that load-shedding compels the Health Department to revise its plans and costs when constructing new facilities to include new sources of energy – renewables– over and above generators. In addition, the Department must ensure the installation of the dedicated feeder line to avoid the current exercise of reconfiguring the electricity networks.
The African National Congress's (ANC's) Dada Morero is the City of Johannesburg's new mayor-elect after the ousting of Mpho Phalatse. Morero stood unopposed. Today's developments come after a tumultuous period in which the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Vasco da Gama was voted out as speaker of the Johannesburg council. On Thursday, new speaker Colleen Makhubele of Cope called a special sitting of council for today, just days after being elected. Phalatse was voted out as mayor in a motion of no-confidence this afternoon. Of the 145 councillors who signed the register, 139 voted to pass the motion. The Inkatha Freedom Party, and a member of the DA-led coalition abstained. This happened whilst the DA was in the High Court seeking an urgent interdict against the meeting.
National Treasury has banned consultancy Bain & Co. from tendering for public sector contracts for a period of 10 years. "The effective date of restriction is 5 September 2022 until 4 September 2032 for engaging in corrupt and fraudulent practices related to a SARS [SA Revenue Service] contract," Treasury said in a statement on Thursday. "This restriction has been published on the National Treasury website and database for restricted suppliers. The restriction will apply to any other contract for services awarded to Bain & Co in the public sector." Treasury said it was, in collaboration with SARS, "in the process of restricting Bain & Co, South African Directors through a phased approach." The decision to ban the company comes seven weeks after the UK government banned it from competing for state contracts for three years. While National Treasury's acting director-general, Ismail Momoniat, previously called on companies in the private sector to not do business with Bain, Thursday's announcement is the first time that Bain has been banned from public work in South Africa. While Bain has acknowledged making "serious mistakes" in its work for SARS, it has consistently denied that its representatives "knowingly" participated in state capture or an effort to "damage SARS". It has also launched a legal challenge against its ban from state contacts in the UK.
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, the price of 95 unleaded petrol is expected to fall by around R2.35 a litre on Wednesday. The price of 93 petrol could drop by around R2.18 a litre. Diesel looks set to be reduced by between 77c and 87c a litre. The price of illuminating paraffin is also on track to fall by 82c a litre. The fuel prices are usually adjusted on the first Wednesday of a month and determined by the price of oil and the rand-dollar exchange rate. The Automobile Association (AA) says the price for 95 fuel in Gauteng looks set to drop from its current R25.42/l to R23.07/l. "This is cheaper than the June price of R24.17/l but still significantly higher than R21.84/l May pricing. It is also way off the January pricing of R19.61/l. Nevertheless, any decrease to fuel prices is good news," notes the AA. After hitting a high of $123 a barrel in March, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, oil prices slumped to $92 in August amid concerns about the weak state of the world economy and the possibility about a new nuclear deal between Iran and the West. A deal would mean that Iran's crude output of 2.5-million barrels per day would no longer be under international sanctions and help relieve supply constraints that have been pushing up prices. On Friday, Brent crude oil was trading around $95 a barrel. Meanwhile, the rand, which started August at around R16.60/$, has since crashed through R17.30 on Friday amid expectations that the US will keep interest rates higher for longer. "Although we are expecting fuel to be cheaper in September, we remain concerned about the overall high prices which impact on all consumers. The price hikes in June and July will continue to impact the economy, and on the financial situation of all South Africans. A sustainable solution to mitigating rising fuel costs is still necessary and until that solution is found, citizens will be at the mercy of fuel price hikes," said the AA. It wants government to review the fuel price urgently, but doesn't believe scrapping the General Fuel Levy is the solution. "We note the calls by those who say this is a way of reducing the fuel price but in our view this will not solve the problem; it will simply force government to find alternative ways to collect the revenue generated by this tax. Instead, the structure and composition of the fuel price must be considered, along with a deeper interrogation of how government currently allocates its funds," says the AA.
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) said on Friday that it is inspired and has been galvanised into action following recent engagements with former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. Last week the newly elected provincial leadership, led by ANC chairperson Siboniso Duma and his deputy Nomagugu Simelane, visited Zuma at his Nkandla homestead. Addressing the media in Durban to report on the recent PEC meeting, ANC KZN secretary Bheki Mtolo said that if Zuma and Mbeki’s contributions and wisdom were not acknowledged then the commitment to unite the ANC would remain a pipedream. He said, in its meeting, the KZN ANC PEC committed to revive the organisation and unite members and supporters in a manner that would strengthen the ANC. Mtolo said the party would "spread the light of unity, and respect for all our leaders for their contributions that brought us freedom and democracy”. On the issue of social compacts with businesses, emerging entrepreneurs and labour, the PEC engaged on strategies required to sustain economic recovery for the benefit of the people in the province. The ANC met with captains of industry under the auspices of the KZN Growth Coalition, and has undertaken to sustain engagements with all structures representing cooperatives, small, medium-sized and microenterprises, emerging entrepreneurs and business chambers. Central to the organisation’s economic strategy is a new social compact involving all role-players, such as business, labour, community and the ANC government, for radical economic transformation. “We remain committed towards ensuring economic empowerment of women, youth, persons with disabilities and MKMVA. Economic opportunities must be accessed by people in townships, villages and rural areas,” Mtolo said. The PEC has also resolved to support Zuma moving forward, by ensuring visibility in all his court appearances. “We are calling upon the ANC government to ensure that President Zuma is supported like all former Presidents. His residence must also be maintained as is the case with residences of former Heads of State,” said Mtolo. On the issue of the Ingonyama Trust which has been receiving media attention, the PEC will consult with the Zulu King MisuZulu ka Zwelithini. THE PEC says the ANC remains firm in its support of the King and the organisation and added that the party has not changed from its position that indigenous people have a right to access the land. Reporting on the party’s election campaign team, Mtolo said the leadership had identified the need to revive all branches not in good standing and increase membership. “There are many seasoned activists who are inactive. The ANC will bring them back to strengthen the ANC. We will focus on all the young people - children of a free South Africa who were born when Madiba was President. We want them to come in, grow in the ANC and inherit their movement,” he added. As the ANC prepares for the 2024 provincial and national elections, the PEC hopes to retain support for the ANC as the leading party of government. To achieve that, it has established an ANC election campaign team, dedicated to planning and executing campaigns. As part of this campaign, all ANC leaders, volunteers and public representatives will be on the ground to explain the party’s policies and programmes at grassroots level, while branches will go out to mobilise support for the ANC. The PEC also appointed Mafika Mndebele as the new spokesperson of the ANC in the province. Mndebele is expected to lead all communication efforts aimed at bridging the gap between the ANC in the province and the media.
Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) executive secretary Lawson Naidoo argued on Friday that South Africa’s electoral system should be determined by voters and not by political parties. He was speaking in Johannesburg during the Electoral Reform Indaba, organised by CASAC, My Vote Counts, Rivonia Circle, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Defend our Democracy. Naidoo said given the inherent conflict that political parties had in choosing "the rules of the game" – as political parties determined the electoral system in Parliament – voters were left on the margins. He said the voter should determine the electoral system, whether through a comprehensive and satisfactory public participation process or through a referendum. “But as voters, the electoral system is ours, it does not belong to political parties. It is there to facilitate our participation in choosing our representatives and, therefore, we should have a say in that system itself,” Naidoo asserted. He said the country had an electoral system that detached people from what happened in Parliament and from what happened in society. He added that this was something citizens needed to turn around. “And that is why the reform of the electoral system is such a critical aspect of allowing us to facilitate the re-engagement of people with the politics of the country. Not necessarily by becoming members of political parties but by engaging in the political discourse and being able to feel confident that when you go to the ballot box your vote does count and is going to make a difference,” he said. ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL The Electoral Amendment Bill currently before Parliament did not facilitate free and fair elections, especially for independent candidates, Naidoo also argued. He said the current electoral system was twisted such that it did not accommodate independent candidates, and explained that the list system was unsuitable. “The reality is that if you are going to be able to effectively accommodate independent candidates, you need a constituency system of some sort, whether it be of a single member constituency, or even as the Van Zyl Slabbert report recommended, a multi-member constituency. It creates, firstly, a closer nexus between MPs and the electorate in that constituency, and secondly it gives independent candidates a better chance of winning seats than the current system does,” he explained. THE STATUS QUO Naidoo said there was deep reluctance by all political parties to change the status quo, albeit for different reasons. “The bigger parties want to hang on to the control that they have over their MPs . . . You fail to toe the party line, you will be removed from office. MPs, therefore, prostitute their oath of office to the party that puts them there rather than acting in the best interest of the people and the country,” he explained. He added that the current proportional representation list system allowed smaller parties a level of representation that they may otherwise not have under a different system. “So they too benefit from the current electoral system.” Naidoo highlighted that all of this was visible in the decrease in levels of confidence in elections and in the country’s democracy. He mentioned that if one looked at the statistics of voter turnout at elections in recent years, it should be a deep cause for concern for all citizens, especially young people who seems to be opting out. He noted that in the 2019 elections, of the 9-million eligible people who were not registered to vote, 6-million of those were aged between 18 and 29 years. He supposed that number had probably increased in the three years since.
"It wasn't a good week for the ID (Investigating Directorate), it was a good week for the country. And it was a good week for the country, who was extremely patient." These were the words of advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA's) Investigating Directorate. Johnson was buoyant when she reflected on the unit's breakthrough this week following the arrests of Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh, former Transnet executives who have been linked to the Gupta family's web of state capture. Speaking at News24's On the Record summit in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday, Johnson said the arrests of Molefe, Singh and two others on Tuesday was part of restoring South Africa's trust in the justice system. Johnson was part of a panel on state capture, titled State capture and corruption: How to eat the elephant? The panel was hosted by News24's assistant editor: investigations Pieter du Toit, and included Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac) executive director, advocate Lawson Naidoo, and News24's legal journalist Karyn Maughan. Johnson noted that South Africa had been extremely patient with the NPA in the face of a mountain of evidence of state capture and rampant corruption in government. Molefe, Transnet's former group chief executive, Singh, the parastatal's former finance chief, Niven Pillay, and Litha Nyhonyha, directors at Gupta-linked Regiments Capital, appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on the East Rand on Tuesday. The four are charged with contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and fraud. They were released on R50 000 bail each. The four men have been charged in the same case which has already led to another former Transnet group CEO, Siyabonga Gama, and others appearing in the dock. Johnson said the NPA was on track to fulfil its promise to place nine high-profile state capture cases on the court roll by September. This week's Transnet arrests were part of the fourth state capture-related case before the courts. One of the four cases is the R107-million corruption matter involving Gupta lieutenants Ronica Ragavan and Pushpaveni Govender, and former mineral resources deputy director-general Joel Raphela. They were charged for allegedly looting the rehabilitation funds of the Optimum and Koornfontein coal mines. Another case is the corruption, fraud and money laundering matter involving R549.6-million allegedly defrauded from Eskom in a contract issued to Impulse International. Johnson said the organisation was pursuing "strategic, impactful prosecutions" and not going after low-hanging fruit. "We have undertaken four. We have completed three. We have one to go. But we won't give you only one in September. And it's not because the ID wants to be popular. It is because it has a duty. So yes, the NPA will achieve its commitment of nine by the end of September." State capture in the NPA She said NPA employees implicated in state capture would be dealt with. "There was state capture in terms of the institution. We are very alive to the fact that those individuals that were complicit will be dealt with. I came to the NPA to do what I came to do. That is the attitude of the new management of the NPA. We will feel the effects of state capture across the country and the NPA for a very long time. But, there is a real change," she added. Johnson said for effective crime-busting, the ID should be made a permanent agency with a well-resourced team of investigators. "We have to build a skillful, fearless legal team." Johnson called for the ID to become a permanent unit in the NPA. Lamola agreed with Johnson that the ID's mandate should be made permanent. "We need to remember that when the president came in, we didn't have the ID. And the president felt that there is a need for an institution like the ID. The president gave it a term of five years, and we gave them support in terms of finances. They have th...
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo believes the African National Congress (ANC) may not have learnt its lesson, and should state capture happen again, the party would still use its majority to protect those implicated. "They are many questions that arise in the context of what I call the Gupta-Zuma state capture. One of them is why Parliament did not stop this," he said. "The evidence led before the commission was clear that Parliament had all the power to stop it but did not stop it because the majority party didn't want to stop it." Zondo, who chaired the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, was giving the keynote address at News24's On the Record Summit on Thursday. "Many times, opposition parties tabled motions for the establishment of inquiries to look into the allegations of the influence of the Guptas on the president. "A number of parties also tabled motions of no confidence into the president as a way of trying to stop this, but of course the majority party would have nothing to do with it." He said should "the Guptas be back and not in jail and be free in SA and started all over again, would Parliament act different [and prevent state capture]". "I doubt that they [MPs] would act differently because the evidence was quite clear that members of the majority party are not expected to support a motion of no confidence in the president of the country who belonged to their party. "Then the question arises if we are at risk of what happened again and Parliament not being able to act. These are matters that must be considered. They are very difficult matters." In his findings, Zondo blamed in the main ANC MPs for their unwillingness to expose allegations of malfeasance and corruption to public scrutiny. He said the National Assembly had a constitutional duty to exercise oversight over the executive, including organs of state such as state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and had failed dismally in this regard. "The problem here was not Parliament's ability to ferret out the truth [questions put in the National Assembly by opposition MPs elicited admission in this regard] but the ANC stance that there was nothing wrong with this," read one of Zondo's reports. On Thursday, the chief justice said, "of course, Parliament operates on the basis of the majority, and whatever decisions are taken by the majority stands". He, however, went on to say such governance needed to be interrogated now if it still served the needs of all South Africans or only the governing party. Zondo succinctly summarised the crux of his state capture findings and reiterated the commission had indeed uncovered state capture. "Many of us gathered here, and those who have read on state capture may be aware that internationally a definition of state capture includes changing laws and changing policies for benefactors to benefit from public funds. "The view we took [as the commission] in the contest of SA was to go back to the Public Protector's report, and it became clear to us that when you go to that report, the main focus of what the Public Protector had in mind was that there were allegations that the Gupta family was exercising undue influence on the head of state. "Through their proximity to him [then-president Jacob Zuma], the Guptas influenced decisions in governments and SOEs that were aimed at enriching themselves and their entities from public funds unlawfully," said Zondo.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that failures at a local government level are widening the trust deficit between national government and the citizenry. Ramaphosa was speaking during Thursday’s national conference focused on local government accountability, service delivery and human rights, organised by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities. Ramaphosa said unless failures were remedied, South Africans could become disillusioned with democracy itself. He stressed that local government was one of the most important custodians of the socio-economic rights of South Africans. “Efficient and affordable service delivery could mark the difference between leading a life of dignity, as promised by our Constitution, and a life of squalor, misery and deprivation. When local government works – when basic services like water, sanitation, education, electrification and health care – are distributed efficiently and equitably, people’s quality of life is improved, businesses thrive and economies grow and the dignity of our people is assured,” he said. He warned that when local government delivery failed, the impact was direct and devastating and it had an immediate overarching negative impact on the lives of South Africans. He said it was deeply disturbing that recent reports from the Auditor-General, National Treasury and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs showed that the majority of the country’s municipalities were failing. “The National Treasury classifies two-thirds of South Africa’s 257 municipalities as being in financial distress, with only 41 receiving clean audits in the past financial year. What this means is that many municipalities are unable to deliver basic services and are unable to build and upgrade clinics and hospitals, and fix roads,” Ramaphosa outlined. He stressed that political contestation and infighting, lack of skills, failure to adhere to legislative prescripts, poor governance, lack of accountability, and “super corruption” were causing instability in municipalities and eroding the provision of services. “Continuing along the current trajectory is neither viable nor sustainable. It undermines the constitutional promise of human dignity. It threatens economic growth and investment. It is a threat to our constitutional order because local government is in many ways the most important sphere of government - it operates where our people live, it operates where businesses invest and it operates in a sphere where basic human rights of our people need to be actualised,” he said. GOOD GOVERNANCE Ramaphosa went on to say that while good governance was a prerequisite for efficient local government, facilitating access of local communities to municipal decision-making was essential to participatory democracy. He envisioned that the ideal municipality was accessible, provided opportunities for public engagement, and communicated while being considerate of local needs such as language and media platforms. “In an ideal municipality, customer care and feedback management systems are functional and implemented effectively. In an ideal municipality, local government has regular outreach with communities on matters affecting development and consults other stakeholders, such as businesses, NGOs and community-based organisations,” he added. He said government’s aspiration was that citizens be partners in their own development. SERVICE DELIVERY PROTEST Ramaphosa said the rise in service delivery protests, many of which turn violent, was a barometer of public dissatisfaction with the non-delivery of services. He noted that the reasons for protests varied, and that social and economic dynamics, high unemployment and failing municipal governance all inevitably played a role. “We are categorical, however, that no matter how legitimate the grievance, arson, looting, violence and damage to propert...
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that he stands ready to take the nation into his confidence and that he would do so through legal and Parliamentary processes. Following a disruptive session in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the Presidency said it was concerned about claims made by MPs that Ramaphosa did not answer the question for oral reply in the National Assembly, on the robbery that occurred at his Limpopo farm in January 2020. “On a proper reading of the question, President Ramaphosa did, in fact, answer the question,” said his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, on Wednesday. In his oral reply, Ramaphosa had said, “I know there is a great deal of interest in my answer to this question and I’d like to say that, without appearing that I do not want to answer questions, that I do not want to be accountable, I should say that as I have indicated before – in written replies to Members of this House, in the debate on the Presidency Budget Vote and in statements on various public platforms – I stand ready to cooperate with any investigations on this matter.” He pointed out that investigations were ongoing by a variety of agencies, which showed the importance of the matter. He said he had responded, and would continue to respond, to all the questions put to him by the relevant authorities. Ramaphosa said he stood ready to give an explanation, but for him, it has been important that he should give space, stand back and allow the various agencies to deal with these matters as thoroughly as he believed they were doing. He added that he had been advised to address the matter once the due processes had concluded. “While there are clearly individuals and organisations that seek some mileage out of this issue, the most appropriate response from my side is for the law to take its course. It is important for me that due process is followed, including the process that is going to unfold in Parliament. I stand ready to cooperate with that process as well and will be ready to be fully accountable,” Ramaphosa said further in his oral reply. Ramaphosa also indicated that he would cooperate with, and be fully accountable to, the Parliamentary investigation. “It is clear from the President’s reply that he considers it prudent to account on this matter through the due processes. This is consistent with what the President has said from the outset that there is no basis for the claims of criminal conduct that have been made against him, and that he will provide any information that the relevant authorities require,” said Magwenya.
Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has asked the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to review a National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decision to prosecute her on two counts of perjury. The NPA indicated in March that it wanted to proceed with the case. On Wednesday morning, Mkhwebane appeared in the dock of the Pretoria Magistrate's Court for less than five minutes. Her advocate, Dali Mpofu, SC, asked the court for a postponement to "allow [them] time" to deal with the High Court review. The matter was postponed to 9 December for the outcome of the review. The matter stems from a Constitutional Court finding in 2019 that Mkhwebane acted in bad faith and put forward a "number of falsehoods" in a case involving the SA Reserve Bank's (SARB) loan to Bankorp. Accountability Now, which initially laid criminal charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice against Mkhwebane, welcomed movement in the case and said it was "long overdue". The organisation's director, advocate Paul Hoffman, previously said, "It is sad that this matter has taken so long, but we are pleased that the decision to prosecute has finally been taken." Mkhwebane, the first Public Protector to be criminally charged, initially faced three counts of perjury relating to the review case. Following her first court appearance in January 2021, she made representations to say why she should not be prosecuted. In June that year, one perjury charge was withdrawn. Fin24 previously reported that Bankorp received financial assistance from the SA Reserve Bank between 1985 and 1995, as it was about to collapse due to mounting bad debts, according to Absa. Absa acquired Bankorp on 1 April 1992, while the SARB's assistance was still continuing. The bank stated that Bankorp's collapse would have resulted in depositors losing their money. It further stated that when Absa acquired Bankorp in 1992, the assistance programme was already in place. The bank said in 2017, when it explained its position in the matter: The debt write-offs that would result from the SA Reserve Bank's intervention were taken into account in determining the price Absa would pay for Bankorp. This price was set at R1.23-billion, and Absa paid it in full. This is why Absa cannot pay for the same thing twice. Mkhwebane released the Bankorp-CIEX report in June 2017. Her findings directed Absa, which took over Bankorp in 1992, to repay R1.125-billion for a lifeboat provided by the SARB during the apartheid era. She called the bailout "an illegal gift". The SARB and Absa had asked the court to review the report and set it aside. The Constitutional Court ruled that Mkhwebane's "entire model of [the] investigation was flawed". It found that she failed to engage with the parties directly affected by her new remedial action before she published her final report, and that her explanation for why she discussed the vulnerability of the Reserve Bank with the State Security Agency (SSA) was "unintelligible". The majority judgment also found that Mkhwebane failed to explain why she did not disclose any of her meetings with former president Jacob Zuma in her 2017 report. She also did not produce transcripts of her meetings with the Presidency or the SSA.
President Cyril Ramaphosa did not report the foreign exchange transaction that was the source of the US dollars stolen from his farm, as required by law, his response to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) indicates. Ramaphosa also has yet to respond adequately to the central bank, which has written to his lawyers asking for details of the transaction. In a letter to Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance on Tuesday the governor of the Reserve Bank Lesetja Kganyago said following press reports about the robbery its Financial Surveillance Department had written to Ramaphosa's legal advisors on 20 June requesting "information and details regarding the origin of the foreign currency and any underlying transaction that may pertain to it." The bank had initially given Ramaphosa 21 business days to respond to the letter and subsequently granted an extension of 15 working days. The letter states, "The department has since received a response from the president's legal advisors to which further information and details were requested by the department. A response to this additional request for information is required and expected no later than 8 September, whereafter the department will be able to progress its investigation into the matter." Kganyago's letter to the committee follows letters written to it by two of the committee members Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy leader Floyd Shivambu and the Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Dion George. The SARB administers South Africa's exchange control regulations and investigates contraventions. Under the regulations, all foreign currency transactions must be reported to the bank within 30 days. Kganyago's letter requesting information confirms that Ramaphosa did not report the transaction as required by law. Ramaphosa has previously said that the cash stolen from his farm Phala Phala was the proceeds of the sale of animals. The theft first came to light in June when former spy boss Arthur Fraser declared in an affidavit lodged with the police that at least $4-million, which had been concealed in furniture, was stolen from the farm. Ramaphosa has said the amount was nowhere near as large but has not provided any information on the sum. On Tuesday, Ramphosa faced a chaotic and humiliating question session in Parliament where for several hours he declined to answer questions on Phala Phala, citing legal advice. While opposition MPs from the EFF, African Transformation Movement and DA demanded answers, African National Congress MPs argued that Ramaphosa's refusal to answer constituted "a response" which was all that was required in terms of the rules. The sitting was eventually adjourned. On social media Ramaphosa supporters defended the President arguing that it was not Ramaphosa's responsibility to oversee the day-to-day running of the farm. Shivambu said that Kganyago's letter was proof that Ramaphosa was already guilty of at least one crime, in failing to report the transaction. DA leader John Steenhuisen described Ramaphosa's failure to answer as "Nkandla 2.0" reminiscent of the former President Jacob Zuma's refusal to answer questions on the upgrades to his home, while MPs rallied around him to defend him.
Following a public spat that culminated in a series of tit-for-tat suspensions on Monday, the faction within Cope pushing for the axing of party leader Mosiuoa Lekota has extended an olive branch to its rivals "for the sake of the party's future". "Above all else, we [as rival leaders] must save Cope. There is no way that we should priorities anything but the party," Cope's secretary for communications Dennis Bloem told News24 on Tuesday morning. Bloem was one of the leaders who announced Lekota's precautionary suspension on Monday. "We are not enemies, as comrades in Cope. There may be differences, but those differences need to be sorted out around a table [and should] not play themselves out in public. The president of the party (Lekota) is the father of the party. As the father of the party, he must call his children and say, 'You have made mistakes here', or he must admit that he has made mistakes. All of us are not immune to making mistakes but what should be a priority is the party," Bloem said. Despite extending an olive branch, Bloem and his faction said Lekota and Cope's national chairperson Teboho Loate were misleading the country. Bloem said Cope's congress national committee (CNC) had the power to suspend members. He added that the announcement of Lekota's suspension was valid as the decision had been taken by a properly constituted CNC. "We, as the CNC, had a meeting on Sunday, which was duly constituted. By this, I mean the meeting met the necessary quorum, given that six of the nine provinces were there. Seven directly elected members, as well as the youth and women's leagues were present. At this meeting...we took the decision to suspend Mr Lekota," said Bloem. Cope's youth league as well as its Gauteng and Western Cape leaders told News24 that representatives from six provinces attended the meeting, along with the youth and women's leagues. According to them, the meeting met the minimum required attendance to take the decision. The six provinces at the meeting were Gauteng, Free State, Western Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West. On Monday, Lekota and Loate rubbished the party leader's suspension, saying Lekota had the confidence and full support of the CNC. Loate also alleged that the media briefing by Cope deputy president Willie Madisha, secretary for elections Mzwandile Hleko, and Bloem amounted to a "hallucination" by "Madisha and his clique". "The facts of the matter are that a clique of only three leaders in the CNC has been engaged in conduct that is unconstitutional, ambitious, and irrational for some time," said Loate. Loate and Lekota then announced that the CNC had in fact suspended Madisha, Bloem and Hleko. There was, however, no evidence that the two held a meeting with the CNC and that the CNC had approved such a decision. Bloem denied claims by Loate that he had been issued with a suspension letter or received any communication from Cope's legal representatives at the behest of Lekota or Loate, as claimed by the two. "I don't know these other rumours that are going on that I've been suspended. I have been looking through my emails, and this letter which they purport to have sent announcing my suspension, is not there. "Besides this, who are the 'we' that Lekota and Loate claim endorsed our suspension, as the CNC is the only structure empowered to do so," said Bloem. News24 understands that Cope members want Madisha to replace Lekota in Parliament as they believe the party's fortunes may be revived under his leadership. A decision may be announced as soon as next week. Lekota and Loate were not readily available for comment despite numerous attempts by News24.
The July 2021 unrest and the floods in KwaZulu-Natal in April this year have seen the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and its entities make available R3.5-billion in support. The dtic on Tuesday briefed the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition on the support package to aid economic recovery given the impact of the unrest and the floods. They shared that R2.4-billion - or 80% of the R3-billion approved by the department and its entities - has been disbursed to businesses affected by the unrest. Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Fikile Majola explained that while the physical damage of the unrest was limited to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, its economic impacts were widespread. As a response, the dtic and its entities developed an Economic Support Package of R3.75-billion. The package is funded through the reprioritisation of budgets within the dtic to the value of R700-million. National Treasury had made an allocation of R1.3-billion. The Industrial Development Corporation, an entity of the dtic, reprioritised and allocated R1.5-billion, and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) allocated R250-million. The Solidarity Fund later provided the NEF with an additional R273-million. The support has been made available in the form of grants and concessionary loans or bridging finance to cover cash-flow challenges until the payouts from claims with the South African Special Insurance Risk Association (Sasria) are finalised. In its presentation, the department indicated that R3-billion had been approved for the applications made, and R2.4-billion has been disbursed so far. In some cases where construction is undertaken, or new equipment and machinery are ordered – payment is made after the completion of work. The disbursements, therefore, are expected to increase throughout the year. A total of 2 400 enterprises were supported – and over 2 600 sites were covered as, in some instances, individual firms had several of their sites affected. Over 45 000 jobs had also been supported. Businesses across different sectors such as manufacturing, retail, construction, agriculture and agro-processing, transportation, information and communication and the automotive industry benefitted from funds from the IDC. Several small-scale and large retailers were supported. Among those include rural and informal traders and small businesses who benefitted from R154-million grant funding. Over 1 800 business entities were supported, and about 7 100 jobs were saved. The IDC also provided grants of R7-million to 142 sugarcane growers in KwaZulu-Natal and over 6 500 jobs were saved. Over R12-million was approved for a black-owned company Wired Hardwares, which is a franchisee of Build-IT. Two Build-IT hardware stores in KwaZulu-Natal – one in KwaMashu and another in Inanda, that employed people from surrounding settlements - were looted, damaged and destroyed. However, thanks to the support provided, the Inanda store began trading again in March 2022, and the one in KwaMashu started trading again in late July. All 50 jobs were retained. A woman-owned business, Wildfire Trading, which owns an Engen franchise in Alexandra, Gauteng, was looted and damaged. A total of R2.5-million was approved to renovate the site, which had been vandalised. A total of 29 jobs were saved. Businesswoman Kedibone Lebethe, who owns 30 KFC outlets, having started off as a fryer, benefitted of R40.5-million needed to repair nine outlets across Gauteng that were damaged, looted and, in some cases, completely burnt down. In total, 14 outlets were affected. Her company KPML Group employs over 1 000 staff, mostly women and youth. The support helped the group reemploy 550 workers. The department has also supported infrastructure rebuilding programmes which covered six shopping centres, such as Protea Glen Shopping Centre in Gauteng and KwaMashu Shopping Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. Six other industrial sites also applied for funding. Close to...
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced on Tuesday that four political parties made donation disclosures during the first quarter of 2022/23, however, two of the four donations were made later than the regulated timeframe. The Democratic Alliance (DA) disclosed the largest total donation for the quarter with R15 977 687.13. The African National Congress (ANC), which disclosed R10 000 000, made its declaration outside the IEC’s deadline. ActionSA disclosed donations of R750 000, and the Patriotic Alliance (PA), made the other late disclosure of R310 000. The total amount disclosed by all parties for the quarter was R27 037 687.13. Of the DA’s total disclosed donations, its single largest donation of R15-million came from Fynbos Ekwiteit, which also made significant donations to the party in the previous financial year. The ANC’s donation came from the entity Botho-Botho Commercial Enterprise. The IEC clarified that the Botho-Botho Commercial Enterprise should not be confused with Batho-Batho Trust, which made a significant donation to the ANC in the previous year. ActionSA’s donations were received from Style Eyes of California (R600 000) and Shave & Gibson Group (R150 000), both of which donated to the party in the last financial year. The PA received two separate amounts of R150 000 and R160 000 from the party’s leader Gayton McKenzie. However, the IEC explained that the donations amounting to R150 000 and R160 000 were made on March 7 and March 31, 2022, respectively, which was in breach of the legislation because the donation was declared a quarter late. The Commission requested that the PA make a representation explaining the contravention and the IEC revealed that the party had fully complied and that the necessary action had already been taken in accordance with the law. While the ANC’s R10-million donation was submitted a month later than the regulated deadline and while the donation was made within the reporting quarter, it was declared to the Commission almost a month after the submission deadline of July 31, 2021. The Commission has also requested that the ANC provide an explanation for the late submission within 7 days. IN-KIND & FOREIGN DONATIONS The total value of in-kind donations declared during the first quarter was R723 493.56, and declared by the DA. This amount was donated by a DA donor that had previously made donations - the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), which made total aggregate donations of R3 100 044.85 in the previous financial year. The DA is also the only party to receive foreign donations in the reporting quarter. The total value of such donations is R977 687.13. The FNF donated R723 493.56 and the remaining R254 193.57 was received from Volkspartj voor Vrijheid en Democratie.
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, the price of 95 unleaded petrol is expected to fall by around R2.28 a litre in the first week of September. The price of 93 petrol could drop by around R2.12 a litre. Diesel could be reduced by more than a rand a litre. The price of illuminating paraffin is also on track to fall by just over a rand a litre. The fuel prices are usually adjusted on the first Wednesday of a month, and determined by the price of oil and the rand-dollar exchange rate. Earlier this month, petrol looked set for a R2.60 cut next week, while diesel was also due for a decrease of more than R2. However, the outlook changed after the oil price recovered from lows reached earlier this month, and the rand also lost ground. After hitting a high of $123 a barrel in March, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, oil prices slumped to $92 earlier this month amid concerns about the weak state of the world economy and the possibility about a new nuclear deal between Iran and the West. A deal would mean that Iran's crude output of 2.5-million barrels per day would no longer be under international sanctions and help relieve supply constraints that have been pushing up prices. But on Monday, Brent crude oil was back above $100 per barrel after Saudi Arabia, the largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), warned about possible production cuts. Meanwhile, the rand, which started the month at around R16.60/$, has since crashed through R17. It was trading at around R16.92 on Monday. Earlier the day, the US dollar surged to a 20-year high against a basket of currencies after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that interest rates would be kept higher for longer to bring down inflation in the US. Markets are now pricing in a 75-basis-point rate hike in the US in September.
Congress of the People's (Cope’s) national committee (CNC), its highest decision-making body, has placed party President Mosiuoa Lekota on precautionary suspension. The announcement was made by Cope's deputy president, Willie Madisha, during a media briefing on Monday in Kempton Park. Reasons cited for Lekota's suspension include the role he played in dividing the party and the meetings he convenes to form parallel structures within Cope. Lekota has been Cope's president since 2008.
Former Transnet chief executive officer (CEO) Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, the parastatal's former finance boss, and their co-accused were granted bail on Monday after being arrested in connection with a R93-million corruption and fraud case linked to the procurement of 1 064 locomotives in 2015. The two former executives were joined in the dock by Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonyha, directors at the Gupta-linked firm, Regiments Capital. The four men were granted R50 000 bail. The case has been postponed to 14 October. Earlier in the morning, six other people, who had already been charged in the matter, appeared briefly in the same courtroom. The six - another ex-Transnet group CEO, Siyabonga Gama, Regiment Capital's Eric Wood, former Transnet acting chief financial officer Garry Pita, former group treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, Trillian Asset Management director Daniel Roy and Kuben Moodley, owner of Albatime - previously appeared in court in May. Wood has requested that his bail conditions be amended. He will be back in court on 7 October for the hearing. The matter stems from a payment of R93-million to Trillian Capital, a Gupta-linked proxy company, to secure funding for the purchase of the locomotives. The transaction advisory contract was initially awarded to global investment bank, JP Morgan, before the deal was cancelled. It was subsequently awarded to Trillian. The estimated cost of the project ballooned from around R38-billion in 2012 to more than R50-billion. In its report, the Zondo Commission recommended that the police investigate Molefe, Gama and Singh for their alleged roles in siphoning money from Transnet to the Gupta family. A 2018 forensic report found that Molefe had misled the state-owned entity's board about its obligation to inform then-public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba about the spike in the project's costs. BAIL APPLICATIONS During their first appearance, Molefe, Singh, Pillay and Nyhonyha detailed their personal circumstances to the court as they sought to secure bail. All four indicated that they intended to plead not guilty. Nyhonyha told the court he was married in community of property. He also said his children had previously studied in America and Britain, but that they had since returned home. He added that he held shares in various companies. Molefe said he didn't have any relatives outside of South Africa's borders. His lawyer, Mpho Molefe, told the court the former Eskom CEO was married with two minor children, who relied on him for support. He said he also supported his mother. Molefe said he received R52 000 monthly from his pension, and he earned a R12 000 salary from his directorship at a company. Singh's attorney, Anneline van den Heever, said he had no previous convictions and wasn't a flight risk. Van den Heever told the court her client wouldn't interfere with the State's evidence or witnesses.
Logistics was at the forefront of the brief court appearance of 37 accused arrested for being instigators in the July 2021 unrest, in the Durban Magistrate's court on Friday. Thus far, 48 suspects have been nabbed by the Hawks. Only two of the accused made their first appearance in court on Friday in a packed courtroom. With the dock being far too small, the accused were forced to line the first three rows of the public gallery for their court appearance. More arrests are expected, with the Hawks indicating their operation to nab instigators was ongoing. The matter was postponed to 30 November.
South Africa's Transnet announced on Friday a deadlock in wage negotiations, with two labour unions raising the prospect of a strike that could further cripple the State-owned logistics company and impact Africa's most advanced economy. Transnet has been operating below capacity due to the shortage of locomotives, inadequate maintenance, vandalism and theft of its infrastructure, costing miners billions of rand in potential revenue. In a statement, Transnet said a wage dispute had been formally declared with the South African Transport and Allied workers Union (Satawu) and the United National Transport Union (UNTU) after negotiations which started in May. Transnet said the unions had rejected its offer of a 1.5% increase on employees' pay, excluding medical and housing allowances. "Their position remains unchanged from the previous rounds of wage negotiations, with a demand for a 12% increase on annual guaranteed pay, as well as other demands which add up to a total increase in labour costs of 21%," Transnet said. UNTU General Secretary Cobus van Vuuren told Reuters that his union, which he said was the majority at Transnet with more than 50% of the workforce, had rejected Transnet's offer as it was way below the inflation rate, recorded at 7.8% year-on-year in July. He said the formal declaration of a dispute allowed a 30-day "cooling off period" for further negotiations with Transnet. "However, if there's no compromise reached by the parties, that would enable labour to go through a balloting process where members will mandate whether we can embark on protected industrial action or not," van Vuuren said. Satawu described Transnet's offer as an "insult", but said it remained open to further negotiations. "Satawu wants to emphasise that going on strike is not our priority. However, at this stage, the employer is forcing us to go through that route," it said in a statement.
Gauteng health department CFO Lerato Madyo was suspended on Friday morning as the R850-million Tembisa Hospital scandal, discovered by Babita Deokaran, deepens. Well-placed sources in the department said Madyo was placed on suspension on Friday morning, a month after News24 began publishing a series of exposes, titled 'Silenced'. In the weeks before her assassination last year, Deokaran stumbled across a surge in spending out of the East Rand hospital, and called for a stop to payments and an urgent investigation. Her pleas were ignored. Deokaran confided in Madyo that her life may be in danger just days before the killing. News24 revealed that Madyo sat on her concerns until after she was murdered, and never acted on a report into the "possibly fraudulent" payments from the hospital. Gauteng Premier David Makhura last week announced the appointment of an independent investigator, and the SIU also announced that it had started the process to launch their own inquiry. This came as Madyo faced an internal inquiry, called upon to explain her inaction around Deokaran’s warnings around Tembisa Hospital, and why her concerns were not escalated. News24 identified a web of shell corporations which extracted more than R110-million through dubious contracts in a matter of weeks, selling everything from medical equipment to skinny jeans to the hospital. Madyo could not be reached for comment at the time of publishing.
Judge Edwin Molahlehi on Thursday morning dismissed lobby group AfriForum's application to declare as hate speech the singing of two songs – Kill/Kiss the Boer and Bizani iFire-Brigade. AfriForum also sought to have Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and party MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi pay R500 000 to a charity organisation for singing the inflammatory songs. They also wanted the pair to apologise for singing the songs. Molahlehi said AfriForum failed to make their case.
South Africa plans to end most special permits for foreigners as it revamps its immigration policies to manage an influx of economic migrants. The government announced that a special dispensation allowing Zimbabweans to live and work in South Africa will expire at the end of this year, while similar concessions for about 90 000 people from neighbouring Lesotho will expire in 2023 and won’t be extended, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said. Permits for Angolan residents were terminated in August 2021. “We are not targeting” any particular nationality, Motsoaledi, 64, said in an interview in Bloomberg’s Johannesburg office. Many “economic migrants” abused the nation’s asylum provisions by falsifying reasons for leaving their countries, he said, adding that implementing sovereign laws wasn’t xenophobic. Africa’s most industrialized nation has been a magnet for people seeking better economic opportunities from across the continent, particularly from the Southern African Development Community countries. Arrivals ballooned in 2008 as the global financial crisis combined with an economic collapse in Zimbabwe triggered mass migration, the minister said. That year as many as 227 000 people from Zimbabwe moved to its southern neighbour, according to Motsoaledi, a medical doctor by profession. Many were given permits, which were extended until 2021. South Africa is grappling with a 33.9% unemployment rate -- the highest on a list of 82 nations monitored by Bloomberg -- and its economy is stuck in its longest downward cycle since World War II. The country of about 60.6-million people is home to almost 4-million migrants, according to government data. The presence of foreigners in South Africa has sparked resentment among some locals, who see them as competitors for scarce jobs, health care and housing, and the country has been wracked by intermittent xenophobic violence. A video circulating on social media this week showed Phophi Ramathuba, the head of the health department in Limpopo province, which borders Zimbabwe, reprimanding a Zimbabwean patient for seeking treatment in South African. Residents from the neighbouring country put a “huge strain” on Limpopo’s medical facilities, she said on the clip. Divisive Issue “Nobody will be denied medical service,” Ramathuba, a member of the ruling African National Congress, later told News24, while reiterating that she stood by her comments. The South African Medical Association said it “deplores the manner” Ramathuba chose to address the challenges facing the health care system. Public hospitals and clinics are struggling to meet the needs of citizens “and reduce backlogs due to unpredictably high number of undocumented migrants” seeking care in the country,” South Africa’s Department of Health said in a statement, responding to the Ramathuba’s comments. As South Africa heads into the 2024 general elections, the presence of foreign nationals in the country has become a divisive point, with some parties positioning their electoral propositions around reducing their numbers. At a recent ANC policy conference. it was proposed that South Africa withdraw from the 1951 United Nations convention on refugees. The convention constrained the government’s ability to deal with the migration crisis and “a new instrument,” needs be adopted, the party said. Meanwhile, the end of the Zimbabwean exemption permit has spurred legal action against the government challenging its constitutionality. About 178 000 citizens who were issued the permits have until December 31 to apply for a regular visa or leave South Africa. So far, 6 000 Zimbabwean Exemption Permit holders have asked the Department of Home Affairs not to terminate their documents, according to the Daily Maverick.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says the independent panel set up to investigate the Phala Phala saga involving President Cyril Ramaphosa will have 30 days to complete its work. Mapisa-Nqakula is waiting on political parties in Parliament to nominate candidates to serve on the panel. They will be expected to decide whether Ramaphosa will be subject to a process that may lead to his removal from office. This emerged during Thursday's meeting of the National Assembly's Programming Committee. Political parties have been requested to submit names to serve on the panel by 1 September. Mapisa-Nqakula said according to the rules, the process after the appointment will take about 30 days. "Once the panel has been announced and appointed, that panel will have 30 days to do its work and present a recommendation to my office. We have up to 1 September to make submissions. On 2 September, we may be announcing the panel, and they will start their work. The panel has 30 days from the date of the announcement," she said. Earlier this month, Mapisa-Nqakula referred to an independent panel the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) call for Parliament to set up an inquiry into the Phala Phala saga. Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the National Assembly to remove a president of the republic from office on the grounds of either serious violation of the Constitution or the law, serious misconduct, or an inability to perform the functions of office. "Once the Speaker has received all the names, which will be more than three names, the Speaker has then to select the three [names] out of the many names that have been submitted. From there, we must establish the availability of the selected names. It could very well happen that a particular name (person) is not available, then we need to go to the next name (person). We will try and speed up that process and finalise procurement issues," said Secretary to the National Assembly Masibulele Xaso. Xaso also said the terms of reference have already been clarified. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser alleged in June that at least $4-million was stolen from the farm in February 2020 and that, subsequent to the theft, off-the-books means were used to try to locate the culprits and the money. News24 recently reported that burglars stole an estimated $600 000 in cash from Ramaphosa's farmhouse – far less than the millions of dollars that were initially speculated to have been taken. So far, Ramaphosa has not answered any questions on the Phala Phala matter, and he has maintained that due process should be followed. In a separate move, eight opposition political parties backed a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa.
The case of the six men accused of killing Gauteng health department official and whistleblower Babita Deokaran has been postponed again – this time to give the defence an opportunity to take further instructions on funding and certain documents. The accused – Phakamani Hadebe, Zitha Radebe, Nhlangano Ndlovu, Sanele Mbhele, Siphiwe Mazibuko and Siphakanyiswa Dladla – appeared briefly in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, a day after the one-year anniversary of Deokaran's death. Their lawyer, Shafique Sarlie, told the court: "Regrettably, we have not been able to reach some agreement with family and friends [who are apparently raising money to fund the defence] of the accused. We require more time, my lady." Sarlie said the defence had been furnished with more evidence in the docket and that they expected to receive more documents from the State. The court postponed the case to 6 October. The accused have been charged with murder, and the attempted murder of Deokaran's domestic worker, who was in the car with her at the time of the shooting. They face additional charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and conspiracy to murder. All of the accused were denied bail last year. At the time of her murder, Deokaran worked in the Gauteng health department's Financial Unit, investigating several corruption cases. Her killing has been widely described as a hit. During their bail application in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, the defence alleged that the accused were forced to make concessions, including one that implicated former health minister Zweli Mkhize as their paymaster. They claimed police assaulted their clients. Mkhize later released a statement denying any knowledge of or involvement in Deokaran's murder. A News24 investigation found that five of the six men hailed from the same village in rural KwaZulu-Natal, and that they had gathered for a function before Deokaran's murder. Another exclusive revealed that Mbhele was still receiving a salary from the Inkosi Langalibalele District Municipality in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, where he worked, even though he was behind bars and went AWOL in March.
Annual consumer inflation reached its highest level in 13 years, increasing to 7.8% in July from 7.4% in June. The increase was in line with economists' forecasts. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 1.5% between June and July this year. According to Statistics SA, this was only the fourth time since 2008 that the monthly increase was 1.5% or higher. Annual food inflation rose by 9.7% in July, from 8.6% in June. Bread and cereals prices were 13.7% higher than a year ago. Between June and July, there were large monthly price hikes reported in a range of products, including, maize meal (4.2%), cake flour (6.3%), macaroni (5.0%) and white bread (2.8%). But rice prices fell by more than 3%. Oils and fats saw the biggest price hikes - up 36% in July from a year ago. In July, fuel prices were hiked by more than 10%. This hit transport prices in particular, with taxi fares up 9% in a single month. Taxi fares were 16% higher than a year ago. Petrol is 56% more expensive than it was a year ago. The latest consumer inflation rate reflects the annual increase in municipality service tariffs, which are adjusted in July every year. Electricity tariffs increased on average by 7.5% - which is lower than last year’s rise of 13.8% but higher than the 2020 increase of 6.3%, Statistics SA reports. But services inflation (+4.2%) and durable goods prices (+4.8%) remained much cooler than non-durable goods inflation - mostly driven by food - which is now at 14.4%.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Wednesday that political parties will have to think long and hard about where they’d like to see South Africa after 2024. Steenhuisen explained that, according to latest polling, there was a mere 11% points difference between the African National Congress (ANC) and the DA, explaining that this meant a coalition government, post-2024, would either be led by the DA or by the ANC. “Every party is going to have to think long and hard about where they’d like to see South Africa after 2024. Because when we speak of a coalition alternative following the next election, we’re not only talking about one possibility,” he said. Steenhuisen added that there were only two realistic coalition outcomes, explaining that every party and its leaders will have to decide which of those two options they want for the country. “I can only speak for the DA when I say that our commitment to bringing about change for the people of South Africa will not waver. Our project is to replace the ANC government, and we will see this project through,” he said. He said the DA would continue to engage with other political parties that shared its core values as it looked towards 2024 and beyond. “Because our coalition - the coalition of reform, accountability and delivery - will need to be ready to step into national government in less than two years’ time. We will also continue, through these metro coalitions, to serve the residents as best we can, because people need to see and believe that coalition governments are not only possible, but also that they can be effective,” he added. He assured citizens that his party could fight the ANC, saying the DA’s entire focus was on replacing the ANC government with a coalition government in 2024. COORDINATED ATTACKS ON COALITION GOVERNMENTS Steenhuisen alleged that there was a coordinated attack on the coalition governments of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, orchestrated by the ANC and supported by its small proxy parties. “The mayors of these metros - who all happen to be DA mayors - are being targeted simultaneously in an effort to destabilise these governments and let the ANC in the back door. In Tshwane, the ANC has submitted a motion of no confidence in Mayor Randall Williams, while in Johannesburg its allies, the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania and the African Independent Congress, have done the same to Mayor Mpho Phalatse. And we understand there are now similar plans afoot for Mayor Tania Campbell in Ekurhuleni,” he claimed. He explained that these coordinated attacks on DA mayors - and also on speakers - were nothing short of a coup attempt by the corrupt. Steenhuisen said this was the work of an ANC that found itself cut off from its entire patronage network in these Gauteng metros. “As a result it now cannot fund its own operation or pay its own staff, not to mention the blow this has dealt to the lavish lifestyles many of its members have become accustomed to. It desperately needs to get its hands back in the cash register, and it will stop at nothing in its efforts to do so,” he stated. Steenhuisen said that by trying to scupper these metro coalition governments, the ANC was effectively attacking the country’s chance to move beyond ANC dominance. “They are attacking project South Africa and threatening to drag the country back to a place it should never, ever return to,” he added. Steenhuisen stated that the project to replace the ANC government was too important to fail, adding that the DA was determined to keep the ANC and its proxy parties from sabotaging the future of the country. He said the DA had no doubt that most of the party’s coalition partners would stand beside the DA to help ward off an attempted power grab from the ANC. “There are many of us across multiple parties who share a vision of a South Africa that works for all its people and who believe that this vision is now well within our reach. I am greatly encouraged by the princ...
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Tuesday called for the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, saying his continued stay in office spits in the face of the victims of rape. Godongwana is accused of sexually assaulting a masseuse at a Kruger National Park hotel, while on vacation earlier this month. He has since denied the allegations, claiming they were a smear campaign "fashioned to achieve narrow and selfish political ends". The EFF labelled Godongwana “a pervert”. “The continued stay of Enoch Godongwana in office, is a spit in the face of the 9 516 victims of rape, who opened cases at police stations between April and June 2022. It is also a reflection that we are led by a government which has no regard for women,” said EFF president Julius Malema. Malema went on to say, “It is a government of a Finance Minister who abuses women in their places of profession. It is a government of a President who tortures a female domestic worker, because of his uncontrollable greed.” He said if Godongwana had any respect for the Office he holds, and women in South Africa, he would have resigned long ago. Malema accused the Finance Minister of drawing “inspiration from his criminal President”, who Malema says has not shown accountability. Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa said he would not act impulsively over the sexual assault allegations levelled against Godongwana. The EFF said Godongwana has failed to manage the South African economy. “One other thing about Enoch he is in and out of hospital, he is a very sickly Minister who is not available. I don’t understand why he insists on wanting to be a Minister of Finance despite the fact that he knows that his [poor] health [is not good] for such a serious ministry that is highly involved, which requires young and energetic visionary Ministers who are in good health. Enoch does not meet any requirement with this latest allegation to be a Minister of Finance,” said Malema. CRIME Meanwhile, the EFF said it was disturbed by the high levels of crime afflicting the country, particularly mass shootings and tavern deaths, as well as disturbing levels of murder and the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp. “The gang rapes in Krugersdorp are a sign of a country of men who have lost their sense of morality. There is no level of poverty, unemployment, or state of living that can inspire one to rape. There is a war against the women of this country, and it can no longer be ignored,” Malema said. He added that the latest quarterly crime statistics, which revealed that there had been 6 424 murders between April and June 2022, confirmed to the EFF that the country is a nation that is engaging in a war. Malema claimed that the deaths reported in the quarterly crime stats are higher than the number of deaths in the war between Russia and Ukraine and showed that citizens are being killed at an intolerable rate in communities. PHALA PHALA Meanwhile, the EFF reaffirmed its stance on the need to hold Ramaphosa accountable for the alleged crimes committed on the President’s Phala Phala farm. Malema said it was undeniable that the popular media, political analysts and journalists, had dedicated themselves to efforts to downplay and defend Ramaphosa. “As the third largest political party represented in the Parliament of South Africa, the EFF will also explore and participate in legislative and judicial measures to hold Ramaphosa accountable,” he said. The party called on all “principled” members of the opposition, and civil society, to join in ensuring that “Ramaphosa does not get away with the crimes he has committed”.
South Africa’s unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 of a percentage point quarter-on-quarter to 33.9% in the second quarter. “Our economy is recovering, coming out of Covid-19, and we can see that it is making strides in terms of employment,” statistician-general Risenga Maluleke commented on August 23. Overall, the number of people employed in South Africa reached 15.6-million in the second quarter, Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA’s) latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows. The sector showing the largest job gains of 276 000 was community and social services, followed by 169 000 new jobs recorded in trade, 128 000 new jobs in finance and 104 000 in construction – which Maluleke said was an indicator that the ailing construction sector was once again on the rise after years of depression. “We can’t say if the increase in construction jobs is sustainable. It could be an aberration but we only measure what we see,” he added. Meanwhile, the transport sector lost 54 000 jobs, while manufacturing lost 73 000 jobs quarter-on-quarter. In manufacturing, the job losses were attributed mainly to the food, beverage and tobacco products manufacturing subsectors, while wood products, electrical products and machinery manufacturing also decreased, Maluleke told Engineering News. Meanwhile, unemployment according to the expanded definition, which includes those who have given up looking for a job, also decreased to 44.1% in the second quarter. Further, the statistics showed that the youth remain vulnerable in the labour market. The total number of unemployed youth aged 15 to 34 increased by 92 000 quarter-on-quarter to 4.8-million in the second quarter.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya revealed on Tuesday that the Hawks were investigating at least 22 477 cases, worth a combined R1.5-trillion. Providing an update on the DPCI’s, or the Hawks’, achievements since he took over in 2018, Lebeya said corruption was South Africa’s biggest threat. He said 1 998 cases were currently being considered by the National Prosecuting Authority. Since 2018, the DPCI has arrested 12 157 suspects, while 4 447 convictions were secured nationally. “The convictions relate to individuals as the charges or counts, themselves, are much higher. To cite as an example, in 2019 the convictions relating to Serious Commercial Crime Investigation alone was 37 597 counts,” he said. The Hawks’ anti-corruption task team and operation committee have been revitalised to fast-track criminal investigation, prosecution and asset recovery. Lebeya highlighted national priority offences since he took the helm at the Hawks as cash in-transit robberies, theft of fuel from Transnet pipelines, drug and human trafficking, corruption and commercial crime, organised crime, cybercrime, money laundering and incitement to commit crime. He also revealed that another eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the 2021 July unrest, bringing the total number of suspects arrested, to date, to 43. “The DPCI never stopped the investigations since. In fact, multidisciplinary teams were formed to investigate. The DPCI and the National Prosecuting Authority are satisfied that the investigation is ripe, hence the Hawks are landing,” he said. Meanwhile, the DPCI havdadopted a "team approach" to investigations, as opposed to assigning individual investigators. Further, the DPCI continues to assign teams from its National Clean Audit Task Team to deal with municipal cases. “We have seen the public appreciating work done by the directorate on social media and elsewhere. Amongst others, several high profile cases, including VBS and the asbestos matter, just to mention a few, have been placed on the court roll,” Lebeya pointed out. Other achievements of the Hawks include arrests in the R280-million eThekwini Durban Solid Waste scandal where former mayor Zandile Gumede is one of the accused. The trial started on August 22 in Durban after months of delays. Another case Lebeya highlighted involved the mayor of the JB Marks municipality and a director in his office, who were charged, in 2020, with fraud emanating from investigations conducted by the Hawks, involving R5-million intended for the municipality. The case has been postponed to October 2022.
The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban briefly adjourned on Monday to thrash out issues surrounding the media, cameras being allowed in court, and the protection of witnesses in the Zandile Gumede corruption matter. Judge Sharmaine Balton first heard from Andrea Gabriel SC, who was representing the State's interests in the media application. Balton made it clear from the onset that she wanted to protect key witnesses in the case. "I don't want witnesses under public and television scrutiny, because we know people's lives have been threatened," she said. Gabriel said they wanted one camera in the courtroom for the reading of the charges that was scheduled to take place this week. She indicated that there would be supplementary papers filed regarding the media application. The reading of charges has been delayed for some time now, with a slew of postponements arising from many of the accused struggling to pay for some of Durban's most expensive criminal lawyers. Balton said on Monday that print and online media had to be cautioned about protected witnesses. "Perhaps, regarding witnesses' identities, you would attend to all of that," Balton said to Gabriel. Earlier this month, there was a blanket ban preventing media from taking photographs or filming proceedings during the corruption trial. That ban has since been set aside after the SA National Editors' Forum (Sanef) successfully challenged it in the High Court. Gumede and her co-accused are charged with racketeering, fraud and corruption relating to a R320-million waste contract. The Office of the Chief Justice previously sent a letter to the media indicating that Balton would not allow the proceedings to be filmed or photographs to be taken in court. At that stage, the media had not lodged any formal applications for permission to do so. Sanef challenged the ban in an urgent application in the High Court, where it asked for Balton's decision to be rescinded. In a founding affidavit, Sanef executive director Reggy Moalusi said the organisation viewed the decision as unconstitutional.
Over 95% of about 60 000 surveyed teachers and principals say the school assistants programme has vastly improved learning and want it to continue. This was according to President Cyril Ramaphosa in his weekly letter to the nation, where he said teachers and principals noted that the programme had allowed them more time to focus on teaching. The programme is part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the largest youth employment intervention in the country’s history, which has reached close to a million participants. Ramaphosa said the second cohort of 245 000 young people will finish their ten-month placement as school assistants. They will join the ranks of about 600 000 young South Africans that have participated in the initiative since its launch in 2020. The school assistants have either supported teachers in the classroom or performed school maintenance, security, food garden production and other upkeep activities, Ramaphosa said. He explained that updates sent by participants to the Department of Basic Education showed the impact the initiative had had on more than 22 000 participating schools around the country. “There are images of new libraries and reading corners. There are before-and-after pictures of barren school grounds now bursting with cabbages and of once dilapidated classrooms gleaming with new paint. There are videos of newly-trained sports enrichment coaches running exercise classes and participants at laptops doing school administration,” he said. Aside from a monthly stipend, the programme has also provided young people with work experience and skills. “They have received accredited training across several disciplines, ranging from digital literacy to basic bookkeeping, from child and youth care to bricklaying, plastering and plumbing,” he said. Ramaphosa said government now needed to allow these young workers into formal employment, further education or entrepreneurship. The Youth Employment Service aims to place many of the young people in work experience positions in companies and the National Youth Development Agency will help those with business ideas. “I am calling on all our partners, especially business, to harness the energies, talent, skills and experience of these young people to grow our economy. The quality work experience and training provided by this programme addresses the concerns of many businesses that young applicants lack skills and experience,” he said. He also called on businesses to participate in this process by taking advantage of the Employment Tax Incentive to hire more young people and create learnerships. He said the SAYouth.mobi platform can be used to publicise opportunities that exist in the companies, explaining that there were currently 2.9-million young people registered on SAYouth.mobi and many organisations, companies and departments used the platform to provide opportunities.
Public Protector employees had to address suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane as "madam" and bow down to her, as more testimony about a culture of fear during Mkwhebane's reign was heard by the Section 194 Committee. Former Public Protector chief operating officer Basani Baloyi testified to the committee – which has to determine whether Mkhwebane is fit for office – on Monday. "The PP's leadership style was authoritarian. She must be addressed as 'madam'. She must be bowed down to, quite literally," reads Baloyi's affidavit to the committee. She added that staff also had to stand up when Mkhwebane entered a room. Baloyi perceived this as an exercise of power and found it most unusual. "Her style of leadership was characterised by inflexibility, irrationality and a failure or refusal to treat her staff with dignity and respect. She fostered a culture of mistrust and insecurity within the organisation," continued the affidavit. "In this regard, I recall a WhatsApp text message which the PP sent to me, warning me not to trust Ms Ponatshego Mogaladi, one of the executives who reported to me. Based on my own experience of Ms Mogaladi, I had no reason not to trust her." Baloyi also recalled an instance when her 8-year-old daughter was sick and had to be hospitalised. "Whilst I was in the hospital with my daughter the PP called me enquiring when some reports would be ready. I sent a message to her informing her that I was in the hospital with my daughter. I told her of the diagnosis and even sent her photographs of her on her hospital bed as proof. "She replied to me, via WhatsApp text, saying: 'Will be taking action against CEO for your failure to meet deadline. We need to lead by example and be accountable. If you submitted all these on time such emergency would not portray one as insensitive.' Because I had to continue working to meet deadlines whilst my daughter was in the hospital, I had to take files with me to the hospital to attend to whilst visiting my daughter." According to Baloyi, investigators would cry when they were moved to investigations they had no previous experience with. Furthermore, Mkhwebane put "relentless" pressure on Baloyi to take disciplinary steps against staff. "On many occasions I would refuse to take such steps against staff members who reported to me after the PP had instructed me to do so, in circumstances where they had furnished me with reasonable explanations for their failure to perform the tasks at issue." Baloyi believed she was purged from the Office of the Public Protector. Two months after her probation period ended, she was furnished with a letter from former CEO Vussy Mahlangu to provide reasons why she should be employed permanently. In the letter, Mahlangu said there were weekly meetings between Baloyi and Mkhwebane to assess her performance, as well as impromptu meetings with Mahlangu. "It's a lie," said Baloyi. According to Baloyi, her work and conduct were not appraised during her probationary period. She was eventually let go, and took the matter to court. Since Mkhwebane's suspension, the Office of the Public Protector offered her a settlement. Baloyi's testimony comes against the backdrop of the Section 194 Committee having heard testimony that the ample issuance of audit letters permeated a culture of fear at the Office of the Public Protector, that there was an "exodus" of staff, a heavy workload and that Mkhwebane did not want to work with a colleague who addressed her as "Busisiwe".
The African National Congress's (ANC's) chief whip in Parliament says opposition parties gunning for President Cyril Ramaphosa's head over the Phala Phala saga are unprincipled and opportunistic. Earlier this week, eight opposition political parties backed a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa. The group, which represents about 71 seats in the National Assembly, wants the president to be held accountable for what they believe was a cover-up and abuse of state resources in the scandal relating to a theft at the president's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. In a statement published after its caucus meeting on Friday, Pemmy Majodina said: "The ANC caucus notes the unprincipled and opportunistic ganging up of some opposition parties against the ANC, based on innuendo, untested allegations, and a rushed attempt to pre-empt proper investigations and to try and achieve political power through the back door after losing the 2019 general elections. The ANC caucus rejects the call by the DA for the establishment of an ad-hoc committee on the robbery at the Phala Phala game farm. There is a relevant portfolio committee responsible for oversight over the SAPS." Former spy boss Arthur Fraser alleged in June that at least $4-million was stolen from the farm in February 2020 and that, subsequent to the theft, off-the-books means were used to try to locate the culprits and the money. News24 recently reported that burglars stole an estimated $600 000 in cash from Ramaphosa's farmhouse - far less than the millions of dollars that were initially speculated to have been taken. Earlier this month, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula referred to an independent panel the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) call for Parliament to set up an inquiry into the Phala Phala saga. The independent panel will decide whether Ramaphosa will be subjected to a process that could lead to his removal from office. Section 89 of the Constitution provides for the National Assembly to remove a president of the republic from office on the grounds of either, serious violation of the Constitution or the law, serious misconduct, or an inability to perform the functions of office. Majodina welcomed Mapisa-Nqakula's decision and said the ANC would submit proposed names for the independent panel of three "fit and proper, competent, experienced and respected South Africans". "Caucus also welcomes the decision of the speaker to refer security aspects of the matter to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, which is an appropriate committee. The ANC caucus will accord competent state agencies and relevant parliamentary processes the space to conduct their investigation," she said. At the National Assembly's programming committee meeting in June, Majodina questioned the need for Ramaphosa to answer to the allegations. "Now you want us to summon the president on allegations? That we are not going to do. That is not within the rules anywhere. On allegations, the case is not with us, the case is opened [at] the police station, wherever. But on what basis should we summon the president?" she said at the meeting. So far, Ramaphosa has not answered any questions on the Phala Phala matter, and he has maintained that due process should be followed. According to Majodina, Ramaphosa remains the torchbearer and champion in the fight against corruption. "We welcome the commitment by the president to fully cooperate with all law enforcement agencies investigating the matter. This is what is expected from a leader who respects the Constitution and laws of the republic," she said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa won’t act impulsively over the sexual assault allegations levelled against Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. This week, police investigators grilled Godongwana on his version of events where he is accused of fondling a woman while she was giving him a massage in his Kruger National Park hotel room last week. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) instructed Mpumalanga police to take a statement from the finance minister ahead of its decision on whether or not to charge him. Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told TimesLive that the due legal process must run its course without any fear or favour. "The president cannot be impulsive in his decision-making. His action must be informed by due legal process that needs to be allowed to run its course," said Magwenya.
Although there is a decrease in total sexual offences – such as rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences – Police Minister Bheki Cele noted on Friday that the reporting period from April to June 2022 showed that South Africa was brutal and dangerous for women and children. He presented the quarterly crime statistics, where he said there was a drop of more than 800 cases of sexual offences, which are mostly perpetrated against women. However, he said violent crimes committed against women and children were recorded at alarmingly high and unacceptable levels. From April to June 2022, 855 women and 243 children were killed in South Africa. Over 11 000 grievous bodily harm cases, with female victims, were opened with the police, 1 670 of such cases involved children. Cele said the police are investigating attempted murder dockets for over 1 400 women and children who escaped death. He noted that 9 516 rape cases were opened with the South African Police Service during the reporting period. This is almost 500 fewer rape cases reported when compared with the same period last year. “While rape cases declined in all provinces, the North West and Northern Cape provinces are the only provinces to report increases in this crime category. 3 780 of the rapes took place in the homes of the rapists or homes of the victims. 1 546 people were raped in public places such as streets, parks and beaches. Public transportation, such as buses, taxis and trains, is the third most likely place of occurrence for rape cases,” Cele said. He said 286 rapists were convicted through investigative work done by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, with 46 of the rapists sentenced to life behind bars. “While the majority of rapes do take place behind closed doors and [this makes it difficult for] police, we are confident that it is through the FCS detective work that [more rapes are prevented], hence the decrease in rape cases during the reporting period. Serial rapists are stopped in their tracks and such convictions ensure these heartless rapists never rape again,” Cele stated. Sixty-five serial sexual offence cases were finalised, with 16 of these offenders convicted. They will serve a total of 20 life sentences and 886 years imprisonment. MURDER CASES SKYROCKETING Cele said the number of murders in the country remained high and worrisome, highlighting that 6 424 people were killed in the first quarter of the financial year. Cele said this was an increase of 664 more people murdered, when compared with the same period last year, when the country was under level one and two of the Covid-19 Lockdown. The three main causes for murders remained arguments and misunderstandings, he explained. He said retaliation and revenge murders were the second greatest motive for murder, while vigilantism was the third most likely cause of murder in South Africa. He said the uMlazi and Plessislaer police stations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Mthatha station in the Eastern Cape registered the highest number of murder cases – 221 murder cases. Cele explained that 18 police officers were killed during this reporting period, 13 fewer police officers than in the same reporting period last year.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said she "would be happy" if the investigation into the Gupta-linked Vrede dairy farm didn't contain any adverse findings, former Public Protector manager Reginald Ndou has testified. Ndou also told the Section 194 Committee inquiring into Mkhwebane's fitness for office on Thursday that she had issued an instruction that the Gupta Leaks shouldn't be used in the investigation. Ndou said he had received a phone call from Mkhwebane, who said that the lead investigator in the case, Erika Cilliers, was doing the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) bidding and that Mkhwebane would be happy if there were no adverse findings in the matter. Ndou's affidavit to the committee reads: "After I left this meeting, the PP called me from her cellphone to talk about the investigation and its transfer to Head Office. It was a short call, but she made remarks to the following effect: "That Adv Cilliers was doing the bidding of the Democratic Alliance ("the DA") in this investigation, and that one could see she was working for the DA. "That the PP would personally be happy if there were no adverse findings in this report. This is where the call ended. "At the time I was driving home from the office. It was on the very day that the file had been brought to Head Office and we had not yet extensively considered or discussed the evidence. Given that I had just started considering the file, I was taken aback by the PP's words. This is the kind of utterance that one does not forget. He said he hadn't understood this to be an instruction, but rather a "desire". Initially, there was an instruction to use the Gupta Leaks – a massive tranche of emails that uncovered the Guptas' and their associates' grip on the South African state. However, only one line on the Gupta Leaks made it into a draft report. Concerned, Ndou raised this with Mkhwebane in an email. Ndou said being "dismissive" of the Gupta Leaks could be grounds for a review and that the organisation would need very good reasons why it didn't look into it. He couldn't recall whether he had received a response. At a subsequent meeting, he again raised the issue. "I also recall raising the issue of the Guptaleak [sic] emails again at a subsequent Task Team meeting, and the PP specifically saying that these emails were not part of the investigation. During a break in the meeting, I was later advised by Mr Nemasisi and the then secretary to the Task Team, Mr Tebele, to let the issue go, as they had tried to raise the matter at previous meetings and were also shot down by the PP," reads his affidavit. Only the one-line mention of the Gupta Leaks made it into the final report. After evidence leader advocate Nazreen Bawa finished questioning Ndou, she advised the committee that a dismissed charged of sexual harassment against Ndou was irrelevant to the committee's work, and that if the committee wanted to question him on it, it should be behind closed doors. The committee discussed the way forward behind closed doors. After more than two and a half hours, the committee resumed, in the open, with Mkhwebane's counsel Dali Mpofu questioning Ndou.
Former president and chairperson of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Electoral Committee Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday that as the party heads towards its fifty-fifth national elective conference, moral standards and leaders in good standing are important. He was addressing media at Luthuli House in Johannesburg where he tabled the official nomination process and rules for the December 16 conference. Motlanthe said branches must be properly constituted with both genders represented in committees and added that at least 50% of leaders should be women. He said the party hoped that members would comply with the end of vote buying and slates, as laid out by the rules. The ANC expected the highest ethical and moral standards from its NEC leaders, Motlanthe said. “We need cadres who have proven leadership and political capacity, a good track record, public standing and the moral integrity to provide leadership to the ANC, the motive forces of our struggle, and society in general. We need the NEC [National Executive Committee] to reflect our values and our united, non-racial and non-sexist character,” he said. Further, he added that the party’s NEC should consist of a generational mix, with young people in leadership positions. “We must strive to achieve an NEC with at least 25% of members being young people. At least 50% of nominees and elected members must be women and we must strive to represent the different national groups in our country,” Motlanthe added. The party also hopes to achieve a good balance of leadership that reflects and draws from the many sectors of society. This includes leaders from different classes; from all national groups; from all parts of the country, both rural and urban; from many sectors and communities; from different faith groups; and importantly, from marginalised groups, such as people living with disabilities, and the LGBTQI+ community. The ANC reiterated its stance that no-one may contest the ANC leadership election if they have been found guilty of, or have been charged with unethical or immoral conduct, or any serious crime, or corruption. Motlanthe explained that a charge was defined as being charged in a court of law and added that this rule applied also to members who had been charged with any criminal offences in cases that were still being heard, or where a judgment or sentence was being appealed. Documents with the rules attached.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Local Government: Municipal Systems Amendment Bill, which bars municipal managers and senior managers from holding political office. According to the Parliamentary Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC), Ramaphosa signed the bill on 16 August 2022. The National Assembly passed the Bill in December 2020. It prevents municipal managers, and senior managers who are directly accountable to municipal managers, from holding political office, whether they have been appointed in a permanent, temporary or acting capacity. Section 71B also prevents staff members from holding political office. "A staff member may not hold political office in a political party, whether in a permanent, temporary or acting capacity. A person who has been appointed as a staff member before [the legislation] takes effect, must comply with [it] within one year of the commencement of [the legislation]," it reads. It defines political office as a position of chairperson, deputy chairperson, secretary, deputy secretary or treasurer of a political party nationally or in any province, region or other area in which the party operates. The 2011 Amendment Act, which this Bill will replace, had a similar political office ban but it only applied to municipal managers and their direct reports. The legislation also provides for the repeal of the Municipal Systems Amendment Act of 2011 which was declared unconstitutional in 2017, for its failure to comply with the procedures as set out in Section 76 of the Constitution. The Act was tagged as a Section 75, instead of a Section 76, Bill. In her audit of municipal figures for the 2020/21 financial year, Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke reported that R21.10-billion of irregular expenditure was incurred at a local government level, mainly due to non-compliance with supply chain legislation. Maluleke also reported that only 62 municipalities gave her office credible statements when the audit season began. A whopping R10.4-billion was paid to municipal finance units in salaries, yet only 25% of the 257 municipalities across the country could produce credible financial statements to her team. Municipalities also spent R1.26-billion to hire financial consultants to assist them in compiling their financial statements. Earlier this month, News24 reported that municipal ward councillors across the country were not appropriately skilled in managing council affairs, and that some even struggled to write reports and do presentations. These were some of the findings of a development strategy for councillors, which was spearheaded by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority. In respect of municipal financial management, critical skills gaps were identified in, among others, financial governance, municipal financial management and reporting, and municipal procurement. The development strategy highlighted skills shortages in interpersonal and presentation skills, as well as report writing.
Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane didn't want to work with her former spokesperson, Cleopatra Mosana, because she disrespected her by calling her "Busisiwe", the Section 194 Committee heard on Wednesday. The committee's hearings to determine whether Mkhwebane misconducted herself or is incompetent resumed with the testimony of Gumbi Tyelela, the acting head of corporate services at the Office of the Public Protector. According to Tyelela's affidavit, Mosana's last working day was 30 April 2019. She worked as the Public Protector spokesperson for one year and 10 months. She left having given 24-hour notice. "I recall it was on a Monday morning when I was called to the PP boardroom, just after 08:00. Present was both Ms Mosana and the then chief of staff, Linda Molelekoa. The PP came in," reads Tyelela's affidavit, which he confirmed to the evidence leader, advocate Nazreen Bawa SC. The affidavit continues, "She was upset and indicated that she no longer wanted to work with Ms Mosana as she did not want to be doing her work, and that Ms Mosana was disrespecting her by calling her by her first name 'Busisiwe'." "She indicated that Ms Mosana must go home and serve her notice from home. No details were provided as to what precisely in relation to Ms Mosana's work had brought this about. "I intervened and requested that Ms Mosana leave the room whereafter I informed the PP that what she had done was dismiss Ms Mosana without any process and that she could not do so. Apprised that she did not want to work with Ms Mosana any longer, I requested that she allowed me to deal with the matter going forward." Mosana was offered another post, but she declined. "She wanted to remain in the private office. She wanted a meeting with PP to find out what she had done, but we cautioned her against this as the PP had clearly indicated that she no longer wanted to work with her." A labour dispute ensued, and the legal proceedings cost the Public Protector R468 574.58, according to Tyelela. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) subsequently ordered the Office of the Public Protector to pay Mosana R529 536.56. Following the CCMA ruling, the office sought legal advice and was informed a review process would cost in the region of R450 000, "but that there was a reasonable prospect of success". The Public Protector is now seeking to review the CCMA ruling on Mosana. The matter is still pending. At the time, Mosana had been in the firing line, having to answer questions on the controversial South African Reserve Bank (SARB)/CIEX and Vrede dairy farm/Estina reports. "If it is true, you would agree it would be almost unheard of for someone, say it was a minister or the chairperson of this committee, to call them by their name," said Mkhwebane's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC. Tyelela agreed. Mpofu said at least you could call Mkhwebane "you". Mpofu added that Mkhwebane might not have wanted to work with someone who needed to be "spoon-fed". Tyelela also testified about several other labour disputes during Mkhwebane's term at the office. Tyelela's cross-examination by Mpofu continued into the afternoon.
South Africa's financial watchdog says it has reached an agreement with a pension fund for African National Congress (ANC) employees to get the party to pay it R10-million a month until its arrears are cleared. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) said on Thursday that the party had not been paying contributions to its staff provident fund, which has 535 members. "The African National Congress, which is a participating employer in the fund, has not met its obligations in terms of making regular retirement fund contributions into the fund," it said. The governing party has occasionally struggled to pay salaries to its staff on time. In January, some staff members picketed outside its headquarters at Luthuli House over outstanding wages. Last month members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union again accused the party of not paying salaries on time. The FSCA announcement shows that the party has also been deficient in paying contributions to the pension funds of employees. The watchdog said it had reached an enforceable undertaking with the fund to implement an agreement it has with the ANC to pay R10-million into the fund every month "until the arrear contributions are extinguished". The fund will also need to provide monthly updates to the FSCA about things like deductions from employees' salaries and how much it still needs to pay. It also needs to provide monthly updates to members on the status of the arrear contributions. Mvusi Mdala, a representative of ANC employees, said if the party did indeed pay the R10-million per month as outlined in the agreement, he hoped it would not come "at the further expense" of employees. ANC staff members had still not been paid their salaries for July, he said, which he described as an "unbearable situation". He said employees also didn't know when or whether they would receive their August salaries. FSCA commissioner Unathi Kamlana said in a statement that the onus on ensuring that there are no arrear contributions rested with the trustees of a fund. "Both employers and funds are reminded of the importance of treating their workers and members fairly by honouring their obligations as enshrined in various legislation," he said. ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe reportedly joked in July that "if the ANC was running a cash-in-transit heist", it would be able to say with certainty that "robberies" would give it enough cash to cover its staff's salaries.
Political parties represented in Parliament will apply to Parliament for a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The political parties have held meetings for several weeks on how to best hold Ramaphosa accountable for the Phala Phala farm debacle. The political parties, which include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), United Democratic Movement, African Transformation Movement, the Congress of the People, and the Democratic Alliance (DA), believe Ramaphosa has a case to answer in Parliament and should be held accountable. EFF leader Julius Malema said the political parties will introduce a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa in Parliament. They want the motion to be held in secret. The DA, however, has removed itself from the request for a motion of no confidence. The official opposition said it was not the best route for the opposition to take while also seeking an ad hoc committee to be appointed.
African National Congress (ANC) heavyweights who campaigned against a second term for Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane as the party's provincial chairperson in May, got the chop on Tuesday. Mabuyane announced a cabinet reshuffle in which Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe and Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Fezeka Nkomonye were given the boot. The changes were announced at a media briefing on Tuesday. Public Works MEC and MPL Babalo Madikizela, who resigned last week from both provincial government positions, was replaced by former Matatiele mayor Ntombovuyo Nkopane. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Xolile Nqatha moves to the transport and safety department to replace sacked MEC Tikana-Gxothiwe. Human settlements MEC Nonceba Khontsiwe replaced Nkomonye as MEC for sport, arts and culture. The shake-up came as pressure was mounting on Mabuyane from his supporters to remove MECs who did not back him when Madikizela contested for the provincial chairperson position against him at the Eastern Cape ANC elective conference in May. Mabuyane defeated Madikizela by 150 votes to get a second term as ANC chairperson in the province. Education MEC Fundile Gade can count himself very lucky as he escaped the chop despite having been a supporter of Madikizela. Mabuyane announced the changes at a media briefing at Lilian Diedericks House at the ministerial residential village in Bhisho. In a statement, Mabuyane said the developments in the provincial government were aimed at bolstering government performance and accelerating delivery on its programme of action. As part of the shake-up, Mabuyane moved Social Development MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi to the human settlements department. News24 understands Mabuyane heeded calls to put a "highly-energetic" person with experience in the problem-plagued social development department. Mani-Lusithi has been replaced by veteran MPL and ANC Women's League provincial task team convener Bukiwe Fanta. The new faces in the cabinet are Fanta, newly sworn-in MPL Zolile Williams and Nkopane. Mabuyane announced Williams as the new Cogta MEC. Williams replaces Nqatha. Nkopane is an ANC MPL and a former member of the provincial investigative task team which probed ANC list rigging allegations ahead of the 1 November municipal elections. Nkomonye's sacking comes as a surprise to many as she has been receiving rave reviews for making strides in developing emerging artists in the province and reviving sport with fresh concepts. In the new cabinet, only Nomakhosazana Meth and Gade managed to keep their positions as health and education MECs respectively. Eastern Cape acting Judge President Selby Mbenenge swore in the members of the reshuffled cabinet. "This team ticks the right boxes in terms of the requisite leadership skills, the 60-40 percent gender equity in favour of women MECs, and the geographic spread of the province. As you know, Mr Zolile Williams - who is now MEC for Cogta - was a serial achiever of clean audits at the Joe Gqabi District Municipality. His experience in the local government environment will certainly bring about improvements in audit outcomes and functioning of our municipalities," Mabuyane said about his new cabinet. He said Williams had spent more than 20 years in local government and that his new department would benefit from his wealth of experience. Mabuyane described Fanta as an activist for women's emancipation. "We all know that the majority of the people who are serviced by social development are women, the elderly and children. We believe she is the right person currently to lead our efforts of serving our vulnerable groups. We have many families that live in poverty and inhumane conditions, with some headed by children. She will work with her team and NGOs to alleviate the plight of such families," said Mabuyane. He said Nkopane would build on the solid foundation of an agile public works and infrastructure department, which had been established by former MEC M...
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu on Tuesday made final her proposal to raise the means test for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to R624 a month. This means that anyone with a monthly income of more than R624 a month – which is the food poverty line – will not qualify for the grant. The maximum income level to qualify was set at R350 from 1 April, which caused large numbers of applicants to be disqualified. The new regulations were gazetted on Tuesday. The SRD has been in place intermittently since May 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. At first, all applicants with an income below R624 qualified with a total of 10.5-million people receiving the grant regularly. However, since the means test was dropped on 1 April less than 50% of applicants were successful, leading to 5.2-million people qualifying. In response to pressure from pro-poor civil society and advocacy groups, Zulu announced a month ago that she intended to ease the criteria. The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), which administers the grant, also dropped an onerous condition that required bank pre-qualification, verifying income flows into bank accounts. The agency has not released an updated report on the number of successful applicants.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will not be summonsed to appear before the Section 194 Committee handling Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's impeachment. The committee made the decision after hearing a legal opinion on Tuesday. Mkhwebane's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, at the start of the impeachment hearings last month, said he would call Ramaphosa as a witness. Mkhwebane's attorneys subsequently wrote to Ramaphosa to invite him to testify before the committee, but the president declined. Thereafter, they wrote to the committee to ask that it subpoena Ramaphosa. According to the legal opinion received from parliamentary legal advisor, Fatima Ebrahim, only witnesses whose testimony will be relevant to the committee's work can be called – which is to determine whether Mkhwebane misconducted herself or is incompetent. Several African National Congress MPs said they did not see the relevance of calling Ramaphosa as a witness. Freedom Front Plus MP Corné Mulder concurred. GOOD MP Brett Herron suggested that Mkhwebane provide the committee with a substantive motion on why Ramaphosa should be called. Ebrahim said they already had such an opportunity, and she "struggled to unpack" what the request was about. She was concerned about opening a dialogue about the matter. "Members have spoken; we are not asking the chair to subpoena the president," said committee chairperson, Qubudile Dyantyi. The committee also decided not to recall former South African Revenue Service executives Johann van Loggerenberg and Ivan Pillay as witnesses. The hearings will resume on Wednesday, with Public Protector human resources manager, Gumbi Tyelele, set to testify.
The new leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) in North West faces an uncertain future, and its newly elected chairperson could be forced out due to a culpable homicide charge still hanging over his head. Former North West MEC for human settlement Nono Maloyi emerged victorious over Premier Bushy Maape at the North West ANC's ninth elective conference over the weekend. Ahead of the election, there was a strong push for Maloyi not to contest for the position, with his critics citing a 2018 culpable homicide case that was provisionally withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as grounds for him to step aside. Branches in Bojanala, the ANC's biggest region in the North West, wrote to the interim provincial committee, requesting that Maloyi not be allowed to stand for election, given that the culpable homicide charge may still be reinstated. They argued that the matter was not struck off the roll, meaning that Maloyi still faced the serious charge. Maloyi told News24 it was unfortunate that his detractors "were trying to leverage an unfortunate situation for political gain". "The ANC step-aside rule was meant to root out bad apples from the organisation and not to settle political scores," Maloyi said. "The accident was an unforeseen and unfortunate incident. It was not corruption, money laundering, or any of the criminal acts that were meant to be rooted out by the step-aside policy." He said that should ANC members in the province prioritise renewing the party and ensuring that the quality of leadership "was of high integrity", petty factional squabbles would not find their way into the ANC. Maloyi added that if the ANC had been preoccupied with issues affecting communities, and not been entrenched in self-serving matters, the court cases, which had hampered the conference schedule, would not have happened. Beyond the litigation that derailed progress at the conference, there were also allegations of security breaches, with "thugs" said to have stolen accreditation tags with the intention of infiltrating the conference. ANC head of organising Nomvula Mokonyane said the "thugs", as she called them, had been caught in the act on camera. There were also allegations of voting branch delegates being "manipulated". Despite the numerous delays, Maloyi emerged as the provincial chairperson, defeating ANC veteran Maape by more than 90 votes. Lazzy Mokgosi was elected deputy chairperson, amassing 353 votes, compared to Paul Sebegoe's 311 votes. Current economic development MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi was defeated by Louis Diremelo for the position of provincial secretary, while Viola Motsumi was elected deputy secretary. Community Safety and Transport MEC Sello Lehari was elected provincial treasurer. In the early hours of Monday, the conference was still electing additional members of the provincial executive committee (PEC). The rest of the conference programme is expected to be finalised in the next two weeks. President Cyril Ramaphosa was advised not to attend the conference as North West's programme had not yet been concluded. "We have since also advised President Cyril Ramaphosa that because the conference has not concluded its business, he should not come," chairperson of the national executive committee (NEC) deployees in North West, Obed Bapela, said. "As you know, the president only closes the conference once all the work of the conference has happened, so we told him to no longer proceed to come to the venue," said Bapela.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) will hold a national strike on 24 August against the rising cost of living, fuel costs, and load-shedding, adding to labour formations planning demonstrations on that day. "The national strike is in response to ongoing load-shedding, fuel price hikes, and escalating food prices," said a notice from Cosatu. In October last year, Cosatu held a national strike over similar concerns, but the protest had little discernible impact. The federation also held a march in Cape Town protesting public transport costs earlier this month. On Thursday, Cosatu will update the media on details and arrangements regarding the national strike. The ANC-aligned labour federation will hold a national strike on the same day as the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), which the latter resolved to do at its Working Class Summit earlier this month. At the time, Saftu secretary-general, Zwelinzima Vavi, said that while the federation should remain politically independent, it was prepared to work with other working-class formations to mobilise in the interest of workers. Vavi used to be the secretary-general of Cosatu until he was expelled from the federation in 2015. He and the unions loyal to him left to eventually form Saftu in 2017. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the similar dates of the Cosatu and Saftu demonstration were a "coincidence". However, he said the two federations are meeting on Wednesday to talk about "working together" in coordinating their respective demonstrations.
In his weekly letter to the nation on Monday President Cyril Ramaphosa said that government is working to close the capacity gaps that led to the unpreparedness of the country’s law enforcement in dealing with the July 2021 unrest. Ramaphosa admitted that there are serious challenges facing policing in South Africa, and gave his assurance that government is working to overcome them. Among the interventions are the re-organising and reprioritising of resources, improving capacity and strengthening law enforcement capacity across the board, and using the Expert Panel report on the unrest as a basis for organisational reform. Ramaphosa acknowledged the growing public frustration and anger at the levels of crime in the country. Last month’s robbery and gang rape of eight young women in Krugersdorp caused nationwide outrage and led to calls for decisive action against armed illegal mining gangs operating in the area. “Like all government departments, the South African Police Service (Saps) is feeling the effects of the country’s fiscal crisis, several years of understaffing and State capture. Police members also work in a dangerous environment where they often have to face violence, injury or death,” Ramaphosa said. He pointed out that crime in South Africa cannot be eradicated without a strong, capable, professional police force. The capacity of the Saps is one of the issues flagged in the Expert Panel report into the July 2021 unrest, which, the President said, government is taking steps to address. “Having restored much-needed stability to the leadership of the Saps, our focus now is on closing capacity gaps that led to our law enforcement authorities being found unprepared to deal with the events of last July,” Ramaphosa said. He particularly noted that understaffing and lack of adequate training has severely impacted community and Public Order Policing. Government has allocated funding for the recruitment of 12 000 new police trainees, and the first cohort is undergoing basic training. The Saps Public Order Policing Units will receive an additional 4 000 members and arrangements are being made for appropriate training for members. “Drawing on the lessons of last July’s unrest, we are working to improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the private security industry in the fight against crime,” Ramaphosa said. He explained that close coordination with all stakeholders, including business, is needed so that resources and crime intelligence are shared to improve public safety and deal with crimes that disrupt economic activity. Through its national intervention units, the Saps has also been making progress in combating organised crime, including drug syndicates, gangs and illegal mining. The Saps is establishing a task team to tackle illegal mining, alongside other task teams that will deal with construction site extortion, copper and cable theft, and theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure. HARD AT WORK Ramaphosa said besides the successes of effective policing in tackling economic crimes, the hard work of the Saps in dealing with broader crime often goes unacknowledged. He said in the last financial year the Saps Crime Investigations secured 206 life sentences against 209 accused, of which 154 were for murder and rape. The Saps Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units secured 356 life sentences against 266 accused. Suspect tracing operations resulted in over 13 000 arrests. “Given the high levels of crime in our society, there is clearly much more that must be done. But these figures do show that many criminals are being arrested and successfully prosecuted. They are not being allowed to get away with murder,” he stressed. The Hawks have started work with the NPA Investigating Directorate on cases emanating from the State capture commission, he added.
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has announced that unions have suspended their strike at the tax body and have reported for duty as the wage negotiations process continues. Sars said in a statement on Friday that the Public Servants Association (PSA) suspended its industrial action first and the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) suspended its strike on Monday. This comes after strike action caused disruptions at customs offices and branches around the country. At the height of the action, as many as 18 branches around the country were closed during the day, with Sars urging taxpayers to use its online services instead of visiting branches. Sars said the suspension of the industrial action allowed all parties in the wage negotiations to work towards progressing the talks and settling the dispute. "In light of this announcement by the two unions, striking employees are back at work and Sars operations, including trade facilitation at our borders, are continuing as usual," Sars said. Sars said follow-up discussions, as well as the national bargaining process, would resume soon. Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolisi told Fin24 that the union returned to duty as Sars worked with labour to resume wage talks in a bid to break the deadlock. "Yes, I can confirm that we have suspended the strike action on the eighth to give space for negotiations and discussions at the Sars National Bargaining Forum," said Nkolisi. The demand from organised labour is a CPI plus 7% wage increase, but Sars has previously said this demand would be unaffordable until it received further funding.
The 20 suspects arrested for their role in the July 2021 unrest have been released on R3 000 bail in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday. The group appeared in a packed courtroom, with several wearing African National Congress regalia. The group were warned to return to court on 26 August with the State saying that more arrests were imminent within the next seven days. There were no well-known public figures among those arrested.
Police Minister Bheki Cele's ministry has spent R8-million on accommodation, entertainment and catering between 1 April 2019 to 17 June this year, while the rest of the police force spent more than R3-billion on the same services over the same period. The police's overall budget has dwindled during this time. This was revealed in Cele's response to a written parliamentary question by Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Janho Engelbrecht. Engelbrecht asked how much had been spent on accommodation, catering and entertainment for Cele, his deputy Cassel Mathale, and all other police officials since he came into office on 29 May 2019. However, the police's accounting doesn't break down costs from specific dates, and the amounts since the start of the 2019/20 financial year – 1 April 2019 – are given. Taxpayers footed a bill of R7.5-million for accommodation, R6 986 on entertainment and R443 146 on catering for Cele, Mathale and ministerial staff over the period. For other officials, the police spent R1.5-billion on accommodation, R1.8-million on entertainment, and R42.3-million on catering. "Entertainment expenses relates to refreshments, in the form of coffee, tea, non-alcoholic beverages and biscuits, for visitors to the offices of all Senior Management Service (SMS) members in the Ministry and the SAPS including Station Commanders, which will not exceed two thousand rand (R2 000) per SMS member or Station Commander (irrespective of rank) cumulatively per financial year," reads Cele's reply. "It should be noted that accommodation expenditure of officials in the SAPS, will realise at higher levels in instances where officials had to be accommodated away from their normal place of work, due to specific operational needs and deployment requirements, i.e. unrest periods, election, other events of national importance, detached duties, investigation of criminal cases, etc." No explanation for the catering costs was provided. The police's dwindling budget has been a concern during the period. The Portfolio Committee on Police heard in April this year, when the police's budget for the 2022/23 financial year was presented, that the budget for visible policing would again decline, as it had the year before. The police also continue to spend more money on protection services than on investigating so-called priority crimes, as the budget for protection services is higher than that of the Hawks. The police's budget for the 2022/23 financial year is R100.695-billion, compared to the previous year's R100.474-billion. Visible policing budget down Committee chairperson Tina Joemat-Pettersson said at the time that, despite the nominal increase of about R225-million from the previous year's budget, their allocation in real terms had decreased by R4.1-billion. According to the police's presentation to the committee, visible policing was the only one of their five main programmes that would receive less money this year than it did in 2021/22. The police's administration will get R20.361-billion in 2022/23, an increase of R102-million from the previous year. The visible policing budget for 2022/23 is R51.716-billion, a drop of R508-million. Detective services get R20.760-billion, an increase of R427-million. Crime Intelligence gets R4.362-billion, an increase of R65-million. Protection and Security Services get R3.496-billion, an increase of R35-million. The police's chief financial officer remarked that these increases were less than inflation. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, better known as the Hawks, receives its budget out of the R20.760-billion budgeted for detective services. It only gets R2.167-billion, or 10.48%, of this figure. However, it increases by 4.67% from the previous year's R2.079-billion. When the police made a similar presentation to the committee last year, they indicated that visible policing's budget had shrunk by almost R4-billion, with its sub-programme crime prevention absorbing most of the cut. Commenting on C...
African National Congress (ANC) veteran Dr Mathews Phosa has condemned leaders who use party ranks as a stepping stone to positions of power, and he stated that renewal of the ANC should not be about words but rather actions. He was speaking during a seminar organised by higher education institution STADIO, at its Centurion Campus. Phosa is a recipient of the fellow of STADIO award for his contribution to good governance and ethical leadership. He said people who were quiet about acts of corruption, kept “feeding the beast that continues to loot the State”. He said, as a proud South African, he had lived by the principles enshrined in the South African Constitution, which he stated was a testament to the will of negotiators who finished their work in 1996 and was a reminder of what “we can do when we as South Africans have set our differences aside and look at a bigger picture”. Phosa added that while the Constitution protected freedom of speech, growing noise and action called for people to be cautious when “we speak truth to power”. “When we speak out against corruption, misuse of power, discrimination and sensitivity to the blood of the poor, some so-called leaders are quick to call us counter-revolutionaries, clever whites or clever blacks, protectors of minority interests,” he stated. He said the current government had become hyper-insensitive to criticism while populist language has become fashionable. He said this did not move the country forward. He warned that once there was a void of deliverables and little policy certainty, the “corruption monster” took over. He also said the South African justice system was slow, politicised, big on statements but blind on action. He pointed out that there were still political leaders who were “untouchable” despite damning findings by the Zondo Commission and other commissions and agencies, all while the electorate faced power cuts, lack of water and shacks for schools. He said the ANC had lost respect from society, saying that party leaders once prided themselves as the leaders of society, but not anymore. He said government's job must be to improve the lives of all who live in it, irrespective of race and gender. “National Assembly must hold the government accountable and the judiciary must be left to do their job alone without fear of favour or prejudice,” he stressed. He said South Africa had principled, young, brave people of all races and he urged citizens not to “sell their voices and their souls” by protecting the corrupt. “It’s all in your hands,” he stressed.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has asked Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence chairperson Jerome Joseph Maake to consider whether almost R2-million a month from the Crime Intelligence Fund was spent on sending an elite special task force to guard President Cyril Ramaphosa's private Phala-Phala game farm. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa over the 2020 break-in, which was alleged to have involved significant amounts of foreign currency. Fraser also contended that the President had used State resources to cover up the theft. Mapisa-Nqakula said reports emerged that the Fund’s money was allegedly used to finance undercover operations to trace the thieves that had stolen money from Ramaphosa’s game farm. Another allegation Mapisa-Nqakula has tasked the Committee to consider is whether Deputy State Security Minister Zizi Kodwa knew about the robbery and whether he chose not to report it to the authorities. It is also alleged that Kodwa had joined head of the Presidential Protection Unit Major General Wally Rhoode during interaction with the South African and Namibian authorities. The Speaker’s referral of the matter to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence comes after Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen wrote to Mapisa-Nqakula, asking her to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations relating to the farm. Mapisa-Nqakula has since declined the request for the establishment of a committee, explaining that the matter could be considered by existing parliamentary structures, such as the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN’s) first woman Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube announced her new Provincial Executive Council on Thursday, a day after her election. Former Premier Sihle Zikalala has been appointed Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC while the new African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in KZN, Sboniso Duma, replaces Ravi Pillay as Economic Development and Tourism MEC. The Health MEC remains Nomagugu Simelane, Social Development MEC is Nonhlanhla Khoza, Human Settlements and Public Works MEC is Dr Nkululeko Ntuthuko Mahlaba and Peggy Nkonyeni is Finance MEC. Dube-Ncube appointed Bongi Sithole-Moloi as Agriculture and Rural Development MEC; Sipho Hlomuka as Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC; Mbali Frazer is Education MEC; and Amanda Mapena is the new Sports, Arts and Culture MEC. Addressing the media in Durban, Dube-Ncube said the province would fast-track issues relating to the revival of the provincial economy and relating to the creation of jobs. She said her council was fully aware that the country and the province were facing serious economic challenges and that they would work collectively to improve the lives of the people in KZN and to improve the economic condition of the province. Issues for her council to focus on included poverty alleviation, inequity in the economy and the unlocking of radical transformation programmes across the province. She thanked the former Premier and outgoing MECs for their contributions towards creating a stronger province, socially and economically. “We will do our ultimate best to ensure that all our public servants remain motivated. We also appreciate them as engines of change and central to the efforts that are aimed at ensuring solid service delivery. A government that is capable, effective and efficient will have to find models of ensuring that this is realised,” said Dube-Ncube.
Stage 2 load-shedding might be required at short notice from 16:00 to midnight on Wednesday. Breakdowns at the Majuba, Tutuka and Kriel power stations have put a severe strain on the power generation system, Eskom said. Stage 2 load-shedding may be required at short notice should any further significant breakdowns occur. The delay in returning two generation units at Arnot, a unit each at Kusile and Hendrina power stations has exacerbated the electricity generation constraints. Some 4 479MW in capacity is out on planned maintenance, while another 12 951MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns. The last round of load-shedding ended on Sunday.
Herman Mashaba says ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal is not in crisis, despite a series of resignations by regional leaders who cited elitism and racism as reasons for their departure from the party’s leadership structures. ActionSA has disbanded its provincial executive committee following a meeting of its senate on Tuesday. Party chairperson Michael Beaumont said in a statement that the decision was taken after observations that some members were intent on damaging ActionSA's image. ActionSA eThekwini chairperson Busisiwe Ntshingila resigned this week in a letter to the party. She described the party as being no different to the African National Congress (ANC). Ntshingila wrote, "With each passing day, I realise that ActionSA is no different to the ruling party. Protecting self-interest and cadre deployment are worded differently, but ultimately implemented identically." Another resignation came from Mohammed Khan, a regional chairperson in the uMgungundlovu region. Khan accused party leaders of undermining members. ActionSA women’s forum chairperson Monica Mgaga also resigned, saying people who had helped grow the party were overlooked for promotions. Another member from the uThukela region said his resignation as chairperson was because of the party’s elitism. "Here at ActionSA, we do not have value unless you enjoy close proximity to Herman Mashaba and you are white or Indian," MVJ Mlangeni wrote in his resignation letter. In response to the resignations, Mashaba denied that ActionSA was like the ANC. He said that as a new political party trying to grow its structures, hiccups were bound to be encountered. 'We don't have time to tolerate nonsense' He accused Ntshingila, who said ActionSA was no different to the ANC, of bringing these "tendencies" into ActionSA. "If people come into an organisation from the ANC and want to bring ANC tendencies into our organisation, we don't tolerate that. For us, we don’t have time to tolerate nonsense. We have a big project, and we will not allow people who are for sale and allow them to be bought and influence us," Mashaba told News24. "She is part of these people trying to bring ANC tendencies into our organisation. She is the one who believes we are like the ANC. If she is not happy with ActionSA, she is welcome to leave. ActionSA is a voluntary organisation. If you are not happy, please step aside. We welcome her resignation. Our team and structures in KZN are happy with the decision." Mashaba added that, with every member who resigned, there were several others waiting in line to join ActionSA. ActionSA has no KwaZulu-Natal chairperson after the interim chairperson, Musa Khubeka, was removed from the position following allegations of misconduct. Khubeka is facing a disciplinary hearing. Mashaba said a new chairperson would be appointed by October. He said the party was being more stringent in its interview processes for a provincial chairperson because of past experiences. Former ActionSA provincial chairperson Makhosi Khoza had her membership terminated after facing a disciplinary hearing over public comments. Her decision to accept a committee position in the eThekwini council had soured her relationship with ActionSA, ultimately leading to her membership termination.
Newly sworn-in KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said on Wednesday that the smooth transition of leadership between KwaZulu-Natal Premiers is a reflection of democracy and of the growing level of maturity within the African National Congress (ANC). Dube-Ncube was chosen as the ANC's preferred candidate to take the top job, following the resignation of former Premier Sihle Zikalala. She said in her acceptance speech that the country was celebrating the fact that the ANC had made a conscious decision to ensure that the sixth Premier was female. “As women, we don’t take for granted the fact that you have made history. It is for the first time that we have a female First Citizen ever in this province. Under the Boer Republic of Natalia – a male was a leader. Under the Colony of Natal, which was proclaimed in 1843 – a man was a leader. Under the homeland of KwaZulu, which was granted self-government under apartheid – a male, was a leader. Ever since we attained democracy in 1994, men have been leading this province,” she pointed out. She promised transparency, accountability and good governance in all spheres of government from her team who she said would work with chapter nine institutions, such as the Human Rights Commission, Public Protector and the Auditor General. She also promised regular briefings on service delivery matters and said her team would maintain good working relations with all political parties. RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT “As I accept my new responsibilities I wish to make a firm undertaking that we will ensure that we are a responsive government that serves all the people, irrespective of their political affiliation. Ever since I joined the struggle for freedom as a young activist, all the decisions I have made, together with a collective over the past 28 years, have been solely aimed at the upliftment and the realisation of a better life for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Nothing has changed and nothing will change. Where necessary, as guided by the ANC as governing party and honourable members, I will work with all categories of staff in the Office of the Premier in order to make an impact,” she vowed. The Premier’s Office, she added, will seek the guidance of religious leaders, traditional leaders, captains of industry and ordinary members of society. Dube-Ncube said her leadership will be assertive and visible to allow her office to coordinate key and priority government programmes to ensure the province achieved its Provincial Vision. Under her leadership, her office would regularly monitor and evaluate all provincial government departments, public entities and municipalities to assess impacts on service delivery. “Let me hasten to point out that we are not intending to usurp any functions, roles or responsibilities of other line function departments, but we need to have our finger on the pulse of this province and must be able to intervene where necessary as guided by the ANC, as a governing party,” Dube-Ncube explained. She further promised that her office would be a responsible, clean and caring government. “We want government employees to project the values of a caring government that responds to the needs of the people. We will deepen our democracy by creating space for ordinary members of society, civil society and human rights activists to partner with government to improve and assess the quality of service delivery using Operation Sukuma Sakhe as a tool,” she added.
Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's latest report on former South African Revenue Service (SARS) official Ivan Pillay – who last week lambasted her investigations into SARS – has been invalidated "by agreement" with her office. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Monday ordered that the report, which centred on an 18-year-old IT contract, "is reviewed, declared unlawful and set aside" in each instance where it related to Pillay. More damagingly for Mkhwebane, whose impeachment inquiry continues on Wednesday, the high court also found that the beleaguered Public Protector acted "in breach" of Pillay's constitutional rights by failing to provide him with: "any notice whatsoever of the investigation; "any of the rights to which he is entitled to in terms of section 7(9) of the Public Protector Act, 23 of 1994; and "any right to be heard on the remedial action that the first respondent contemplated granting against him." Given that Mkhwebane has routinely been lambasted by the courts for failing to afford the subjects of her most barbed investigations – including President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan - these same rights, the high court's ruling is very likely to be part of the arsenal of evidence that she needs to address when she testifies at her impeachment inquiry. In her now partially invalidated report on the SARS' IT contract, Mkhwebane recommended that the Hawks consider investigating alleged criminal conduct by current and former SARS bosses, including Edward Kieswetter and Gordhan. She released that report on SARS' 2006 contract with software firm Budge, Barone & Dominick (BBD) less than three hours after the State Capture Inquiry found in its latest report that Gordhan was instrumental in resisting the Guptas' takeover of Treasury. The complaint of "maladministration, improper conduct and procurement irregularities" which prompted the probe, had been launched by former government spokesperson, and current Jacob Zuma Foundation frontman, Mzwanele Manyi, in 2016. While SARS had used a specific Treasury regulation, which provides for deviation from normal procurement processes without the need to put it out to tender, Mkhwebane said she "could not find compelling reasons for them to do so". The Public Protector Act also says that the Public Protector should not consider any complaint unless its reported within two years of the incident, barring special circumstances. Mkhwebane, in this case, said she was deviating from the two-year rule because of "special circumstances". While the Office of the Public Protector has yet to comment on the high court’s ruling, Pillay's lawyers have released a statement, in which they noted that Mkhwebane's latest SARS report was the third in which she made adverse findings against Pillay. Both of the other two Public Protector reports that made findings against Pillay – including the so-called SARS "Rogue Unit" report and the report on his early retirement – have been overturned by the courts. "Testifying as a witness on Friday, in the proceedings of the Section 194 Parliamentary inquiry into the fitness of advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane to hold office, Mr. Pillay highlighted a litany of similar abuses of power in these investigations conducted by the Public Protector against him," his lawyers said.
In his weekly letter to the nation on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out that the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) remained one of the country’s biggest obstacles in achieving full and meaningful gender equality. He said as South Africans worked together to tackle GBV, progress made by the country in building a non-sexist society must not be diminished. On Tuesday South Africa will celebrate Women’s Day, which commemorates the day in 1956 when thousands of women marched on the Union Buildings to protest against apartheid pass laws. Activists such as Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Sophie Williams de Bruyn marched up the steps of the Union Building amphitheatre on that historic day. “We must celebrate the many achievements of women in our country and pay tribute to those who continue to lead the way. As we work to achieve gender equality in all areas of life, we must acknowledge that we have come a long way. And that we still have much further to go,” Ramaphosa said. He compared the 1956 Women’s March to today’s efforts to end violence against women and children. He said equal rights for women was an important goal of national liberation and added that ending violence against women and children was vital to the country’s national progress. “This is not a problem of women, but a problem of men. And it is men who are being called upon to be part of the solution, starting with their own attitudes and conduct,” Ramaphosa added. ACHIEVEMENT OF GENDER EQUALITY According to South Africa’s progress towards the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, the country is on an upward trend towards the achievement of gender equality, Ramaphosa said. He stressed the importance of representation of women. “Today, women can advance in any occupation, study in a place and field of their choice and own businesses. Thanks to employment equity legislation and other policies of the democratic government, women’s representation in the workplace, in government and all of society continues to grow,” he noted. Specifically, he pointed to a growing number of women in Parliament, with 46% of National Assembly members being women. He stated that 62% of the entire public service was female and 44% of senior management posts were filled by women. He further pointed out government’s accelerated agenda for advancing women’s representation by appointing the first woman to head the National Prosecuting Authority and the first female Directors-General in the State Security Agency and the Presidency. Last week the first female Deputy National Commissioner of the South African Police Service was appointed and last month Justice Mandisa Maya was appointed as South Africa’s first female Deputy Chief Justice. Out of 256 judges on the Bench, 114 were female and nearly half of all magistrates were female. Ramaphosa noted that South Africa came from a painful past where young black women and girls had limited prospects. He said it was an inspiration to see black women occupy posts as ministers, judges, business leaders, engineers and fighter pilots. As women in the US fight for their rights to contraception and safe abortions, Ramaphosa pointed out that South African women have access to contraception and safe termination of pregnancy in the public health system. He added that the democratic State had worked to repeal all laws that discriminate against women, and over the years the courts had ruled against policies and practices that unfairly discriminated against women on the grounds of motherhood or sexual orientation. “We have laws that protect women against harassment in the workplace and that address modern forms of victimisation of women. Women in traditional communities have rights to own land, to enter into contracts and to inherit,” Ramaphosa said.
The African National Congress has elected KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube as the person they want to take over from KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala following his resignation last week. If appointed, Dube-Ncube would be the first female premier in KwaZulu-Natal. Dube-Ncube was selected as the preferred candidate following an interview process undertaken by the ANC’s national executive committee. Accepting her candidacy, Dube-Ncube said government must champion services to the people. She promised to work with all structures to ensure that the policies outlined by the ANC unite South Africans. “I am sure our leaders such as Victoria Mxenge and Dorothy Nyembe, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and many leaders where they are, are rejoicing during this [women’s] month. The ANC as the champion of non-racialism, non-sexism is indeed ensuring that our women who are capable are given the responsibility to lead. I humbly accept and wish to thank and commit that we will not disappoint the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” said Dube-Ncube.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell told Tembisa residents on Friday that an aggressive debt rehabilitation programme will allow them to write off 50% of historic service debt. The mayor was addressing residents under heavy police presence following deadly protests over exorbitant electricity prices. Campbell promised residents that their grievances were being addressed. She said the issue of tariffs would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The services that qualify for the 50% debt relief are rates, service charges, interest and other costs. The scheme is available to Tembisa residents until March 31, 2023. The City has also promised to immediately rectify issues in the billing system. “We want to assure you that the issue of incorrect billing is being resolved. We will also ensure that the bills of water, sanitation, rates and taxes are separated from the electricity bill,” said Campbell. The City is also reviewing the indigent policy to ensure that all residents who qualify for a subsidy can be assisted. She said the amended policy would be gazetted for public comment. No disconnections will be processed while the City deals with the indigent applications for the next 90 days. A two-week service delivery open day will be hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni – encompassing the Departments of Finance, Health and Social Development – to assist all residents with indigent applications. Campbell promised residents that the City would also increase the property value threshold for qualifying indigents so that more residents could qualify. Tembisa residents will no longer pay for the administration and delivery of cut-off notices as the City will introduce an SMS system for notifications. Campbell urged all residents to register on the Siyakhokha online portal to start receiving the notices. She went on to promise residents 27 wheely bins on August 8 to curb illegal dumping in Tembisa. All illegal dumping sites will be cleaned up and the mayor appealed to residents to help stop illegal dumping. A long-term commitment to the building of a recycling plant was mentioned by the mayor, which would create employment opportunities for the community. The City of Ekurhuleni will continue to provide 50 kW of free basic units. She explained that the free 100 free kW units fell outside of the City’s jurisdiction but the mayor promised engagement with National Treasury to increase the amount of free basic units allowed. Addressing customer care issues, Campbell said there would be no more “lunch close-downs”. Municipal offices will operate from Monday to Saturdays. “The issue of unprofessional staff behaviour is receiving my urgent attention. I have instructed the administration to investigate incidents of bribery, corruption and collusion with the so-called lawyers who are stealing your hard-earned money. We pay these officials to do their work, and we expect them to do their work to assist you, and they will be helping you going forward,” she assured residents. The customer centre building was burnt down during the protests. A new facility has been identified to ensure that the services continue. The mayor appealed to residents to assist in protecting municipality infrastructure.
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has proposed the names of Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and ANC MPLs Amanda Bani and Mbali Fraizer as possible replacements for outgoing premier Sihle Zikalala. The ANC in the province on Friday afternoon announced his resignation as KZN premier following his defeat at the ANC KZN elective conference, where he had to relinquish the chairperson position. Through a statement, the ANC said "Cde Zikalala offered the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) his resignation yesterday, which was accepted" and the PEC has since communicated with the ANC National Officials and were instructed to make recommendations of three names who will undergo an interview process. The names of the three candidates have since been submitted and they according to the ANC in KZN will undergo interview process on Saturday. The party said it was with great pain that it accepted Zikalala's resignation "as he was still doing a great job in the province since he took over". "We are grateful to the job he has done for the people of this province and we appreciate that he made a conscious decision not to leave office hastily. Cde Zikalala's tenure has come with a lot of good in the province, including a number of provincial government departments receiving unqualified audit outcomes for the first time," read the statement. According to sources, the newly elected provincial executive committee (PEC) was informed of Zikalala's request to be released from his position when it met for the first time on Thursday. A PEC member told News24, "It was communicated to us [the PEC] that Zikalala believed the environment was no longer conducive for him to continue as KZN premier and as such asked to step down." "It was made clear that he will remain in the ANC and has committed to working hand in hand with the newly elected leadership to ensure that there is a smooth transition, and the party wins the national elections," the PEC member added. When approached for comment, Zikalala requested that questions be sent to him via text message as he was unable to answer his phone, but he had not responded by the time of publication. The newly elected provincial ANC leadership was not available for comment. Zikalala's decision came after he suffered an embarrassing defeat at the recent ANC KwaZulu-Natal elective conference that saw him relinquish the party chairpersonship to his rival, former ANC provincial youth league leader Sboniso Duma. Adding salt to the wound, Zikalala, who had accepted the nomination as an additional PEC member, failed to make the cut as delegates again showed their resentment for him. From the outcome of the votes, it was clear that there were anti-Zikalala sentiments, and delegates were ready to vote for anyone but him. Speaking to News24 at the conference, newly elected provincial ANC secretary Bheki Mtolo promised that Zikalala would not be pushed out and would remain premier until the national and provincial elections in 2024. A similar commitment was made by Duma, who vowed that there would be no purging of leaders in the provincial executive shortly after he was elected chairperson. Zikalala himself dealt a similar blow to his predecessor, Senzo Mchunu, when he forced him out as premier after he had also lost the chairperson position at the 2015 provincial elections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Friday that government, represented by the South African Police Service (Saps) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, will convene an Imbizo with the Kagiso community over the weekend to interrogate issues of illegal mining and crime in Krugersdorp. Last week a group of men and women shooting a music video at a disused mine near Krugersdorp were attacked by armed assailants who gang raped eight of the women. Ramaphosa was speaking during the second day of the Presidential Social Sector Summit, held in Johannesburg, where he said South Africa’s society is confronted by lawlessness, crime and corruption, gender-based violence (GBV), hunger and malnutrition. Also attending the summit were Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu; Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza; United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr Ayodele Odusola; and representatives of civil society. Ramaphosa said police were hard at work with investigations, however, while he commended them for apprehending suspected illegal miners and shutting down their operations, he said the police must double their efforts in catching those responsible for gang raping the women. “This horrific crime is a reminder that as government and society we must do more to tackle gender-based violence. Over the last few years, as a result of cooperation between government and society, we have strengthened the response of the criminal justice system to such crimes,” he said. As part of the National Strategic Plan against GBV and Femicide government has enacted new legislation focused on the capacity of the Saps, the National Prosecuting Authority and courts to better support GBV survivors and prosecute offenders. “We know that the NPA continues to place special emphasis on prosecuting these crimes, obtaining a conviction rate of 74%. We want to encourage the NPA and the police to do more in their common efforts in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide,” said Ramaphosa. In his message of support, Odusola said the United Nations was ready to work with the South African government and civil society in dealing with violence. PROTESTS Ramaphosa pointed out that over the past week the country had witnessed scenes of violent protest, damage to public infrastructure and, in some cases, loss of life in areas such as Kagiso in the West Rand and Tembisa in Ekurhuleni. “As we address these incidents we need to distinguish between legitimate protest and criminality, addressing the concerns and grievances of communities, while acting to prevent loss of life and destruction of property. We can all understand the public outrage in Kagiso at the gang rape of eight young women last week and we all deeply and sincerely share in the pain of the victims, their families and the neighbouring communities,” said Ramaphosa. He said government was also committed in its fight against corruption, while acknowledging that there is much more to be done. But the President believed the fight against corruption was gaining momentum. ALL HANDS ON DECK Ramaphosa said that to overcome the challenges facing the country, it required all sectors of society to bring their respective capabilities together and unite behind a common vision. “Civil society organisations are where our people are, whether as NGOs, as community, professional and faith-based organisations, as academia or as worker representative organisations. One of the priorities of this administration is to drive people-centred, localised development through the District Development Model. It seeks to promote an approach to development that takes into account needs, circumstances and priorities on the ground,” he said. Now more than ever government relies on civil society’s knowledge, experience and expertise to guide government on what interventions are needed, and to point out the best way to allocate scarce resourc...
South Africa's health regulator reported on Thursday a causal link between the death of an individual and Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) Covid-19 vaccine, the first time such a direct link has been made in the country. The person presented with rare neurological disorder Guillain-Barre Syndrome soon after being given J&J's vaccine, after which the person was put on a ventilator and later died, senior scientists told a news conference. "At the time of illness no other cause for the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) could be identified," Professor Hannelie Meyer said. The person's age and other personal details were not disclosed for confidentiality reasons. Last July, US authorities added a warning to a factsheet for J&J's vaccine saying data suggested there was an increased risk of GBS in the six weeks after vaccination. At the time it noted 100 preliminary reports of GBS in vaccine recipients, including 95 serious cases and one reported death. J&J did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The company said at the time of the U.S. warning it was in discussions with regulators and the rate of reported cases of GBS in J&J vaccine recipients exceeded the background rate only slightly. "The benefit of vaccination still far outweighs the risk," Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, chief executive of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), told reporters. "In our context we have administered about 9-million (doses) of the Janssen (J&J) vaccine, and this is the first causally linked case of GBS." Europe's medicines regulator last year added GBS as a possible side-effect of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine which, like J&J's, uses viral vector technology. South Africa's Health Minister Joe Phaahla told Thursday's news conference that as of mid-July there had been just over 6 200 "adverse events" reported to SAHPRA out of the more than 37-million Covid vaccine doses administered in the country, equivalent to 0.017%. Semete-Makokotlela said the regulator had assessed around 160 deaths since the Covid vaccination rollout started but had not seen a causal link to vaccination until now. South Africa has been using shots from J&J and Pfizer in its Covid vaccination campaign. The rollout got off to a slow start due to difficulties securing supplies and protracted negotiations with pharmaceutical companies, but more recently it has been slowed by hesitancy. Around 46% of its adult population of 40-million is now fully vaccinated.
Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi said government, the social partners and communities must join hands and become more innovative in confronting the complex challenges the country is facing in taking South Africa to a higher growth path. Nxesi was speaking during the Presidential Social Sector Summit, in Boksburg, on Thursday, which he said came at an opportune time for the National Economic Development and Labour Council’s (Nedlac’s) community constituency. He said a new social compact to create jobs should outline the principles of a “new consensus”, beyond merely specific actions or interventions and it must enable action on interventions whose scale was large enough to place the country on a clear path of recovery. “We must also endeavour not to leave anyone behind. We, therefore, need to broaden our consultation and participation wider and beyond government and the Nedlac social partners,” he said. Nxesi said the social compact should also resolve the current impasse on long-standing areas of disagreement or stalemate, and should not only include issues where broad agreement already exists. “The agreement should build on the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan which was launched by the President, but extend beyond. It must be seen as the first approach that will shift the needle on [the right] economic path. The focus should be on fewer priorities, big-ticket items where consensus is required, not a laundry list of initiatives or a comprehensive plan,” he said. He noted that the social compact must include commitments from each social partner and not only actions that government would take. “Other people think that it must be government acting on that and that and theirs is to be beneficiaries. No, all stakeholders must come to the party and contribute,” he said. Nxesi proposed that some departments that provided key services operate seven days a week, to improve services and create more employment. He added that management in the State must also be dealt with. “We are talking about the capacity of the State, have we employed the right people? Do they have the right qualifications and do they have the right culture of work? When employed, do they stay at work and are they up to task? We must be honest, we have to deal with this culture,” he said. POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT AND INEQUALITY Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu also pointed out that the focus must be on the real challenges that were faced by people. Those included poverty, unemployment, inequality and the value chain of the country’s economy - an economy, she said, that was not opening up particularly to young and black people. Zulu said her department was also looking at social entrepreneurship. She said her department was responsible for the well-being of citizens across the board and for ensuring the potential of each and every citizen. “In its multiple manifestations, this sector has been the primary source of cohesion, sense-making and cooperation in communities,” she said.
Former State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Arthur Fraser once called Public Protector security manager Baldwin Neshunzhi to tell him to "pull up his socks" in supporting Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the Section 194 Committee heard on Thursday. Neshunzi testified before the committee, which is tasked with inquiring into Mkhwebane's fitness for office, on Thursday and lifted the veil on the SSA's influence at the office. Before he started, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, on behalf of Mkhwebane, objected to him testifying, claiming his evidence would be irrelevant. Evidence leader advocate Nazreen Bawa SC, however, differed. After 30 minutes of mostly Mpofu complaining, Neshunzi was sworn in and started his explosive testimony. Neshunzhi was tasked with investigating whether there was something wrong with the office's leave system in that it allowed some people to appear to be at work while they actually were not. He could not find anything wrong. Mkhwebane was unhappy about this. According to his affidavit, he was told training had been arranged for him at the SSA. Neshunzhi said he was given a sealed letter to take to Fraser. He was then told he had failed to investigate an alleged IT security breach properly. Mkhwebane then instructed him to leave the office, and he had to hand in his laptop and office keys. Neshunzhi considered it a suspension. He asked whether he was suspended but did not receive an answer. The letter to Fraser asked that the SSA "recall" Neshunzi for training. Neshunzi was later asked to do another investigation. This time, he had to determine whether documents President Cyril Ramaphosa lodged with the office were leaked. He found there was no leak, as the Presidency issued a statement on the documents. He said his relationship with Mkhwebane subsequently deteriorated. "There was an expectation that I would be her ears and eyes in the office, and I was letting her down," read Neshunzhi's affidavit. "I subsequently received a telephone call from Mr Arthur Fraser, and was informed that I was not providing the support to the [Public Protector] as I was hired to do. He advised that the [Public Protector] was complaining about my lack of support. This occurred during the end of 2019." At the time, Fraser was employed as the national commissioner for correctional services. Support Neshunzhi said Fraser told him to "pull up your socks" and go beyond the call of duty to demonstrate his support for Mkhwebane. At the time, he added, he did not know how he failed in his job as Mkhwebane did not directly relay it to him. Later, Neshunzhi sought the SSA's assistance in developing a proper case management system for the office. He said he thought it had the required expertise as it was the "custodians of information in the state". "One of the persons from the SSA involved was Mahendra Moodley at the SSA offices, I understood him to be an expert in IT, and in fact, some whiz kid in that field." Moodley is the SSA operative who allegedly gave Mkhwebane the wording of her controversial recommendation in the CIEX report that Parliament should amend the Constitution on the SA Reserve Bank's mandate. During his cross-examination of former Public Protector investigator Tebogo Kekana, Mpofu suggested Moodley was an expert on economics. Despite Neshunzhi directly contradicting this, Mkhwebane's team did not raise the matter during cross-examination. Mpofu again said Neshunzhi's testimony was irrelevant and complained News24 reported he tried to block the testimony. Neshunzhi continued to be questioned by MPs into the afternoon. In the months before her appointment as Public Protector, Mkhwebane worked at the SSA.
Scores of protesters from different political parties gathered outside the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court in Gauteng on Wednesday, for the expected court appearance of 80 people who were arrested for various offences in a police blitz. The police operation followed after the rape of eight women on a mine dump. To date, no one among the arrested suspects has been directly linked to the incident. The women were raped last week while filming a music video on the mine dump. Some of the men have been charged with being in the country illegally. DNA samples have been taken to determine if they were linked to the rapes. Members of the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA protested outside court. The protesters sang songs and held placards reading "Hands off our Women", and "Stop Rape". "We came here to join the picket line and communicate a clear message that we now need to go out and reclaim the streets of our communities. We can no longer allow criminals, illegal immigrants and rapists to roam around our streets without any action," said the ANC's Pule Mabe. "What happened here in Krugersdorp over the past week should serve as a wake-up call. We need our government to act [and] work with speed to deal with this issue of zama zamas (illegal miners), illegal immigrants, and illegal mining," he added. Mabe said the government should also compel mining companies to rehabilitate abandoned mines. "There are also environmental issues that affect our communities out there, and the dumps have been captured by criminals. "Also, there are people who want to turn South Africa into a playground. the things that they are not doing in their own countries. If you allow people to continue conducting illegal activities unattended, they then undermine your ability to function and govern," Mabe said. The DA's Gail Mphafudi, Mogale City MMC for health and social development, said they came to support the eight victims who were raped last week. "We are here to support the women to say 'No to gender-based violence', because we are seeing it is becoming a thing in SA, and it is unacceptable. "We are here today to support them to say that we stand with them against children and women abuse and gender-based violence," Mphafudi said. Mphafudi said illegal mining was a big problem on the Gauteng West Rand that was affecting infrastructure. "You don't even feel safe in your home because there might be a tremor that might lead to your house breaking down, so it is a health risk on its own. "It also poses a risk to people's lives because they are getting shot at and there is so much violence around zama zamas." She said Mogale City Mayor Tyrone Gray was working closely with law enforcement to deal with the issue. Most of the accused were from Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. During the men's first appearance on Monday, the court heard that they were only facing charges of being in the country illegally. Some of them had previously been arrested on the same charge. They were deported but had returned. Twenty of the accused were juveniles, and their cases were transferred to the Children's Court.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has the "final say" on the reports issued by her office, senior manager for executive support Futana Tebele testified on Wednesday. During his testimony before the Section 194 Committee that is inquiring into Mkhwebane's fitness for office, Tebele continually referred to Mkhwebane as the "executive authority". Responding to a question from evidence leader advocate Ncumisa Mayosi, Tebele said Mkhwebane reads all the reports issued by her office and sends them back if she is not happy with them. After prompting from Mayosi, he said Mkhwebane has the "final say" on all reports. The crux of the charges before the committee – that Mkhwebane had behaved improperly and is incompetent – stem from scathing court rulings against her in relation to the Vrede dairy farm report, the CIEX/Reserve Bank report, the CR17 matter and the so-called "rogue unit" investigation. The implication of Tebele's testimony is that Mkhwebane had the "final say" on these reports. There has been testimony before the committee that Mkhwebane instructed investigators not to include the GuptaLeaks in their Vrede dairy farm probe. Mayosi asked Tebele if he was involved in the Vrede investigation. He said he wasn't really part of the investigation. He said there was "an opinion" that they needed to check whether there was a public-private partnership, which he was involved in due to his experience in that field. Mayosi asked if he recalled being involved in discussions about the GuptaLeaks and the Vrede project and whether he asked Reginald Ndou, the executive manager for the provincial investigations and integration unit, not to use the GuptaLeaks. Tebele said he didn't recall such discussions and couldn't remember telling Ndou not to use the GuptaLeaks. Tebele said there was tension in the quality assurance unit because the lawyers had to report to Mkhwebane's chief of staff, who wasn't a lawyer. Adding to the tension was Mkhwebane insisting that investigators determine deadlines. Tebele testified that Mkhwebane's backlog-clearing initiative "created a lot of pressure on people within the office of the Public Protector to work". Investigators were required to report to Mkhwebane directly and via their executive managers. "There was lots of pressure on them to complete their work with frequent and constant meetings being held to ascertain how far investigations were and what was being done in respect of reducing the backlog," he added. He said Mkhwebane didn't take kindly to deadlines not being met. Tebele said in his affidavit that Mkhwebane would reprimand employees who didn't meet deadlines and would sometimes raise her voice. He told the committee he could sometimes see how the "executive authority" was "hammering" investigators. However, he said he never experienced harassment, intimidation and harassment, nor did he see Mkhwebane doing this. The hearing continued into the afternoon, with Mkhwebane's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, cross-examining the witness. Tebele, Mkhwebane and Mpofu are participating through the virtual platform.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has missed the deadline she gave herself for a decision on whether to set up a committee to probe allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa. During previous communication with African Transformation Movement (ATM) president Vuyolwethu Zungula, Mapisa-Nqakula undertook to reconsider the party's push for an investigation into the claims against Ramaphosa, which stem from a theft at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. She said she would decide by August. But on Wednesday, her office announced that due to unexplained delays, she would need more time to consider whether the motion to establish a Section 89 inquiry was successful or not. "The previous correspondence on the subject refers. I can inform you that the matter of your motion, submitted in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution, continues to receive the attention of the speaker. Regrettably, while a decision on the matter was initially expected by Tuesday, 2 August 2022, there has been a delay," her secretary, Masibulele Xaso, wrote to Zungula. Three weeks ago, Mapisa-Nqakula rejected Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen's plea for an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations, saying that some of the proposed tasks were still within the purview of other entities or institutions, including law enforcement agencies. Parliament's attention might only be necessary at a later stage, she said. Steenhuisen said the refusal to establish an ad hoc committee was a deliberate move to shield the president from accountability. The DA said it would consider its legal options. Last month, the ATM approached Mapisa-Nqakula. It argued that there was overwhelming prima facie evidence against Ramaphosa of constitutional violations as contemplated in Section 89 of the Constitution. "It is common cause that [former spy boss] Mr Arthur Fraser has submitted evidence at the Rosebank police station where the president is implicated in serious crimes, including bribery; money laundering; kidnapping; breaching of customs and excise laws; breaching of SARS regulations; breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act; defeating the ends of justice, to mention but a few," it said in its submission. The ATM was adamant that it was unclear how finality would be reached, given that the heads of the institutions that have to investigate the allegations were Ramaphosa appointees. The ATM believes Parliament must hold him accountable. The ATM also contended that the president violated Section 83(b) of the Constitution, which enjoins him, as head of state, to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the republic. The party also argued that Ramaphosa violated Section 96(2)(a) of the Constitution, which states that Cabinet members and deputy ministers may not "undertake any other paid work".
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa's (Numsa) legal woes are mounting as its secretary-general Irvin Jim and president Andrew Chirwa face a possible 30 days in jail for contempt of court after pushing ahead with the union's interdicted national congress. The motion comes from formerly suspended Numsa member and president of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) Ruth Ntlokotse. She took her suspension to the Labour Court last month ahead of the national congress. The court ordered that her and other members' suspension be lifted and it interdicted the conference. Ntlokotse has applied to have the two union leaders arrested and found in contempt after they pressed on with the union's national congress last week, despite the interdict. Numsa resolved to lift the suspensions and proceeded with the national congress after having a special central committee meeting. The union applied unsuccessfully for leave to appeal the interdict, with Labour Court Judge Graham Moshoana saying that would be purely academic as events had gone ahead despite the court's decision. Numsa leadership who were elected at the interdicted congress said it would apply directly to Labour Appeals Court for relief as they believed Moshoana erred in his interpretation of the Numsa constitution. In her notice of motion, Ntlokotse said she wanted the court to declare that Numsa, Jim, and Chirwa had been in contempt of court for "failure to comply with the order made" by the Labour Court on 23 July. "The applicants intend applying to the above honourable court on 5 August 2022 at 10:00 or so soon thereafter for an order ... that all that was done as from 25 [to] 28 July 2022 under the guise of the 11th National Congress be declared to be null and void," the motion read. The motion stated that Ntlokotse sought a warrant of arrest for Jim and Chirwa for a period of 30 days, and to have all the resolutions passed at the interdicted congress, including nominations and elections "invalid and of no force and effect". Attempts to elicit comment from Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola were unsuccessful. Before the interdicted congress, Ntlokotse was the second deputy president of Numsa. She now works as president of Numsa's umbrella federation, Saftu, alongside the federation's secretary-general, Zwelinzima Vavi, who has of late been an open critic of Jim. Jim told delegates at the Numsa congress last week that Saftu leadership had grown "arrogant" and worked to sabotage the union's work in service to its members and workers at large. Numsa members told Fin24 during the congress that Ntlokotse was invited to the national congress after Numsa's special central committee resolved to lift her suspension in compliance with the Labour Court interdict of the weekend before.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said that immediate and short-term electricity needs must be addressed by a plan that deals with reliability of supply within existing parameters in the most cost-effective and source-agnostic manner. The party released its Energy and Electricity policy on Tuesday, which DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia said would end load-shedding, ensure access to cheap electricity and fuel, and secure the environment for future generations. Eskom warned that Stage 2 load-shedding might be implemented at short notice over the next three days, owing to a delay in returning generation units to service at the Arnot, Kusile and Koeberg power stations, as well as the failure of a generation unit each at Medupi, Hendrina, Camden, and two units at Majuba. DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Kevin Mileham explained that Eskom was beset by an apparent inability to fix its fleet and plug the short-term needs while longer-term solutions were put in place. He said in an effort to eliminate load-shedding there should be a complete unbundling of Eskom, specifically entirely separate enterprises which did not fall under the same holding company. Commercially viable power stations should be sold to private owners and operated until the end of the remaining life of the station, the DA suggested. The envisioned end state for generation was of a diversified and competitive generation sector, Mileham said. He said with generation and distribution privatised, the remaining transmission entity of Eskom, free from conflicts of interest, should become a national, State-owned, Independent Transmission System and Market Operator with power planning, procurement, contracting, grid system and electricity market operation functions. Mileham said that the DA’s electricity policy was built on putting the consumer first, explaining that compared with the African National Congress’s current policy of a State-driven electricity model, the DA approach actively facilitates the emergence of “prosumers”, where customers of electricity may also generate energy into the grid when they have surplus energy. He explained that the policy would incentivise the uptake of rooftop solar for residential purposes by granting a once-off tax rebate and would eliminate illegal connection by providing an amnesty for all households with illegal connections. NEW GENERATION, JUST ENERGY TRANSITION Cachalia said in view of the “dire state of the country’s electricity generation capacity”, South Africa should be making it easy, not difficult, for independent power producers (IPPs) to bring in new power at scale and in the shortest possible time. The DA said there needed to be a clear transition plan that would upskill and reskill former coal sector workers and a reduction of barriers for community-owned projects to compete. COMPETITIVE FUEL INDUSTRY The DA said to promote a competitive fuel industry with low retail prices for consumers, there was an urgent need to remove government taxes, levies and price controls on liquid fuels to promote competition and ease the cost of living for all South Africans. “South Africa needs a competitive energy market where the State does not have a monopoly on energy generation, supply and distribution. There should be a multiplicity of private suppliers, competing with one another to provide the best service and lowest price. This requires making it easier for energy suppliers to enter and participate in energy markets,” the party said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is urging South Africans to act with greater urgency and purpose to stop gender-based violence (GBV), and he is specifically calling on communities to work with the South African Police Service (Saps) to ensure that criminals are apprehended. Last week a group of men and women shooting a music video at a disused mine near Krugersdorp were attacked by armed assailants who gang raped eight of the women. “Rapists have no place in our society. We call upon communities to work with the police to ensure that these criminals are apprehended and prosecuted. Our communities must not shelter criminals in their midst,” Ramaphosa said. He said GBV and femicide is a deep-rooted societal problem that is the responsibility of all society to bring to a decisive end. “We have made a start, but as the terrible crimes in Krugersdorp remind us, we need to do much more and we need to act with greater urgency and purpose,” he said, pointing out that many in communities might know about crimes but choose to keep quiet because the perpetrator is a friend, a partner or a colleague. He said given the amount of GBV in the country, it is no longer possible to avoid responsibility for reporting sex crimes. He reaffirmed that all tip-offs received by the Saps Crime Stop contact centre are confidential. New legal provision that came into effect on Sunday now means that all South Africans have a legal duty to report crimes to authorities. Ramaphosa said this is one of three laws that he has signed this year to strengthen the fight against GBV and offer greater support and protection to survivors. Among other things, the laws expand the scope of the National Register of Sex Offenders, strengthen the vetting process, and introduce additional categories of sexual offences. Ramaphosa said processes are underway to put these laws into effect, including training of prosecutors and magistrates, issuing directives on bail to all Saps officials, and revising charge sheets to include the newly created offences.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa will visit Mozambique and Zambia in a bid to save the country's electricity import contracts that are being eyed by Eskom. Mnangagwa's trips come at a time when South Africa, which is undergoing an electricity crisis, seeks to replace Zimbabwe as an importer of electricity from Mozambique and Zambia. "This week I am paying a working visit to Mozambique. In the coming weeks I am likely to meet president [Hakainde] Hichilema of Zambia in Livingstone. Both sister countries supply us with power," Mnangagwa wrote in his weekly column in the state media. "I will engage my colleagues with a view to ensuring our power imports are secure and uninterrupted." Mnangagwa noted that most of Zimbabwe's power needs are from the mining sector. "Even more unsettling is the fact that the bulk of the power demand is coming from the mining sector, including from projects for key minerals like gold, platinum, chrome, coal, diamonds, and lithium," he said. Zimbabwe's contracts with Mozambique’s Electricidade de Mocambique and Zambia’s Zesco were due to expire at the end of July. What makes the situation precarious for the renewal is that the country struggles to pay its monthly obligation of $6.3-million (R104-million) to Zesco for the imported power. Sydney Gata, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, warned that Zimbabwe "will stand to lose heavily as these contracts are long-term and at a competitive price". Fears raised by Gata are that Eskom could sign longer deals with Zesco and keep Zimbabwe out of the picture for many years to come. Southern Africa Power Pool In 1995, Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states formed the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which is Africa's first formally advanced power pool. However, while there are many problems, the biggest hurdle is transmission across the region because some member states are not active on the universal power grid. As such, a lot of power goes to waste. Power generation experts say SADC produces enough electricity to reduce power shortages, but the distribution aspect of the business lags. Countries such as Angola, Malawi and Tanzania have not connected to the SAPP grid, hence the shortcomings in transmission because they can't share surplus energy with the rest of the region. The Africa Progress Report 2015 on electricity access underpins the importance of countries working together for power generation, but at the moment any new power generation capacity projects in Tanzania, Malawi and Angola aren't accessible to the rest of the SAPP member states.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the central bank’s constitutional mandate to maintain price stability is sufficient to foster job creation, suggesting there’s no need for that directive to be expanded. The head of the governing African National Congress’s (ANC's) economic transformation committee last week raised the prospect of widening the South African Reserve Bank’s mandate to help create more jobs and support transformation in the nation’s financial industry. Godongwana chaired discussions by the committee about the issue at the ANC’s five-yearly policy conference over the weekend. “The mandate of the Reserve Bank is defined in the constitution” to maintain price stability in the interests of economic growth, he said in an interview Sunday. “You can then say in maintaining that stability in the interest of growth, you then must take into account that growth with employment generation, so there is nothing wrong with that.” Godongwana’s comments are further evidence that President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is expected to stand for a second term as leader of the ANC at an elective conference in December, has managed to keep his economic policy intact despite opposition from within the party. A document seen by Bloomberg showed support for his plans to boost private participation in infrastructure and energy investments. The mandate of the central bank has been a hot-button issue for the ANC, with opponents of its policies saying it’s focused too much on inflation at the expense of job creation. South Africa has a 34.5% unemployment rate -- the highest on a global list of 82 nations monitored by Bloomberg. The Thomas Piketty-backed World Inequality Lab ranks South Africa as the world’s most unequal nation for which wealth data is available. That’s a legacy of the apartheid system that limited economic opportunities for Black South Africans, who make up about four-fifths of the population, in favour of the country’s White minority. The head of the ANC’s economic transformation committee, Mmamoloko Kubayi, also raised the prospect of increased engagement between the central bank and the National Treasury on policy matters. Godongwana said he communicates regularly with central bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago. “I don’t have a problem with writing a letter to Lesetja but I can’t instruct Lesetja, the constitution does not allow me to do so,” Godongwana said. “We meet regularly so I am happy with the interaction.” Other issues raised for discussion by the committee at the ANC conference included: The introduction of a wealth tax as a possible way to minimize income and wealth inequality in South Africa Feasibility studies into adding new refinery capacity, following the closing of existing facilities The need to ensure that gas and nuclear power are considered as energy sources despite opposition from some critics who favour the sole use of renewable energy. The issues raised by the committee will be discussed at the ANC’s elective conference in December, when it will appoint officials to lead the party for the next five years.
The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg has postponed former president Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial to allow the Constitutional Court to rule on his latest legal bid to remove Billy Downer as his prosecutor. On Monday morning, Judge Piet Koen adjourned proceedings to 17 October, for the apex court's decision on Zuma’s "special plea" appeal bid. If the Constitutional Court dismisses Zuma's appeal, the arms deal corruption trial will proceed on 7 November. Downer confirmed that the former president’s attempt to persuade Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya to reconsider her court’s dismissal of his special plea appeal had failed. Zuma, who was excused from attending court on Monday, is now demanding that the Constitutional Court order Maya to reconsider her decision. Zuma is adamant that Downer lacks the impartiality and independence to prosecute him. While Zuma's Foundation has announced that he will privately prosecute Downer for, among other things, allowing court documents to be given to News24, Zuma has yet to issue summons against him. The former president is facing charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering. French arms company Thales joins Zuma in the dock. It's alleged Zuma received millions in payments from his friend and former adviser Schabir Shaik to help Thales, then known as Thint, secure contracts linked to the arms deal. Shaik was convicted in 2005. Zuma and Thales have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's "engagement" with the African National Congress's (ANC's) integrity commission wasn't completed, national executive committee member Zizi Kodwa said on Friday. The president appeared before the commission on Tuesday, according to Kodwa, after he volunteered to do so to respond to allegations relating to a robbery at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in February 2020. This, after he faced pressure from some ANC members, including Tony Yengeni, to step aside while the allegations about a cover-up of the robbery were investigated. "The first time, he immediately contacted them for a meeting and they were not available. He met them earlier this week, but that engagement is incomplete," Kodwa said. Asked whether Ramaphosa refused to answer questions during the first engagement, Kodwa said: "No report has been submitted that lists the questions asked and answered. The engagement has not finished." For weeks, there has been mounting pressure on the president, who faces a Public Protector inquiry and a Hawks investigation into the allegations. Former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser blew the whistle when he laid a criminal case against Ramaphosa in connection with the allegations in June.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane replaced the staff she purged from the Office of the Public Protector with officials from her previous employer, the State Security Agency (SSA), recently reinstated Free State head Sphelo Samuel testified. On Friday morning, Samuel fielded questions from MPs serving on the Section 194 Committee conducting an inquiry into Mkhwebane's fitness for office. The MPs largely traversed topics covered during his main testimony on Wednesday and cross-examination the previous day. African National Congress MP Judy Hermans asked Samuel why he thought Mkwhebane had an "orchestrated plan" to destroy the Office of the Public Protector, as he previously testified. He said there was a purge of senior managers, and Mkhwebane replaced them with people who would be loyal to her. Hermans added it was a serious allegation and asked if external sources were at play. Samuel said some officials from the SSA came in to replace those purged. There was also an official who left the SA Revenue Service (SARS) under a cloud. Samuel did not name him, but most probably referred to Luther Lebello - who has been referred to as former SARS commissioner Tom Moyane's "hit man". Lebelo was cited in both the Nugent Commission into the functioning of SARS and in the Zondo Commission testimony as being instrumental in the sidelining of senior staff who were key to the functioning of SARS, which enabled the capture of the institution. In February, Mkhwebane defended her decision to appoint Lebelo as chief of staff in December. Samuel testified earlier Mkhwebane insisted Public Protector staff should obtain security clearance, but he did not believe it was necessary for them to do his work. He applied twice, both times unsuccessfully. He believed it was a way for Mkhwebane to get rid of some staff. Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Mimmy Gondwe asked Samuel, who has worked under every Public Protector, whether they also required it and what clearance level - confidential, secret, top secret - Mkhwebane required. Samuel said it was never a requirement for Public Protector staff to apply for security clearance. This only happened once Mkwhebane became Public Protector. She required they apply for top secret clearance. The meeting got off to a rocky start. Committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi announced MPs would question Samuel. DA MP Kevin Mileham hardly finished his first question before the ATM's Vuyo Zungula raised a point of order, asking that advocate Dali Mpofu SC, should confirm he had concluded his cross-examination of Samuel. Dyantyi said Zungula was not Mpofu's "spokesperson", and Zungula would complain bitterly about this. Mpofu did complain he did not finish his cross-examination on Thursday afternoon. "This is completely unfair, we can't run this like a kangaroo court," said Mpofu. He added someone should have given him the courtesy of indicating he was "being gagged" or that his cross-examination was finished. Zungula and Economic Freedom Fighters MP Omphile Maotwe said Dyantyi was unfair, and he should allow Mpofu to continue with his cross-examination. The other parties did not support this and said the time frames given to the parties in this inquiry had been clearly set out in its rules. Mpofu was still unhappy and accused the inquiry of breaching both the audi alteram partem principle and principle of fairness. He claimed it had "never been done before" to stop a legal representative from asking all their questions. Dyantyi explained that on Wednesday, when they started, he gave time frames to the evidence leader, advocate Nazreen Bawa SC, who finished at 15:30. He said he would re-examine Mpofu's time at 15:00 on Thursday, which he did, and extended his time. On Thursday, at around 15:30, Dyantyi informed the committee he extended Mpofu's time for cross-examination until 17:00. Dyantyi said if he gave the evidence leader a certain time frame, she had to tailor her questioning. Mpofu must do the same. This quibble abo...
African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa has sounded the alarm bells, warning delegates at the party’s national policy conference that deep divisions within the ANC have left it at its weakest point in 30 years. "The ANC is today at its weakest and its most vulnerable since the advent of democracy." he said. He was delivering the opening speech at the party’s sixth policy conference at Nasrec, Johannesburg. Not mincing his words, Ramaphosa stressed the point that the ANC's weaknesses were "evident in the distrust, disillusionment, and frustration that is expressed by many people towards our movement and our government". He went on to say that the weakness were also reflected in the party’s drop in support during the 2021 municipal elections, where for the first time, it garnered less than 50% of the national vote. Most strikingly, Ramaphosa said the ANC's weaknesses were evident in the divisions within its own ranks. He said the divisions were not even rooted in policy or ideological differences, but were "driven by the competition for positions, the contestation of structures, and the pursuit of access to public resources". "These divisions manifest themselves in patronage, gatekeeping, vote buying, and manipulation of organisational processes. These divisions are driven by corruption and the need by those responsible for corruption to avoid detection and accountability," he said. He stressed that the task of transformation depended on the unity, cohesion, and strength of the movement and, as such, what the policy conference needed to do was to ensure that the party emerged more united and not divided. "Despite trying circumstances, the ANC is showing signs of renewal, and we are continuing to forge unity around several issues. "We have been able to make progress around the process of organisational rebuilding, where our branches were able to hold BGMs in the midst of the pandemic and undertake campaigns in communities," Ramaphosa said. He added that the most significant development in the fight against corruption which was the main driving force behind division, was the establishment of the Zondo Commission. "The commission finalised its work last month, and the government has embarked on a process to consider all the commission’s findings and recommendations. "As the ANC, we have consistently maintained that the commission is a necessary part of the broader social effort to end all forms of state capture and corruption. "We are therefore engaging with the findings and recommendations of the commission to determine how these can help to enhance the process of fundamental renewal and rebuilding within our movement," he said. In his speech, that did little to rouse up party members, Ramaphosa also called on delegates to not only excel at diagnosing the problems, but asked that they also come up with solutions to the identified problems.
The Labour Court has denied the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa's (Numsa's) application for leave to appeal its ruling interdicting its controversial and currently on-going national congress. Numsa general-secretary Irvin Jim and Numsa president Andrew Chirwa were re-elected unopposed at the congress on Wednesday evening. The group of formerly suspended officials, who initially brought the case for the interdict, as well as their lawyers now argue that the latest ruling effectively declares the election invalid. The Labour Court ruled on Thursday morning after Numsa appealed a weekend interdict compelling the union to rectify the suspensions and congress arrangements before going ahead with the gathering. In the meantime, Numsa lifted the suspension of officials and continued with the congress. The lawyers for the formerly suspended officials told Labour Court Judge Graham Moshoana that the union's special central committee (SCC) did not have powers that supersede the union's constitution. It was a meeting of the SCC of Numsa that placed South African Federation of Trade Unions president Ruth Ntlokotse on suspension earlier this month. Thursday's ruling said that if leave to appeal were to be granted, the decision of the Labour Appeals Court would have no practical effect for either of the parties because the union decided to proceed with the congress despite the interdict. "In my view, the mootness of this appeal is plain. The interdictory relief sought has been overtaken by events. The action which it was formulated to prevent has occurred. The relief which was sought is now perfectly academic," Moshoana's order said. Sources have told Fin24 that the formerly suspended officials have advised their lawyers to draft a contempt of court application, and are preparing for a bid by Jim to fire them in the coming weeks. Numsa's lawyers and those for the 31 officials who had their suspensions from the union lifted made oral submissions to the Labour Court via a virtual hearing on Wednesday evening. Numsa said Judge Moshoana misinterpreted the union's constitution because he applied common rules of precautionary suspensions when the Numsa constitution does not refer to "precautionary suspensions". The virtual hearing was taking place at the same time that Jim was tabling a report to the congress in Cape Town. Jim earlier told delegates at the congress that the suspension of the officials that approached the Labour Court was lifted and that Numsa's Mpumalanga region would no longer be under administration. A different opinion On Wednesday evening, legal counsel for Numsa, Advocate Margareta Engelbrecht (SC), told the Labour Court that the Numsa constitution include the text of the constitution as well as the contextual meaning as the needs of the union and its structures arise. "This matter is concerned with the constitution of Numsa. Your lordship took a particular position in that the constitution provides rights and everything must be evaluated within the four corners of the constitution. That is the constitution. However, we submit to you that a constitution is a contractual document," said Engelbrecht. Moshoana asked Engelbrecht how unions go about formulating their constitutions. She replied the practice of the union infuses the meaning of the constitution. "It is ultimately a document created through the national structures and over time it is adjusted to make provisions and amendments where necessary. Over time it is developed essentially by members and those in the structures to regulate the functions of the union," Engelbrecht said. She said the conduct of union members gave meaning to how the union and its structures responded. She said Numsa's appeal sought to clarify if the Labour Appeals Court would reaffirm this view. Engelbrecht said the union's leadership had compelling reasons for the suspension of the officials, regardless of the validity of the suspension. "Are they (union structures) supposed to...
Despite the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa has experienced positive population growth. The population was estimated to be 60.6-million (by June 2022), with Gauteng being the most populated province, followed by KwaZulu-Natal. The population increased by 640 074 (an annual rate of growth 1.06%) in the last year. Of the 60.6-million people, almost 31-million are female. Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke released the 2022 mid-year population estimates report in Pretoria on Thursday morning. The estimates do not include input from the 2022 Census. According to StatsSA, 16.1-million people are estimated to be living in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal which has about 11.5-million people. The Western Cape has the third-highest population with 7.2-million. This year's measures of mortality indicate an improvement in life expectancy at birth from 61.7 years in 2021 to 62.8 years in 2022. "As the nation grappled with the pandemic, it brought attention not only to the importance of healthcare and other social services required by people, but also to the age profile of the population and the vulnerability of key populations in the country. "The elderly, who are more vulnerable to comorbidities, are more likely to experience the devastating effects of Covid-19. The vast number of deaths within this age group during the Covid-19 pandemic led to the drastic decline in the growth rate (1.47%) of the elderly population," StatsSA stated. It added that when the country fast-tracked the Covid-19 vaccination programme to ensure healthcare workers and those aged 60 and above were vaccinated, the move not only saved lives but increased the rate of growth among the elderly population. According to StatsSA, HIV/Aids deaths have also played a role.
Opposition parties in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality have signed a coalition government agreement, taking the first step to oust the African National Congress-led alliance governing the metro. On Thursday, parties met in Gqeberha for a signing ceremony to cement the deal that took just over four months to come together. Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen told journalists at a press conference that differences should be put aside to improve services. He said he believed that coalition governments were South Africa’s future. "Can we fix it? Yes, we can," Steenhuisen told journalists. "We have different philosophies, different ideologies, but we found common ground around the key principles on what we want to achieve for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay. This is undoubtedly a city in great crisis that has been plagued by instability and too many people who have placed their interest above the interests of the people." Asked about the DA’s mayoral candidate, Steenhuisen said Eastern Cape MPL Retief Odendaal would be put forward by the party. Other positions are yet to be determined and announced. Piet Mey, leader of the Freedom Front Plus in the Eastern Cape, said the City had been destroyed by the ANC’s weak leadership. "I believe this coalition government will make a difference in the next six months," he said. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) deputy president Wayne Thring welcomed the agreement and reiterated that it would work in the interests of ratepayers and residents. The ACDP, African Independent Congress, Abantu Integrity Movement, DA, Freedom Front Plus, PAC, and the UDM agreed to form a coalition government. The Northern Alliance (NA), who were once part of the talks, were not part of the new agreement. Steenhuisen said an offer for the NA to take up a seat on the mayoral committee was still available. "We hope they will take it and be part of this new movement," he said. Should the parties successfully form a coalition, it would be the second change in government since the 2021 municipal elections. Last year, Eugene Johnson was elected as the mayor of the metro - by a one-vote margin - over DA Eastern Cape leader Nqaba Bhanga, who is now in the provincial legislature. Bhanga won 59 votes, while the Johnson got 60. During the 2021 municipal elections, the DA and ANC each won 48 seats. Altogether, 119 votes were counted, no ballots were spoilt, and only one councillor from the DA was absent. The parties have already started a petition to remove the current metro leadership.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane instructed investigators, who were probing the Vrede dairy farm, not to implicate politicians Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane, the Section 194 Committee heard. Magashule is the former premier of the Free State. Zwane is the former Free State MEC for agriculture. Sphelo Samuel, who was recently reinstated as the Free State head of the Public Protector, testified on Wednesday when the parliamentary impeachment proceedings against Mkhwebane resumed after a break. There had been a break last week to allow Mkhwebane and her legal team to prepare and participate in her court matter, which could scupper the proceedings. Samuel sent two affidavits to former National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise, to ask that Parliament investigate Mkhwebane, and also wrote a letter with a "friendly request" for Mkhwebane to resign. Days later, disciplinary proceedings against him were instituted. Samuel is an admitted attorney, who joined the Public Protector's Office in 2000. In 2015, he moved from Limpopo to the Free State, which is when he became involved in the Vrede dairy farm investigation. He said the Public Protector at the time, Thuli Madonsela, repeatedly referred back a report on the Vrede matter because not enough attention was paid to politicians' roles. He was asked to take charge. Samuel said Madonsela didn't sign off on a provisional report. She wasn't satisfied with the draft report because it didn't look at the role of politicians. In October 2016, there was a changing of the guard at the Public Protector. Madonsela's seven-year term had ended, and Mkhwebane took over. In mid-March 2017, Mkhwebane visited the Free State - and Magashule wanted to speak to her before she visited the legislature. "As part of this stakeholder engagement, the PP was due to meet various members of the Free State provincial legislature. I met with her the day before, to brief her and assist with her itinerary. At that meeting, I conveyed the premier's request to meet with the PP before she attended the legislature for the stakeholder engagement. The request had been conveyed to me by officials from the premier's offic," Samuel's affidavit read. Mkhwebane told Samuel she didn't take instructions from Magashule, didn't know him and would not meet with him. A few minutes later, she received a call. On her return, she said she had changed her mind and she would meet the premier, Samuel testified. They met for 15 to 20 minutes behind closed doors. Samuel did not know what was said. In the days after the meeting, the investigation continued. Samuel wanted to interview Magashule and Zwane, but they didn't cooperate. He then wanted to subpoena the duo. Mkhwebane issued a directive that all subpoenas to politicians had to be cleared by her. She refused his request to subpoena Magashule and Zwane. According to Samuel, Mkhwebane said she did not want findings against politicians. A revised report, in which Samuel was involved, had not been limited to the politicians only failing to take disciplinary action. They were implicated in the transactions and Samuel concluded that they were "culpable". He made findings that Magashule and Zwane should be held liable because they had overall responsibility. "In that report, I basically disobeyed the directive of the Public Protector that we should not make findings against politicians," said Samuel. He strongly felt there should be findings against them. The Office of the Public Protector made serious findings against Zwane and Magashule, but it never made it into Mkhwebane's final report. The disciplinary proceedings against Samuel were recently resolved after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruled against the Public Protector, ordered it to reinstate Samuel, and to back-pay him R1.5 million. At the start of Wednesday's proceedings, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, acting for Mkhwebane, informed the committee that he wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to invite ...
After President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an intention to import electricity from neighbouring countries to supplement South Africa's constrained power supply, Botswana wants South Africa to even buy more from it. Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) wants Eskom to buy its off-peak generated power since electricity can't be stored on any scale and fluctuation can put strain on generators. "BPC has therefore started engaging Eskom to purchase the excess electricity supply generated during off-peak times (weekends) in order to protect our plants against load management fluctuations and also to ensure that surplus electricity has a secured market," BPC said in a statement. On Monday night, Ramaphosa said: "Neighbouring countries in southern Africa, such as Botswana and Zambia, have more electricity capacity than they require for their economies. Eskom will now import power from these countries through the southern African power pool arrangement." Responding to Ramaphosa's measures, BPC said it was "alive to the announcement made by the president of the Republic of South Africa ...that Eskom will import power from Botswana". Through the Maduo26 strategy, a five-year plan launched last year, Botswana intends to achieve its vision of becoming "a regional benchmark in electricity supply" by 2026. So far, BPC said, it has been meeting local energy needs during off-peak hours. It is therefore "able to export excess power to the region".
The African National Congress (ANC) is giving those members implicated in the State capture report two months to present themselves to the party’s Integrity Commission. The ANC said on Wednesday that while some of the findings in the report were unsettling for the party, it was using the report to identify and address shortcomings. Implicated members are being urged to immediately approach the Integrity Commission, which has six months to complete its work, or face disciplinary action. The final report, which was presented to President Cyril Ramaphosa by Justice Raymond Zondo makes critical findings about the ANC, the government it leads and individual ANC members. The ANC said it had consistently maintained that the Commission was a necessary part of the broader social effort to end all forms of State capture and corruption. The ANC has devised an “action plan” to immediately respond to the State capture report. The constitutional, legislative and structural changes proposed by the Zondo Commission had been referred to the relevant ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) committees for deliberation. “By way of example, the NEC Economic Transformation Committee is considering the recommendations from the commission on public procurement. As another example, the NEC Peace and Stability Committee and the NEC Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee are together considering the recommendations around a new anti-corruption agency, the protection of whistle-blowers and deferred prosecution agreements, among others,” the party said. The ANC has given its committees a deadline of August. The ANC’s task team on State capture will make recommendations relating to weaknesses or lapses by the ANC. The State capture report highlighted cadre deployment as a serious enabler of State capture. The party said it would review its policies, including cadre deployment. “The ANC firmly believes that the work and findings of the State Capture Commission provide an opportunity for South Africa to make a decisive break with the era of state capture. While there may not be consensus on all the commission’s recommendations, they lay the basis for a comprehensive set of actions to prevent corruption and end state capture. As the African National Congress, we are determined to seize this opportunity for renewal, for the sake of our organisation and the sake of our country,” it said. The ANC has also released a discussion document on corruption and State capture to stimulate debate between its structures and the public. “The document recognises that the fundamental renewal of the ANC as an effective agent of transformation requires that the organisation confronts corruption in all its forms – in government, society and within the movement. It outlines what the ANC understands by state capture, its causes and impact, and details how such acts of corruption stand in stark contradiction to the ANC’s foundational principles and mission,” the party said.
ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont on Tuesday assured KwaDukuza residents that his party will forge ahead with other political parties despite the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) decision to pull out of talks to form a new coalition government in the KwaDukuza Municipality. The DA pulled out of talks on Monday, after it accused ActionSA of “several fundamentally untenable and potentially illegal demands”. Coalition parties are hoping to unseat the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaDukuza, on the North Coast, when it tables a motion of no confidence on Thursday against the mayor, deputy mayor, chief whip and speaker. Beaumont stressed that all those who vote on Thursday will eventually show whether they stand with the ANC or with the residents of KwaDukuza. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that the best alternative is put on the table and that we serve the residents of KwaDukuza,” he said. ActionSA, the Independent Alliance (IA) and the African Independent Congress (AIC) met on Tuesday to continue coalition talks without the DA, however, Beaumont extended an invitation to the DA to rejoin the talks. The IA and AIC both affirmed that they would support the motion against current KwaDukuza mayor Lindi Nhaca and her counterparts. They called for opposition parties to set aside differences to help unseat the ANC. The DA said on Monday that ActionSA’s demands were problematic and, because of them, the coalition government would not be a credible alternative to the ANC in KwaDukuza. “.because practices like cadre deployment and interference in budget processes would have continued unabated,” the DA said. It explained that in the draft coalition agreement, “ActionSA insisted on the inclusion of a clause that would compel selection panels to report to an unelected political party committee. This proposal mirrors the ANC cadre deployment policy that was recently described as unconstitutional and illegal by the Zondo Commission, and which the DA is seeking to abolish through a court application.” The DA also accused ActionSA of trying to create a political budget steering committee to manipulate the creation of budgets in the municipality. “There is no provision in law for unelected politicians to interfere in a legally-defined budget process, and the DA therefore also rejected this outrageous attempt by ActionSA to execute State capture in KwaDukuza municipality,” the DA said. The DA further distanced itself from any collaboration with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which it said ActionSA was inclined to. “The DA has consistently made it clear that we will not negotiate agreements with the EFF, and that is a principle we will not violate for the sake of political expediency,” it said. The DA added that it would resume talks with ActionSA if it abandoned its proposals. ActionSA hit back against the accusations and explained that it wanted the multi-party coalition to be consulted on the appointment of senior managers in vital positions. “These appointments are made in Council by Councillors and are strategic to the change that must be delivered by a coalition government. Without the support of a majority in Council, these appointments cannot be made. This necessitates meaningful consultation to reach consensus,” ActionSA said. It clarified that it wanted input from the new coalition government on the annual budgeting process, in line with the Municipal Systems Act and supporting legislation. “Without input from the new coalition, wasteful expenditure – like the millions spent on VIP Protection, conferences, travel and catering – cannot be redirected to priorities like infrastructure and reliable services. The DA bizarrely characterised this as state capture, but it is how change is delivered when the ANC is removed,” ActionSA said. “ActionSA, alongside other parties, remains committed to removing the ANC and installing this coalition because it is what the residents of KwaDukuza deserve. I encourage the DA to simi...
The Democratic Alliance (DA) announced on Tuesday that it will monitor government’s progress in implementing its energy plan and hold it to account with the launch of the party’s Energy Plan Implementation Tracker. On Monday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled several far-reaching interventions – including a doubling in the allocation for the next renewables procurement round, the scrapping of the 100 MW licence-exemption threshold for distributed generators and the proposal of a feed-in tariff for self-generating households and businesses – as part of a much-anticipated action plan for ending load-shedding. The DA’s Tracker will follow project implementation and red tape reduction milestones and the party says it will also hold Ramaphosa accountable for commitments made to add new generation capacity. The DA said it is ready and willing to contribute to any genuine national effort aimed at addressing the energy crisis and to get South Africa working again. The party has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula recommending that Parliament takes immediate steps to establish a parliamentary ad-hoc committee to oversee government's National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) and the implementation of the energy plan. Ramaphosa announced the establishment of NECOM to oversee the implementation of the energy plan. The party wants Parliament to actively ensure accountability from the committee. “South Africa simply cannot afford to have an energy crisis committee that will be a law unto itself, as was the case with the rogue Coronavirus Command Council. Parliament must be briefed on its terms of reference and the frequency with which it should account to the ad-hoc committee,” the DA said. The party also wants a parliamentary ad-hoc committee to ensure that all the commitments made in the Energy Plan are implemented timeously. “The President will have our support in the implementation of the energy plan as long as he remains committed to transparent and accountable implementation of the plan with the urgency required,” the DA said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa didn't risk a conflict of interest in the investigation into the alleged cover-up of a theft at his Phala Phala game farm when he suspended impeached Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the Western Cape High Court has heard. This was the argument of his counsel, advocate Karrisha Pillay, SC, on Tuesday during Mkhwebane's application to have her suspension declared unlawful and to scupper the parliamentary removal process against her. On Monday, Mkhwebane's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu, SC, argued that the Public Protector was investigating six cases against Ramaphosa – including the Phala Phala saga – and that it constituted a conflict of interest that precluded Ramaphosa from suspending her. He said the suspension came days after she started an investigation into the Phala Phala theft. But, according to Pillay, in terms of Section 96 of the Constitution, the risk of a conflict exists if the president derives a private benefit from exercising an official duty. She said the only one of the cases involving Ramaphosa's personal interests was the Phala Phala matter. She also pointed out that the Public Protector Act required the Deputy Public Protector to fulfil the functions of the Public Protector in the event that she became unable to do so. Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka stated that the office's investigations would continue, the court heard. "There is no suggestion the Acting Public Protector won't execute her duties," Pillay added. In those circumstances, the risk of a conflict between the official duties and private interests didn't exist. According to Pillay, Ramaphosa also agreed to cooperate with the investigation. "There is no evidence before this court to contradict the president's statements," she added. Ramaphosa sent Mkwhebane a letter on 18 March, Pillay said, to ask her to give reasons why he shouldn't suspend her. "Many, many letters" between the two followed, which meant Mkhwebane was appraised of the fact that Ramaphosa was considering her suspension. Judge Matthew Francis, who is hearing the matter along with Judges Lister Nuku and Judge James Lekhuleni, said the Acting Public Protector's continuation of the investigation didn't mitigate the risk. But Pillay responded there was no risk because the president had no say in who the Acting Public Protector was. The hearing continues. The court is expected to hear Mpofu's response and argument from the Democratic Alliance's counsel.
As the African National Congress (ANC) heads into its policy conference starting on Thursday, its national leadership has a tough task ahead if it hopes to retain one of its instruments for forging renewal – its step-aside policy. The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal – the province with the biggest ANC membership – has become the first provincial leadership group to call for the scrapping of the party's renewal enforcing policy, the step-aside rule. The call was made by newly elected provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, when he gave an update on what resolutions the ANC in the province had taken during closed discussions. The ANC's KwaZulu-Natal conference was held in Durban over the weekend. Mtolo said the provincial ANC had officially adopted the position that the step-aside policy and its revised guidelines should be scrapped entirely. "The conference, therefore, resolved that its delegates at the national policy conference must forward a proposal that the step-aside policy must not only be reviewed, but must be scrapped," said Mtolo. The step-aside policy bars criminally charged ANC members from being nominated and standing for election at any level in the party. The revision of the policy prevented the winning slate from fulfilling its wishes of having criminally charged eThekwini ANC chairperson Zandile Gumede stand for election for the position of provincial treasurer. It was thought that the powerful ANC eThekwini region had turned its back on the former chairperson Sihle Zikalala, and former secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli, because it believed that they were not willing to challenge the national ANC on the step-aside policy. Mtolo said the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) had seemingly encroached on the will of ANC branches through this policy. Mtolo said the policy prevented them from electing whoever they wished. He said this situation would stop in KwaZulu-Natal, as the province prepared itself to fight tooth and nail to overturn the step-aside policy. The ANC in Limpopo is also expected to make a call for the policy to be reviewed. Mtolo also said that delegates at the conference had resolved to support former president Jacob Zuma. "We have developed a comprehensive support programme for the former president's legacy...," he said. He said as a former president, Zuma should not be "isolated" and that it was not supposed to be the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal's duty to ensure that Zuma's legacy was preserved. Newly elected provincial chairperson Sboniso Duma echoed similar antagonistic views as he delivered his closing remarks at the elective conference. He said the organisation's renewal project had been weaponised and used to weed out dissenting voices from the ANC. The outspoken former youth league leader also took a dig at Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. "Zondo is no longer a judge, but a political analyst, or employed to push certain narratives," said Duma. He also criticised the non-payment of the salaries of ANC staff members, saying such an act should be regarded as an atrocity. He said this would lead to demotivated staff members, which could have further consequences, such as delayed conferences, ahead of its national elective conference later this year.
Justice Mandisa Maya is South Africa’s new Deputy Chief Justice, as appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. She will take up the position on September 1. She has two decades of experience and is also the first woman to hold the positions of President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Ramaphosa says Maya will contribute to the ongoing transformation process of the Judiciary. “Her ascendency to the apex court will serve as a beacon of hope for scores of young women and make them believe that South Africa is a country of possibilities regardless of gender, social or economic circumstances,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's attorney says he has "no objection" to providing his answers on the Phala Phala matter to the court deciding on advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's latest challenge to her suspension - but was instructed not to do so by the Public Protector's office. Mkhwebane is seeking to urgently challenge Ramaphosa's decision to suspend her, pending a parliamentary inquiry into her fitness to hold office in the Western Cape High Court on Monday morning. She contends that Ramaphosa is conflicted and may have suspended her in retaliation for, among other things, her investigating him over the 2020 break-in at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa over the break-in, which was alleged to have involved significant amounts of foreign currency. Fraser also contended that the president had used state resources to cover up the theft. Ramaphosa denied any wrongdoing and had agreed to provide the High Court with a copy of his response to the 31 questions put to him over the break-in (and its alleged cover-up) by the Public Protector's Office as soon as he had filed them. Answers According to Assistant State Attorney Mark Owen, Ramaphosa was "unable to meet his intended deadline of 18 July 2022 for his response to the office of the Public Protector on the Phala Phala investigation, and his request for a further extension was refused by the Acting Public Protector". He then submitted those answers on 22 July. It then emerged that, in an email sent to Ramaphosa's private attorneys on 4 July, the Public Protector's Office had asked the president's lawyers to "[p]lease ensure that when the response from the Presidency is ready, [it's] emailed only to us and copied here and nobody else". "We want to take precautions to avoid any leakage of such documents to the media, thereby compromising and jeopardising the investigation." In response to questions from News24, the Public Protector's Office confirmed that it opposed Ramaphosa's responses being made public now. Public Protector spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said, "We reiterate that, to protect its integrity, the investigation will not be conducted out in the open." "Section 7(2) is of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994 provides that, 'Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law no person shall disclose to any other person the contents of any document in the possession of a member of the office of the Public Protector or the record of any evidence given before the Public Protector, a Deputy Public Protector or a person contemplated in subsection (3)(b) during an investigation, unless the Public Protector determines otherwise'," he added. "The courts, particularly in Gamede v Public Protector, have also emphasised the importance of protecting the integrity of investigations." Segalwe stressed that Section 6(6) of the Public Protector Act, read with Section 182(3) of Constitution, stated that the "PPSA (Public Protector South Africa) may not investigate the performance of judicial functions and/or court decisions". "In this regard, having information that is before the PPSA for the purpose of an investigation forming part of or being the subject of a court decision might have unintended implications for the investigation," he said. Owen has now told the Western Cape High Court that "in light of this request from the Office of the Public Protector, the President has not made his response to the investigation available to Court. While the President has no objection to doing so (particularly in view of what was stated in his supplementary answering affidavit), he has no intention of 'compromising and jeopardising the investigation', which, according to the Office of the Public Protector, will occur if the response is made public." He added that the president would "abide the decision of this Court as to whether his response to the Phala Phala investigation must be filed before Court". In response, Mkhwebane h...
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has questioned the skills of Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, saying he isn't the type of leader Eskom needs at the moment. In an interview with the Mail & Guardian, the minister, who is also the national chairperson of the African National Congress, said that the power utility currently needs a "fixer", and De Ruyter isn't necessarily that person due to a skills mismatch. De Ruyter holds a Master of Business Administration from the Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands, a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of South Africa, a Bachelor of Civil Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pretoria. He is not an engineer, a sticking point for Mantashe, who said that running "technical machinery" requires "technical skills". The minister admitted to the Mail & Guardian that from a theoretical perspective, De Ruyter understands what is going on at the power utility. But there's a marked difference in speaking about Eskom's challenges with chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer, who is an engineer. ". If you go to Eskom [and] you talk to the chief executive, at a theoretical level it's good. But when you talk to the chief operating officer [Oberholzer], who is an engineer, you feel the difference, because that engineer understands issues, he understands that to deal with load shedding you needs to maintain and service units that are not decommissioned, but not giving us megawatts," he said. Mantashe described De Ruyter as an "alpha" who joins an institution after the fixer has done their work. "Eskom needs a fixer, a person who focuses on what is broken, and [who will] try to fix what is broken, and once he or she fixes it, moves on. Then you can have an alpha," Mantashe told the publication. Mantashe also took aim at the Eskom board – which does not have an accountant or an engineer who arguably would be suited to deal with its debt burden and operational challenges. Mantashe said that the skills gap of executives and the board is something government should look into. The minister said that because Eskom does not fall within the oversight of his department, he does not have a say on who should be the CEO. News24 has reported that the ANC's National Executive Committee have heard calls for Eskom to be shifted to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, under Mantashe - which may be a point of debate at the upcoming policy conference. News24 also reported that Mantashe proposed a second state power utility to overcome energy supply constraints, and that President Cyril Ramaphosa has endorsed the proposal. De Ruyter joined Eskom in January 2020, after the country experienced Stage 6 load-shedding the prior year. Since he took over, he had to contend with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown eating into Eskom's revenue while trying to manage the debt burden and the restructuring of the power utility. In 2021, South Africans experienced their worst year of load-shedding with power outages occurring 13% of the time. De Ruyter, however, has been outspoken about the government's delayed decisions in getting generation capacity online in time, which has now escalated into the load-shedding South Africans experience. Government is set to announce a plan to resolve the energy crisis. Eskom declined to comment on Mantashe's comments.
Stage 1 load-shedding will be implemented from 16:00 to 24:00 on Friday evening. Load-shedding will then be suspended as the generation system has recovered sufficiently at this point. "Eskom thanks the public and all stakeholders for their patience and understanding during this difficult period of load-shedding. While we are able to suspend load-shedding at this point, Eskom cautions that the power system constraints continue to persist," Eskom said in a statement. Eskom has 3 693MW on planned maintenance, while another 14 261MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has submitted written answers to the Public Protector for the Phala Phala investigation, his spokesperson Vincent Magwena confirmed on Friday. Magwenya said that the threats of subpoena from the office were unnecessary. Ramaphosa missed a deadline to answer questions related to the Public Protector’s probe into a robbery that took place at his Phala Phala farm in February 2020. Magwenya said Ramaphosa did not deliberately avoid accountability by missing the initial deadline.
A former senior official in the Gauteng government, who was the latest person the Hawks' arrested in their controversial R255-million Free State asbestos corruption investigation, has been released on R100 000 bail. Margaret-Ann Diedricks, 56, the former provincial human settlements department head, was released on bail after she briefly appeared in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Thursday morning. Hawks spokesperson, Captain Christopher Singo, said the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team arrested Diedricks in Alberton on Wednesday. The R255-million asbestos contract was for the assessment and removal of asbestos from roofs and/or housing in some of the Free State's poorest areas. Diedricks is accused of playing a key role in the appointment of service providers in the deal, by using a procurement loophole to transfer services from a company contracted by her department to the Free State. Singo said Diedricks allegedly received more than R7-million from the service provider. Several other government officials, including former Free State premier Ace Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi, and Free State human settlements head of department Nthimotse Mokhesi have been charged with fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering, among other charges, in the case. The 2014 contract resulted in two subcontracted companies being paid R21-million to do the work, which was never actually completed. The rest of the money was allegedly pocketed by the accused. Diedricks will join her 12 co-accused in court on 23 September.
The repo rate has been hiked by another 75 basis points on Thursday. This brings the repo to 5.5% and the prime rate to 9%. Three members of the monetary policy committee supported the hike, while one wanted 100 basis points and another preferred a 50 basis point hike. This is the biggest hike since September 2002, when the repo rate was hiked by 100 basis points amid an emerging market crisis. The latest interest rate hike follows a painful inflation number that was released on Wednesday: consumer inflation reached 7.4%, the highest level in 13 years. On a new home loan of R2-million at the prime rate, the latest hike will increase payments by R950 a month. The monthly payment on that mortgage has now climbed by almost R3 000 since November last year. In May, the Reserve Bank hiked rates by 50 basis points. The large rate hike adds more pressure on many South African households, who are facing spiralling food and fuel prices, triggered mostly by the impact of the Ukraine invasion. Inflation continues to surprise to the upside, said Lesetja Kganyago, governor of the SA Reserve Bank. The bank now expects headline inflation of 6.5% for this year, higher than its previous forecast of 5.9%. Kganyago warned that inflation expectations are increasing, which means that employees will seek higher wage hikes. This will drive inflation even higher. Russia’s war in Ukraine is likely to persist for the rest of this year and may have significant further effects on global prices, he warned. "Global producer price and food price inflation continued to surprise higher in recent months and may do so again," he said. By hiking interest rates, the Reserve Bank wants to cool down inflation by suppressing demand in the economy. Importantly, it also needs to keep pace with sharp interest rate hikes in rich countries, particularly the US. If the US hikes rates by more than South Africa, it could destabilise the rand and capital inflows into the country. The high interest rates that foreign investors can earn in rands make local assets more attractive – but rapid US interest rate hikes are eroding that advantage. The rand has already started to weaken in response, breaching R17/$ for the first time since 2020. The US Federal Reserve looks set to hike its key rate by another 75 basis point rate next week, in an effort to subdue inflation. Despite the impact of load shedding and flooding in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this year, the Reserve Bank upgraded its expectation for growth this year to 2.0%, from its previous prediction of 1.7%. But it sharply downgraded its forecast for growth for the following years - to 1.3% in 2023 and by 1.5% in 2024, below the 1.9% for both years it expected in May.
In his capacity as president of the country, Cyril Ramaphosa will oppose the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) court application to have the African National Congress's (ANC's) cadre deployment policy declared unlawful and unconstitutional, despite the Zondo Commission's damning findings against the controversial policy – and taxpayers will have to foot the lawyers' bill. This week, Ramaphosa, the Government of the Republic South Africa, and the Minister of Public Service and Administration filed notices to oppose the application, following a notice from the ANC. Thulas Nxesi is acting as the public service and administration minister. The State Attorney signed the notices that were filed at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The DA lodged the case about two weeks before the final part of the Zondo Commission report was released. In the report, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo concluded that cadre deployment played a significant role in enabling State capture. Zondo went on to say that the policy was unlawful and unconstitutional. DA MP Leon Schreiber, who has been spearheading the DA's efforts to abolish cadre deployment, says Ramaphosa's decision to formally defend cadre deployment in court in his capacity as the president of the country, rather than ANC president, "confirms beyond all reasonable doubt that he has no intention of meaningfully eradicating State capture". Schreiber referred to Zondo's finding that cadre deployment facilitated State capture through "the appointment of pliant individuals to powerful positions in State entities". "Yet now that the commission has implicated the ANC cadre deployment committee that he chaired during the Zuma years, Ramaphosa, his party and his entire government are clearly hell-bent on defying the Zondo report in order to protect ANC cadre deployment – the very foundation of State capture," Schreiber said. According to Schreiber, the opposition to the case from Ramaphosa and his government also amounts to an abuse of public resources to protect the ANC. "At the very least, a president who was sensitive to the damage wrought by cadre corruption would have indicated that he would simply abide by the court's decision," Schreiber said. "Instead, Ramaphosa and the South African government have chosen to actively abuse State resources in order to protect a corrupt policy of a political party. "In the notice of his intention to oppose the DA's case, Ramaphosa even indicated that he will be represented in the matter by the State Attorney of the Republic of South Africa. He has thus instructed the State Attorney – which is supposed to serve the needs of citizens rather than political parties – to spend millions of rands in court to defend the ANC," he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), on Wednesday, warned President Cyril Ramaphosa against declaring a State of Emergency over the country’s energy crisis, saying it will reject such action. The DA said a State of Emergency was too extreme and that it exceeded the bounds of reasonableness. It largely blamed the crisis on administrative red tape and stonewalling by Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe of independent power production. “A State of Emergency is not the appropriate action to take in response to the crisis and the DA will reject it outright should such a step be taken,” said the party. However, it said a “ring-fenced State of Disaster” should be declared on Eskom and the electricity sector, explaining that it would remove barriers for independent power producers (IPPs) to quickly bring generation capacity online. “With South Africa being in the middle of an economically damaging energy crisis, a ring-fenced State of Disaster, fully accountable to Parliament, can be an effective tool to remove red tape and unlock investment in new generation capacity,” the DA said. Last week Ramaphosa said that he will, in the coming days, announce a way forward in tackling load-shedding, which has worsened significantly over the past three years and has intensified in recent weeks to the point of being implemented at Stage 6.
After months of bickering, the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State reached consensus on tentative dates in September for the regional and the crucial provincial elective conferences. In a video that News24 has seen, Free State ANC interim provincial committee (IPC) coordinator Paseka Nompondo said the IPC's mandate had been extended to 30 September and that 31 July had been set as the deadline for provincial ANC members to renew their membership. Nompondo added that regional conferences would be held between 15 and 30 September and that the provincial conference would take place towards the end of September. "The IPC is preparing a conference of the province and conferences of the regions. We have set up a cut-off date for membership renewal for the 31st of July to allow all ANC members to renew their membership. "Once a member has renewed their membership of the ANC and becomes a member in good standing and becomes a paid-up member, they then have the right as a member of the ANC to participate in the ANC branch general meeting. They may also participate in the preparation of a branch to participate in the regional and provincial conferences," Nompondo could be heard saying. She added that new branch executive committees would be elected in August and September. In addition, branches will elect their delegates for regional conferences and the provincial conference. Speaking to News24 on Wednesday, IPC spokesperson Oupa Khoabane said discussions on the exact dates for the regional and provincial conferences were ongoing. Khoabane confirmed that the tentative agreement was that the membership renewal process would be wrapped up at the end of July and that the regional and provincial conferences would be concluded by the end of September. "We want branches to reach the 70% threshold of having convened branch general meetings and selecting delegates to participate at the conferences. We have that roadmap as the IPC, that says as of the 30th September, we must go to the provincial conference. "Even if all regional conferences have not convened, but branches have met the threshold to hold the provincial conference, we will then go ahead with the provincial elective conference. As you know, conferences are for branches, and 90% of the delegates in the provincial conference are branch delegates, and the rest are league structures and the IPC members," Khoabane said. Furthermore, he said the delay in the convening of regions and provinces was to avoid "unnecessary litigation". In 2012, the ANC's national executive committee (NEC), led by then secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, decided to bar the 20-member Free State provincial executive committee. The move came after the Constitutional Court found it to be invalid, following a legal challenge by some branches over the processes leading up to the conference. This excluded the Free State PEC from voting at the 2012 ANC Mangaung conference, apart from members like then Free State chairperson Ace Magashule who voted in his capacity as an NEC member. In 2017, a similar fate befell the province's PEC after the NEC decided that the PECs of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State would not be allowed to vote on any matter at the party's hotly contested 54th elective conference in Nasrec. Nompondo said: "In the past, we were not able to work together for a number of years, but now I do have a sense that all members in the IPC are working towards what we were brought together to achieve." He reiterated that "by the time the national conference sits in December, we would have had a provincial conference of the ANC in the Free State". Last month, disgruntled ANC members from the Mangaung region approached the Free State High Court over what it termed the "slow pace of conference preparations." The group has also called on the disbandment of the ANC Free State IPC, led by former economic development MEC Mxolisi Dukwana and Nompondo. The interim structure was formed after the governing par...
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has asked trade union Solidarity to provide a list of people with the necessary technical skills to help government address the skills crisis at Eskom. On 14 July, Gordhan wrote to the managing director of Solidarity, Dirk Hermann, to thank the trade union for its offer in May this year to mobilise critical skills. The minister informed Hermann that Eskom required power station engineers - including mechanical, nuclear, electrical, system and maintenance skills, as well as senior artisans and plant operators for coal and nuclear power stations. "Due to the urgency of assistance required from Eskom, can you kindly provide the list of names of engineers and technical experts that can be deployed to Eskom to address the generation performance challenges facing the company," Gordhan wrote. He was responding to a letter from Hermann, dated 25 May this year, sent to Gordhan shortly after his budget vote speech in Parliament. Gordhan had indicated that Eskom lacked engineering and technical skills. "Since 2000, Eskom has implemented a radical transformation programme to accelerate the transformation process at the state-owned enterprise at a cost of approximately R1.8-billion, while this programme has in fact reduced Eskom’s engineering and technical skills base," Hermann wrote. Solidarity had previously offered to assist government in redeploying skilled and experienced engineers, and in the past, set up a skills database for its members and others to register their experience and qualifications. In 2019, the union provided Gordhan with a list of 705 names - consisting of individuals holding a cumulative 731 accredited qualifications, with a combined work experience of more than 500 years - but nothing happened. A total of 30% of the names were engineers, 50% were specialised and skilled artisans, and a further 20% had general skills. "We cannot discuss the current Eskom skills crisis without looking at the historic context. Eskom was reckless in the implementation of a transformation programme and, since 2000, they offered packages to skilled Eskom workers to make space, in today’s money approximately R1.8-billion was paid out," Hermann told News24 on Wednesday. "The loss of skills also led to a loss of institutional knowledge – and it was just too much, too fast. Even as recently as 2017, Eskom had made provision in its affirmative action plans to get rid of another 1 700 engineers and artisans. The role of an aggressive racial transformation programme in the current skills crisis, which encompasses the current load shedding crisis, cannot therefore be denied," he added. Between May and July, Hermann said, Solidarity added another 450 names to its 2019 list, after calling for people to put their names forward. The trade union said it would now set up a panel and whittle down the 1 100-plus list to the top 100 people - the best of the best. "We will look at people with decades of experiences, often with more than one qualification - those with the most sought-after skills available in the country. These top 100 change agents will have the ability to make tangible contributions to turn Eskom around. The question is, if the political will truly exists from government and Eskom to accept these individuals with open arms, and to give them the opportunity to help turn it around?" he said. "We have a lot of appreciation for the fact that these people who have indicated their willingness to assist are not bitter about the past and how recklessly skills were dealt with according to racial ideologies. These are people putting up their hands with positive intentions, to say, here we are, we are ready to help solve the crisis," Hermann said. Solidarity said it would wait another week or so to allow more time for those with skills and experience to add their names to the list. News24 has asked Gordhan’s office to confirm whether he has written to any other trade unions or professional bodies, and t...
After holding onto its mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy for a while, the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided to drop it. When the government lifted Covid-19 restrictions, UFS stuck to its policy of only allowing vaccinated people on campus, to the ire of union Solidarity. In January, the union took the university to court to challenge the policy, which it deemed unconstitutional. On Tuesday, UFS rector and vice-chancellor Professor Francis Petersen said the institution did a risk assessment before dropping the policy. "From the assessment, it was clear that the university's Covid-19 infections are currently a low risk." Petersen said some of the reasons for dropping the policy included the high rate of vaccination and no new reported cases of Covid-19 in the university community in the past month. He said the continuation of hybrid learning was also helping to minimise the risk on campus. "We believe that Covid-19 no longer poses an immediate threat to the safety of our staff and students, and that the pandemic is at a stage where they should take responsibility for their own safety. This can be mainly ascribed to the success of the implementation of the policy," said Petersen. "Staff and students who still wish to wear masks are urged to do so at their own discretion. Those who have not yet been vaccinated against the virus and have no known condition preventing them from doing so are advised to get vaccinated for their own safety and protection." He said the vaccination policy could be reintroduced if there was a need. "If the national regulatory environment with respect to Covid-19 is changing to such an extent that the policy needs to be reimplemented, the university's executive management will act accordingly, and hence the Covid-19 Regulations and Required Vaccination Policy remains a policy of the university.," Petersen said. Morné Malan, Solidarity's head of communications, said the UFS policy restricted staff and students' constitutional rights. "The university's policy has indeed managed to restrict constitutional rights. Although it is a good thing that this draconian policy has now been lifted, the fact that it was only brought about because the university was threatened with a cost order in litigation and not because it acted as a proponent for the rights of students and staff, will remain an embarrassing blemish on UFS' name," Malan said. He said it was disappointing that the university had resisted dropping the policy. "When the Covid-19 regulations were lifted at national level, but the UFS carried on with restrictions on its campus, it was clear that the university was committed to restricting the constitutional rights of students and staff without any clear rationale," he added.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has extended the National State of Disaster to August 18. The gazetted extension comes as parts of KwaZulu-Natal, and other provinces, recover from severe flooding in April. Dlamini-Zuma first declared a National State of Disaster on April 18 and the extension seeks to assist recovery efforts by government and its social partners. More than 400 people have lost their lives to the April floods, with many still missing.
Acting Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka has confirmed that her office will, in line with the Public Protector Act, subpoena President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond to allegations in the Phala Phala investigation. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser is claiming that Ramaphosa concealed a multimillion-dollar robbery from the South African Police Service and the South African Revenue Service. In a statement on Tuesday Gcaleka said Ramaphosa, who was expected to submit his response to allegations made against him by July 18, had applied for a further extension, which she denied. “We confirm that the President had until July 18, 2022 to respond to the allegations letter of June 07, 2022 after his previous request to have the initial return date of June 22, 2022 extended. A request for a further extension has instead been filed. The request for a further extension has been denied and was communicated to the President on July 18, 2022,” the Public Protector’s office said. It went on to assure South Africans that the matter was being thoroughly investigated, adding that it would not comment further on the issue at hand to protect the integrity of the investigation. “This is because investigating such matters in the glare of the public carries with it the risk of jeopardising investigations,” the office said. Meanwhile, after requesting that she disclose whether the President responded to her questions, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is accusing Gcaleka of shielding information which, it says, is due to the public. The EFF has made public its support for suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and has accused Gcaleka of having “a history of connections” with members of the African National Congress. “As things stand, the people of South Africa are left to believe that Ramaphosa has not responded to the 31 questions, meaning that the President of South Africa is in breach of the Public Protector Act and in contempt of the Office of the Public Protector,” the EFF said. It went on to call Ramaphosa a constitutional delinquent for his lack of compliance and further accused Gcaleka of protecting Ramaphosa.
Government officials responsible for the billions of rands worth of late and non-payment of invoices by national and provincial departments need to be monitored and punished, National Treasury said on Monday. It said that while there was an improvement in terms of the number of invoices older than 30 days there were not paid at the end of the 2021/22 financial year, there was still "a noticeable regression" in the number of invoices that were paid by national departments after 30 days. Businesses supplying to government, especially small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs), have had to contend with the late payment of invoices for years, exposing them to significant risks, such as losing out on much-needed income, debt, and even closure. National Treasury said payment of invoices within 30 days should be included in the performance agreements of accounting officers, chief financial officers, and other relevant officials. "Disciplinary action should be taken against officials who fail to comply with the requirements to pay invoices within 30 days and who undermine the systems of internal control be taken," Treasury said. It said accounting officers should ensure that the information to the relevant treasury is signed off and submitted within the timeframes stipulated in the National Treasury instruction note. Treasury said the topic of payment of suppliers within 30 days must be "a standing agenda item at all executive committee meetings of all provincial and national government departments". "To ensure that supplier operations continue without strain and financial difficulties, government institutions are urged to pay their suppliers on time and not contribute to the dire effects of the pandemic that has already put a strain on the financial sustainability of SMMEs," Treasury said.
At least two of the accused in the Zandile Gumede corruption trial have run into issues with paying their lawyers, leading to yet another postponement in the matter that has been in and out of court for about four years. The trial was meant to start in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban on Monday. The matter, which was heard in a packed courtroom, saw Judge Sharmaine Balton express frustration at last-minute matters raised by the defence lawyers. She then postponed the matter to 27 July for pre-trial issues to be resolved in chambers. The trial itself was postponed to 1 August when the matter was expected to commence. Balton, however, warned all attorney's that she wanted to get the matter under way at the soonest. She stressed that the pre-trial matters heard in court on Monday should have been resolved at the previous pre-trial hearing. "This trial is going to take a long time to complete. It is likely to take at least a year. We need to get the matter under way, and you all need to be ready to commence," she said. Several issues raised in court Cynthia Nzuza, the wife of former eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza, did not have a lawyer present in court. Her lawyer was only called once proceedings began, with the court hearing that Nzuza had only informed the lawyer that her services were required at around 10:30. Her lawyer indicated that there were some constraints with payment and that this still had to be resolved. Sandile Ngcobo, who was represented by well-known criminal trial attorney Jimmy Howse, indicated that he ran into financial troubles and could no longer afford Howse. Balton then said that Ngcobo, who did not qualify for a legal aid lawyer because he is employed at the eThekwini Metro, should seek other options. "If he cannot afford Mr Howse, he is going to have to look at other options," she said. Another accused, Zithulele Mkhize, was not in court, citing influenza. A stayed warrant was issued for his arrest until 27 July. The court heard that Mkhize also could not afford the full services of his lawyer. Meanwhile, Jay Naidoo, the lawyer representing Gumede, indicated he would bring an application to oppose the racketeering charges. "We feel this is not supported by evidence. We filed an objection to the charges. The objection will only be entertained once the full indictment has been read," he said. Senior state advocate Ashika Lucken opposed all applications made in court. She told the court that the accused needed to expeditiously resolve their finances and other matters. "We are ready to go," she said when asked if the State was ready for trial. Gumede, councillor Mondli Mthembu and others are accused of colluding with corporate entities and others to circumvent the outcome of the municipality's supply chain management protocols to the tune of more than R350-million. She allegedly gave instructions to the bid specification committee, bid adjudication committee and bid evaluation committee, despite mayors not being allowed to get involved in tender specification processes. The Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Hawks seized 10 properties, including the plush Prestondale residence of Gumede's co-accused, Hlenga Sibisi. The ANC removed Gumede and other senior party members from the powerful, decision-making executive committee of eThekwini in September 2019 after the party asked her to resign a month before.
As South Africa, and the world, celebrates Nelson Mandela Day on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa is viewing it it as an opportunity to remember that the problems facing the country can be overcome. In his weekly letter to the nation he stated that the country faced a difficult time, as it saw itself in the midst of an energy crisis and as it dealt with a spate of violent crimes. “Even as our economy is recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, poverty and unemployment are taking a heavy toll on millions who are struggling to make ends meet. Corruption has eaten away at our nation’s soul and has severely eroded the social compact between the state and citizens. Nelson Mandela Day is an opportunity to remember that these problems, like so many we have faced before, are not insurmountable. They can be overcome,” he said. He hoped South Africans would see Nelson Mandela Day as an opportunity to recommit themselves to uphold the values former President Nelson Mandela stood for and to build the South Africa Madiba dedicated his life to. He said Mandela always reminded citizens that there was "no easy walk to freedom" and that everybody shared a common responsibility for nation-building. “In honour of the birthday of the founding father of our democracy, we are called on to dedicate 67 minutes to doing good works, serving others and making a difference in our communities. At a time when so much of the world is beset by hardship and strife, we are inspired by Madiba’s words that ‘it is in our hands to make a difference and to make the world a better place’,” Ramaphosa said. CIVIL SOCIETY Ramaphosa went on to highlight the contribution that community-based, faith-based and grassroots organisations had made in defence of human rights, the country’s Constitution and the interests of citizens. He stated that when the State faltered, civil society reminded citizens of the obligation to advance the ideals for which Madiba and generations of freedom fighters made sacrifices for. Ramaphosa welcomed the programme for democratic renewal, launched by a group of civil society organisations earlier this month, which called for people’s power to be re-ignited. It was a call for communities to organise and mobilise around economic inclusion, social and climate justice and ethical behaviour, he said. “Many civil society organisations are rooted in communities and have the keenest appreciation of the struggles of the people. Engaging and working with government to overcome the challenges in the country’s society is what participatory democracy is all about,” he said. Ramaphosa explained that during the Covid-19 pandemic, this collaboration between government, civil society and other social partners was instrumental to provide support to society’s most vulnerable. He said such partnerships were vital as South Africa strived to rebuild its economy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the African National Congress (ANC) is strongly considering the establishment of a second State-owned power utility to reduce the risk posed by Eskom's failings. Speaking on the third day of the South African Communist Party's (SACP's) elective conference in Boksburg, Gauteng, Ramaphosa said the proposal was initially made by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe after Eskom plunged the country into stage 6 load-shedding. "Our national [power] utility Eskom has not only been in a state of distress for the past three or four years. It has been in distress for easily 15 years. This has been because it has been operating according to a model that is no longer suited to the technology or the economic conditions of the present. "When you fly from OR Tambo [International Airport] to Cape Town at night and just look down at the splendour of the wonderful lights [of] our country. and if you sit back and you ask yourself, 'Where is this generated from?'. And then you reflect on the fact that it is generated by one company. One company, that if it fails becomes a spectacular calamity for the country, then you will realise that there is a pressing need for change," he said. "This risk that we have, if you look at other countries like China, it has a number of state-owned electricity-generating companies that even compete among themselves, leading to prices going down. And that is the future that we should begin to imagine," said Ramaphosa. He went on to propose that the country should consider reducing the risk posed by having only one power utility. "The risk that the country could be exposed to. for much of its history, this model that we are pursuing has worked, but we are today experiencing a great risk in that we are placing the sole responsibility for electricity generation in one company. That is why comrade Gwede (Mantashe) flirted with the idea [of considering establishing] a second one (power utility) which can be owned by the state. I thought this was a great idea," said Ramaphosa. He also lamented Eskom's ailing infrastructure, saying it posed a great risk and led to rolling blackouts over the past couple of weeks. "Because one company has been operating the electricity industry for the past 100 years, some of the problems have been that their power stations are more that 50 years old. I was saying to comrade Gwede the other day that when we started organising workers in the mining and electricity sectors in 1992, some of those power stations were already 20 to 30 years old, and that was 40 years ago. So, imagine those same stations now still pumping electricity," he said. Mantashe, who was also at the SACP conference, told News24 he had indeed suggested a second power utility and that it was "receiving serious considering". At its last meeting, the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) proposed a raft of changes in the government's day-to-day running of the ailing State-owned enterprise. Calls were also made to speed up the establishment of alternative energy sources and accelerate the procurement of battery storage. The NEC said the ANC-led government should speed up reforms in the energy sector, allowing for more power to be introduced into the national grid.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has made further changes to the draft regulations to qualify for the R350 social relief of distress grant to include more people in the net. Since the latest iteration of the grant started on 1 April, 11.3-million people applied but only 5.2-million people qualified. This is compared to 10.5-million people in the grant's last iteration where the qualification criteria were far less onerous. The new version of the grant introduced a lower means test of R350 compared to R624 in the last version. This meant that anyone with income of more than R350 a month, even if it was support from a family member, did not qualify for the grant. The new iteration also cross-checked all applicants against the banking system, which was not done before. This is what led to the high number of disqualifications. Last week Zulu said that the means test would be raised back up to R624, which is the food poverty line. On Thursday, the department said it proposed that although the cross-check against the banking system would still be applied, it would not be the central determinant of whether a person could get a grant. The requirement that applicants reapply every three months would also be dropped. The draft regulations are available for comment after which they will be gazetted. The department also said that, as in the previous dispensation, unsuccessful applicants must submit an appeal for each month for which they have been declined. Appeals will now be lodged directly with an Appeals Tribunal and no longer with Sassa. The new website for appeals is. Although the new iteration of the grant was supposed to be seamlessly introduced from 1 April, the changes to the qualifying criteria stalled payments. No one has yet been paid for April or May and around half of the applicants were paid in June. Government has committed to back-paying everybody. "The department extends sincere apologies for the long delay in assessing the April and May applications and we are doing everything in our power to fast-track the assessments, especially, the bank verification processes that are currently required by the regulations," it said in a statement.
African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured the party’s Tripartite Alliance partners – the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) – that the ANC will conclude discussions on the reconfiguration of the alliance. Ramaphosa was speaking during the SACP’s fifteenth national congress in Johannesburg, on Friday, where he acknowledged that there was significant anxiety within the SACP and Cosatu that the ANC had not fully concluded its own discussions. There has been discontentment in the alliance, with calls for a reconfiguration in the relations between the ANC, the SACP and Cosatu. “I can say that as President of the ANC I do support that we should have a thorough ongoing discussion on the reconfiguration of the alliance. We must discuss in depth precisely what our roles, what our responsibilities are as we chart the way forward. So we are going to devote time to conclude that discussion,” he said. He promised that the ANC would speed up discussions so that when the Alliance Political Council met it was able to finalise its discussions. Ramaphosa spoke of the ANC and SACP’s “tightly interwoven relationship” which has spanned many decades. He said the ANC remained firmly committed to its alliance with the SACP and remained convinced that the role of the SACP in advancing the fundamental transformation of the country’s economy and society was key to the future of the country. The ANC supports the SACP’s cause: to build a powerful socialist movement of workers and the poor. However, Ramaphosa admitted that it was not enough for the ANC to state its commitment to the alliance. He said it needed to work hard and to continuously ensure that the movement remained united, cohesive and effective. “We recognise that there have been weaknesses, there have also been lapses and shortcomings in how we have managed this relationship and how we have approached the common tasks and responsibilities that are at hand,” he said. Alliance structures at national, provincial and regional levels have not worked as they should have and have not responded to the challenges facing the movement, he added. He said the alliance ought to be able to develop a common view on crucial areas of social and economic development. NZIMANDE LEADERSHIP Meanwhile, Ramaphosa commended SACP general-secretary Blade Nzimande, who is stepping down from the helm after 24 years. “The party has grown in membership, it has also grown in strength and indeed it has also grown in influence. We applaud you [Nzimande] because by growing the party you have contributed to strengthening the democratic progressive movement in our country. I think you are to be applauded for continuing to lead the party over the many years and you have seen it grow into the organisation that it is today. I take off my hat to you and applaud you for the excellent work that you have done,” said Ramaphosa.
A new coalition government is set to take over the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. The African Christian Democratic Party, African Independent Congress, Abantu Integrity Movement, Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, Pan Africanist Congress, and the United Democratic Movement have agreed to forming a coalition government. The parties met at least eight times in recent weeks to iron out a new agreement. Parties are to report back to their structures for a final mandate.
Just over a year after a wave of violent unrest swept through KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that the continued decay of service delivery by local government is a fertile breeding ground for economic strife and future instability in SA. The minister on Thursday urged municipalities to meet the national government halfway in providing basic services by maintaining their infrastructure and spending their basic service delivery grants. The unrest in July last year was characterised by the looting of stores and destruction of business infrastructure. It started when former president Jacob Zuma was arrested for refusing to appear before the State Capture Inquiry, but eventually descended into widescale looting and damage to property. "While much of the rioting was undoubtedly driven by criminal elements, it found fertile ground in the desperate economic situation faced by many of our people," said Godongwana said at the Chris Hani District Municipality Economic Development and Investment Summit, in Komani in the Eastern Cape. He also highlighted that factories, plants and small businesses were closing shop and retrenching workers, because they could not rely on the timely provision of electricity and water by municipalities. Godongwana's address also comes as 43 of South Africa's 257 municipalities are in a state of financial distress, while another 112 have adopted budgets that they cannot fund. Struggling to collect revenue, repay debts, and fund the provision of basic services has become a common feature of local government in South Africa. Godongwana said the Chris Hani municipality underspent on infrastructure grants and returned the money to the National Revenue Fund in the last half a decade. He said municipalities could forget about creating a climate conducive to attracting investment if they could not reliably provide basic services. "In 2016/17, an amount of R38.9-million went unspent by the municipality and had to be returned to the National Treasury. In the following year, 2017/18, R65-million was returned to the National Revenue Fund by the municipality. In 2018/19, nearly R240-million was unspent. "That figure was R97-million in 2019/20. Surely these kinds of figures are not helpful. It is unfathomable that a municipality in a province like the Eastern Cape, where poverty, inequality, and unemployment indicators are consistently higher than the national average, could fail to spend money on providing key services," said Godongwana. Godognwana said the government dedicated over R200-billion to infrastructure in recent years and that this was not being seen on the ground at a local government level. The minister said the National Treasury would support municipalities by providing skills development programmes, amending funding and quality assurance mechanisms, expanding opportunities for work-based learning, and updating the Critical Skills List to allow for the import of scarce skills. "However, it falls to municipalities and provinces to put in place the budgetary mechanisms, to hire qualified people with the desired skills, and provide proper oversight, accountability, project planning, and preparation, for infrastructure building and maintenance projects to be successfully executed," he said. Godongwana said several municipalities are under-budgeting for infrastructure maintenance, leading to potholes, burst sewer pipes, and "an overall falling level of service delivery". He said the National Treasury found that 150 municipalities in the country are bankrupt or insolvent, unable to pay creditors or even service pensions. Godongwana said there was potential for Chris Hani District Municipality to play a co-ordination role with the local municipalities that fall under it by harnessing skills at the district level to deliver infrastructure projects. "Chris Hani District Municipality is allocated close to R4-billion over the medium-term expenditure framework ending in 2024/25...
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema announced on Thursday that his party will approach all political parties in Parliament to initiate a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa if he does not step down. The EFF will also engage in a national shutdown, calling for the President’s removal in the wake of the Phala Phala scandal. Addressing the media at EFF headquarters, Malema said his party had been patient for too long. The EFF said it had written to the South African Reserve Bank, the South African Revenue Service, the Financial Intelligence Centre, and all relevant structures to demand that Ramaphosa be held accountable, adding that nothing has yet been done. He said he was confident that the African National Congress (ANC) would accept the motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa if he does not step down. “So, we are confident that the ANC people will themselves accept that the motion of no confidence must be put on the President if he does not step down. The DA will have to defend the President. The DA will have to vote for violation of all laws of the land. So, if the DA decides to vote against the motion of no confidence, then the people of South Africa must choose what they want. But we are not going to fold our arms when we see open violation of the laws of the country because we think we won’t get sufficient support,” Malema said. Malema said the EFF would approach the courts to compel Parliament to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation of any crimes committed by Ramaphosa with the aim of building a solid case for impeachment. Malema said Ramaphosa was not above the law. He said corruption and the tendency to buy people and judges must come to an end. “Who must respect law enforcement agencies and South Africa’s criminal justice system when a sitting head of State chooses a gangsterism approach of hunting those who stole what appears to be stolen dollars from him? Who must respect SARS and pay taxes when the so-called President does not? Who must comply with foreign currency regulations when a sitting head of State does not? Who will respect the rule of law if a sitting head of State does not respect the laws?” asked Malema.
The owner of the bar in the South African coastal town of East London where 21 teenagers mysteriously died last month has been arrested, police in the Eastern Cape province said on Wednesday. Forensic teams are yet to reveal their conclusions on how the teens died, with a source close to the investigation saying one theory was a chemical or gas leak and authorities also investigating possible accidental poisoning. There has been an outpouring of grief at the deaths at the nightspot in Scenery Park township, in a nation used to seeing casualties from a pervasive binge drinking culture. Angry mourners of some victims have complained that weeks of calls to shut down the tavern went unheeded. Provincial police said in a statement that the owner, aged 52, was arrested over the weekend, while two employees at the tavern were subsequently arrested on Tuesday. The owner is expected to appear before the East London Magistrates Court on August 19 to face charges after an investigation that focused on allegedly supplying minors with alcohol, the statement said. "Just as we said in the beginning, investigation is a process and needs to be treated with extreme care," Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene said in the statement.
Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi intends to lodge a damages claim against a lawyer representing Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders who are challenging the cancellation of the permit. Advocate Simba Chitando told News24 on Monday that Motsoaledi demanded that he withdraw comments to the media and delete comments on social media about millions the department had apparently made from ZEP holders. "The minister also demands that I pay him R200 000 on the grounds that my legal arguments are defamatory," Chitando said in a statement. Spokesperson for the minister, Siya Ooza confirmed the minister's intentions. "The minister has instructed his attorneys to issue a defamation cease and desist letter against Mr Simba Chitando," Ooza said. "The minister's lawyers will proceed to launch an application in the [Gauteng] High Court...in Johannesburg against Mr Chitando." The minister takes issue with Chitando's statements that according to affidavits the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) filed, it told Treasury that R145 803 928 was required for the Zimbabwe exemption programme. He was told that Treasury only made R15-million available to the DHA, so the ZEP programme was not sustainable. However, Chitando's view is that the money paid by an estimated 180 000 ZEP holders, excluding unsuccessful applicants, at R1 090 each, amounted to around R200-million. Chitando said during media interviews that the state committed "fraud" against the citizens of another country. This is what Motsoaledi wants him to withdraw. Excerpts of Chitando's tweets and statements include a comment to SABC that Motsoaledi's case is that the ZEP programme is an expense to the state, yet the ZEP holders are paying for the process themselves. A letter of demand from Motsoaledi's lawyers, which News24 has seen, states that the minister is held in high esteem and that he has taken a firm stance against corruption. Motsoaledi's lawyers contend that Chitando's remarks defame the minister and impair his reputation and dignity. They also take issue with Chitando's comment that Motsoaledi is a liar, which he made during an announcement that the Zimbabwe Permit Holders Association (ZEPA), represented by Chitando and his attorneys, had withdrawn their application for a review of the decision to end the permits. The lawyer also states that Motsoaledi does not have access to the money because it goes to the National Revenue Fund. The letter explains that VFS Global processes the applications for a fee of R1 090, with the DHA covering the costs of the printing of the permits and paying staff overtime for processing them. If Chitando does not withdraw his tweets and comments, Motsoaledi will seek R200 000 from him for defamation, which is to be donated to a charity, the letter states. The DHA announced last year that its ZEP category of residence would be terminated by the end of December 2021, spreading panic among the Zimbabwean immigrant community. They worried about whether their bank accounts would be frozen and work contracts would be renewed, and what would happen to their children's education and study. ZEP holders have to apply for one of the "mainstream" visas available, like work, study, and spousal visas, in an offering that leans towards people who have skills critical to South Africa. The DHA has given them a year's "grace" to apply for these visas, and if they have not been successful by the end of 2022, they have to leave the country or face deportation. Chitando is representing clients in the ZEPA, with the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) also working to challenge aspects of the ZEP-to-visa plan. The HSF was lambasted by Motsoaledi in a statement in which he accused NGOs of trying to take over the work of the government. Chitando said he was facing similar vitriol. "The minister's threat to gag me from updating my clients on litigation that affects them comes after he: attacked the Helen Suzman Foundation; claimed that human rights organisations are gi...
Power utility Eskom says the four arrests in relation to a corrupt ABB Group contract for work at the Kusile power station is hopefully just the beginning, with more arrests expected to follow soon. Eskom on Wednesday issued a statement following News24's report that two former employees of the Swiss engineering firm and their wives were arrested by the Investigating Directorate of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a joint operation with the Hawks and the South African Revenue Service on Tuesday. This is one of the State Capture cases the NPA is pursuing. The accused are Mohammed and Raeesa Mooidheen and Vernon and Aradhna Pillay, News24 reported. The matter concerns a corrupt contract awarded during the construction of Kusile in 2015 of about R2.2-billion. ABB irregularly appointed Impulse International as a sub-contractor and paid it R549-million in 2016 and 2017. At the time, former acting Eskom CEO Mathsela Koko's step-daughter, Koketso Choma, was a shareholder of Impulse, News24 reported. "Eskom congratulates the NPA's Investigating Directorate on the arrests in this case, and pledges to do everything in its power to assist the investigations to bring about successful prosecutions. "Eskom also hopes this is just the beginning and that more arrests will follow on this matter, and on the more than 100 other criminal cases lodged with the law enforcement agencies over the years," the power utility said. The former employees – Mohammed Mooidheen and Vernon Pillay – are accused of using their influence to get kickbacks estimated at over R6-million. This includes cash and luxury vehicles from irregularly awarding the Impulse contract. This also allegedly benefited their spouses. Some of the assets belonging to the accused and their spouses have been seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit. They have been released on bail and will appear in court on 14 October 2022. In December 2020, ABB South Africa reached a settlement with Eskom of R1.577-billion - for overpayments the power utility made to the contractor. The construction of mega coal-fired power stations Kusile and Medupi have suffered significant cost overruns, largely linked to inflated contracts.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced on Tuesday that its operations have been affected by the industrial action from unions, forcing the tax body to close 18 branches in seven provinces around the country. This comes at a sensitive time for SARS operations, as tax season started at the beginning of July. The Public Servants' Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) announced on Monday that they would be resuming their strike at SARS after suspending their industrial action for two months during wage negotiations. Unions are demanding a 7% increase in wages. SARS has floated the idea of channelling its savings from 2021 towards wages. Unions said this would only add up to a 1.39% increase and rejected the offer. In a statement, SARS said it was forced to close multiple branches, including five in Gauteng, three in KwaZulu-Natal, four in the Western Cape, three in the Eastern Cape, and one each in Mpumalanga, the Free State and the Northern Cape. It encouraged taxpayers filing tax returns to make use of its digital services, including e-filing. "SARS apologises for any inconvenience caused but due to industrial action taking place across SARS, we are experiencing delays in servicing our taxpayers. Please continue to make use of our digital services during this time," the statement read. PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka claimed that the strike action has "fully shut down" border gates and SARS branch offices. "The employer must listen and provide a better offer," said Maleka. Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolisi said the strike action at SARS kicked off "quite well" with members coming out in numbers at demonstrations across various SARS offices. "We will be having demonstrations through picketing in offices of SARS and we will not be rendering any services until the employer offers something tangible to our members and workers at SARS," said Nkolisi. These branches have been closed due to the strike: Gauteng Edenvale Benoni Randfontein Springs Boksburg KwaZulu-Natal Richards Bay Pietermaritzburg Durban Western Cape Cape Town Mitchells Plain Paarl Beaufort West Mpumalanga Mbombela Eastern Cape Umtata Uitenhage East London Free State Qachas (border post) Northern Cape Upington
Two former employees of engineering firm Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) have been arrested along with their wives in connection with an allegedly inflated multimillion-rand contract for work at Eskom's Kusile power station. It is alleged that they received cash and cars from a company ABB sub-contracted, called Impulse International. The Investigating Directorate (ID) arrested the four people as part of a multi-agency initiative involving the Hawks and SARS in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and Middelburg in Mpumalanga after raiding their premises. They are expected to appear in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Fin24 previously reported that former acting Eskom CEO Matshela Koko was accused of promising ABB R6.5-billion in future contracts if it sub-contracted work on Kusile to Impulse International, a company partially owned by his stepdaughter, Koketso Choma. ABB was reportedly awarded a R2.2-billion control and instrumentation contract for Kusile in 2015, and subcontracted some of the work to Impulse. According to a Sunday Times report, this was despite the fact that Impulse twice failed ABB's tests for sub-contractor appointments and did not qualify to do the work. News24 previously reported that documents in the Eskom Files - a vast data dump of emails, forensic reports, bank statements, and legal and financial records - show that ABB paid Impulse R557-million. And after Choma became a shareholder at Impulse, Eskom awarded the company a series of other lucrative contracts and paid the firm R295-million. However, Eskom apparently stopped paying Impulse in 2017, after the Sunday Times exposed the links between the company, Koko and Choma. Koko has consistently denied involvement in ABB's awarding of sub-contracts to Impulse.
The Public Protector must not put their personal interest above the public interest or above the interest of the Office of the Public Protector, constitutional drafter Hassen Ebrahim told the Section 194 committee on Tuesday. Ebrahim, who was part of the Codesa negotiations and the Constitutional Assembly, which drafted the Constitution in the 1990s, and subsequently worked in several positions related to constitutions, was the first witness at suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's impeachment hearings. The hearings continued on Tuesday after the opening remarks by the evidence leader, advocate Nazreen Bawa SC, and Mkhwebane's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, on Monday. Ebrahim was called to explain the constitutional framework of the Public Protector. He said it was critically important that the "Public Protector is defined as an organ of state", which is required to respect the Constitution and that she doesn't assume powers she doesn't have. She should also show a "high standard of professional ethics" and use resources economically and effectively. The Constitution and laws require the incumbent of the Office of the Public Protector to be "beyond reproach, a person of stature and suitably qualified", Ebrahim said. Considering the Public Protector's wide-ranging powers, Ebrahim said: "Constitutionally, the Public Protector is one of those superheroes." The chairperson of the Section 194 committee, Qubudile Dyantyi, asked: "Do you mean the office or the person?" Mkhwebane and Mpofu shook their heads. On Monday, Mpofu said the office and the person were inseparable. The Western Cape High Court, however, ruled otherwise. According to Ebrahim, it is "very important to separate the office from the incumbency", and it is very important to "protect the office from the incumbent". Ebrahim said that, with this great power, comes great responsibility. "The Public Protector must not put personal interest above the public interest, and must not put personal interest above the office of the Public Protector," he said. He said the Public Protector should always act in good faith. Ebrahim also raised a matter which could surface again later in the inquiry. He said: "Unless there are special circumstances, as determined by the Public Protector, a matter will not be investigated 'unless it is reported to the Public Protector within two years from the occurrence of the incident or matter concerned'." He said the high court found that, if a matter was to be accepted outside of the two-year period, the Public Protector must identify the special circumstances to justify the consideration of matters that are more than two years old. Ebrahim also didn't downplay the gravity of the matter at hand. "Removing the Public Protector from office is a very serious matter, not to be undertaken lightly at all. This is evident from, among other things, the significance of the role that the Public Protector plays in our constitutional democracy and the fact that such removal can only occur with, among other things, a supporting vote of at least two-thirds of the National Assembly," he said. "In the process of discharging its function, the committee should have due regard for, among other things, the chilling effect that its decision may have on the effective exercise of the Public Protector's powers by incumbents to that office." Mpofu's cross-examination began shortly before lunch, in which he questioned Ebrahim's expertise. He will continue in the afternoon. The hearings will continue on Wednesday.
Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is participating in her impeachment hearings "under protest", her legal counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu, has told the Section 194 Committee. On Monday, the hearings finally got under way, more than two years after a motion for such a process had first been lodged with the speaker of the National Assembly. Mpofu said they were appearing under protest because there had been several constitutional violations. "We represent a law-abiding citizen and Public Protector," he said. He added that Mkhwebane had always made it clear that she wanted the opportunity to assure the committee and the nation that she was willing and able to do her job. Her long and persistent court challenges to the process had been described as a Stalingrad defence, but Mpofu said this term was used by people who "hate the Constitution". Mpofu insisted, "That's a very strange accusation. Every time she has raised concerns about this process, she has been proven right." Several court rulings would suggest otherwise. Mpofu said what had been called "Stalingrad" was actually the "Public Protector assisting Parliament to do the right thing". He also complained about Mkhwebane's suspension by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 9 June, and said the committee should be concerned about it. "She is literally shackled!" he said. Committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi pointed out that the committee was not a suspending body. "It is wrong!" Mpofu said. "If this committee wasn't there, there would be no suspension." Mpofu also said that they wanted a secret ballot. He said Mkhwebane was "sabotaged" in preparing for the impeachment and her impending court case. However, he didn't deal with the substantive charges against the suspended Public Protector. Evidence leader Nazreen Bawa opened proceedings by mentioning that the committee was the first of its kind in South Africa. "This committee is not a court of law," she said. "There is no accused." Bawa said the committee's rules had already passed constitutional muster: That ship has sailed. Mkhwebane listened quietly to proceedings, sometimes typing on her laptop or phone. Mpofu was still talking at the time of writing. On Tuesday, constitutional expert Hassen Ebrahim will provide specialist testimony to outline the role of the Office of the Public Protector within the parameters of the Constitution and South African legislation.
South Africans can expect Stage 4 load-shedding until midnight for the next few days, with Stage 2 between midnight and 05:00. This may be downgraded to Stage 3 during the day on Friday, with Stage 2 expected over the weekend, if offline power stations are returned as expected. The intention is to lift load-shedding in the next ten days or so, Eskom chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer told a media briefing on Monday morning. However, he warned that the unpredictability and unreliability of the system bring large risks. Currently, almost 14 500MW are offline due to unplanned outages. While the expected demand for electricity will reach almost 32 000MW on Monday evening, Eskom only has around 20 000MW (excluding emergency supplies) available. Eskom CEO André de Ruyter says the illegal strike at Eskom during wage talks hindered vital maintenance work at six power stations: Duvha, Arnot, Matla, Hendrina, Kamden, and Lethabo. The deadlock ended last week as the utility and unions signed a one-year deal for a 7% wage increase. De Ruyter told reporters that Eskom would still be pursuing internal disciplinary proceedings as well as legal action against strikers who intimidated staff that wanted to work at plants during the wage deadlock in June. "The first process is internal disciplinary processes. We are not going to accept that workers were able to go on an illegal strike and engage in intimidation. There are also external legal processes and criminal charges to be laid. "We have video footage of several incidences, and we are engaging police on charges to be laid. We are also greatly heartened by an announcement by the police commissioner and the president that a task team on sabotage has been established," he said. "Our colleagues are working extraordinarily hard to return to capacity. Kusile 1 is being restored to capacity. Today we have already seen Kriel 3 Medupi 5 and Hendrina 7. Medupi 6 and Arnot 4 are expected to return for the evening peak," he said. In total, 12 units are expected to return to service by Thursday this week, he said. A faulty transmission line from Cahora Bassa in Mozambique has been restored, while the Medupi Unit 6 returned to service on Saturday. However, he warned it will take weeks to fully recover from the strike. "After the initial recovery late last week, we had an increase, unfortunately, in load shedding, and that was due to increased demand. The generators that were limping during the strike have now been taken off to attend to failures and defects. We had generators delayed in returning to service," said Oberholzer. Oberholzer said Eskom expected the pressure on the electricity grid to be alleviated once Unit 2 of the Koeberg power station comes online by the end of July with 920MW. The unit was offline since January, and its return has been repeatedly delayed. On Monday, Eskom announced that its chief nuclear officer Riedewaan Bakardien has resigned to join a Canadian company. Eskom manager Keith Featherstone, who has 30 years’ experience in the field, has been appointed in an acting position. Current acting Koeberg Power Station General Manager Nomawethu Mtwebana will also leave Eskom for the next year as she joins the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) as a "reverse loanee". Mahesh Valaitham, a senior manager with over 27 years of nuclear power plant experience, will be filling the role of Koeberg PSGM in an acting capacity.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said on Monday he will deploy more police officers and five new police vans to patrol the Nomzamo informal settlement, in Soweto, following what he referred to as a “bloody weekend” in the country when 21 people died in three separate mass shootings. Cele visited the Orlando East community in Soweto where 15 people died at a tavern when gunmen opened fire. In other similar incidents, four people were killed at a tavern in Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal and two people were killed in Katlehong, in Gauteng. Cele was accompanied by Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko, Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse, Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela and National Police Commissioner General Fana Masemola. Angry community members in Soweto threatened to punish the ruling party at the polls in 2024. The Minister said it was concerning that there were about 130 AK-47 cartridges found at the crime scene in Soweto. Cele referred to the events as brutal and violent acts of criminality but he dismissed the idea that all three incidents were coordinated and that they were acts of terrorism. “From today we want to see the police taking over the streets not the criminals,” he said. He called on communities, including community policing forums, to work closely with the police to curb violence. He promised that the newly recruited 10 000 police personnel, who were undergoing training until December 15, would also assist in communities. “We are going to seal the community and conduct a door-to-door campaign to confiscate illegal guns. For the fact that there are people who use AK-47s killing people at this scale, it shows that there are many illegal guns in the area. Those who have illegal firearms must return them to the police,” said Cele. The Orlando policing precinct has 239 taverns and 22 bottle stores, with no recreational facilities. Cele appealed to the Johannesburg mayor to assist in creating recreational facilities in the area for the youth. He also appealed to the Orlando Police Station Commander Brigadier Nonhlanhla Kubheka to allocate a special desk for gender-based violence cases and he condemned police officers who turned away women that reported cases. The Minister said the country needed to revisit the issue of alcohol abuse in the country. Meanwhile, Phalatse said the Liquor Board must look into the high number of taverns in communities, which currently outnumbered schools or churches in the same area. She promised that the City of Johannesburg would also enforce by-laws in the community.
Institute for Security Studies founder and former executive director Jakkie Cilliers said that increasing factional tussles within the African National Congress (ANC) were driving South Africa’s economic meltdown. He was speaking to a local radio station where he said he believed there was an orchestrated move to repeat the violent unrest the country witnessed in July 2021. Cilliers said it should be remembered that 2022 was the year of the run-up to the ANC's elective conference, where ANC factions would battle it out. Last year, the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma sparked violence that resulted in looting, destruction and the death of more than 200 people in some parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. When asked if the country was prepared in the event that Zuma was jailed, Cilliers warned that the country would likely see some kind of destruction regardless as those who instigate violence were threatening violence so that they too would not be prosecuted. He said people who were heavily implicated in corruption within government were still employed as ambassadors and deputy ministers, infuriating many South Africans. He blamed the Presidency for not taking action owing to the huge internal fighting and factional battles currently at play ahead of the ANC internal elections that would determine South Africa’s future. Police Minister Bheki Cele has yet to announce any information about the instigators of the July unrest despite the damning expert panel report that was issued in February this year. Cilliers said naming people and holding them to account by arresting and proving that they were guilty in a court of law were two different things. He pointed out a complete lack of coordination from South Africa’s intelligence at the most senior level which had resulted in the recommendations of the expert panel report not being implemented. Cilliers pointed out that secrecy in State security was a huge challenge for the country. He said the Zondo Commission of Inquiry reports clearly showed that the intelligence community in South Africa did not have enforcement capacity. He further pointed out that government had consistently increased budget in the VIP Protection Units to protect politicians, but did not have the capacity expected to respond to events like the July unrest. He said while the police were trying to restore calm, more could be done. STRIKES IN SA He said because of the country’s labour legislation and how it was regulated, unions were holding government to ransom, as was recently shown with the Eskom strike. Since the 1970s labour unions had managed to negotiate a position of power and strength within the South African dispensation, he said. “Even if the strikes are illegal, they are not criminal. We are caught between a rock and hard place in the way we have built a constitutional edifice where everybody can take you to court to account should you act in a way that violates their rights,” explained Cilliers.
Eskom has confirmed that while workers below the senior management level at the entity will be getting a wage increase, its executives including group CEO Andre De Ruyter and chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer will not be getting any salary increase. This past week, Eskom concluded wage negotiations with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), and Solidarity, where labour got a 7% increase across the board. The wage agreement followed weeks of protest disruptions due to a deadlock in wage talks that triggered Stage 6 load-shedding for several days. Eskom executives were not spared criticism for the crisis by South Africans. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha told Fin24 that top-level employees at Eskom have not received salary increases or a bonus for years. "All managerial level employees have not received salary increases or bonuses since at least 2018. This year the lower-level managerial staff will be receiving the 7% increase agreed upon at the Central Bargaining Forum. Senior managers and executives in the F and E-Bands will still not be receiving any increases," said Mantshantsha. With a zero percent increase on their salaries, De Ruyter and Oberholzer would still be earning salaries of R7-million and R5.4-million respectively, according to Eskom's financial statements for the year ended in March 2021. In the year ended in March 2020, De Ruyter had a salary of R1.6-million, while Oberholzer's salary was still at R5.4-million. The variance in De Ruyter's salary between 2020 and 2021 is likely owed to his appointment only being announced in late 2019. The total salary of executives at Eskom for the year ended in March 2021 was R11.9-million, compared to R9.8-million in the year ended in March of 2020. During a deadlock at the Central Bargaining Forum, the NUM and Numsa were harshly critical of De Ruyter's management of Eskom. On Thursday, the secretary-general of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), Zwelinzima Vavi, called for the removal of the Eskom board as well as its executive committee. Saftu is the home federation of Numsa. De Ruyter told reporters last week in the thick of the deadlock and its subsequent protest disruptions at various Eskom plants that he had no intention of resigning from his position.
Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed on Friday that 19 people have been arrested for incitement to commit public violence during the 2021 July unrest, with 86 more people on the radar of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI). In July last year, chaos broke out in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng when former President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for being in contempt of court. The unrest claimed over 354 lives. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster held a briefing in Pretoria to update the nation on the investigations. In attendance were Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise. Cele said the South African Police Service (Saps) had increased collaboration with other structures, highlighting that over 8 000 incidents during the 2021 July unrest were reported to the police and at least 5 000 people were arrested. “There are 19 people that have been arrested on this issue.the DPCI is putting an eye on 86 more people on this matter but there are 19 that will be regarded as instigators. Eight are arrested by the DPCI and 11 are arrested by the detective team that was put together. So there are 19, they remain as 19, two of the cases have been withdrawn and almost all of them are on bail,” he said. Cele stated that once a person was on bail, it means there is a case to answer. “The fact that they are on bail, the fact that they are in court means the thing [case] is progressing,” he said. Modise said the Saps and the DPCI were still investigating crimes that were committed and were building cases against those who were arrested. More than 3 300 cases had been finalised, so far, through non-prosecution, some withdrawn. Over 2 900 cases were closed as undetected or unfounded. “The investigation of about 2 200 cases is concluded pending a decision on the viability of the prosecution of the cases. A number of dockets have been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision of further guidance and direction on the matter. Over 2 435 cases are on the court roll with over 50 cases finalised with a guilty verdict,” she explained. Cases under investigation include incitement to commit public violence, murder, attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to property, possession of suspected stolen property, damage to infrastructure and culpable homicide. Meanwhile, Modise said the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would continue to be on standby, in support of the Saps, to protect all national key points, as well as economic corridors, from any disruption or blockages. This was in line with the constitutional mandate of the SANDF to intervene when called on by any State institution to ensure that the safety of the people and infrastructure was protected and secure, she added. The JCPS Cluster Ministers said they were engaging other countries, which had state-of-the-art criminal justice systems to share some of the good practices they employ. “We will adapt our methods to make sure that we serve our country effectively. Over and above these measures, we call upon members of our community to join Community Policing Forums to fight crime and violence,” the Cluster said. The JCPS Cluster Ministers urged members of the community to pass on relevant information that could assist the Cluster to fight crime and violence, also urging members of the community not to spread harmful and false information on social media platforms.
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka indicated that the Office of the Public Protector will withdraw the suspended incumbent Busisiwe Mkhwebane's applications to reverse her suspension and stop Parliament's impeachment proceedings against her. This brings to an end Mkhwebane's legal battle not to face parliamentary oversight, which started in February 2020, and has been labelled a Stalingrad defence, unless Mkhwebane decides to approach the court on her own, without the Office of the Public Protector's legal backing. On Wednesday, Gcaleka wrote to all the respondents in the matter, including Parliament, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Democratic Alliance, as well as Mkhwebane, to inform them of the decision. On 9 June, Ramaphosa suspended Mkhwebane, who faces parliamentary impeachment proceedings. The following day, the Western Cape High Court ruled against Mkhwebane in her application to interdict Ramaphosa from suspending her and Parliament continuing with her impeachment process. This application was pending a second part to her application, in which she asks the court to declare unconstitutional and invalid the letter National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula sent to Ramaphosa to inform him that the impeachment process was underway, as well as Ramaphosa's steps to suspend her and the Section 194 process. She has since approached the court to ask that it hears this application on an urgent basis, and amended the application to ask the court to declare her suspension unconstitutional, irrational and invalid. On Monday, she also filed a notice of motion to seek leave to appeal the interdict ruling. In her letter, Gcaleka wrote that she had been advised that Mkhwebane delivered a notice of amendment for the second part of the application "purportedly on behalf of the Applicant, being the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA)", as well as a notice of application for leave to appeal dated 4 July, also "purportedly on behalf of the PPSA, cited as the First Applicant". "Please take note that Seanego Attorneys Inc were not authorised, instructed or briefed by me, as the Acting Public Protector, or the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Protector, as the Accounting Officer, to deliver the aforementioned application for leave to appeal nor the notice of amendment to Part B to the notice of motion," Gcaleka wrote. "In the circumstances, we intend delivering notices of withdrawal of the aforesaid application for leave to appeal, as well as the notice of motion, on behalf of the PPSA." She further stated that Seanego Attorneys Inc and counsels were not authorised to act on behalf of the PPSA. Gcaleka instructed different attorneys to draft her notices. "In the event that advocate Mkhwebane proceeds with these applications in her personal capacity, or the respondents persist with any relief they may seek, the PPSA shall abide by the decision of the court, unless any of the respondents persist with seeking costs against the Office. "We humbly apologise for any inconvenience to the court and the respondents caused by the aforementioned applications." Mkhwebane's application would have been heard on 26 and 27 July. Ramaphosa has already filed a responding affidavit in the matter, in which he denies that the Public Protector's investigation into allegations implicating him in a cover-up and foreign exchange irregularities, after a burglary at his Limpopo game farm Phala Phala, was the reason for his decision. He disputes there is a conflict of interest in suspending her and says he was within constitutional bounds when he suspended her. An offshoot of the latest development is that Ramaphosa's answer to questions the Public Protector sent to him in this matter will most likely not become part of the public record. Ramaphosa undertook to file his response to the court as part of the matter. With the application withdrawn, there would be no need for him to do so. Parliament's impeachment hearings are due to start on Monday.
As South Africans battle some of the worst load-shedding ever, there is growing pressure on Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to allow for more renewables and battery storage to address the deepening energy crisis. Fourteen civil society organisations, in an open letter, requested that Mantashe immediately issue determinations for the procurement of 13 600 MW of renewable energy and 1 575 MW of storage capacity. Among the groups which have signed off on the letter include environmental activists 350Africa.org, Fossil Free South Africa which successfully led a campaign to get UCT to divest from coal, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), and the Green Connection which has been involved in the fight to stop oil and gas exploration off South African shores. The organisations have given Mantashe 10 days to issue the determination. Failing this, the groups will approach President Cyril Ramaphosa to instruct the minister to do so. In the letter, the groups highlight that the electricity crisis and load-shedding causes "human suffering" and costs the South African economy "billions". They also note that the minister is empowered to issue determinations allowing for large-scale new electricity generation capacity – over 100 MW – to be built. Citing the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) of 2019, they indicate that as much as 20 400 MW of renewable energy generation capacity is to be built by 2030, along with 2 088 MW of storage capacity. While the minister in September 2020 issued determinations for 6 800 MW of renewable energy to be procured, determinations for the remaining 13 600 MW still need to be issued. Similarly, determinations of 513 MW of storage had been issued, and 1 575 MW remains. The organisations note that in cases of urgency related to energy security – the issuance of determinations does not need to follow a timeline set out in the IRP. They, therefore, urge Mantashe to act urgently. "Renewable energy and storage have been shown to be far quicker to build than other forms of generation. If Minister Mantashe acts with urgency and carries the best interest of South Africans at heart, he should do everything in his power to add more electricity to the grid as quickly as possible. There is an urgent need for him to sign determinations for large-scale wind, solar and storage capacity," said Peter Becker, spokesperson of one of the signatories, Koeberg Alert Alliance. Thando Lukuko from the South African Climate Action Network echoed Becker's views. "South Africa's electricity supply is in dire straits. We strongly call on Minister Mantashe to unlock the 13GW of renewable energy and storage as approved by Cabinet in the 2019 IRP. Urgent action is now an imperative, more than ever." The civil society groups are not alone in demanding the government to act. The National Planning Commission has called for an emergency plan to accelerate the procurement of new generation capacity to address the energy crisis. The plan calls for 10 000 MW of wind and solar power to be procured, along with 5 000 MW of battery storage, Fin24 previously reported. Government has launched two tender processes in the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) – each of the bid windows aim to secure 2 600 MW of renewable power. Bid Window 5 is in the process of reaching financial close and the deadline for Bid Window 6 submissions is in August. Independent thinktank Meridian Economics recently issued a report indicating that load-shedding could have been reduced by 96.5% in 2021 if government had not stalled the REIPPPP in 2016. By now, at least 5 000 MW of renewable energy would have been procured. This would have reduced reliance on peaking plants that depend on diesel to keep the system stable and would have resulted in cost savings for Eskom of R2.5-billion and reduced tariffs to consumers.
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has reassured the African Transformation Movement (ATM) that her office is committed to finalising its investigation without undue delay into allegations that President Cyril Ramaphosa violated the executive ethics code. The allegations stem from the theft of millions of undeclared US dollars stashed in furniture at Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo, in what has become known as the Phala Phala farm theft saga. The Public Protector's office has invited ATM president Vuyolwethu Zungula to join a virtual meeting "to outline the investigation process" that the office follows. This comes after the ATM indicated last week that it was "taking legal advice on whether to bring an urgent application to set aside" what it describes as "the potentially unlawful and secret deal between Ramaphosa and Gcaleka" for the extension of his deadline to answer 31 questions Gcaleka's predecessor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, asked before she was suspended. Zungula had questioned why the deadline was extended without providing any notice to the complainant and the public in such a sensitive matter. Responding to the ATM, Ponatshego Mogaladi, the executive manager for investigations in the Office of the Public Protector, said "this office is committed to finalise this matter without undue delay, and to this end, the acting Public Protector hereby invites you to a virtual meeting to outline the investigation process that is followed by this office in this matter and other similar matters". Mogaladi said the date and time of the proposed meeting would be confirmed by the acting Public Protector's personal assistant. Zungula told News24 his party was still in the process of confirming the date, but that he hoped the matter would be dealt with urgently. Gcaleka has publicly defended her decision to grant Ramaphosa an extension, and said it was based on a request from Ramaphosa's lawyers and the amount of information required. Gcaleka said the reason why she did not inform the public about the extension was that it was in accordance with legal prescripts relating to her office's handling of communication on ongoing investigations.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Wednesday that the Eskom electricity crisis is a result of African National Congress deployed cadres and socialist ideologues and has called for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to be replaced. The DA leader blamed Stage 6 load-shedding on a small group of illegally striking workers who, he said, were putting their own interests ahead of the nation’s by blocking work at Eskom until their demands for higher salaries were met. On Tuesday, a 7% wage agreement was finally accepted by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the National Union of Mineworkers. Steenhuisen said the striker’s actions are destroying jobs and businesses, scaring away investment, making communities more dangerous, causing huge inconveniences for people, destroying private appliances and public infrastructure, and impacting service delivery. Steenhuisen said government must declare a state of disaster in the electricity sector and suspend all bureaucratic obstacles blocking businesses, organisations, municipalities and households from producing, buying and/or selling energy. “We need to make it easy and attractive for independent power producers to bring new power to the grid at scale and in the shortest possible time. It is inconceivable that in this crisis, the State is blocking them from doing so with cumbersome, irrational regulations,” said Steenhuisen. The DA leader added that a state of disaster should also be used to waive black economic empowerment requirements, so that Eskom can follow the most cost-efficient procurement processes to keep electricity prices as low as possible and keep processes as streamlined as possible. “Arrest, prosecute and fire those Eskom employees who break the law. The unreasonable demands of Eskom employees for even higher salaries should not prevail over the needs of the country and economy at large,” he said. He called on government to enable a drastic reduction of Eskom’s wage bill, with serious consequences for those who seek to sabotage the system. Steenhuisen believes that Eskom power stations and their immediate surrounding security zones should be protected by law enforcement who should arrest and prosecute trespassers.
Brian Molefe, the former CEO of Eskom, has been directed to pay back just under R10-million, plus interest, to the power utility's pension fund. This follows a drawn-out legal process that dates back to 2018, when the same court set aside all Molefe's pension payouts. But the former Eskom boss did not pay back the money in the intervening four years, arguing that he didn't know what exact amount he needed to pay. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has now ruled that Molefe needs to pay the pension fund R9 985 540 plus interest calculated from 31 October 2019 up to the date he pays. In a statement, the fund said that this brings the matter of what Molefe needs to pay to a close. "[The] ruling means Mr Molefe will have to pay back as directed by the court," it said. The fund, meanwhile, will pay back Eskom the balance of the R30-million it had received from Eskom. Molefe, who served two stints as Eskom's CEO, was initially ordered to pay back his pension by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in January 2018 in a case brought by trade union Solidarity and the DA. "We find that Mr Molefe was never entitled to receive any pension benefits from the Eskom Pension Fund and the payments in lieu of such benefits were patently unlawful," the court ruled at the time. The court also set aside the power utility's acceptance of Molefe's early retirement and the controversial decision to reinstate him as CEO.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday that while many young people tragically lost their lives recently at the Enyobeni tavern in East London last month, there are many more young people that must be saved from alcohol abuse. Addressing mourners at the mass funeral for 19 of the 21 young people who died, he said it was a sad moment as parents were burying their children. The children, aged 13 to 17, died under mysterious circumstances at Enyobeni tavern. A team of doctors and pathologists, together with the South African Police Service, has ruled out a stampede as the reason for the deaths. Ramaphosa sympathised with the parents and grandparents of the children who died, stating that in one night, 21 bright lives were snuffed out. “We are here because these were not the children of East London, they are our children. We have the right to be here to mourn with the families. We are not here to judge for what they did, but to pay our condolences to the 21 children. Each one of them had a beautiful future ahead of them,” Ramaphosa told mourners. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Cabinet Ministers and other government leaders were also in attendance. “A tavern is not a place where underage children should be going to. It is a place for older people. These were young people full of lives, they wanted a place to meet with their friends and have a good time to celebrate the end of their exams. It is shameful that there are people who are blaming the parents and the young people who went there, [who] still do not know the details of their death. Let us allow the investigations to be concluded to bring peace to the families and justice to those that died,” continued Ramaphosa. He said there is blame to be directed at those who are making money by selling alcohol to young children. He stressed that what happened at the Enyobeni tavern was outside of the law and said it was time for all South Africans to draw the line and stop tavern operators who sell alcohol to underage children. “We are losing future generations to the scourge of underage drinking,” the President said, and revealed that he had been approached to revise the legal drinking age to 21 years. He said there should be a national debate around the issue. He urged the police to do more and the Eastern Cape Liquor Board to continue monitoring liquor licences. The President called on the metro to create more recreational facilities in communities so that young people would not be forced to visit taverns. “We need to become sober people,” he said, and pointed out that through anti-smoking laws, government was able to stop public smoking noting that action must be taken on alcohol by-laws. Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele, who visited the tavern following the deaths, said the community had previously complained about the tavern. He said the Liquor Board would have to answer on how people were issued liquor licences, and said parents must be involved in tackling such issues. Cele said the municipality would also have to explain how they extended operating licences to liquor outlets.
The African National Congress's (ANC's) national executive committee (NEC) heard wide-ranging and spirited calls for intervention in response to the Eskom energy crisis, which ranged from the declaration of a state of emergency to immediately moving Eskom from the Department of Public Enterprises to the Department of Energy. Sources who attended the NEC meeting, which began on Saturday and ended on Monday, noted that there was an acknowledgement that South Africa's energy shortages and ongoing rolling blackouts were a crisis. "There were a lot of calls made by ANC leaders on how the government should respond to the crisis, and some people felt that there must be a state of emergency on the energy crisis, especially when you consider what this means for townships and other areas," a well-placed source who attended the meeting told News24. However, the ANC NEC did not make concrete resolutions on the way forward in the energy crisis gripping South Africa. "Others believed it was time that the Department of Public Enterprises was finally dismantled, and Eskom be moved to [the Department of] Energy. That is going to be a big debate at our policy conference, I can tell you," the source said. At the NEC meeting, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan presented a report on the state of the power grid, which was described as "technical with very few solutions". "He made the point that the problems at Eskom [are] very complex, with old power stations dying and the capacity of some power stations being insufficient," a second source in the meeting said. Gordhan came under attack in the meeting for not coming up with solutions to the problems and his handling of the situation publicly. He is said to have raised the ire of some NEC members for blaming sabotage for the ongoing crisis, which has led to stage 6 load-shedding and unplanned blackouts across the country. "People felt that if sabotage is to blame, then why not call on the security cluster to take action. What does he mean by sabotage? He then said that there has not been much support on the matter," the source said. Gordhan has insisted that the ongoing power outages were the result of protests at power stations by striking Eskom staff, the intimidation of staff, and damage to Eskom infrastructure. "The main point was that from the government, we look like we are not doing enough," the second insider said. Gordhan was further grilled on the state of the Eskom board, which, sources said, was described as "invisible during the crisis". "Questions were asked about the capacity of the board and the board chairperson, and Gordhan said he was working on the matter but wouldn't give us details." In May, Gordhan said publicly that the government was reviewing the Eskom board and working on ways to strengthen it. No timelines were given. At the NEC meeting, President Cyril Ramaphosa was said to have mentioned the need for serious interventions to deal with the matter, and its impact on the economy. Cabinet was due to hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the energy crisis, but a meeting on Wednesday was tipped to formalise a plan of action which will be presented publicly thereafter.
The Presidency has welcomed the recent court judgment clearing President Cyril Ramaphosa of any legal duty in the 2012 Marikana massacre. However, it said on Tuesday that it was disturbed by the politicisation of the event, which has led to the unfair targeting and isolated allocation of responsibility to Ramaphosa. Thirty-four mineworkers were shot by the South African police on August 16, 2012, with another 78 miners wounded and 275 arrested. Ten people, including six mineworkers, two Lonmin security officers and two policemen, were killed in the days leading up to the August 16 massacre. The Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said others have sought to create the false impression that Ramaphosa bears liability for the killings. In its judgment in the Sivuka V Ramaphosa case, the High Court agreed with Ramaphosa that the 359 miners who brought the case against the President and Sibanye had not established that Ramaphosa bore any legal duty in relation to the events that unfolded. “The court rejected the plaintiff’s argument that certain email communications from Ramaphosa sought to call for the murder of the striking workers. The judgment stated that the plaintiffs’ argument against Ramaphosa ‘is not only far-fetched but also irreconcilable within the context of the email communication contents as a whole’,” Magwenya said. The High Court also agreed with Ramaphosa that there was no basis for the allegation that collusion between him, government and police led to the deaths of the workers. “The tragic events of August 2012 in Marikana that led to the death of 44 people remain one of the most distressing moments of the post-democratic era and a blight in South Africa’s contemporary history that will be forever etched in our hearts and minds. Ten years later our hearts still go out to families who lost their loved ones. The violence and the killings that occurred should have never happened. We are still resolute and united in our condemnation of the brutal acts we witnessed,“ Ramaphosa said.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have accepted Eskom's one-year 7% wage deal have signed an agreement to this effect. This comes after a several-week deadlock in wage talks at the Central Bargaining Forum, which triggered protest disruptions at various Eskom plants and plunged the country into Stage 6 load-shedding for the second time in the power utility's history. However, following an intervention from Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, unions returned to the bargaining table last week Friday to resume negotiations. NUM energy sector coordinator Khangela Baloyi told Fin24 that unions accepted the offer in principle and were on the cusp of signing an agreement at 14:00. The news of an in-principle agreement comes even though Numsa demanded 12% and the NUM demanded 10% at the time of returning to wage talks. It also comes despite at least one leaked internal document signed by union officials at branch level reflecting that workers looked to reject the 7% wage offer and would only accept a double-digit increase.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that although the relevant authorities are working on ensuring there is justice for the Enyobeni tavern victims, citizens need to address the issue of under-age drinking. Just over a week ago, in the early hours of a Sunday morning, 21 children were found dead in a tavern in the township of Scenery Park outside East London, the youngest child was only 13 years old. Ramaphosa noted that the increased social acceptability of young people drinking alcohol had become a serious problem in a country where the majority of the drinking population are already classified by the World Health Organization as binge drinkers. He said the footage and images posted online of the so-called ‘pens down’ party at the venue that night showed revelling youngsters clutching bottles of alcohol. Many of those in the images looked barely out of their teens. “Even as the relevant authorities deconstruct what happened to ensure there is justice for the victims, there is a conversation we do need to have as a country. It is the problem of under-age drinking,” he explained. Ramaphosa warned that alcohol use amongst adolescents was associated with impaired function, absenteeism from learning, alcohol-related injuries, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and risky behaviour. He added that another reality is that alcohol is a form of escapism for young people in communities were opportunities for safe and age-appropriate recreation are few. “We must come together to combat this vice that is robbing our young people of the best years of their lives and making them susceptible to alcohol addiction. As families it means having open and frank conversations about alcohol and setting boundaries. Children under the age of 18 consuming alcohol is against the law,” Ramaphosa said. He said it was not the first time the country had been confronted with tragic events such as what happened in Scenery Park last week. A common denominator between Enyobeni tavern, the Throb nightclub disaster in Durban in 2000, and the Osi’s tavern tragedy in Khayelitsha in 2015, is that these establishments were selling liquor to minors. ENFORCING REGULATIONS ON ALCOHOL The proliferation of establishments openly flouting the law points to failings on the part of authorities to enforce regulations. “Under the National Liquor Act, owners of establishments with liquor licenses may not sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. They must also take reasonable steps to ensure anyone they are selling alcohol to is of age,” he said. Ramaphosa called on communities to work with authorities to ensure that taverns, shebeens, entertainment venues and outlets breaking the law face consequences. He further urged the police to step up the enforcement of laws that prohibited the sale of alcohol close to schools and enhance monitoring of outlets to ensure alcohol was not being sold to minors. “Let us work together to protect our precious future generation from the ravages of alcohol and drug abuse and their effects. Let us work together to ensure that those who put profit before the lives of our children are not allowed to operate. Let us also set a positive example in our own relationship with alcohol,” he said.
Opposition party Congress of the People (Cope) opened a case of corruption and money laundering against David Mahlobo at the Lyttelton police station in Centurion, Pretoria, on Monday. Cope deputy president Willie Madisha said the final Zondo Commission report had identified Mahlobo as a "key cog in the state capture project". Madisha said that, according to the report, Mahlobo had "used his role as state security minister to fund projects that were meant to destabilise all parties opposed to the ANC and misappropriate taxpayer funds that could have benefited South Africans". "Mahlobo ran projects, ran numerous off-the-book operations, and for all these operations to succeed, the money of taxpayers was used, and very many other people lost their lives who did not receive state aid as a result of monies being diverted. "Another question that must be asked is why did he did this and who moved him, and we are therefore saying it's not only him, he was getting instructions both from the ANC leadership and Mr Zuma himself. I am saying this because it’s there in the Zondo report, and we are not just coming up with this from our heads," said Madisha. The latest State Capture Inquiry report found that, under Mahlobo, dodgy state security officials had free rein, and ran rogue operations. The report also found that there was a culture of poor vetting procedures in the State Security Agency, (SSA), and that large amounts of money had moved within the spy arena without proper scrutiny. Zondo’s extensive report also detailed how some firearms distributed by the SSA were yet to be traced. Madisha said, given the severity of the findings, his party would be pushing for the charges to be given urgent attention. He added that, as an MP, he would also be approaching National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to request that all implicated parties be suspended pending an ad hoc committee investigation. "We will be pushing for the suspension of all these people who are named in the state capture commission report. Those people include some ministers, including Minister Gwede Mantashe, former minister Mosebenzi Zwane, deputy ministers Mahlobo, Thabang Makwetla, and the president of the country. "I will further propose that an Ad-Hoc Committee chaired by a retired judge be constituted to deliberate of the state capture commission’s findings," said Madisha. He said all parties represented in the National Assembly should have one vote to ensure that the ANC did not use its majority to defeat the motion. Despite numerous attempts, News24 was unsuccessful in its efforts to get a comment from Mahlobo. Madisha revealed that Cope would also be laying charges against Zwane in the Free State later this week.
The African National Congress (ANC) will defend its cadre deployment policy – which has been branded unconstitutional and unlawful by the Zondo Commission – in court. Last month, the Democratic Alliance (DA) brought an application to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria and asked it to do just that – declare the policy unconstitutional and unlawful. In the wake of the release of the final parts of the State Capture Inquiry's report, ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe was quick to point out that the finding was by a commission and not a court, as he defended the policy. The DA's campaign against cadre deployment is headed by MP Leon Schreiber. "Less than a week after ANC national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, launched a verbal attack against the State Capture Commission's vindication of the DA's long-held stance that cadre deployment is unconstitutional and unlawful, the entire ANC has agreed with him by formally choosing to defy Chief Justice Zondo's recommendation that this practice be abolished," he said in a statement on Monday. The DA has received the ANC's motion to oppose their application. According to Schreiber, their case against cadre deployment is built on the same constitutional and legal foundation used by the Zondo Commission. He said the ANC's decision to oppose the application amounted to "open defiance of the Commission's findings". "If the ANC were in any way committed to 'effecting the measures required to eliminate conditions and conduct that enable state capture and systemic corruption', the party would have supported the DA's case to proceed unopposed so that South Africa could be freed from cadre deployment corruption as soon as possible," Schreiber said. "Instead, as they have done so many times before, Ramaphosa, Mantashe and the ANC have treasonously put party before country." In the final part of his report, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said that, by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC's own admission, cadre deployment could be abused to facilitate corruption and state capture. Examining the legal framework, he noted that the Constitution demanded a non-partisan public service. "Appointments in the public service are governed by a number of laws and policies, most significantly the Public Service Act, which seeks to ensure that appointment processes are fair, effective and in line with the Constitution. If appointment decisions are not made within this governance regime, but rather made behind the closed doors of the party, these checks and balances are circumvented," read the report. Zondo said that, if a party could decide appointments, it could abuse this power "to achieve ends which are not in the best interests of the country". "What is said above makes it clear that within the current constitutional and statutory framework it is unlawful and unconstitutional for a president of this country, and any minister, deputy minister, director-general or other government official, including those in parastatals, to take into account recommendations of the ANC deployment committee or any deployment committee or any similar committee of any political party in deciding who should be appointed to a position in the public service or in organs of state or parastatals." Responding about this finding to News24 at the time, Mantashe compared cadre deployment to affirmative action. He also dismissed the finding as that of a commission and not a court. "What is unlawful should be that, in 1994, every head of the department was white. That is really what is unlawful, but if cadre deployment, which changed this situation, is now deemed unlawful, then I do not know what unlawful is," he said. Meanwhile, former ANC NEC member and long-serving finance minister Trevor Manuel called for the urgent abolishment of cadre deployment in a column for News24. "Government does need to understand that the patience of the people has worn thin, and the Zondo Commission has brought so many misdemeanours into the public. We are entitled ...
Police say they have opened two cases of intimidation related to the unlawful strikes at Eskom, which the power utility has blamed for Stage 6 load-shedding. "One was registered at Belfast Police Station while the other was registered at Hendrina Police Station. Both matters are still under investigation," said police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe. "The SAPS has deployed its Public Order Police as police continue to closely monitor the situation at all Eskom sites that have been affected by the strike." Eskom's leadership and Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, have said that intimidation of employees has contributed to significant staff shortages at power plants. On Tuesday, the minister said that houses and cars of some managers had been targeted by petrol bombs. "In many power stations up to 90% of the staff could not attend to their duties." While some employees started to return to work from Wednesday, Eskom has said that absenteeism and intimidation of working employees were still "rife". "This has made it difficult to conduct routine maintenance and other operational requirements, which will further impact the reliability of generation units," the utility said on Thursday. Eskom management and unions are set to return to the Central Bargaining Forum on Friday to resume wage talks.
Non-government organisations (NGOs) have condemned Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s attack on the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF), calling on him to withdraw his statement and apologise to the foundation. Freedom Under Law, Section27, Defend Our Democracy Campaign, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, SERI and Corruption Watch said Motsoaledi had, unjustifiably issued “the most outrageous” public statement vilifying the HSF. This comes after the HSF challenged Motsoaledi’s decision to terminate the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits at the end of the year. He hit back by stating that South Africa was under the dictatorship of some NGOs, taking specific aim at the HSF by accusing it of racism. NGOs are now calling on the minister to apologise for impugning the HSF’s integrity and patriotism. “Essentially HSF asks that the minister reconsider a decision he took some time ago terminating, with effect from the end of this year, a special dispensation whereby people and their families have for more than a decade been allowed to live in South Africa,” the NGOs said. The NGOs explained that HSF was not advocating for Zimbabweans to remain here. It was merely submitting that there was no adequate consultation with interested parties before the decision was made. HSF urged the minister to undertake the necessary consultation and then reconsider the issue. “It would be wrong for us to express any opinion on the merits of the HSF case, but it is both grossly improper and unconstitutional for the minister to insult, threaten and attempt to intimidate the HSF. In our country, court cases are determined on their merits in duly constituted courts, not by public declarations,” the NGOs said. It said while Motsoaledi’s threats and innuendos are ominous, they were not unprecedented. “The undersigned representatives of civil society record their rejection of this crude attempt to subvert the Rule of Law. We call on the minister to withdraw his statement and apologise to the Helen Suzman Foundation,” it said.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will probe the police's part in the alleged cover-up and off-the-books investigation of the theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm, following a request from the African Transformation Movement (ATM). Former spy boss Arthur Fraser, a close associate of former president Jacob Zuma, opened a criminal case into the saga last month, claiming that there was an attempt to cover up the theft of millions of US dollars from the Limpopo farm. The ATM wrote to the police watchdog to ask it to investigate claims that top cops covered up the incident. It asked the directorate to investigate newly appointed national police commissioner Fannie Masemola and his predecessor, Khehla Sitole, because they were "in the know" about the "burglary, theft and related matters", but seemingly covered them up. ATM president Vuyolwethu Zungula cited leaked reports that Namibian police were in contact with South African officers, including Masemola and Sitole, following the burglary and theft, and that they were involved in "some secretive and off-the-books investigation". The party also requested the suspension of the police officials who were implicated, pending the outcome of the investigation, saying that high-ranking officials could not oversee the current investigation because they were possibly conflicted. In his response to the ATM, IPID director Thuso Keefelakae said: "This email serves to inform the honourable Zungula that IPID has looked into the letter forwarded regarding the Phala Phala farm theft. The directorate has decided to investigate the matter to partially look into the conduct of the police." In order for the directorate to register and investigate the matter, Keefelakae said, the IPID should obtain a sworn statement from Zungula "as the complainant and will, in the process, ask clarity-seeking questions". He said this would enable it to deal with the case effectively. IPID asked Zungula to indicate his availability between 11 and 22 July 2022 for the unit to obtain a sworn statement.
The African National Congress (ANC) got another bloody nose this week when it failed to overturn a previous court ruling that it must pay R120-million it owes to a KwaZulu-Natal-based marketing company for the supply and erection of PVC banners in the run-up to the 2019 elections. The attorney acting for the company, Ezulweni Investments, has now said that unless the party pays up by close of business on Thursday, it will consider initiating liquidation proceedings. A full bench of three judges sitting in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed the ANC’s appeal, with costs, and confirmed a previous order that the money was owed and must be paid. Judge Leicester Adams, writing on behalf of Judges Motsamai Makume and Mpostoli Twala, said on all the available evidence, the ANC was liable to pay the debt on the basis of an verbal agreement. The ANC’s defence to this was "far-fetched", he said. The ANC had sought to distance itself from the verbal agreement, claiming the two officials who had negotiated with Ezulweni boss Renash Ramdas, had no authority to do so. It said there was therefore no legal contract, because its supply chain policy had not been adhered to. However, Judge Adams said the material facts were supported by uncontested and unchallenged WhatsApp messages sent between 29 April and 6 May 2019, which reported on progress of the project. Ramdas, in his affidavit, said that he had met a Mr Mabaso, the ANC’s financial manager, who had introduced him to a Mr Nkholise, the person responsible for procurement on behalf of the party for the duration of the election campaign. In February, Mabaso and Nkholise placed an order with Ezulweni for the supply and installation of 30 000 PVC banners. In March, because of the substantial financial outlay, Ezulweni sought assurance from the ANC that the contract was valid. In response, the party provided it with a letter on an ANC letterhead signed by the head of elections Fikile Mbabula and addressed to the treasurer-general, Paul Mashatile in which Mbalula confirmed that "Comrade Lebohang Nkholise has been assigned as the signatory for bookings and money for the duration of the Elections Campaign". Judge Adams said the letter, "and more importantly" that it was provided to Ezulweni, was not disputed by the ANC. It was also not disputed that in April Ezulweni forwarded two invoices to Nkholise. In accordance with the oral agreement, on April 9, Nkholise forwarded to Mr Mababso the ANC’s final design of the banner and Mabaso in turn forwarded the email to Ezulweni. On the same day, Mbalula wrote to Mashatile, asking for assistance to pay Ezulweni’s invoices for the PVC banners. Mabaso, in the ANC’s answering affidavit, said the letter was prepared by Nkholise who had attached Mbalula signature to it "electronically". Judge Adams said: "The idea was, so Mabaso alleges, that the letter would at some point be placed before Mbalula for confirmation. This apparently never happened ... this then meant, so the version of the ANC continues, that the order and the contents of the sale letter was never confirmed, or approved." The judge said this version was implausible, far-fetched and should be rejected. The judge also referred to several WhatsApp messages exchanged by Ramdas on a WhatsApp chat group named "ANC 2019" in which he kept Mkholise and Mabaso updated on progress with the order of the banners and even sent pictures of them before and after they were erected on street posters. Ramdas advised on the group that the project was huge and his company had employed 100 teams of people to install the banners. After the elections, and in accordance with the contract, the company had removed all the banners and put them in storage. It then sent the invoices to the ANC again. Judge Adams said the ANC, prior to filing its answering affidavit in the matter, had never disputed that it owed the money or the authority of Mabaso or Nkholise to enter into the agreement. He said it cou...
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula says that a solution to e-tolls will be announced in October, this time "for sure". Mbalula has been promising an announcement on e-tolls since he took office in May 2019 with several deadlines come and gone. Speaking at a press briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Mbalula said the decision would be made by the medium-term budget policy statement in October. "Between myself and the minister of finance we have been directed by the President that this matter [should] come to Cabinet. It will feature as a matter resolved by Cabinet at the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. This one is for sure, for certain," he said. Mbalula said that a decision had been taken by Cabinet a while ago which would have impacted on the fuel levy. Among the suggestions tabled to pay for e-tolls in the past has been an increase to the fuel levy in Gauteng. "But the fuel levy story has become very messy over time. It is no longer a direction we can use," he said.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has acknowledged that creating employment and being a jobs-focused and entrepreneur-friendly administration are important measures needed to resuscitate the country’s ailing economy. In an exclusive interview with Polity, the Mayor said he was doing all he could to make sure that his administration was clean, following the recent State capture revelations. “We take an absolute zero-tolerance approach to corruption of any sort, whether it is R5 or R5-million. The public needs to trust and know that when they pay their taxes in a Democratic Alliance government that their money will be respected, spent well and [spent] on improving the lives of the poor,” said Hill-Lewis. Following the release of the final Zondo report, the City of Cape Town has written to all implicated companies asking them to provide reasons why the City should not cancel all its contracts. The Mayor said the city does not practice cadre deployment, which he said was the root cause of State capture and why, he says, the State has collapsed. When asked about the City’s energy plan, he said the City is working hard to finalise independent power producer contracts. His vision is to have a City without load-shedding, which he said was “not too much to ask in a modern country”. As the country’s ailing power utility Eskom instituted Stage 6 load-shedding on Tuesday, the City’s Steenbras Hydro-Electric Pumped Storage Scheme will save residents from high stages of load-shedding. The City will also introduce its demand-side management initiative, which will see the roll-out of devices to Capetonian homes that will allow the city to remotely shut off appliances that use large amounts of electricity. The Mayor said this would be a voluntary programme. WATER As eThekwini and Nelson Mandela Bay municipalities struggle with water shortages, Hill-Lewis advised that getting buy-in from the public to cut water consumption by more than 55% was drastically vital. He said the lesson learned by the City of Cape Town in averting a water crisis was not to rely on national government to provide basic infrastructure such as bulk water supplies. Hill-Lewis said it was unfortunate that South Africans had become far too accepting of failure and mediocrity, particularly in government. HOMELESSNESS Despite the City of Cape Town being one of the world’s most beautiful cities, the Mayor expressed concern for the growing number of people living on the streets. He said the city had invested in “safe spaces” facilities which provide the homeless with basic necessities and assistance with access to social grants and alcohol and drug addiction facilities. The City is looking into building more facilities to address homelessness. CAPE INDEPENDENCE Many Capetonians had suggested that the City work towards Cape independence but the Mayor told Polity that he was opposed to the idea. He expressed his love for South Africa, stating that he wanted the country to work. “What we are trying to do in Cape Town is to show that with a sensible, hard-working, clean government, you can have a country that works, a country that moves forward and not backwards,” he said.
Stage 6 load-shedding will kick in again from 16:00 until 22:00 on Wednesday evening, Eskom said in a statement. This is despite the fact that striking employees have started returning to work. Stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented from 22:00 until midnight, and then reduced to Stage 2 until 05:00 on Thursday morning. From 05:00 until 00:00 on Thursday load-shedding will be at Stage 4. Stage 2 load-shedding will be implemented from midnight until 05:00 on Friday morning. "While some workers have started reporting for duty at the power stations, there is still a high level of absenteeism. As a result of the unlawful strike, routine maintenance work has had to be postponed. This backlog will take days to weeks to clear," Eskom said. "It is therefore important to note that the system will remain constrained and vulnerable to additional breakdowns while recovery activities are in progress. Due to the unlawful and unprotected labour action, which has caused widespread disruption to Eskom’s power plants, Eskom is unable to return some generators to service. This has compelled Eskom to continue taking precautionary measures to conserve emergency generation capacity and safeguard plant from damage." The utility currently has 3 161MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 395MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns.
A Cabinet committee was meeting urgently on Wednesday to deliberate on the crises at Eskom after the power utility plunged the country into stage 6 load-shedding on Tuesday. No Cabinet meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe told News24 it was disingenuous to blame the government for the crisis. Mantashe and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan have come under harsh criticism, particularly from the Democratic Alliance, for having failed to prevent the deterioration at Eskom. "It's unfair to place blame on myself or the government. What should I do with Eskom as mineral resources and energy minister? The power utility is a matter [which falls] under public enterprises. But despite it being under public enterprises, government as a whole has gone the extra mile [by] instituting a supplementary programme to make up for the shortcomings at Eskom. We [as government] are actually implementing the supplementary programme aggressively, but the more we implement it, the worse Eskom becomes. What do I do with that?" said Mantashe. The minister was referring to bid windows one, two, three, and four of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme that have been approved and connected to the grid. "Bid window five has been approved, and while bid windows six and seven are on the way. If you add all these together, they will give you a total of 7 800 megawatts. The problem is that these bid windows won't give you instant energy. Instant energy will only come from the units of Eskom working efficiently," said Mantashe. The minister confirmed that he was speaking to News24 from the sidelines of the Cabinet committee meeting. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told News24 that President Cyril Ramaphosa was attending the meeting. On Tuesday, News24 reported that Ramaphosa had spent Tuesday dealing with the problems at Eskom. The Presidency said Ramaphosa returned to the country from the G7 summit in Germany on Tuesday morning. He was immediately roped into a briefing about ongoing labour disputes at Eskom, which resulted in the country being plunged into darkness, Ramaphosa's office said. This was after the power utility implemented stage 6 load-shedding on Tuesday. Ramaphosa was said to have landed on Tuesday at 10:00 and was briefed on the situation. He immediately called for a virtual meeting with Gordhan and Eskom CEO André de Ruyter where the precarious energy situation was discussed at length. Magwenya said the president expressed concern about the situation and called for law enforcement to deal with incidents of sabotage at power stations across the country. "He was assured that the illegal strike would be resolved expeditiously," Magwenya said. Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said that an extended Cabinet meeting had not been scheduled for Wednesday but did not go into detail on whether a Cabinet committee was meeting. Thousands of Eskom workers at nine power stations and other operating facilities downed tools more than a week ago following a deadlock in wage negotiations on 22 June. This wildcat strike, combined with unplanned breakdowns, plunged the country into stage 6 load shedding for the second time in the history of rotational power cuts. Eskom confirmed that a number of its striking workers returned to their posts on Wednesday while wage negotiations would continue, a move that could restore the utility's generation capacity. "I can confirm that many employees are peacefully returning to work and that there are no incidents of protest reported so far today (Wednesday)," Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruled against the Public Protector in a case regarding the dismissal of former Free State provincial head, Sphelo Hamilton Samuel. The CCMA ordered the Chapter 9 institution to reinstate Samuel and to back-pay the official an amount of R1.5-million. Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane dismissed Samuel after he wrote to Parliament in 2020 requesting an investigation into the conduct of the Public Protector as well as the financial mismanagement at the institution. In ruling in favour of Samuel, the commissioner, James Ngoako Matshekga, ordered the Public Protector to reinstate Samuel before 4 July 2022, in addition to the payment of 12 months' salary, or R1.5-million. "The dismissal of the applicant [Samuel] by the respondent [the Public Protector] was substantively unfair, but procedurally fair," Matshekga said in his award. Mkhwebane did not testify during the process. Letter to Parliament In 2020, Samuel was the Bloemfontein representative of the Public Protector's office. During that time, he requested the investigation into Mkhwebane. The Public Protector "hauled [Samuel] before a disciplinary hearing", Matshekga said, and charged Samuel with several allegations of misconduct, including writing and distributing a disparaging letter on a branded letterhead addressed to the Public Protector. According to the Public Protector, Samuel also conducted media interviews to slam Mkhwebane's conduct, and called for her to step down as Public Protector. According to Matshekga: "There is a very important point to be made about the respondent's conduct and decision to discipline and subsequently dismiss the applicant for the views he expressed during the various media interviews. As an institution mandate to support and strengthen constitutional democracy, the respondent should be well aware of . the Constitution which guarantees everyone the right to freedom of expression. "These remarks ring true in this matter. We should be very astute to condone any form of thought-control, however respectably dressed it may be in the name of discipline." He added, however, that the Public Protector did not testify during the process, so no evidence was given to justify a finding that Samuel made disparaging remarks about the Public Protector. Mkhwebane has been in the spotlight as Parliament forges ahead with its inquiry into her fitness to hold office, despite her attempts to prevent it. Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Mkhwebane.
The African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng elective conference, which was unable to conclude its work over the weekend, will reconvene from 9 to 10 July. Newly elected chairperson Panyaza Lesufi made the announcement on Tuesday during a post-conference media briefing held at the party's headquarters at Luthuli House. According to Lesufi, the outstanding business of the conference was the election of additional provincial executive committee (PEC) members and discussing policy documents. "There were a number of things that never happened this weekend, and as such we have resolved to reconvene the conference from the 9th to the 10th of July to conclude the work of the conference," said the newly elected Gauteng ANC chairperson. Despite being allocated four days more than all the other provincial and regional conferences already convened before it, the ANC in Gauteng failed to conclude all its work. Lesufi said it would be disingenuous to blame the failure to meet deadlines on the previous PEC. He said that "most of the delays were due to the 19 quarantined votes from Ekurhuleni and how to deal with those. The ANC's national executive committee (NEC) met for over seven hours, if you may remember, and this occurred when the provincial conference was supposed to have been sitting". "Having met that long, the national leadership still felt that the PEC would be better placed to handle the matter and when the matter was passed to the PEC, it only took them one day to resolve that the branches affected be invited to the conference so it would be wrong to say the conference was chaotic or shambolic as it has already been categorised," said Lesufi. News24 reported that the ANC's special NEC meeting had given the green light for the party's Gauteng elective conference to go ahead, but tasked the PEC to deal with the disputed Ekurhuleni. The Ekurhuleni regional conference was marred by violence and at its contentious ending, which saw only preliminary results being announced, the steering committee overseeing the Ekurhuleni conference quarantined 19 votes pending a verification process. The 19 votes from six branches were quarantined due to alleged irregularities in how the delegates were allowed to vote, which meant the party could only declare the results after the national dispute resolution committee verified the outstanding votes. The PEC resolved to invite the disputed branches, however, their votes were again quarantined at the provincial conference. Lesufi refused to discuss how the quarantined votes would be dealt with when the provincial conference reconvenes in two weeks. He said the electoral commission dealing with the votes for the top five and the additional PEC members was an independent body and hence would make a determination when the conference reconvenes.
Power utility Eskom has confirmed that it will implement Stage 6 load-shedding from 16:00 to 22:00. Stage 4 load-shedding will be implemented from 22:00 to midnight tonight and again from 05:00 until 16:00 on Wednesday. Stage 6 load-shedding will then resume until 22:00 on Wednesday night. Eskom has only once before had to implement Stage 6 load-shedding. On Tuesday morning, Eskom had warned that it may have to implement Stage 6 load-shedding from this evening, following a deterioration in its generation capacity overnight. COO Jan Oberholzer noted in a media briefing on Tuesday morning that there was a significant risk that the utility may have to implement Stage 6 load-shedding, although Eskom would do what it could to avoid that. He added that ten generating units were lost overnight on Monday. Two of these units had been returned to service by Tuesday morning. Eskom had planned to return a further four units to service ahead of the evening peak, but was only able to return one more unit to service by Tuesday afternoon. Oberholzer said a further four units would not be able to return to service on Tuesday as they require prolonged repairs. But, Oberholzer said, Eskom may have no choice but to implement Stage 6 load-shedding. Units that had previously broken down could also not be returned to service, as a result of a lack of operators needed at those units. CEO André de Ruyter further pointed out that the utility was already using about two-million litres of diesel a day to keep its Ankerlig and Gourikwa open-cycle gas turbines running, with Eskom having used 85-million litres of diesel so far in June. Oberholzer noted that diesel volumes were being depleted "at an alarming rate", especially at Ankerlig. With diesel supplies dwindling, a vessel delivering additional fuel for Ankerlig is only expected to reach South Africa at the weekend. Eskom's already constrained electricity supply is being exacerbated by industrial action at various power plants, with a number of Eskom's power stations being run by managerial staff at present. Oberholzer and De Ruyter commended those employees who have continued to work long hours to keep the power stations operational under the circumstances. They also urged striking employees to consider the impact of the unlawful and illegal strike action on the country's population, as well as the economy, and to return to work. They also condemned acts of intimidation, arson and public violence committed by some of the striking employees. Discussions with labour were continuing, but Oberholzer warned that, even if the situation was resolved, recovery of the operations would take some time. De Ruyter added that, as staff have had to be diverted from doing maintenance to keeping power plants running, the backlog in maintenance was also growing. The maintenance backlog would, therefore, increase as long as the strike continued, resulting in a prolonged risk of load-shedding.
Following a divisive provincial conference, the Gauteng African National Congress (ANC) emerged with a mixed bag of leaders representing both factions that backed Lebogang Maile and Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi was elected by a slim margin at the conference on Monday morning. The new chairperson of the ANC in Gauteng obtained 575 votes compared to Maile's 543. The close victory margin resembled the scenes in 2018, when Lesufi won the deputy chairperson position against Maile. Despite his inability to clinch the leadership position, Maile's "Adiwele" slate emerged among those elected along with Lesufi. The ANC in Ekurhuleni was the biggest winner, with the region securing the Gauteng secretary position after the election of Thembinkosi Nciza. Nciza beat his rival, Sedibeng regional leader Thulani Kunene, by securing 534 votes, compared to Kunene's 525. Former ANC provincial secretary Jacob Khawe only managed 56 votes. Nciza's deputy is Tasneem Motara, also from Ekurhuleni. Lesufi had a solid gender mix in his contestation slate. Three women formed part of the new leadership, with Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko elected as Lesufi's deputy. Morokane Mosupyoe, whose name was raised from the floor by those backing Lesufi, was elected treasurer. Women delegates were visibly pleased with the outcome of three women taking up positions in the province's top five. They took to the conference floor, ululating and gesturing to the number three to celebrate the women who had been elected. The election of three women is a first for the ANC in provincial conferences this year. The ANC Gauteng conference, which began on Thursday, concluded on Monday morning without a wrap of its official programme. No provincial executive committee officials were elected, and only nominations were taken after the election of officials. A provincial general council will be held on 2 July, when the election of PEC members is expected. The conference saw massive delays as delegates could not agree on the adoption of credentials. Unresolved disputes and the debacle of 19 "quarantined" votes from Ekurhuleni dominated the conference's agenda. Voting took place on Sunday afternoon and delegates waited in line with luggage in hand as the conference dragged on into Monday morning. Some delegates were frustrated about where they would sleep. A frustrated delegate told the leaders: "You have to hate yourself to love the ANC." A delay to the election of the province's PEC means the Ekurhuleni matter will remain unresolved until the election occurs. The ANC national executive committee (NEC) has tasked the new PEC with ensuring that the Ekurhuleni matter is resolved. It was expected that the same 19 votes quarantined at the region's conference in May would be set aside at the provincial conference.
President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Monday that government must ensure there is redress, justice and accountability relating to those implicated in the Zondo Commission reports. Last week, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo handed Ramaphosa the final instalment of the report into the allegations of State capture, four-and-a-half years after the Commission began its work. Ramaphosa said South Africa was emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, which he said was a “great national trauma” that caused untold damage, destruction and heartbreak, but pointed out that the State capture era was a different kind of national trauma. He said State capture’s damage extended beyond the ransacking of the public purse and the destruction of the country’s public institutions. He said that it was also a betrayal of the values of the country’s Constitution, and of the principles on which the country’s democracy was founded. Ramaphosa noted that the “immoral, unethical and criminal behaviour of self-serving individuals in positions of authority” undermined the confidence of South Africans in leaders and institutions. This had created a trust gap that would take some time to close, he said. “Having now known what happened and who was involved, our work begins in earnest. We must ensure there is redress, justice and accountability, and that such a shameful period never happens again,” Ramaphosa said. He said citizens now had an opportunity to make a decisive break with the excesses of the past by building a society free of corruption and a State rooted in ethics, professionalism and capability. “We also have an opportunity to reconstruct a society that is more inclusive, more humane, founded in equal opportunity for all, and that protects the most vulnerable,” he added. COVID-19 Last week, the remaining Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, including limitations on gatherings, international travel and wearing masks in public. Ramaphosa explained that the decision to lift the restrictions was made in the light of a decline in daily cases, hospitalisations and reported deaths, adding that for the first time in over two years, the country did not have any Covid restrictions in place. “While there was not much fanfare about the lifting of the last Covid-19 restrictions, there has been a tectonic shift in our national psyche. We are emerging from a great national trauma that caused untold damage, destruction and heartbreak,” he said. Ramaphosa stressed that the Covid-19 pandemic was not over, and he called for vigilance and caution from citizens to prevent a resurgence. “Where many thought it would crumble, our health care system survived. It served our nation well by providing care, saving lives and vaccinating millions. We owe an eternal debt to the courage and dedication of the health workers and many other people on the frontlines of the pandemic,” he said.
Amid a public outcry over a 3% increase for public office bearers, Parliament has defended the increase, noting office bearers last received a pay hike in 2019. Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa approved a 3% increase for public office bearers upon the recommendation of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers. The general response was that the increase was "tone deaf", to which Parliament responded: "Nothing could be further from the truth." Public office bearers like Ministers, MPs and MPLs last had salary increases in April 2019 when the commission recommended a 2.8 % increase, Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said in a statement. "Because of the prevailing and difficult economic conditions, it was important that the remuneration of the public office bearers be adjusted to enable them to cope with the rising costs of living. The average consumer inflation rate has been on the increase, and for 2021, it was 4.5%, which is higher than the averages recorded for 2020 (3.3%) and 2019 (4.1%) - resulting in the buying power of the disposable income becoming lower," he said. "Another important factor that must be highlighted - a matter that is sometimes misinterpreted - is the fact that salaries of MPs are published as a total remuneration package (total cost to company) and not cost-plus benefits." This means that if an ordinary MP earns R1.1-million a year, it includes the basic salary, a flexible portion, a travel allowance, a political office bearers' allowance, and a contribution to the pension fund. Other deductions that will be taken from the salary include tax (Pay as You Earn), medical aid, party contributions, village accommodation and others authorised by the individual MP like a bond or car instalment. "While it is understandable that remuneration of public representatives would often spark a public debate given the transparency with which they are processed, constant scrutiny over their work as well as the socioeconomic challenges faced by the country, it must be appreciated that they do not determine their own remuneration. "An independent commission is charged with such responsibility; it recommends any decision for the approval of the president before being gazetted. Unlike in other countries (58% of world parliaments according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union survey), Members of Parliament do not play any role in the process of determining either their salaries or annual increments," Mothapo said. He added it is vital that public representatives are fairly remunerated considering the scale of their responsibilities under the Constitution. There are 341 parliamentarians when the ministers, deputy ministers and Deputy President are excluded in the National Assembly who is responsible for oversight over state institutions constituted of hundreds of thousands of employees, including high-ranking executives. Compared with the salaries of public service employees, parliamentarians earn at a scale equal to junior-level management. "Further, with a 2022/2023 total parliamentary budget of R1.9-billion, R62-million of which allocated for oversight committees, parliamentarians are expected to conduct oversight over a national budget totalling R1.6-trillion. In analysing and scrutinising the remuneration of public representatives, we must also benchmark it against those of their counterparts globally, particularly in similar developing countries. A desktop survey suggests that South African public representatives do not earn anywhere higher than those of countries with similar GDP and population, amongst other considerations," Mothapo said. Mothapo pointed out that as an additional safeguard, South African MPs are barred from undertaking "any other remunerative responsibilities outside of their parliamentary work", unlike several other countries. Should they take up such work, they are obligated to declare it for scrutiny in terms of the Ethics Code. "In subscribing to ch...
South African municipalities spent R5.3-billion on consultants in the past five years. A whopping 70% of them used these consultants every single year. From preparing financial statements to managing assets and tax services, the permanently employed financial managers and their teams couldn't complete those tasks without external help. In the 2021/21 fiscal year alone, municipalities spent R1.26-billion on consultants. Of that, R431-million was spent on asset management. Around R300-million went to the preparation of financial statements. Tax services took up just over R300-million. They paid R54-million towards accounting services and the rest went to other "general services". But even with all those billions of rands going towards these tasks, 58% of financial statements submitted by municipalities to the Auditor General of SA (AGSA) in the past five years had "material misstatements" from work that consultants were paid to do. Even after corrections, 41% had modified opinions, including three municipalities with adverse opinions and 18 with disclaimed opinions. In 2020/21 alone, the salary bill, plus the total cost of the consultant saw municipalities incur a total bill of R11.6-billion. "That is a very expensive solution where you're not getting a return on investment. The financial statements that are prepared are still not credible," said AGSA's head of audit at the provincial level, Mabatho Sedikela. Audit improvements are no course for celebration Even though clean audits in the municipalities have improved from 33 audits in 2016/17 to 41 in the 2020/21 year, Sedikela said that is not so much an improvement. This is because the 41 that got clean audits are mainly district municipalities. They are not so much responsible for service delivery. There were also 100 municipalities whose audits looked like they had improved as they got unqualified audit opinions with findings, i.e., they did produce quality financial statements, but struggled to produce quality performance reports. But Sedikela said that too is no course for celebration. "We are cautioning that celebration because only 62 of the oddities that gave us financial statements were credible, that's 25% of the municipalities. If we had arrived, on day one, audited and express an audit opinion, only 62 would have had better outcomes," she said. AG to crackdown on shoddy delivery Sedikela said the AGSA has seen consultants accepting assignments to assist local government, even when their previous work proved shoddy. "We have seen several of such consultants going in doing work and not delivering services," she said Sedikela told the chartered accountants attending the SAICA webinar that they should be guided by their profession's code of ethics. They must respect the requirements of the job they go in to perform. She said the AGSA is not against the idea of using consultants where municipalities do not have enough capacity. After all, there was an average vacancy rate of 20% in the municipalities' finance units in the 2020/21 audit year. But they should do so in a responsible manner and there should be an assessment done prior to that to demonstrate the need for external help. Up until now, the AGSA has adopted the stance of "cautioning" the offending consultants. But going forward, it is going to be tough on them. "As we move into the next year when there is work done by the consultants and services have not been delivered, we are going to look to issuing material irregularities . We will be invoking our material irregularities so that those funds that have been used to pay the consultants and value has not been derived, goes back," said Sedikela.
The Public Protector said on Friday it wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa to submit a plan to Parliament on how the recommendations from the State Capture Commission of Inquiry will be implemented. Commission chairperson Chief Justice Raymond Zondo handed over the final part of the report to Ramaphosa on Wednesday night. The Public Protector welcomed the conclusion of the Commission’s work and pointed out that the Commission was a product of a 2016 Public Protector investigation report. The Public Protector wants to be kept informed of all the implemented recommendations and hopes to monitor the progress of this from reports submitted by Parliament and the Presidency. The Public Protector’s office has sent Ramaphosa a letter requesting copies of the Commission’s report in full.
A fierce contest to determine who should lead the African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng is expected to take centre stage at the party's provincial conference in Benoni this weekend. Deputy chairperson in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, will go up against provincial executive committee (PEC) member Lebogang Maile for the chairpersonship. Despite the provincial leadership's assurances that there will be less security at the conference, roads leading to the Lakes Hotel and Conference Centre were barricaded and there was a heavy police presence. Gauteng secretary Jacob Khawe, who condemned the heavy security at the Ekurhuleni conference, gave the assurances. The conference was delayed on Thursday because some delegates had not yet finalised their accreditation. It will begin on Friday with an address by outgoing chairperson David Makhura. ANC delegates from the province's five branches arrived in ANC regalia. News24 understands meetings by those who support the two slates contesting the conference were held on Thursday. These caucuses are the norm during ANC conferences and are often used to solidify numbers ahead of voting. Crunching the numbers Maile, in his "Adiwele" slate, is running alongside Ekurhuleni regional secretary Thembinkosi Nciza and Mzi Khumalo, who was expected to vie for the deputy chairperson position. Lesufi has a more diverse gender dynamic in his slate, with deputy provincial secretary Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko set to contest the deputy chairperson position. Sedibeng regional chairperson Thulani Kunene is expected to vie for the provincial secretary position. Khawe, who does not belong to any of the popular slates, wants to keep his position, even though there is no word on whether branches support him. He told News24 that he was still in the running and was confident that he had served his last term to the party's satisfaction - despite some views that his time was unsatisfactory. News24 understands that Lesufi and Maile have considerable support in the five regions: Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, West Rand, Tshwane and Sedibeng. Those who have intimate knowledge of the slate dynamics in the province told News24 that most branches in Tshwane supported Maile. In Sedibeng, there's considerable support for Lesufi, with some backing Maile. In Ekurhuleni, the numbers were close, with both men showing a support base. In the West Rand, Maile is said to have the upper hand. In Joburg it's seen as too close to call, with both men sourcing support from the region's branches. There will be 1 300 delegates who are eligible to vote, and credentials are expected to be adopted on Friday. Those who will vote include the ANC leagues and the PEC.
Human rights advocacy group the Black Sash Trust has launched legal action against government to overturn regulations that exclude many poor people from accessing the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. The latest iteration of the R350 grant, which was supposed to run from April to the end of March next year, put in place a means test of R350, meaning that anyone who has income above that level – even if it is support from a family member – is excluded from the grant. Previous versions of the grant did not require a means test. In a statement on Thursday, the Black Sash – which is supported by several other civil society organisations – said it had approached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to have the regulations set aside. The Black Sash will be represented by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. "The South African Constitution guarantees the right to social assistance for those unable to support themselves and their dependents. Millions of people in South Africa are in this position through no fault of their own but because of an unequal and exclusionary economy. We believe this constitutional right will prevail, and the courts will uphold it," the Black Sash said. The civil society organisations argue that the means test is arbitrary and excludes large numbers of desperately poor people. SA's food poverty line – which is the amount of money needed to sustain an individual for a month – is R624 a month. According to Stats SA, 18.3-million people live below this line. By setting a means test, the government hopes to limit the number of people eligible for the grant to 10.5-million. "There can be no justification for only 10.5-million people receiving the SRD grant," they said in a statement on Thursday. They are also challenging the exclusive online application system. The decision by the Department of Social Development to implement a means test delayed the payment of grants for April and May. The first grants were paid last week, but beneficiaries did not receive back pay as promised by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu. The organisations – including the Institute for Economic Justice, the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, #Pay the Grants, SPI and Amandla.mobi – have waged a long-standing campaign for a universal basic income grant. Despite a positive engagement with Ramaphosa in January, government has failed to consult with civil organisations on a permanent grant. The grant should come into effect immediately following the end of the SRD grant in March 2023, they say. It should be set at a minimum level of the food poverty line and rise over time to eliminate poverty. The National Treasury is investigating the feasibility of an income grant.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has recommended that former Free State premier Ace Magashule, "Gupta Minister" Mosebenzi Zwane, and Tony Gupta be investigated over the Vrede dairy farm project, which he condemns as a "complete disaster". He also suggested that Zwane and Magashule should be sued to recover money lost as a result of their alleged conduct in relation to the alleged scam. Tony Gupta is currently in custody at a Dubai police station. He and his brother, Atul, face possible extradition to South Africa in connection with the R24.9-million Nulane Investment scam – which was a precursor to the alleged R280-million Vrede fraud. It is unclear whether the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will charge him and his family members in connection with the project. Magashule, meanwhile, is facing charges linked to the so-called "asbestos scam". This scam saw millions earmarked for the removal of asbestos from the homes of the Free State's most impoverished residents allegedly being funnelled into the pockets of ANC bigwigs and government officials. Magashule denies all wrongdoing. In the last part of his report, Zondo not only recommends that Magashule and Zwane face criminal investigation over Vrede, but also slams them for failing to perform their oversight functions as then-premier and MEC. He previously condemned them for this failure in connection with the Free State's R1-billion housing project debacle, where houses promised to the poor were never delivered. Zondo has now recommended that the Free State government get legal advice over whether it should sue Magashule and Zwane "to recover such monies as may be recovered from them that were lost by the [Department of Agriculture and Rural Development] in the Vrede Dairy Project as a result of their failure. to perform their legal obligations". "It is necessary that there be consequences for people who fail to do their job. Otherwise, this corruption and these acts of state capture are going to continue forever to the detriment of the country and all people. Neither the Provincial Legislature nor the ANC called the Premier to account for the Asbestos Project and the R1 billion Housing Project Debacle. Premiers must know that they must supervise the MECs and their Departments," Zondo stated. While the Guptas repeatedly sought to distance themselves from the Vrede project, Zondo pointed to testimony by Magashule's former director-general, Elizabeth Rockman, to demonstrate that the Guptas were involved in the scheme. The project was justified on the basis that it would empower at least 100 poor black farmers. Rockman testified that she had met Tony Gupta on 6 April 2013, when he "requested the outstanding payment to Estina (the Gupta-linked "implementing agent" in relation to Vrede) in respect of the dairy project". Just 12 days later, a payment of R34.95-million was made by the Free State government to Estina. A further R30-million was paid eight days later. Rockman had been invited to the lavish Gupta wedding at Sun City, which was alleged to have been funded by Estina cash, but didn't attend. Rockman also revealed that she had subsequently met with Tony Gupta in February 2014, and had discussed media reports about the death of cattle linked to the Vrede project. In his findings on Vrede, Zondo painstakingly documents how the project, which was originally estimated to cost R13-million and later ballooned to a proposed cost of R572-million, repeatedly breached procurement processes. To make matters worse, Estina was an IT company, with no experience in effective and sustainable dairy farming. The Estina contract was cancelled in August 2014 following media reports about how the Gupta dairy farm had flouted Treasury rules, and a damning Treasury-initiated investigation into the project. Despite this cancellation, R106.2-million in payments were subsequently made to Estina. Magashule declined to give evidence about his oversight of the project or respond to testimony by his fo...
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said on Thursday that while Cabinet welcomed a significant drop in Covid-19 cases in the country, it is urging more South Africans to vaccinate against the virus, as South Africa joins the many countries that have done away with mask-wearing. Joining Gungubele at a media briefing was Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, who gave an update on the late night gazette which saw government repeal major Covid-19 regulations on mask-wearing, gathering limits and travel requirements. Phaahla thanked South Africans who adhered to the Covid-19 regulations, noting that it had not been easy. The Department of Health faced legal action from some organisations, such as Solidarity, in a quest to get government to abandon the regulations. “We appreciate the fact that notwithstanding those disagreements, even leading to court actions or threats of court action, essentially the main aim of our approach [of] flattening the curve did remain in place and a lot of South Africans supported that. We thank South Africans for their resilience in internalising various measures of prevention and mitigation against the virus,” said Phaahla. He said the country’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic would help it against seasonal diseases such as influenza and tuberculosis. Phaahla also thanked academia, religious organisations and other stakeholders who provided assistance in dealing with the pandemic. While South Africa has not achieved 70% herd immunity, as of Wednesday, 37.7-million doses of vaccines have been administered to adults and children. Phaahla applauded the big turnout of the over 60 age group, which has surpassed 70% coverage with at least one dose. "We just need to end with caution that the Covid-19 virus is not yet gone, it is still in our midst, we are just stronger than before, especially with vaccination, and we urge those not yet vaccinated to come forward and those due for boosters to also come forward. The vaccination programme will remain and is now being integrated into normal health services," he said. Meanwhile, Gungubele said the country would use the recently approved World Bank loan to purchase additional Covid-19 vaccines and to ensure that South Africa was adequately protected against potential infections. TRUCKING STRIKE AND WATER On the recent truck driver strike, Cabinet has welcomed the eleven-point plan discussed by the recent inter-Ministerial committee and trucking stakeholders. Gungubele said protests and road blockages adversely impacted mobility, scared foreign investors and negatively affected the economy and essential supply chains. On the water shortages being experienced in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), the Minister said the Cabinet welcomed the much-needed interventions by the Department of Water and Sanitation to implement short- and long-term measures to mitigate the crisis. Cabinet further urged NMB residents to adhere to the water restrictions imposed by the local municipality to ensure water security. CRIME AND CORRUPTION Cabinet applauded the work done by the Department of Home Affairs in eradicating corruption and fraud following the arrest of a Home Affairs official in Benoni who offered a Bangladesh national a South African identity document. Gungubele also welcomed the arrest of an Independent Electoral Commission official in Umlazi for contravening the Municipal Electoral Act by voting 24 times during the 2021 municipal elections. He said the arrest demonstrates a strong affirmation of the electoral system in the country which had since been strengthened with the introduction of a voter management device that prevented double counting. “Cabinet affirmed that elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and must be protected at all costs,” said Gungubele.
The African National Congress's (ANC's) declining support in Gauteng will become a dominating factor at the party's provincial conference this weekend as it has moved for an earlier than usual start to its congress. The ANC in Gauteng is holding its provincial conference from Thursday to Sunday. ANC provincial deputy chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said the province was not fearful of losing Gauteng, a province it narrowly held onto in 2019. Lesufi said it was not a "weakness" or fear that led the party to dedicate the bulk of its programme to political discussions on the state of the party in the province. He said no political party could guarantee its place in the political arena, and the ANC had to look firmly at its position. "I do not think there is a political party that can affirm that it will win everything and a political party that can affirm that it will not win everything. I think we can. We have the superior ideas, leadership and talent to resolve all problems. We are not starting early because we fear losing. We are affirming who we are," Lesufi said. "We are not scared as the ANC in Gauteng. We had a strategic retreat in the local elections, not a loss. We would be naïve not to accept what the electorate has shown us. That is why we believe that starting the conference early will give us ample time to note the concerns and provide the outcomes. It is not a weakness to start a conference early," he said. The conference will be attended by 1 133 delegates, including provincial executive committee members and the ANC leagues. There are several unresolved disputes, 14 of which had been filed with the national dispute resolution committee. The most significant factor ahead of the conference was the issue of the 19 quarantined votes from the ANC Ekurhuleni region. The votes were set aside at the region's conference last month and constituted votes from five branches. ANC national executive member Jeff Radebe is handling the resolution of the dispute. Lesufi said these branches could not impact the progress of the congress. All Gauteng ANC branches that had qualified and held general branch meetings would be certified to vote at the conference, Lesufi said. In the West Rand region, unresolved disputes saw the region not hold a regional conference after failing to meet the threshold of 70%. Only a few qualifying branches from this region would be allowed to participate. Corruption allegations ahead of conference Gauteng Premier David Makhura is to mull a probe over corruption and vote-buying allegations that dominated factional fights in the lead up to the conference. The SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Gauteng led the charge in accusing Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi of diverting tenders to assist her contesting for the position of deputy provincial secretary. ANC provincial secretary Jacob Khawe dismissed the claims outrightly, but said he had alerted Makhura. Makhura would consider a probe. "I took that memorandum to the province's premier, and said we have to answer Sanco on these allegations. The matter is with the leader of the government. We would want him to sanction a process that will give confidence to the people of Tembisa in Gauteng as to whether we are running a hospital as a corruption-based front or to heal the ill," Khawe said. Mokgethi had denied the claims, urging Sanco to open a criminal case. The provincial conference was expected to see Lesufi contest the chairperson position against Lebogang Maile, a PEC member and Cogta MEC in Gauteng.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced on Wednesday that it is acting in full compliance with domestic and international legal obligations in the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta to South Africa. The Gupta brothers fled the country as the news surfaced during the State Capture Commission, led by Justice Raymond Zondo, that they allegedly looted State funds under the Jacob Zuma administration, dubbed the “nine wasted years”. The brothers were arrested as a result of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of the South African government earlier this year. The NPA explained that it is on track to finalise the process of extradition in close consultation with relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Interpol. “The diplomatic and political aspects are being dealt with in parallel by our colleagues in the Ministry, Department of Justice and Department of International Relations and Cooperation,” the NPA said. It has also submitted requests for provisional arrest warrants for the Gupta brothers, which the NPA said was a formality that needed to be complied with. In terms of the extradition treaty between South Africa and the UAE, South Africa has 60 days from the date of arrest to submit the formal extradition application. The NPA leadership expressed confidence in its team of experienced and highly skilled prosecutors working on the legal aspects of the Gupta extradition process. “We have previously explained why we will not be commenting on the legal dimensions of the case at this early stage, and this remains our position for important legal and case-specific reasons. However, we note with concern the widespread misinformation and speculation about how the NPA and its leadership are handling this complex legal process. While we recognise the public interest in this matter, we must focus on delivering on our constitutional mandate and responsibilities without distraction, and without fear or favour,” it said.
Cabinet is expected to meet over a proposal to scrap all remaining Covid-19 restrictions. A source told News24 that Cabinet would be meeting on Thursday to ratify a decision to end Covid-19 restrictions, on the recommendation of Health Minister Joe Phaahla. This follows the President's Coordinating Council of ministers, premiers and executive mayors having met on Wednesday morning to discuss the scrapping of Covid-19 regulations, including the mandatory wearing of face masks in public places and limits on group gatherings. News24 previously reported that Phaahla had recommended, in a letter, the repealing of Covid-19 regulations as the country had exited the fifth wave. This would include dropping the compulsory wearing of masks in indoor spaces and on public transport. Insiders told News24 that those at the meeting were in agreement that masks and restrictions on gatherings should be scrapped. The proposal would need to be taken to Cabinet for approval, with sources speculating South Africans would soon be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya was unable to "confirm any timelines" around a Cabinet meeting or so-called family meeting. "When the announcement is made you will certainly know," he added. The letter also recommended changes to restrictions of gatherings. There was currently a 50% limit on the number of people allowed in a venue if people were fully vaccinated, or if people could produce proof of their negative Covid-19 tests. The letter also recommended that the country drop its entry requirements for travellers. At the moment, travellers were expected to show a vaccination certificate, or a negative Covid-19 test.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola said on Tuesday that no official request for mutual legal assistance was made by Namibia in the Phala Phala farm theft saga. Last week, the Namibian Police Force said it had put in a formal request through South Africa’s Ministry of Justice to confirm whether a crime was registered in South Africa in relation to the theft. The alleged theft of foreign currency from a farm owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 has been dubbed the Phala Phala theft. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser has since opened a case against Ramaphosa for failing to report the theft, thereby, allegedly breaching the code of ethics. Fraser has given the Hawks additional information to solidify the case. Lamola outlined that any country requesting mutual legal assistance must make a submission at its own embassy or the South African Embassy or High Commission in that particular country. The request will make its way to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which will provide proof of receipt and transmit the request to the Central Authority. “South Africa and its sister republic, Namibia, continue to work together in a collaborative manner on issues of mutual legal assistance in accordance with the Southern African Development Community Protocol and other related bilateral treaties. So far there has not been any development that necessitates any change of approach when dealing with matters of this nature,” Lamola stated.
The Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture on Tuesday explained that chairperson Chief Justice Raymond Zondo wanted a final opportunity for quality assurance before submitting the final part of the Commission's report on State capture to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The report was expected to be handed over to Ramaphosa last Wednesday. However, Zondo informed Ramaphosa on Thursday that the report would be delayed. The commission then stated that the electronic report will be submitted to the President on Sunday night. This did not happen. On Monday morning, Ramaphosa and Zondo had a brief telephone call in which Zondo "offered reassurance on the delivery of the report and discussed the coordination for the handover ceremony". Secretary of the Commission Professor Itumeleng Mosala said, on behalf of Zondo, that contrary to reports on social media, Zondo and Ramaphosa did not have any meeting on Monday. He also said Ramaphosa did not interfere with the work of the commission in any way. “The chairperson regrets any inconvenience caused by the delay and the postponement. The chairperson just wanted to have one final opportunity for quality assurance as he was at the JSC interview yesterday and could not do that quality assurance until sometime in the afternoon,” said Mosala said. The report is now expected to be handed over to Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla is of the view that mask-wearing is no longer needed, following a decline in the number of reported Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths. In a letter addressed to Health MECs, he revealed a decline in the effective reproductive rate of the Covid-19 virus (less than 0.7%) and in the positivity rate, owing to low numbers in testing. Phaahla is also proposing that limitations on gatherings be lifted, as well as entry limitations to venues. He wants Health MECs to give their comments or concerns on the repeal of the regulations on Tuesday, as his department prepares to discuss the recommendations with Cabinet this week. “We have been monitoring the epidemic working with the NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases) and the current epidemiological analysis points towards lower infection rates and that the country has exited the recent spike (5th wave), which the current limited regulations were promulgated to mitigate.” he said in his letter. The Department of Health has consulted the National Coronavirus Command Council on the proposed lifting of regulations. Phaahla explained that the regulations were intended as a temporary “stop-gap measure” so that the country could effectively deal with a fifth wave of the pandemic.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's refusal to share further details about the controversial burglary at his Phala Phala farm is expected to be a bone of contention at a planned African National Congress (ANC) national working committee (NWC) meeting on Monday. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser alleged that Ramaphosa covered up the February 2020 burglary at his farm where millions in US dollars were stolen. The source of the money is now at the centre of a money laundering probe against the president. But News24 has reliably learnt that the president refused to divulge further information at a closed meeting with his colleagues in the party's top six. This is expected to raise the ire of his political opponents in the party's top structure, who believe Ramaphosa is refusing to be held accountable. Party officials were meant to report back on Monday about their deliberations with the president, particularly money laundering allegations against him. But two insiders who have knowledge of discussions said Ramaphosa would not tell ANC officials more than what he had told the media, and that he insisted that the police would fully investigate the matter. "He is not giving details beyond what he told the media. He does not want to be held accountable." Ramaphosa previously told the NWC that he would subject himself to an ANC integrity committee process, but News24 understands that he is yet to set a date with the group of party elders. Committee chairperson George Mashamba could not be reached for comment. Another expected point of contention at the NWC is the push for the postponement of the party's policy conference. The conference was planned for the end of July but it hangs in the balance as the ANC battles with funding challenges. An NWC member said, "He wants to postpone the policy conference because we don't have money but the reality is that he is scared of what will happen." The source said the policy conference would be a pivotal launch pad to hold Ramaphosa accountable. "He can't have a policy conference and not explain what happened," a second source said. The push to postpone the conference also comes at a time when influential party leaders have been lobbying to repeal the party's step-aside rule, which calls for party leaders who are criminally charged to vacate their positions. Should Ramaphosa be charged after a Hawks probe into the Phala Phala burglary incident, he too would have to comply with the step-aside rule. An ANC NEC member who is loyal to Ramaphosa said the postponement of the policy conference would be a mistake because it would indicate Ramaphosa's political weakness. The NWC meeting was scheduled for 14:00 and it was preceded by a meeting of officials to discuss the outcome of the controversial Ekurhuleni conference. Ekurhuleni The Ekurhuleni conference had a contentious ending because only preliminary results could be announced after the steering committee overseeing the conference quarantined 19 votes, pending a verification process. The 19 votes, from six branches, were quarantined due to alleged irregularities in how the delegates were allowed to vote, which means the party can only declare the results after the National Dispute Resolution Committee verifies the outstanding votes. Mzwandile Masina received 163 votes against the 151 of his contender, Doctor Xhakza. His slate won all five top official positions. The re-elected provincial secretary, Thembinkosi Nciza, got the most votes, scooping 170 against the 124 of his contender, ANC Women's League leader in the region, Nokuthula Xaba.
The drought-stricken Nelson Mandela Bay metro is set to lose yet another water source when the Churchill Dam is set to run dry on Friday, pushing the residents of four towns further to Day Zero. The water levels at Churchill Dam are sitting close to 8%. Together with Loerie, Kouga, and Goendal, the dam levels are at 11.94%. The dams supply the towns of Gqeberha, Kariega, Despatch, and Colchester. DA councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro who sits on the infrastructure and engineering panel, said projections showed that Churchill Dam would run dry on Friday. Impofu dam ran dry last week and as an interim measure the NMBM is taking more water from the Kouga – Loerie System to make up the deficit. The municipality previously revealed that this can only be done in the short term and advised that in order to make the water in the Churchill Dam stretch, all water users must urgently reduce water consumption. When the dams run dry, taps in 107 areas will have no water. Despite this, the metro said it loses 30% of its water supply to leaking pipes. This is roughly 81 megaliters of clean water per day. Last week, the municipality said it had hired 10 private plumbing companies to bolster its teams of plumbers to tackle the leaks. The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has also joined forces with the municipality and the humanitarian organisation, the Gift of the Givers, to help avert Day Zero. Gift of the Givers has started drilling 10 boreholes and the business chamber has donated water tanks, and their member companies have provided workers to assist. The SA Weather Service's Gqeberha office told News24 that although there were chances of rain on and off over the catchment areas into the weekend, this was not expected to significantly affect or impact dam levels at this stage. On Saturday the metro announced that people had made a fire on a water pipe resulting in a massive pipe burst in Aspen Heights. The municipality said due to maintenance work to seal the massive leak, Bethelsdorp and Aspen Heights areas were expected to face disruption to water supply. "However, the Bethelsdorp reservoir is now at roughly 30% capacity. In the event that storage is depleted before repairs are completed, Bethelsdorp and Aspen Heights may face water outages," municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki said. The municipality has urged residents to use water sparingly and to help the city curb the scourge of vandalism by calling the vandalism hotline at 041 506 5500 to report criminal activity, and acts of vandalism, near municipal property. The municipality has been in the grip of a devastating drought since 2016 as no significant dam-filling rain has fallen in the area for years. The NMB Chamber of Business said while it acknowledge that the lack of rain, which has resulted in low dam levels and has been one of the factors contributing to the water crisis, there were a number of other issues which have further worsened the situation. It said among these factors were a lack of accountability and urgency from municipal leadership in dealing with the water issues, budget procurement, bottlenecks, lack of investment and maintenance of infrastructure, and qualified engineers no longer being employed by the municipality. On Tuesday, a municipal council meeting resolved to approve a national intervention plan proposed by Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu. The plan will result in the appointment of a specialist from Mchunu's office as acting executive director for infrastructure and engineering. This vacancy has been seen as a huge stumbling block in successfully dealing with the water crisis in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will join the virtual fourteenth Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa ) Leaders’ Summit, on Thursday, hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Ramaphosa hopes to strengthen South Africa’s ties with the Brics countries, particularly for job creation. He highlighted the gains from the partnership in trade, tourism, health and food security. More than 17% of South Africa’s exports in 2021 were destined for other Brics countries and over 29% of South Africa’s total imports came from these countries. South African trade with other Brics countries reached R702-billion in 2021 up from R487-billion in 2017. Pre-pandemic, 65% of tourists travelling on vacation to South Africa were from Brics countries, according to Ramaphosa. “.these markets will therefore be expected to make an important contribution to the recovery of this sector. It is therefore significant that visitors from India and China can now make use of our new eVisa programme to make it easier and less costly to visit our country,” he said. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Brics countries have collaborated in the health response, which Ramaphosa believes has put South Africa in a good position to deal with future health emergencies. “After several years of planning, the virtual Brics Vaccine Research and Development Centre was launched in March. This centre will enable Brics countries to engage in joint vaccine research, development and co-production. It will contribute to the equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, strengthen health systems and help our countries to respond to future pandemics,” Ramaphosa said. Brics Bank, also known as the New Development Bank, has provided $2-billion to each of its member countries to support economic recovery during the pandemic. Meanwhile, as food prices rise across the world, owing to Russia’s war against Ukraine, Brics has implemented a Food Security Cooperation strategy to maintain agriculture production; maintain an unhindered supply of seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs; and maintain access to markets and the stable functioning of food value chains. “The value of South Africa’s membership of Brics has grown substantially since we joined this group of emerging economies 12 years ago. As we work to rebuild our country in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is much to be gained from our participation in Brics and the relationships we have established with other member countries," Ramaphosa said.
While President Cyril Ramaphosa had the country locked down in June 2020, leaving millions unable to earn a living, he was using taxpayer money to pursue the thieves who stole US dollars from his Limpopo game farm. This is according to Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, who has called on the president to end his silence on the matter. Ramaphosa came under fire after former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid a criminal complaint against him following the break-in at his farm on 9 February 2020. In his affidavit submitted in June, Fraser claimed that Ramaphosa conspired with the head of Presidential Protection Unit, Major-General Wally Rhoode, to track down the men behind the robbery instead of reporting the matter to the police. Fraser named Imanuwela David, Errki Shikongo, Petrus Muhekeni, Urbanus Shaumbwako and Petrus Afrikaner as the perpetrators of the heist. Fraser claimed that the men conspired with the domestic worker to steal the money which was hidden in a couch. The men were found in Namibia and allegedly tortured, along with the domestic worker, who reportedly conspired with the men to arrange the burglary. Steenhuisen referred to a Namibian Police (Nampol) statement, which confirmed a meeting with the SAPS in June 2020. "Clearly, President Ramaphosa has something to hide. He needs to stop hiding behind the false cover of a 'pending investigation' and explain to the nation why he failed to report this massive theft and why he used state resources to try to retrieve his dirty dollars. "President Ramaphosa is not just dragging his own name through the mud. This scandal is incredibly damaging to South Africa’s image abroad," he said. According to Nampol, David illegally entered Namibia through an ungazetted entry point near Noordoewer in the Karas region by canoe via the Orange River. He was then assisted by a police officer identified as Sergeant Hendrick Hidipo Nghede from the Tourism Protection sub-division in Luderitz and Paulus Alfeus Ngalangi, the acting CEO of FishCor in Luderitz to get to Windhoek. Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga said, "The trio drove to Windhoek in the acting CEO’s BMW X5 and arrived after midnight." He said David was arrested at a hotel in Windhoek on charges of violating the Immigration Control Act and the State of Emergency Regulation that were in place at the time. Ndeitunga said he was found in possession of N$300, eleven 100 US dollar notes, a TAG Hauer watch worth N$28 000, a Rolex watch worth N$280 000, a gold chain worth N$163 000, and four cellphones. David pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of N$5 000 or 12 months imprisonment for violating the Immigration Control Act. He was further fined N$15 000 or 24 months imprisonment under the Customs and Excise Act for failure to declare goods. Ndeitunga said David paid a fine of N$20 000 and was released. Steenhuisen also said voters should not protect Ramaphosa out of fear of even worse African National Congress (ANC) leaders waiting in the wings. "The ANC is dying anyway. Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal is damaging the South African economy and our prospects for creating jobs for the unemployed youth he professes to care about. His Presidency has been characterised as one of consistently putting party before country,” he said. Ramaphosa has repeatedly said that he will not comment on the matter until due process is completed.
The Presidency has confirmed reports by the Kremlin press service that Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Cyril Ramaphosa had a telephonic conversation on Wednesday to discuss food security. Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told News24 on Friday morning that the call took place and that the two leaders held a discussion on issues of trade and investment. "Yes, the conversation took place in the context of the upcoming BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit. The two leaders discussed trade and investment between their respective countries," said Magwenya. According to a Kremlin press release, the telephonic conversation between the two leaders centred around supplies of agricultural products and fertilisers to Africa after Russia's invasion of Ukraine scrambled global markets. "Issues of food security, including supplies of Russian agricultural products and fertilisers to the African continent, in particular to South Africa, were discussed in detail," the statement read. The presidents "also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine," it added. "The importance of joint work within the framework of the BRICS group in order to further strengthen the role of this association in world politics and the economy was noted," the statement read. The Kremlin said Ramaphosa had initiated the call and that the two leaders had agreed to maintain contact. On Thursday, the Russian News Agency reported that Russia was cooperating with its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and BRICS nations in the green energy area. This was according to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin, who was reported to have made the revelation at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday. "As far as international cooperation is concerned, the climate agenda is relevant in the EAEU. This is a strong integration, containing 180-million people and five integrated economies, with observers and partners. "It is developing in the same directions that are on the international agenda, from project cooperation, own energy to various areas of services, banking, insurance, investment with the prefix 'green'," he said. BRICS nations were actively discussing this topic, and "a platform allowing both the research and project work in the future on renewable energy and hydrogen energy is being created," Pankin was quoted as saying. Earlier this week, during a debate by members of the National Assembly on rising fuel prices, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe suggested that South Africa should look no further than Russia to source cheap crude oil despite mounting international sanctions being imposed on the country for its invasion of Ukraine. "We should consider importing crude oil from Russia at a low price because it is not sanctioned. Of all the sanctions, there are no sanctions against crude oil, so we can import crude oil from Russia at a lower price," Mantashe said. Mantashe said that the country should also look at other solutions like gas and oil exploration.
The Namibian Police Force (Nampol) has denied doing "dirty work" for President Cyril Ramaphosa in relation to some US$4-million in cash that was stolen from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo. Ramaphosa has come under fire after former spy boss Arthur Fraser laid a criminal complaint against him following the break-in on 9 February 2020. In his affidavit submitted in June, Fraser claimed that Ramaphosa had conspired with the head of the Presidential Protection Unit Major General Wally Rhoode to track down the men behind the cash robbery, instead of reporting the matter to the police. Fraser named Imanuwela David, Errki Shikongo, Petrus Muhekeni, Urbanus Shaumbwako and Petrus Afrikaner as the perpetrators of the farm heist. Fraser claimed that the men conspired with a domestic worker to steal the money, which had been hidden in a couch. The men were found in Namibia and allegedly tortured, along with the domestic worker, who reportedly conspired with the men to arrange the theft. But in a statement released on Thursday, Namibian police denied the torture and abduction of David. According to Nampol, David entered Namibia illegally by canoe via the Orange River through an ungazetted entry point near Noordoewer in the Karas region. He was then assisted by a police officer identified as Sergeant Hendrick Hidipo Nghede, from the Tourism Protection sub-division in Luderitz, and Paulus Alfeus Ngalangi, acting CEO of FishCor in Luderitz, to get to Windhoek. "The trio drove to Windhoek in the acting CEO's BMW X5 and arrived after midnight," Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga said. He said David was arrested at a hotel in Windhoek on charges of violating the Immigration Control Act and the State of Emergency Regulation that was in place at the time. Ndeitunga said he was found in possession of N$300, eleven 100 US dollar notes, a TAG Hauer watch worth N$28 000, a Rolex watch worth N$280 000, a gold chain worth N$163 000, and four cellphones. David also tested positive for Covid-19. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a fine of N$5 000 or 12 months' imprisonment for violating the Immigration Control Act. He was further fined N$15 000 or 24 months' imprisonment under the Customs and Excise Act for failure to declare goods. Ndeitunga said David paid the fine of N$20 000 and was released. According to Nampol, immigration officials issued David with a 48-hour notice to leave the country and he subsequently left Namibia via the Noordoewer Border Post on 14 November. Nghede and Ngalangi were also arrested and charged under the Immigration Control Act, aiding and abetting illegal immigration, and contravention of the Anti-Corruption Act. Their trial was postponed to August. "It is worth noting that indeed the two police authorities met on 19 June 2020 at what is termed 'no-mans' (sic) land near Noordoewer to share operational information pertaining to David Imanuwela and other Namibian nationals suspected to have stolen money in South Africa and fled to Namibia. "The Namibian Police Force identified individuals, bank accounts and various properties, including lodges, houses and vehicles, suspected to have been purchased with the proceeds of crime, and consulted the Office of the Prosecutor General to consider a preservation order of the assets," Ndeitunga said. Ndeitunga said a preservation order was issued, and a formal request was made through the Ministry of Justice to South Africa to confirm whether a crime had been registered in South Africa. "However, no response was received from SA authorities, resulting in the cancellation of the preservation order and release of the assets." The statement by the Namibian police calls into question the actions of the South African authorities and their pursuit of the matter.
Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola has denied that South African authorities are at the mercy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government in relation to the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta to South Africa to face charges related to the looting of State funds. Lamola said it should be noted that extradition can be a protracted legal process that is also a policy-centric and politically diplomatic process across the globe. The Gupta brothers fled the country as the news surfaced during the State Capture Commission, led by Justice Raymond Zondo, that they allegedly looted State funds under the Jacob Zuma administration, dubbed the “nine wasted years”. Speaking to a local media broadcaster, Lamola gave assurance that the brothers would definitely come back to South Africa, although it could take time. He said the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) was preparing the extradition papers that his department will be sending to UAE counterparts, through diplomatic channels, within 60 days, as per the extradition treaty. He said court processes on whether the pair were extraditable or not were also due to take place. It has been reported that the brothers were placed on Interpol’s red notice list last year for the R25-million Nulane investments matter. “Our role is to convey a diplomatic engagement between ourselves and the central authority in the UAE. The NPA is dealing with the charges, evidence and other processes. Our obligation will be to ensure that the papers are in line with the extradition treaty as we take them to the UAE,” explained Lamola. He said the extradition treaty allowed for the NPA to provide charges that they believed comprised extraditable conduct and that they believed they can prove in court beyond any reasonable doubt. Lamola said the bail application would be discussed by the NPA and their counterparts in the UAE. “We want to ensure that the process is not contaminated by unnecessary ulterior motives. It must be informed by the law, the NPA Act and the Extradition Act of our country and the extradition treaty between the UAE and South Africa. It is important that we are compliant with the treaty,” stressed Lamola.
Former spy boss turned apparent whistleblower Arthur Fraser has met with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) to provide more information on the theft that took place on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in Limpopo in 2020. Details of the new information he has furnished to the Hawks have not been revealed. Ramaphosa is facing heavy criticism for not reporting the alleged theft of large sums of foreign currency. Fraser, also known to be a staunch supporter of former President Jacob Zuma, has also opened a case against Ramaphosa for allegedly contravening the Code of Ethics. Fraser authorised Zuma’s parole following the former President’s arrest, which is widely believed to have been the spark in the looting and death across KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng earlier this year. Fraser said he appreciated the level of professionalism and speed at which the Hawks had responded to the matter.
There has been no improvement in the audits of South Africa's municipalities, Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke has announced, with only 41 out of SA's 257 municipalities receiving clean audits. Of the 41, 22 were in the Western Cape, two in Gauteng, five in the Northern Cape, four in the Eastern Cape, one in Limpopo, four in Mpumalanga and three in KwaZulu-Natal. For the fifth year running, not a single Free State municipality received a clean audit. Meanwhile, only a quarter of municipalities submitted their financial statements to her office on time. "What we see looking at this year's audit outcomes is there is no improvement in the status of transparency, accountability, performance or integrity of local government," said Maluleke. She said that compared to five years ago, 61 municipalities had improved their audit outcomes, while 56 had regressed. This showed that her office's interventions to improve financial management were not being taken seriously. "There hasn't been much movement in the right direction." The AG said that poor or non-existent record-keeping was again bedevilling many municipalities, who often employed expensive consultants to try to make sense of their financials. At times, she said these consultants were employed to do the "very basics," such as VAT and tax returns, even though the municipalities have staff to do this. The Chris Hani municipality in the Eastern Cape, for example, paid a consultant R34-million for VAT submissions. "You have to ask the question, where is the municipal manager? Where is the mayor?" Worst of the worst Maluleke said that 25 municipalities received a disclaimer audit opinion from her office, while nine didn't even submit enough information for an opinion to be hazarded. A disclaimer is the worst result a municipality can receive from the AG, indicating that its financial statements have no value. "If you are unable to do the very basic thing of showing what you have done with public funds, it demonstrates that you have no commitment to living up to your moral obligation to serve as a steward," she said. "It shows that you have absolutely no will in drive transparency and no interest in demonstrating accountability," She said her office dug into the financial statements of 10 of the worst municipalities to see if they could follow the trail of what they did with their money. For six of these municipalities, her office could not find out who was paid or calculate the rand value of what they spent. "We are none the wiser about where the money is gone," she said.
Kulula.com and local British Airways operator Comair was placed in provisional liquidation by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The liquidation is necessary for Comair to preserve its fleet of aircraft, valued at about R3.5-billion, for the benefit of creditors, according to the company's business rescue practitioners (BRPs). All affected parties have until 26 July to provide the court with reasons why the provisional liquidation order should not be made a final order. Comair cannot pay aircraft storage, maintenance and insurance costs, so it cannot ensure the preservation of its fleet anymore. That is one of the reasons why its BRPs made an urgent high court application for its liquidation. Comair operated its own low-cost airline, kulula.com, and domestic and regional British Airways flights as part of a franchise agreement, and accounted for some 40% of the domestic aviation market. It had to suspend flights on 31 May this year when it could not meet its financial obligations anymore. "We are of the view that there is no longer a reasonable prospect of rescuing Comair so asking to discontinue business rescue and place it in liquidation. There is no longer a fair or moderate possibility of substantially implementing Comair's approved business rescue plan," BRP Richard Ferguson states in court documents. "The company does not have access to any further funding necessary to fund its operational costs and cannot meet any of its obligations towards its funding creditors and trade creditors." Court documents show that Comair had a net loss of almost R500 000 for the year to end-February 2020, compared to a net profit of almost R900 000 for the prior year. Its total debt had increased from R2.2-billion at the end of June 2015 to R4.9-billion at 31 December 2019. Its debt burden had been growing partly because of a disastrous order of Boeing 737 Max planes. Then it was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and related hard lockdowns in March 2020. Consequently, Comair decided to go into business rescue in May 2020, halting flights, and its business rescue plan was adopted in September 2020. The plan anticipated that about 1 800 jobs will be preserved if Comair could be returned to sustainability. The Comair Rescue Consortium (CRC) comprising several former Comair board members and executives, among others, invested R500-million for a 99% share of the equity in the company. Comair resumed flying on 1 December 2020. In April 2021 it was delisted from the JSE. The delisting allowed the company to apply for funding of R100-million under the Covid-19 loan guarantee scheme put in place by the SA Reserve Bank and large commercial banks at the time. Due to Covid-19 adjusted level 4 lockdown restrictions imposed by government for leisure travel to and from Gauteng from the end of June 2021 to the end of July 2021 and Comair suspending flights from 5 July 2021, the company did not generate any revenue during that period. It recommenced flights on on 1 September 2021 but still required funding. It then sold its Slow Lounge airport lounge business to FirstRand for R250-million. In December 2021 the Omicron variant and consequent international travel bans - especially by the UK - had a severe impact on flown revenue of Comair compared to projected revenue for the holiday season. Comair lost about R100-million in previously booked but unflown revenue during this period. Consequently, its financial position worsened and further funding became necessary to continue operations on a sustainable basis. By January 2022 Comair required at least a further R500-million in funding. Investors provided $8-million (about R120-million) in March this year but Comair required at least R125-million more by 30 May. Neither investors nor lenders were prepared to provide any more funding and "confidential engagements" with other potential investors came to nothing. A further blow came when in February this year Russia invaded Ukraine and oil prices...
Eskom warned on Tuesday afternoon that load-shedding may be implemented at short notice during the evenings this week, should there be any significant breakdowns. Eskom said there's a continued shortage of generation capacity, and that the power system will be very constrained on Tuesday evening and the next few days. Should there be any further significant breakdowns, load-shedding may be required at short notice, most likely during the evening peak of between 17:00 and 22:00. Some 3 307MW in electricity capacity is out due to planned maintenance, while another 15 844MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns. "Eskom cautions the public that as the shortage of generation capacity persists, the system will continue to be constrained with an elevated risk of load-shedding over the coming weeks." The utility asked consumers to use electricity sparingly especially between 05:00 and 09:00 in the mornings and 16:00 and 22:00 in the evenings. South Africa was last hit by load-shedding two weeks ago.
South Africa has welcomed a R7.6-billion “low-interest” loan from the World Bank to support the country’s procurement of 47-million Covid-19 vaccine doses, as the country remains the epicenter of the pandemic in Africa, with the highest cumulative numbers of infections and deaths. As of Wednesday, 536 new Covid-19 cases have been identified in South Africa, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 979 126, and 25 deaths were reported. Over 36.4-million vaccine doses have been administered as of Monday, with about 50.3% of adults and 29.9% of 12- to 17-year-olds vaccinated. However, government wants to increase vaccine coverage to curb the spread of the virus and boost the country’s economic recovery. The South African government requested assistance in the form of a loan to finance vaccine procurement contracts, which will retroactively finance the procurement of 47-million Covid-19 vaccine doses. National Treasury acting director-general Ismail Momoniat explained that the loan formed part of government efforts to reduce debt service costs. “South Africa welcomes this EUR 454.4-million World Bank loan to support Covid-19 vaccination as the spread of the virus continues to pose a threat to South Africa’s citizens, health system, and economic recovery. The loan forms part of government efforts to reduce debt service costs by making use of cheaper sources of funding through multilateral development banks, whilst supporting the health system to respond to Covid-19 through the roll-out of vaccines, critical research, and treatment measures," said Momoniat. Treasury said the loan to procure vaccines would help government better cope with the pandemic and help create the fiscal space to strengthen the country’s health system and ensure financial and institutional sustainability. World Bank country director for South Africa Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly said the loan would help with the country’s goal of vaccinating 70% of the population.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has ordered an investigation into allegations that female Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs were sexually assaulted during last week’s fracas with Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS) personnel. Last Thursday and Friday, the National Assembly convened for the presidency budget vote, delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but was subjected to repeated points of orders by the EFF, who later violently clashed with security officials. Allegations that female EFF MPs were touched on their private parts as they were removed from the parliamentary chamber and the assault of PPS staff are the critical matters of the probe. The sittings descended into chaos when several EFF MPs were violently removed from the chamber, preventing Ramaphosa from proceeding with his speech for hours. Last Friday, during Ramaphosa's reply to the speech, matters worsened when female EFF MPs fought with female security officials. At the same time, their male counterparts threw punches and resisted being thrown out by security officials. Mapisa-Nqakula ordered the removal of the EFF MPs following their disruptive conduct and repeatedly raising points of orders over Ramaphosa's presence in the National Assembly, given the farm theft allegations against him. On Monday, Mapisa-Nqakula's office confirmed EFF deputy leader and chief whip Floyd Shivambu submitted a complaint calling on Mapisa-Nqakula to conduct an investigation into the "allegations of gender-based violence" committed against female EFF MPs by PPS personnel. Parliament's spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said, "Amongst those allegedly violated during both sittings on the debate of vote 1: presidency budget vote and reply to the debate by the president are Babalwa Mathulelwa, Noluvuyo Tafeni and Naledi Chirwa. The three are amongst EFF MPs who had to be removed from the chamber for a highly disruptive behaviour which saw the debate on the presidency budget vote delayed by over an hour and the subsequent reply by the president the day after being temporarily suspended." Chirwa was one of the vocal EFF MPs who claimed that female MPs were touched on their private parts as they were removed from the chamber. Given this allegation, Mapisa-Nqakula ordered on Friday that only female security officers remove female MPs. Mapisa-Nqakula also received reports that two PPS personnel, Khunjulwa Sinono and Khaya Honey Vanqa, suffered abuse, assault and intimidation from the EFF MPs during their removal process. "Sinono, in particular, sustained an injury to her face after being allegedly assaulted by a male EFF MP. She immediately received medical attention, and both have since opened criminal cases with the Cape Town [central police [station]. Gender-based violence, whether committed against female Members of Parliament or female members of staff, must be condemned in the strongest terms," Mothapo said. Rules for MPs: MPs may not engage in grossly disorderly conduct in the chamber and its forums. Should an MP refuse to leave the chamber when ordered, a presiding officer must instruct the Serjeant-at-Arms to remove the MP from the chamber and the parliamentary precincts. If the Serjeant-at-Arms is unable in person to effect the removal of the MP, the presiding officer may call upon the PPS to assist in removing the MP from the chamber and the precincts of Parliament. If an MP resists attempts to be removed from the chamber, the Serjeant-at-Arms and the PPS may use such force as may be reasonably necessary to overcome any resistance. Furthermore, Mothapo said the forceful removal of disruptive MPs was not a decision taken lightly. "It is taken as a last resort after all other avenues have been explored to protect the rights of the rest of the public representatives to fulfil their constitutional obligations and that of the public, whose hopes and aspirations for a better future rests with Parliament, to have the institution perform its business," he said. Mot...
South Africa will oppose any request for bail made by the two Gupta brothers after their arrest in Dubai this month, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said. South Africa plans to request extradition for the Guptas, who are accused of working with former President Jacob Zuma to steal billions of dollars from the government. Lamola spoke in an interview on Johannesburg’s 702 Talk Radio on Monday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that government will continue to champion programmes and initiatives that limit the impact of unemployment on young people until the private sector starts creating more jobs at scale. One of these initiatives is the Social Employment Fund, launched through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which will create 50 000 new work opportunities in its first phase. Eighty-four per cent of participants in the programmes are youth and 62% are women. Ramaphosa said while government had made progress in creating opportunities for young people in basic and higher education, millions of young people remained unemployed. Youth unemployment in South Africa is currently at 66.5%. “While the latest employment figures give some cause for optimism – some 370 000 jobs were created in the first quarter of this year – we still have a huge mountain to climb in our quest to create more jobs, especially for young people. No society can expect to grow or thrive when the vast majority of its young people are out of work,” said Ramaphosa. The Social Employment Fund will partner with non-governmental organisations to kickstart a new approach to public employment in areas that include community safety, food kitchens, urban agriculture, early childhood development and gender-based violence. Ramaphosa said social employment sees people in communities as valuable resources for development. “We have many real problems to address – from improving waste collection to creating safe and beautiful public spaces – that require work, and many people who are eager to do it. Not only does social employment provide an income for participants by supporting locally-driven initiatives to fulfil local needs; social employment can also unlock creativity and agency, build local participation and strengthen mutual support systems in communities,” he said. Meanwhile, the National Youth Service programme will create another 50 000 jobs for unemployed youth. The President called on business to help in the effort to combat unemployment by hiring young workers, using the Employee Tax Incentive and by supporting small businesses owned by young people.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen on Friday said the party has taken what he calls "historic and unprecedented legal action" against the African National Congress (ANC) and its cadre deployment policy. Steenhuisen has filed court papers with the North Gauteng High Court to have the ANC’s cadre deployment policy declared unconstitutional and illegal. On Wednesday, the DA presented its End Cadre Deployment Bill to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration. Steenhuisen said the court action was “war” against the ANC. He was joined by DA Gauteng provincial leader Solly Msimanga, DA shadow minister of public services and administration Leon Schreiber, and DA national spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube. Steenhuisen claimed that cadre deployment was the root cause of widespread municipal collapse, State capture and “grand corruption”. Steenhuisen said the party’s legal papers showed evidence of how the ANC used cadre deployment to capture the State, extract public resources, and evade accountability. He blamed the ANC’s deployment of members such as Brian Molefe to positions such as Eskom CEO as one of the reasons why the utility is in such turmoil today. “This legal action is historic and unprecedented because it is the first time ever that the ANC’s own policies are being challenged in court. The DA is at war with the ANC itself and with the way it operates as a criminal syndicate,” Steenhuisen stated. He said the DA had always maintained that the policy of cadre deployment had enabled the “racketeering operation that is the ANC’s patronage network”. He added that cadre deployment had harmed the country’s society immensely, especially the poor. “We fight this war on behalf of ordinary South Africans who have borne the brunt of this policy for many years, in the form of load-shedding, exorbitant fuel and electricity prices, bad service delivery, a stagnant economy, high unemployment, collapsing infrastructure, and endemic corruption at all levels of government. It is, at heart, a war on poverty,” Steenhuisen said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that if charges were brought against him relating to the handling of the theft of money from his Limpopo farm, then processes of the African National Congress (ANC) would take place. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser divulged that a theft, involving significant amounts foreign currency, took place on Ramaphosa’s farm in 2020. He has opened charges against the President for failing to report the theft, in breach of the Ethics Code. Ramaphosa addressed the media on Friday following his appearance in the National Assembly where he said he is following the process outlined by the ANC at its 54th Congress. When asked if he would follow the step aside rule he said he will wait for the police investigations to be carried out first. He said he has also made himself available to the ANC Integrity Committee to discuss the theft. He is awaiting a date to appear before the committee. “If I step aside, it will be confirming that I am guilty,” said Ramaphosa. When asked about Fraser opening a case against him, Ramaphosa said Fraser has a right to report criminality if he saw fit, as it is the right of any South African citizen to do so. On the suspension of the Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane he said the matter was already on the table as early as March. He dismissed the argument that Mkhwebane was suspended because the farm theft matter was referred to her office by the African Transformation Movement. Ramaphosa explained that he had given the Public Protector more than 10 days to outline why she should not be suspended. He reiterated that the work of the Public Protector will be taken over by her deputy and will not be affected. ECONOMY The President said he is looking forward to BRICS discussions on South Africa having a Covid-19 vaccination centre and discussions on strengthening trade. BRICS involves five major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The meeting will also receive a briefing from Russian President Vladimir Putin who is currently invading Ukraine. On the issue of Comair liquidation he said it has to do with the limited resources that government has and the ability to be able to support the companies broadly. He said it is always not good thing for companies to collapse and that government must look at all industries microscopically to understand the challenges and the needs of the sectors.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said on Friday she would challenge her “suspicious and legally questionable suspension” by President Cyril Ramaphosa as she faced another legal blow following Friday’s High Court judgment that found against her. Mkhwebane tried to interdict National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Section 194 Committee from taking any further steps in the impeachment process against her. She also tried to interdict Ramaphosa from suspending her. Ramaphosa announced his decision to suspend Mkhwebane on Thursday evening, before the High Court judgment was handed down. The Public Protector said she would challenge Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend her, claiming it was done in contempt of court. “I will also challenge suspicious and legally questionable suspension decision made yesterday, more particularly in so far as it was done in apparent contempt of court, in breach of undertakings made to me by the President via his lawyers and by a President who is now even more conflicted given the more recent Glencore and Phala Phala complaints/investigations,” Mkhwebane said in a statement. Meanwhile, Parliament said on Friday it agreed with the High Court judgment The Court dismissed the application for urgent interim relief, with a personal costs order against her. “We agree with the court that held that the application fell overwhelmingly short of the requirements of interdictory relief because she has not shown even a prima facie right that should prevent the Committee from continuing with the impeachment process. Further, any interdict would cause inordinate delays, the court reasoned, which would cause serious prejudice against the separation of powers and the public interest,” said Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. This comes after the Constitutional Court held that Parliament may proceed with the enquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, provided it made provision for the Public Protector’s legal practitioner or other expert assisting her to participate in the Committee. Mkhwebane said she remained hopeful and optimistic that one day justice will be done and that the truth will come out. “There will indeed be much needed accountability by all those entrusted with very serious Constitutional powers including the President, Speaker the judiciary and the Public Protector,” she said.
Disputing Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's comments that there were no applications for access to flood relief funds and resources, eThekwini Deputy Mayor Philani Mavundla said the national government was playing games. Mavundla said on Thursday, "We submitted an application and that application was directed to [the] KZN government, which then submitted it to national government, and there is an acknowledgement of that." eThekwini was hit the hardest by recent flooding in the province, with about 350 people dead, many people missing and billions in infrastructure damage. Godongwana told the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Flood Disaster Relief on Wednesday that there was R1-billion available for relief after the floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape in April, but that the money had still not been accessed. The money is in the form of grants and there are specific conditions attached to it. Various national departments need to request the money from National Treasury. Committee co-chairperson, China Dodovu, said it was "unacceptable" that departments did not coordinate at a national level. But Mavundla said the national government was playing blame games while people were still suffering. "There is a blame game, which is unfortunately wrong, because they have every bit of information we have submitted to Treasury, human settlements, as well as national cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta). We also have meetings that have been recorded and we have been told there is an outstanding document. I learnt about this (Godongwana's claim) two days ago while reading the news. Even the chair of the ad hoc committee for floods was surprised. I am here to say we have submitted, and I have proof," he said. Mavundla added that he was disappointed in the national government and the finance minister. "We can go on record to say we are disturbed and disappointed in the way the SA government is dealing with the people of KZN and eThekwini, in particular. "If the finance minister turns around and says South Africans, we cannot fill in application forms being a metro with an estimated four-million people, it means we are the wrong people to be in power. That is what it is telling you." He spoke about the relief work the City did. "As a municipality, we have already started repairs, providing the people of Tongaat with water. We have been doing work in Durban South out of the money allocated for other activities in the city. "National government is busy playing the games. We feel we must be told what we are getting or not getting. We just passed a City budget and reprioritised where we are supposed to. People are still languishing in halls and it is clear that national government does not care."
Police are on high alert nationally amid threats of a national shutdown on Friday, and a spokesperson says law enforcement officers have been deployed to "prevent and combat any forms of criminality". In a statement, the police said they were aware of "unsigned messages and posters circulating on various social media platforms calling for a national shutdown". "Those behind these messages are warned and reminded that prohibiting people's freedom of movement is a criminal offence. Members of the public are therefore cautioned against spreading such messages that seek to mobilise communities to respond to the shutdown," National police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said. Mathe said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) met on Wednesday for a briefing by the Intelligence Coordinating Committee on the credibility of the calls for a national shutdown. "The intelligence community is closely monitoring the situation and the associated risks. With this said, law enforcement officers have been deployed and are on high alert to prevent and combat any forms of criminality," said Mathe. The protests are reportedly linked to the recent spike in fuel prices and associated increases in taxi fares. Petrol prices increased by R2.43 per litre last week. The cost of diesel climbed by more than R1 a litre. The shutdown also sparked calls for school closures, but Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the department would proceed with normal schooling on Friday. He said the department was aware of the reports of a shutdown. "We trust that the law enforcement agencies will do their work to manage the situation," he said. Meanwhile, two taxi associations – the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and the National Taxi Alliance – have been linked to the national protest action. However, both associations have distanced themselves from the shutdown rumours. Santaco chief strategic manager Bafana Magagula was not available for comment at the time of publication. However, the organisation said on social media that it would not be part of any mass action on Friday. "Santaco has never lobbied any organisation for a national shutdown and is not even planning any shutdown. We still, however, hold the strongest view that there's an urgent intervention needed from [government], and this despite looming taxi fare increases," the organisation said in a tweet. National Taxi Alliance spokesperson Theo Malele said the organisation would not participate in any protest action. "We first want to ensure that we've exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the government. Only if that fails will we look at forging ahead with like-minded businesses and civil society groups to plan a national shutdown. We don't know who is planning Friday's shutdown," Malele added. Malele said the organisation was forced to consider an increase in taxi fares due to rising fuel costs, and this was likely to be made public within the next three weeks. "It's most unfortunate but we now finally have to increase fares. We've been forced to increase fares by circumstances beyond us. Some members of the industry are losing their cars because they can't meet their financial obligations, directly because of pressures of fuel prices skyrocketing," he added. In a statement, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport welcomed the decision by the taxi industry not to participate in the shutdown. The department said the taxi industry had agreed on an urgent engagement with the government to find measures to mitigate the impact of ongoing petrol price hikes on their operations. The meeting is expected to take place on Friday. Labour union Cosatu was also linked to the protest but said it had no plans to embark on any mass action. "Cosatu would need to engage affiliates for a mandate. Affiliates would have to engage members and workers to receive a mandate. Workers would need to be balloted. A Section 77 certificate would need to be a...
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said on Thursday there is no guarantee that Atul and Rajesh Gupta will be brought to South Africa following their arrest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gungubele briefed the media on the outcomes of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. “I wouldn’t say there is a guarantee because that is not a simple process by the way,” he said. Gungubele explained while negotiations between the UAE and South Africa were under way, until they were concluded, the South African government did not know whether the Gupta brothers would be extradited to face charges. The brothers fled South Africa to Dubai following Jacob Zuma’s recall as President in 2018. The government has said at least R500-billion was stolen during Zuma’s nine-year presidency. The kingpins behind State capture during Zuma’s Presidency were arrested as a result of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of the South African government earlier this year. “I will be surprised, taking into account the principles and the code of the Interpol Red Notice, because Interpol is to make sure that countries work together in dealing with crime, I will be surprised if it does not lead to [the Gupta brother’s] coming to South Africa. I will also be surprised if they are not arrested on the basis of exactly what they did in South Africa,” said Gungubele. RAMAPHOSA’S FARM THEFT Gungubele said Cabinet had given the go-ahead to law enforcement agencies to investigate the theft of an alleged $4-million from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser has laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa for allegedly contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for failing to report the theft in 2020. Fraser alleged that $4-million was stolen and that the thieves were kidnapped, interrogated and paid to stay silent about the ordeal. Gungubele said Cabinet would deal with the matter when there was clarity on the outcomes. “We were briefed because already the matter of the robbery in the President’s precinct is under the law enforcement agencies, they are actually investigating the matter. Financial institutions are investigating the matter and the approach is that let’s leave it to all those institutions until we are clarified what the outcome is going be, then we can actually cross that bridge when we reach it,” said Gungubele. Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has called on Ramaphosa to take a leave of absence and step aside as per the rules of the African National Congress, to allow for investigations into the matter. Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has started a probe into whether Ramaphosa violated the Executive Members Ethics Act after a complaint was laid against him by African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula for allegedly breaching the code by not reporting the robbery.
The R1-billion flood relief government has available to provide relief after April's floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape still haven't been accessed, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Flood Disaster Relief on Wednesday. National Treasury hasn't received any requests to access these funds. The money is in the form of grants, with specific conditions attached. The national departments needs to request the money from National Treasury. Committee co-chairperson China Dodovu said it is "very unacceptable" that departments have not coordinated at national level. Inkatha Freedom Party MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa said it appears National Treasury isn't accepting any responsibility. "Unfortunately, Mr Hlengwa, I refuse to take any responsibility if people can't submit anything, a document, to us. And we can't accept any responsibility. We can't just dish out money without a document," Godongwana responded. On Wednesday, Deputy President David Mabuza will answer questions about the disaster relief in the National Assembly.
South Africa’s government plans to file a request with the United Arab Emirates for the extradition of two fugitive businessmen wanted on charges of money laundering and fraud within two months. Cooperation between the authorities on returning Rajesh and Atul Gupta to South Africa is “proceeding well,” Ministry of Justice spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said by phone from Pretoria, the capital, on Wednesday. In terms of a treaty signed between South Africa and the UAE in June 2021, South Africa has 60 days in which to lodge its extradition request and it “will be filed long before the 60 days are up,” he said. The Dubai police announced the arrest of the two Gupta brothers on Tuesday. The men allegedly masterminded the looting of billions of dollars from South African state entities during former President Jacob Zuma’s nine-year rule.
Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s office has confirmed that it has received a complaint in terms of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act (EMEA) against President Cyril Ramaphosa for allegedly breaching the Executive Code of Ethics. Public Protector spokesperson Oupa Segalwe says the complaint from African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula relates to Ramaphosa’s alleged conduct relating to allegations of criminal activities at one of his properties. It has been widely reported that an alleged $4-million was stolen from Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm in 2020 and that the thieves were kidnapped, interrogated and paid to stay silent about the ordeal. While the Presidency confirmed that money from the sale of game was stolen, it denied any criminal wrongdoing on the part of the President. The Public Protector’s office said the investigation has commenced with letters already written to sources of information, including Ramaphosa. The ATM recently, unsuccessfully, attempted to force the Speaker of Parliament to hold a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa. Meanwhile, Segalwe explained that the Public Protector is the only institution that can enforce the Executive Code of Ethics. The Public Protector’s office has 30 days to investigate the complaint and submit a report on the alleged breach of the Executive Code of Ethics. Usually this report would be sent to the President if the complaint was made against a Member of Cabinet, a Premier or a Deputy Minister. “Due to the silence of the EMEA when it comes to the appropriate recipient of the report in case the complaint is against the President, the Public Protector has previously had to improvise and send it to the Speaker of the National Assembly,” said Segalwe. The recipient of the report will then have 14 days to comment on the report or take any recommended action to the National Assembly.
Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) executive director Ann Bernstein explained on Tuesday that South Africa cannot afford a Basic Income Grant (BIG), as it would be a “reckless, losing gamble with history”. She was speaking during the release of the CDE’s ‘Poverty and a Basic Income Grant: Six questions about a BIG’ report, which highlighted that, in contrast to what proponents of a BIG claim, it would actually slow economic growth. “Poverty rates in South Africa are exceptionally high and it is possible that the incomes of over 60% of people fall below the poverty line. In this context, and with growing reports of child hunger, it is not surprising that people want to see much more spending on social grants,” she said. Bernstein noted, however, that government’s finances were already unsustainable, and that a large and permanent new spending programme would worsen matters. South Africa redistributes a greater share of gross domestic product (GDP) than other developing countries. As a share of GDP, cash transfers are three times larger than the average for the developing world. While cash transfers to poor households would increase their spending, the higher taxes or increased borrowing needed to finance a BIG would slow the economy and worsen economic sustainability, the report explained. “Slower growth and increased borrowing would increase the debt ratio. Since 2008, government’s debt has risen from about 26% of GDP to about 70% – a rise that is among the steepest in the world,” Bernstein said. Further, she mentioned that there was no consensus about how much a BIG would cost. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant costs about R44-billion a year, but proponents of a BIG want a much larger grant for which more people would be eligible, likely costing between R200-billion and R300-billion a year, Bernstein averred. She said while some people thought that implementing a BIG was just a matter of raising taxes, she explained that higher taxes will slow growth and reduce employment. She added that the slowdown in growth would make the rest of government’s spending even less affordable than it is and the consequences of that would be terrible for the poor. The report noted that faster economic growth was essential for stabilising the country’s public finances, and would also make greater spending on social grants more affordable. “But you can’t spend money as if growth has already accelerated. If you did that, you could tip the economy into fiscal or financial crisis, which would only make the prospects of the poor even worse,” she said. She noted that there was no short-cut to prosperity and there were no magical solutions to unemployment and poverty. The full report can be accessed here.
The African National Congress (ANC), on Tuesday called for the swift extradition of Rajesh and Atul Gupta after they were arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We call on law enforcement authorities in South Africa and the UAE to expedite the extradition of Messrs Gupta to South Africa so that the charges against them can be adjudicated by a court of law," the ANC said in a statement. Earlier on Tuesday Dubai's police confirmed the arrest of the Guptas and said it had coordinated with South African authorities "regarding the extradition file to complete the legal procedures". Dubai's police said the Gupta brothers were wanted for money laundering and other criminal charges in South Africa. The Gupta brothers are accused of using their connections with former president Jacob Zuma, in power from 2009 to 2018, to win contracts, siphon off State funds and influence cabinet appointments. Zuma and the Guptas have denied wrongdoing.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said on Tuesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa must take a leave of absence and step aside as per the rules of the African National Congress, to allow for investigations into the theft of an alleged $4-million from his Limpopo farm. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser has laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa for allegedly contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for failing to report the theft in 2020. Fraser alleges that $4-million was stolen and that the thieves were kidnapped, interrogated and paid to stay silent about the ordeal. The former spy boss further claims that he has evidence to back up his claims. The Presidency did confirm that money from the sale of game was stolen from Ramaphosa’s farm, however, it denied any criminal wrongdoing on the part of the President. Addressing the media in Johannesburg, EFF leader Julius Malema said the party is demanding that the President not deliver Thursday’s Presidency budget vote speech and that he allow the police to do their job without fear or favour. Malema suggested that Deputy President David Mabuza present the budget on Ramaphosa’s behalf. The red berets' leader warned that if Ramaphosa does not step aside, the EFF will mobilise its supporters and other political parties. “Parliament is not a place of criminals. It is a place of honourable members and, therefore, the President shall be treated the same way we treated the former President who disrespected our Constitution,” Malema said. He called on the South African Revenue Service and the South African Reserve Bank to investigate. He also urged government institution employees to not conceal any information of wrongdoing related to the matter. Malema said the EFF in Namibia will open a case against Namibian President Hage Geingob to fully disclose all interactions with Ramaphosa. Fraser claims the Namibian President helped Ramaphosa find the suspects. Malema said those who question Fraser must “have themselves checked”. The EFF went on to urge religious leaders such as Bishop Thabo Makgoba, Reverend Frank Chikane and Thabo Mpumlwane to condemn Ramaphosa. Malema also accused institutions such as Freedom Under Law and Outa for turning a blind eye to the allegations levelled against the President. He blamed the media for downplaying the incident and accused it of portraying Ramaphosa as a saint. “Ramaphosa had a duty to disclose the theft. He ought to have told the nation that he was a victim of crime,” Malema said. GUPTA ARRESTS Following news of the arrest of two of the fugitive Gupta brothers in the United Arab Emirates, Malema questioned why no charges were brought against Duduzane Zuma, who was fingered for facilitating the infamous meeting between former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and the Guptas. Malema revealed that Zuma had also contacted him trying to facilitate a meeting with the Gupta brothers after he denounced them in Rustenburg. “I would want to see the Guptas in jail and I would want to see that they are being brought to South Africa to be prosecuted. We were central in exposing the shenanigans of the Guptas,” he said.
In the latest move that signals his willingness to serve in the African National Congress's (ANC's) top six, Ronald Lamola said the party's top six structure should reflect the country's demographics. And he marked himself as a man on a mission to point out the ANC's need to elect a younger generation of leaders. "I know that we still need some of them, and they can impart some experience, but they cannot be a majority. That is the open discussion we must have with them. It must be open [and] cordial... but we must not be apologetic. I am saying this to the region because I know it is very important that the ANC reflects our country's demographic," Lamola told an audience of ANC members at the Walter Sisulu memorial lecture in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga over the weekend. He publicly stated his willingness to serve in the top six. But it's unclear whether his push to be nominated becomes a reality when the party heads to its elective conference in December. This comes as the push from older ANC leaders, including treasurer Paul Mashatile, to rise in the ranks of the top six gains momentum. Mashatile was showered with praises and chants for his endorsement to serve as ANC deputy president at the Limpopo conference. Other older ANC leaders, including Lindiwe Sisulu, Jeff Radebe, and Zweli Mkhize have shown a keen interest in leading the party. Lamola used former ANC leader Walter Sisulu as an example of a young leader who was elected when he was 37 years old to serve as ANC secretary-general. "We are told to wait until we are pensioners. Then we will be ready to be in the top six of the ANC. The ANC, in all its life, has embraced generational mix. We need a careful transition toward a new generation of leaders and thinking. A failure to transition will delay the necessary shift we have to make to realise our mission," he added. "The reality is that the ANC became highly effective when young people like Walter Sisulu, Lilian Ngoyi and Oliver Tambo took the responsibility of leading the organisation after it had become moribund," Lamola said. He added that those who were implicated in state capture were not prepared to go down without a fight. The implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Report was part of the ANC 2017 national conference resolution, he pointed out. "Our organisation is infested with wedge-drivers. Day by day, we bear witness to their mechanism in action, and they spare no one. They even dare to maliciously attack even the president of the ANC. The commission of inquiry was a Nasrec resolution on state capture. When implementing the inquiry's recommendations into state capture, we are implementing the Nasrec resolution," he added.
People aged 50 and older are now eligible for an additional booster shot of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, the national health department has announced. The additional booster will be available, as of Monday, to anyone in this age group who has completed at least 120 days or four months since receiving their last Covid-19 vaccination of either a Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Previously, South Africans were eligible to receive one booster shot after their primary vaccination of either one dose of J&J, or two doses of Pfizer. "This is part of efforts by the government to increase vaccine uptake to achieve population immunity while protecting the most vulnerable groups, especially those living with co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension," said health department spokesperson Foster Mohale. "The Pfizer vaccine has shown to be safe and effective for boosting immunity in older persons who remain at highest risk of severe disease and death from Covid-19," he added. Out of a total adult population of almost 20-million who have been vaccinated so far, more than seven million of them are aged 50 and older. "We applaud older people for coming forward in large numbers, and we encourage all individuals who have not had their second dose or booster dose to go to their nearest vaccination site," said Mohale. In addition, the department has collaborated with health organisations, such as Right to Care, to launch the app FindMyJab.co.za, which will make it easier for anyone to find the closest vaccination site online.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that while government is investing to improve local capacity and supporting small-scale farmers to ensure food security, he is also urging corporations to ensure that consumers are not paying more than they have to for food. Many South Africans are struggling with the effects of rising fuel and food prices as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. Both countries are major exporters to international markets of fertilisers, grains and oilseeds that are needed for a range of items including cooking oil. Food inflation is at 6.2% with the price of basic food goods skyrocketing. While government has suspended the fuel levy for another month, Ramaphosa warned that it could not continue to do so indefinitely as it significantly affected public finances. “It has become increasingly more expensive to buy food and other essentials, to pay for basic services and to use public or private transportation. While these rising costs affect everyone, low-income households are feeling them the most. While many of these events are beyond our control, government is doing what it can to shield South Africans from current and future price increases,” Ramaphosa said. Further, climate change is resulting in lower agricultural output. To protect South Africa from the current and future shocks, Ramaphosa said food security was vital. SUPPORT FOR FARMERS The Presidential Employment Stimulus has seen more than 65 000 smallholder farmers receive input vouchers and government is hoping to extend this to 250 000 more farmers. Government is also providing subsistence farmers with fertilisers and equipment to produce food, and is helping South Africans to start their own food gardens. Ramaphosa added that through the Pro-Active Land Acquisition Strategy and the release of State-owned land for agriculture, government is supporting more small-scale farmers to expand their businesses and make them commercially successful. Government hopes to create more public-private partnerships to expand black commercial farming through initiatives like the Partners in Agri Land Solutions and the Agricultural Development Agency. To enhance biosecurity and safeguard animal health against diseases like foot-and-mouth, government is strengthening its capabilities. Animal movement control measures and vaccine production capabilities are being strengthened to help protect animals against diseases. “In addition to boosting local food production, our extensive social grants system and zero-rating of basic goods helps to protect the poor from rising costs. Through free basic services like water and electricity for indigent households, we can ensure that no family goes without basic services,” Ramaphosa said. He said government would continue to monitor the situation closely and would do everything within its power to protect South Africans from unsustainable increases. “Though oil prices and extreme weather are events over which we have little control, there is still much we can do, as government, business, labour and communities to help the people of South Africa through this difficult time,” he said.
The Gauteng African National Congress's (ANC's) two most significant regions, Johannesburg and Tshwane, will hold elective conferences this weekend with a tighter security presence set to keep a closer eye on proceedings. The two conferences were delayed mainly for weeks due to unresolved branch disputes. ANC conferences held in recent weeks had been dominated by accusations of branch exclusions and dozens of disputes. The Gauteng ANC had been resolving disputes in these regions to ensure regional conferences were held ahead of the provincial elective conference expected at the end of June, ANC provincial chairperson David Makhura said. The Tshwane conference was announced late on Thursday as the region worked on resolving disputes with branches. The region said some of these disputes were being resolved while delegates registered ahead of the conference. Makhura singled out the Tshwane region as having several disputes. The region's regional secretary Eugene Modise said the conference would be held under strict security in anticipation of disruption. The Tshwane conference would be held in Fourways, Johannesburg. A higher level of security was also present at the Ekurhuleni ANC conference last weekend. Makhura lamented this, saying it was symptomatic of the conflict between members. "We can state here without fear of contradiction that security will be very tight in and around the conference venue. Critical risk and security assessments have already been carried out together with the SAPS at the venue. The region said, "Sufficient security personnel will also be deployed throughout the three-day duration of the conference. We want to sternly warn anyone who may want to disrupt conference proceedings to think twice." Modise was expected to contest the regional chairperson position against Kgosi Maepa, the incumbent, in terms of the leadership tussle in Tshwane. Maepa did not enjoy much support in the region and was often left out of negotiations over coalition talks following the local government elections. Modise was aligned with a faction that supported Cogta MEC Lebogang Maile's ambitions to lead the ANC in Gauteng. In Johannesburg, the leadership race lost some steam following the death of former mayor Mpho Moerane. Moerane died in hospital after being injured in a car crash. Moerane would have contested for the regional chairperson position against regional secretary Dada Morero. Both camps had adopted campaign slogans. Morero's camp was called Fire Brigade and Moerane's Unity for Purpose or Spirit. Those in Moerane's camp may still stand for positions. The Spirit slate included deputy chairperson Eunice Mgcina (currently the acting chairperson), regional secretary Justice Ngalonkulu, deputy secretary Loyiso Masuku, and Maxwell Metsamba as treasurer. Morero's slate was expected to include Simon Motha as deputy chairperson, regional spokesperson Sasabona Manganye contesting for the secretary position, and Nomoya Mnisi for the deputy secretary position. Nonceba Molwele was expected to stand for the regional treasurer position. While the dominance of who would lead these regions was set to take centre stage at the conferences, the ANC in Gauteng faced declining electoral support. The party does not govern in these key metros, and how the party rebuilds on the lost ground following the 2021 municipal elections may be critical to the conference agenda. The ANC in Tshwane said its conference was focused on the ANC regaining the metro in 2026.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen will write to South African Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and to the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) for clarity into former spy boss Arthur Fraser’s claims against President Cyril Ramaphosa. Fraser has laid criminal charges against Ramaphosa for allegedly contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for failing to report a theft from his farm in Limpopo, in 2020. Fraser alleges that $4-million was stolen and that the thieves were caught and kidnapped, interrogated and paid to stay silent about the ordeal. The former spy boss further alleges that he has evidence to back up his claims. The Presidency did confirm that $4-million from the sale of game was stolen from Ramaphosa’s farm, however, it denied any criminal wrongdoing on the part of the President. The DA says Ramaphosa’s response to the criminal charges raises more questions than it answers. The party is asking Sars to confirm whether the amount in question was declared and whether it carries tax implications. It also wants clarification from the Sarb as to whether this sum of foreign currency forms part of illicit flow of funds and potential money laundering on the part of the President. Steenhuisen attributed the allegation against the President to factionalism in the African National Congress (ANC), as well as infighting and intra-party battles. “The conclusion that each and every South African must now reach, is that the only hope of restoring stability to the South African State, and ensuring the future of our nation, is to vote the ANC out of office. We cannot allow the toxic infighting of the ANC to demolish the project of a free, democratic, and prosperous South Africa,” he said. He said the DA would serve its duty to ensure that the President was not above the law.
Police Minister General Bheki Cele on Friday urged the South African Police Service (SAPS) to introduce accountability at police stations across the country, while also calling on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to help deal with police officers who “fail the organisation and ultimately fail the nation”. Cele was speaking in Pretoria where he released the quarterly crime statistics, which showed increased levels of contact crimes during the fourth quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, from January 1 to the end of March 2022. In the three months of reporting, a 22.2% increase in murder was recorded, with 1 107 more people killed in South Africa between January and March compared to the same period in 2021. Of the 6 083 people killed in the country, 898 were women and 306 where children under the age of 17. Alarmingly, the murder of children recorded a 37.2% increase in the period of reporting. A total of 2 268 people were murdered in public places. All sexual offences recorded a 13.7% increase with contact sexual offences recording the only decrease in this crime category. 10 818 people were raped in South Africa during this quarter. Murder and assault with grievous bodily harm of children under the age of 17 also recorded sharp increases. However, the number of attempted murder cases of children has declined by 6.8%. Cele admitted that the first three months of this year were violent, brutal and unsafe for many South Africans. “While we know and appreciate that the current socioeconomy has directly impacted on crime levels, the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment increasingly encouraged opportunistic criminal behaviour,” he said. Despite the alarming statistics, Cele said police had made some gains and intercepted criminal syndicates involved in extortion, kidnapping and cash-in-transit heists and drugs, however, he admitted that their collective actions had not been good enough. STATION ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN He said the SAPS could no longer afford to pay lip service and announced the adoption of the Station Accountability Plan. “This means accountability will start from the bottom (at stations) and escalate right up to the very top. The Station Accountability Plan will fully work, if all station commanders are empowered and supported through your management. The Station Accountability Plan rests on station commanders,” he explained. Cele said the immediate implementation of the Station Accountability Plan, especially at the top-30 high crime stations, was expected, adding that the sharp focus on stations would mean all station commanders were expected to closely monitor their unique crime situations. Every two weeks, commanders must evaluate and put in place relevant operational plans to curb crime. Station commanders must have in place monitoring mechanisms to ring the alarm in time and also have clear targets of crime reduction and eradication within timeframes that must be met. “There will be expeditious processes, if and when the set targets are not achieved. Station Commanders will be replaced if they are not fit for purpose. This Station Accountability Plan means it will not be tolerated for police stations to keep occupying the same spots as high crime stations. There simply can’t be stations that don’t perform and it is business as usual. This stops here and now,” he stated. Cele further said that the vetting and monitoring of police had to be speedily undertaken, “and if this means half of this organization [SAPS] must go, then so be it”. Police members can’t be part of the planning of crime and fighting crime, he said. “The SAPS cannot be a haven for criminals disguised as officers of the law. Such behaviour puts policing on the back foot and further erodes the trust between communities and police,” he said.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will only support an extension for Parliament to amend the Electoral Act if the current amendment bill is passed. Furthermore, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula attempted to quell conjecture that the slow passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill jeopardised national and provincial elections in 2024 in Thursday's National Assembly Programming Committee. In June 2020, the Constitutional Court instructed Parliament to amend the Electoral Act to allow persons not belonging to parties to be elected to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. They gave Parliament the deadline of 11 June 2022. Parliament deferred its constitutionally mandated duty of drafting the legislation to the executive - as is most often the case. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi appointed a Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC), but went against the MAC's majority recommendation and a bill making minimal changes without a constituency system was drafted. The bill was introduced to Parliament in January. This bill might favour bigger parties when the seats are calculated and it had the support of the majority party, the ANC. Civil society, however, did not approve. Meanwhile, there was no chance that Parliament would make the Constitutional Court's deadline, and it had approached the court for a six-month extension. Parliamentary legal advisor, advocate Charmaine van der Merwe, informed the National Assembly Programming Committee on Thursday that the Constitutional Court issued directions for written submissions. The New Nation movement, which brought the original case necessitating the amendment, opposed Parliament's request for an extension, while Home Affairs supported it. "The IEC indicated they can only support the submission if the bill in its current draft form proceeds. The bone of contention is the possibility of constituencies. The IEC has indicated to the court if constituencies are included, they will need more time to prepare for elections. The bill at the moment does not provide for that," Van der Merwe said. She said they were awaiting further directions from the court on whether it would hear arguments or consider the written submission. Mapisa-Nqakula said an unfortunate impression had been created by the media and "some of us" that Parliament not being ready with the bill would threaten the national elections in 2024. "And I don't see in what way it is threatening the elections. According to the reports which I have received from the legal team, I know that we are really gunning for the 6th of November to finalise this whole thing," she said. "And therefore, if we finish and the president signs, then we will not have a problem if we are able to do it in the next six months. All that has been requested is that the Constitutional Court should give us an extension of six months because we believe that by that time, the entire process shall have been completed, and every step shall have been taken to make sure that the bill is assented to by the President." "It doesn't threaten the elections in any way. Everything is being done to make sure that it is finalised in six months." African National Congress MP and parliamentary counsellor to Deputy President David Mabuza, Hope Papo, agreed with Mapisa-Nqakula. "I am convinced the bill doesn't go beyond the ruling of the court," he said. "Sometimes in politics, we just make statements." He said public hearings were held, and it was important that there were no "problems" after the bill was adopted. African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart reminded the committee that the bill was only tabled in January. "Parliament has done everything possible to process the bill. There can be questions asked, as we have done in the past, about the executive not tabling the bill when we have a Constitutional Court deadline," Swart said. Mapisa-Nqakula said it was "just minor issues that need to be sorted out in order for us to finalise...
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo says Justice Jody Kollapen and Acting Justice Dunstan Mlambo disclosed having contact with Ismail Abramjee – but denied that they had provided him with any confidential information about the Constitutional Court. Zondo has also promised that the investigation he initiated into Abramjee's SMS – claiming to have it "on good authority" that the apex court would rule against Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane – would be "completed by the end of next week or in a few days thereafter" and its outcome made public. On Tuesday, Mkhwebane released a "closing report" into her "own investigation" into the text that Abramjee sent to counsel for Parliament Andrew Breitenbach SC. The text was sent on the eve of her Western Cape High Court application to block Parliament from proceeding with an inquiry into her fitness, pending the outcome of that rescission case in the apex court. That text read, "Hello Adv Breytenbach (sic) Re: The Public Protector case tomorrow. I have it on very good authority that the Concourt has declined to hear the Public Protector's rescission application. The decision will be made known sometime this coming week but not later than Friday. I thought I'd just share this with you on a strictly confidential basis. Thanks." Mkhwebane said her office had subsequently subpoenaed cellphone records, which revealed that there had been 18 calls between Abramjee and recently appointed Constitutional Court Justice Kollapen "between 04 January 2022 and 22 April 2022, two days before Adv. Breitenbach SC received the controversial SMS". Abramjee maintained that these calls were innocent and concerned the work that he and Kollapen did at the Pretoria Legacy Foundation, which had hosted an event to celebrate Kollapen's appointment to the Constitutional Court on 4 March. He said a call made to him by Mlambo on 4 March concerned directions to that event. In a statement released by the Office of the Chief Justice, Zondo has revealed that "within days after Mr. Abramjee's SMS saga had arisen, Justice Kollapen informed the Chief Justice and other Justices of the Constitutional Court that he had known Mr. Abramjee for many years, and they live in the same area". "He also informed the Chief Justice and other Justices of the Constitutional Court that he and Mr. Abramjee are members of the Pretoria Legacy Foundation and that he and Mr. Abramjee do interact with each other, including by calling each other. He also pointed out that Mr. Abramjee also attended a function sometime in March this year which was organised by the Pretoria Legacy Foundation in his (Justice Kollapen's) honour." According to the statement, Mlambo had informed Zondo and other Justices of the Constitutional Court "that he, too, attended the function that was organised in honour of Justice Kollapen, which Mr. Abramjee also attended". "He said that he was meeting Mr. Abramjee for the first time in that function and has never met him thereafter. "Both Justices also stated that they never disclosed to Mr. Abramjee any confidential information concerning any case at the Court."
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy has called on the government to undertake a "comprehensive review" of South Africa's fuel pricing regime. This comes after the National Treasury stepped in to provide relief to South African motorists ahead of this week's fuel price adjustment by extending a cut to the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre. While there was still a R2.43 hike to the price of fuel on Wednesday, the price would have been hiked by almost R4 without the extension. The relief is set to last from the beginning of June to early July, after which the adjustment will be dialled back to 75 cents per litre until early August. Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy chair Sahlulele Luzipo said in a statement that with the government's relief expected to be withdrawn in two months, a sustainable plan should be developed for long-term relief. "We need to ask ourselves a pertinent question as to what will happen after two months when the fuel price is still high. A piecemeal review is unsustainable, in our view," said Luzipo. Luzipo suggested that the government should consider placing domestic taxes "elsewhere", other than on the general fuel price. So far, the government has scrapped a levy of 10c per litre that has been applied to inland 95-octane unleaded petrol, and it has also proposed that the basic fuel price be decreased by 3c per litre in the coming months. According the the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the National Treasury, the extension to the cut in the general fuel levy caused the government to forego an estimated R4.5-billion in revenue. On Wednesday, diesel prices rose by R1.10 per and paraffin rose by R1.56.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Wednesday confirmed the arrests of three people involved in personal protective equipment (PPE) fraud and corruption amounting to R5.9-million. The Hawks, as the SIU is known, arrested Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs deputy director Raymond Manzini, his brother Chris Manzini and director of Gatjeni Trading Moses Ndlovu in Mpumalanga, on Monday. They appeared at the Mbombela Magistrates Court on charges of fraud and corruption and were released on R15 000 bail each. The matter is remanded to July 28 for further investigation. The SIU’s investigation showed that Gatjeni Trading was solely requested to quote for the supply and delivery of PPE in March 2020. However, after the contract was awarded, Ndlovu approached Chris Manzini to take over the purchase without the approval of the department. The investigation further revealed that Chris Manzini also approached his brother to provide funding for the purchase and delivery of PPE, in contravention of the provisions of Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, No 12 of 2004. “Gatjeni Trading handed an invoice to Raymond Manzini, the financial provider, for the Department to effect payment. Immediately after payment was received, a significant sum of money was transferred to Raymond Manzini’s bank account,” the SIU said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has named the 14 members that will serve five years on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Advisory Council, as part of government’s plan to intensify the transformation of the country’s economy. Earlier this week Ramaphosa pointed out that the BBBEE Commission’s 2020 report revealed that most economic sectors are falling short of their black women ownership targets. Ramaphosa said the country’s commitment to entrench and deepen economic empowerment was unwavering, adding that this was the reason why black economic empowerment was an integral part of the country’s economic reconstruction and recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Eight of the Council members were female, with Ramaphosa explaining that he took into account provincial representation, sector expertise, gender and age before making appointments. In line with legislation, members have expertise across a variety of economic sectors and come from business, trade unions, community-based organisations and academia. Members of the BBBEE Advisory Council are: Black Business Council CEO Kganki Matabane Black business veteran Gloria Serobe Academic and specialist on industrial development funding Dr Nthabiseng Moleko South African airline executive Sibongile Sambo Industrialist Sibusiso Maphatiane Chartered accountant and BBBEE specialist Ajay Lulu Senior leader in the labour movement Louise Thipe Trade unionist and researcher Makale Ngwenya Progressive Professionals Forum leader Kashief Wicomb Academic, spatial development planner and businessperson Dr Lulu Gwagwa National Economic Development and Labour Council executive council representing the community constituency Thulani Tshefuta Competition Commission chief economist James Hodge Director of a company in the healthcare sector Khathu Lambani Makwela Internal auditor Irene Dimakatso Morati. Ramaphosa extended well-wishes to the Council in their transformation efforts.
Former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers have urged the Supreme Court of Appeal to take "judicial notice" of the deadly July unrest that followed his contempt imprisonment when it decides on whether to revoke his medical parole. Zuma’s lawyers previously referred to the July violence that left 300 people dead and caused billions of Rands in damage in arguments to both KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg Judge Piet Koen and Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya, as part of his corruption trial litigation. They sought to suggest that the unrest was the result of the "unconstitutional" decision to jail him for defying the Constitutional Court’s ruling that he appear before the State Capture Inquiry. Now, to defend then National Commissioner of Correctional Services Arthur Fraser’s decision to grant Zuma medical parole, the former president’s lawyers have argued that Fraser was entitled to take into account "the public interest in avoiding a repeat of the widely reported looting which took place in July 2021" in his decision-making process. Fraser decided to release Zuma despite the Medical Parole Advisory Board – which is made up of expert doctors – considering all the relevant medical reports and submissions by Zuma’s military doctors and finding that he did not qualify for release on medical parole. Under the provisions of the Correctional Services Act, medical parole can only be granted to an offender "suffering from a terminal illness or condition or if such an offender is rendered physically incapacitated as a result of injury, disease or illness to severely limit daily activity or inmate self-care". The Board stated in its findings, "From the information received, [Zuma] suffers from multiple comorbidities." "His treatment has been optimised and all conditions have been brought under control. From the available information in the reports, the conclusion reached by the MPAB is that [Zuma] is stable and does not qualify for medical Parole according to the Act." Zuma’s lawyers argue that this finding was merely a "recommendation" and is "non-binding". They also contend that the Helen Suzman Foundation, Democratic Alliance, and AfriForum – which all challenged the lawfulness of Zuma’s medical parole – are "naive in the extreme but also wrong in law" to argue that Fraser was precluded from considering the July violence "in the aftermath of what was, rightly or wrongly, perceived to be the unfair denial of Mr. Zuma’s constitutional rights". "There is a well-established legal presumption that statutes must be interpreted to promote the public interest, sometimes even at the expense of individual rights," they contend, in heads of argument filed at the Supreme Court of Appeal this morning. "This Honourable Court will be asked to take judicial notice that such public disturbances did indeed take place in July 2021 and that an estimated 300 or more people lost their lives. That is a matter of public concern, which would ordinarily necessitate a public inquiry. Conversely, the perceived prevention of the recurrence of such an event was a legitimate and very relevant consideration for the National Commissioner to take into account." Zuma is seeking to challenge Gauteng High Court in Pretoria Judge Elias Matojane’s ruling that he was unlawfully granted medical parole and should return to prison – without the time that he has already served on medical parole counting as part of the 15 months he was ordered to serve by the Constitutional Court. During Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo’s interview for the position of Chief Justice, he revealed that Matojane had been repeatedly threatened after he delivered that ruling. The judge subsequently granted Zuma’s urgent application for leave to appeal his decision, after finding that his order that the 80-year-old's time on medical parole not be considered as time served may be one of the grounds on which his ruling could be challenged, as it had a potentially adverse impac...
Justice Dennis Davis said on Monday that the absence of forensic skills among members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) impairs crime prevention in the country. He pointed out that Police Minister Bheki Cele previously stated that many South Africans join the police owing to unemployment and not because they want to serve the country. Davis was speaking during a University of Free State webinar with the theme “Crime in South Africa- who is to blame?”, where he pointed out that incompetent skills in the police force, relating to fingerprints and the collection of evidence, were detrimental to successful convictions. He said the solution to the problem was an extreme overhaul of the entire police service. He also spoke of the high levels of corruption in the police force, which he said was adding to crime. NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY He did not shy away from stating that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was gutted under Shaun Abrahams. He questioned whether those implicated in the State Capture report, released by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, will be successfully prosecuted. He added that without massive supplementation from the private bar and various other forensic accountant facilities he did not feel confident about the prospects. “The NPA is an organisation which was so degraded under the Jacob Zuma era that it is going to take an enormous effort in order to resurrect it to the extent that it should be. I am deeply despondent in that regard. I should add that there are some extremely talented prosecutors and very dedicated people within the NPA, let me not be misunderstood. “ The problem is that when you spend in deliberate terms to ensure that this is an organisation that doesn’t work, coupled with the inability of the police to do their job properly, that itself is an extraordinary problem,” Davis said. He added that court hearings should fast-track cases, as there are currently unnecessary delays. NATIONAL SECURITY He pointed out that if the country had “proper national security”, it is possible that the 2021 July riots would not have occurred. He said government would have also been aware of what was going on and many convictions would have already occurred. “Just as with the NPA and the police, we are now reaping the consequences of State capture. That is a massive difficulty,” he added. He also said the effects of 300 years of violence, racism, sexism and apartheid cannot be forgotten. “There are a series of psychological issues and political reasons that we need to face head on in relation to what the consequences of apartheid were,” he said. He stressed that the country would not win in the fight against crime when people still lived under degraded conditions and when people were failed by the State.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has adopted a report recommending that the National Assembly reappoint Glen Mashinini as a commissioner of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). This was after the Democratic Alliance (DA) proposed a different candidate, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) abstained from voting at the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs' meeting on Tuesday morning. It was taken to a vote, with the African National Congress's (ANC's) six MPs supporting Mashinini's reappointment and the two DA MPs supporting the candidate they nominated, advocate Carol Chaplog-Louw. The DA's Angel Khanyile and the EFF's Lorato Tito asked that their parties' objection to Mashinini's nomination be noted in the committee's report. This report will now go to the National Assembly for adoption before Mashinini can be reappointed. Mashinini is the current IEC chair. "As the Democratic Alliance, we reject the nomination of Mr Mashinini, and we would like to put forth a different name," said Khanyile. "We strongly feel the previous elections were not held in a manner that was satisfactory to most of the parties that were on the ground in various VDs (voting districts)." She nominated Chaplog-Louw. "She (Chaplog-Louw) is currently with the IEC. She is very well experienced with the IEC, currently holding the position of chief audit executive, and other than that, she has served in various roles in the IEC." ANC MP Tidimalo Legwase confirmed the ANC's position that Mashinini should "continue with the sterling work that he has been doing". "Looking at the previous elections that was one of its kind, it was very difficult, but he were able to pull through under difficult conditions in a short period of time. He has proved himself over and over again that his work and his dedication towards delivering free and fair elections to our country (sic)," she said. Mashinini's original seven-year term as an IEC commissioner expired in April. He was appointed as a commissioner in April 2015, and in September of that year, former president Jacob Zuma appointed him as the chairperson. In February this year, the Office of the Chief Justice called for nominations to fill one pending vacancy on the IEC. Subsequently, a panel – chaired by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and comprising Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Commission for Gender Equality chairperson Tamara Mathebula, and SA Human Rights Commission chairperson Bongani Majola – was convened to compile a shortlist of 12 candidates to be interviewed. The interviews were conducted on 1 April at the Premier Hotel in Midrand. Three candidates withdrew their applications before the interviews, and nine candidates were interviewed. The panel then compiled a shortlist with eight candidates and referred it to Parliament, where it was sent to the committee. The eight candidates, in alphabetical order, were: Justice Bekebeke Carol Chaplog-Louw Edward Lambani Nalini Maharaj Glen Mashinini Sithembile Mbete Bongiwe Mbomvu Mfundo Thango
Vincent Magwenya joins the Presidency as Cyril Ramaphosa’s new spokesperson from June 1. He takes over from acting spokesperson Tyrone Seale, who has filled the role since July 2020. Previously the spokesperson for former President Jacob Zuma from 2009 to 2010, Magwenya takes on the role with extensive experience in government communication broadcasting, journalism and public relations (PR). “I am pleased to welcome Vincent Magwenya to the Presidency team. His experience, insight and capabilities will strengthen our efforts to effectively communicate the work of the Presidency as we undertake the work of recovery and rebuilding,” Ramaphosa said. He served as CEO for PR company Magna Carta and his own company, Conversations Media and Communications, and was also communications director for Standard Bank Africa and Standard Bank Group’s Group Stakeholder Relations Management. Ramaphosa thanked Seale for acting as his spokesperson. “His capable manner and dedication to the task has been widely acknowledged and is much appreciated,” Ramaphosa said.
South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete announced on Monday the termination of the use of the Ivermectin drug for the treatment and prevention of Covid-19 in South Africa. The drug received significant worldwide public interest in 2020 as having some potential benefit in the management of Covid-19. The Sahpra said that there was currently no credible evidence to support a therapeutic role for Ivermectin in Covid-19. Unregistered Ivermectin products will not be allowed to be imported and health facilities will not be allowed to hold bulk stock in anticipation of prescriptions for such unregistered Ivermectin products. However, prescribers are still expected to report on the clinical outcomes of those patients for whom treatment approval was given prior. “Permission was granted to five importers of unregistered Ivermectin oral solid dosage forms, and health facilities were enabled to hold bulk stock, in anticipation of patient need. Individual named patient applications were still required, after prescribers had initiated use of Ivermectin. Sahpra also undertook to monitor the emerging evidence of safety and efficacy, for both treatment and prevention,” said Semete. She added that although there had been several developments in Ivermectin efficacy, Covid-19 vaccines are now widely available. The Sahpra has noted a decline in the number of health facilities applying for permission to hold bulk stock of Ivermectin since August 2021. Sahpra said it would continue to monitor the peer-reviewed, scientific literature regarding the safety and efficacy of Ivermectin.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week announce the appointment of the new Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Advisory Council, which will help the country to expand the frontiers of BBBEE. The council, comprising government, business, labour and other stakeholders, was established to champion the cause of economic transformation. “While there has been significant progress over the last two decades, there are some areas where there has been regression. We have gone backwards when it comes to increasing black management control, upscaling skills development, entrenching enterprise development and broadening procurement to give opportunities to black women and the youth,” he said. He explained that the country’s commitment to entrench and deepen economic empowerment was unwavering, adding that this was the reason why black economic empowerment was an integral part of the country’s economic reconstruction and recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ramaphosa said BBBEE would only be achieved through partnership and a shared commitment to transformation, calling on business, labour and industry to work with the council as it undertook this vital work. He said there had been important private sector initiatives and deliberate measures by the State to facilitate greater and more meaningful participation of black people in the economy. “Between 2017 and 2020, nearly 500 empowerment transactions were submitted for registration to the BBBEE Commission. In key sectors such as construction, property, information and communications technology, tourism and transport, black ownership has exceeded targets,” he explained. He said that through sectoral masterplans government was driving localisation that benefited black-owned businesses. “For example, 10 black contract growers have been established with an investment of R336-million as part of the poultry masterplan. Government has also launched a black exporters network that will connect black-owned companies in food, engineering products, auto components, beauty products and other sectors of the economy,” he added. Last year government approved R2.5-billion in new support to about 180 black industrialists in the form of loans from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and grants from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition incentive scheme. Over the next three years a further R21-billion has been committed by the IDC, NEF and other institutions to support black industrialists. An additional R25-billion has been committed to support black-, women-, youth- and worker-owned companies. Ramaphosa said it was clear that much more work needed to be done to address the many challenges that black businesses faced. This included the difficulty of accessing start-up and expansion capital and the ability of small, medium-sized and microenterprises to find markets for their products. Black women-owned businesses, in particular, encounter difficulties in taking on large-scale empowerment transactions.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has declared foreign donations totalling R2 405 387.72 for the fourth quarter of 2021/22, which makes up a whopping 95% of all donations received by the party during this time. South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) issued the party funding fourth-quarter Disclosure Report for the financial year 2021/22, covering all qualifying donations declared by political parties for the three-month period between January and March 2022. The IEC confirmed on Monday that all foreign donations declared by the DA were fully compliant with the Party Funding Act, as they fell within the R5-million ceiling per donor. The DA’s total donation declaration was R2 525 387.72, with R 786 152.81 being declared as an in-kind donation from the German Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which also donated R1 713 250.80 to the party. The Danish Liberal Democracy Programme was also declared as a DA donor, with R692 136.92 in donations to the party. “Considering that each of these foreign donors have made repeated donations to one political party, i.e., the DA, the Commission has found it necessary to consider the cumulative value of all donations over the financial year under review. The Commission can, therefore, confirm that all the foreign donations declared by the DA were fully compliant with the Act in that they fall within the R5-million ceiling per donor. Furthermore, the donated funds were utilised for activities falling within the ambit of the law, namely policy development, and training and skills development of members of the political party,” the IEC said. Only two political parties declared donations in this quarter, a first. The African National Congress made a declaration of R10-million. IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo noted that the total value of all party donations was below R30-million, the least amount declared in a quarter. He attributed this to the end of the election cycle, noting that the more imminent the elections, the more likely that parties would receive significant donations. Funds from the private sector are distributed by the IEC, through the Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF), to political parties represented in the National Assembly or in any provincial legislature. The IEC urges corporates and ordinary citizens to donate to the MPDF to support multi-party democracy. ASSISTANCE TO POLITICAL PARTIES The IEC is also urging political parties to ensure that they submit audited annual financial statements to the Commission by September 30. The IEC is currently on a national roadshow to provide registered political parties with training on the preparation and submission of audited financial statements. Through this, the Commission hopes to increase the extent of compliance with the party funding prescripts.
Former President Jacob Zuma has suffered another setback in his attempts to remove the lead prosecutor from his arms deal corruption trial, as a top judge dismissed his latest petition in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Zuma, ousted in 2018 after nine years in power, accuses the prosecutor of bias against him. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including corruption, money laundering and racketeering in the long-running case over the $2-billion arms deal in the 1990s. Zuma had asked the SCA's president, Justice Mandisa Maya, to reconsider an earlier ruling by two SCA judges and allow him to appeal a High Court decision not to take the lead prosecutor off the case. But the judiciary said in a statement on Thursday that Maya had "issued an order disposing of the application". The spokesperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Zuma's corruption trial has been repeatedly delayed. This month proceedings were adjourned until a holding date in August to give the SCA president time to make her decision.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday he will consider Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s representations, after he had asked her, in March, to provide him with reasons why he should not suspend her. Ramaphosa received Mkhwebane’s representations on Thursday. “The Public Protector has complied with the agreed deadline of May 26 and the President will now give due consideration to the submission,” said the Presidency. Parliament is pushing through with Mkhwebane's impeachment proceedings, opening the way for Ramaphosa to suspend her. In February, the Constitutional Court effectively gave the Section 194 Committee, which handles the proceedings, the green light to continue with the impeachment as long as Mkhwebane was allowed legal representation.
Former Transnet CEO, Siyabonga Gama, who is among the five people accused of R93-million fraud and corruption in a case relating to the procurement of 1 064 locomotives by the State-owned freight rail company, was released on R50 000 bail following his arrest on Friday. Gama is facing charges alongside other former Transnet top executives, acting chief financial officer, Garry Pita, ex-group treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, Regiments' Eric Wood, and Trillian Asset Management director Daniel Roy. The charges are contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, corruption and money laundering. The claims of overpayment and corruption in Transnet's locomotives contracts featured in the State Capture Commission, with a number of the firm's former executives and board members giving evidence relating to the controversial procurement. Gama is the first high-profile former head of a state-owned entity to be criminally charged on claims of corruption. Earlier this year, the Zondo Commission recommended that Brian Molefe, Gama's predecessor at Transnet, former chief financial officer, Anoj Singh, and Gama be prosecuted for their role in the corrupt procurement of locomotives by Transnet. The Investigating Directorate stated that Transnet in 2012 did a Request for Proposal tender to get transaction advisory services to secure funding for $2.5-billion to fund the acquisition of the 1 064 locomotives deal. In May 2015, the company appointed JB Morgan for advisory services. However, between July and October 2015, the same officials in Transnet started facilitating the termination of the JB Morgan contract. JP Morgan was later replaced with the Gupta-linked Trillian in October 2015. The accused had been told to present themselves to the police before their appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court. Wood was granted bail of R250 000, Ramosebudi R25 000 and the rest were each released on R50 000 bail. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate, Sindisiwe Seboka, said that more arrests were expected in the matter. They were briefly joined in the dock by Kuben Moodley, who was arrested in September 2021 in connection with alleged money laundering of the proceeds from contracts improperly awarded by Transnet to Regiments and Trillian, as well as alleged theft of funds from the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund, as Fin24 reported previously. In his affidavit in support of bail, Gama stated that an investigating officer in the case had informed his lawyer that the charges against him were in connection to the so-called "Club Loan" facility which was secure during his tenure at Transnet. He explained that Club Loan was secured for the purpose of financing the acquisition of locomotives and various infrastructure projects. He also mentioned that he had given evidence at the State Capture Commission on the loan. "It was clear to me that the evidence leader of the commission intended to prove that I was complicit in wrongdoing in the Club Loan process. "It is my sincere intention to deal with these allegations levelled against me should the trial proceed against me," said Gama in his affidavit. Gama was appointed Transnet CEO in April 2016, having acted in that position for the previous 12 months. Prior to that, he had been the head of the company's freight rail unit. The head of the Investigating Directorate, Andrea Johnson, said the unit was is "on track to hold accountable those alleged to have been at the centre of, or facilitated State capture". "This is the second seminal matter enrolled this week and more can be expected within six months." All the accused will return to court on 13 July, where additional people would be added to the case. Johnson was referring to the arrests this week Gupta stalwart Ronica Ragavan, former mineral resources deputy director-general Joel Raphela and other associates of the controversial family. They face fraud and money laundering in relation to the re...
Government is still deliberating whether to continue with its fuel price relief intervention introduced in March, as the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows a marked increase expected for June. With the hopes that global energy prices would stabilise by the end of May, government introduced a temporary 40% reduction in the duty imposed on each litre of fuel for April and May, helping contain increases in the retail prices of fuel. The hope was that the two months would create enough of a buffer for local petrol prices to reduce at a more normalised rate. But now time is up, and motorists and commuters are set to face an almost 80% increase in domestic fuel prices since 2020’s pandemic-induced record low. Fuel prices are set to increase by between R2.27 and R2.36/litre for petrol from 1 June. However, briefing the media on Thursday morning on the outcomes of Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said government was giving the matter strong consideration. "Whether the government will intervene again and ensure that fuel prices remain reasonable as it’s a matter that affects the entire country is receiving special consideration because it affects our economy very strongly," said Gungubele. He added that following deliberations, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe would be the best-placed individuals to address the nation on what steps would be taken by the government to intervene. Floods Gungubele said: "Cabinet thanked all non-governmental institutions, faith-based organisations, communities, business people and relief organisations that provided food, clothes, blankets, dignity packs and school uniforms to vulnerable families to meet their basic needs." He added that while efforts were under way to assist those affected by the floods, there were numerous challenges faced by the government in this regard. "The National Disaster Management Centre continues under the leadership of CoGTA Minister to coordinate all spheres of government in its effort to provide humanitarian relief to all affected households though there are a number of challenges," said Gungubele. The government officials who briefed Parliament’s ad-hoc joint committee on flood disaster relief and recovery on Monday said flood disaster relief and recovery in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was going to cost at least R25 billion. The province experienced more rains on Saturday, following last month’s devastating floods, which claimed over 440 lives and left a trail of destruction. National Council of Provinces (NCOP) MP Tim Brauteseth said the recovery is going to cost a lot more than the R1-billion which was allocated – and yet to be released – by Treasury as a relief effort in the wake of the floods.
Continuing blackouts, the rising cost of living, the Zondo Report implicating his party, South Africa's tacit support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the rising tide of xenophobia in the country and plans to build a R22-million flag - these are some current topics MPs might want to question President Cyril Ramaphosa on. However - in contravention of the National Assembly's rules - they will not have the opportunity to do so this term. Rule 140(1) of the National Assembly states: "Questions to the President must be - (a) scheduled in accordance with Rule 210 for a question day at least once per quarter during session time within the annual programme." With only two weeks remaining in the current term, and no date allotted to a presidential question session, the National Assembly Programming Committee on Thursday morning decided to instead invite Ramaphosa for an additional question session in the third term. The third term will only start on 15 August. Democratic Alliance (DA) deputy chief whip Siviwe Gwarube recently wrote to Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to ask her about scheduling the required question session for this term. She wrote: "I firmly believe that it is of the utmost importance that members of the NA [National Assembly] are afforded regular opportunities to engage with President Ramaphosa on a range of urgent matters of national and international importance. "Moreover, it is imperative that President Ramaphosa should set the example as the head of the executive that the government is indeed serious about fulfilling their obligations of being held accountable to the Assembly by ensuring that he attends to his parliamentary duties." Chief Whips Forum discussed this letter when it met on Wednesday, behind closed doors, as is the norm for this body. At Thursday's meeting, DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone asked if the question session had been scheduled. Mapisa-Nqakula referred to Gwarube's letter. House chairperson Grace Boroto and African National Congress (ANC) MP and parliamentary councillor to Deputy President David Mabuza, Hope Papo, were unimpressed by how the DA raised the matter. ANC MP and Ramaphosa's parliamentary councillor Gerhard Koornhof said that NAPC and the Chief Whips Forum had agreed to the proposed programme since 24 March. Programming whip and ANC MP Mina Lesoma presented the programme, which had Mabuza answering questions on 8 June, and the presidency's budget vote, which will be tabled by Ramaphosa, on the 9 June, with Ramaphosa responding to the debate the following day. "That week, two days, the president will be appearing before the house," Lesoma said. "We totally agree and prescribe to the rules, particularly National Assembly Rule 140, which does direct that the president must appear in the house." She said Ramaphosa would answer questions in the next term, but if he said he was available now for a question session this term, it would be accommodated. "However, we are not going to dictate to the president when he is going to appear before the House after he had indicated to us that his diary doesn't necessarily allow him, given that he will be appearing this month, or this quarter twice, because of the compliance matters in terms of the budget votes that needs to be processed and approved," she said. Rule 140 required that the president answer questions in the House, not just "appear" in the House, which several opposition MPs were quick to point out. Gwarube said the fact that Ramaphosa would be delivering his budget vote speech did not negate the requirement that he answers questions in the House. She said the question sessions had to be built into every single term - it was part of the National Assembly's oversight, and a part of the president's responsibility to Parliament. Freedom Front Plus chief whip Corné Mulder said the rules were clear that the president must avail himself to answer questions. He suggested that they either extend the current term by a week to allow a question ...
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Pinky Kekana has warned that vaccine hesitancy is preventing the country from living beyond the pandemic, and added that it is also taking focus from the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. She was speaking during a government-hosted webinar, on Thursday, on the research findings on Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy. Kekana said global vaccine hesitancy is not new or unique to Covid-19 vaccines and South Africa is no exception. She explained that generational differences, knowledge about vaccines, on where the information was sourced and political trust have emerged as the top three reasons for vaccine hesitancy, specifically in South Africa. A recent research study in partnership with government found that vaccine hesitancy is at 25%. Kekana explained that while this is down from 28% in the previous year, despite evidence that Covid-19 vaccines are safe, hesitancy is still high. She said South Africa is nearing the halfway mark of fully vaccinated adults at 45.43%, and almost half of South African adults having at least one Covid-19 jab. This is nowhere near government’s hope of fully vaccinating 70% of the country’s population by this time. The Gauteng Department of Health has reached its target of vaccinating more than 10-million people in the province against Covid-19, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with more than five-million vaccinations. The survey tested thousands of citizens across the spectrum of demographics, geographic location and sectors. Some of the major reasons emerging from the study showed that technical language and medical jargon caused people to ignore the information but on the other hand people also do not trust some of government’s communication. Kekana noted that it falls on government to drive the vaccine confidence strategy and work on earning back people’s trust, which many have lost owing to extensive levels of corruption.
While several communities are not receiving quality water and sanitation services, the Department of Water and Sanitation failed to spend more than R2-billion in the 2021-2022 financial year. The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation expressed its concern after learning about this in a committee meeting on Tuesday. A statement from committee chairperson Robert Mashego said, "Furthermore, the committee finds it ironic and unacceptable given the fact that many communities don't get quality water services." "The under expenditure has a direct link to non-completion of critical projects that are intended to ensure that people have access to water. This is unacceptable and undermines the drive to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of South Africa," Mashego said. The committee's concerns were based on the fact that some significant contributors to the reported under expenditure included the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant and Water Services Infrastructure Grant that had projects such as the Bucket Eradication Programme and drought intervention committed projects and the Vaal River System Intervention. The committee accepted that the department applied to National Treasury that the unspent budget be rolled over to the next financial year. However, it highlighted that "the rollover doesn't acquit the department from the sin of under expenditure". The committee called on the department to urgently work on remedial actions to prevent future recurrence of under expenditure. Also of concern was that the department recorded under expenditure of R112.421-million due to a reduced rate of filling vacancies, despite South Africa's high unemployment rate. The committee found this unacceptable, as some projects were delayed due to the department's capacity challenges. The committee welcomed the appointment of 854 engineers and scientists and said it hoped it would add some capacity to the department and be in a better position to implement its projects. The committee was concerned by irregular expenditure of R9.347-billion for the department's main account and R8.107-billion for the Water Trading Entity. The committee was of the view that adherence to procurement policies and laws was important to prevent corrupt tendencies from taking root within the department.
Gupta stalwart Ronica Ragavan and several other associates of the controversial family have been arrested and are appearing in court on charges of fraud and money laundering in relation to the rehabilitation funds of the Optimum and Koornfontein coal mines. Appearing in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday afternoon are Ragavan, Pushpaveni Ugeshni Govender - a former director of several Gupta-owned companies - and former mineral resources department deputy director-general Joel Raphela. Another accused, Ravindra Nath, was not present and reportedly will be charged in absentia. Charges have been brought on 11 counts, which include fraud, money laundering, forgery and perjury. The role players stand accused of effectively looting the Optimum and Koornfontein environmental rehabilitation funds for uses other than their legally required purpose, which is to remediate land which has been mined. According to the charge sheet, Ragavan is accused number one in her capacity as director of the previously Gupta-owned Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources. Govender is accused number two in her capacity as a director of Optimum and a trustee of the Koornfontein rehabilitation trust. Natha, in his capacity as a director of Tegeta, is accused number six, while Raphela is the seventh accused in his personal capacity and as former deputy director-general of mineral regulation at the Department of Mineral Resources at the time. Also listed among the accused are three previously Gupta-owned businesses: the Optimum and Koornfontein Mines, as well as Tegeta Exploration and Resources, all of which were placed into business rescue in early 2018.
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said on Wednesday that Africa Day is an opportunity to celebrate the socioeconomic achievements on the continent. Africa Day is commemorated every year to mark the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963. The OAU was the predecessor of the the African Union (AU). This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent’. Gungubele said South Africa stood with its counterparts on the continent in addressing pertinent challenges such as nutrition. Gungubele said the challenge of malnutrition was concerning as it had significant consequences for African children, and it led to decreased social and economic development of nations. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the economic vulnerability of countries, including their health and food systems. “As part of the long-term vision set out in Agenda 2063, we must strive to fully realise the common aspiration of well-nourished citizens, with a particular emphasis on women and children,” said Gungubele. He acknowledged while more needed to be done on the continent, the AU had made important progress in two decades and had established itself as the premier organ of unity in Africa. He said everybody had a role to play to address key challenges on the continent.
Professor Tulio de Oliveira and Dr Sikhulile Moyo have been named in TIME Magazine’s prestigious 100 Most Influential People list, for their work in genomics and epidemiology, a vital field during the global Covid-pandemic. In November 2021, they led the multidisciplinary team that discovered the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, which quickly became the dominant variant of the virus, globally. De Oliveira is a Stellenbosch University Professor of Bioinformatics, holding a joint appointment at the university's School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Moyo obtained his PhD in Medical Virology at Stellenbosch University in 2016, and is Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP) laboratory director. Stellenbosch University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers said the acknowledgment by TIME magazine proves that Africa's cutting-edge research has a global impact and further establishes De Oliveira and Moyo as international leaders in their field. “Their research and subsequent discoveries enabled governments worldwide to make scientifically informed decisions about Covid-19 and the Omicron variant, and their inclusion in TIME's list is a just reward for their hard work and expertise. SU is immensely proud of their achievement and will continue to enable ground-breaking research with real-world impact,” said De Villiers. While the Omicron variant was discovered by South African scientists, it was soon realised that the variant had not originated in South Africa. The variant of SARS-CoV-2, dubbed widely as the ‘South African variant’, resulted in international travel bans and stigma towards South Africa. De Oliveira said South Africans will remember the occasion with some chagrin. “During the pandemic, what we did in South Africa was to remind hundreds of researchers that we're in a very strong position to respond scientifically, because we have the facilities – most of them constructed to deal with HIV and TB – and a lot of experience in dealing with infectious viruses and respiratory pathogens. And we also have the willingness of our government to follow our scientific advice," he said. Moyo remembered it as “a rollercoaster of emotions” to see the international community react so forcefully with travel bans for Southern African countries. Despite the negative publicity, African scientists have collaborated to generate over 100 000 genomes in the past two years. “The only way we can succeed is by collaborating and continuously sharing ideas. Success in science comes through genuine collaboration. Working with leading scientists at Stellenbosch such as Professor De Oliveira and the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa has been so fulfilling for me, and has exposed me to so much great, transparent science and capacity building,” Moyo said. De Oliveira is the founding director of Stellenbosch University's new Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), and he has already raised more than R300-million in funding. Moyo, in addition to his position at BHP, is also a research associate of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Botswana. De Oliveira and Moyo believe in leading the fight against epidemics from an African perspective. “In a country such as South Africa, where people tend to be very good at highlighting their differences, it's important also to highlight what we can achieve when we collaborate for the greater good," De Oliveira said.
There is no doubt that there is a widening dichotomy between what the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is expected to achieve, and the resources provided to fulfil those expectations. This is according to Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise, who believes the SANDF is being spread thin. On Tuesday, Modise delivered her department's budget vote speech, detailing how the diminishing budget would be divided. "Our inability to maintain, repair and overhaul our ageing fleets of combat equipment simply adds to our already dire block: the obsolescence of our prime mission equipment. There can be no doubt that there is a widening dichotomy between that which the SANDF is expected to achieve and the resources that are provided to achieve these expectations. [The] SANDF is being spread so thin," she said. Modise said the decline in South Africa's economy had placed significant pressure on the government and households. "It is becoming difficult to adequately meet all competing needs. This is fertile ground for instability. The historical downward trend in the defence allocation has not abated. It is likely to continue to the detriment of the SANDF and the demise of the defence industry," Modise said. "Defence planning has become primarily a budget-driven affair as opposed to a mandate-driven one. This means that our ability to deliver on our constitutional mandate ultimately compromises the successful conducting of military strategic missions in a sustainable manner." Modise also tabled a R49-billion budget allocated to the Department of Defence, and R666.4-million allocated to the Department of Military Veterans for approval during her speech. The minister said the SANDF's increasing reliance on foreign manufacturers placed the nation in a strategic quandary. This, Modise said, has serious implications for the nation's sovereignty. "The current state of equipment and facilities can, in many instances, be ascribed to questionable leadership and poor decision-making. These tarnish the image of the SA National Defence Force. "Similarly, when attending the Dirco Heads of Mission Conference in April 2022, I received many complaints from our diplomatic fraternity about the performance of our Defence Attaché corps," she said. Democratic Alliance MP Kobus Marais said he had never been so concerned about the state of the SANDF. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder of our vulnerabilities and state of our defence readiness, should our territory be invaded similarly. It's just too serious not to consider the consequences," Marais said. "Under the current budget, the state of our defence force, its capabilities, priorities and strategies are at an increasing risk. The 2015 Defence Review never received any significant support and commitment from Cabinet and National Treasury to achieve its objectives and the five milestones." Inkatha Freedom Party MP Narend Singh said the SANDF should do more to prevent the flow of illicit goods across the border. "An immediate military intervention assisted by military intelligence must be prioritised. Soldiers and civilians who are found to be involved in such matters must be arrested and fully prosecuted," he said.
A state agency employee has been charged with corruption in connection with a multimillion-rand contract that was awarded to communications company Digital Vibes in 2018. Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) employee Lizeka Tonjeni was arrested on Tuesday morning and appeared in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court. She is accused of accepting a bribe of R160 000 from Digital Vibes to further the company's interests. It's alleged that the money was paid to her while she was the project manager of the contract awarded to Digital Vibes in 2018. MISA falls under the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and at the time, Zweli Mkhize was the Cogta minister. One of the indirect owners of Digital Vibes, Tahera Mather, was his spokesperson. According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Mather and Naadhira Mitha were the true owners of Digital Vibes, even though the company was registered in the name of a petrol station manager in Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal. Digital Vibes has also been the subject of an investigation into a R150-million tender with the national Department of Health. The SIU found that the contract was irregular and unlawful and that Mkhize and his family benefitted from the tender. Tonjeni was granted R5 000 bail. The State did not oppose the accused's release on bail. It's unclear whether more people will be charged in the case.
Government rejected demands from labour unions representing 1.3-million state workers for 10% raises and increased housing allowances and other stipends, instead proposing that it extend the payment of an additional R1 000 monthly cash stipend by a further year. Acceding to the unions’ proposals will cost R146-billion over three years, which isn’t affordable, the government said in a submission to the public sector bargaining council, which was seen by Bloomberg. It also rejected demands for contract workers to be permanently employed. Remuneration accounts for almost a third of total government expenditure, and keeping it in check is key to the National Treasury’s plans to rein in the budget deficit and bring runaway state debt under control. The unions have argued that inflation-beating increases are warranted in light of soaring food and energy costs. The annual consumer inflation rate is currently 5.9%. The February budget provided for total compensation to grow by an annual average of 1.8% for the next three years and made no additional provision for wage increases beyond a R20.5-billion allocation in the 2022-23 fiscal year to cover the cost of an interim pay deal struck last July. That single-year accord provided for civil servants to receive R1 000 monthly payments in addition to their salaries -- a concession the government proposed extending until the end of March 2023. The government agreed to a union request to negotiate another single-year pay deal on condition that talks are concluded by next month. The state’s offer amounted to a total increase of 1.5% to 2%, and it still needs to clarify how the money will be allocated and whether the gratuity will be a one-off or be added to workers’ base-line pay, said Claude Naiker, a spokesperson for the Public Servants Association, which represents more than 230 000 state workers. “Basically all the demands that we had set up in our proposal, none of them have been met by the employer,” he said. “What we have done now is we have taken the proposal to workers and our next meeting will be in the latter part of May” where the state will provide further details of its pay offer, he said.
"The damage is huge," KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Monday while visiting areas affected by heavy rains and flooding over the weekend. The premier and members of his executive council, along with eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, visited parts of Durban to determine the extent of the damage caused by the flooding. They visited the Bluff in the south of Durban, as well as uMdloti, La Mercy, Seatides and Tongaat, where residents had to be evacuated after heavy rains caused damage to homes and infrastructure. "We are thankful that in these areas no one was reported to have died, though we have received one body which could be ascribed to be caused by these floods at our Phoenix mortuary," Zikalala said. The premier visited areas to view the extensive damage caused to infrastructure, including roads being washed away. Among the roads affected is the M4, which had been closed after April flooding damaged a bridge in La Mercy. The April flooding left more than 400 dead and 40 000 people displaced, with billions of rands worth of damage caused to homes and infrastructure. "The road is severely damaged between La Mercy and Seatides. It’s impossible to use," said Zikalala. He added that efforts would be made to have the road reopened in the coming days. However, it could take another month before repair work to the bridge was completed. Other infrastructure damaged included a water treatment plant in uMdloti. On Sunday, Kaunda visited the plant to assess the extent of the damage, saying it would affect water services to the area. At a media briefing on Sunday afternoon, the mayor said the municipality had not yet received a comprehensive report on the impact of the latest heavy rains. However, several roads had been damaged and had to be closed. Hundreds of people were evacuated and placed in centres across the province, News24 previously reported.
In his weekly letter to the nation on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the time for “half measures” in transformation is over. Responding to the recent reports of racism at Stellenbosch University, he called out people who were holding on to ideas of white superiority. However, he added that to end racism the conditions that separate black and white South Africans needed to change, along with attitudes. He said the sooner that racism was acknowledged as a feature still within societies, the sooner it could change. “It cannot be that the onus must rest with the formerly oppressed as the main victims of racism to advance reconciliation,” Ramaphosa said. Meanwhile, he commended young South Africans taking the lead to end racism but expressed concern that such incidents were occurring at schools and places of higher learning, where a number of the people involved were born after the end of apartheid. “We know that racism, here and around the world, is driven by feelings of superiority on the part of those who perpetuate it. And although racism can be directed against anyone, it is black people who bear the brunt, both in the past and in the present. As the Black Lives Matter movement has so strongly asserted, we need to systematically dismantle and eradicate attitudes of white superiority,” he said. He compared the new generation of young South Africans to the youth of 1976, as they challenged society to grapple with racism, its causes and its effects. Ramaphosa said there was a need for frank and honest dialogue between people of different races on the experiences of black people in South Africa 28 years into democracy. He suggested that discussions be part of the life orientation curriculum in schools and urged the arts and culture community to produce content and programming that fully reflected the diversity of the country and the lived experiences of people of all races. “It is our wish and expectation that the student population and the broader Stellenbosch University community, both black and white, find each other and rally together to confront racism honestly with courage and truthfulness. They must roundly reject what has happened and express their determination to achieve a learning environment free of bigotry, racism and chauvinism and embrace a non-racial future for Stellenbosch University. By so doing they will set the standard for us all,” Ramaphosa said.
Petrol prices may surge by more than R3.50 a litre in the first week of June, with Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, saying that the general fuel levy cut will fall away at the end of May. The levy was cut by R1.50 a litre for April and May as government sought to relieve the economic stress of surging fuel prices. But when Fin24 asked Mantashe on Thursday whether the levy cut would be extended beyond May, he said it would not – although his department still needed to consult with National Treasury. The funds that can be raised from the sale of the strategic reserves are only enough to fund the reduced levy for two months, Mantashe said. "[At the end of May] we have to meet Treasury to [see] if there can be anything more that we can do," Mantashe said. Government finances are extremely constrained, which the loss of the income from the levy would worsen. Over the past financial year, government debt reached R4.3-trillion. On average, 20 cents of every rand collected in government revenue is now being spent on debt repayments, which is crowding out spending on health and basic education. At the same time, South Africans are facing their own financial strain: food and fuel prices have rocketed over recent months, with more pain to come. According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, petrol prices must be adjusted by more than R2.20 a litre in June to compensate for oil prices and a weaker rand. Combined with the fuel levy of R1.50, this would push the petrol price by more than R3.70 from current levels. Diesel prices could rise by around R2.80 a litre. These prices must still be adjusted as the rand and oil prices change before month-end. Local fuel prices are determined by international oil prices, as well as the dollar-rand value, as South Africa buys oil in dollars. If the petrol levy cut isn’t maintained beyond May, inflation may reach 6.8% to 7% in June, says chief economist of Old Mutual Investment Group, Johann Els. This is well above the SA Reserve Bank’s maximum target of 6%. Inflation hit 5.9% for the third time in five months in April. With consumer inflation around 7%, and with the combined effect of higher interest rates, workers won’t be happy with salary hikes of 5%, said Johann van Tonder, economist at Momentum Investments. "If the petrol levy cut is not maintained beyond May, this will fuel even larger wage demands than what are currently seen, leading to more strikes in the end," Van Tonder said. Government previously said that it wanted to review the composition of the petrol price, and one solution would be to remove the Road Accident Fund levy, he added. "It doesn’t make any sense to have such a levy as part of the fuel price – you may as well add a health or education levy to petrol, given that you use transport to get to school or hospitals." The Road Accident Fund – which has liabilities of around R300-billion - will then have to be added to the expenditure side of national budget, says Van Tonder. "This will necessitate government to cut state spending to make room for it, or it may also have to think about new tax revenue to finance the RAF." Removing the RAF would immediately lower the petrol price by R2.20, he added. But on Thursday Mantashe said that his department had reconsidered the fuel price formula and that the current proposed revisions wouldn't save more than 13c per litre.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says elections have become so highly contested that intra and inter-party rivalries are increasingly playing out in the electoral process. On Friday, IEC deputy CEO Masego Sheburi briefed Parliament on the successes and challenges of the November 2021 municipal elections. At the time, the IEC had to plan the elections amid a surge in Covid-19 infections. Last year's polls also saw the lowest voter turnout, and several councils across the country were left hung after no single party could obtain an outright majority. But Sheburi told MPs the level of contestation had drastically increased. "Recently, elections have become highly contested, with increased intra and inter-party rivalries that play out in the electoral process. The cutthroat nature of contestation increases the risk of contestants not accepting the results and not resorting to established electoral justice mechanisms for recourse." Sheburi said there had been an increase in instances of disinformation and outright misinformation. Added to that, he said, electoral events were accompanied by community protests, which at times turned violent. Sheburi highlighted the low rate of participation in elections, especially by young people. While voter turnout was relatively low, there was no shortage of politicians vying for positions. "In the lead up to 2021 elections, a total of 508 political parties were registered on the party register. However, only 323 political parties contested the elections. "Of the total contesting parties, 175 parties were registered nationally and, thus, could contest any municipality in the country. 148 parties had municipal registration and were, therefore, eligible to contest only in the respective municipality of registration," he added. Sheburi added that a record number of 95 440 candidates had contested the municipal elections. "There were 34 321 proportional representation and 59 570 ward candidates, as well as 1 549 independents. This represented an increase of 31 884 candidates (50% increase) when compared with 63 556 candidates that contested the 2016 municipal elections. "A record of 99 139 candidates initially submitted to contest the 2021 municipal elections. Of those submitted, 3 699 candidates were disqualified for various reasons." In September last year, the Constitutional Court dismissed the IEC's application to postpone the elections. The apex court ruled that elections had to take place between 27 October and 1 November 2021 following calls by the IEC to postpone them amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority judgment held that the IEC's constitutional duty was to conduct the elections within the 90-day period, "making them as free and fair as circumstances reasonably permitted and that our courts do not, save in rare and exceptional circumstances, have the power to relieve the commission of this duty".
African National Congress (ANC) head of policy Jeff Radebe said on Friday that organisational renewal is important for the survival of the party as it released its policy discussion papers ahead of the much-awaited policy conference scheduled to take place between July 28 and 31. The ANC will take discussions to its branches and other forums, which will convene between the end of June and July 23. Addressing the media at the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg, Radebe acknowledged that the ANC had been discussing renewal for a long time. He said it would continue as it was important in taking the party forward. The ANC dipped below 50% at the polls in a number of metros and municipalities in the 2021 local government elections. “This is a huge warning signal for the coming 2024 national elections,” said Radebe. Radebe said the ANC would continue to ensure that the behaviour of party members and leadership was ethical and that several elements would be removed from the party’s ranks. He added that recent unsavoury factors such as lower levels of community trust, corruption, poor service delivery and a “distant, out-of-touch, inward-looking ANC” that was unable to be an effective agent of change and connect with communities, had resulted in the ANC losing support including in the local government elections. ECONOMIC POLICY On its vision for the country’s economy, the ANC policy document says the party is guided by the Freedom Charter. The ANC laid out its strategy for economic growth with a focus on: structural reforms of network industries for expanded investment, particularly in electricity, telecommunications, water, rail and road infrastructure strengthened industrial policy interventions better management of expenditure and taxation, and a balanced monetary policy a mixed economy with the private and public elements to boost job creation expanded regional trade in Africa. “The new policy frameworks must be underpinned by a comprehensive social compact of government, business, labour and civil society as the President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated during the State of the Nation Address,” Radebe said. He acknowledged that, as a precondition, an ethical and capable State with broad support was essential for the programme to succeed. He warned those involved in corrupt activities that damage to the country’s growth potential and infrastructure was tantamount to economic sabotage adding that it had no place in the ANC. Radebe said it was important that the criminal justice system and crime intelligence, as well as the South African Police Service, were strengthened. “The attainment of democracy in 1994 fundamentally shifted the strategic balance of forces in South Africa in favour of the forces of national liberation and social transformation. Indeed, a major concern in the current period pertains to weaknesses and even reversals, especially at municipal level, and the capacity of the State in general,” he said. He added that the State Capture Commission has been a vital tool in assisting government to eradicate corruption. Find the documents here
The death toll from the KwaZulu-Natal floods stands at 448 people, with another 88 still missing more than a month after the disaster, Premier Sihle Ziklalala said on Thursday. Zikalala said a final baseline report confirmed the figures, which included 6 895 homeless people and 50 injured. He added that 27 069 houses were affected, with 8 584 of these totally destroyed. "All homeless are in 91 shelters currently, all will be provided with houses." The cost of the flood damage to public infrastructure was officially estimated at R25-billion, with losses mainly from roads, rail and bridges, housing, water, sanitation, electricity and agriculture and manufacturing. "We still have the water service system still out of operation in areas such as Tongaat as they were seriously compromised by the floods," the premier said. Zikalala said the provincial government was working hard at trying to rehouse those in shelters into temporary housing units. "Yes, they will receive houses in [the] form of temporary residential unit[s]. It is good quality and guaranteed for three to five years. They will be integrated in the forthcoming project for housing, so they get permanent housing." Billion-rand funding Addressing the R1-billion funding from the national government, Zikalala said it would come in the form of grants and services. "The R1-billion comes in separate grants in the form of humanitarian support, emergency services such as water and others. It is based on applications made by municipalities and provincial departments. "Ours is to consolidate a comprehensive budget based on damage incurred and submitted that to national disaster management - they will take that to Treasury and discuss at a national level," he said. He said the province was still trying to source funds to direct them toward those in need. "We are trying to source other funds, but we want that money to go directly to those in need. The gaming industry in KZN, for example, came on board to donate. We said do not give us money, go and fix schools. "So now the education department will say these are... the schools and then direct the gaming industry to repair those schools."
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said the final pronouncement on the funding model of e-tolls is imminent. Mbalula tabled his budget vote for the Department of Transport in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. This comes amid uncertainty around South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) electronic tolling system to pay for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, which has been met with public resistance. Mbalula said he was working with Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana to help Cabinet arrive at a final determination on the funding of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. He said that a decision on the matter was "imminent", although it has taken a long time. "We are alive to the adverse impact the delay in making the final decision on e-tolls has on the [Sanral] balance sheet and its ability to raise capital for its catalytic projects," said Mbalula. In his budget vote, Mbalula detailed the billions in financial support that are committed to fund programmes and stabilise Sanral and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). Prasa has been rocked by challenges, including the theft, vandalism and destruction of its rail infrastructure and instability at a leadership level. Former CEO Zolani Matthews has successfully challenged his dismissal, which has been ruled invalid by the courts. Mbalula said Sanral would continue to get support from the Department of Transport in the medium-term to help it extend its national road development programme. "An allocation of R76.4-billion goes to the South African National Roads Agency. Transfers to Sanral account for 33.5% of the department's budget over the medium term and 65.5% of the budget of the road transport programme," said Mbalula. Mbalula said Prase would also receive significant financial support in the medium-term for capital, operational and refurbishing purposes. "In recognising the centrality of providing affordable, safe and reliable public transport services, capital transfers to the Prasa will increase from R12.6-billion in 2022/23 to R13.5-billion in 2024/25," he said. Mbalula said the capital transfers would go towards refurbishing coaches, Prasa's rolling stock fleet renewal programme, signalling and other capital projects, which include security of the rail infrastructure. "Operational transfers to Prasa are expected to increase from R7.2-billion in 2022/23 to R7.8-billion in 2024/25," said Mbalula. He said R45.3-billion, or 59.3% of the allocation to Sanral, is budgeted to upgrade, strengthen and refurbish the national non-toll roads network, while R2.8-billion is allocated for Moloto Road. "A budget of R3.7-billion is allocated for the N2 Wild Coast project and R2.1-billion allocated to fund reduced tariffs for the Gauteng freeway improvement project," the minister said. Mbalula said since January, the department has produced 1 026 674 driving licence cards, with a backlog of 526 841 cards as of 16 May.
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said Cabinet approved the 100m flagpole at Freedom Park in Pretoria in February as a project that would "bring South Africans together". "It was not meant to tear us apart," the minister told News24 after the arts and culture department announced it would review the project, following public outrage. When Cabinet approved the project, there was no determination on the cost of it, Gungubele said. "The financial issues were to be separate. Cabinet was not involved with that," he added. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa has since "directed his department to review the process related to the monumental flag in its totality", a department statement indicated. Gungubele said they appreciate the minister's commitment to address public concerns. He added, "We will await the minister's explanation." Meanwhile, Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Sports said the department reported that R1.7-million was spent on geotechnical studies so far. "The committee was briefed on the concept on Tuesday, when the project was punted for its contribution [to] job creation and diversifying the South African heritage landscape; things which the committee noted," chairperson Beauty Dlulane said. Dlulane added that the committee did not have an issue with the intention and motivation behind the concept and that figures were still to be presented in more detail to it. "But the committee is happy that the department has listened to the public sentiment and thus committed to rethink the concept and the figures involved."
President Cyril Ramaphosa tabled the fourth part of the State Capture Inquiry's report with Parliament on Tuesday - and, in a turnaround from the African National Congress's (ANC's) previous stance, affected committees will deal with the published parts of the report. "Parliament confirms receipt of Part 4 of the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture from the President of the Republic today. Previously, the President submitted Part 3 of the Commission's Report, which Parliament is in the process of implementing," reads a statement from Parliament's spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. "Part 4 of the Report comes at the time Parliament is finalising the process of establishing appropriate systems and mechanisms, consistent with its constitutional function, to oversee the implementation of the report. The report will be published in the Announcements Tablings and Committees (ATC) of Parliament for the attention of Members. "The Rules Committee, on the other hand, will at the appropriate time determine how best to process the report and the accompanying implementation plan once they are submitted on or before August by the President." Mothapo said, "In the interim, committees of Parliament will engage with the publicly available reports in their ordinary course of business." News24 reported on Monday that influential ANC MP, chair of chairs Cedric Frolick, and ANC MP in National Council of Provinces, Winnie Ngwenya, have been referred to Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests for their part in the Bosasa-scandal. This was after a legal opinion from Parliament's legal services sat on Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's desk for almost two months. Democratic Alliance deputy chief whip Siviwe Gwarube's attempts to get Parliament to deal with the published reports, as it pertains to Parliament, were stonewalled by senior ANC MPs on the National Assembly Programming Committee. The ANC alleged Parliament could only deal with the full report after Ramaphosa tabled it, with an implementation plan four months after its completion. This meant that Parliament would only look at it in mid-October. The legal opinion did not advise this, and neither did Ramaphosa when he tabled part three of the report in March. In another statement, Mothapo confirmed that Parliament is in "the process of establishing appropriate systems, consistent with its constitutional function, to process and oversee the implementation of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Report". He also confirmed the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests "has been requested to investigate possible contraventions of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interest for Assembly and Parliament Council Members". "This applies only to current members who were serving in Parliament when any alleged transgressions took place." He didn't name Frolick and Ngwenya. Frolick has recently been elected as co-chair of the ad hoc committee that will exercise oversight over the state of disaster after the floods in KwaZulu-Natal, despite the Zondo cloud over his head. Mothapo said that, while the official submission of the reports is awaited, Parliament has already started working on systems based on publicly available copies of the reports. "Parliament's research department is currently processing the reports, summarising them into, among others, action plans to improve Parliament's execution of its constitutional mandate consistent with the corrective measures contained in the reports. "Parliament's Legal Services department has conducted an analysis of the reports and has generated a legal opinion, proposing a process Parliament should follow in dealing with the reports once officially submitted." He said Parliament had an obligation to implement corrective measures from the commission's reports, with regard to areas where Parliament had a role to play. "Similarly, Parliament has a responsibility to...
A Western Cape High Court judge asked Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's lawyer whether she was alleging that Chief Justice Raymond Zondo lied. The court is hearing Mkhwebane's application for an interdict to prohibit Parliament's Section 194 Committee from continuing with her impeachment proceedings and to prevent President Cyril Ramaphosa from suspending her. This comes after the committee decided to forge ahead, despite Mkhwebane's initial application to the Constitutional Court for a rescission of its decision, which effectively gave Parliament the green light to continue. The matter was suspended on 26 April after it emerged that self-described legal analyst Ismail Abramjee sent an SMS to Parliament's counsel, advocate Andrew Breitenbach, SC. It read, "Hello Adv Breytenbach (sic). Re: The Public Protector case tomorrow. I have it on very good authority that the ConCourt has declined to hear the Public Protector's rescission application. The decision will be made known sometime this coming week but not later than Friday. I thought I'd just share this with you on a strictly confidential basis. Thanks." On Wednesday, Mkhwebane's advocate, Dali Mpofu, SC, described the SMS as "the biggest scandal to ever hit our courts". As it turned out, the Constitutional Court announced that it would not hear Mkhwebane's rescission application a week later than Abramjee predicted. Mkhwebane has since applied for the initial rescission decision to be rescinded. Mpofu argued, "The mere fact that the judgment is delated by a week, cannot by any stretch of the imagination be read to mean that what Mr Abramjee was saying was not going to happen on the 29th if it had not been outed. So let's just stop there." He said Zondo gave an interview to the SABC on 28 April. "He said he was asked three times: 'Has the decision been made?' He gave three different answers. Mpofu said the first time after the question was asked, Zondo said the matter was pending and the Constitutional Court would announce the decision when ready. "Let's pause there, he doesn't say decision isn't made," Mpofu said. The second time, Zondo said the Constitutional Court would announce when a decision is taken. Judge Nathan Erasmus said Mpofu was, by implication, saying Zondo was lying. "No. No, no, no, no," Mpofu responded. "How else must I read it?" Erasmus said. Mpofu said, "Well I don't know [Judge] Erasmus." Mpofu added that Zondo didn't give a "clear and unambiguous answer" and that Mkhwebane, owing to her confusion, instructed her attorneys to write a letter to the Constitutional Court to gain clarity. "This is as clear as mud," Mpofu said. He said the letter Mkhwebane's attorneys sent was a "nice letter". He added that the answer they got was that the court didn't want to engage. This came on the same day as the court's rescission decision. "It's not a fighting letter." "What should concern you is a situation where there is a possibly - I wouldn't put it higher than that - there is a possibility that someone on the Constitutional Court leaked a judgment to influence you - this court." The matter will continue on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday has also been set aside for it. Erasmus is hearing the matter with Judges Mokgoatji Dolamo and Derek Wille.
After surviving a fresh fight for her to be forced to resign following her election as African National Congress (ANC) eThekwini chair, Zandile Gumede believes the ANC's contentious step-aside rule should be debated and finalised at the party's policy conference in July. The step-aside rule continues to cause intense debate in the ANC, especially after the party fine-tuned the rule. Gumede has a keen interest in how the party decides to cement the step-aside rule as it could decide her political future. The latest debate on the step-aside rule took place at the ANC's national working committee meeting on Monday, where calls were made for newly elected ANC leaders Gumede and ANC Mpumalanga provincial treasurer Mandla Msibi to be forced to vacate their positions. The two were elected before the party's national executive committee (NEC) decided that criminally affected members should be barred from contesting leadership positions. The original "step-aside" guideline had only recommended that implicated members step aside. Still, with the ANC's elective year gaining steam, the party had moved to address the issue of criminally accused members being elected to powerful positions. There were questions and discussions on whether Gumede and Msibi should resign, considering they were elected after the amended step-aside guidelines. News24 understands that both politicians survived efforts to have them removed from the positions. The ANC was expected to hold a national executive committee meeting in June. The recommendation on criminally charged members not being allowed to stand for elective positions would likely be further debated. The matter was also expected to be a discussion topic at the ANC policy conference in July, where members were expected to finalise the party's position on it. Speaking to News24 on Wednesday, Gumede said she believed the step-aside rule should be settled at the ANC's policy discussion at the July conference. Gumede declined to comment on the push to force her resignation. She faces corruption charges in a drawn out case involving a R320-million solid waste tender. Meanwhile, Msibi faces attempted murder charges linked to an August 2021 shooting in Mbombela. While he had previously denied any involvement in the shooting, Msibi declined to be drawn on discussions that he too should resign on Wednesday. Gwen Ramokgopa, the coordinator in the office of the secretary-general of the ANC, described Msibi's election by branches, despite the criminal charges he faced, as "unfortunate".
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, petrol and diesel prices currently look set for large increases in the first week of June. Adding to the blow is the return of the full general fuel levy (GFL), which government cut by R1.50 per litre for two months. The levy is supposed to be restored at the end of May. This will increase the levy for petrol from R2.35 to R3.85 per litre. The levy on diesel will be hiked from R2.20 to R3.70 per litre. In addition, based on current data from the CEF, petrol is expected to increase by between R1.93 and R1.97 a litre, diesel is expected to increase by between R1.60 and R1.62 a litre, and illuminating paraffin is expected to climb by a R2.14 a litre. The Automobile Association (AA) says together with the return of the general fuel levy this will "result in price shocks never seen before". In combination, the petrol price could be around R3.47 a litre more expensive than current levels. "In late March government reduced the GFL by R1.50 for April and May which brought temporary relief to consumers. The big question now is how government plans to deal with rising fuel costs from June onwards, especially given that baseline prices are forecast to move significantly upwards in June," notes the AA. The association says it must be noted that these price increases reflect data from the middle of the month, and that the final data may vary between now and when the adjustment is finally made. Local fuel prices are determined by international oil prices, as well as the dollar-rand value, as South Africa buys oil in dollars. The rand is currently trading around its worst levels since November last year, while Brent crude remains close to $110 per barrel. The AA says while government’s relief on the GFL was welcome, a longer-term solution is needed. It says when government announced the relief in March, it also noted other measures proposed by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to be introduced after the expiry of the temporary measures. "We are rapidly nearing the end of May and the fuel outlook is looking bleak. Government needs to address this issue sooner rather than later; consumers are anxious about what lies ahead, and government should allay these concerns by indicating as early as possible what steps it will be taking to mitigate against rising fuel costs," says the AA. Petrol and diesel prices have surged by more than a third over the past year.
Government has hit back against claims made by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that National Treasury is refusing to release funds to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial government for disaster relief. Government Communication Information System (GCIS) spokesperson Phumla Williams said the allegations are “mischievous and unwarranted” as government and society pull together to rebuild the lives of those affected by the floods. KZN was recently hit by devastating floods that have claimed more than 400 lives and severe infrastructure damage. The Disaster Management Act caters for the reprioritisation of funds in the event of a disaster such as the recent floods. The reprioritisation of funds are also in line with government’s budgeting system. Williams explained that government embarked on a phased approach following the floods, beginning with immediate humanitarian relief and moving on to reconstruction and repair. “The R1-billion referred to by President Cyril Ramaphosa relates to funding that is catered for in the 2022 Division of Revenue Bill for immediate response through the Provincial Disaster Response Grant and the Municipal Disaster Response Grant,” Williams said. While the reprioritisation of funds from budgets were used to fund immediate needs, Williams pointed out that there is process that must be followed to unlock these funds. This includes provinces and municipalities making applications for these funds to the National Disaster Management Centre and Department of Human Settlements, which will process them before submitting the applications to Treasury. Further, the procuring departments will have to ensure that procurement and supply chain processes are strictly followed. Government has also put in place additional monitoring measures, through the Auditor-General of South Africa to ward against corruption. Williams said government urged all stakeholders and commentators to engage with factual information and to not create panic and confusion.
It's been more than a month since former president Jacob Zuma's lawyers filed an application for appeal court president Mandisa Maya to reconsider the dismissal of his latest legal attack on prosecutor Billy Downer – but she has yet to even see it. This emerged in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday morning, when the long-awaited corruption case of Zuma and French arms company Thales was postponed to a holding date of 1 August to await Maya's decision, as well as further legal action from Zuma's lawyers, should she rule against him. After Downer informed Judge Piet Koen that he had twice confirmed that no decision on Zuma's reconsideration application had been made, Koen – who himself served as an Appeal Court judge – responded that he was "a bit surprised" because the application had been filed on 11 April "and normally these matters are dealt with pretty quickly". Koen then asked Downer, "Can you confirm that, as much as. the application was filed with the registrar, we have got the stamp, has it been confirmed that it's made its way to the desk of the president (Maya)?" Downer answered: "The last message that I received from the registrar was that it was on its way to the president. The reason for the delay is unclear to me. It's not our mandate to interrogate that. But it has been received, the papers are ready and they are on their way to the president." Koen asked: "And when was that Mr Downer?" Downer responded: "That was yesterday (Monday)". Downer subsequently confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had chosen not to file a response to Zuma's multi-pronged appeal application – which primarily concerns the former president's campaign to have Downer removed as prosecutor – precisely "to speed along the process and we urged that the matter be speeded up". "We did, with respect, what we could to ensure that we had a result today, but be that as it may, we don't have a result today," he added. As a result of the potential delays caused by the finalisation of Zuma's ongoing and possible further appeals, Koen then suggested that it was advisable for his trial to be postponed to August, rather than the June date initially agreed on by the State and defence. Now that Zuma's reconsideration application was on Maya's desk and "without putting her on terms", Koen said he expected that a decision on it would be made "pretty shortly". "I am in the court's hands," Downer said, before adding that "naturally, the State is dismayed.with the length of the postponements, with the effect on the administration of justice." "I could stand here and make an argument that it's all too much," he said. Koen answered that he was "also concerned about the delays" and their impact. Nonetheless, he reiterated his belief that the provisions of the Superior Courts Act did not enable him to continue with the Zuma trial, while the former president was engaging in an attempted appeal process. This was despite the fact that he did not believe there was "any substance" to the attempted appeals, he said. "So all we can do is sit out this process of further appeals or further applications along the path of appeals. I can't affect that in any way. Obviously, it must just be pursued in accordance with the time limits and the rules of court," Koen said. In response, Downer stressed that the NPA did believe that Koen had a discretion to continue with its case against Zuma while he was attempting to appeal the special plea dismissal ruling given against him. As a result of Koen rejecting that argument, he said, "we are now in precisely the sort of situation that we wanted to avoid". Downer further stressed that it was important that, once a date for the trial to start was finally established, "it actually starts". "We would also urge the court, even at this stage, that this can't happen every time there's some order by the court during the trial, that matters are taken up and down the superior courts to challenge those o...
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that additional measures are urgently being put in place to provide financial support to businesses in distress, following the devastating floods in April. Heavy flooding wreaked havoc across parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and North West, causing extensive loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure. Ramaphosa explained that municipal and provincial governments had been working closely with national departments and agencies to enable people to rebuild their lives and to get local economic activity back on track. He said that there had been considerable progress in fixing key infrastructure supporting the Port of Durban, given its importance to the national and continental economy. Port traffic has been restored, terminal operations are back at full capacity and work to repair damaged rail infrastructure is underway. The National Disaster Management Centre has been coordinating all spheres of government in their efforts to provide humanitarian relief to the many households that have been affected by the floods. Ramaphosa said he was pleased to see non-governmental organisations, businesses and relief organisations joining with government to provide much-needed relief assistance. Sheltering services are currently being provided to over 7 000 people in the four most affected districts in KwaZulu-Natal and work has started to build temporary residences for affected families on State-owned land parcels in the province for possible resettlement. Mobile classrooms are being procured so that learning and teaching should not be interrupted for longer than necessary in flood-affected schools. Work is underway to repair damaged wastewater treatment works, pumpstations and reticulation. Damaged roads are being repaired and eighteen new bridges are planned as part of the Welisizwe Rural Bridges programme. The Departments of Home Affairs, Health and Social Development have been assisting affected communities to access important services.
Load-shedding will be escalated to Stage 4 on Monday afternoon, Eskom announced. This is owing to a unit at Kusile power station tripping earlier on Monday, taking 720MW of generating capacity with it, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said. "While this unit has since returned to service, it will slowly load up to full capacity during the night." This necessitates Stage 4 load-shedding to be implemented from 17:00 to 22:00, Mantshantsha said. "Eskom will continue to closely monitor the system, adjust and communicate any changes as may be necessary. "This morning a generating unit at Hendrina, Tutuka and Kriel power stations were returned to service while a unit each at Arnot Power Station was taken offline for repairs. We currently have 1 904MW on planned maintenance, while another 17 255MW of capacity is unavailable due to breakdowns." Eskom appealed to all South Africans to help limit the impact of load-shedding by reducing the usage of electricity and to switch off all non-essential items.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema lambasted Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Monday, saying he used the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture to further the interests of one African National Congress (ANC) faction against the other. ANC National Executive Committee member Tony Yengeni has written to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) asking for an investigation into Zondo’s conduct for alleged breach of the Code of Judicial Conduct related to comments made in the fourth part of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture report. Zondo stated in the report that Cyril Ramaphosa’s election as ANC president at the party’s 54th national elective conference in December 2017, in Nasrec, had saved the party from more damage. Malema said judges are respected for their legal judgments and not their political views or their political activity. “We are fully behind Mr Tony Yengeni. We think chief justice Zondo is too forward and has got no limit. We think that he thinks that judges are untouchable that’s why he has given himself a responsibility to enter even the political terrain. What do judges have to do or say with regards to the outcomes of political conferences of political parties? Judges must know the limit and Zondo has got no limit,” Malema said. He went on to accuse Zondo of being a factionalist that supports Ramaphosa’s second term. “He is effectively saying if we do not elect Ramaphosa in this December conference we are going to be in trouble,” Malema said. He called on the JSC’s conduct committee to ensure that Zondo is disciplined the same way former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng was disciplined when he descended into the terrain of politics. Public Protector’s Impeachment Meanwhile, Malema explained that the Section 194 Committee conducting the impeachment inquiry against the Public Protector should postpone its work, as Busisiwe Mkhwebane is still involved with court applications. Mkhwebane is trying to halt impeachment proceedings against her. “It is important that every little aspect is satisfied so that the outcome of that Parliament process is not questioned by anyone. If the Public Protector is delaying deliberately trying to make sure that her term of office expires before Parliament could hear the matter, she is denying herself justice because through that process she can be able to deal with some of the allegations that are put against her,” Malema said. He said Mkhwebane must be taken on review and her reports must be set aside and they must be sustained by courts if the reports are properly researched and investigated.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Mpumalanga says it's unable to take action against one of its members who is accused of the kidnapping and murder of Hillary Gardee, saying that its hands are tied. Explaining the party's dilemma to News24, ANC Mpumalanga spokesperson Ngelosi Ndhlovu said that in terms of the party's step-aside rule, a member who is criminally charged ought to be allowed to voluntarily step aside. The party can suspend a member who fails to do so. "In this situation, [Philemon] Lukhele is in custody, and only once he gets out, should he be granted bail, then can he indicate to the party whether he voluntarily steps aside or not. "We cannot terminate his membership for now because he is in custody, and he must step aside, as we have already [said] in our statement and as per the step-aside resolution. If he does not do that because we have a problem that he is in custody, we might be left with no choice but to request the region under which he is a member to write to him and inform him to step aside," Ndhlovu added. She also said the ANC in Mpumalanga was in the process of writing to the branch of which Lukhele is a member to implore it to stop the accused from participating in party activities going forward. "What we are going to do is that we are going to write to the branch and indicate to the branch that the branch must not assign him any duties until he has been cleared of these serious charges," the provincial spokesperson said. Ndhlovu was also quick to clarify that Lukhele was "just an ordinary member and not a regional executive committee or a provincial executive committee member", but the party's step-aside rule still applies to him. Lucky Mbuyane, the spokesperson for the ANC chief whip's office in the Mpumalanga legislature, where Lukhele worked as a research officer, told News24 that the accused had been suspended and that an investigation had ensued in the office. Mabuyane said the suspension was without pay, but added that it was an employer-employee matter and had nothing to do with Lukhele's ANC membership. Economic Freedom Fighters national spokesperson Sinawo Tambo, who has also been the Gardee family spokesperson, said it came as no surprise that the ANC failed to disassociate itself with the accused. "It is not surprising to us that the ANC has failed to act swiftly against the murder, rape, and kidnapping accused, Philemon Lukhele. It's characteristic of them to fail to act on criminality because criminality is entrenched in the party's DNA and it is sustained and survived through corruption and other acts of criminality through the years. So we are not surprised that they have failed to act in terms of removing Lukhele's membership," Tambo said. There were concerns that Lukhele's continued employment in the chief whip's office after would mean that he would have access to taxpayers' money for his defence.
Global warming made the heavy rains behind South Africa's devastating floods last month twice as likely as they would have been if greenhouse gas emissions had never heated the planet, scientists said on Friday. Flash floods around the east coast city of Durban killed 435 people, left tens of thousands homeless and caused R10-billion worth of damage to roads, power lines, water pipes and one of Africa's busiest ports. The World Weather Attribution group analysed weather data and digital simulations to compare today's climate to that of before the industrial revolution in the late 1800s, when the world was about 1.2°C cooler. "The results showed that an extreme rainfall episode such as this one can now be expected to happen about once every 20 years," a report on the study said. "Without human-caused global warming, such an event would only happen once every 40 years, so it has become about twice as common as a result of greenhouse gas emissions." It added that when extreme downpours do happen, they can be expected to be 4-8% heavier than if no human-induced global warming had occurred. Attributing specific weather events to climate change is a tricky business that deals in probabilities, never certainty. But co-author Friederike Otto, from Imperial College London, said the study had examined data from the wider region, not just Durban. "Looking at the larger region is actually a very meaningful way of assessing the impact of climate change. (The study) means that, in any given year, there is a 5% likelihood of such an event occurring," she told a news conference, versus 2.5% in the absence of global warming. Africa's southeastern coast is on the front line of seaborne weather systems that climate change is making nastier, scientists say. South Africa's tropical northern neighbour Mozambique has suffered multiple cyclones and floods in the past decade, including one in April that killed more than 50 people. "The patterns we see in southern Africa are consistent with what we are seeing elsewhere in the world," Jasper Knight, a geoscientist at Johannesburg's University of Witwatersrand, not involved in the study, told Reuters.
The Public Servants' Association (PSA) has put the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on notice that it intends to go on strike after it reached a deadlock with the tax body during wage negotiations. If the deadlock at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is not broken ahead of time, the PSA strike is set to begin next week Thursday. The union served SARS with notice of a strike in terms of section 64 of the Labour Relations Act. The union is demanding a CPI plus 7% increase be applied to across the board. PSA general manager Marcus Ramakgale wrote a letter to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter on Wednesday notifying him of the union's plans to strike if the employer was not willing to budge from its final offer of a zero-percent wage increase. "The outcome of the conciliation was that the dispute remained unresolved, and the CCMA Commissioner issued a certificate to that effect on 31 March 2022. Parties deliberated on the picketing rules and the CCMA ruled on the picketing rules on 13 April 2022," Ramakgale wrote. Ramakgale told Kieswetter in the letter that the PSA was prepared to resolve the dispute through negotiations to avoid a strike, if the employer was willing to adjust its position. PSA said it demands full and equal medical aid and housing allowance for all employees. The union also demands an annual adjustment upwards on pay progression of 1.5%. SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko the tax body was waiting for formal documentation including approval from the local authority for industrial action to commence. Sibeko said SARS will respond in due course.
Law trust chair in social justice and law professor at Stellenbosch University Professor Thuli Madonsela on Thursday said that the dialogue to handle immigration in manner that is socially just and anchored in shared humanity or Ubuntu remains a challenge in the country. Madonsela was speaking during an expert roundtable on Social Justice, Economic Inclusion and Immigration, organised by Stellenbosch University, where she said the divorce between social justices and the handling of immigration have been seen to influence politics all over the world. Immigrants are being blamed for social strife, particularly an inadequacy of work opportunities, economic opportunities and security challenges. Madonsela said the roundtable takes place at a time when the issue of immigration, as part of globalisation, has become a hugely divisive issue, with politicians mining it and ordinary citizens scrambling for resources, which causes social conflict to increase. “Here in our country we have seen businesses owned by migrants attacked. We have seen local businesses that hire immigrants being challenged. And at the lowest point immigrants were burnt as part of this contestation of resources in shared space,” she pointed out. Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs chief director on policy and strategic management Sihle Mthiyane noted that the asylum seeker regime is being abused by economic migrants and this results in over 90% of the claims for asylum being rejected. Mthiyane explained that with these high demands being placed on the asylum seeker and refugee regime, the country’s ability to provide protection services to migrants in need of it is compromised. “Most applicants are economic migrants who claim asylum to buy time in order to work, study and establish businesses in the country. Other irregular migrants stay illegally in South Africa without claiming asylum, with many seeking to regularise their stay through fraud and corruption,” he said. He noted that South Africa is a product of historical flows of migrants from Southern Africa. The South African economy still remains much bigger than the other countries in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) terms. SA’s GDP per capita is five to seven times than that of the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, he said. For humanitarian, constitutional and practical reasons, South Africa has avoided encampment either for asylum seekers or for refugees, Mthiyane said. “While the policy of non-encampment can be fully justified there, was no provision made for providing indigent asylum seekers with basic food and accommodation,” he noted. He added that South Africa ratified the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees without reservations, saying this makes it very difficult to limit the movement of asylum seekers, including those that pose security threats to the country.
Deputy Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka told the Office of the State Attorney – which is representing Parliament – that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's attorneys misrepresented her involvement in an investigation into a controversial text message. Gcaleka made it clear that she was not involved in an investigation into the SMS that Ismail Abramjee sent, in which he alleged to have knowledge of a pending decision of the Constitutional Court. Mkhwebane uses this supposed "investigation", the police's investigation after she laid a complaint against Abramjee and the Office of the Chief Justice's investigation as reasons why Parliament should suspend proceedings to impeach her. Reporting on Parliament's Section 194 committee's decision to forge ahead with its work despite Mkhwebane's latest legal manoeuvres, News24 reported that according to the Public Protector, Gcaleka was also investigating an SMS from Ismail Abramjee. Abramjee, a self-described "qualified and respected legal analyst and a commentator", sent the SMS to Parliament's legal counsel, stating that he had it "on very good authority that the ConCourt has declined to hear the Public Protector's rescission application". Mkhwebane laid a complaint against Abramjee with the police. The Office of the Chief Justice is investigating the matter. The reference to Gcaleka in News24's report was based on a letter Mkhwebane's lawyers sent to Parliament, imploring the Section 194 committee to stop its work, pending these investigations and Mkhwebane's litigation. The letter stated, "Thirdly, the Office of the Public Protector (under the guidance of the Deputy Public Protector) has initiated its own investigation into the suspected wrongdoing associated with the leaking of court information." "In short, there are now three separate investigations in respect to the unfortunate SMS sent to your lead counsel, Adv Andrew Breitenbach, SC, by Mr Ismail Abramjee." After the publication of the initial report, Gcaleka contacted News24 and said the claim that she was involved in a probe into the SMS was incorrect. "I have no knowledge of any investigation being conducted by Public Protector South Africa in respect of the leaked SMS regarding the CC (Constitutional Court) matter. Thus, I am not involved in any such investigation," she stated. She also repeated this in a letter to the State Attorneys which News24 has seen, and further stated: "The paragraph as far as it relates to me is a misrepresentation, thus the contents thereof are untrue."She also said she doesn't know Mkhwebane's attorneys and that they did not consult with her in this regard. When Mkhwebane laid the charge against Abramjee on 5 May, she also said in an accompanying statement that her office would investigate, but she did not say that Gcaleka would lead it. "I would also like to announce that I have decided to initiate a formal investigation by the Office of the Public Protector into this matter, in terms of sub-sections 6(4) and 6(5) of the Public Protector Act. It is not yet clear whether the leak came from members of the Constitutional Court, the administration or the judiciary," read the statement, which was an addendum to Mkhwebane's lawyer's letter.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia on Thursday called for a State of Disaster to be declared on power utility Eskom following a heavy run of load-shedding this year. The DA has also written to Presidency Director-General Phindile Baleni requesting a State of Disaster on Eskom and asking for the electricity sector to be placed on the agenda of the next Cabinet meeting. The DA also wants an update on its request at the post-Cabinet briefing. The party believes that the significance of a State of Disaster on Eskom and the electricity sector will help galvanise the national effort towards incremental energy projects with specific deliverables. Cachalia said load-shedding is job-shedding and he called for an immediate response to the crisis. “The failure to resolve load-shedding’s longstanding existential threat to the country’s economy and its competitiveness, has robbed unemployed South Africans of much needed jobs and damaged the country’s standing as an investment destination,” he stressed. The DA went on to blame the ANC government and energy regulatory bodies for adopting a ‘business as usual’ approach and ignoring the lack of urgency on the electricity crisis. “We need radical measures to avert disaster which is why we are calling for a State of Disaster,” Cachalia said. He blamed government for not removing the red tape that is preventing new renewable energy projects. The DA says more than 30 projects in the mining industry for self-generation, valued at more than R60-billion, were being delayed by red tape. The DA wants an Electricity Emergency Response Plan in place to lay out short, medium- and long-term goals to bring additional generation capacity to the national energy grid. Conceptualisation and finalisation of the plan should involve all stakeholders from government, industry experts, engineering bodies, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), civil society and members of the public. “Contrary to what the Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan appeared to insinuate recently, South Africa does not need to reach stage 8 of load-shedding before an emergency can be declared. The truth is, South Africa is already in an electricity shortage crisis, with a generation shortfall of between 4 000MW and 6 000MW right now, and the government is duty bound to respond with urgency,” said Cachalia. He warned that should the electricity crisis be allowed to degenerate beyond its current stage, the consequences on the country’s economy, security, investment climate and socio-economic order will be severe. DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Kevin Mileham said the underlying premise for the call for a State of Disaster is that South Africa should be making it easy for IPP’s to bring new generation capacity online, at scale and in the shortest possible time. “We need to put the National Energy Regulator of South Africa into crisis mode to help lessen red tape and approve generation projects in shorter time lines and reprioritise budget resources from non-emergency expenditure towards accelerated spending energy generation projects,” he said.
AfriForum is on Wednesday appealing the finding that the gratuitous display of the old South African flag is hate speech. They feel that the Equality Court's order is too over-reaching. Lawyer Mark Oppenheimer submitted that the ruling of 2019 does not take into account conduct that is not unlawful. "All public bans which don't meet the provision [of hate speech] is overbanning," he argued. He gave the example of protesters carrying the flag to demonstrate how hateful apartheid was, and then setting it alight as a form of protest. "The flag can bear a certain meaning, but the context tells you whether it amounts to hate speech." Courts had already spoken out to say that there were benefits to be had in allowing people to express their views in a way that avoided potential violence, Oppenheimer said. Free speech also provided clues to the temperature of society. He said the National Party had banned free speech to control people, but it had "backfired spectacularly". "There are instances that clearly don't amount to hate speech. "Just because the flag has a particular dominant meaning, doesn't mean that the display of that, endorses it," he said. The appeal which is being heard in the Bloemfontein High Court, is being livestreamed by eNCA. The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the SA Human Rights Commission took the case to the Equality Court, asking that the gratuitous display of the flag be stopped. Handing down judgment in August 2019, Judge President Phineas ruled that the display of the old flag gratuitously demeaned and dehumanised, based on race and impaired dignity. He found that the gratuitous display amounted to prohibited hate speech, unfair discrimination and harassment. AfriForum is worried that this will have far-reaching consequences for freedom of speech. The Nelson Mandela Foundation argued in 2019 that the display of the flag was a symbol of white supremacy, which was degrading and dehumanising to black people. Oppenheimer said on Wednesday: "The system of apartheid invaded everyone's dignity to different degrees. It's an incredibly sinister system. And yes, in other words, the dominant meaning of the flag is that it represents that system." However, he argued, the flag could be used to denounce another party and accuse them of racism, or oppression, but it is not necessarily an endorsement of apartheid. The new South African flag was designed by a former State Herald, Fred Brownell, and was symbolically first raised on 27 April 1994. The appeal continues.
A month after deadly floods hit KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial government is still locked in talks with the National Treasury on the allocation of disaster funds to the tune of R1-billion. "We are told that R1-billion has been allocated to KZN, we have not yet received that money, but we are working with National Treasury and provincial treasury on the processes that need to be followed so that the money is allocated to relevant sector departments to municipalities," Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka said on Wednesday. Hlomuka was briefing the media in Durban about various issues, including budgets for damages and repairs, after the floods. He said provincial departments were also juggling their budgets. "We will be guided by the national government, but I am aware that we need to reprioritise our budget as well to talk to the disaster. All departments affected by this disaster, they need to reprioritise the budget to speak to the disaster." Hlomuka added that some of the worst-affected areas were identified in the western and northern parts of Durban, where water supply is in question. The Tongaat Water Works was destroyed during the flooding, leaving tens of thousands of residents without clean running water. Contaminated river water In addition, there are high E.Coli levels in rivers, raising alarm bells for many rural communities that rely on river water daily. "The infrastructure damages owing to recent torrential rains pose a risk of the contamination of water sources, such as rivers. As restoration of water has progressed in most areas, focus will now be on the protection of water resources to minimise deterioration. "Most water resources (rivers) in the eThekwini District have been found to have a significantly high percentage of water contaminants (mainly E.Coli) due to raw sewer spillages, owing to water treatment works infrastructure damages. "This increases the risk of a potential outbreak of waterborne diseases, like cholera, hepatitis, typhoid fever, etc. We are appealing to communities to exercise extreme caution when dealing with water from rivers." He added that they were attempting to augment the supply of water in the northern parts of the city, with eThekwini having 263 water tankers. Tongaat and Verulam residents have complained that they don't see many water tankers in the areas. According to Hlomuka, more than 400 lives were lost (386 in eThekwini, 31 in iLembe, seven in Ugu, four in King Cetshwayo, three in Harry Gwala, two in uMgungundlovu and two in uMzinyathi); 48 people are still unaccounted for; 77 600 lives were severely disrupted; 7 286 homes were destroyed; 12 062 homes were partially destroyed, There is R25 billion (with assessments still under way) worth of damages to both public and private infrastructure across the province; and Disaster management teams have conducted 748 search operations and more than 168 rescues.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is also getting in on the action to get State capturers behind bars, and recover some loot. The SIU presented their annual performance plan to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on Wednesday. Before SIU head Andy Mothibi could present the part of their presentation dealing with the Zondo Commission's reports to the committee, he was cut short by committee chairperson Bulelani Magwanishe due to time constraints. The presentation states that the SIU is considering a number of areas coming out of the State Capture Inquiry reports: Identify matters that are highlighted by the report and are covered by the issued proclamations, and those that are not covered; Identifying matters where civil litigation for cancellation of contracts and recovery is underway and those matters where SIU will institute civil litigation; Holding officials, executives and directors to account based on evidence and findings; Making referrals to NPA where the evidence points to a criminal offence; Referrals of evidence to state institutions for disciplinary action; Collaborate with other law enforcement agencies on common matters; and Blacklisting of companies and directors; and referrals to other Regulatory Authorities. "The SIU constituted a committee, chaired by the Head of SIU, to consider the first three parts of the State Capture report and identified matters that will be further investigated to ensure that there is sufficient evidence to proceed," reads the presentation. The SIU will also consider the most recently released fourth part of the report, particularly as it pertains to troubled state power utility Eskom. "The SIU has extensive Eskom investigations, and there are already outcomes in this regard," reads the presentation. From the first part of the report, the SIU has identified nine matters on South African Airways and South African Express Airways. Also, from part one, the SIU has identified a South African Revenue Service related matter that "could lead to civil litigation". "The SIU has also identified three potential civil matters, mentioned in passing in Part 1, relating to City of Johannesburg, the Asbestos project (where civil litigation has already been instituted) with contract value of R255m and the Estina Dairy Project," reads the presentation. From the second part of the report, the SIU identified 11 matters dealing with Transnet, and three potential civil matters relating to Denel. "SIU Civil Litigation Team is considering the reports and investigations outcomes for further civil litigation matters," reads the presentation. Furthermore, from the second part of the report, the SIU investigates SAA, Denel, Transnet and the now-defunct Gupta-owned The New Age media company, who received money from government departments to host breakfast events. From the third part, they are investigating state-owned enterprises Eskom and Alexkor. The previous day, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) informed the same committee that its Investigating Directorate (ID) intends to prosecute nine "seminal" corruption cases related to State capture within the next six months. National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi said the nine prioritised cases were "seminal cases that will talk to the heart of State capture". The ID has declared 82 investigations and enrolled 20 cases, with 65 accused. And it has prioritised nine corruption matters for enrolment within the next six months. Dealing with State capture cases will be the NPA's main focus this coming year. "We are determined to ensure that those implicated in state capture are held to account. This will rebuild public confidence, which is closely linked to investor confidence and also to economic growth, which will help the poorest and the most vulnerable in our country and also deal with the increasing inequality gap in South Africa," Batohi said. While the SIU and NPA are taking action as the reports are published, ...
Political analyst Ralph Mathekga on Tuesday argued that President Cyril Ramaphosa can help the African National Congress (ANC) but only if the party allows him. Speaking during a State of the Nation business breakfast in Johannesburg, Mathekga noted that South Africans look at the ANC’s experiences by looking at individuals. “Whatever Ramaphosa is able to do within the society will have an effect within the ANC and that will limit how far he moves within the society,” Mathekga warned. He added that this reform would not have symmetrical benefits, explaining that the more gains Ramaphosa makes in correcting things in society, the more costly it becomes within the ANC. Mathekga noted that Ramaphosa is trying to bring the ANC back from the “back door”, through government institutions. “Actually you can say he is trying to transform the ANC from above . . . going to government and saying this and that is not allowed. But in most cases the people that are going to be caught by those regulations and laws you put in government are the people who should have been sanctioned by just tapping them on the shoulder in your own party and saying don’t go out and do this and that,” he said. Mathekga warned that if the President pushed to eliminate corruption in government it would result in crisis within the ANC. He stressed that if Ramaphosa succeeded in reforming government, he wouldn’t succeed within the ANC, as these two spheres were becoming mutually exclusive. Mathekga believed that South Africa was experiencing a political fragmentation, noting that “the ANC is not holding”. He argued that South Africans were already getting accustomed to declining authority. “In the rural areas there is a lot of shift to traditional leadership as a new source of legitimate authority, despite controversy with the institution and its evolution,” he pointed out. Mathekga was joined by Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse's Wayne Duvenage and StreamIn’s Michael Sham, who was of the belief there was no redemption for the ANC, citing the opposition to Ramaphosa’s faction within the ruling party, which he said was damaging to the country.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Tuesday dodged questions from parliamentarians concerned with how much her office had incurred in litigation costs while defending reports, the recommendations of which have been overturned by the court, and in a bid to escape impeachment. Mkhwebane had made several ill-fated efforts to approach the courts to avoid impeachment through an inquiry into her fitness to hold office. She was also fighting President Cyril Ramaphosa's looming bid to suspend her in the interim. The call for Mkhwebane to divulge the legal costs she had incurred, came as she and her colleagues appeared before the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services on Tuesday, making a presentation on the 2022-2023 annual performance plan and budget for the Public Protector's office. Mkhwebane pleaded with the committee for additional funding of just over R50-million over the next three financial years, mainly to finance critical positions. Instead of acceding to the request, portfolio committee members were more interested in knowing how much Mkwebane's legal pursuits were costing the Chapter 9 institution and if such monies could be redirected towards the additional funding needs. Mkhwebane requested to answer the parliamentarians through a written response and not respond to the questions on the day. A total of just over R360-million had been approved for the public protector's office for the 2022-2023 financial year, with over 90% of the money expected to go toward staff salaries. Notwithstanding that a large chunk of the organisation's budget went toward salaries, the public protector's office revealed that it still needed to fill 22 crucial positions at an estimated cost of R15.1-million. The office's chief executive officer, Thandi Sibanyoni, said: "The posts would have been funded by the public protector's office over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, had the baseline not been reduced in the 2019-2020 financial year." Beyond the funding constraints, Mkhwebane's office indicated that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Auditor-General's (AG) office and would also be keeping a close eye on the spending of the KZN flood funding. The office said it would be receiving cases as soon as they were identified by the AG's office and would not be awaiting a final report on the total spending.
The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Investigating Directorate (ID) intends to prosecute nine "seminal" corruption cases related to state capture within six months. National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi made this announcement as she presented the NPA's annual performance plan to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on Tuesday morning. According to Batohi, the leadership transition at the ID, from Hermione Cronje to Andrea Johnson, had been "seamless", and the directorate was "poised for action". The ID has declared 82 investigations and enrolled 20 cases with 65 accused. And it has prioritised nine corruption matters for enrolment within the next six months. She said the nine ones prioritised were "seminal cases that will talk to the heart of state capture". This is also the main focus of the NPA for the coming year. "The reality is that, right now, our response to the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture is what will really be defining for the NPA and South Africa. "The recent release of the Zondo Commission reports has highlighted how much damage state capture has done to our country. And the need for us in the NPA to act with a sense of urgency, not to respond to pressure, because that's when we make mistakes, but to act with a sense of urgency with a razor-sharp focus on particular cases," Batohi said. "We are determined to ensure that those implicated in state capture are held to account. This will rebuild public confidence, which is closely linked to investor confidence and also to economic growth, which will help the poorest and the most vulnerable in our country and also deal with the increasing inequality gap in South Africa." Batohi said they had evidence and plans in place to bring the "seminal corruption cases" to court within three to six months. "This is our razor-sharp focus. Primarily, it is on the ID. We need to make sure that accountability for corruption is the norm and not the exception." She said it would be a challenging few months for the NPA. "Whether a name is mentioned or not mentioned in the Zondo Commission report will not be whether the NPA prosecutes or decide not to prosecute. We follow our own processes, and we will follow the evidence at the end of the day in our decisions to prosecute," she said. Batohi said they were working closely with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), better known as the Hawks. "Capacitation is still key." She added that expanding the powers of the ID and making it a permanent body would be critical to moving its work forward. Johnson, who took over from Cronje in March, said the ID staff had a very clear "appreciation of the urgency of what must be done".
Back from his visit to Ukraine last week, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Monday that the Russian aggression against Ukraine will get far worse before it gets any better. Steenhuisen recently spent six days in Ukraine to see first-hand how war is affecting the country. He said he made the trip to represent freedom-loving South Africans who were appalled by what the Russian military was doing to the people of Ukraine. He said his message was to inform Ukrainians that the ruling African National Congress did not speak for the country but rather for its own narrow interests. Steenhuisen met with mayors, members of parliament, members of the opposition, former presidents and ministers, academics, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens. He said they were bewildered by South Africa’s stance on the war in Ukraine. “I assured them that our government’s disgraceful stance on the UN vote and the shameless attendance of Russian functions glorifying the military parties on the day the invasion got underway is viewed as a stain on our country by the majority of freedom loving South African citizens,” he said. He said the DA would not stop pressuring the South African government to change its stance on the war, to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to call on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his army and to call for the opening of the Odessa port where more than 30-million tons of exports were waiting. Steenhuisen warned that ripple effects of the war were starting to be felt. He said South Africans were going to suffer, particularly the poor who could not afford any further economic hardship. A sharp price increase in bread and milk would hit everybody hard in the near future, he said. The DA leader said poor South Africans were one of the main reasons why government could not remain neutral on the war. He warned that the effects of the war would go on for a long time even if the fighting stopped now, with the economic devastation and particularly the agricultural aspect, taking years to overcome. “This is not a Ukrainian or even a European issue. This is a global issue,” he stressed. Ukraine is the largest producer of sunflower oil and the third-largest producer of corn and among the top five largest producers of wheat in the world. Steenhuisen stated that Africa was dependent on Russia and Ukraine for their grain imports. Ethiopia depends on Ukraine for more than a third of its wheat. He blamed the South African government for turning a blind eye to the war rather than condemning it. “I will not stop using my voice to raise awareness of the war in Ukraine. The DA will continue to fight for a reduction in oil and sugar prices,” Steenhuisen said. He called for all efforts to be directed towards fighting off rising food costs and warned that if that was not done, South Africa would experience the worst winter. “We must choose freedom, democracy and the right side of history,” he concluded.
Stage 2 load-shedding will "regretfully" be implemented from 17:00 until 22:00 on Monday evening, Eskom said in a statement. The previous bout of load-shedding was suspended just two days previously, on Saturday. Earlier, Eskom said the power system had recovered sufficiently to meet the demand during the day. "[But] Eskom would like to caution the public that load-shedding might be required at short notice during the evening peaks should there be further breakdowns in currently available capacity," the utility said. Eskom had expected to return to service a generation unit each at Kusile and Kendal power stations before Monday evening. But it warned that should either of these units fail to return to service, there would be an "increased probability" of load-shedding at short notice. The return to service of a generation unit each at Matimba and Lethabo, as well as two units each at Hendrina and three at Tutuka power stations, was also delayed, Eskom said earlier.
Eastern Cape African National Congress (ANC) leader Oscar Mabuyane has been re-elected for a second term, brushing off his rival Babalo Madikizela. Mabuyane and most of the party leaders on his slate managed to take over political control in the province, in what was a shambolic elective conference marred by disruptions, as 477 ballots were counted. Mabuyane received 812 votes, and Madikizela 662. It was a clean sweep for the rest of Mabuyane’s slate. Mlungisi Mvoko beat Xolile Nkompela to deputy chairperson with 812 votes. Lulama Ngcukayitobi was re-elected as provincial secretary. Helen Sauls-August was also re-elected deputy secretary with 805 votes. Meanwhile, Zolille Williams obtained 799 votes and was elected treasurer. Cheers, song and dance erupted as Mabuyane was announced as the winner. During voting on Monday, a delegate from the OR Tambo region was caught taking a photo of his ballot paper. It however had little impact on the outcome. The conference saw a failed court bid and pandemonium about credentials, which determine who can participate and, as a result, vote for the leadership. While the conference was meant to be wrapped up by Sunday evening, disputes and delays continued late into the night. Conference delegates spent hours discussing credentials, with some aligned to Madikizela pushing for some branches to be excluded from proceedings. Party President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to close the conference later on Monday.
Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe intends appealing the judgment of the Gauteng High Court, which dismissed his multiple challenges to gross misconduct findings against him and a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) process that could lead to his impeachment. In a statement on Friday, Hlophe's lawyer Barnabas Xulu said the judge and his legal team had "carefully" read the judgment. He said: "...fundamentally, the judgment does not reflect the established jurisprudence on the constitutional and legal issues raised by the parties, and the public is entitled to a judgment that accurately interprets the law, faithfully adheres to the established constitutional principles including judicial precedence and the correct approach to interpreting the Constitution. "As this case is important for the public’s confidence in the judiciary and the rule of law, and we have accordingly received instructions to take the matter on appeal." Last year, Hlophe was found guilty of impeachable gross misconduct for trying to sway Constitutional Court Justices Bess Nkabinde and Chris Jafta to rule in favour of former president Jacob Zuma in his 2008 bid to invalidate Scorpions search and seizure warrants, News24 reported. The warrants led authorities to seize 93 000 pages of evidence that was later used in Zuma's ongoing corruption prosecution. On Thursday, a full bench of the High Court rejected Hlophe's argument that, rather than voting on whether he should be impeached, the National Assembly should conduct its own investigation into the allegations of misconduct.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Friday said that Eskom may downgrade load-shedding to Stage 1. The minister was delivering an address at the Just Transition Framework Multi-Stakeholder Conference. The two-day conference, which started on Thursday, is taking place in Gauteng and is organised by the Presidential Climate Commission. In his address, Gordhan spoke about the importance of ensuring the transition is inclusive of all stakeholders of society. He also briefly spoke on issues at Eskom, which earlier this week implemented Stage 2 load-shedding, after the country lost generation capacity equivalent to that of three Medupi stations. Load-shedding is expected to continue until Monday. "What I can tell you for a start is that Level 2 load-shedding might come down to Level 1 load-shedding, from what I heard [on Friday] morning," said Gordhan. Eskom sticks to status quo Early on Friday morning, however, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said in a text message that while the power utility was expecting a reduction in demand from Friday afternoon into the weekend, the slow recovery of generation capacity did not for the moment not allow a reduction in the load-shedding stage yet. "The status quo remains," he said. Citing a debate in Parliament on Thursday about the load-shedding challenge, Gordhan said that government takes responsibility for "missteps" in the past - as far back as 1998 and the early 2000s. Eskom CEO André de Ruyter has previously spoken of the government's role in load-shedding. Government had delayed decisions on the timeous procurement of generation capacity in the past. Gordhan, however, has said that "we can't cry over spilt milk". The responsibility is now to make sure there is energy security sooner rather than later, he said. Furthermore, projects for renewables and "climate-safe base load" generation must move in the "right direction" in terms of quantities that are procured and must consider the cost of electricity for South Africans, he explained. Among the key objectives to be prioritised in the next two to five years is the restructuring of Eskom and the establishment of the transmission entity and the Independent Systems and Market Operator and developing a competitive generation market. This task is challenging in the face of achieving a just energy transition, which will involve the decommissioning of coal plants, introducing new technologies and retraining and reskilling workers, he added.
Registration for the African National Congress (ANC) provincial conference in the Eastern Cape is underway, ahead of the weekend’s events, where former Provincial Treasurer Babalo Madikizela and Provincial Task Team convenor Oscar Mabuyane will battle it out over the top post for chairperson. At least 1 500 delegates from over 670 branches are expected to participate at the conference. Mabuyane is confident the province will have a clean, uncontested conference owing to the work done by the organization. During a media briefing on Friday, he assured that delegates will be safe and that the conference would not degenerate into events from the 2017 conference, where the wrong impression of numbers was created with ghost delegates. “We have done all we could that the story of the 2017 conference does not repeat. The problem is that some of us, when we are in the lobby space, we try to get into psychological warfare and like to create the wrong impressions by making allegations just when numbers are not tilling up and we refuse to be drawn into that,” said Mabuyane. He said ANC meetings are aimed at being a platform for political education, stating that those that attend the ANC meetings must leave with a good impression that the ANC is a serious organisation. Mabuyane also said the ANC is a democratic party with a constitution that guarantees the rights and duties of its members. He said that more than 670 branches are in good standing as the mission is to ensure that the political party exists in every corner of the province. “That is excellent work done by the organisation as a collective, and we have built this ANC, anchoring this work on unity and renewal of the party,” said Mabuyane.
The Department of Health has clarified that pupils should continue wearing face masks in school. On Thursday, the department stated it was a "regrettable human error" that their Wednesday statement said pupils should not wear masks in school. "This is not part of the gazetted health regulations and is, therefore, retracted to avoid any misunderstanding of the regulations." "Therefore, children like other people are expected to continue complying with the provisions of Regulation 16A on face masks in the classrooms and general indoor gatherings, unlike outdoors in playgrounds and sports fields." The Health Department reiterated its view that masks are a good non-pharmaceutical preventative measure against Covid-19. But the opposition Democratic Alliance is not happy with the new limited regulations, which is said were released at the "99th hour" without consultation on Wednesday night. The old regulations were about to expire. The DA considers them a sneaky way of extending the State of Disaster, ended by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 19 April. "Again, the ANC is governing through regulations, without consulting South Africans or Parliament, and in this case, likely promulgating regulations beyond the scope of the [Health] Act. We will not hesitate to go to court to confront government in abusing its powers," the party said in a statement issued by MP Michele Clarke. The party has already stated its opposition to the proposed regulations on the grounds that they could force medical tests examinations, tests, and "treatment" such as the Covid-19 vaccine. "While the DA strongly supports vaccinations, we do not believe it should be mandatory," the party said.
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe's multiple challenges to gross misconduct findings against him and a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) process that could lead to his impeachment. Hlophe had been found guilty of impeachable gross misconduct for trying to sway Constitutional Court Justices Bess Nkabinde and Chris Jafta to rule in favour of then African National Congress president Jacob Zuma in his crucial 2008 bid to invalidate Scorpions search and seizure warrants. Those warrants led authorities to seize 93 000 pages of evidence that was later used in Zuma's ongoing corruption prosecution. On Thursday, a full Bench of the High Court rejected Hlophe's argument that, rather than voting on whether he should be impeached, the National Assembly should conduct its own investigation into the allegations of misconduct. It said this argument was legally unsound, as it was the Judicial Service Commission that was legally empowered to investigate the conduct of judges accused of wrongdoing - not Parliament. Among other things, the full Bench also rejected Hlophe's argument that he was unaware that it was improper for judges who were not involved in a particular case to express a view on that case, when not invited to so, to the judges dealing with it. Hlophe has consistently maintained that his discussions with Jafta and Nkabinde were innocent academic discussions, despite evidence that he stated that there was "no case" against Zuma and that he was being "persecuted", just as Hlophe had been persecuted. The full Bench also rejected Hlophe's argument that certain members of the JSC, including Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo and Justice Sisi Khampepe, were conflicted and should not have been allowed to vote on the gross misconduct findings made against him. It found that these challenges were "unsustainable".
Following the publication of new Covid-19 health regulations by Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Solidarity launched legal action against the regulations, calling them “unlawful and irrational”. Phaahla published amendments to health regulations on Wednesday night, just hours before the 30 days of transitional rules (put in place after the end of the National State of Disaster on Covid-19) automatically lapsed. “The Department of Health’s (DoH's) dragging its heels in publishing the regulations led to the absurd situation where the South African public did not know by 23:00 last night what would hit them the next morning. This is totally unacceptable and it has taken the country back to family meetings and with the immediate effect of lockdowns,” Solidarity chief executive Dr Dirk Hermann said. Regulations retain the wearing of masks in all indoor public spaces. The venue capacity for indoor and outdoor gatherings is a maximum of 50%, if attendees are vaccinated against Covid-19 and have a valid vaccination certificate. If these requirements are not met, attendees must produce a valid negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours prior to the date of the gathering. “If complying with this indoor gathering requirement is not possible, then attendance shall be limited to 1 000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller, while the attendance at an outdoor gathering shall be limited to 2 000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller," said the DoH. Solidarity issued Phaahla with a legal letter asking him to disclose how the decision on the Covid-19 health regulations was reached. Hermann said there was major uncertainty about the legal framework within which these limited regulations functioned. “The most draconic and worrying of the new regulations is the fact that the Minister of Health can arbitrarily decide to enact or withdraw them. Practically, this means the Minister can put the whole country into lockdown with no prior notice and no limits to this power. The huge uncertainty this creates in several sectors of the economy will have major consequences if the regulations remain as is,” he explained. He argued that no mention was made of preserving the country’s healthcare capacity by the regulations, saying South Africa traded a temporary pandemic for an eternal lockdown which, he says, cannot be allowed. He said Solidarity’s legal team was also considering further steps to challenge the substance of the regulations relating to the public comment process. Hermann argued that while government admitted in the Government Gazette that it needed more time to consider public input, it nonetheless, gazetted the regulations. He added that government’s actions made a “mockery” of the public participation process and showed “the true colours of a government that wants to rule over citizens rather than in solidarity with citizens”. AfriForum campaigns manager Jacques Broodryk said AfriForum’s court documents had already been finalised and its legal team was also standing by to immediately fight amendments. He added that AfriForum would litigate to review the “astoundingly and unjustifiable regulations”.
An illness kept former South African Airways (SAA) board chairperson Dudu Myeni away from court on Wednesday, forcing a second postponement of her case relating disclosure of the identity of a protected witness at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry in 2020. A warrant of arrest was issued against Myeni for her failure to appear in court, but will be on hold and only effected if she fails to arrive in court without providing a valid reason. The state has charged Myeni with defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Her attorney, Nqabayethu Buthelezi, informed the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court that Myeni was ill and could not be present in court. Her absence forced the state to postpone the matter to 14 June. Myeni, who was SAA board chairperson from December 2012 to 2017, raised eyebrows when she revealed the identity of a witness known as "Mr X". The undisclosed witness had given evidence in camera in February 2020, relating to his dealings with Myeni and a company run by her son. The witness had told the commission that his evidence would destroy his relationship with Myeni, News24 reported. Despite her failure to appear in court, the representations she had made with the Gauteng director of public prosecutions regarding the matter have been unsuccessful, allowing the case to continue. The outcome of the bid was confirmed by Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. "The matter was set down for the outcome of the representations that the accused lodged with the office of the director of public prosecutions in the Gauteng local division. The representations were unsuccessful and the full prosecution will continue," said Mjonondwane. Myeni has the option to take the matter up with the national office of the director of public prosecutions. "If she fails to appear again and there are no reasonable grounds for her absence, the warrant will have to be executed," said Mjonondwane.
Without fixing dysfunctional municipalities, dangerous roads full of potholes and reducing reliance on Eskom, South Africa can forget about meaningful economic growth, says former finance minister Tito Mboweni. Speaking at the PSG annual conference in Sun City on Wednesday, Mboweni said even though SA's economy bounced back quickly from the Covid-19 setback, it's still at levels last seen in 2017. "That short-term V-shaped recovery - there's not much to write home about it. It was recovering from a very low base," he said. Instead, Mboweni said that the 1.2% GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2021 paints the true picture of SA's stagnation and proves that the target of growing the economy by 5% by 2030 is a pipe dream. The problem? There is no capable state to ensure that the economy grows. Instead, there are more businesses which, like Clover, are suffocating because of ineffective municipalities. "The municipal roads were bad. Their trucks experienced tyre bursts all the time. The municipality overcharged them for rates and taxes," said Mboweni. He added that Clover was ready to close its business if it could not relocate to Durban. Fix roads and infrastructure instead of social spending If he were president, Mboweni said, his priority would be fixing bad roads and infrastructure, and cleaning up municipalities. "The importance of running municipalities properly is so key," he said. Mboweni said there are many other pre-conditions for achieving higher economic growth that are not present in South Africa. While there are several structural reforms the country needs - including reconfiguring the country's energy mix because "Eskom is a major constraint to economic performance" - there are also simple things government is failing on. "What will be the preconditions for us to achieve higher growth levels? A capable state is very important. [A] state that is going to fix the roads and do all of those things, it's very important," said Mboweni. He said there are many other "basic factors" that government needs to refocus its attention on, including actually investing in infrastructure again rather than just talking about it. The former finance minister also cautioned against populist policies, given that the governing ANC might try to appease voters after losing support in many metros in the local government elections last year. Mboweni thinks that the expanding social expenditure bill needs to be reined in, particularly because the social sector already accounts for about 60% of the consolidated budget. "As people go around talking about the basic income, they have to be careful about where we want to take the country to. Yes, there is massive poverty and we must make interventions, but I'm not quite sure ... a basic income grant is where we should go," said Mboweni. Mboweni said given SA's unemployment time bomb, the country needs to invest in infrastructure, which is a huge creator of jobs in the construction sector. According to the World Bank's economic indicators, SA's gross fixed capital formation – which measures investment in infrastructure – has fallen dramatically in the past 13 years. In 2018, SA's gross fixed capital formation stood at 22% of the GDP. By 2020, it was 14%. Where the state cannot fill the infrastructure gap, Mboweni believes it should let the private sector help. "The key thing that has happened in the transport sector is that government has accepted that private operators can operate on the Transnet rail system. That's a huge development, huge!" said Mboweni.
Afriforum warned on Wednesday that should government go ahead with its plans to permanently enshrine current pandemic health regulations into law, it and public participation platform DearSA will launch court action against government’s proposed regulations. Covid-19 rules such as mask wearing and social distancing are set to expire at midnight after government extended the regulations for 30 days after it ended the National State of Disaster. AfriForum argued that government’s draft regulations are beyond legal powers and, therefore, outside of the intended scope of the legislation. “It was never the legislature’s intention for these Acts to have such far-reaching effects and consequences. Some of these proposed regulations, such as forced quarantine, have previously been nullified by the court,” said AfriForum campaigns manager Jacques Broodryk. AfriForum also submitted more than 30 000 individual comments rejecting the regulations. “There is no reason why these temporary health regulations should be made permanent. While many countries across the globe have dropped regulations such as the wearing of masks, the South African government now wants to permanently enshrine these measures in law. It’s absolutely illogical,” explained Broodryk. DearSA also raised concerns about the manner in which government is handling the public participation process on the proposed amendments to the Health Act. The Democratic Alliance (DA) urged President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress government to provide clarity on when the State of Disaster will finally come to an end, and clear steps on what the road ahead would entail. DA Shadow Minister of Health Michele Clarke said as yet, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has provided no feedback on the DA’s various requests and suggestions to ensure transparency and oversight. “There is currently no confirmation that an audit has been done to indicate whether submissions lost due to a technical glitch were recovered and included,” she said Broodryk said AfriForum’s court documents have already been finalised and the legal team are standing by to fight amendments immediately should they come into force. He added that AfriForum will litigate to review the “astoundingly and unjustifiable regulations”.
Taxpayers will fork out around R500-million for the SA National Defence Force's (SANDF) deployment to flood-ravaged parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the deployment of around 10 000 soldiers to the two provinces to assist with humanitarian and rebuilding efforts. In a letter to Parliament's presiding officers, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo, Ramaphosa said the troops were deployed, "... to preserve life and health and property in emergency or humanitarian relief operations in the KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces". The letter dated 26 April was released by Parliament this week. The expenditure expected to be incurred for this deployment amounts to R506 406 000, Ramaphosa said. "This employment was authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 18 of the Defence Act, Act 42 of 2002. The employment is for a period of two months from 14 April 2022 to 14 June 2022," Ramaphosa said. He also requested that the contents of the letter be brought to the attention of MPs in both Houses. A preliminary assessment report from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements indicated that more than 13 500 households were affected, 3 937 houses were destroyed, and 8 039 houses were partially destroyed. Last month, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said the floods damaged over 630 schools - 101 were deemed inaccessible and 124 suffered extensive damage. The minister said 64 pupils had died. Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the damage to health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal would cost R185-million to repair. Several health facilities had damaged roofs due to the flooding. The Social Development Department had managed to provide shelter to about 8 400 people, with 98 shelters established. The majority of those housed were women and children. Last month, Ramaphosa announced that he has roped in the Auditor-General to keep an eye on the billions in disaster relief. Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke has authorised her office to undertake real-time audits of the funds. Maluleke said the AG has an important role to play in providing independent assurance that public funds are accounted for and are being used as intended.
The Department of Justice has a team working on implementing the findings of the Zondo Commission, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola told the Parliament on Tuesday morning. However, this plan will be presented at the "... appropriate time, to enable us to respond appropriately to the corruption cancer," Lamola told the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. He was presenting a political overview before the committee was scheduled to take a closer look at the department and its entities' budgets. The fourth part of the commission's report was published on Friday. As before, there are numerous recommendations that people – many of them Lamola's comrades in the ANC – should be investigated for prosecution. Lamola thanked Chief Justice Raymond Zondo for his "sterling job" at the commission as the inquiry draws to a close. Lamola said, "We are in full flight in the rebuilding processes of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)." He said they are, as far as possible, directing critical resources to the NPA to ensure that it has the human capital and financial resources to respond to the many crimes which afflict communities, despite a challenging fiscal environment. "For instance, it is quite evident that our biggest challenges as a nation at the moment, are the supply of stable and reliable electricity and the provision of reliable passenger rail transport. While the challenges at Eskom and Prasa are well documented, one of the most obvious factors is cable theft. "One of the indicators we will be monitoring closely in the NPA's performance plan is that of cable theft convictions. This is an act of economic sabotage, now more than ever, the masterminds of those who benefit from plunging communities into darkness and train stoppages must be exposed and the arm of the law must catch up them." He said a "new injection of resources" must enable the NPA to combat organised crime, white-collar crime, and corruption. "In the past year, there has been progress we can mention without any hesitation. The foundation of the Investigating Directorate was established by a highly skilled black woman in Advocate Hermione Cronje and the transition from her to another highly skilled black woman in Advocate Andrea Johnson has been seamless," he said. He thanked Cronje for her service and welcomed Johnson into her new role, "... which is difficult and challenging, but we do believe she is equal to the task". The Investigative Directorate has declared 82 investigations and enrolled 20 cases with 65 people standing accused. It has also prioritised nine corruption matters for enrollment within the next six months. "In their own words, Advocate Shamila Bathoi and her Deputy Anton du Plessis, have said that we are nearing a moment of high-level prosecutions being executed without fear or favour. We shouldn't second guess them, they are better placed than all of us to tell no lies and claim no easy victories. We do believe they will be able to discharge their responsibilities as enshrined in the NPA act." Lamola said the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is also proving to be a significant agent in the fight against corruption and maladministration. "As it also prepares to mark 25 years of its existence, there is objective proof that it is a vital cog in our accountability and consequence management framework as a state." He said the SIU had enrolled cases worth billions of rands to the Special Tribunal and High Court. The cooperation between the SIU and other law enforcement agencies such as the NPA and Hawks is also being strengthened. "Honourable Members, over and above all this work, in these plans, we are also mindful of the imminent and the already released Zondo Commission reports. Special Commercial Crimes Courts have been established in every province and the one in Palmridge and Pretoria have been expanded to enable them to cope with the work that might come their way," Lamola said. "Consultations are ...
In his latest weekly newsletter, published on May 3, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the workers at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, who heckled him off stage at a Workers' Day rally, made plain what nearly every South African knows, namely that the working class and the poor are suffering. "Workers expressed their grievances loudly and clearly. While the main grievance appeared to be about wage negotiations at nearby mines, the workers' actions demonstrated a broader level of discontent. It reflects a weakening of trust in their union and federation as well as political leadership, including public institutions," he said. "These workers wanted to be heard. They wanted their union leaders and government to appreciate their concerns and understand the challenges they face. In raising their voices, these workers were upholding a tradition of militance that has been part of the labour movement in this country for decades. As political and union leaders, we have all heard the workers and understand their frustration." Further, political and union leaders are firmly committed to take the necessary action to improve workers' lives and their working conditions, but this is not something that government can do on its own. It needs labour, business and the whole of society to work with government to implement an agreed set of measures to grow and transform the economy, Ramaphosa said. "[The workers] made the firm point that we must do more and act with greater urgency to address issues of unemployment, poverty, deprivation and hunger. At the same time, we must establish more efficient mechanisms to enable workers to participate more fully in the formulation and implementation of policy and programmes," he highlighted. While the pandemic has affected everyone in our society, it is the working class and the poor that have suffered most. They have also been the most affected by service delivery failures, corruption, crime and weaknesses in local government. It is the working class and the poor who were affected most by the public violence and destruction in July last year, and who were most vulnerable when catastrophic flooding struck parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. "The workers that gathered at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium and millions of other people across our country cannot wait for the impact of reforms to be realised. That is why, as we implement reform measures, we are seeking, within our constrained public finances, to provide a basic level of social protection to the most vulnerable," said Ramaphosa. "There is still much more that needs to be done to unleash the potential of our economy and provide the employment opportunities that our people need. "That is why we need to all work together to ensure that it will not be long before the workers of Rustenburg, and indeed workers across the country, begin to experience the benefits of ports and rail infrastructure that can effectively carry our goods to export. "So that we can all experience the benefits of a stable electricity supply that is cleaner and cheaper, of fewer restrictions on small and informal businesses, of better access for all to broadband technology, and of an exploration strategy that leads to an increase in mining investment." The challenges that workers face this Workers Day are many and the hardships they endure are great. The road ahead will be difficult and there is much work to do. "That is why we need to rebuild trust and confidence, and why we need to forge a social compact that not only has the support of workers, but also delivers meaningful benefits to them," he said. South Africa's progressive labour laws are the product of engagement among all social partners who devised an effective response to the 2008 global financial crisis and laid the foundation for the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which is guiding the country's response to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was such a partnership that led to the introduction of a natio...
"Worrying signs" that Covid-19 infections are on the rise have been detected over the last two days, Health Minister Joe Phaahla has warned. He introduced his department's annual performance plan to the Portfolio Committee on Health on Friday morning. Phaahla said the last two years had been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The department's energy, financial and human resources weighed heavily in favour of containing the pandemic. "We are hopeful, as we present the annual performance plan, that the 2022-'23 financial year will be different from the last two financial years," he said. "We hope that there will be more stability in the pandemic, that the pandemic will be better contained." He referred to the Omicron variant of the virus, which was highly infectious but not severe, and said he hoped this trend would continue so that the department could focus on its programmes and not be "diverted" like it had been during the last two years. Phaahla, however, tempered this hope. "Over the last two days, we have seen worrying signs of a rise in Covid-19 infections. We hope that this will not go much higher. But we are monitoring, and we will be able to report back to the committee and the public once we have seen the trend," he said. On Thursday, South Africa recorded 4 406 new coronavirus cases, of which 2 157 were recorded in Gauteng. The previous day, 2 846 new cases were recorded, close to half of it from Gauteng.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has appointed David Maynier as the new Education MEC and has made changes to his cabinet. Maynier was the MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities. This comes after Debbie Schäfer resigned as Education MEC to join her family in the UK and to return to the law profession. The announcement was made on Friday during a short break in the premier's meeting day with mayors and local government representatives in the province, which was hosted at the Century City Conference Centre. As part of his cabinet reshuffle, Winde named Mireille Wenger as Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC. Wenger previously served as Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip in the province. Winde also named three new portfolios: Infrastructure, Mobility, and Police Oversight and Community Safety. Tertuis Simmers was appointed MEC for Infrastructure. Previously, he was the Human Settlements MEC. Winde appointed DA MP Reagan Allen as MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety. Former Transport and Public Works MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela was jettisoned when it emerged that he did not have the degree he claimed to have. Daylin Mitchell took over his portfolio, and Madikizela resurfaced as an advisor to Winde. Mitchell has now been appointed as MEC for Mobility. Previous Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz was fired after allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied. Winde thanked Anroux Marais for holding the community safety portfolio together in the aftermath of the Fritz scandal. "It's not easy. These are tough choices to be made," he said. He added that he had chosen "individuals who held the government's values dear". "Over the next few days, we will set up those ministries."
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has gone to court to apply for a six-week extension of the State Capture Inquiry, while promising that report volumes on Eskom, the Free State and the "attempted capture" of Treasury should be handed over by Monday. In an affidavit filed in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, Zondo said Part 4 of the report will also include volumes on EOH and the City of Johannesburg; Alexkor; closure of Gupta bank accounts" as well as "the Free State asbestos project debacle; and the Free State R1-billion housing project debacle". He said the commission was "about to deliver" an electronic version of Part 4 of its report to President Cyril Ramaphosa "some time today (Friday) or this evening, or tomorrow morning" - and that a hard copy was expected to be handed over on Monday. "Unfortunately, although we have covered a lot of ground in March and April in terms of further work on Part IV of the report, we have not been able to complete all the remaining topics that must be covered and will not be able to do so by the end of April," Zondo stated. These final topics include investigations into the SABC, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA, "the Waterkloof landing", the State Security Agency and the Estina dairy farm. It also includes a "summary of the report" and a " state capture chapter". Zondo says the inquiry needs to be extended until 15 June to allow for these volumes to be completed.
Load shedding will be reduced from Stage 3 to Stage 2 at 22:00 on Thursday evening, Eskom announced. Stage 2 will continue until Friday evening. A generation unit each at the Majuba, Matimba and the Arnot power stations have returned to service since Wednesday night, while a single unit at Tutuka Power Station was shut down for repairs. Two more units are set to return to service during the next 24 hours. This, together with the expected lower weekend demand, makes it possible for Eskom to reduce load shedding, the utility said. Some 5 349 MW of the power system has been placed on planned maintenance, while another 14 493 MW of capacity is unavailable due to unplanned breakdowns. Load shedding was reduced from Stage 4 to Stage 3 on Wednesday evening.
Parliament will establish an ad hoc committee to oversee the national state of disaster after flooding caused major devastation in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape last week. President Cyril Ramaphosa also called for a joint sitting of Parliament to outline government's response. This will take place on Tuesday. The National Assembly Programming Committee met on Thursday morning. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula opened the meeting by referring to the "tragic events that unfolded in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape". She said the "devastating floods" will have a lasting effect not only on those directly affected, but on the whole country. She said the disaster occurred while the country was still recovering from the economic hardship brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and last year's civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. "Given the tragic circumstances that confront us, it is imperative that Parliament play its part," she said. Mapisa-Nqakula had received a letter from Ramaphosa "calling a hybrid joint sitting". "This is to ensure that the elected representatives of the people of our country can be directly involved in oversight of the work that is needed to provide relief," she added. She said African National Congress chief whip Pemmy Majodina had proposed that an ad hoc committee be established to oversee the state of disaster. At its meeting on Wednesday, the Chief Whips' Forum agreed. There seems to be unanimous support for the establishment of such a committee. The National Assembly will establish the committee at a sitting scheduled for Tuesday at 12:00. The joint sitting comprising the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces will start at 14:00. Parties will be allowed to respond to Ramaphosa's address.
Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa Liubov Abravitova believes a call between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, has sent a strong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ramaphosa and Zelensky spoke on Wednesday night in a call, which was confirmed by Abravitova to News24. The ambassador said she facilitated the call but could not divulge many details on its content. Abravitova said in her view, the call sent a strong message to Putin. She said it had been the first conversation between Ramaphosa and Zelensky in a long time. The dialogue between the two men centred on cooperation between South Africa and Ukraine. "They discussed the resistance of Ukraine, and they discussed relations between Ukraine and South Africa, and cooperation. These are the main points. The call was the first communication between the presidents in a long time. I believe it is a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin, this call. This is my evaluation of the call," Abravitova told News24. "Had a phone conversation with @CyrilRamaphosa. Told about our resistance to Russian aggression. Discussed the threat of a global food crisis, deepening relations with the Republic of South Africa and cooperation within international organisations," Zelensky tweeted on Wednesday night. Talks between Ramaphosa and Zelensky come a month after Ramaphosa held a similar discussion with Putin. Ramaphosa said the call had centred around the war in Ukraine and the country gaining an understanding of the situation. "I outlined our position on the conflict that has unfolded, as well as our belief that the conflict should be resolved through mediation and negotiation between the parties and – if need be – with the help of agencies that can help bring a solution to the conflict," Ramaphosa said on his Twitter account in March. Fence-sitting The government has been heavily criticised for sitting on the fence in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In March, South Africa abstained from voting on a United Nations (UN) resolution on the conflict in Ukraine. Ramaphosa defended this decision, News24 reported, saying the conflict between the two European countries should be solved through mediation. In April, South Africa again abstained from voting on a UN resolution to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Six KwaZulu-Natal districts have borne the brunt of the damage to healthcare infrastructure due to floods, with the health minister dispatching a team of national and provincial officials to assess the impact on services. Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who had visited the province on Tuesday, said healthcare services had been most affected in eThekwini, Ugu, Ilembe, uMgungundlovu, King Cetshwayo and uMkhanyakude districts. The damaged healthcare infrastructure included 23 hospitals, 34 clinics and community health centres. Repairs were expected to cost around R187 million, which Phaahla said the department would request from National Treasury. "Most damages manifest in the form of weakened roof coverings, failed waterproofing membranes causing water ingress, embankments and retaining wall failures," said Phaahla. He added that extensive repairs were needed to replace the entire roof coverings and embankment restabilisation at Newtown Community Health Centre, Wentworth Regional Hospital, GJ Crookes Hospital, and Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital. Services at Newtown Health Centre had come to a halt, he said. Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi had been left without water supply as a result of the floods. Work was under way to fill the reservoir through water tanks. The water supply was expected to be restored by midday on Thursday. Experts - who include the engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and construction managers - have classified the damage to health infrastructure as moderate compared to the damages experienced in October 2017 in eThekwini. Of the 455 bodies recovered after the flooding, 377 had undergone post-mortems by Wednesday morning, said Phaahla. The remaining 50 post-mortems were expected to be finalised on Thursday. Phaahla called on families "to collect the remains for burial".
Load-shedding will be reduced from Stage 4 to Stage 3 at 22:00, and remain in force until Friday, Eskom announced on Wednesday. Six generation units have been returned online over the past 24 hours, with three more units set to return on Thursday. A generation unit each at the Arnot and Kendal power stations returned to service, adding to the two Lethabo units, and one each at Camden and Matla power stations, that returned to service on Tuesday night. A unit each at the Majuba, Matimba and Arnot power stations are set to return to service by on Thursday. "Altogether, this will boost generation capacity and ease the constraints ahead of the weekend, in which we also expect lower demand," Eskom said in a statement. Some 5 787 MW of Eskom capacity is on planned maintenance, while another 14 259 MW of capacity is unavailable due to unplanned breakdowns.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala was cornered in the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday as opposition political parties raised doubt about the government's ability to spend flood relief funds without corruption. Zikalala faced criticism and concern about how the provincial government handled the flooding disaster. He insisted that measures would be implemented to ensure that resources and funds donated after the flood disaster would not be abused. He said proper measures would be followed regarding procurement. Zikalala said the Office of the Auditor-General, the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission were willing to help ensure that funds were used for their intended purpose. "We agree there must be no tolerance [for] the abuse of public funds. We will put in place several measures to protect funds. We will ensure procurement is cost-effective and fair," Zikalala said. Despite these assurances from Zikalala, opposition political parties warned strongly about the African National Congress's (ANC's) behaviour regarding public funds. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for the establishment of a multi-party committee to oversee the spending of relief funding. EFF MPL Vusimuzi Khoza said the ANC could not be trusted with handling relief funds donated to the province. The EFF also blamed the ANC for not acting quickly on land expropriation, leading to people building homes on unsustainable land. "The ANC government is responsible for this disaster because the ANC has refused to take land from thieves. It has failed our people and forced them to build houses on sloping ground. It is because the ANC has failed our people. "If these ANC cadres could steal money meant for funerals, what would stop them from stealing money meant for floods? Wherever there is the ANC, there is looting." The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), through its leader Velenkosini Hlabisa, echoed those sentiments, saying a close watch should be kept on spending to ensure that public funds were used to benefit the public. "As the IFP, we will be vigilant in our oversight role to ensure funding is used prudently," he said. Democratic Alliance MPL Francois Rodgers said despite calls for unity, there were several weaknesses in the government's response. Rodgers said there seemed to be no coordination in responding to the floods. Zikalala defended the government's response, saying the provincial government had warned of unusual weather ahead of the flood disaster. He also defended himself against allegations that a water tanker had been diverted to his home. Zikalala has since apologised for the incident at his home in La Mercy in Durban. He insisted that he had not been home when the water tanker was delivered. Tashya Giyapersad, vice-chair of the La Mercy Residents' Association, said the organisation had noted the premier's apology. "We intend having a meeting with him," she said without stating when the meeting was set to take place. Giyapersad said they intended to communicate the outcomes of their meeting with Zikalala "in the next day or two". In total, 448 people have died in the floods that engulfed KwaZulu-Natal last week. Hundreds of people have lost their homes. President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a National State of Disaster.
South Africa's major port of Durban, where operations were disrupted by severe flooding last week, is now functional and a backlog of thousands of containers will be cleared within five to six days, the public enterprises minister said on Tuesday. The floods caused extensive damage to roads leading to Durban port, one of the busiest shipping terminals in Africa and a key hub for exports like metals and agricultural commodities and imports like fuel. Scientists believe the southeastern coast of Africa is becoming more vulnerable to violent storms and floods as human emissions of heat-trapping gases cause the Indian Ocean to warm. They expect the trend to worsen dramatically in coming decades. Minister Pravin Gordhan told an online briefing on Tuesday that fridges, logs and debris ended up in the harbour during the floods but that after 72 hours of dredging a lot of the debris had been cleared. He said that trucks could now access the port terminals, which were operating at between 60% and 100% capacity, and that there was no risk of fuel shortages as state logistics company Transnet's pipeline was operational. Talking about chrome, ferrochrome and iron ore specifically, Gordhan said exports were happening at a "reasonable" level, given the damage that had occurred, and that exports should improve in the coming days. Trade and industry minister Ebrahim Patel said problems with the movement of goods were shifting from the Durban port, where there had been considerable progress, to the logistics of moving cargo to the Gauteng province, the country's economic hub where Johannesburg is located. President Cyril Ramaphosa invoked the importance of the Durban port to the country's economy as a whole in an address to the nation on Monday, when he announced that his cabinet had declared a national state of disaster to respond to the crisis. The floods, among the worst to have affected KwaZulu-Natal province in its recorded history, have killed more than 440, left thousands homeless and damaged more than R10-billion of infrastructure. Dozens of people are still missing and search and rescue missions continue, although the chances of finding people more than a week after the rains started to lash the east-coast province are shrinking.
There can be as many as 101 days of load-shedding this winter, in the "extreme case", according to an Eskom official. Eskom on Tuesday provided an update on the state of the power system, this after load-shedding escalated to Stage 4 in the morning due to failing generating units. In its assessments for the winter period, Eskom expects between 37 and 101 days of load-shedding, said group head of transmission, Segomoco Scheppers. The 101 days is "far in the extreme" scenario, he added. Eskom has to contain unplanned breakdowns below 12 500 MW to avoid load-shedding entirely. Planned maintenance has taken out over 5 000 MW of capacity. However, unplanned losses are in excess of 15 600 MW. Eskom chief executive André de Ruyter said this is "unacceptably high" and has led to the implementation of Stage 4 load-shedding to manage demand and avoid a total blackout. The heavy rains over the Easter weekend were not in Eskom's favour. It contributed to wet coal which is difficult to handle. It tends to stick and causes blockages at units leading to load losses, he explained. Group head of generation Philip Dukashe echoed concerns that persistent rain affects the ability to manage coal. "We have plans to curb rain to manage the risks imposed by the rain, particularly on coal stockyards . but if the rain is persistent for more than five days and even after that, it is not dry, and you continue to have some rain, it poses a major issue." Units impacted by rain had to be supported with fuel oil. Often power stations lose combustion due to the wet coal, and there are also problems with the flow of coal in the system. Dukashe also said that, over the weekend, demand was higher than forecasted. On Friday, demand was 700 MW higher than forecasted, and this increased to 1 687 MW on Saturday and 1 200 MW more on Sunday. These significant changes impacted Eskom's planning, he explained. Eskom had hoped to take some units out for planned maintenance, but had to run them to meet demand. "So the units queuing up for maintenance to be done were not able to be taken off," he said." Eventually, some of those units took themselves off due to various reasons, such as tube leaks. Eskom has units in excess of 11 000 MW that are at risk of giving in or failing at any stage, Dukashe said. This is a concern for Eskom as it has not been able to reduce the risk. Dukashe assured Eskom plans to bring more generation capacity online this week. "We are hoping to be in a better position by Thursday evening, based on the units that will be coming back over this week," he said. By Thursday evening or Friday, Eskom plans to reassess the situation and possibly lift load-shedding. No Stage 6 foreseen Eskom does not foresee load-shedding escalating to Stage 6 this week, Dukashe said. "In terms of where we are, we do not see that happening this week. We expect some units to come back tomorrow and some big units coming online on Thursday." As to whether the damage caused to infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal due to flooding will impact Eskom's access to fuels, Dukashe said that the power utility is currently not getting enough fuel oil supply, but contingency plans are in place. The ability to replenish diesel is also slower than the norm, but he assured there were contingency plans for diesel supplies. Diesel supplies at Ankerlig power station are around 67%, said De Ruyter. "This is not ideal. We would like the number to be north of 80%," he said. Eskom expects delivery from 129 diesel trucks during the day to replenish reserves. Gourikwa power plant does not have the same logistical constraints as Ankerlig. Its diesel levels are at around 82%. "We are running Gourikwa to supplement the generation shortfall, but we are not running Ankerlig to preserve our capacity there," said De Ruyter. The Drakensburg Pumped Storage Scheme has not recovered its reserves as well as expected. However, Ingula Pumped Storage is in a better position in terms of the replenishment of its reserv...
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says the devastating flooding that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal is a sign of climate change, adding that flooding in the province has worsened over the last five years. "These floods are the worst we have seen in living memory. Over 24 hours, we had more than 400 mm of rain. In Durban, for instance, in February - which is the wettest month - we normally get about 102 mm of rain - in the whole month. April is not even the wettest month. "This also tells us that climate change is here with us. The scientists have been telling us that the eastern side of the country is going to be wetter and will have frequent floods; the western parts of the country will be drier and have frequent droughts. We thought it was something in the distant future, but if we look at what has happened in the last five years .clearly, climate change is with us and we are beginning to feel the effects of that." She was briefing the media after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the government had brought back the national state of disaster in response to the floods. Last week's floods left more than 400 people dead and at least 63 missing. Thousands more were left homeless after about 4 000 houses were destroyed. Dlamini-Zuma said that as mop-up operations continue, rebuilding must be done in a better way. "As we build back, we should be building back better. No one should be building on the riverbanks and also in flood plains; also, in some of the areas which are geographically right for residential areas." Dlamini-Zuma added that the government was doing all it could to find missing people. The minister said the state of disaster had been gazetted and would be implemented for three months. An assessment will be done after three months to decide whether to extend it. "It can be terminated early if there is a need." She added that the floods did not only affect KwaZulu-Natal, but parts of the Eastern Cape too. "The impact of these floods are well beyond the province. So it became very important that the national government come on board. The declaration, in a way gives, hope and is a vessel for coordination and rallying the entire government and international support." She added that the state of disaster strengthened the national government's intervention. "It does not mean that now provincial government can relax. They must still do their work. It signals that the government as a whole intends to deal with this severe weather in a holistic manner, in an integrated approach." All spheres of government will work together to assist those affected by floods she said. The head of South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre, Mmaphaka Tau, said they set up task teams to look into health issues, humanitarian relief, integrated flood risks and early warnings, food and nutrition, communication and community mobilisation, infrastructure interventions, security search and rescue, as well as funding, monitoring and evaluation. "These teams are being activated as we speak. They will be replicated at provincial and municipal levels."
"Distressing calls" from flood-stricken KwaZulu-Natal has prompted the Gift of the Givers Foundation to step in, and it has appealed to the South African public to open their hearts and purses. Founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said the organisation was identifying areas that suffered severe damage and assessing the enormity of the need. The organisation has already started distributing fresh water to residents, and it set up a bulk food relief site and distributed bedding and other essential items. "Distribution is delayed because of the inaccessibility of roads. It takes time and you can't go in with big trucks," Sooliman added. To assist those in need, the organisation launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. The funds raised will be used to provide hot meals, blankets, bottled water, warm clothes, sanitary pads and nappies for those in low-lying areas who have lost their possessions. "People want hope. They've been emotionally and psychologically traumatised. They've lost possessions and family members," Sooliman said. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka also asked for donations of non-perishable food, bottled water, clothes and blankets to be sent to provincial disaster management teams. "During this difficult period that our province is faced with, it's crucial that we show ubuntu towards those who have been affected," Hlomuka said. Donations can be dropped off at 66 Shortts Retreat Road in Pietermaritzburg. A provincial state of disaster has been declared.
In his Easter message to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on people to take care of each other over the long weekend. "During this time of prayer and reflection, let us take care of ourselves; be it on our roads, at places of worship and at other gatherings. Most importantly, let us take care of each other," he said. He asked people to pray and offer material help to communities in KwaZulu-Natal in particular, where flooding left countless people destitute. "This year we are blessed by the confluence of Easter, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover. It is a time in which millions of South Africans are exercising their faith and identity as part of our national diversity," he said. "For many, Easter is a time for worship, for family and for exploring our beautiful country. But for the less privileged and vulnerable, this can be a time when hardship and loneliness is laid bare." He said the government was helping the affected communities, and would continue to monitor the situation. He also reminded people to observe public health regulations to protect themselves against Covid-19, and to ensure that they are vaccinated.
Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla on Thursday announced the extension of the public comment period on the proposed amendments to the National Health Act to allow the public to make submissions on platforms such as WhatsApp. The regulations are part of the government’s transition plans from the National State of Disaster, which had been in effect for over two years. The new regulations will effectively act as a new instrument for government to manage the current Covid pandemic and future pandemics. President Cyril Ramaphosa ended the National State of Disaster earlier this month, after 750 days of it being enacted and announced interim safety protocols in its place. South Africans were initially given until 16 April to make their inputs on the proposed changes to the health regulations but now have until April 24. “In addition to the email that was used for commenting, people can also use WhatsApp to comment on the changes,” said Health Department director-general Sandile Buthelezi. Phaahla said that since the breakout of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, government looked at ways in which it could provide guidance to the country and public in terms of public health measures. He noted that as the severity of the pandemic lowers, government has found it necessary to end the use of the Disaster Management Act and ask various departments to look at other regulations that could still assist with public health measures to ensure that government reduces the risk and severity of the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of efforts to manage transmission during large gatherings, continued restrictions will be placed on night vigils and after-funeral gatherings. Indoor and outdoor gatherings may be occupied up to 50% of the venue capacity, provided valid vaccine certificates are produced. For gatherings where no valid vaccine certificates are required, artificial limits of 1 000 and 2 000 people will apply for indoor and outdoor gatherings, respectively. Face masks will be compulsory for indoor gatherings, with the regulations specifying that people cannot enter public premises or use public transport without a mask. Substantive comments must be sent to e-mail: legalreviews@health.gov.za or website link:/ or send the word comment to WhatsAPP number: 060 012 3456
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana are in open and public disagreement over the process that led to the sale of 51% of South Africa Africa (SSA) to private consortium Takatso, which was negotiated last year. While Godongwana’s director-general Dondo Mogajane has said that National Treasury played no role in the selection of Takatso, Gordhan says this is untrue and that there were "intensive consultations" between officials from the two departments. The spat is playing out in an exchange of letters between the two ministers and Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa). The letters reveal some information about the SAA sale, but stop far short of revealing the terms and conditions of the transaction, which remain secret. In terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), the concurrence of the minister of finance is required when a state-owned entity disposes of shares or makes an acquisition. The first letter from Mogajane to Scopa was written in March in response to questions from MPs over Treasury’s role in the transaction. In it, Mogajane said: It is important that the committee notes that NT [National Treasury] has played no role in the selection process of the Strategic Equity Partner, including the conceptualisation, negotiation and finalisation of the terms and conditions relating to the transaction. NT has raised concerns in relation to some of the terms and conditions, agreed to between the preferred entity and the Department of Public Enterprises [DPE]. It must also be noted that the NT was only consulted after the DPE had concluded the Memorandum of Understanding and agreed on the principles of the transaction with the selected SEP. The committee then wrote to Gordhan asking him to clarify the process of selecting Takatso and, in particular, to provide details of the transaction. Gordhan replied last week to say that he "respectfully disagreed" with the Treasury’s letter. Gordhan 'not obliged' to consult Godongwane Gordhan said that he had received internal legal advice that he was not obliged to consult the minister of finance as it was the Department of Public Enterprises, and not SAA itself, which was disposing of an equity stake. However, he had nonetheless written to Godongwana on 27 August 2021 - not out of legal obligation, but simply to keep him informed of the transaction. "Although this was not an application in terms of Section 54 of the PFMA, as a courtesy, the concurrence of the minister of finance was sought. Intensive consultations on the matter of Section 54 took place between officials of DPE and NT." Gordhan’s letter then goes on to state this had been acknowledged by Godongwana in a letter he wrote on 4 February this year, in which Godongwana restated the legal opinion that his concurrence was not necessary. In his letter, Gordhan acknowledges publicly for the first time that the Takatso transaction is not yet completely in the bag as it is subject to a conditions precedent, one of which is that Treasury provides a further R3.5-billion of funding for the airline. The Treasury has played hardball on the request for further funding, to which it has not yet agreed. It was turned down by former finance minister Tito Mboweni in February last year and again by current incumbent Godongwana in November last year and February this year. In his letter, Gordhan implies that the R3.5-billion was always part of the requirement for SAA’s business rescue, which he says carried a price tag of R14-billion. But, the business rescue plan, as approved by creditors, stated that the full amount required was R10.5-billion. Treasury has provided SAA with that amount and repaid all of its guaranteed debt. This brought taxpayer funding for SAA to R50.7-billion in 2003. Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Alf Lees, who is behind Scopa's requests for information from Godongwana and Gordhan, has expressed outrage that Gordhan has again refused to provide the details...
The Jacob Zuma Foundation is hopeful that, despite the former president's ill health, doctors will allow him some time to spend at home with his family. Jacob Zuma turned 80 on Tuesday and, due to his ill health, was unable to attend the first day of his corruption trial in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday. On Monday, foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi told journalists that Zuma's medical condition had worsened, resulting in him being unable to attend court proceedings in person. Zuma, however, waived his right to be in court so the judge could continue hearing his postponement application. "His achievements over many decades are too numerous to mention and all the peace-loving South Africans and the people the world over, have a special place in their hearts for him. We hope that despite his ill-health, doctors will allow him some time to spend at home with his family. The foundation will compile his 80 birthday memoirs," Manyi said. He added that the foundation was requesting the nation to keep Zuma in their prayers for a speedy recovery. Zuma was advised by his doctors not to attend Monday's court proceeding at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg where he is facing charges of corruption. The former president is facing criminal charges in connection with his role in the arms deal during the 1990s. During Monday's proceedings, Judge Piet Koen granted Zuma's application for his criminal trial to be postponed. Zuma is seeking the removal of lead prosecutor Billy Downer from the case. However, the SCA last month ruled that the trial should go ahead, and that Downer should be allowed to continue as the lead prosecutor. Zuma's legal representative, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, had argued that the former president's trial should be postponed to allow SCA President Mandisa Maya to rule on his application for the SCA's ruling to be reviewed. In granting Zuma's application, Koen postponed his trial to 17 May - which the judge said was the "holding date". Meanwhile on Sunday, Zuma welcomed controversial diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg to his Nkandla homestead. Liebenberg handed over two cows to Zuma. In July last year, Liebenberg and his company Tariomix had their bank accounts containing approximately R100-million provisionally frozen by an order of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, following allegations of money laundering and running a Ponzi scheme. In March, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) secured the provisional preservation order against bank accounts in the name of Liebenberg, his colleague Ronelle Kleynhans, and Tariomix.
As the fifth Covid-19 wave approaches, the Department of Health says it is keeping a keen eye on variants of concern. On Tuesday, the department's Director-General, Sandile Buthelezi, said despite new waves, the country was at a point where things could go back to relative normality. Speaking at the FF Ribeiro in the Pretoria CBD, where the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) pledged to donate R6.8-billion to strengthen South Africa's HIV prevention, care and treatment, Buthelezi said there was no need for South Africans to panic about the current stringent lockdown in China. The Asian country put in strict lockdowns in Shanghai that had left residents struggling to access to food and medical care. Buthelezi said: "This is an important time for us in South Africa as we are transitioning out of Covid. We are monitoring our numbers through surveillance and just to ensure we pick up variants of concern. The new waves that come will be determined by behavioural and biological factors. Behavioural is how we look after ourselves and of course biological is new variants. We know that variants mutate." He said while the department was monitoring new emerging variants, they thought it was also essential to get back to relative normalcy. "We are at a stage where we think we can go back to normal." Buthelezi said he did not think South Africa would have an outbreak as bad as China's. He said that was likely because the country had more community immunity than China. He said South Korea, which had high rates of community immunity, recently went through a new wave and fared better than China. On Monday, Tulio de Oliveira from the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, said the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 had been detected locally. John Blandford, country director for the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in South Africa, said it was important for people to get vaccinated. "What we know in South Africa is that many people have been exposed to Covid-19 from infection. That is not optimal because that might not give you strong protection as vaccination would. "It is still important for people to get vaccinated because we don't know what the new variants are going to be like. "We are hearing that new variants are emerging right now; we don't know how serious they are, how easily transmittable they are. We will learn more as we go forward. Vaccination is our defence." He said in the drive to ramp up vaccination, it was important to ensure that people had easy access. "There are a lot of people who are willing to get vaccinated, but it is not accessible. I think it is important to put vaccination sites around things people want to do, like rugby matches and restaurants. They should be at places that allow people to socialise and allow things to get back to normal."
The South African government has requested an opportunity for President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a long time. According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Ukraine's Ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova is not responding. This is according to Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela in response to a video in which Abravitova calls on South Africa to be on the right "side of history" amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Russia has bombed our schools, our hospitals, our theatres, and our churches. Our cities are in ruins. Even some of my embassy staff have no homes to return to. You need to be on the right side of history. You cannot allow this brutal war to continue. Please stand up for the people of Ukraine," she said. In response to Abravitova's video, Monyela tweeted: "Ambassador, you know this is wrong and undiplomatic. You met Dirco diplomats on 3 March. [Our] head of Europe branch several times [and the] President's international relations advisor." Monyela said Deputy Dirco Minister Alvin Botes also met Abravitova. "We've long made a request for President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak to your President. You're not responding," Monyela tweeted. Previously, Dirco Minister Naledi Pandor said South Africa could not be seen as taking sides in the conflict after Russia's invasion of Ukraine because it goes against the nation's principles. In February, Dirco issued a statement in which South Africa called on Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine, in line with the United Nations Charter. Days later, Pandor backtracked on her earlier statement that Russia should withdraw its armed forces from Ukraine. South Africa has, so far, refused to condemn Russia's aggression, with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President David Mabuza recently blaming the war in Ukraine on the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) eastward expansion, despite the patently false reasons President Vladimir Putin has provided publicly for ordering military action. Thousands have died in the war, and millions of Ukrainians have fled the country.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that crime cannot be defeated through incitement, violence, intimidation and vigilantism aimed at foreign nationals, and specifically nationals from other African countries. South Africans and foreign nationals clashed last week after several people were reportedly killed. Zimbabwean Mbhodazwe Nyathi was also assaulted by a mob and set alight. Ramaphosa said crime was a serious problem in the country that affected all communities. He said people were justifiably tired of living in fear of criminals. He said loss of life was deplorable, as was the killing of a fellow African from Zimbabwe. He added that contrary to what is claimed by some anti-immigration groupings and individuals, the perpetrators of crime are both black and white, male and female, foreigner and citizen. “Crime, not migrants, is the common enemy we must work together to defeat,” the President said. He acknowledged that many communities were frustrated by the apparent inability of the police to deal with criminals, adding that government was capacitating the police with the recruitment of 12 000 additional police officers. Government is also re-establishing community policing forums across the country. “Even as we intensify our fight against crime, there is no justification for people taking the law into their own hands. At the same time, we recognise that illegal migration poses a risk to South Africa’s security, stability and economic progress. Illegal migration affects service delivery and places additional burdens on essential services such as health care and education,” he said. Like any sovereign nation, Ramaphosa explained that South Africa had the right to implement policies and measures that guarantee the integrity of its borders, protect the rights of South Africans and provide that all who reside in its borders had a legal right to be here. Controlling migration was the responsibility of government, he said and stressed that no private citizen may assume the role of immigration or law enforcement authorities by demanding that foreign nationals produce identification. He said enforcement of migration legislation was a priority for government and that government was working to ensure that syndicates perpetrating immigration fraud in collusion with corrupt officials were brought to book.
A South African court on Monday granted a further delay in former president Jacob Zuma's arms deal corruption trial, pending the outcome of his latest attempt to have the lead prosecutor taken off the long-running case. Zuma, ousted as head of state in 2018 after nine years in power, has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, money laundering and racketeering over an $2 billion arms deal in the 1990s. He alleges the lead prosecutor is biased against him, but the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) have so far rejected his attempts to have the prosecutor replaced. Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen on Monday adjourned the trial to a holding date of May 17 to allow the president of the SCA to weigh a "reconsideration application" lodged by Zuma last week. "The adjournment is granted on the basis that if the application ... has been disposed of by 17 May 2022, the trial shall resume at 10 o'clock on 31 May 2022," Koen said. Zuma was not in court on Monday to hear the judge's order, as the spokesman of the Jacob Zuma Foundation told reporters he had a health issue.
The Defend Our Democracy Campaign on Thursday launched a discussion paper which aims to start a conversation in South African about how democracy can be strengthened. At the launch, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation head Neeshan Balton said there is need for the renewal of governance in South Africa. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has also embarked on its renewal campaign ahead of the party’s national elective conference in December. Balton said that the last time South Africa was involved in such an exercise was when the Constitution was being drafted. He said this long period is an indication that the country does not talk about its democracy. The Defend Our Democracy Campaign was launched a year ago by prominent politicians and civil society organisations that united and mobilise South Africans to show their disapproval for the lack of accountability relating to corruption. Balton said the discussion paper is about renewing trust and ownership over politics and resources beyond its politicians and political parties. He believes that it will start discussions that will help South Africans engage in new ways of political discussions. “The document will assist South Africans to renew its commitment to the Constitution,” he added. Bolton stressed that there is a need to take South Africa’s democracy seriously to effectively defend it. One of the founders of the Defend Our Democracy Campaign Dr Frank Chikane said the paper also aims to reverse the downward spiral the country finds itself in and to recover values that the country lost. He said what was expected in 1994 has been devasted in the last 14 years. He claims that even the country’s security forces are captured, as well as those who hold important government positions. He believes that the discussion paper will help South Africans reimagine the country’s political system and values. Dr Chikane said the recent release of the Zondo Commission report has demonstrated that there is a need for renewal. “These days people kill each other for positions. This is not what we struggled for. It was either we lose our freedom or we take a stand to fight for the liberation,” he said.
The director-general of the National Treasury, Dondo Mogajane, who has served government for 23 years, will leave on 7 June when his contract expires. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who had hoped that Mogajane would stay for a little longer, announced the departure to staff this week. In a statement on Thursday, Godongwana thanked Mogajane for his service: Mr Mogajane has served the National Treasury for 23 years of which the last five years have been as the Director-General. Under his leadership, the National Treasury has successfully navigated unprecedented challenges. He has been a dedicated and committed leader who has guided the department in delivering on its mandate of ensuring fiscal sustainability and he is leaving at a time when public finances are recovering from the Covid-19 induced shock. Mogajane said in an interview on Thursday that he believes that he has done his time in government and wants to move on. This would give others the opportunity to lead and bring in fresh ideas and fresh energy, he said. In a recent interview with Talk Radio 702, shortly before the final decision was made, Mogajane said it would have been unfair if he had been pressurized to stay. "I’ve demonstrated my patriotism and my commitment. I don’t expect anyone to say I am letting them down. It is not about letting people down. It is about saying I have done my job, let my contribution be in other ways. We will be responsible in the way we [hand over]." Godongwana said that the process to recruit a new DG had already commenced and "the department is confident that a worthy successor will be appointed." Several other senior positions that have been vacant for some time would be filled "imminently". "The National Treasury has a deep reserve of skilled officials with extensive experience who will continue to deliver on the service delivery obligations of the department."
The Johannesburg Magistrate's Court has imposed a R200 000 fine or a four-year prison sentence, with half of either of the two suspended, for African National Congress Women's League president Bathabile Dlamini. She was sentenced for perjury on Friday morning. In imposing the sentence, Magistrate Betty Khumalo said the offence was a serious one that warrants retribution. She said the sentence imposed should not only rehabilitate Dlamini, but should also reform her. Dlamini opted to pay R20 000 on Friday and the rest of the money on or before 29 April. Khumalo earlier found Dlamini guilty of perjury for lying under oath during a 2017 inquiry into the social grants debacle at the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) that left millions of grant beneficiaries unsure about whether they would receive their money. The magistrate also found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the former minister had lied under oath. Dlamini's defence team argued that she should not be found guilty of perjury because Section 38 proceedings, such as the Ngoepe Inquiry into the Sassa debacle, were not formal judicial ones. But Khumalo said the inquiry qualified as a formal judicial process. She said she was she was satisfied that Dlamini gave false evidence during the inquiry.
In the latest move in her Stalingrad defence against being held accountable by Parliament, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has lodged a court application for an interdict to force National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to halt her impeachment and prevent President Cyril Ramaphosa from suspending her. This is the first part of her application to the Western Cape High Court. In the second part, she wants the court to declare Mapisa-Nqakula's letter "instigating" her suspension unlawful and to set it aside. This is in reference to the letter Mapisa-Nqakula sent to Ramaphosa informing him that the Section 194 Committee dealing with the impeachment is continuing with its work. In February, the Constitutional Court effectively gave Parliament the green light to go ahead with the impeachment, provided that Mkwhebane is afforded an attorney. Mkwhebane has since approached the Constitutional Court to ask it to rescind that order. Before she lodged the rescission bid, she informed the Section 194 Committee – so-called after the section of the Constitution that deals with the removal of Chapter 9 institution heads – that she intended to do so and insisted it halt its proceedings. But the committee decided to forge ahead. She then lodged the rescission application and again insisted that the committee stop its work. After getting legal advice, the committee decided to continue its work earlier this week because nothing prevents it from doing its work. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa asked Mkhwebane to motivate why she shouldn't be suspended, triggering what Section 194 Committee chairperson Qubudile Dtyantyi called a "festival of letters". Mkhwebane argues that Ramaphosa has a conflict of interest and therefore can't suspend her. This assertion is also contained in her court papers. Mkhwebane argues that Mapisa-Nqakula's letter to Ramaphosa is "illegal" because she "failed to take into account or apply her mind to a relevant consideration, namely the actual delivery of the rescission application and took into account an irrelevant consideration, namely the earlier decision of the committee, which had been significantly overtaken by events". "The president committed and repeated the same consequential mistake." Mkhwebane further argues that the Section 194 Committee "breached the Constitution" when it decided to continue with its work earlier this week. She said the committee failed to take her rescission application into account in contravention of the National Assembly's Rule 89. Rule 89 reads as follows: "No member may reflect upon the merits of any matter on which a judicial decision in a court of law is pending."' Incidentally, it's the same rule that the African Transformation Movement (ATM) quoted when it insisted its motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa should be postponed. "Furthermore, the desire by the speaker and/or committee to act irrationally and outside the ambit of the law does not end with all the reasons mentioned above, it extends to flouting its own rules. The National Assembly has rules in place which ought to govern its process. These rules enjoy a status of subsidiary legislation. For instance, Rule 89 prohibits the National Assembly from discussing an issue which is sub judice." "I submit that the committee will be acting unlawfully by reflecting or proceeding with the impeachment process whilst the constitutionality of the relevant rules is pending in court." "I also point out that the rushed nature of the committee process is improper also because the exact manner and procedure of [it], by which my legal representatives will participate, has not yet been determined, decided by the committee and/or communicated to me so that I can prepare for the removal process," Mkhwebane complained. "Neither has any related communication in that regard been directed at me, even as a matter of...common decency, let alone legal obligations and the requirements of fairness." Mkhwebane's seven-year term ends in October 2023.
Although some intelligence reports were handed to the government, it did not reflect the full scale of what occurred during the unrest that broke out in the country in July 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday. "The events as they manifested themselves, and the scale, intensity and ferocity were unforeseen. What we had gleaned from some of the reports was that there were protests and signs of unhappiness, particularly over the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma," Ramaphosa said. He was testifying at a South African Human Rights Commission hearing into the unrest, which claimed the lives of more than 340 people and bludgeoned the economy to the tune of R50-billion. Detailing the role of intelligence and the knowledge that the government had prior to and during the unrest, Ramaphosa said the targeting of key structures was not predicted. "None of what happened or ensued in the targeting of malls and infrastructure was foreseen. That never surfaced in reports or indications." Ramaphosa said the extent of the knowledge the government had from intelligence included the mobilisation of truck drivers and unhappy Zuma supporters. "Prior to the unrest, the sum total of reports was around this mobilisation. Some of it was the MKMVA getting together, mobilising, unhappy with things, or truck drivers that blocked roads. None of what eventuated was pinpointed. "I guess you could say there was an intelligence failure, security-gathering failure. Should it have been known? Yes. We were not fully forewarned about it," he said. He added that, even if intelligence was accurate, it was likely that the police would still have been under-resourced. "The speed with which it happened, given the lack of resources they had, given the lack of being properly organised themselves, I think they would have been challenged as they themselves concede. "Public Order Policing was not structured or organised. It did not have personnel to deal with this, was too centralised to respond quickly, and did not have all the equipment they had." Intelligence structures not optimal due to Covid-19 pandemic Ramaphosa conceded that the Covid-19 pandemic interfered with intelligence. He said that while he wanted the national security council to focus on the security situation, the explosion of Covid-19 "kind of stopped that". "It was a great mistake on our part, but we were called upon to focus more on the pandemic, which had security ramifications. We met soon after the unrest happened, almost every day. We [have] now resolved, following the criticism made against us [about] not meeting prior, to meet every two months." He also scoffed at criticism from people in the government and the public, who said it was difficult to get hold of his office during the unrest. "Even if you don't meet, there is never a shortage of ways of communicating. To say you will only rely on one sole method of communication is taking a shortcut."
The African National Congress (ANC) believes the country will be back to catastrophic pre-pandemic levels if no regulations are promulgated once the national state of disaster is scrapped. The party welcomed the gazetting of regulations for public comment by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. The regulations were published on 29 March and public submissions set to close on Thursday. It followed a decision by the Cabinet to end the state of disaster. The ANC said if there were no regulations when the state of disaster was scrapped, the country would be affected. The regulations had been in place since March 2020. The government had been criticised for not lifting the state of disaster. Political critics, including the Democratic Alliance, said the measures were hampering economic recovery. President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated last week during his national address that he would end the state of disaster. However, some of the regulations put in place along with it would have to remain to help mitigate any threats of the pandemic. Some of the regulations that would likely remain under Covid-19 health regulations, include relaxed rules on mask-wearing, the payment of the R350 social in distress grant and other health measures. The ANC said that Dlamini Zuma had the legislative right to put in place transitional post-disaster measures to help tackle a post-state of disaster environment. The party said on Thursday that regulations were necessary. "The public health measures published in the 'transitional' regulations are very critical to prevent or manage a further devastating wave of Covid-19. Furthermore, the published regulations will create a situation where the country will be able to mitigate and manage the effects of Covid-19. "It is of critical importance to take note that should there be no 'transitional' regulations from Cogta, and the national state of disaster is terminated before the health regulations are promulgated, the country will be back to the pre-March 2020 situation. "The scenario of not having the 'transitional' regulations will erode all the gains that the country has made during the past two years. This will also be catastrophic to the country and the health sector, both public and private," the ANC said. The government would assess the public comments and Ramaphosa was expected to end the state of disaster after consideration, Dlamini-Zuma said on Tuesday.
On Friday President Cyril Ramaphosa will give evidence at the South African Human Rights Commission National Investigative Hearing into the 2021 July unrest. He will testify as part of his responsibilities as President. In July last year, chaos broke out in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng when former president Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment after being found guilty for being in contempt of court. The unrest claimed more than 300 lives. The Commission launched the hearing to find the causes of the unrest and assess its impact on human rights.
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed with costs former president Jacob Zuma's four attempted challenges to his corruption prosecution, just days before he is due back in court for his corruption trial. The SCA found that Zuma's petitions had "no reasonable prospects of success in an appeal and there is no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard". Zuma had asked the appeal court for the right to challenge Judge Piet Koen's dismissal of his "special plea" application in which he sought the removal of prosecutor Billy Downer because of alleged bias and misconduct – as well as his case that witnesses should be called to testify about the abuses he claims to have suffered at the hands of the state (as part of that "special plea" application). While Zuma also applied to lead further evidence in his appeal, largely to do with his complaints that Downer had "leaked" publicly available court documents to News24, Koen had found that none of this evidence related to whether Downer had the "title" to prosecute him – the key issue that would need to be decided in an appeal. The State elected to not file any papers detailing its opposition to Zuma's attempts to appeal Koen's rulings against him. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga told News24 that the state welcomed the SCA's ruling, which comes as it prepares to resist Zuma's application for a further postponement of the case against him. "We welcome the judgment and will now focus on ensuring that trial resumes on 11 April 2022. We have always maintained that there is no prospect of success on appeal as issues raised have been pronounced upon by the same SCA," he said.
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, petrol and diesel prices currently look set for large increases on Wednesday next week – but not as big as previously expected. Based on the current data, 95 octane petrol is set to increase by R1.84/litre, 93 octane is expected to climb by R1.76/l, diesel by between R2.98/l and R3.14/l and illuminating paraffin by R2.51/l. The expected petrol price hikes have moderated thanks to a falling oil price and a firming rand. Earlier in March, an increase of up to R2.15 was expected in the price of petrol. Local fuel prices are determined by international oil prices, as well as the dollar-rand value, as South Africa buys oil in dollars. Oil prices have been soaring over the past month amid the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia is the world’s third-largest producer of crude oil, and the expectation that it will be locked out of the market has caused a surge in oil prices. Traders are scrambling to secure oil supplies with Russia, unable to deliver some of its oils due to shipping and banking restrictions. But after Brent oil was pushed close to $140 a barrel earlier in the month, it has now fallen back to around $110. The market has been encouraged by peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, as well as Russia’s offer to "fundamentally cut back" its attacks in northern Ukraine. In addition, new pandemic lockdowns in China are expected to cool fuel demand. Millions of people in the eastern half of Shanghai are currently confined to their homes. The rand has also seen strong gains: it is currently trading at around R14.46/$, its best level since October last year - after almost touching R15.40 earlier in the month.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan did not attempt to influence the appointment of Judge Dhaya Pillay to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2016, the Public Protector has found. On Wednesday, Busisiwe Mkhwebane released reports related to several investigations. One of the probes related to a complaint lodged by Economic Freedom Fighters Member of Parliament Floyd Shivambu. The complaint came after Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interviews last year, in which former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng hinted that Gordhan had conducted himself improperly at a meeting five years before. At the time, Mogoeng said: "Is it potentially compromising to judicial independence and impartiality for a minister or a senior politician to be keenly interested in the upward mobility, or to look like he or she is interested in the upward mobility of a judge?" Pillay said she was not aware of the interaction, and Mogoeng acknowledged that Gordhan had simply asked how she had done and did not say "anything like 'you should appoint her'". News24 reported that Gordhan subsequently released a statement confirming that he had asked the question at the tail-end of a scheduled meeting and that it was in no way intended to influence any pending decision on Pillay's nomination to the Appeal Court. On Wednesday, Mkhwebane said her office had closed the investigation because Shivambu's allegations could not be corroborated. She said the investigations revealed that when Gordhan and Mogoeng met at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Camps Bay, Cape Town, on 6 April 2016, the spokesperson for the JSC had already announced the interview results, and it was already public knowledge that Pillay had not made it. "It would therefore be factually or legally impossible for Mr Gordhan to have influenced the outcome of an interview that had already been concluded," she said. "Accordingly, Mr Gordhan's conduct could not be regarded as having been in breach of paragraphs 2.1(c) and (d) and 2.3(b) of the Executive Ethics Code."
The first motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa has still not been heard. African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyolwethu Zungula on Wednesday refused to move his motion, meaning that the National Assembly could not debate it. Zungula asked for the motion's postponement after the Western Cape High Court struck the ATM's application to force National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to have the motion voted on by secret ballot, from the urgent roll on Monday. Mapisa-Nqakula refused this request. At the start of Wednesday's sitting, Zungula claimed the matter was sub judice and that the National Assembly's rules prohibit it from being discussed. "It is still under judicial review," Zungula said. "There is no way we can proceed with the vote." Mapisa-Nqakula said for the House to consider a motion, it should first be moved by the person who brought the motion. As Zungula didn't move his motion, there was nothing for the House to debate. Zungula said he didn't want the House to say he refused to move the motion. "The matter is still before the courts," he claimed. Mapisa-Nqakula said according to the legal advice she received, the matter was not sub judice. She allowed each party a minute to present its views. Several parties agreed with the legal advice that the matter was not sub judice. Several parties also suggested that the matter be referred back to the National Assembly Programming Committee, which was scheduled to meet on Thursday. The ATM could bank on the support of the Economic Freedom Fighters, with chief whip Floyd Shivambu also claiming that the matter was sub judice. "Once the secret ballot comes, we're going to split the ANC!" he said, adding that they would vote out Ramaphosa. "We did it before," he claimed. A motion of no confidence had never been successfully passed in the National Assembly. Mapisa-Nqakula, who had to remind MPs to behave themselves on several occasions, ruled that the House would continue with its programme - the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) motion against Cabinet - and the National Assembly Programming Committee would take the matter of Zungula's motion further. The sitting continued with the DA's motion.
The Zandile Gumede corruption trial was once again postponed in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban on Tuesday when she appeared alongside former eThekwini city manager Sipho Nzuza and 20 others. Former eThekwini mayor Gumede and her co-accused face more than 2 000 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering relating to a R320-million Durban solid waste project. Several issues were raised during the brief court appearance, including a lack of legal representation for one of the accused Zithulele Mkhize. Initially, defence lawyers, including Jay Naidoo who represents Gumede, said they were told that the trial would begin on 18 July. Naidoo said that between Tuesday and the start of the trial a pretrial conference was required to "iron out certain issues". He said particulars which they had requested from the State were urgently required. "There are things like redacted statements that need to be ventilated [at pretrial]. Any later than 29 April for further particulars will also be prejudicial against the accused in terms of time." The matter was then postponed to 18 July. All parties would have to arrange for the provision of further particulars and a pretrial process before then. Outside court, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Kara said the State had abided by all requests relating to more particulars. Requests "This request was acceded to timeously, and prior to today's (Tuesday) appearance. However, in court today, counsel advised that they will be making additional requests for further particulars to the State." In court, Gumede appeared stoic and unemotional, but was visibly aggravated by another postponement in the matter. Despite a large marquee and a group of mainly women supporters turning up outside court, Gumede did not address her supporters. Her spokesperson, Njabulo Mchunu, said the State was delaying submitting the requested particulars. "It cannot be the fault of the lawyers if they did not respond on time." Initially, Gumede and her co-accused were implicated in theft, money laundering, fraud, corruption and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. However, the NPA also chose to add racketeering charges. Gumede; eThekwini metro councillor Mondli Mthembu; Nzuza; deputy head of strategic and new development at Durban Solid Waste (DSW) Robert Abbu; and deputy director of supply chain management Sandile Ngcobo were named as the alleged top-tier racketeering offenders. According to the amended indictment, Gumede, Nzuza, Abbu and Ngcobo were the main players who "formed an enterprise". In the court papers, it is alleged that companies Omphile Thabang Projects, Ilanga LaMahlase Projects Pty Ltd, Uzuzinekele Trading 31 CC and El Shaddai Holdings Group – all accused in the matter – provided a "continuity of structure for the unlawful activities of the enterprise". The State alleges that their association "was to influence and manipulate the DSW contracts" via the supply chain system of the eThekwini metro.
Transparency International anti-money laundering expert Maíra Martini said on Tuesday that the new global standard on beneficial ownership transparency will make public those who are hiding behind anonymous companies and help authorities, journalists and civil society to more effectively expose and fight corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes. In 2019, global civil society organisation Transparency International asked the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to fix the global standard on beneficial ownership transparency. The FATF is a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. Transparency International specifically called for public, central registers as a key measure to end the decades-long abuse of anonymous companies around the world. FATF’s revised recommendation 24 will now require every country to set up a beneficial ownership register or sufficient alternative to allow authorities to see who ultimately owns or controls a company. Previously, the standard did not specify how company ownership information should be collected and made accessible to authorities. As a consequence, many countries relied on information held by banks. Martini explained that this often impedes investigations, as authorities first need to know where the company banks. They may also require a court order and information held by banks is often unverified. Martini said the new standard now requires countries to have three different mechanisms in place – with beneficial owners available from a register, from companies themselves and from supplementary sources like financial institutions. “What is good about the new global standard is that countries can no longer choose one single mechanism. They have to have three things in place; they have to require companies to maintain that information on their beneficiary owners; they have to set up a register or an alternative mechanism and they have to rely on supplementary sources if they wish,” she said. She added that another good thing about the standard is that it requires varied data. However, Transparency International says it would be useful to have clear guidance on how the data should be verified and the responsibility should lay with the public authority.
Former ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal representative Dr Makhosi Khoza said on Tuesday that she was hurt following her dismissal from the party, and has accused ActionSA of serving the interests of the Democratic Alliance (DA). Khoza’s ActionSA membership was terminated last week for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute and for alleged reputational damage to the party for apparent self-gain. The party’s Ethics Committee unanimously agreed that she should be dismissed. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika she claimed that the party was being controlled by the DA and that it has become the “black version of the DA” because “all the black prominent frontline leaders are gone”. She said ActionSA is a proxy of the DA in KZN. ActionSA alleges that Khoza has been linked to the disgruntled ActionSA Soweto group. She disputed this by saying the evidence presented via a WhatsApp group during the hearing did not hold water. She has denied any links to the Soweto group. “I really feel sad that [ActionSA leader Herman] Mashaba will go to this extent to tarnish my name. I am not that type. I am not a power-hungry person,” said Khoza. When asked what she thought the main reason behind her dismissal was, Khoza recalled a rally in KZN where the crowd in attendance cheered when she took to the stage. “Obviously I have a much stronger voice than Mashaba. It was never my intention and I really feel sad that Mashaba would actually take a WhatsApp message and conclude that I was trying to topple him. I really do think that we may be dealing with some self-esteem issues,” she said. The eThekwini metro council elected Khoza as chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) in December. She said she received a hail of insults over the appointment from ActionSA Senate members who felt betrayed because she was elected by members of the African National Congress (ANC). Khoza was chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee while she was an ANC member. She said the backlash she received was due to political misunderstanding of the terrain especially in the KZN province. Khoza said she had plans to grow ActionSA in the province because she had experience from when she was in the ANC. She said she is being treated the same way as Lindiwe Mazibuko, Phumzile van Damme and recently Mbali Ntuli. “I feel used and abused,” said Khoza. She believes that South Africa has to be educated about women in the political space.
A Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) research paper has shown that almost 30 years after the end of apartheid, school segregation in South Africa remains very high along racial and socioeconomic lines. Presenting the study – School Segregation in Post-Apartheid South Africa – during a seminar hosted by HSRC, University of Cambridge assistant professor Dr Rob Gruijters said the paper shows that while socioeconomic segregation is also exceptionally high, it only explains 16% of racial segregation. The HSRC used a comprehensive overview of current patterns of school segregation by race and class in South Africa. The study is based on the 2021 Annual School Survey – an administrative dataset covering all South African schools – and the 2019 TIMSS school survey. In South Africa, former white schools continue to be the most prestigious and desirable schools. The study found that the average white child attends a school that is 70% white, and the average black child attends a school that is 96% black. White children are clustered in a small number of former white schools, and most elite public and private schools remain predominantly white. Gruijters explained that many, but not all, former white schools are racially diverse to varying degrees, but they are not representative of the population. He said black African children, in particular, remain highly underrepresented in the country’s best schools. Public and private “elite schools” remain predominantly white, with white students exposure to black classmates mostly from the socioeconomically advantaged segments. Gruijters said it is almost impossible to understand racial segregation in education without analysing its intersection with socioeconomic segregation, explaining that previous research has suggested that the integration of former white schools is often limited to the wealthiest children from other racial groups. Although many “white schools” now admit learners from other groups, there is a lot of variation among them. Some have become almost 100% black, while some are racially diverse to varying degrees. A few remain almost 100% white. The same goes for former coloured and Asian schools. OPPORTUNITY HOARDING The resource that is ‘hoarded’ in the case of school segregation is access to the most well-resourced and high-performing schools, and the economic opportunities they provide. The study says it can be argued that the political settlement that emerged in post-apartheid South Africa was conducive to opportunity hoarding by the white minority and other socioeconomically advantaged groups. The study notes that opportunity hoarding is a micro-level process that does not require political power or centralized coordination, although political institutions can facilitate or counteract hoarding behaviour.
President Cyril Ramaphosa noted on Monday the increase in domestic investment by black industrialists in South Africa’s economy, as he reflected on the success of the fourth South Africa Investment Conference, held last week. The total value of new investment commitments for the next five years stands at R1.14-trillion. Ramaphosa specifically noted domestic investment, pointing to more black industrialists entering the economy. In the last five years, government has invested about R32-billion into nearly 800 black industrialists and entrepreneurs. Ramaphosa pointed out that this year, those industrialists pledged investment into mining and steel production, automotive component manufacturing, consumer goods, bulk fuel storage, and ship-building and repair in the Saldanha Industrial Development Zone. “As the commitments turn into projects, they will create jobs and improve livelihoods not only in the cities and metros, but also in small towns and rural areas. This will spur the growth of local economies, leading to more opportunities and to the improvement of people’s quality of life,” he said. Currently in the United Arab Emirates, Ramaphosa is hoping to attract investors from the region, pointing to the diversity of South Africa’s economy. He said government was encouraged by the commitments made at this year’s conference, adding that the investments would bolster employment and transformation. Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso described the fourth conference as “the best so far”, noting that genuine reforms had been made. She was also pleased with Ramaphosa’s candid evaluation of the challenges facing the country. “He was pragmatic and did not trivialise our problems, from crime and corruption to high unemployment. That frankness gave him credibility that has been further helped by his clear recognition that the private sector is essential to resolving those problems. This is a government that acknowledges the need for pragmatism given the environment we are facing,” she said. Ramaphosa’s call for public-private partnerships was also a highlight for Mavuso, but she said, particularly for infrastructure investment, that the policy environment and economic conditions must be ideal. She said while high global commodity prices were of benefit currently, some making profit off the high prices were not expanding production, owing to low confidence in policy. “They are uncertain that future regulatory changes may damage the returns they can earn on that investment. In that context, the rational decision is to rather just give the cash back to their shareholders. That is why you need good policy as well as good economic conditions for investment to happen. People need to be confident both that global economic conditions will be positive and that the local business environment will be positive. Otherwise they won’t take the risk,” Mavuso stressed. She said while mining and logistics could improve the outlook, mining was still hampered by policy confusion. She also pointed out the weaknesses of the country’s ports and rail. However, despite the challenges, she said her confidence was improved owing to the conference.
The African National Congress National Executive Committee (ANC NEC) has stressed the importance of renewal, as well as the rebuilding of the party’s congress, values, integrity and its ability to be an even more effective instrument of liberation. Treasurer General Paul Mashatile updated the media on the party’s NEC meeting, held over the weekend. The party’s newly formed Renewal Commission will make recommendations during the party’s 55th National Conference, in December, on the role and state of the party. The ANC will also strengthen its National Disciplinary Committee and National Disciplinary Committee of Appeals, as recommended by the National Working Committee (NWC), to deal more fairly and quickly with ill-discipline within structures. The NEC discussed and welcomed the plans for upcoming regional and provincial party conferences. Mashatile said the relaxed Covid-19 restrictions had allowed ANC structures to rebuild mandates, particularly branches across the country. To date, 2 300 ANC branches have held biennial branch general meetings. While the party noted the relaxed Covid-19 regulations, it expressed concern about future waves of the pandemic, especially as government fell short of reaching its target of vaccinating 70% of the adult population. “The NEC urges all South Africans to get vaccinated, especially young people between the ages of 18 and 35 of whom 6-million are not yet vaccinated. We call upon organisations, trade unions, business and professionals faith-based organisations and other sectoral organisations to work with government to encourage vaccination,” said Mashatile. Meanwhile, the ANC NEC also welcomed the revitalisation of government Imbizo programmes, which kicked off in the North West this week, to strengthen the link between government and citizens, and to engage citizens on the social compact to tackle unemployment and poverty. The NEC welcomed the update by the task team on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Jeff Radebe. It made recommendations and referrals and a discussion paper by the task team on preventing corruption and State capture will be presented at the ANC NWC meeting in April. The NEC has also noted violence within its structures and has directed all ANC structures to take disciplinary action against those who engage in violent and criminal behaviour. It also urged law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute in such instances.
While many South Africans are celebrating the relaxation of lockdown regulations, those who are part of the inner circle of the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) are on the lookout for a potential resurgence of Covid-19 cases involving the Delta variant of the coronavirus. Speaking on condition of anonymity, two MAC insiders said South Africa's new regulations are in line with international standards but there are still serious concerns about an uptake in cases involving the Delta variant and a fifth wave of infections, which is expected at the end of May. One senior MAC source warned that there was a sudden uptake in recent weeks and that they were monitoring the situation. The variant still accounts for less than 2% of all infections, but the source said the rate of the increase in cases was concerning. A rise in Delta variant cases could mean a new combined variant in the next wave. "In the last seven days, the Delta variant had a 100% jump. A month ago the Delta variant accounted for 0.3%, three weeks ago it was 0.75% and 10 days ago it was almost 1% and now it is almost 2% which means it is a 100% jump. "You may think 2% is low and 98% is still Omicron, but the fact that it doubled in a month and a half in the testing, is concerning. We cannot afford to get a Delta wave again. It could be nothing, but it is possible that we could end up with a new variant that combines Omicron and Delta." "This is why we are a bit wary to tell people to pull out the champagne glasses just yet," the source added. Another insider said they were monitoring the Delta variant cases. "It's still quite a low yield, but I can confirm that we are checking on it and monitoring it closely." The source explained that new variants often dominated older variants, but that did not mean they fully disappeared. The source used the example of the resurgence of the virus in Hong Kong. "One variant suppresses old variants. But there could be pockets of the variant hanging around. This season, we probably had a low yield of the Delta variant, maybe 1% or lower. In Hong Kong, 3.5% was the Delta variant when they had a surge last month. It is, however, slowing down there now." Fifth wave concerns A senior MAC insider told News24 that a potential surge in infections was expected around mid-April and the fifth wave was expected by the end of May. "This gives us one month because the state of disaster expires on April 15. This gives us time to see that if we need the state of disaster or if we must default to a much more intensive Department of Health regulation in terms of infection monitoring." The source added that there were still major concerns about a lack of vaccinations. "We did not reach our vaccination targets. So, we cannot be assured if we have enough antibodies in the public or for how long that will last. We still need everyone to vaccinate and take booster shots."
South Africa's elite crime-busting agency, the Hawks, functions with half of its required workforce, with only a fraction of staffers dedicated to investigating complex cases. Despite the severe staff shortages, Hawks boss, advocate Godfrey Lebeya, said the agency soldiered on. On Friday, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) briefed the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the corruption cases within the local government sphere. Lebeya said against the fixed establishment of 5 332 staffers they were supposed to have, the Hawks currently functioned with a 49.55% workforce. This equated to an actual headcount of 2 642, with a deficit of 50.45% (2 690). "Of this 2 642, only 1 500 are investigating officers. It is worth noting that even though there has been marginal growth, the Hawks is nearly at the same capacity it was when established in 2009/10." The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the proper name for the Hawks, was established to fill the void after the closure of the Directorate for Special Operations, known as the Scorpions, which were accused by the ANC of having a political agenda against former president Jacob Zuma. Lebeya said, "However, the complexity and sophistication of the cases investigated have, over the years, increased." "Lastly, as at the third quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, all the cases that the DPCI had on hand was approximately 22 200, and 1 500 investigators. This entails that there is a ratio of one investigator to 15 cases with an estimated average amount involved of R37.3-million; this further adds on to the complexity of a case," he said. Lebeya also said 121 cases of municipal corruption were under investigation. So far, there were 69 cases in court, and 27 awaiting a decision from the NPA. Meanwhile, SIU head advocate, Andy Mothibe, said poor management and leadership instability were just some of the issues plaguing South Africa's municipalities. Other financial malpractices include: Procurement irregularities Poor record-keeping Employment irregularities Poor management and leadership instability Poor governance Poor project management No appropriate segregation of duties Poor business processes Need to strengthen risk management Need to improve financial management Lack of consequence management Mothibe also highlighted poor revenue management as a severe problem. Furthermore, he said disciplinary action could not be recommended against officials because they resigned before the SIU investigation commenced, or during the course of the investigation. Mothibe also said that the Local Government Anti-Corruption Forum (LGACF) was established to address corruption. "The purpose of the LGACF is to support the anti-corruption initiatives in local government, including the local government corruption prevention framework. The forum coordinates efforts amongst all law enforcement agencies to ensure that investigative capacity is optimised and outcomes such as criminal prosecutions, civil recoveries, and any administrative actions are well-coordinated," he said.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has said he wants to ensure that by the time he leaves office, the judiciary of South Africa has strengthened its independence as it is critical to sustaining democracy. He was addressing the media for the first time since his appointment as the country’s Chief Justice, where he commended former President Jacob Zuma for acceding to the establishment of the Office of the Chief Justice. Zondo said he felt honoured and privileged to be appointed, adding that he had no doubts that he would work well with all members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The JSC was criticised for how it handled the interview process for Chief Justice candidates, sparking debates on whether politicians should be part of the formation in future. Zondo shared that when he chaired the JSC in October last year he found cooperation and respect from all members of the JSC and added that Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, who is a member, was courteous and respectful. He believed that Justice Mandisa Maya, who he was up against during the interview process, would play a critical role in his office. When asked to comment on KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala’s call for a move away from a constitutional democracy and a review of the Constitution, Zondo said everyone was entitled to have their view about South Africa’s constitutional dispensation. He added that all the judiciary’s power came from the Constitution, passed by Parliament. “Our Constitution envisaged the judiciary performing certain functions in accordance with the Constitution and I do not think that it performs functions that it should not perform in a constitutional democracy such as ours. Obviously Premier Zikalala may be disgruntled about certain decisions but those decisions are taken according to the Constitution,” Zondo stated. He said allegations that insinuated that the judiciary was captured were very serious and should not be made lightly by anybody. Zondo said it was not in the interest of anybody who loved this country to portray the judiciary as captured. “If anybody has evidence that any judge or the judiciary is captured, they must come forward with the evidence,” he stressed. He said former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng had, in the past, invited those with evidence to come forward but no one has presented evidence. Zondo that the Judicial Conduct Committee was there to investigate such matters without fear and prejudice. When asked if the State capture work would, in any way, interfere with his new role, Zondo said it would not, explaining that parts of the reports released were detailed to show that the findings were based on a consideration and analysis of evidence. He said his colleagues in the Constitutional Court had been extremely supportive and had been understanding. Zondo shared that he had delegated some of his work to them with the belief that they would continue to support him during the remainder of his work at the State capture commission. When asked about his view on the transformation of the judiciary, Zondo said he was satisfied that most people who care to read court judgments would know that the judiciary was making a good contribution towards transformation. Zondo believes the judiciary enjoys a lot of confidence among South Africans including in defending and upholding the rule of law. “This judiciary we have will continue to make sure that it does so without fear, favour or prejudice. It is important to us as judges and magistrates to remember that we are not in these positions to be popular but to administer justice,” he stressed. Zondo urged judges to always strive to make decisions that were in accordance with the rule of law even if it made them unpopular. He believes that he will achieve his goals and that he will be able to lay a foundation for long-term goals during his term. Zondo assured South Africans that he was strongly independent in the case of political and judicial disagreement.
The "unity conference" of the African National Congress's (ANC's) uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has been pushed back by a month and is expected to be held in April. The disbanded MKMVA's preparatory committee has been told that the ANC national executive committee (NEC) will have to sign off on the conference before it takes place. The conference was expected to take place from Thursday to Sunday. The MKMVA was disbanded by the ANC and was divided mainly along factional lines. The conference was expected to unify the ANC's military veteran structure. More than 700 delegates were expected at the conference. The MKMVA has been busy with an ongoing vetting process for all its military veterans. The process has been conducted alongside the government's verification of military veterans across the country. That verification would enable them to access state support. Gregory Nthatisi, a member of the MKMVA preparatory committee, said verifying uMkhonto we Sizwe veterans was crucial for the conference and beyond. Nthatisi told News24 on Thursday that the preparatory committee, appointed by the ANC, had concluded the vetting process in all nine provinces for attending delegations. "We have done all the necessary preparations related to the conference. We have completed all the provinces, but we still need to refine the final credentials to ensure the right people attend the conference," he said. He said the ANC was worried about the form that the conference would take. A report has been submitted to the ANC. ANC conference uncertainty There remains much uncertainty about whether the ANC will be able to successfully hold conferences for some of its crucial structures ahead of the national conference in December. Several ANC structures have had to postpone conferences. The ANC NEC had said all regional and provincial conferences should be finalised by March. However, crucial conferences have been delayed by weeks and months. The ANC's dispute with its workers over salaries and delayed branch meetings have been blamed for the conference debacles faced by the party in a packed political year. The Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga ANC were expected to hold conferences this month. The Eastern Cape will hold its conference at the end of April, while Mpumalanga has yet to provide a precise date. Both provinces are run by interim provincial structures appointed by the ANC NEC.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has confirmed to News24 that his party was considering taking legal action against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema over his comments encouraging illegal immigration. "ActionSA is not here to make friends with anyone other than the people of South Africa. So despite our professional relationship with the EFF, if what their members do negatively affect the citizens of our country, we will address it without hesitation," said Mashaba on Thursday. The decision to consider legal recourse by ActionSA comes after the National Assembly's acting registrar of members' interests, communicated to it on Thursday that Malema had been acquitted of his remarks encouraging illegal immigration. In its response, the National Assembly said Malema's utterances were "open to a different interpretation and for this reason, the committee found that the member did not breach the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests". ActionSA laid a complaint last year with the Speaker of the National Assembly after Malema made remarks in a televised press conference held on 14 January 2021. In the press conference, he encouraged citizens from neighbouring countries to "find creative ways" of entering South Africa. Mashaba said ActionSA's senate had "all expressed shock" over the verdict. As such, Mashaba said he would be raising the matter during ActionSA's senate meeting on Friday and it was likely that the party would approach the high court and challenge the acquittal. "Members of Parliament (MPs) swear when taking their oath of office to serve the country, to uphold our laws, and to protect our Constitution. They are not at liberty to take the public trust placed in them and use it to promote anarchy and lawlessness. We gave the National Assembly the video evidence and are shocked at how they came to this outcome," said Mashaba. He reiterated that ActionSA had a working relationship with the EFF, but that did not prohibit his party from confronting concerns they had with the red berets. Mashaba insisted that there was no friendship between ActionSA and the EFF. "Friendship for me, is something that people develop when you do the right things. ActionSA is not here to make friends with anyone other than the people of South Africa, we represent the people of South Africa, so if there is any political party that we believe we differ with, we will openly express this," he said. He added that he did not believe that his stance on Malema's sentiments would affect the working relationship in municipalities where the EFF's support had been pivotal. "We have absolutely no problem. There are no cracks nor weakness; we have never had a formal relationship with the EFF, but have managed to work well together and believe this will be the case going forward. Where we as ActionSA also make mistakes, we expect those with a working relationship with us, either the DA or the EFF, to call us out and hold us accountable," said Mashaba.
As expected, the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee (MPC) has hiked the repo rate by another 25 basis points to 4.25%. This brings the prime rate to 7.75%. Three members of the committee voted for the increase, while two wanted a 50 basis point hike. On a new home loan of R2-million at the prime rate, the monthly payment will increase by around R300 following the rate hike. After the prime rate went from 10% in 2019 to 7% last year, the bank started to hike rates again in November last year, followed by another 25 basis point increase in January. The MPC is moving to hike rates in an effort to subdue inflation, which has been heating up in recent months. February's consumer inflation reaching 5.7% - close to the upper limit of the Reserve Bank's target range of 3% to 6%. This is largely due to skyrocketing oil prices, which resulted in petrol and diesel prices rising by more than a third over the past year. The petrol price is currently on track for a hike of around R1.85 to R1.93 a litre in the first week of April, while diesel prices could see an increase of almost R3 a litre. In addition, the invasion of Ukraine has triggered large increases in commodity prices, including wheat and cooking oil. This will add to inflationary pressure in South Africa in coming months. The Reserve Bank now expects headline inflation for this year of 5.8%, much higher than the 4.9% it expected previously. This hike is primarily due to higher food and fuel prices. But the bank has also hiked its expectation for South African economy growth - which is now expected to be 2.0% in 2022, revised up from 1.7% at the time of the MPC's January meeting. "This is due to a combination of factors, including stronger growth in 2021 and higher commodity export prices. Growth in output in the first quarter of this year is likely to be significantly stronger than expected at the time of the January meeting," Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said. Most economists expect another 125 basis point hikes by the end of 2023.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, and her department are preparing to "return to court" after the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria interdicted government's planned R50-million donation to Cuba. On Tuesday, Judge Brenda Neukircher granted the urgent interdict, pending the final outcome of an application to be instituted by AfriForum to review and set aside the decision to donate an amount of R50-million to the Cuban government, or the final outcome of proceedings to declare that the donation is unlawful and/or unconstitutional, News24 reported. "The ministry, as well as the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, have noted the interim order granted in the Pretoria High Court, pausing implementation of the humanitarian aid that South Africa had agreed it would provide to the Republic of Cuba," Pandor said in a statement issued on Wednesday. "We are studying the judgment. It is an interim order. There will be a return to court in 20 days' time. We are consulting our legal representatives and preparing our heads of arguments. "And we want to make it clear that the African Renaissance fund does not provide money to any beneficiary. We provide humanitarian aid; be it food, medical supplies, or other forms of support. No money is provided and the funds lie within the budget of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and no other department. Nevertheless, we are preparing to return to court," she said. Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo, had also noted Neukircher's ruling. The committee said it would study the judgment and respond at an appropriate time. "Of course we are not happy, as this outcome will likely have major implications on other progressive international solidarity work that South Africa still has to do with countries like Cuba," Mahumapelo said, according to a statement. The committee's responsibility would be to look at how the department would respond, particularly as it related to the Constitution and AfriForum's views on solidarity work and the relationship between the arms of state. The committee will meet with Pandor on Friday as part of its oversight programme over the department.
Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of Health and party spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said on Wednesday that the changes to the State of Disaster regulations announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa continue to hold the country back from a full recovery. On Tuesday evening Ramaphosa announced the relaxation of lockdown regulations, following a meeting with premiers and mayors from all provinces. The Covid-19 requirement of wearing face masks outdoors has been lifted, however, they must still be worn in indoor spaces. Indoor and outdoor venues can take up to 50% of their capacity and proof of vaccination must be enforced or else only 1 000 people and 2 000 people will be allowed indoors and outdoors respectively. Sport gatherings, conferences and music performances will be allowed and the number of people allowed at a funeral will increase to 200, however, funerals are limited to two hours. Aside from schools, a one-meter gap must still be maintained between people. Travellers entering the country must show proof of vaccination or a PCR test and those entering and who want a vaccination, can get one from Wednesday. Gwarube said this would help the tourism industry and other cross-border businesses recover. However, she stated that the limits of 1 000 and 2 000 people at indoor and outdoor events would continue to strangle industries. She argued that the number limits were completely arbitrary and were probably exceeded daily at many malls or markets. The party is not satisfied with the concession that venues can host vaccinated or PCR negative people to half capacity. Addressing the issue of mask-wearing at schools, Gwarube said it was an impediment to language and emotional development. She said social distancing and other workplace rules would continue to harm the productivity of government and other services. The DA still views the limitation of family visits to prisons to two non-contact visits a month as an ongoing cruelty. Gwarube stated that the only measure the DA would support is the continuation of the Social Relief of Distress Grant. Gwarube said the changes announced by the President did not go far enough. “Despite some welcome changes, the persisting rules will harm jobs and increase poverty while providing no benefit at all,” she said. The DA warned that it would take necessary action to ensure that every last restriction of the State of Disaster was overturned and that it would fight any attempt to make these permanent through regulations in the National Health Act or elsewhere.
South Africans should expect the fifth wave of Covid-19 infections towards the end of April or early May. This is according to Dr Ridhwaan Suliman, the senior researcher at CSIR who was speaking at the SA Healthcare Industry Summit on Wednesday. Suliman and the CSIR join a growing number of institutions predicting that the fifth wave will arrive sooner rather than later. Earlier this month, Fin24 reported that Absa said it expected the fifth wave to strike as soon as April. The banking group had increased Covid-19 provisions for its insurance business by a further R330-million, though it said death claims in the fourth wave were much lower than expected. The bank used R701-million to cover claims in the third and fourth waves. But it was optimistic that the fifth wave might - like the fourth wave - also see a decrease in the proportion of severe cases, with a potentially less severe impact on insurers. Two years after the pandemic entered SA shores, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday announced further easing of Covid-19 regulations, confirming that the state of disaster would be lifted soon. A new code on managing Covid-19 in the workplace is also in the pipeline. But Suliman believes South Africa is not yet out of the woods. He said based on CSIR's estimates, some 12-million people are susceptible to further infection because they don't have prior immunity. These people are still "immunologically naïve", said Suliman. So, while the world is starting to talk about the pandemic becoming more stable, like a common cold, the immunologically naïve population means South Africa isn't approaching the endemic phase yet. "Those 12-million on their own could still create an epidemic," said Suliman. As the pandemic stays with us for a little longer, Suliman and other speakers in the Summit foresee a fifth and sixth wave. Some say there may be even more waves of infection past the sixth one. And the longer the virus stays with us, the more it will mutate. And the fifth wave will likely be driven by a new variant that will outcompete Omicron as the dominant cause of infections in SA. "But while there may likely be higher levels of infection, there are higher levels of immunity in the country. So, we hope to see less severe outcomes of hospitalisations and deaths going forward," said Suliman. He said that while it was possible for the next variant to be more severe and more transmissible, it was unlikely. Regarding the fifth wave, Suliman said the trends in South Africa over the past two years have been fairly predictable. Each of the four waves have been separated by about three months between them. "So, based on that data and trends, we can expect three months after the end of Omicron, a surge or resurgence of a fifth wave. So, that puts us towards the end of April or the beginning of May, where we may likely see higher infection rates or resurgence of the fifth wave," he said. Dr Fareed Abdullah, the director of the Office of AIDS and TB Research at the South African Medical Research Council, said underlying T cell immunity has been consistent across all the variants. T cells are a group of immune cells that can target and destroy virus-infected cells. So, the higher immunity levels in SA, through prior infections and vaccinations, bode well for less severe future waves. "It would have to be a very, very unusual virus to end up with a scenario where the virus evades T cell immunity, and we haven't seen that yet," he said. Abdullah added continuing to vaccinate the part of the population that has not taken the jabs was crucial because in countries with low immunity rates, like in Hong Kong, even Omicron proved to be a deadly wave. Abdullah said in Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where he works, Covid-19 patients currently under ventilation are only those who have not vaccinated. Had SA achieved at least an 80% vaccination coverage rate by the time the fourth wave hit, Covid-19 deaths would have been a fraction of what the government r...
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the country's nine premiers and the mayors of major cities are deciding on the nation's next move in the fight against Covid-19. The President's Coordinating Council meeting on Tuesday takes place against the backdrop of the decision to extend the National State of Disaster to 15 April. The National State of Disaster was first declared nearly 24 months ago, at the end of March 2020. While the National State of Disaster was initially set to lapse on 15 June 2020, legislation provided that it could be extended by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma by notice in the Government Gazette for one month at a time. Despite calls from scientists, experts and opposition politicians, the extension was approved. On Monday, South Africa recorded 566 new Covid-19 infections. Four new deaths have been recorded, bringing the confirmed death toll to 99 890. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the 566 new cases represent a 3.9% positivity rate. So far, more than 33-million vaccine doses have been administered. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said he would use the meeting to lobby Ramaphosa to end the National State of Disaster immediately. "South Africans, especially those who are unemployed, should not have to wait until 15 April (and likely longer) because the national government has simply not done their job in time, despite having months to prepare. It is concerning to me that despite public utterances that the priority of the national government is to create jobs, its actions seem to show otherwise. It's time to bridge this gap and show the courage needed to get our economy growing again," Winde said. Winde said the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism conducted a poll among businesses about the impact of lockdown. "81% of respondents cited major disruption to their businesses over the last 18 months, 12% of respondents indicated moderate disruption. Eighty-five percent of respondents indicated that their revenue was impacted upon by Covid-19 in the last 18 months," Winde added. Winde said businesses and households had been hit hard. "The president is also wrong if he thinks that the status quo is not hurting the economy, and these are merely health regulations. The events industry, in particular, continues to be impacted by a non-sensical restriction on the size of gatherings. Many countries lifted these restrictions some time ago," he said. Winde also said amid load-shedding and the global impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ending these regulations will send the right message to the economy. "It is now time to walk the talk without any further delays. It is time to lift the National State of Disaster immediately," he said. The DA has also approached the court to force government to end the National State of Disaster.
ActionSA’s Senate has terminated Dr Makhosi Khoza's membership, with immediate effect, for bringing the party into disrepute. In a statement on Tuesday, the party said Khoza deliberately acted in a way that negatively impacted the party and it accused her of causing disunity in the party. Khoza’s fate was decided on Monday after ActionSA’s Senate resolved to terminate her membership on the recommendations of its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, following a series of public outbursts in January. A disciplinary panel was convened, chaired by former Acting Judge in the High Court Advocate Gill Benson and prosecuted by ActionSA’s Western Cape provincial chairperson Vytjie Mentor. “There is no reasonable explanation for her continued abuse of the party, which she purports to promote. As a high-standing member of the party, she disregards the reputational damage to the party, for apparent publicity and self-gain. Her loyalties do not lie with ActionSA and instead, lie with aspiring to grow her own political aspirations, at the great cost of her constituency and ActionSA,” the Disciplinary Report read. The panel said it also saw evidence that demonstrated communication with ringleaders of a group of dismissed members from Soweto who had previously been found to have acted to deliberately destabilise the party. Khoza and the Soweto group were found to be “plotting to deal with” ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba. It remains to be seen if Khoza will challenge the 24-page report compiled by the party’s disciplinary panel. ActionSA said it holds no ill-will towards Khoza. “While her actions may not have been excusable, Dr Khoza remains an individual who has played an important role in South African politics. We wish Dr Khoza well in her future endeavours outside of ActionSA,” the party concluded.
Lobby group AfriForum has successfully interdicted the government's planned R50-million donation to Cuba. In a written judgment to the affected parties, Judge Brenda Neukircher, of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, granted the urgent interdict, pending the final outcome of an application to be instituted by AfriForum to review and set aside the decision to donate an amount of R50-million to the Government of Cuba, or the final outcome of proceedings to declare that the donation is unlawful and/or unconstitutional. Neukircher said: "None of the respondents could claim that they would suffer any harm were the R50-million donation to be put on hold whilst the matter was adjudicated on its complete merits." Neukircher also ordered the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and National Treasury to pay the costs of the urgent application. She said the matter represented the broader interests of the public, and there was no reason for the lobby group to be out of pocket. After the judgment, Reiner Duvenage, the campaign officer for strategy and content at AfriForum, said: "We are pleased that we have managed to stop this unlawful and shameful donation in its tracks. We are now optimistic that our review application will succeed in making a final end to the matter. AfriForum pledges to continue its fight against outrageous and wasteful expenditure, which is squandering taxpayers' money. "The judgment was somewhat unexpected as Neukircher last week warned that AfriForum's application may have been premature and premised on shaky legal arguments. "During the presentation of arguments, Neukircher warned AfriForum's legal representative, Johan Hamman, that the applicants were misreading communication provided by Dirco and National Treasury. As such, she said, AfriForum was premising its legal bid on a shaky foundation. Neukircher corrected Hamman, who kept alluding to the letter from the aforementioned departments as meaning that the donation had been concluded. "It's the decision to donate, not the donation. It [the letter from Dirco and National Treasury] does not say the donation has been done. It says we [the two departments] have decided to donate, and the decision to donate was concluded in line with the prescribed regulations. "That is the problem here; this is where the respondent is saying AfriForum is missing the point. There hasn't been a completion of the steps by which the actual money will be transferred. "We [the two departments] are still right at the beginning, that is what they are saying, that we have made the decision, we have got the funds because the funds have been approved and the request to make the donation has been approved. But we haven't finished the rest. We are not there yet," said the judge. The successful interdict represented the first part of AfriForum's legal action against the donation. The second part will involve submitting a review application at a later date to overturn the government's decision to donate the funds to Cuba.
Former Ukhozi FM radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu, who has been charged with inciting violence during the unrest in July 2021, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on Friday. Mchunu arrived at court dressed in traditional attire and supported by armed men in black who stood guard outside the court with rifles and handguns. During Mchunu's court appearance, prosecutor Yusuf Baba said the State needed more time to verify a document given to them by the defence. Baba said the investigating officer in the matter needed to go to KwaZulu-Natal to verify the information, adding that it was not "something that can be investigated locally". The matter was then postponed to 17 June 2022. Mchunu handed himself over to Durban police on 19 July 2021 after allegedly inciting public violence during a media briefing he held at a Bryanston hotel on 11 July in support of the release of former president Jacob Zuma.
Advocates for Transformation (AFT) has informed its members that Kameshni Pillay SC and Siphokazi Poswa-Lerotholi SC will alternatively represent it at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) after advocate Dali Mpofu's term ended. This means that Mpofu's representation of AFT at the controversial Chief Justice interviews was the last time he represented it at the JSC. During the interviews, Mpofu had controversially asked Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo about unsubstantiated sexual harassment rumours and told the JSC that he and Appeal Court President Judge Mandisa Maya had "spent the night together". An AFT sub-committee – comprised of advocates Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, Joe Nxusani SC, Phumlani Ngobese SC, Kgomotso Nhlapo-Merabe, Dustin Thompson, and Siphokazi Cubungu – has unanimously endorsed the candidature of both Pillay and Poswa-Lerotholi. "We recommend that the CVs of Pillay SC and Poswa-Lerotholi SC should be obtained and urgently sent to the minister of justice with a request to process their appointment timeously for the April 2022 interviews," it stated in a report sent to its membership on Thursday night. The sub-committee also examined AFT's role at the JSC and, among other things, what had occurred at the Chief Justice interviews, which have been widely lambasted. "There are concerns about the interview techniques and the impact this has had on the process. There are criticisms that there is a discreet political motive, that there has been overreach and that judicial nominees have been subjected to an unconstitutional process," the AFT sub-committee report read. Some woman members of AFT have pointed out that there was a sexist flavour to the interview of Judge President Maya. Others have contended that the interviews portrayed four excellent black judges in a poor light and retarded the process of transformation. While noting that AFT had defended Mpofu against the "sustained and ad hominem attack" he faced from "outside quarters", the sub-committee also stated that "AFT has not defended Mpofu SC in his role as a member of AFT and its representative at the JSC". "AFT has also not sought to clarify where it differs with him, if at all. In this regard, AFT has failed to provide sorely needed leadership to its members and the profession generally," the report read. The sub-committee report stressed that AFT should have engaged with Mpofu after the JSC's interviews with potential Constitutional Court justice nominees in April last year, which were successfully challenged in court because of the apparent "sham" process that preceded the vote on candidates. "This does not appear to have happened. AFT National acted in an unprincipled manner. It did not confront the issue head-on. This caused considerable reputational damage to AFT, coming as it did on the rancid underperformance of AFT in the GCB (General Council of the Bar)," the sub-committee report stated. "AFT knew that the interviews for the position of Chief Justice were imminent, but the NEC (national executive committee) took no steps at all to engage with Mpofu SC to align his position with his views in advance."
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) believes President Cyril Ramaphosa's move to possibly suspend Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is dictatorial and fear driven. The party has been steadfast advocates for Mkhwebane in the past, and it held no punches in speaking against any move to suspend her. The EFF labelled the possible suspension as another attempt to destroy an African woman. "The letter demanding that Mkhwebane pleads her case to not be suspended is a veiled threat, and an effective removal of the Public Protector before a democratic institution can appraise itself on her performance, and whether she is capable of occupying that office. "It is an implementation of the factional and undemocratic step-aside policy of his (Ramaphosa's) ruling party at the level of the state, which finds people guilty until proven innocent." Ramaphosa wrote to Mkhwebane asking her to give reasons why he should not suspend her pending the finalisation of the parliamentary impeachment proceedings investigating her fitness to hold office. The president gave her 10 days to respond. Ramaphosa has moved swiftly on the legislative prerogative, which allows him to suspend Mkhwebane while she faces an inquiry led by Parliament. Earlier, News24 reported that National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had written to Ramaphosa, informing him that the impeachment process against Mkhwebane would continue. The EFF said Parliament's Section 194 Committee, which is dealing with the impeachment process, should be allowed time to do its work. The party said Ramaphosa was conflicted in matters related to Mkhwebane, adding that her suspension was aimed at stripping her office of its powers. "Busisiwe Mkhwebane has been unwavering in her mandate to hold those in power accountable, and she has done so indiscriminately, implicating Ramaphosa and his allies. To suspend her is, therefore, a measure to strip the Office of the Public Protector of its teeth. It is premature, rushed and leads us to conclude that it is a decision taken out of fear, rather than being based on rationality," the EFF said. "His desire for power makes him destructive. He is willing to destroy institutions, create vacancies and operate like a dictator, to ensure that anyone who dares to oppose him is removed," it continued. Earlier, Mkhwebane said she was seeking legal advice on the president's notice to suspend her. She previously indicated that she would fight efforts to place her on suspension while her impeachment proceedings continued.
Eskom nearly lost 920 MW of power to the grid when an individual at nuclear power station Koeberg cut the wrong valve. The incident was reported in Eskom's newsletter to employees, Shutdown Times, on Tuesday. While carrying out required maintenance on Unit 2, someone cut the valve of Unit 1, instead of the same valve on Unit 2, the newsletter read. This "significant error" could have had "devastating consequences." Eskom had to implement a work stoppage following the incident, which could have resulted in the loss of the running unit. Koeberg's "high safety measures" managed to identify the error in time, to prevent any damage from being caused, according to spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha. According to the newsletter, this is the second time this incident has happened during this outage. "This speaks to very poor human performance, and it is an unacceptable practise," the newsletter read. According to Eskom - employees are equipped with the relevant training to correctly identify the unit and components they need to work on. Eskom implored employees to use situational awareness and be vigilant when working on the units. Eskom acknowledged that fatigue might set in, "but we cannot afford to make such serious mistakes which could have resulted in serious repercussions," the newsletter read. Asked whether Eskom is carrying out disciplinary action against the relevant individuals, Mantshantsha said that the individuals responsible have been interviewed and have been "cautioned" by Koeberg professionals. Mantshantsha added that the incident was not such that warranted reportage to the regulator. Both units at Koeberg have a capacity of 920 MW and are the largest generating units in Africa. Koeberg Unit 1 has been safely online for 141 days, without any interruptions, said Mantshantsha. Currently, Unit 2 is offline for maintenance and refuelling. Eskom was supposed to replace the steam generators at the unit during this outage. However, due to facilities not being ready, Eskom decided to delay the steam generator replacement to the next outage. Among these facilities was the construction of a building that was not yet complete. The building is meant to store the old, radioactive steam generators after their removal. The delay in the steam generator replacement programme will ensure Unit 2 is back up and running in time for the high peak demand winter period, Fin24 previously reported. Eskom is in the process of extending Koeberg's operational life by another 20 years.
Despite the African Transformation Movement's (ATM's) threat to take the speaker of the National Assembly to court over her refusal to have a vote of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa done by secret ballot, it's all systems go for the 30 March vote from Parliament's side. Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula informed the National Assembly Programming Committee on Thursday morning that she had received a notice of ATM's intention to challenge her decision in court, and that a preliminary date of 28 March was set – two days before the scheduled vote. She said it was just a notice – not an actual application yet. "As far as we're concerned, it's all systems go," she added. This is subject to change if a court interdicts the vote from going ahead. On the same day as the ATM's vote of no confidence, the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) motion of no confidence in the Cabinet will be heard. Mapisa-Nqakula said she received a submission from the DA asking for an in-person vote with conscience. She said it was similar to what was raised at a previous meeting, and added that she would respond to the submission. Meanwhile, Parliament seems happy to kick the State capture can down the road, opposition parties' objections notwithstanding. At a previous meeting, Mapisa-Nqakula said Ramaphosa would respond to the Zondo Commission's report by 30 June with an implementation plan. However, she has received a letter from the president, informing her of a court ruling that extended the commission's deadline to complete its work to 30 April. Ramaphosa will table his response four months after that. Three parts of the report have already been released, and several prominent African National Congress (ANC) members have been implicated. DA deputy chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said that in the report, there were "damning findings against Parliament" and added that nothing stopped them from setting up ad hoc committees to deal with aspects of the report. She said the executive function – Ramaphosa tabling his response – was very different from the parliamentary function. Mapisa-Nqakula said it was not the forum to deal with the matter. It should go to the Chief Whips Forum or Rules Committee. ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said the ANC noted the outcome of the court judgment. "We'll deal with that matter at the right forum," she said. "We must get ready when that report is presented to us [we know] what we do with it." Gwarube added that Chief Whips' Forum was a consultative body, meeting behind closed doors, with no decision-making powers. "I would really beg this committee to take themselves seriously," she said. ANC MP and parliamentary counsellor to Deputy President David Mabuza, Hope Papo, said Gwarube was incorrect and that the Chief Whips' Forum helped political parties. "This issue was sprung on us here!" he said. The matter was also discussed the previous week. The Economic Freedom Fighters also raised the matter, and they too were referred to the "right forum". Meanwhile, Parliament will still be without a secretary come 1 April. Mapisa-Nqakula previously indicated that the position would be filled by that date. It has been vacant for the past five years, with Baby Tyawa acting in it. "However, that's not worked out," Mapisa-Nqakula told the committee. "We have worked very hard to ensure that we succeed in this assignment of getting a secretary of Parliament. We have not won." She said they were working on a new advertisement for the post. If it is not published this Sunday, it will be published by the next one.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is threatening to take government to court for what he calls an “irrational and unreasonable” extension of the National State of Disaster and is urging the public to back the DA in its court action. On Tuesday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma gazetted a further extension of the Covid-19 National State of Disaster, until April 15. South Africa has been under the National State of Disaster for over two years, since the outbreak of the pandemic. The DA is claiming that by extending the State of Disaster government is hoping to put in place permanent legislation to keep the lockdown in place. “I have today instructed our attorneys to bring an urgent court challenge to Tuesday’s irrational and unreasonable extension of the State of Disaster. But it’s not enough just to end the State of Disaster. The lockdown itself must end. It can’t just become permanent legislation, as the government is trying to do,” Steenhuisen said. The DA leader said government had claimed it was being led by science on the lockdown, which Steenhuisen said had now been indicated to be unnecessary, irrational and unreasonable. He pointed to hundreds of thousands of job losses under the lockdown, thousands of livelihoods destroyed, millions of school and university days missed, and billions of Rands lost to tax revenue, which he said could have been used for poverty relief. He said the country was under a self-imposed State of Disaster, caused by the Covid-19 restrictions, that was doing more harm than good, and believed that ending the lockdown would have a major positive impact on South Africa’s economy. He went on to urge government to allow the sports sector to open up by allowing spectators in stadiums and to drop indoor and outdoor limits on public gatherings. Steenhuisen questioned why in South Africa it was still the law to wear masks in public, including in schools, where he said they were a barrier to learning and a source of discomfort. He suggested that, like other countries, masks should only be mandated in high-risk contexts, such as oncology wards. “The ANC government is no longer fighting the spread of Covid. It is fighting to hold on to the powers it has become accustomed to these past two years. Such an unconstitutional power grab cannot be tolerated in an open, democratic society like ours,” he concluded.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it has seen an increase in complaints, but financial constraints make it hard to deal with them timeously. On Wednesday, the commission released its annual trends analysis report, which indicated that in the 2019/2020 financial year, there was a 13% increase in the number of complaints received. Deputy chairperson Fatima Chohan admitted that financial constraints were hampering the commission from dealing with complaints. "We are very reliant on the number of warm bodies in our organisation. When people come to complain to us, we would require somebody to take down the statement, probably a legal advisor, to assess the legality. or whether the case has merit. If we need to intervene, that requires warm bodies again - whether in litigation or trying to mediate a solution to a complaint. Given the fact that we have to restrict and limit our personnel costs, this clearly affects our operations." This was echoed by CEO Tseliso Thipanyane, who said, "The funding does affect us. we have over 60-million South Africans, nine provincial offices, and about 1 180 staff members. So, we can't be at every corner of the country." Thipanyane added that they also have a bit of a backlog in the numbers of complaints they have received and are able to resolve within the financial year. "Those are some of the issues that we are grappling with, and we are trying to see how best we can use our mandate to protect people from human rights violations in a much more effective manner within the financial constraints. Of course, we can always do with more money, but we must take into account that the county is facing financial difficulties." SAHRC spokesperson Gushwell Brooks said the 13% increase in the number of cases reported might be partly due to the increased advocacy work the organisation was doing. Of the 6 092 cases reported, 75% were successfully investigated and concluded. The majority of the complaints (827) were related to equality, mostly race-based discrimination. Healthcare, food, water and social justice had 702 complaints, while more than 600 cases were related to just administrative action - most based on concerns about non-responsiveness and delays in the provision of services by public bodies. Brooks said the commission was also involved in various litigation in the reporting year. There are currently 69 cases across the country that are still before the courts. The commission has held different investigative inquiries. This includes the Gauteng inquiry into allegations of racial discrimination by medical aid schemes and the national inquiry into violent attacks targeted at non-national long-distance truck drivers.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes companies, who want to do business with the government, should be scored based on sustainable development goals and not on the racial make-up of its shareholding. The DA has long opposed race-based legislation to address the inequalities facing the country. The party accused the African National Congress (ANC) of using race-based legislation to benefit a few, while most economically marginalised people continue to live in poverty. The DA has now fine-tuned its stance on race-based policies. It will present a private member's bill to amend the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act. The DA said its amendments to the act, termed the social impact bill, would enable broader socio-economic redress. The proposal does not focus on race or BBBEE status when scoring for government tenders is adjudicated. Currently, bidders receive extra points on the scorecard, based on the BBBEE level. The DA said companies should be incentivised for its contribution to social development goals. How businesses had contributed to education, job creation and lessening socio-economic inequality should be used for government procurement processes. The DA's head of policy, Gwen Ngwenya, said a focus on sustainable development goals was not only an internationally recognised procurement measure, but it would ensure that economic redress was achieved. "Since the creation of the PPPFA, it has not seen the advancement of those disadvantaged. Our proposal intends to keep an element of preference in the allocation of contracts, but we want to ensure the impact is truly broad-based. "By replacing BBBEE with recognising companies' private contributions to sustainable development goals, the PPPFA will enable addressing underlying causes of inequality. And benefits will go to those who need them. Black people would ultimately benefit," Ngwenya said.
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, petrol and diesel prices currently look set for record increases in the first week of April, says the Automobile Association (AA). Based on the current data, 95 octane petrol is set to increase by R2.15/l, 93 octane is expected to climb by R2.07/l, diesel by between R2.94/l and R3.08/l and illuminating paraffin by R2.51/l. The AA says the current data implies that fuel prices will touch R24/l for petrol and R23.60 for diesel. "If realised at month-end, these will be the biggest increases to fuel prices in South Africa’s history and will, undoubtedly, have major ramifications for all consumers and the economy in general," says the AA. "We must note, though, that this is the mid-month outlook, and oil prices are, for the moment, see-sawing significantly so there may yet be some relief before the official adjustment by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is made going into April." Local fuel prices are determined by international oil prices, as well as the dollar-rand value, as South Africa buys oil in dollars. Oil prices have been soaring amid the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia is the world’s third-largest producer of crude oil, and the expectation that it will be locked out of the market has caused a surge in oil prices. Traders are scrambling to secure oil supplies with Russia, unable to deliver some of its oils due to shipping and banking restrictions. Last week, after the US announced that it would ban the import of Russian crude oil, Brent oil was pushed close to $140 a barrel. However, it has since fallen back to below $100 amid negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as well as new lockdowns in China, which will cool fuel demand. The rand has also remained stable. Based on the current data, the increase to oil prices is contributing 98% to the predicted price hikes, with the rand contributing the other 2%. "Effectively, though, the rand’s value against the US dollar is having a nominal impact on the price of fuel locally," said the AA. "Locally there is little to cushion the blow for millions of South Africans who are struggling to cope with a fragile economy which is hurting their personal financial situation. Consumers should brace themselves and prepare for what is likely to be a long winter if the conflict in Ukraine is drawn out."
Looters of State funds had a free rein for a decade - and now the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is playing catch-up to bring them to book. This is according to Anton du Plessis, the NPA's deputy national director of public prosecutions for strategy, operations and compliance. "If we think we are going to play catch-up after being 10 years behind, without making those bold changes, we are mistaken," he said. On Tuesday, the head of the NPA, Shamila Batohi, and her senior directors briefed the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on cases referred to it by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Du Plessis told the committee it was not just about money and that a massive mind shift was needed. "One of the things that happened since our rebuilding in 2019, we realised that those committing these kinds of crimes got a 10-year headstart on us in many ways. That means not a slight uptick in our pace is needed, but a huge step-up. It's a sprint to catch up, we are confident that we will catch up, but a lot of things have to happen to enable us to catch up," he said. Du Plessis said the NPA's quest to tackle major corruption cases started on the back foot. He said: "One of the things we need to do is not just focus on money. We need to be bold and innovative in terms of how to bring the resources into the NPA and the criminal justice system. It is not just about bringing resources and money in, it's about how we collaborate with the private sector, without undermining our independence or our ability to prosecute these cases without fear or favour." Du Plessis said the release of the Zondo Commission reports presents an opportunity to review the NPA's processes. "Judge Zondo, himself, makes the point that there has to be a review of the legal structure and architecture that we currently operate in, with a very honest reflection of what is working and what is not. "For example, the model of prosecution and investigations. We need to have an in-depth discussion on whether to amend the current legal framework within which we operate, and that is something which I know we will be working on to make recommendations to the minister and president. It speaks to this bold and innovative response that is needed," he said. Batohi said the NPA has specialised types of skills, which it continues to build. "One must remember there was no will political will, [or] willing law enforcement to deal with these cases of high-level corruption. And so, these cases were deliberately not given any attention. Since 2019, there has been a focus on these cases. Together with the DPCI (Hawks) and the SIU really trying to make an impact, but also building the capabilities and capacities at the same time," she said. Asked about the long delays in prosecutions, Batohi said: "It is very difficult to say what is the lifespan of a case. It also depends on the resources. Depending on the complexity of the case, it is like asking how long a piece of string is. I agree that we cannot have cases that go on indefinitely. We must try to ensure that, even in the complex matter, we bring them to court as quickly as we can." The deputy director of public prosecutions, Rodney de Kock, said resources had been directed to focus on corruption matters. "Over the next six months, the NPA is ramping up its ability to deal with complex corruption (cases)," he said.
National Treasury has revised its 2022 estimates for inflation owing to the war in Ukraine from 4.8%, which was the February projection, to between 5% and 5.5% - depending on how much the oil price rises over the year. This is significantly lower than many economists, some of whom have estimated inflation for 2022 could average 5.9%. Treasury estimates that motorists will on average pay R20.28 for a litre of fuel during 2022. The inland cost of a litre of 93 octane is R21.35. Treasury estimates, which are based on oil futures, assume that the elevated oil price will not last throughout the year and that it will peak in March and April and ease thereafter. At a briefing to Parliament on the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the South African economy, the Treasury said that based on the crude oil futures curve, the oil price has risen 19%, taking inflation projections to 5%. If the crude oil price was to rise by 30% inflation would average 5.2%. A 40% increase would take inflation to 5.3% and a 50% rise to 5.5%. Treasury official Clinton Joel told Parliament’s committee on mineral resources and energy: "Under the three scenarios, headline inflation is anticipated to edge towards the upper bound of the Reserve Bank’s target range whilst it is estimated that consumers will pay R3.00 more for a litre of fuel, should the price of oil rise by 50% relative to the Budget Review forecast." The SA Reserve Bank’s inflation targeting range is between 3% and 6% although the bank has unofficially targeted the mid-point of the band. While rising wheat and oil prices and a potential weakening of the rand against the dollar will have upward impact on inflation, the rally in export commodity prices "would provide a tailwind to the external account, provide added support to the mining sector and a possible windfall to revenue collections", said Joel. Fuel rationing The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, also briefing the committee, warned MPs that if the conflict in Ukraine continued beyond April, South Africa would run into supply problems and would have to consider fuel rationing. Deputy director-general Tseliso Maqubela said this could involve rationing motorists to 50 litres per visit and calling on people to work from home where possible. Motorists were also encouraged to drive at lower speeds, for instance at 100km/h in a 120km/h zone. "We are seeing evidence of decreased availability of certain products. There are indications of shortages of diesel [globally]. Diesel that had been flowing to Europe from Russia is so longer flowing at the same volumes with some being diverted towards the war effort in Russia. SA will be okay for March and April but if the war goes beyond that we will begin to experience security of supply issues," said Maqubela. Makhubela said that the best way to cushion the economy against fuel price increases would be to provide support to public transport operators, such as taxis, and to food producers.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Tuesday announced the extension of the National State of Disaster to April 15. The country has been under the National State of Disaster for 24 consecutive months since it was declared in March 2020. The previous extension was set to end on March 15. “In terms of Section 27(5)(c) of the Act, I hereby further extend the National State of Disaster that I extended to March 15, 2022 to April 15, 2022, taking into account the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of State to address the impact of the disaster,” said Dlamini-Zuma. Political parties and ordinary South Africans have been calling for the National State of Disaster to be scrapped as the country is seeing lower Covid-19 infection rates and deaths. However, Absa has said a fifth wave is predicted as early as next month.
Absa says it is expecting the fifth wave of Covid-19 infections to emerge as soon as next month. New daily Covid-19 infections in South Africa are currently below 1 000 a day, and there have been no new deaths recorded in the official tally in the past two days. The country is waiting for President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce new Covid-19 regulations as he's alluded to a possible end to the State of National Disaster, amid calls for mask regulations to be dropped outdoors and temperature checks to be scrapped. "We do anticipate a fifth wave. We think it will start as early as late next month," said Absa interim CEO Jason Quinn. Absa said it expects that waves of infection will continue, but social-distancing restrictions in each wave will likely become less prohibitive. The bank said Covid-19 claims in the fourth wave were better than its insurance business expected. So, it might be the case that the fifth wave could also be less severe than the third wave, which hit SA life insurers hard. In the first half of 2021, Absa increased its Covid-19 provisions to R846-million, with most of that – R836-million – set aside for the South African operations. The bank used R701-million to cover claims in the third and fourth waves. Quinn believes that the Omicron wave was less severe because the level of vaccination in the countries that Absa operates has created strong population immunity. Consequently, the impact on the economy may be less going forward. But he said Absa's actuaries have provided for a number of other possible waves still in the insurance business. Absa has topped up the R146-million left from the provisions set aside in June 2021 by another R330-million, taking its provision for the fifth wave and some of the fourth wave claims to R476-million. These are just Covid-19 provisions. There is money set aside for other ordinary death claims. Absa's interim financial director, Punki Modise, believes this is enough for now. "When we looked at how the last wave saw itself out, the claims experience has largely been a lot lower than what we originally anticipated. So, we feel comfortable that we have appropriately catered for claims that are still to come," said Modise.
With 25-million vaccine doses available, Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the government is still struggling to get South Africans vaccinated against Covid-19, especially after a "less severe" fourth wave. According to Phaahla, getting more young people vaccinated is one of the government's main goals. He responded to African National Congress (ANC) MP Xiaomei Havard's written parliamentary question on the government's efforts to boost the vaccination roll-out plan should the National State of Disaster be suspended. "The vaccination programme is able to administer 250 000 vaccinations a day and all measures are in place to sustain this capability. There are at least 25-million doses of vaccine in the country. The challenge is convincing people to vaccinate, which is more difficult now because many believe that the pandemic is over purely because the impact of the fourth (Omicron) wave was less severe," Phaahla said. Phaahla said the national Department of Health, private sector and NGOs had commenced with new and intensified measures to get jabs into arms. A project management unit in the department was established to sustain vaccinations as other health services returned to full implementation. "The youth-focused programme, #KeReady, was launched and is being driven by a team led by young health professionals. The Department of Higher Education and Higher Health has embarked on vaccination campaigns in all tertiary education institutions," he said. "The NDoH (National Department of Health) is working closely with the Department of Basic Education to include vaccination in the school health service. The media campaigns have been intensified and all radio and television stations in the country are participating," he added. Phaahla also said several companies had implemented mandatory vaccination in workplaces while others supported their workers' vaccination. "The intervals between doses (including booster doses) have been reduced to the lower limit of the evidence for good immune responses. Heterologous (mixed) vaccination regimens have been introduced to allow either of the vaccines to be used, which eases the options for vaccination," Phaahla said. Furthermore, he said provincial health departments had implemented strategies to reach communities where vaccination coverage was poor. Phaahla said, as of 2 March, 1 635 827 vaccine doses had been administered to 1 364 029 children aged 12 and older. "The departments of health and basic education are working together to protect learners through the provision of vaccination against Covid-19. The vaccination programme and the Integrated School Health Programme have been tasked with ensuring that all appropriate schools (predominantly secondary schools) are linked to a vaccination service," he said. This emerged in response to a separate parliamentary question from ANC MP Tshilidzi Munyai. In November last year, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) took the national Department of Health to court over Covid-19 vaccinations for children. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine to be used for vaccinating children aged 12 to 17. According to the latest government notice, children are eligible to receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine 21 days apart. According to the ACDP, the matter is expected to be heard in April.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday expressed confidence in the Special Tribunal and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), saying they are the most effective weapons in the fight against corruption. The Special Tribunal was established to recover public funds taken from the fiscus through corruption, fraud and illicit money flows. Ramaphosa said since its establishment, the Tribunal has recovered around R8.6-billion from unlawful contracts. He warned those who have stolen from the State, saying they will learn that crime does not pay. “But the arm of the law is long. Those who have stolen from the State may believe they have gotten away with it. But their deeds will eventually catch up with them, whoever they are, and whatever position they may hold,” said Ramaphosa. He blamed corrupt relationships for the inability of the State to deliver on its mandate, saying corruption set back the State’s efforts to provide decent healthcare, clean water and power to communities and businesses. “There is still a long way to go, and there is a huge amount of stolen public funds that still need to be recovered. But the SIU and the Special Tribunal have made a good start, and I am confident of many more successes in the months and years ahead,” Ramaphosa said. He believes that the Special Tribunal has shown that the country is steadily turning the tide against corruption, noting that perpetrators are being arrested and are also having to return the proceeds of their crimes. Last week, the Special Tribunal ordered two construction companies to return the profits they earned from R40-million in contracts to erect the Beit Bridge border fence. This followed an investigation by the SIU that uncovered a number of irregularities, including a pre-payment to the companies by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Over the past few weeks, the Tribunal has reviewed and set aside more than R100-million worth of irregular and unlawful contracts arising from Covid-related procurement. “I have said before that winning the war on corruption will be difficult, and that it will take time to unravel the vast webs of patronage that had become entrenched. I have also maintained that we must fight private sector corruption with equal vigour, because for every public sector employee willing to be bribed, there is a business person willing to pay a bribe,” Ramaphosa said.
National Treasury released updated government tender regulations for comment under the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act on Friday, ending the uncertainty that had put government tenders on hold since mid-February. On 25 February National Treasury issued a circular stating that the issuing of tenders would be "held in abeyance" after the Constitutional Court dismissed an appeal by the Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to overturn an earlier court judgment which had set regulations signed in 2017 aside. The case was brought by Afribusiness NPC, arguing that the 2017 regulations were unfair because they allowed for "pre-qualifications" to be set for tenders. For example, state institutions could declare that only black-owned businesses qualified to tender. The regulations gazetted on Friday restore the system that existed before the 2017 iteration of the rules and do away with the pre-qualification rules that Afribusiness NPC contested in court. Under this system, the formula for scoring points in tender awards proposes a 80/20 BEE preference point system for the acquisition of goods with a value of up to R50-million and a 90/10 BEE preference points system for goods valued higher than R50-million. National Treasury Director-General Dondo Mogajane said last week that the department had sought urgent clarification from the Constitutional Court on its ruling and that in the meantime tenders would be suspended, although Eskom has continued issuing tenders during this period.
For the first time in the history of Jacob Zuma's battle with his corruption prosecutors, the State has chosen not to file papers to explain its opposition to the former president's latest appeal bid – effectively fast-tracking the Appeal Court's decision. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga told News24 on Friday, "We will oppose the petition for leave to appeal as we believe there are no prospects of success on appeal and we stand by Judge Piet Koen's judgment." Asked if that meant that the NPA would not file any papers in response to the four petitions filed by Zuma at the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) earlier this week, Mhaga responded: "Yes. Judge Koen's judgment speaks for itself and we stand by it." Zuma has asked the SCA for the right to challenge Koen's dismissal of his "special plea" application – in which he sought the removal of prosecutor Billy Downer because of alleged bias and misconduct – as well as his case that witnesses should be called to testify about the abuses he claims to have suffered at the hands of the State (as part of that "special plea" application). Poor prospects While Zuma also applied to lead further evidence in his appeal, largely to do with his complaints that Downer had "leaked" publicly available court documents to News24, Koen had found that none of this evidence related to whether Downer had the "title" to prosecute him – the key issue that would need to be decided in an appeal. The State's decision to not file any papers detailing its opposition to Zuma's attempts to appeal Koen's rulings against him is arguably a powerful indication of just how poor it believes the former president's prospects of persuading the Appeal Court to even hear his case are. It also means that the SCA can consider whether it will hear Zuma's appeal, which he clearly intends to use as a basis to further delay the start of his long-awaited arms deal corruption case on 11 April. The State is adamant it will fight any attempt by Zuma to further delay his prosecution, meaning that the former president's legal team will need to formally apply for a postponement of the case. Given that Koen found that Zuma's appeal has no reasonable prospect of success and his repeated emphasis that it is in the interests of justice that his trial starts, it is highly unlikely that the judge will grant that postponement.
Newly appointed Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, says Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya was one of the first people to congratulate him on his appointment – just as he had congratulated her after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommended her for the position. "I was also, in my own mind, certain that whoever got appointed, I would give them full support," he told News24 on Friday morning. "After Justice Maya was recommended by the JSC, I called her the next day to say congratulations on the JSC recommending you, and if you are appointed you must just know that I will give you full support. And she was very happy with that," he said, adding he believed that all the candidates for the Chief Justice position were aware that "we are here for the country, not ourselves. This is for the country and we must always remember that these positions are not there for us to be important. It is about service to the country. I think that everyone approached the interviews with that in mind," he said. The JSC has been accused of acting unconstitutionally and attempting to force President Cyril Ramaphosa's hand when it put Maya forward as its preferred candidate for the Chief Justice position, despite the president having largely untrammelled discretion in selecting the judge who will lead the country's courts. 'An excellent judge' Ramaphosa, however, indicated that he would nominate Maya as Zondo's deputy, subject to another JSC interview process. Given that Zondo will only serve two and a half years before his term ends, this appointment will mean that Maya will be the frontrunner to replace him. Zondo says he looks forward to working with Maya, who he acknowledges is "an excellent judge". "She and I have known each other for decades and we get on very well and she sent me a message of congratulations yesterday," Zondo said, adding that he had also received congratulations from fellow Chief Justice nominees, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo and Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Zondo said he was asked to meet Ramaphosa while in a virtual court hearing on Thursday morning and visited the president at his home after the case had concluded. It was at that meeting that the president informed him that he had been appointed as Chief Justice, Zondo said. "I think he told me just after 3pm.I felt very humbled. I thought it's a very important appointment. I thought about the responsibilities that come with the position, of course, and I thought it's a privilege and it's an honour to be given a chance to serve in this kind of position. "I will just have to do the best I can to make sure that the judiciary works properly and that it plays its role as envisaged in the Constitution. Of course I thought about the fact that there were three other excellent candidates so it must have been a very difficult decision on his (Ramaphosa's) part. It could not have been an easy decision," Zondo said. Support 'has been wonderful' Zondo said he "was overwhelmed" by messages of support received in the wake of his appointment. "It makes you feel appreciated – and the support of ordinary South Africans has been wonderful," he said. In reference to the Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF's) scathing attack on Ramaphosa's decision to appoint him, Zondo said "there will always be others who will criticise and I'm aware that the EFF has criticised.but most of the reactions that I have seen or heard have been very positive. Zondo was also unperturbed by the prospect of working with EFF leader Julius Malema at the JSC, where the new Chief Justice will chair the interviews of prospective judges. "I will work with everybody and I'll work with all the JSC members. I will work with Mr Malema, I will work with [Jacob Zuma's advocate] Dali Mpofu and I actually think that we'll work very well," he said, adding that – during the October 2021 JSC interviews that he had chaired as Acting Chief Justice – "we had worked very well". "Because some of the statements that Mr...
The government's plan to end the state of disaster is being hampered by concern over, among others, the suspension of alcohol bans and curfews should there be another wave of Covid-19 infections. On Thursday, Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, held a post-Cabinet media briefing and said government had made it clear that it wished to "do away with the National State of Disaster Act" but reiterated that in doing so, there was a need for caution and to ensure no vacuum was left in terms of laws to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. "We do not want to leave a vacuum because the biggest challenge here is, is that this thing [the pandemic] is so unpredictable. We must have means in case it comes at an unexpected time. We must have the means to take care of it. I do not doubt that very soon we will have another update on how the government will move forward," Gungubele said. News24 understands that there were disagreements in terms of finalising laws to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. Gungubele declined to comment on what the disagreements centred on. He said President Cyril Ramaphosa would be making an announcement soon on whether the national state of disaster would be extended by another month or terminated, and in its place, new regulations implemented to contain the pandemic should another surge in infections and hospitalisations occurred. What appeared to be of particular concern and raised by some in the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) was that government would not be able to reintroduce measures such as alcohol bans and curfews which had, in the past, been implemented to curb the spread of the pandemic, should the national state of disaster be made away with South Africa's state of disaster was set to expire on 15 March and Ramaphosa and Health Minister Joe Phaahla had previously stated that the latest state of disaster extension was envisaged to be the last. This would make it 24 months since it was first declared at the end of March 2020. While the national state of disaster was initially set to lapse on 15 June 2020, the act provided that it could be extended by the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister by notice in the gazette for one month at a time before it lapsed. Gungubele said significant strides had been made in the effort to fight the pandemic. "Cabinet acknowledged the country's efforts toward the fight against Covid-19, but cautioned that the battle is not over and urged all people in South Africa to continue protecting themselves and stop the spread of the deadly virus. "Cabinet is also pleased that almost 32-million vaccine doses have been administered and that over 42% of our adult population is fully vaccinated. However, unvaccinated people still remain unprotected against Covid-19 and pose a health risk for themselves and those around them. Vaccination remains the best way to fight Covid-19, and Cabinet calls on everyone age 12 and above to vaccinate without further delay," said Gungubele. He added that Covid-19 booster shots were now available and called on those eligible to get them.
The South African government has once again called for a “negotiated diplomatic solution” to the Russian war, saying the socioeconomic cost of the conflict is devastating and its impact will be felt around the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered day 15. On Wednesday afternoon it was reported that a children’s hospital and maternity ward in a southern Ukrainian city was destroyed by a Russian airstrike – at least three people have died. Briefing the media on the post Cabinet meeting, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele explained that Cabinet remained deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “We are always against conflict that leads to loss of life, even more disrupting when it costs the lives of children. But the question that is always asked, what do we do? This government is led by the President; whenever you enter a conflict of this complexity you always have to ask a question how will our participation as South Africa improve the situation? Because here it’s a conflict underlined by complex factors. Russia would have their reasons, the West would have their views but at the end of the day it actually results in people fighting and dying. How you enter that you must answer the question, how am I improving the situation,” said Gungubele. He explained that this was one of the reasons why South Africa was avoiding taking any sides in the Russian war. “So that is why we say we call for peace, we are against the killing of people for whatever reasons. We always believe in negotiated peaceful resolutions. We cannot be comfortable about the bombing of children in Ukraine,” Gungubele said. Cabinet urged all parties to uphold and protect human rights and to abide by their obligations in terms of international law and international humanitarian law. Gungubele said government continues to assist South African citizens in leaving Ukraine and a number of them have since returned home. He also expressed concern about the ill-treatment of Africans trying to cross international borders during the conflict. There have been reports of racism at borders. “We believe that developing countries must enjoy a greater share of voice and influence in institutions of global governance. South Africa, therefore, advocates for a more equitable international system and for the reform of multilateral institutions to promote greater equality,” he said. Meanwhile, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the provincial cabinet has decided that no Russian Embassy or Consulate official or their staff will be invited to any event or meeting organised by the provincial government. Gungubele commented on Winde’s statement saying the government does not have the power to prevail over who the Democratic Alliance (DA) wants to meet with. “When it comes to the Western Cape, we have expressed the position of South Africa in the Russian war that we are not intended to take any sides, but I don’t think we have the power to prevail over who the DA wants to meet and who they don’t want to meet, that is beyond our control. But as a country we have articulated the position of the country a lot and we are comfortable with that,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will face his first motion of no confidence on 30 March. His Cabinet will face a similar motion on the same day. Both votes will be in the open, and this could delay the process as some opposition parties are unhappy about National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula's decision and could take further steps. At the National Assembly Programming Committee's meeting on Thursday morning, Mapisa-Nqakula announced that both motions will be voted on and debated on 30 March. She said voting for both motions will be in the open. Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Natasha Mazzone said an open vote would be "very concerning" to members who might not want to toe the party line. She said an open vote would be tantamount to wasting time. She suggested that Mapisa-Nqakula take a legal opinion on the matter. Mapisa-Nqakula said she had taken a legal opinion. "I wouldn't come and preside over this meeting without a legal opinion," she said. "The environment in Parliament is not toxic at all." She said South Africa had just come out of an election, and the Zondo Commission report will be presented to Parliament in June. She said it had been discussed openly already. She said if these things could be done, there was no reason why there couldn't be an open vote. She said the only issue the DA raised was that members of the executive shouldn't participate in the motion of no confidence in Cabinet. "I have ruled members of the executive will participate in the debate and the vote," Mapisa-Nqakula said, adding that they were members of Parliament. According to DA deputy chief whip Siviwe Gwarube, things could be legally sound but make no sense where accountability was concerned. Mapisa-Nqakula said, "If you want to take the decision on review, you can do so." She said the rules provided for voting in a hybrid system. African National Congress (ANC) chief whip Pemmy Majodina said the rules allowed MPs to vote against their party. "I don't understand the issue now," she said. Mapisa-Nqakula said she had made her ruling, and parties were welcome to make formal submissions on the matter to her. She said she would also ask Parliament's legal services to provide copies of their advice to her to the parties. Voting in the open in a virtual setting means that chief whips will inform the table how many of their MPs are present and whether or not they support the motion. If an MP wants to vote differently from their party, it is then up to them to publicly say so. This is yet to happen. In March last year, the contentious vote on Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's impeachment was done in the open. ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe instructed ANC MPs to support the DA motion. Some ANC MPs – believed to be aligned to the so-called radical economic transformation (RET) faction – were opposed to supporting this motion. No ANC MP voted against the motion or abstained, but a few ANC MPs were absent. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) – who were not represented in Thursday's meeting – lodged its motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa in early 2020. It was scheduled to be heard by the end of that year, but was delayed as the ATM challenged then-speaker Thandi Modise's decision to reject a secret ballot for the vote on the motion. Mapisa-Nqakula has already indicated that the vote on the motion will not be secret. Last month, during the State of the Nation Address debate, DA leader John Steenhuisen announced that he had lodged a motion of no confidence in Cabinet. If this motion should pass, Ramaphosa would not be removed. If the ATM's motions were to succeed, both Ramaphosa and his Cabinet would be removed. The committee also heard that the DA's request for an urgent debate on Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been ceded and will be debated on 15 March.
As reports of xenophobia make headlines in South Africa this week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said the country is at risk of becoming a pariah in Africa and globally. South Africa’s opposition party released its “opportunity migration policy”, on Wednesday, which the party said is premised on advocating for opportunity instead of fear. DA head of policy Gwen Ngwenya said migration has often been an inflammatory subject in South Africa where issues are couched in the language of fear. She suggests that migration can, instead, offer opportunities for South Africa. “South Africa has struggled with incidences of xenophobic sentiment and related prejudice, violence, and crime for many years. The cost of xenophobia is high; it puts lives in danger, its stunts economic potential by deterring investment, tourism and cross-border trade, and also risks making South Africa a pariah in Africa and in the global arena,” she stressed. It is critical that legitimate fears and concerns are constructively engaged with, she said, while adding that the task for government is to harness the potential of migration, while taking seriously the anxieties of those who feel left behind. The DA’s policy outlines what it, as a party, will do to promote efficiency and transparency in its immigration system, including the legal movement of foreign nationals in South Africa. Ngwenya explained that the policy is anchored by three pillars: the opportunity created by freer movement of people; opportunity created by economic participation of migrants; and opportunity to address harmful myths. She explained that the DA migration policy offers practical interventions such as implementation of an advanced migration registry system to properly document all migrants that enter or leave the country; as well as a points-based skilled migration system, as opposed to a skills-demand system, as the points-based system has proven to be more successful in attracting aspiring skilled migrants. The DA’s policy also explores the economic cost vs benefit of an e-verification system that would enable employers to check the work eligibility status of potential employees. The policy also focuses on blacklisting officials who are found guilty of migration corruption and fraud from working for any State agency or government department, as well as laying criminal charges against them. The policy seeks to introduce a trader’s permit or visa for all other African countries and it supports the roll-out of an African passport. The DA will be taking additional steps over the next few months to ensure that proposals contained in its migration policy become part of the wider national debate on immigration reform. The full policy will be available on the party’s website in the coming weeks.
After years of legal battling, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's report on President Cyril Ramaphosa's CR17 campaign is finally dead, after the Constitutional Court dismissed her final bid to revive it. The apex court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that Mkhwebane's application for the rescission of its majority ruling, which confirmed the invalidation of her CR17 report by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, should be dismissed "as no case has been made for rescission". Mkhwebane argued that the Constitutional Court should rescind its finding that she had altered the Executive Ethics Code to justify her unlawful finding that the president had unethically misled Parliament over a R500 000 donation to his African National Congress (ANC) election campaign. Ramaphosa's attorney, Peter Harris, in turn, contended that the court should refer that finding to National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi for potential criminal investigation – an argument that Mkhwebane slammed as an attempt to "silence me or intimidate me". In the ruling on Wednesday morning, the apex court gave no such order for criminal investigation. But its dismissal of Mkhwebane's rescission application is yet another major blow for the beleaguered Public Protector, who is facing another perjury case over her disastrous efforts to defend her invalidated report on the SA Reserve Bank. She is also embroiled in litigation linked to the pending parliamentary inquiry into her fitness to hold office. 'Exceeded parameters of interpretation' In her CR17 report, Mkhwebane wrongly found that then-deputy president Ramaphosa had violated the Executive Ethics Code, by mistakenly stating that a payment made to his election campaign by corruption-accused Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson was for consultancy work done by his son Andile. The code makes it an offence to deliberately mislead the National Assembly. "The Public Protector’s report reveals that, on the facts placed before her, she accepted that the president did not wilfully mislead Parliament," Justice Chris Jafta stated on behalf of the Constitutional Court's majority. "This meant that he could not have violated the code. The Public Protector then changed the wording of the code to include 'deliberate and inadvertent misleading' so as to match with the facts. Having effected the change in the code, the Public Protector proceeded to conclude that the president had violated the code," Jafta said. He added that it was "inconceivable" that the word "wilfully" could be read to mean "inadvertent". "These words carry meanings that are mutually exclusive. Wilfully cannot include inadvertent. What was done by the Public Protector here exceeded the parameters of interpretation." Mkhwebane argued that this ruling should be rescinded. "This Honourable Court's judgment is.erroneous in that this court ruled that I dishonestly and incompetently changed the code and that I inserted words in some quest to make a finding against the president by hook or by crook,” she stated in court papers. "This is a serious accusation or implication for the integrity, dignity and efficient functioning of the office of the Public Protector and for me, personally and professionally. It would be a grave injustice for it to stand uncorrected." 'Opportunistically flip-flopped' Mkhwebane insisted that she mistakenly based her finding against Ramaphosa on a 2007 ministerial handbook version of the code, which included a reference to the "inadvertent" misleading of Parliament. It was Ramaphosa's case that this 2007 version of the code has no status in law. Mkhwebane, however, argued that, because it was mistakenly referred to by the Constitutional Court in a footnote in its ruling on then-public protector Thuli Madonsela's Nkandla report, it has been "endorsed" by the apex court. Harris, in turn, argued that Mkhwebane "opportunistically flip-flopped" on the text of the Executive Ethics Code to make false findings that Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises...
Embattled African National Congress (ANC) Women's’ League president Bathabile Dlamini has been found guilty of perjury. Dlamini stood accused of lying under oath during a 2017 inquiry into the social grants debacle at the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) that saw millions of grant beneficiaries unsure if they would receive their money. Magistrate Betty Khumalo found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that the former minister had lied under oath. Dlamini's defence team argued last month that she should not be found guilty of perjury as Section 38 proceedings, such as the Ngoepe Inquiry, were not formal judicial ones. The court has since disagreed with that argument.
South Africa recorded 801 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday, which represented a 5.5% positivity rate. According to a statement by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), as of Monday, the country recorded 3 685 120 laboratory-confirmed cases. Six new Covid-19 deaths were recorded, bringing the confirmed death toll to 99 609. Most new cases were recorded in Gauteng, which accounted for 32% of new infections, followed by the Western Cape with 20%. KwaZulu-Natal accounted for 15%; North West 11%; Mpumalanga 8%; Eastern Cape 6%; Free State and Limpopo 3% each; and the Northern Cape 1%. Gauteng recorded 255 new cases on Monday, the Western Cape 157 and KwaZulu-Natal 124. As of Monday, Gauteng recorded 1 196 846 cumulative cases, KwaZulu-Natal 654 069 and the Western Cape 642 310. There were 28 new hospital admissions in the last 24-hour reporting cycle. In total, 2 482 people were in public and private hospitals for Covid-19. South Africa conducted 23 259 839 cumulative tests, of which 14 466 were carried out in the last 24-hour cycle. According to the Department of Health, 32 126 152 vaccine doses have been administered. Of those, 92 015 were administered on Monday. To date, 17 135 488 adults are fully vaccinated. Among children aged 12 and older, 1 695 402 vaccine doses have been administered.
The African National Congress (ANC) has voted to scrap a planned Parliamentary investigation into the state's much-delayed plan to fast-track the building of emergency power plants. Parliament's oversight committee on mineral resources and energy voted in August last year to launch a probe into the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP), an initiative to add 2 000 MW of new power to SA's grid quickly. The inquiry's terms of reference were agreed on in December. The inquiry was set to probe problems relating to the programme as well as allegations surrounding the awarding of a R22-billion contract to Turkish-led consortium Karpowership SA, which faced subsequent litigation. Rival bidder DNG Energy had alleged that the procurement process that led to Karpowership being named largest preferred bidder had been riddled with corruption. These allegations contributed to the committee initially voting to conduct its own probe. But late in January, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed DNG's challenge, ruling that it had been excluded for not meeting procurement requirements. On Tuesday, six ANC committee members, including committee chair Sahlulele "Zet" Luzipo, voted to scrap the probe. The Democratic Alliance's (DA's) two members objected. The vote followed a briefing by Parliamentary legal advisor Andile Tetyana, who said a recent court ruling had found no evidence of wrongdoing in the RMIPPPP process. "The court has put the procurement process under a microscopic eye and came to a factual and legal finding that it was fair and transparent," said Tetyana. He said that while there were no legal impediments to the committee continuing with its inquiry, there was no need to "reinvent the wheel". 'Witch hunt' While Tetyana's input convinced the ANC that there was no need for the committee to continue the probe, the DA argued that the inquiry could cover new ground. DA MP Kevin Mileham said the probe would have a far broader scope than the court case by focusing on things like costs, delays and the rationale behind the emergency power in the first place. He added it was "fishy" that ANC members wanted to halt the inquiry and not investigate the matter further. But ANC members were adamant the court ruling had put the matter to rest, and it would be a waste of time and money to continue. "I don't think there is any basis for us as a committee to continue with this investigation any further. All the issues that were raised as red flags have been addressed by a competent court of law," said the ANC's Sibusiso Kula. "We have been dealing with a witch hunt for a long time," he added. "We must put the matter to rest". The ANC's Mike Mahlaule then accused "some people" in the meeting – in an apparent reference to the DA – of not respecting the arguments made by Parliament's legal advisor because he was a black African. "It borders against some element of racism, because a legal mind that is African is saying things that some people don't agree with," he said. "It is a dangerous degeneration of the very worst kind." His fellow ANC MP, Sibusiso Kula, later said that objections to dropping the probe were based on "whiteness", saying the "minority" was trying to overturn the will of the majority. He said the country would not return to "pre-1994". "That Christmas could never occur," he said. The DA, which understood itself to be the object of the remarks by both Kula and Mahlaule, asked the committee's chair to rule that the claims of racism against it were un-parliamentary. When the chair declined to do so, the party said it would be taking the matter to Parliament's rules committee as it was "absolutely unacceptable" that such language be accepted in Parliament.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) argued before the Special Tribunal that the Digital Vibes contract was a money-laundering scheme designed to siphon funds to former minister Zweli Mkhize's family while also shielding the family from accountability. The SIU appeared before the Special Tribunal on Tuesday. The unit wanted the court to add six companies to the main Digital Vibes review application. The application sought to review and set aside the R150-million contract between Digital Vibes and the Department of Health. The unit also wanted to recover the funds linked to the contract. In its investigation into the contract, which led to Mkhize's resignation, the SIU said it had found six other companies that received proceeds from Digital Vibes. These monies were later paid over to companies linked to the Mkhize family. Cedar Falls Properties was one of the companies the SIU sought to add to its review application. The other companies included: All Out Trading (Pty), Tusokuhle Farming, Azwakele Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd and/or Sithokozile Khaliphile Mkhize. Cedar Falls Properties' sole director is May Mkhize, the minister's wife. Cedar Falls benefitted from an R1.8-million payment made to Ithala Bank by Sirela Trading for a loan the company had acquired. Sirela Trading made the R1.888 727.84-million to the benefit of Cedar Falls. Mateta Projects, after receiving money from Digital Vibes, transferred the money paid by Sirela, the SIU believed. Mateta, a company run by Mdu Mthethwa, a business associate linked to the Mkhize family, had received a R6-million payment from Digital Vibes, the SIU said in court papers. The SIU argued that the Mkhize family had received close to R10-million from the Digital Vibes contract. Advocate Barry Roux argued on behalf of the SIU that the six additional companies that had received proceeds from Digital Vibes should be liable to pay back the proceeds. Roux argued that the payments paid from Digital Vibes and eventually to entities linked to the Mkhize family could be described as a money-laundering scheme intended to benefit the family. The "siphoning scheme" in the series of payments made through middlemen companies was designed to shield the family from accountability. Cedar Falls had argued against the joinder application, saying the SIU had failed to prove it was liable in the Digital Vibes matter. Digital Vibes was appointed to lead the Department of Health's NHI media campaign. The former minister was alleged to have pressured his staff to appoint the company, which was linked to his associates Tahera Mather and Naadhira Mitha. The contract was irregularly expanded to cover media campaigns for Covid-19, the SIU said in its report. The hearing continues.
No Covid-19-related deaths were reported in the last 24 to 48 hours, according to the Department of Health, which means the death toll remains at 99 543. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported that 1 147 new Covid-19 cases were identified in South Africa, which represent a 6.1% positivity rate. Gauteng is the most impacted, with 1 196 591 cases in total, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 653 945 cases and the Western Cape with 642 153. Most new cases are from Gauteng (36%), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (23%). The Western Cape accounted for 21%; the North West 6%; the Free State and Mpumalanga 4% each; the Eastern Cape 3%; Limpopo 2%; and the Northern Cape 1%. Gauteng recorded 418 new cases on Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal recorded 259 and the Western Cape 236. As of Sunday, according to the NICD, the country recorded a total of 3 684 319 laboratory-confirmed cases. Meanwhile, there has been an increase of six hospital admissions in the past 24 hours. There are 2 545 people in public and private hospitals. South Africa has conducted a total of 23 245 373 tests and 18 709 of those were carried out in the past 24-hour period. According to the Department of Health, 32 027 146 vaccines were administered and of those, 7 414 were administered on Sunday. To date, 17 114 044 adults are fully vaccinated. Among children 12 and older, 1 679 622 doses have been administered.
Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, on Monday commended the much-needed emergency medical and non-medical relief to be provided to Ukraine by Gift of the Givers, one of the largest disaster response non-governmental organisations in Africa. Addressing the media virtually, Abravitora said, "We acknowledge the donation that is provided as humanitarian aid by the organisation Gift of the Givers, and we encourage even the government and other organisations also to support Ukraine as we are struggling not only for our land but to retain the main principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. "We are glad the world supports Ukraine, and we urge that Russia's isolation continues." Gift of the Givers noted over the weekend that it would provide much-needed emergency medical and non-medical relief to displaced individuals inside Ukraine, as well as fund the repatriation of South African students looking to return home. The organisation announced its intentions on Saturday, after having a "very private international discussion where representatives from Slovakia, Romania, the Ukraine health ministry, Croatia, one of the chief co-ordinators of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, a doctor in Kyiv, surgeons from the US and Europe participated". "Following that important session, we received a call from the Ukraine aid coordinator for guidance on various issues," said the organisation. Abravitora also bemoaned Russia's "continued attack on civilian sites" and the placing of civilians under "severe risk". Russian troops on Saturday seized the biggest atomic power plant in Europe after an attack that set it on fire and raised worldwide fears of a nuclear catastrophe. Ukrainian firefighters put out the blaze, and no radiation leaks had been detected, according to United Nations and Ukrainian officials. Abravitora again reiterated that Russia had failed to reach its key goals and said that Ukraine would continue to fight and win the war. The media briefing comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday also explained South Africa's decision to abstain from voting on last week’s UN resolution on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ramaphosa, writing in his Monday weekly newsletter, said the resolution did not "foreground the call for meaningful engagement". "SA expected that the UN resolution would foremost welcome the commencement of dialogue between the parties and seek to create the conditions for these talks to succeed. Instead, the call for a peaceful resolution through political dialogue is relegated to a single sentence close to the conclusion of the final text. "There have been some who have said that in abstaining from the vote condemning Russia's military operation in Ukraine, SA has placed itself on the wrong side of history. Yet SA is firmly on the side of peace at a time when another war is something the world does not need, nor can it afford [it]," said Ramaphosa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again pushed government’s mediation stance in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called on both countries to reach an agreement that will lead to the cessation of hostilities. Ramaphosa said the reason why South Africa declined to support the United Nations (UN) resolution against Russia was because it did not focus on the call for meaningful engagement. Last week, the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution demanding Russia stop its war against Ukraine. Thirty-nine nations, including South Africa, abstained from the vote. 141 of 193 UN member States voted for the non-binding resolution. Five countries voted against the resolution. Political parties have criticised South Africa for its decision to abstain. Ramaphosa said since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, South Africa’s position has been to affirm peace. He explained that prior to the resolution being passed at the UN last week, talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials had already started, adding that South Africa expected that the UN resolution would welcome dialogue between the parties and seek to create the conditions for these talks to succeed. “Instead, the call for peaceful resolution through political dialogue is relegated to a single sentence close to the conclusion of the final text. This does not provide the encouragement and international backing that the parties need to continue with their efforts,” he said. Ramaphosa said whatever agreements are brokered must be sustainable in the long run and address the concerns of both parties to the conflict. He said South Africa’s own experience with ending apartheid, and the country’s role in mediating conflict elsewhere on the continent, have yielded a number of insights. “The first is that even the most seemingly intractable differences can be resolved at the negotiating table. The second is that even as talks may collapse, they can and do resume, as was the case in our own negotiating process. And that even when it seems the parties cannot see eye to eye, breakthroughs can and do happen,” added Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa explained that for South Africa to continue to support the call for negotiation and dialogue does not render its commitment to human rights any less, noting that since the outbreak of the conflict South Africa has expressed its concern about the impact of the conflict on civilians. “Our country is committed to advancing the human rights and fundamental freedoms not only of our own people, but for the peoples of Palestine, Western Sahara, Afghanistan, Syria and across Africa and the world. It is our hope that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine yield positive outcomes that pave the way for an end to the conflict,” he said.
The reopened inquest into the 1982 death of anti-apartheid activist Dr Neil Aggett has found that he did not die by suicide, but was killed by the police while in custody. On Friday, Judge Motsamai Makume handed down judgment in the inquest that spanned two years. Aggett, who was 28 at the time, was found hanging in his cell at the infamous John Vorster Square police station, now known as Johannesburg Central, after being detained there for 70 days on suspicions of treason. A 1982 inquest chaired by Magistrate Pieter Kotze cleared the apartheid government and ruled his death a suicide. In his judgment, Makume found that Kotze was biased and not interested in finding out what had happened to Aggett, but rather why he had killed himself. "Dr Neil Aggett did not commit suicide. He was killed by the members of the security branch. When Neil didn’t regain consciousness (after he was tortured), they took him back to his cell, propped him up and hanged him," Makume found. After Aggett's death, members of the security branch even visited his family home in the Western Cape to find evidence that corroborated the claim that Aggett had killed himself. "If they were convinced that he had committed suicide, why did they go all the way to the Western Cape to find evidence that wasn’t there?" Makume asked. The judge said he was appalled by how Kotze had ignored testimony that Aggett was tortured on numerous occasions and had even filed a complaint. In one incident, just days before his death, he was interrogated for 62 hours. "The finding that Neil consented to 62 hours of sleep deprivation boggles my mind," said Makume. He said that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) should pursue criminal charges against those involved in Aggett’s death.
The disinformation shared during the July unrest, sowed anger and contributed to the widespread violence and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the SA Human Rights Commission heard on Friday. "We do know that concerning and at times harmful content was being spread, which appears to have contributed to the anger and facilitated the incitement to violence and disorder," Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) director, William Bird, told the commission. Bird said one of the biggest failures during the unrest was the state's inability to respond to the violence. "One of the biggest problems that we saw in the unrest was the failure by various bodies and non-government [entities] to communicate what was going on. It was only when media started to get there, we started to get a better sense of what was going on. "As a result, there was a clear sense that the state had no answer to anything. The police and intelligence services were nowhere to be found," he said. During his testimony at the commission's hearing into the unrest that caused destruction and led to widespread looting last July, Bird said that their goal was to review what had also occurred and to prevent and act on them. Bird said they used their online public complaint platform Real411 to review posts shared during the unrest. Some of the complaints received on the platform during the July unrest included fake tweets shared of prisoners refusing to eat and going on a hunger strike in protest of former president Jacob Zuma's incarceration. He said MMA also received posts of old taxi strikes being shared online. "We know that the unrest and the violence and the deaths were all tragically far too real, but there were all of these other things going on to help stoke and promote and encourage and incite that." There was also a WhatsApp message showing a fake letter of apology by the Venda nation for alleged mistreatment of Zuma by President Cyril Ramaphosa, he said. "So, again these things have a very clear line and link to the politics that was occurring at the time and tying directly into that and encouraging violence," he said. Bird said the second group of posts received on Real411 spoke directly to the incitement to violence. "Burn everything forces. President Zuma was sent to prison by thugs with robes who take bribes. Burn everything. We must find addresses of judges," said one post. Bird said there was also an expletive-ridden tweet depicting an image of the Constitutional Court with the message: "You better hurry up mother f #Concourt we waiting for your f judgment on Pres Zuma this time around if you get it wrong, we burn your mother f court." He said the account associated with this tweet had since been suspended. Bird said there was also a WhatsApp group called Indians will know us which contained images of firearms on display and messages of hate speech and incitement to violence against Indians in the Phoenix, Chatsworth and Isipingo areas. "Obviously, these things in a time of great anxiety, in a time of actual ongoing violence, are things that are clearly deeply and profoundly problematic." There was also a group of posts that sowed fear. Bird highlighted the video shared on TikTok of prisoners being released and also a WhatsApp message falsely claiming Checkers Hyper in Roodepoort had been set alight by looters. "In addition to the horrifying incidents of actual violence against various communities, we received a number of reports of social media posts which falsely claimed to show evidence of current incidents of racial abuse against certain communities, but which used old footage from previous events." He said another trend was the false or misleading claims about Zuma's arrest and detention. He highlighted a tweet by the JG Zuma Foundation falsely claiming that it was "just pure malice to incarcerate President Zuma whilst litigation on his detention without trial case was ongoing". "Those kind of things that border on the outrage and clearly false, are thin...
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said on Friday that while vaccination mandates remain a difficult topic, the “undisputed fact” is that as more people vaccinate, the more economic and social activities will open up. A team of senior South Africa government officials has been leading consultations with various stakeholders, including the National Economic Development and Labour Council, and they will be ready to report at the next National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) with recommendations. South Africa recorded 1 853 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday and two deaths. An additional 48 deaths were reported as part of an ongoing audit, increasing the confirmed death toll to 99 499. To date, 17 081 913 adults are fully vaccinated. Among children aged 12 and older, 1 656 951 doses have been administered. The department has also administered 1 282 996 booster shots and 58 811 were in the last 24 hours. In the last week, South Africa has seen a 20% reduction in new cases from 16 000 a week to 12 800 a week. Gauteng province is still leading with 38.4% of new cases, followed by the Western Cape with 20% and KwaZulu-Natal with 15.5%. In the past week, all provinces reported a decline in weekly incidence risk except for KwaZulu-Natal which showed no change. Phaahla said his department had been hard at work revising its regulations to control notifiable infectious diseases and was ready to present at the next NCCC meeting. “As the World Health Organisation has stated at various forums, two of which I attended this week, including yesterday, Covid-19 is not over, as can be seen from the global numbers and we must avoid reversing the hard earned gains we have made as we strive to end the pandemic,” he said. He hopes that reviewed health regulations and reviewed regulations from other departments will assist in the guided reopening of various economic and social activities, especially in the leisure and tourism areas, with less risk of super spreaders. The proposals will include amendments to travel requirements which could make it easier and cheaper to travel safely. He said details would only be available after the discussions of the NCCC. “We want to make a clarion call again to all South Africans that Covid-19 can be defeated if we all work together to protect ourselves and those around us with vaccination. One always feels very envious when participating in various international meetings and you hear fellow health ministers reporting vaccination coverages of between 70% to 90% and unlike in the past you cannot blame vaccine apartheid because you are sitting with sufficient stock including donations which are not being taken up,” the Minister stated. He reminded South Africans that vaccines were proven to be safe and effective in preventing severe illness and death and he warned that beyond 2022 it would be difficult to interact with other nations without vaccination. He is concerned that the country is far from reaching the 70% coverage required for population immunity. He said the 60+ cohort remained the country’s best performers with 68% having been vaccinated. The Free State province is still the leading province with 57.2% coverage. In terms of absolute numbers Gauteng is leading by far with 8.9-million doses administered to just over 5-million people, but coverage is at 45% owing to the province housing a big population. He said the biggest drawback is the 18 to 34 age group with just 34% vaccination coverage and 29.3% full vaccination. “We need at least another 5-million of this cohort to get to 60% coverage,” Phaahla said.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola says his department had to plan thoroughly to ready themselves for the masses of cases arising from last July's unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. "We have all learnt a valuable lesson from the July unrest. This necessitated the Department of Justice to issue directives to speed up processing of accused persons that emanated from the July unrest due to the sheer volume of arrests that came at the time that the system had to absorb. Lamola told the SA Human Rights Commission on Thursday, "We as the justice [department] also had a responsibility to coordinate the operations of the courts countrywide, including where there is a need to expand and have more courts." During his testimony at the commission hearing into the unrest that caused destruction and led to widespread looting in July last year, Lamola said his department had to establish a case management task team to monitor and track criminal cases arising from the violence. "In order to prepare a response to the July events, the NATJoints (National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure) committees met daily, sometimes more than once per day to deal with the various operational aspects within the criminal justice value chain. "The structures and sub-committees met daily throughout the commencement of the unrest until well into the month of September 2021." Retired magistrates, prosecutors brought in He said the NATJoints sub-committee meetings dealt primarily with the South African Police Service (SAPS) operational matters with joint intelligence services briefings taking place with updates presented daily. "The Department of Justice played a critical and pivotal role in the case management task team as the focus was on the management of criminal cases arising from SAPS arrests and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutions. "It was the department's responsibility to ensure that the courts were in a position to deal with cases speedily and efficiently." Lamola told the commission that cases flowing from the unrest did not enter the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) with "unique identifiers which would allow for rapid data gathering on the system". "Regional heads within the department had to manually, on a day-to-day basis, in collaboration with the NPA and SAPS, record the unrest cases and record their processes through the system," he said. Lamola told the commission that his department also had to bring in retired magistrates and prosecutors to ensure the speedy processing of those arrested. He said that the department had to take into consideration various socioeconomic aspects when looking at different cases. Zuma incarceration He said no further tracking of cases could be done in September after the department was hit by a ransomware attack causing the ICJS system shutdown. In an attempt to suppress the unrest, Lamola said his department tried to be transparent about the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. He said the department tried to keep the public well informed about how Zuma was incarcerated and provided updates on his condition. In dealing with the high number of cases, Lamola told the commission that his department also had to look at the Covid-19 protocols from the police services, court cells and correctional services. "It was a very difficult situation because you did not want any outbreak. Were worried that this will further compound challenges of congestions in cells and sit with a huge number of inmates infected with Covid-19." "The biggest concern was that if there was a massive incarceration, we could be dealing with a human catastrophe with people being infected with Covid-19," he said. When asked by evidence leaders if he knew why the unrest was happening and who the culprits were, Lamola said the intelligence operatives and SAPS would be better placed to answer it.
Following the disbanding of the African National Congress (ANC) provincial leadership in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, task teams in these two provinces will have to ensure that provincial conferences are held. This week, the ANC's national working committee (NWC) decided to dissolve the provincial executive committees in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. The two provinces have expired mandates, and the ANC constitution requires that a provincial conference be held every four years. In Mpumalanga, the province last held a conference in December 2015, when former provincial leader David Mabuza was still at the helm. The ANC in the Eastern Cape held a conference in October 2017. ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said in a statement on Thursday that provincial task teams will be mandated to ensure that provincial conferences will be held, and new leaders elected. Mpumalanga was set to hold its conference on 11 March. The ANC in the Eastern Cape was scheduled to hold its conference at the end of March. News24 understands that these two conference dates look set to change. The task team appointed in the Eastern Cape will be led by Oscar Mabuyane, the former provincial ANC chairperson. In Mpumalanga, the province's former acting chairperson, Mandla Ndlovu, will lead the provincial task team. Leagues' expired mandate conundrum The ANC has another expired mandate conundrum affecting two structures – the national task team of the ANC Youth League and ANC Women's League also have expired mandates. ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, who has been acting in the secretary-general's office, will have to make recommendations on the status of the two leagues. Violence and candidate selection disputes Mabe said the NWC was concerned about violence affecting its Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape members. ANC councillors have been shot dead in these provinces in attacks suspected to have been linked to political meetings. National ANC officials will visit the affected areas, Mabe said. "The NWC underscored the need to strengthen the capacity to deal decisively and expeditiously with disciplinary matters and any manifestation of violence in ANC structures." "The NWC requested the NEC sub-committee on peace and stability to be seized with these matters and the findings and recommendations contained in the report of the expert panel into the July 2021 civil unrest, including the impact of internal ANC problems on the security and stability of the country," Mabe said.
A fuming Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, described South Africa's decision to abstain from the United Nations General Assembly vote to reprimand Russia for invading Ukraine as "puzzling" and "unacceptable". "We [as Ukraine] are puzzled by the vote and the decision by South Africa to abstain during the vote. We are especially dismayed, given the fact that South Africa is the leader of democratic processes, not only in the region [the Southern African region] but globally. "We consider this approach taken by South Africa as not being useful for the resolution of conflict. We are aware of the reasons that South Africa has given for their stance, but even in that we still find it very alarming. "For us, what is more shocking is, in that explanation, we don't see any words around the Russian invasion, aggression or military action in the territory of Ukraine. "The wording talks about a conflict in Ukraine, which is unacceptable. There is no conflict in Ukraine; there is war perpetuated by Russia in Ukraine," said Abravitova. South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Angola abstained during Wednesday's United Nations General Assembly vote to reprimand Russia for invading Ukraine, and which demanded that Moscow withdraw its military forces. The action aims to diplomatically isolate Russia at the world body. Abravitova thanked Botswana and Zambia for voting in favour of the resolution, saying it was a good sign "that these countries are not merely falling in line with what some Southern African countries are doing". She was responding to a question by News24 during a Zoom briefing, which was called by the Ukraine Embassy on Thursday. The Ukrainian ambassador addressed the rising wave of aggression of the Russian Federation against her country. Abravitova said that, despite the Russian army utilising some of its best tactical units, "none of its key goals have been achieved". "Russia's main goal is to take charge of the capital Kyiv and, in the process, to change the current government for a more pro-Russian one," said Abravitova. She said that, despite the resilient Ukrainian resistance, 40 000 people had been left without power and food in the east of the country. "The enemy has not allowed for the evacuation of these people. We cannot remove even the disabled people in this area. We cannot provide basic needs. It's fast becoming a serious humanitarian crisis," said the ambassador. She said the Russian army had targeted "objects of critical civilian infrastructure", and their missiles had, in particular, hit a radioactive waste disposal site near Kyiv. "There are no leaks detected so far, but with the random shelling going ahead, it's possible to damage the infrastructure and then cause another environmental crisis," said Abravitova. She encouraged Ukrainians and "our foreigners who are still in Ukraine" not to use any unconfirmed channels to get out of the country. "These corridors might not be secure. We encourage people to check the Ukraine foreign affairs ministry and their own embassies," said Abravitova.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has shot down claims that the release of the findings of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against former Community and Safety MEC Albert Fritz was politically motivated. Winde appeared before the Standing Committee on Community and Safety on Wednesday, a mere 24 hours after the release of the much-awaited findings in a report compiled by advocate Jennifer Williams. And opposition parties held no punches when they grilled him over his decision to fire Fritz. "This was not politically motivated. This was about justice that gender-based violence is dealt with decisively and that people are given a proper platform to deal with this and there are consequences," Winde told them. Winde said he acted swiftly after he was made aware of the allegations in November last year. "I was angry. I was disappointed. I worked with him, and this is difficult stuff. There is no party political interference in this. I take my job very seriously. I was on an emotional rollercoaster," he said. Briefing the committee, Williams said: "The allegations range from sexual comments, inappropriate touching, attempts to kiss and kissing without consent and sexual intercourse. They range over a number of years and a number of incidents." "Many of the youngsters provided images and videos to us because they had never travelled before. They documented their lives. We provided Fritz with the images so I wouldn't draw any aspirations that this was a conspiracy because some of it was obtained through the investigation and without witnesses," she added. The independent investigation found "sufficient credibility" in the allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse. Fritz broke his silence on Tuesday after resigning from the party. He vowed to take the report on review and to approach the courts. "It is absolutely clear that the last two months' ordeal is a consequence of political orchestration in order to assassinate my character and ensure my departure from political and executive office. This repugnant agenda seeks to attain power at all costs, without consideration of the affects it has on real people," Fritz said.
City of Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced that the Cape Town City Hall will on Wednesday night be illuminated in blue and yellow — the colours of the Ukrainian flag. This, he said, is a symbol of the metros’ solidarity with the people of the city of Kyiv and Ukraine. Media have reported that a Russian military convoy approached Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv on Tuesday as authorities said Russian forces carried out a deadly attack on the city's main TV tower. This came as Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv was hit by intense shelling as a result of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which has entered day six. Hill-Lewis explained that the gesture will serve as a reminder of the torment the city and its residents are facing. “Today, I wrote to Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, to express the City of Cape Town’s solidarity with the struggle Ukraine’s capital city and indeed the whole of Ukraine is facing. I informed Klitschko that the City of Cape Town stands alongside other nations and cities around the free world in calling for peace in Ukraine and an end to Russian imperialist aggression,” he said. Meanwhile, the metro is also calling on South Africa’s government to do more to restore peace. “As leaders and human beings, we must always take a firm stand against imperialism and the violence that brings, and I will not hesitate to continue to spread the message of peace and solidarity as far and as wide as possible,” said Hill-Lewis.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has come out in defence of its patron, former president Jacob Zuma, saying the latest findings against him in the third part of the Zondo Commission's report are based on a one-sided investigation. The foundation rubbished the finding that Zuma should be investigated for possible corruption for accepting gratification and, in exchange, preventing government departments from cancelling Bosasa contracts, saying it was "not even worth the paper [it was] written on". "It is now well known that H.E President Zuma was denied the opportunity of a neutral platform to put his side of the story in the so-called Zondo Commission. "The application for the review and setting aside of the refusal by Judge Zondo to recuse himself, despite the relationship between him and [former] president Zuma, which he has recently and inadvertently confirmed during the Chief Justice interviews, is a matter which is still pending before the courts," the foundation's statement read. The foundation made it clear that "Zuma rejects any purported findings by Judge Zondo which were made without affording him the most basic human right to be heard". It said the former president would "in due course, consult with his legal team on the appropriate course of action to be taken, following these developments". Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), did not mince its words when it commented on the latest part of the report, and described it as something which provided the "most damning confirmation yet that the African National Congress is now little more than an organised crime syndicate masquerading as a political party". A statement by DA leader John Steenhuisen read, "From overseeing corruption at state-owned enterprises and benefitting from corrupt tenders in the Free State and Johannesburg, to using Bosasa to manage its 2014 election 'war room', the role of the ANC in orchestrating state capture is the common thread that binds together all three volumes of the commission's reports released to date." He reiterated that the "damning findings contained in the third volume of the report make it more urgent than ever that all South Africans unite behind the DA's pending parliamentary motion of no confidence in the entire Cabinet". The report found that the ANC accepted substantial financial and other support from Bosasa for the party's election "war room". It noted that Bosasa provided this assistance to the ANC to ensure that "the ANC would remain the majority party and thus in a position to appoint to positions of public office persons whom Bosasa was able to influence or would seek to influence". The DA also lamented that "the commission further personally implicates Gwede Mantashe, one of President Cyril Ramaphosa's closest allies, who is also the current national chairperson of the ANC and the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy in Ramaphosa's Cabinet". In respect of Mantashe, the report recommended that he should be investigated for "the offence of corruption" after Bosasa provided him with "free" security upgrades at three of his properties. The report concluded that "the provision of free security installation was manifestly part of the corrupt modus operandi of Bosasa" and that they were provided to secure Mantashe's "influence". Steenhuisen said the implication was clear that "we must remove the ANC's grip from political power" to eradicate state capture.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says discussions are under way with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to review the pricing methodology for petrol. The minister made the remarks on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Indaba conference, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Tuesday. During his earlier address to the conference, he remarked that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is driving up crude oil prices, translating into "severely high fuel prices" for individual countries. The price of Brent crude touched $100 per barrel on Tuesday morning, Reuters reported. Last week it traded at a seven-year high of $105.79, Reuters reported. This does not bode well for domestic petrol prices. The petrol price will increase by R1.46 on Wednesday - pushing it beyond R21 per litre inland. Mantashe said that the fuel tax relief announced in last week's budget is effectively "corroded" by the petrol costs. No hikes to the fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy were introduced for this year. "We are having a discussion with the minister of finance," Mantashe said when asked about whether the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy [DMRE] will intervene in the rising petrol costs. "We are not responsible for the price. We are responsible for formulas. We are discussing with the minister of finance whether or not we should review how we calculate [the formula]," he said. Last week, Godongwana made an off-the-cuff remark in his budget speech that he was consulting with Mantashe. "The intention is review the structure of the petrol price going forward – to be competitive in this economy," Godongwana said. In the 2022 Budget Review, National Treasury highlighted that administered price inflation - mainly from electricity and fuel prices - increased at an annual average of 8.2% between 2011 and 2021. "Research on fuel price regulation has found that a combination of regulatory amendments can reduce the petrol price by 103.82 cents/litre, increasing GDP by 0.67 percentage points, by 2028," the review read. Treasury indicated that such amendments include those to the international component of the basic fuel price - proposed by the DMRE in 2018, but which have not yet been implemented - and changes to the methodology. Treasury is considering reviewing the Road Accident Fund Levy.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is one step closer to facing prosecution for perjury over her report on the Reserve Bank’s bailout of Bankorp, after her representations motivating to have the charges dropped were unsuccessful. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday that it now wants to proceed with the case against her. The matter follows a Constitutional Court judgment in 2019 that found that Mkhwebane had acted in bad faith and put forward a "number of falsehoods" in the Absa/Bankorp review case. In June 2017, Mkhwebane released the Bankorp-CIEX report. Her findings called for Absa, which took over Bankorp in 1992, to repay R1.125-billion for a lifeboat provided by the Reserve Bank during the apartheid era. She had called the bailout "an illegal gift". Both the Reserve Bank and Absa had asked the courts to review the report and set it aside. Accountability Now, which had initially laid criminal charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice against Mkhwebane, welcomed movement in the case against the Public Protector, saying it was "long overdue". "It is sad that this matter has taken so long, but we are pleased that the decision to prosecute has finally been taken," said the organisation's director, Advocate Paul Hoffman. In December 2020, Mkhwebane became the first Public Protector to be criminally charged, and faced three counts of perjury relating to the review case. Following her first court appearance in January 2021, Mkhwebane made representations as to why she should not be prosecuted. In June of the same year, one perjury charge was withdrawn. According to the NPA, Mkhwebane appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday. NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana told Fin24 that the matter was postponed for Mkhwebane's legal team to consider the National Director of Public Prosecutions’ (NDPP’s) reply to the previously filed representations, and "to further consider a possible review application". Mahanjana confirmed that Mkhwebane's representations on why the remaining two perjury charges should be withdrawn were unsuccessful. Flawed investigation Bankorp received financial assistance from the SA Reserve Bank between 1985 and 1995 as it was about to collapse due to mounting bad debts, according to Absa. Absa acquired Bankorp on 1 April 1992 while the Reserve Bank's assistance was still continuing. The bank stated Bankorp's collapse would have resulted in depositors losing their money. It further stated that when Absa acquired Bankorp in 1992, the assistance programme was already in place. "The debt write-offs that would result from the SA Reserve Bank's intervention were taken into account in determining the price Absa would pay for Bankorp. This price was set at R1.23-billion and Absa paid it in full. This is why Absa cannot pay for the same thing twice," the bank said in 2017 as it explained its position in the matter. The Constitutional Court ruled that Mkhwebane’s "entire model of investigation was flawed". It found that she failed to engage with the parties directly affected by her new remedial action before she published her final report, and that her explanation for why she discussed the vulnerability of the Reserve Bank with the State Security Agency was "unintelligible". The majority judgment also ruled Mkhwebane failed to explain why she did not disclose any of her meetings with former President Jacob Zuma in her 2017 report. She also did not produce transcripts of her meetings with the presidency or the State Security Agency. Mkhwebane, who was appointed in 2016, has faced a number of legal challenges against her conduct during her term on office, including impeachment brought by a motion spearheaded by the DA in December 2019. Hoffman said Accountability Now is calling for an expedited hearing of the perjury case, before the expiry of her seven-year term, which comes to an end in 2023. Mkhwebane has already suffered a number of legal defeats during her time in office and the...
Axed Western Cape Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz has resigned from his position as the party's leader in the province. This comes after Fritz was given 24 hours to provide the Democratic Alliance (DA) with reasons why he should not be suspended from party activities. DA Western Cape provincial chairperson Jaco Londt said: "The DA in the Western Cape notes the resignation of Albert Fritz as provincial leader and as a member of the party. This means that the provincial leader position is vacant and will be filled at the next provincial council meeting scheduled for May 2022," Londt said. The deputy leader, Tertuis Simmers, will continue as acting leader until the election. Londt said more information on the election will be communicated once a presiding officer has been appointed. In a short statement released on Tuesday, DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille said the party's federal executive decided to act against Fritz. Allegations of sexual misconduct had hovered over Fritz for the past month. Advocate Jennifer Williams was appointed to head an independent investigation into the allegations against Fritz. Fritz, his spokesperson, Wade Seale, the head of the community safety ministry, David Abrahams, support officer Michael Kwaaiman, and another official, Lazola Ndubela, had all been suspended, pending the investigation. It is understood that the complainants - most of whom were interns in Fritz's office and others involved in the Expanded Public Works Programme - implicated several colleagues who worked in the ministry in alleged acts of grooming and of intoxicating victims before they were allegedly sexually abused. On Tuesday, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde fired Fritz from his provincial cabinet. The independent investigation found: Sufficient credibility in the allegations of sexual misconduct; Credibility in the claims of alcohol abuse; and Strong evidence of Fritz creating an environment conducive to sexual harassment, or alternatively, taking advantage of young women sexually. Winde said he was shocked by Fritz's actions. "I am extremely angry at what appears to be verifiable incidences of serious sexual misconduct by him, in circumstances which in and of themselves were inappropriate. "That it is by someone who has been tasked to protect our youth and our communities, is to me unfathomable. It is a shocking violation of his oath of office and the principles of our constitutional democracy," Winde said in a statement on Tuesday.
Constitutional Court Judge Justice Jody Kollapen said on Monday that for many South Africans, the Constitution remains an illusion far on the horizon as they impatiently wait to feel its presence and wait for it to deliver on its promise. He was addressing delegates during the Democracy and Constitutionalism webinar series, organised by SECTION27 and Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac), held at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg. The series was developed as anti-democratic actions make headlines across the world and amid hopes to ignite grassroots activism and civic education programmes. Kollapen said the longer people wait to feel the effects of the Constitution, the more likely they are to believe that it is more elusive than it is real. He added that the future of South Africa depends on how the constitutional pact is honoured for all South Africans. He reminded delegates that there was life and activism before the Constitution. He said the struggle for freedom took place outside of a formal organised State institutional framework and he stressed that it was by no means a disorganized struggle, just that it was organised differently and, in a real sense, organically. The judge added that people at all levels of society and sectors recognised that unity of purpose was key “if we were to speak in one voice, advance one life struggle and work towards the idea of one South Africa that belonged to all of its people”. He added that the vibrancy of civic society organisations took center stage at the time as they guided and strategised, while leading with integrity. “It was also the age of hope just as it may have been the age of despair. We can never lose hope even though we feel hopeless at times. Hope must be what sustains us," Kollapen said. He said after 1994, South Africa replaced the system of minority rule with a system of constitutionalism, which he said was important as it denoted a system of government that was guided by a set of enduring constitutional principles that would be difficult to change and that at its heart recognised the need for State power to be constrained in the interest of the democracy that underpinned it. Kollapen said democratic decision-making, or majority rule, in a system of constitutionalism is recognised to the extent that it is not offensive to the precepts of the Constitution. He said this is important in South Africa where the claims of majorities may come into conflict with the Constitution. While the structures of the Constitution are there to provide an enabling environment, they are by no means dispositive of the manner in which people can choose to organise themselves and engage formal institutions of the State. “We must be careful that we do not allow the grandiosity of the constitutional order to have a chilling effect on the lifeblood of democracy,” he stated. Meanwhile, SECTION27 Education Rights Programme head Dr Faranaaz Veriava said her organisation hoped that the alliance between SECTION27 and Casac in this webinar series would help stimulate more work and collaboration to deepen and widen support for core constitutional values and democratic principles. “It is an unfortunate reality of our times that discussions about how best to deepen democracy and how best to go about realising dignity and human rights for all, have all but disappeared from the South African landscape,” she said. SECTION27 thus held concerns that while corruption runs rampant in government, it is proving difficult for rights-based campaigns to be effective. Therefore, the organisation is adding its focus to education on human rights.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented a budget that supports and reinforces the programme of action announced in the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to grow the economy and create jobs, says President Cyril Ramaphosa in a February 28 newsletter. The budget provides details on how government plans to raise money and where it is going to spend that money to improve the lives of South Africans. “Recognising the importance of basic services for quality of life and for investment and business activity, the budget significantly increases the allocation for service delivery. For example, it adds an extra R30.7-billion to local government allocations for basic municipal services,” says Ramaphosa. The pandemic battered the economy and further worsened the country’s financial position. At its height, less revenue was collected and more money spent on strengthening health response and providing social support. As a result, the country had to borrow more and at a greater cost, he notes. Despite the substantial economic and social support packages introduced in 2020, businesses have gone under and as many as two-million people have lost their jobs. Many households have been spared from hunger only owing to the increases in social grants. “The only way out of this dire situation is to grow the economy. And the most effective way to reduce poverty and hunger in a sustainable way is to create employment,” Ramaphosa says. “This programme includes far-reaching economic reforms that promote investment and growth. These reforms will ensure that our country has enough affordable electricity to meet growing demand, that our ports and rail lines are more efficient, that we improve access to faster, cheaper broadband, that homes and businesses have the water they need, and that we can attract the skills and investment we need to create a productive and dynamic economy.” At a time when public resources are constrained, these reforms will enable greater private investment in the vital infrastructure that the economy needs to grow. This takes place alongside a revised framework for public-private partnerships and innovative new ways to blend public and private resources for infrastructure investment, says Ramaphosa. “We will do this in a way that improves the performance and financial position of key State-owned enterprises. This will place these enterprises in a far better position to fulfil their developmental mandates, while ensuring that critical national infrastructure remains firmly in State hands.” To support this work, R17.5-billion was allocated in the budget for catalytic infrastructure projects over the next three years. This will, besides others, support the upgrading of roads, bridges, water and sewer infrastructure, transport, schools, hospitals and clinics, he illustrates. The budget supports the efforts announced in SoNA to unleash the potential of small, micro and informal businesses. For example, R15-billion has been set aside for a redesigned loan guarantee scheme that will make it easier for small businesses to access funding to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic. Further, the Employment Tax Incentive, which has been so successful in giving many young people their first jobs, is being expanded to encourage small businesses to hire more people, he adds. All of these measures encourage the growth and expansion of firms and support the establishment of new firms to create new jobs. These efforts will, however, take time to absorb the millions of South Africans looking for work, he says. “We have, therefore, extended the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has provided work and livelihood opportunities to more than 800 000 people in its first 16 months. An additional R18.4-billion has been allocated over the next two years so that the stimulus can continue to provide vital income, skills development and work experience to hundreds of thousands of unemployed, mostly young, people.” Meanwhile, the budget also supp...
The Constitutional Court has ruled against public sector trade unions in their bid to force government to honour a wage agreement for 2020, siding with the Labour Appeal Court which found that the agreement was unlawful. At stake was R75.6-billion in backpay, which unions had hoped the court would order must be paid as well as a higher salary baseline going forward. For Treasury and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana the ruling will come as a relief. Had the court ruled against government, the budget framework – tabled only last week – would have been thrown into disarray with an obligation on government to both pay backpay for two years and raise the wage bill for the next three years by a baseline of R37.8-billion. The Constitutional Court found that as the wage increase had not been budgeted for and Treasury had indicated this to the state’s representatives during the bargaining process, the agreement was unlawful. The outcome means that public servants' wages have been frozen for two years. In 2021, they received a R1 000 a month cash gratuity as a sweetener. But this amount has not been included in pensionable salaries.
Political parties were the biggest winner in this week’s budget with a 30% hike in funding allocations. Between them, political parties represented in Parliament got R166-million from taxpayers in 2021/22. Over the next three years, this will grow by an average of 30% rising to R342-million this year and R366-million in the final year of the three-year budget framework. The move is in line with reforms to party funding, introduced when the Political Party Funding Act came into force last year. The Act requires that no single donor fund any one party by more than R15-million a year and requires public disclosure for all donations in cash or kind above R100 000. As it was anticipated that this would make some donors reluctant to donate money, the quid pro quo when the Act was processed in Parliament was the fiscus would increase support to political parties. The African National Congress (ANC) has been particularly hard-hit by the new requirements as it has relied on donations from businesspeople and companies that have scored large, often inflated, government tenders. That this was often corrupt, was laid bare in evidence at the Zondo Commission where tenderpreneurs, who had amassed enormous wealth from government contracts, spoke about their largesse to politicians and to the ANC. Former Cabinet minister and constitutional negotiator Valli Moosa - who was the architect of the Political Party Funding Act - said that greater support from the fiscus was always part of the deal. "The understanding was to get parties to depend more on state funding than on business, so that they are less beholden to individuals with money," Moosa said on Friday. More money needed He believes, though, that the amounts allocated are still not sufficient to reduce corruption. "They should have allocated more. Political parties can’t survive on that. As long as the taxpayer does not fund political parties, they will have no choice but to scrounge around for money," he said. The money, which will sit in the Represented Political Parties Fund, is administered by Electoral Commission of SA. A third is allocated equitably to all parties with seats in the National Assembly or provincial legislatures. The remainder is distributed proportionally according to a party’s size. Parties without representation in national and provincial legislatures – such as Herman Mashaba’s Action SA – do not receive funding. 1/3 equal (33.3%): A third is allocated equitably to all parties that hold seats in the National Assembly or any provincial legislature; 2/3 proportional (66.6%): Two thirds allocated in proportion to seats held by a political party in the National Assembly or provincial legislatures. The funding is distributed quarterly.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura wants to be remembered for changing the economic geography and the demographics in the province. His tenure as premier comes to an end in 2024. Speaking to News24, Makhura said ensuring the province's economy was not centralised in one metro or one region was his administration's top priority, and it would continue to be a priority until 2024. The premier added that he would love to be remembered for ensuring there was "genuine economic participation by the black demographic". He said that, under his administration which took over in 2014, Gauteng had ensured that it established number of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which are geographically designated areas set aside for specifically targeted economic activities. "We [his administration] have ensured that there is not just one SEZ in this province, but an integrated network of SEZs that have truly revitalised innovation and manufacturing, and brought on board especially black business and black talent. "We are trying to decentralise and take new centres of the economy to those areas in Gauteng where the employment is dependent on one sector or two sectors," said Makhura. Last week, Makhura told New24 that he would not be running for African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in June. He would also not be seeking another term as Gauteng premier, but would use the next two years left of his premiership to forge unity within the ANC in the province. He wants the party to go into the 2024 national government elections united and able to compete with other opposition parties that have been eating at their support base. Makhura won't run for the national secretary-general position, but has not dismissed the possibility of contesting for other ANC top six positions. Makhura became premier in May 2014, taking over from Nomvula Mokonyane. He has been the head of the province's administration in various capacities for 22 years. Makhura was brought into Gauteng in 2000, initially for a year, as a coordinator to rebuild and stabilise the province. After that one year, he was elected provincial secretary for 13 years - and then spent four years as the deputy chairperson.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that "diplomacy has failed" in dealing with the escalating Ukraine-Russia crisis – but is adamant that the situation can still be salvaged through mediation by the United Nations (UN) Security Council. "Clearly diplomacy has failed, but mediation and further engagement is the only way out. There’s no other way out of this conflict," Ramaphosa said on Friday. Speaking at the Intergovernmental National Litigation Forum in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said it was "not necessary for people to die" and for property to be destroyed when the option of mediation was available. "I call upon the United Nations Security Council to do their mediation work and if there ever was a time in the world when the United Nations Security Council is to come into its own, this is the time when they must all put their heads together and resolve this conflict so that this war stops," he told the media after that address. In response to questions from News24 about whether mediation by the UN Security Council was an option, given that it was chaired by a Russian representative, Ramaphosa replied, "It is possible, because even as Russia is chairing, they should still be able to solicit a meeting to happen so that the matter can be discussed," he said, before confirming that South Africa was "on the way" to "getting a discussion going with Russia and the United States". He confirmed that NATO representatives had sought to engage with him, but gave no further details.
South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) chief executive Elizabeth Sidiropoulos warned on Wednesday that geopolitical ruptures may make the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, or BRICS, economic grouping's chances of addressing systemic and existential challenges in the next decade extremely difficult. Rising geopolitical tensions in Europe were the biggest challenge, she said. Tensions between Russian and Ukraine have been escalating since 2014 and are creating precedents of sovereign countries determining the borders of other sovereign countries. Russia has sent troops into Ukraine, prompting countries to impose sanctions on Russia. South Africa, as a BRICS member, is yet to comment on the conflict. “To say that we cannot afford geopolitical tensions at a time of significant global developmental challenges, climate and sustainable development targets that we have to reach by 2030 may be quite trite, but such geopolitical ruptures may very well make our chances of addressing systemic and existential challenges in the next decade extremely difficult, not just for South Africa but for the world,” said Sidiropoulos. She added that for a country like South Africa, which faces significant developmental challenges, how it mobilises and participates in groupings, such as BRICS, to help it realise its developmental agenda, is critical.
There will be no increase in either the general fuel levy or the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy in 2022/23. The National Treasury has, instead, turned its focus to providing an overall R5.2-billion in tax relief, in support of households and the economy. Fuel prices in South Africa exceeded R20 a litre for inland unleaded petrol for the first time in December 2021 owing to higher crude oil prices and exchange rate depreciation. Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana said on February 23 that the higher prices had put pressure on the cost of transport, food and other goods and services. The general fuel levy stands at R3.85 per litre of petrol and R3.70 per litre of diesel, while the RAF levy is currently R2.18 per litre of petrol and diesel. Godongwana explained that, to support consumers and the economic recovery, no increases will be made to the general fuel levy on petrol and diesel for 2022/23, providing tax relief of R3.5-billion. In combination with the zero increase in RAF levy, these changes will ensure that fuel taxes as a percentage of the price of fuel are below 40%. The last time that the fuel price was not increased due to a change in either the general fuel levy or the RAF levy was in 1990. Godongwana said a review of all aspects of the fuel price was needed and, to this end, teams have begun to engage on this critical work. In 2021/22, taxes accounted for on average 34% of the price of petrol and 38% of the price of diesel – a ratio that is below that of India and Mexico, and far lower than the 60% that is common in Europe. The fuel levy remains unchanged in 2022/23; however, due to expected growth in fuel sales volumes, government revenue is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 1.3%, from R44.7-billion in 2021/22 to R46.5-billion in 2024/25.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has granted the State Capture Inquiry another two months to complete its work – and President Cyril Ramaphosa will have four months to respond to the final part of the inquiry's report. In court papers, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who chairs the inquiry, said he expected to hand over the final part of the report, including findings relating to Eskom, Bosasa and the State Security Agency, to Ramaphosa at the end of February. The estimated 1 500-page document was likely to contain reports on the Free State, the "attempted capture of National Treasury" and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa). But, he made it clear that the final volume of the commission's report, which would have been delivered to Ramaphosa on 28 February, "will not make the report complete" - a reality that he took full responsibility for. According to a list of topics provided by Zondo, the final part of the report would address "the closure of the Gupta bank accounts and the Cabinet response", the Estina Dairy Project, "parliamentary oversight", the SABC and ANN7, EOH and the City of Johannesburg and "The Big Picture". The final part of the report will be released on 30 April. Ramaphosa also asked for more time to prepare his written submission to Parliament on his implementation plan in response to the report, as he had previously been ordered to do by the High Court. He had initially been granted an order to submit the final report to Parliament and act on it within four months from 28 February, meaning that his four months would have ended on 30 June. But after learning that Zondo had approached the court for an extension, Ramaphosa launched his own application on Sunday, in which he asked for a new date in line with Zondo's new 30 April deadline for the final part of the report. In an urgent hearing that was decided on Wednesday morning, the High Court granted the orders that Zondo and Ramaphosa sought.
Gauteng deputy police commissioner Major General Daniel Mthombeni said he received no intelligence on the violence that gripped the province in July last year. He testified on Tuesday on the second day of the Gauteng leg of the South African Human Rights Commission's hearings into the July unrest. Mthombeni said while Gauteng police had no intelligence on the July unrest, they had received information ahead of the Constitutional Court judgment sending former president Jacob Zuma to prison. Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma had to go to prison for not appearing before the State Capture Inquiry. Immediately after his incarceration, violence broke out in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in more than 300 deaths. At the time of the unrest, Mthombeni was the acting provincial police commissioner because Lieutenant General Elias Mawela was on sick leave. On Tuesday, Mthombeni's testimony was similar to that of Mawela, who earlier told the commission he had received no intelligence on the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. "There was no formal intelligence report that I received," Mthombeni said. He said despite monthly meetings to discuss security in the province, there was no warning about the unrest. But they received one related to the Constitutional Court decision on Zuma. "[With regards to] early warning, one did not receive it prior to the unrest in Gauteng. The essence of the matter is that the intelligence related to the Constitutional Court hearing; we, as a province, received that. The ruling was supposed to be made at ConCourt, and we put a plan [in place]. We established a joint operations centre within that area. "That one we planned and executed perfectly. There was information related to the ConCourt judgment given to us." On why he hadn't received any information on the unrest, Mthombeni said: "I wouldn't know because the intelligence has to be gathered. Maybe it was a lack of gathering by people on the ground. Truly, it was not sent to me prior the public unrest." He said there had been informal indicators of looming violence. "Some of the information about the instigators I got from the premier of Gauteng [David Makhura]. I had to link up to the intelligence system, and it was successful." Mthombeni said Makhura had provided him with information on a video by former radio DJ Ngizwe Mchunu. Mchunu has been charged with inciting public violence and contravening the Disaster Management Act. He is alleged to have incited violence during a briefing at a Bryanston hotel on 11 July, just days after Zuma's arrest. On Monday, Police Minister Bheki Cele testified that he received information on the 12 alleged instigators from a member of the public. Some of the alleged social media accounts included that of Twitter user "Sphithiphithi Evaluator", who has since been unmasked in court as Zamaswazi Majozi. She was arrested last year and charged with incitement to commit violence. The violence started in KwaZulu-Natal before spreading to Gauteng. The commission asked Mthombeni on Tuesday why the province had not been better prepared. "We tried what we could under those circumstances. We also tried to make sure that people who . were committing the crimes were arrested. The collaborations we had with the community, taxi associations . it could have been worse," he said.
In arguing there is no validity to the State's case against him, suspended African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule's legal representative claimed on Tuesday his arrest was influenced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Representing Magashule, advocate Laurence Hodes characterised the case as "politically motivated and unsustainable". He urged the court not to "condone" the charges and instead dismiss them. "In a matter that is so obviously politically inspired, Your Ladyship should not uphold the prosecution's clear attempts to be partisan in their prosecution," argued Hodes. He said the timing of the arrest and prosecution was "extremely sinister". This was further elaborated on in Magashule's heads of argument in which he stated the "President [Ramaphosa] wields influence throughout the Republic of South Africa, including the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority]". As such, he argued, "it was only after Ramaphosa's renewed vigour concerning the step-aside rule on about August 2020" that he was suddenly arrested on 3 November 2020. The embattled secretary-general conceded the allegation of ulterior purpose and political interference motivating his corruption case might appear "shadowy and nebulous" and "inconsistent with the pleaded facts as per his founding affidavit", but there was still merit to concluding Ramaphosa might have influenced the charges. The heads of argument reiterated it was only after Ramaphosa having expressed a renewed vigour concerning the implementation of the party's step-aside rule that Magashule was arrested. "This does not appear to be a coincidence," argued Magashule. Hodes said what was more perplexing was the State made the arrest and hauled his client before the court when it was clearly not ready to prosecute the case with was contrary to the country's laws. He argued Magashule was never afforded the opportunity to explain the charges against him, which amounted to yet another contravention of his client's rights. Magashule made the point in his heads of argument it was Ramaphosa who might have pressured the NPA to act against him so as to have a case for him to step aside from the powerful secretary-general position. Magashule's heads of argument also noted there was "prosecutorial misconduct" in his client's case and it had further concerns he was implicated by another politician, current Free State co-ordinator Mxolisi Dukoana. "This should raise eyebrows immediately and should demonstrate the political interference," said Hodes. Prosecutor advocate Naseer Cassim said Magashule and his legal representatives did not properly read the docket and if they did, they would have realised there was a prima facie case against the suspended secretary-general. Cassim added the buck stopped with Magashule as the premier of the province, and he had to answer as to why a contract for about R20 million ended up costing the province R255-million. He said Magashule had failed to report a crime. Judgment was reserved in the case.
Amnesty International South Africa launched its pit toilet tracker on Tuesday, while urging government to immediately fix the country’s poor education infrastructure. The tracker will monitor the number of schools in the country that are still subjected to inadequate ablution and sanitation. Amnesty International South Africa wants the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to urgently act on its commitment to replace all pit toilets in schools by 2023. “These illegal pit toilets are not only violating the right to sanitation, which is enshrined in the Constitution, but also the right to health, education, dignity, privacy whilst in some cases posing a serious risk to the right to life,” said Amnesty International South Africa executive director Shenilla Mohamed. Current government data indicates that South Africa still has 5 167 schools that do not have proper ablution facilities and that still use pit toilets. However, Amnesty International SA argues that the data provided by the DBE regarding pit toilets in schools is not reliable. According to a report released in September 2021 by the South African Human Rights Commission, over a million pupils and teachers are affected by the challenges of poor sanitation in schools. In the Eastern Cape 44% of schools use pit toilets as their primary ablution facilities. A further 30% of schools in the province use ventilated improved pit toilets. In KwaZulu-Natal, 83% of schools are primarily reliant on pit toilets and ventilated improved pit toilets. Mohamed said instead of meeting targets to eradicate pit toilets, the DBE has repeatedly revised deadlines, saying initially that it planned to eradicate pit toilets by March 2022, only to tell the Polokwane High Court last year that in provinces such as Limpopo this can only be achieved by 2030 – over ten years later than the original timeline. “The government must eradicate all pit toilets in schools and ensure that all learners have access to safe and hygienic water and sanitation facilities. Authorities must fix the toilet crisis in South African schools to make sure that pupils learn in a safe environment, including making sure that there is hygienic water and sanitation to help them prevent diseases such as Covid-19,” she said. Meanwhile, the organisation is also calling on people to continue signing a petition started in 2020 which already has more than 20 000 signatures demanding the DBE eradicate pit toilets in schools across South Africa.
Freedom Under Law (FUL) has expressed its confidence that President Cyril Ramaphosa will make his own choice for Chief Justice from the four candidates that were recently interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Ramaphosa must select a successor to Mogoeng Mogoeng whose term of office ended in October 2021. Last week, in what was an unprecedented announcement, the JSC recommended that Ramaphosa appoint Supreme Court of Appeal President Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s next Chief Justice. Other candidates include Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo. Legal experts hit back against the JSC after it endorsed Maya, saying it had no powers to do so. FUL said the JSC’s performance last week has left its reputation in tatters. “Nonetheless, we are confident that the President will not succumb to the contrived pressure and will make his own choice from among the four candidates – assured that each of them is eligible for the high office of Chief Justice,” said FUL’s Johann Kriegler. The Constitution requires the President to consult the JSC when considering the appointment of the chief justice. However, the JSC has no power to recommend a nominee. Kriegler said what was surprising was the “deft manipulation of the whole process”. He specifically referred to Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and Advocate Dali Mpofu. Last week FUL raised concerns with Malema and Mpofu’s participation in the interview process for the selection of the country’s next Chief Justice, urging them to step aside from the process as JSC members as they are subject to serious ethical charges. FUL said the interviews seemed to discredit Zondo ahead of his interview. “Warning lights flickered soon enough, when Justice Madlanga was asked, wholly irrelevantly to his own fitness for appointment, to comment on the propriety of his colleague Justice Zondo’s conduct in convening a media conference in response to a minister’s remarks about the judiciary – thus seeking to discredit Justice Zondo in advance of his own interview,” Kriegler stated. He pointed out that “friendly and supportive” questions were addressed to Maya, while it seemed that Mlambo was “grilled so crudely” that the chairperson admonished Malema for his aggressive manner and tone. “It became all the more plain that Justice Maya was the favoured candidate and two strong contenders had to be knocked out, or at least materially handicapped,” Kriegler said.
Parliament’s Presiding Officers, led by the National Assembly (NA) Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Amos Masondo, on Tuesday indicated that Parliament is ready to host the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SoNA). President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his SoNA on Thursday at 19:00 in the Cape Town City Hall. For the first time, the ceremony will be held outside Parliament. Last month City of Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially handed over the City Hall to Parliament’s Presiding Officers following the fire that damaged the NA building, including the NA chamber where the official sittings of the NA and Joint Sittings of both Houses of Parliament are usually held. The City Hall was declared the Parliament of South Africa precinct from January 31 until February 16. “As we have stressed from the onset, despite the monumental challenges that confronted us at the beginning of the new year, the business of Parliament must and will continue,” said Mapisa-Nqakula. She confirmed that Parliament will continue with working in a hybrid with some Members of Parliament (MPs) physically present and others connected virtually for the SoNA. To navigate Covid-19 regulations, 298 MPs will be seated in the chamber, while a limited number of people will be allowed in the gallery. Mapisa-Nqakula said the proportional representation of political parties was a key consideration in allocating seats to MPs. The Presiding Officers of Parliament said they continue to be highly concerned by the torching of State buildings, including Parliament. Security forces have been deployed and are on high alert. Guests who have confirmed their attendance include former President Thabo Mbeki; former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; and former Speakers of the NA Baleka Mbete, Max Sisulu and Dr Frene Ginwala. After the President’s address, the two Houses of Parliament will debate the address on February 14 and 15, and the President will reply on February 16.
ActionSA believes the Democratic Alliance-led multi-party coalition’s refusal to work with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will have detrimental effects on the stability of governance in Ekurhuleni. It is one of several political parties - along with the DA, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Freedom Front Plus and Congress of the People - that have formed coalition governments in all three of Gauteng’s main metros. The coalition numbers are stable in Johannesburg and Tshwane, but in Ekurhuleni, the margins for governance are shaky. The DA has 65 seats, ActionSA 15, Freedom Front Plus 8, ACDP 2, Inkatha Freedom Party 3, while Cope has a single seat. The coalition needs at least 113 seats in Ekurhuleni’s council to meet the 50-plus voting requirements. ActionSA leaders said on Monday that, because the council numbers were lower for the coalition in Ekurhuleni, the alliance could not successfully pass its upcoming budget in May. Another fear was that the mayor, Tania Campbell, along with her executive, could be vulnerable to a motion of no confidence at any time. ActionSA said the solution to this number problem was to work with the EFF. Party chairperson Michael Beaumont said governance in Ekurhuleni was nearly impossible without the support of the EFF. He said ActionSA had made this clear to its coalition partners, but there remained resistance to the idea of bowing to the EFF’s wishes. The DA led the charge making its stance known that it was unwilling to negotiate with the EFF following the municipal elections. The party's leaders, including John Steenhuisen, had cited previous governance spats in governing Johannesburg as a reason why the EFF could not be trusted. Herman Mashaba said the DA had requested that he speak to the EFF to determine if they would be willing to have a voting block partnership. Mashaba said the EFF proposed bringing its 81 seats from all metros to provide the votes needed. According to Mashaba, the EFF’s only request was that the party’s councillors be elected as chairpersons of oversight committees in the metros. "The proposal did not involve becoming formal coalition partners, given the widely divergent policy agendas between the concerned parties. Parties in the multi-party coalition declined the proposal without a counter-offer, or even a response," he said. A meeting with coalition partners last week closed the door on engagements with the EFF, Mashaba said. The meeting concluded that the issue of voting would be left to local councillors to negotiate. Beaumont said the lack of voting support in Ekurhuleni meant the ANC could make an effort to bring a motion of no confidence forward. "The mathematical fact is that the support of the EFF is the only viable option for the Ekurhuleni coalition government to survive what is likely to be an ANC sponsored motion of no confidence within the next month or two," he said.
Power utility Eskom has announced that it will implement Stage 2 load-shedding from 21:00 on Monday night until 05:00 on Tuesday. "Further breakdowns could force Eskom to implement load-shedding sooner or to extend the load-shedding beyond Tuesday morning." This is due to more breakdowns in generating units, with total breakdowns now amounting to more than 16 000 MW. "Since midnight we have lost the unit each at Camden, Kusile, Duvha and Matla power stations. Furthermore, the return of a unit at Kusile and two units at Majuba power stations are delayed," Eskom said.
The response by the police and intelligence services to the July unrest was inadequate and insufficient. This is according to a panel of experts appointed to probe the reasons behind the July 2021 unrest. On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the release of the report by the panel led by Professor Sandy Africa. "The police failed to stop the rioting and looting in July 2021. The reasons for this failure are complex and sometimes not of their making. In some instances, they did not get any intelligence upon which to plan operations," the report read. "It is not clear why this was so, but one of the reasons may be that at least six members of the senior leadership of CI (Crime Intelligence) were suspended in the period leading up to the outbreak of the violence. It would be difficult for an organisation that had been hollowed out in that manner to rise to the occasion in times of crisis." The panel found that the unrest took the police, who were inadequately prepared, by surprise, leaving them flatfooted, and with "crowd control equipment" running dry, they could not adapt their tactics. The panel found that there had been a failure of the relevant state institutions to conduct timely risk assessments, despite the constant attacks on the authority of the state by some individuals and organisations. It further found that there was a significant intelligence failure to anticipate, prevent or disrupt the planned and orchestrated violence. "The intelligence appreciation and interpretation of what was building up happened too late, if at all; and as a result, the security services failed to put in place the necessary interventions to detect and disrupt the plans." The report was scathing of Ramaphosa's executive, stating the lines between the executive authorities and the security services seemed blurred. "Dysfunctional relationships between ministers and their senior leadership teams in the departments in some cases impeded synergy in the flow of intelligence which affected decision-making," the report noted. "Mr. President, you asked us to determine whether the response by the security services was timeous, appropriate and sufficient. The answer to that, in respect of the police and the intelligence services, is an unequivocal no. Many reasons were proffered for this failure, but in the end the response remains that they failed to do the necessary to protect life, limb and property. The reasons are set out in the body of our report. The Executive, however, carries some of the blame too and must take responsibility for its lapse of leadership," the report read. Ramaphosa is expected to outline his course of action in his State of the Nation Address.
The Constitutional Court has ruled that the National Assembly's impeachment proceedings against Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane can proceed. The court handed down a unanimous judgment in the case where National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the Democratic Alliance appealed to the court to overturn a Western Cape High Court ruling last year, which found fault with two of the rules for a Chapter 9 head's removal. The Constitutional Court set aside the High Court ruling that a judge should not be appointed to the independent panel, which should consider whether there is a prima facie case against the Chapter 9 institution's head. But, it did uphold the ruling that the Chapter 9 institution's head is entitled to legal representation during the hearing part of the process. The apex court dismissed the Public Protector's cross-appeal.
Justice Raymond Zondo said on Friday he knew that heading the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture was going to create enemies for him. Zondo is one of four candidates being interviewed to fill the position of Chief Justice. Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s term as Chief Justice came to an end in October after ten years. Zondo was appointed as a judge at the age of 37. He has completed 25 years on the bench. If appointed, he will only serve two-and-half years given his age. He will be 62 years old in May. He said two-and-a-half years is not a bad thing for the position of Chief Justice. In his interview on Friday, he said the Constitutional Court should not delay in giving its judgments and added that it must give guidance to the rest of the courts on important legal issues. He said it was imperative to always try to strike a balance between not taking too long to reach an agreement and at the same time not being dismissive of your colleague’s views to quickly make a judgment. Zondo said he had made suggestions to his colleagues on how to deal with the backlogs in cases that had reserved judgments. He also said in the long run the Constitution should be amended to allow judges of the Constitutional Court to have fewer panels with regard to certain matters. He said this would help dispose of many matters much faster in the same way as in the Supreme Court of Appeal where at times only two judges work on a matter. Zondo said although the country had made great strides in terms of race, the issue of transformation was still important. He said he would like to see more black and women judges in the branches of law.
Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla announced on Friday that by the end of February the country would have reached a Covid-19 positivity rate of below 5% which would signal stability, however, he warned that there was an expectation that the fifth wave would break out closer to winter. Depending on variants of concern, Phaahla said the wave might even break out earlier, adding that only high vaccination coverage will reduce the emergence of more variants. He said the last 14 days had given the health department a confusing picture. “We have seen a less resilient decline in infections; the picture being that of a stalemate where there’s no serious decline and yet no worrying rise in infections. Instead of the curve flattening, it has taken the shape of a plateau,” he explained. The percentage of new cases over the last seven days has decreased by only 0.3%. The Department of Health’s epidemiologists believe that the stagnation in the slowing down of new infections can be linked to the opening of schools. Phaahla said it was possible that increased movement after the December holidays, especially as schools reopen, were reasons for this. “We therefore have reason to be optimistic that as schools settle down and there’s reduced movement of people there will be a faster and sustained reduction of infections,” he said. Hospitalisation remained stable with just over 5 000 admissions as of Thursday, with over 85% in general wards. He said at this stage it could be restated that the country’s health facilities were not under pressure from Covid-19. Meanwhile, 16 districts in the country have shown increased rates of infections in the last seven days. Phaahla also revealed that there have been reports of sub-variants of the Omicron variant. COVID-19 VACCINATION South Africa passed 30-million doses administered on Wednesday night, which Phaahla said took longer than they had anticipated but was nonetheless a significant milestone. People over 60 years continue to lead the vaccination pack at 67.25%, of people aged 50 years and over 63.15% have been vaccinated, the 35 to 49 years come in at 51% and the 18 to 34 cohort sits at 33%. “We again appeal to all South Africans to seize the opportunity of protecting themselves and those around them now. While the fourth wave remains stable, even though we are not completely out of it, and while the rate remains above 10%, we know that the virus is still very far from being eliminated,” he said.
As the country battles with stage 2 load-shedding, some of the country's biggest municipalities are working to reduce their reliance on Eskom in favour of Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Eskom this week introduced stage 2 load-shedding due to unplanned breakdowns at some stations. The power utility intends to end load-shedding next Monday morning. CEO André De Ruyter said at a briefing this week that load-shedding was implemented to avoid a "catastrophic blackout". Meanwhile, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Wednesday issued a statement indicating the city's plans to launch new tenders for IPPs within the next two weeks. The procurement documents will also indicate the intended timelines to bring the power to the grid. "It has become clear to the City of Cape Town that if we wish to halt the damage caused by Eskom’s monopoly over electricity generation, we have to take matters into our own hands. The only way for us to provide reliable and affordable electricity to our residents is to source it from elsewhere," Hill-Lewis said. The IPPs are part of the city's efforts to reduce load-shedding and its negative impacts. Hill-Lewis stressed that load-shedding comes at the cost of failing businesses, and even job losses. "Load-shedding makes the possibility of meaningful economic recovery ever more remote," he said. Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe had in 2020 gazetted amendments to electricity regulations, allowing municipalities in "good financial standing" to develop their own power generation projects. The City of Ekurhuleni, in its 2020/21 annual report indicated that 46 IPPs had been awarded tenders to provide additional energy for the city. These projects would enable the city to connect between 150 MW and 680 MW of renewable power to the grid, the report read. The city, like most municipalities, purchases most of its electricity from Eskom and then resells it to residents and businesses. But given Eskom's electricity supply challenges, it is looking to alternative power sources. "Load-shedding has impacted the economy and the City," Ekurhuleni's annual report read. The city has also started a programme of installing PV solar lighting in informal settlements. "The City installed 64 578 photovoltaic solar lighting units in about the same number of households during August 2016 – June 2021. These PV solar lighting units could, on a normal day, provide energy to light up four globes and a cell phone charger," the report read. In 2020/21 alone, the city installed 10 015 photovoltaic solar lighting in informal settlements, slightly above its target of 10 000. The City of Johannesburg similarly wants to reduce its reliance on Eskom, and wants 35% of its power to be sourced from renewable energy by 2030 as part of its Climate Action Plan, Bloomberg previously reported. In October 2021, the city's former mayor Mpho Moerane launched the Energy Sustainability Strategy, which seeks to bring an additional 500 MW to Johannesburg's grid, from solar, gas and waste-to-energy resources. Last year the City of Johannesburg entered into a power purchase agreement with independent coal-fired power station Kelvin, which would provide it with 220 MW of power in a bid to offset load-shedding .
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for an urgent Commission of Inquiry into Eskom as the country moves into a second day of Stage 2 load-shedding. DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia said on Thursday said that he will write to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan to request an inquiry into Eskom and electricity generation and supply issues. Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has warned that Eskom’s operational recovery and sustainability will be protracted and difficult. Cachalia says in view of these ongoing challenges serious action is needed. “The time has come to rip the band aid off this festering sore and implement the recommendations of tried and trusted experts – not cadre deployees or political appointments. Any failure to act with urgency will continue to imperil the very lifeblood of the economy, “ he stressed. Eskom hopes to end Stage 2 load-shedding on Monday as it tries to recover lost units.
Chief Justice nominee, Judge Dunstan Mlambo, says while the South African judiciary is "functional", there is a concerning loss of confidence in the judiciary and the rule of law. Mlambo, one of four judges vying for the position of Chief Justice, said he had conducted "an environmental scan" of the context of the judiciary today. He said it was worrying that the judiciary operated in a somewhat "toxic environment" as a result of polarised politics. "Toxic in the sense that the judiciary is attacked on a number of fronts. Its independence and impartiality are always at stake," he said. He also told the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Thursday that there were unfounded claims of corruption against the members of the judiciary. Mlambo is the first candidate to openly take on the unsubstantiated attacks faced by the judiciary. Another worrying challenge, Mlambo said, was growing corruption involving court operations in South Africa. "Corruption not by judicial officers, but corruption in terms of the usage and the circulation of fraudulent court orders which bear all the resemblance of a proper court order, but when you investigate it, you find out no such matter was heard on a particular date." "That's an issue that I think requires serious attention because it can erode the legitimacy of the judiciary," he said. Despite the challenges, Mlambo said he believed the judiciary had lived up to its promise of the Constitution in terms of delivering justice. "I am proud to have been a member of the judiciary for just over 20 years," he said. He said if he were to be appointed as the country's Chief Justice, his vision would be to have an efficient and effective judiciary that was independent and able to fulfil its mandate as set out in the Constitution. He said he also wanted to see effective leadership. "If appointed, I will expand efforts to ensure that together with colleagues, we will continue to fortify the strength and independence of the judiciary." Mlambo said he wanted to inspire and motivate judges and magistrates to deliver on their mandate. As head of the judiciary, he said, he would also ensure that it developed strategies aimed at protecting the legitimacy of the judiciary and "countering the threats to our legitimacy".
The State capture inquiry has recommended that police further investigate former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama and Anoj Singh with a view to prosecuting them for offences that include graft and fraud. The inquiry chaired by senior judge Raymond Zondo was established in 2018 to examine allegations of high-level graft during former President Jacob Zuma's nine years in power from 2009, after scandals and sleaze had overshadowed South Africa's politics for years. The allegations levelled against Zuma include that he allowed businessmen close to him - brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta - to plunder state resources and influence policy, in what is referred to in South Africa as "state capture". The Guptas and Zuma have denied wrongdoing. Molefe, Singh and Gama also all denied wrongdoing when they testified before the commission. The second instalment of the Zondo commission's report, seen by Reuters, focused on alleged corruption at state-owned freight logistics firm Transnet and the country's struggling defence company Denel. Neither of the companies had any immediate comment. Corruption at Transnet occurred between 2009 and 2018, accomplished primarily through the "Gupta racketeering enterprise" and those associated with it, the report said. "State capture at Transnet involved a systematic scheme of securing illicit and corrupt influence or control over the decision-making," the report found. "Corrupt actors" sought to gain control over staff appointments and governance bodies to influence large procurements and capital expenditure by changing procurement rules to alter the bid criteria to favour "corrupt" suppliers and pay inflated costs, it added. These actors that include a small group of senior executives and directors "were strategically positioned to collude" in the awarding of contracts such as multi-billion rand locomotive tenders that were often unfairly given to certain suppliers linked to the Gupta enterprise. The report identified Molefe, Singh and Gama as the "primary architects" and implementers of State capture at the freight company. The allegations levelled against them and others include accepting cash bribes from the Guptas at their Johannesburg compound between 2010 and 2018, contravening the Public Finance Management Act to favour bidders associated with the Gupta enterprise, inflating contract prices and money laundering. On Denel, the report found that the contracts Denel awarded a Gupta company were all "irregularly awarded" and in breach of the constitution.
The Guptas and their associate Salim Essa used a supplier VR Laser Services as a "vehicle" to capture state defence technology company Denel, the State Capture Commission has found. The commission, led by acting chief justice Raymond Zondo, on Tuesday handed to the Presidency the second part of its report. It is split into two volumes and focuses on capture of Transnet and Denel. "The entry into VR Laser by the Guptas and Mr Essa was effected with the intention of using it as a vehicle with which to capture Denel," the report read. VR Laser provides armour plate and steel for the defence industry and was established in 2007. It was one of the largest, most important and reliable suppliers to Denel, the report noted. VR Laser's main shareholders were John van Reenen, Gary Bloxham and MJ Jiyane and his wife. Eventually in 2013, Essa bought a 74.9% stake in VR Laser from Bloxham and Van Reenen, via his company Elgasolve. Jiyane and his wife eventually sold their remaining stake (25.1%) in VR Laser in 2014 to Craysure Investments. "This evidence shows that the Guptas bought control of a significant supplier of armoured steel to Denel," the report read. The commission had heard how awarding two Denel contracts to VR Laser in 2014 and 2015 ran into hundreds of millions of rands. The contracts were linked to the construction of armoured vehicles, Fin24 previously reported. The report also flags three large contracts irregularly awarded by Denel to VR Laser. It recommends that law enforcement agencies investigate these contracts for breaches of the Public Finance Management Act. The contracts are one concluded in November 2014 between Denel Land Services (DLS) and VR Laser, another concluded in May 2015 between DLS and VR Laser and one concluded in December 2015 between Denel Vehicle Systems and VR Laser. Meetings at Saxonwold The report notes how Essa had reached out to former Denel CEO Riaz Saloojee in 2012. Essa had invited Saloojee to meet "certain individuals" who could assist Denel with future business. Initially Saloojee did not respond to these invitations, but Essa told him the requests came from the "very top". Saloojee eventually agreed to the meeting and found himself at the Gupta compound in Saxonwold, where he met Tony and Atul Gupta, along with former public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba. "According to Mr Saloojee, Minister Gigaba said to him that 'these people' were his friends and that he hoped that they and Mr Saloojee could work together." At a separate meeting at Saxonwold, Saloojee met Duduzane Zuma, former President Jacob Zuma's son, and a man introduced as Ace Magashule's son. Essa had told Saloojee that the Guptas wanted to do business with Denel and get it into other markets such as the Middle East and Asia. According to the report, Saloojee told them that they have to go through "proper channels" to do business with Denel. At another meeting in 2012, Tony Gupta had put pressure on Saloojee to co-operate with the family. According to Saloojee's testimony, the Gupta brother had said he should take money because "everyone does". The commission also heard from Saloojee that it was apparent that Tony Gupta was becoming "frustrated" with him for "putting obstacles" in the Guptas' path with regards to their plans for Denel. The commission noted that it was clear the Guptas had no intentions to compete for Denel's business. "From the outset, they put pressure on Mr Saloojee to privilege their chosen vehicle, VR Laser, above any other competitor suppliers," the report read. "Then, when Mr Saloojee showed that he would not dance to the Guptas' tune, steps were taken to gain control and oust Mr Saloojee." The commission singles out former public enterprise's minister Lynne Brown's appointment of a new board in 2015 without input from officials from the department. The move effectively removed control of Denel from a "competent and honest" board, which had been successful in their term between 2011 to 2015. The b...
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) says it believes the African National Congress (ANC) has mistreated its workers, leaving the union with no choice but to approach the Labour Court to force the party to pay outstanding salaries. The union filed papers on 31 January, asking the court to order the ANC to pay the outstanding salaries of its workers. On Wednesday, Nehawu secretary-general Zola Saphetha said the union had no choice but to intervene on behalf of its members. The ANC owes its workers three months' salaries. The party has been struggling for months to meet its salary obligations because of a shortage of funding. ANC staffers are also owed unemployment fund contributions and provident fund contributions which have not been paid in years. Workers have decided to stay away from work. 'Sad and traumatising period' Last month, News24 reported that staffers had met with ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, who had committed to resolving the salary issue by the end of January. He also committed to the party resolving the pension fund and UIF issues by April. By 1 February, no payments had been made to employees. Nehawu is a member of Cosatu, which is an alliance partner of the ANC. Nehawu said ANC workers were struggling to survive. "These workers are going through a sad and traumatising period as a direct result of failures of the ANC to honour and fulfil its contractual obligations entered into." "The late [payment of] salaries has resulted in our members and workers losing all that they have worked for over years, as they have faced the stark reality of banks/financial institutions repossessing their homes, cars, etc. as a result of defaulting payments brought about by the failure [of paying] salaries on time by the ANC," Saphetha said. At the ANC's January 8 address, party president Cyril Ramaphosa said ANC officials would quickly resolve the payment issue by looking at funding options. Referring to Ramaphosa's statement, Nehawu said the ANC had ignored workers who had sacrificed their lives to serve the party. The staffers also faced the likelihood of retrenchment, according to the union. "This inhuman act by the ANC undermines the dignity of its workers who kept the same ANC going, through and through, by sacrificing their lives in favour of the ANC. "The matter is at the Labour Court now, and as the union and staff, we have tried everything possible to find an amicable solution, but to no avail and at worst, these workers were not treated with the dignity they deserved," the union said. The matter has not been filed as an urgent matter. Nehawu says it is awaiting a court date for the matter to be heard.
Suspended public works director-general Sam Vukela has been "earning" a salary, totalling R3.3-million, while waiting for his disciplinary case to be concluded. The several court bids Vukela has instituted against his suspension and disciplinary process are at the heart of why the matter has been dragging. On Tuesday, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele and officials briefed the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Vukela's disciplinary case. The Presidency's deputy director-general for corporate services, Matsietsi Mekoa, said that, to date, R3.3-million had been paid as remuneration to Vukela. He is, however, paying his own legal fees. "We need to find a different way of dispute resolution. At this point in time, everyone seems to be taking care of what the law and processes allow. At face value, 19 months of not being at work is not a good story in terms of the resources of the state. We are tied in an established process, and everyone behaves to the extent that the processes allow them. What is at stake is the resources of the state," Gungubele said. Vukela was placed on precautionary suspension by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille in July 2020, pending the finalisation of his disciplinary proceedings. He was suspended after a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers implicated him in allegations of fraudulent contract management and irregular payments in the planning of state funerals for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Zola Skweyiya and Billy Modise. Vukela believes the disciplinary inquiry, which is presently pending, is "unauthorised and cannot proceed". A tit-for-tat battle saw Vukela and De Lille making sweeping allegations against one another, with Vukela claiming De Lille had given him unlawful instructions and that his refusal to execute instructions had caused the friction between them. Soon after his suspension, Vukela filed a court application, in which he sought to interdict his pending disciplinary inquiry, claiming the process would not be fair if overseen by De Lille. President Cyril Ramaphosa then removed De Lille as the delegated authority to oversee the disciplinary process - and appointed the late Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu. This led to Vukela's application being struck off the court roll. Ramaphosa is responsible for the career incidents of department heads in the national government. In August 2021, Mekoa said Vukela had made written representations to Mthembu, to ask for his suspension to be lifted. "Having considered the seriousness of the charges against Vukela, the [late] minister decided that the suspension must continue until the finalisation of the disciplinary processes. Vukela filed a dispute with the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC), challenging his suspension," she said. The GPSSBC hearing took place in December and is expected to continue in February. "In addition, there is also a review application pending in the Labour Court, pertaining to the jurisdiction of the GPSSBC to hear the disciplinary matter of Vukela. [He] contends that this matter should be heard by the GPSSBC and not by the disciplinary tribunal process. We await the court to set the matter down," Mekoa said.
Primary, secondary and special schools can now return to daily attendance and Covid-19 positive people with no symptoms no longer have to isolate. These were the changes made by Cabinet during the adjusted Alert Level 1 of the national lockdown, with immediate effect. Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said South Africa had exited the Covid-19 fourth wave. “Based on the trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, Cabinet has decided to make the following changes to adjusted Alert Level with immediate effect,” he said. South Africa recorded 1 366 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Monday. To date, 16 477 074 adults are fully vaccinated. Among children aged 12 and older, 1 232 552 vaccine doses have been administered. Last week Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen filed court papers in the Gauteng High Court to compel government to immediately open schools fully. In line with the new regulations, learners no longer have to adhere to one metre social distancing in school. Meanwhile, people who test positive for Covid-19 can now isolate for seven days, instead of the previously required 10 days. Contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms. The Presidency explained that the amendments are based on the increasing levels of immunity to Covid-19, which according to several sero-surveys, is exceeding 60% to 80%. Government is urging eligible unvaccinated South Africans to get the jab and to continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga says there is a perception that wealthy South Africans are not "comfortable" with having their cases heard or adjudicated by black judges. Madlanga was the first candidate to be interviewed for the Chief Justice position on Tuesday. "The perception is that they do not have confidence in them, which is why those matters are taken from the judicial system and brought before private arbitration," Madlanga said during his interview. He said should he be appointed he would hit the ground running and get to the bottom of those perceptions. "I would want to look at that very perception and look at what needs to be done from our perspective as the judiciary. Is there, or what shortcomings are there? Yes, I do know that there are delays (in rendering judgments). I do know it takes a long time for cases to come to the stage of hearing and so on, but I would want to have a look at addressing the problems within our system," he said. Madlanga also told the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), who was conducting the interviews, that a Chief Justice should lead from the front and not be a "super secretary-general". During his interview, the judge, who appeared confident, told the JSC panel that while he was not familiar with the administrative functions of the Chief Justice, he would consult other heads of courts and the secretary of the departments responsible for court administration. Should he be appointed, said Madlanga, he would also approach Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to ask for a constitutional amendment for the court to do away with its quorum of eight judges. He questioned the fact that the minimum number of justices required to decide on a case was eight. He said, "An even number just doesn't make sense to me." Madlanga was asked to comment on the attacks levelled at the Constitutional Court over the long delays in rendering judgments and the quality of judgments. According to the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal Xola Petse, who was chairing the interviews, the criticism included accusations that reasoning was "all over the place", rulings were incoherent, or judges used strong language. Madlanga said he had prepared a long note on the delays. He said it would take him a long time to go through it but added that there had been a "sudden deluge of applications". He said from 2013 there had been an increase in new cases. The following year, new cases increased by well over 200, and since 2015, new cases averaged well over 300 per year, he said. "To somebody sitting here that may sound like a very small figure," he said, adding that based on the apex court's work, this was a very large number. Last year, a decision was taken on what should be done to address the delays. "In the second half of last year, a decision was taken by conference that we should revise our working procedure." According to Madlanga, he and another judge were chosen to perform the task. He said they had produced a document and were in the process of finalising it. Madlanga said one of the suggestions was that the court should do away with the "duty-week" system, and this meant they now distributed new applications evenly. The interview continues.
In the wake of passing new legislation that promises to strengthen the criminal justice system and strengthen existing provisions around gender-based violence (GBV), President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that survivors of GBV must not be further traumatised by the legal system. Last week Ramaphosa signed into law the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill and the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act says sexual offences against persons who are mentally disabled must be recorded in the National Register of Sex Offenders and those convicted of sex crimes against children or mentally disabled people and have been sentenced to terms longer than 18 months can only apply to have their names removed from the register after 20 years. The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act will allow courts to provide an intermediary to examine minors, disabled people or the elderly in court proceedings and also allows for the extended use of evidence via an audio-visual link. Bail for suspects charged with the rape and murder of women and children will be opposed by the State, “A prosecutor who does not oppose bail in designated cases must have their reasons placed on record. The court must consider any threats of violence made against the complainant and the complainant’s view of their own safety. Unless the court is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist that warrant release on bail, bail must be denied,” Ramaphosa explained. The Domestic Violence Amendment Act has expanded the criteria for protection order applications. Courts can also immediately issue protection order in situations of imminent danger against a complainant. Further, courts must issue protection orders against those on bail and charged with domestic violence after holding an enquiry. “When the court issues a protection order it must at the same time authorise the issuing of an arrest warrant, suspended, that must be provided to the South African Police Service (SAPS). If a SAPS member suspects a complainant is in danger due to breach of the order, they must arrest the respondent immediately,” Ramaphosa stated. Elderly victims of domestic violence are also protected under the new law and complainants can now apply for protection orders online. Courts also have the power to issue Safety Monitoring Notices, which will require a SAPS member to be in constant contact with complainants without the knowledge of the abuser. SAPS members who fail to help victims of domestic violence at police stations will be found guilty of misconduct. Further, any adult with knowledge or suspicions of violence against women and children are required by law to report to the police. “We must educate those suffering in silence about their rights and how to exercise them. Let us use these laws to empower and protect women and children and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Leaving an abusive relationship is never easy. But as the government, we have promised to provide the legal protection and support an abused person needs for themselves, their children and those close to them,” Ramaphosa said. He added that while the new laws were a step in the right direction, it did not prevent violence and abuse from happening. He urged all South Africans to help end the violence.
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule's appeal of a judgment that declared his suspension from the party was lawful. In a one-page judgment, the court dismissed the appeal with costs. "The application for leave to appeal is dismissed, with costs, on the grounds that there is no reasonable prospect of success in an appeal and there is no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard," the court ruled. Magashule's SCA bid came after the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed his appeal application in September. On 13 November, he filed papers spelling out why he believed the SCA should grant him access for leave to appeal the court ruling on his suspension. The corruption-charged Magashule told the court Ramaphosa's Cabinet reshuffle was proof there was a selective application of the ANC's step-aside rule. He argued the court had erred when it found nothing wrong with the ANC national executive committee's interpretation of the step-aside resolution. If granted permission to appeal, Magashule said he planned to introduce new evidence to strengthen his argument. In response, ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte said he had not met the grounds required to convince the SCA to hear his latest attempt to overturn his suspension. She argued that Magashule should not be allowed to introduce new evidence. Magashule was suspended from the ANC in May 2021 after he was criminally charged for corruption. The ANC's step-aside policy forces party leaders charged with corruption to be temporarily removed from their positions. Magashule has fought his suspension, saying the step-aside rule was an effort to deal with him politically.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba will be stepping down from his position as a City of Johannesburg Councillor on February 28. Mashaba issued his resignation letter on Sunday, saying now that ActionSA’s caucus is settled and the party’s Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) are actively pursuing programmes of service delivery in Johannesburg, it was time for him to step back and allow someone else the opportunity to gain critical local government experience. He consulted the party’s caucus and ActionSA Senate which agreed that his time must be spent leading the campaign to grow ActionSA across the country so the party can effectively challenge the African National Congress in 2024. “The important work of expanding ActionSA will require my constant travelling to set up structures across the country and my Council seat should be filled by someone who is fully available to the needs of the residents of Johannesburg,” Mashaba said. Following the establishment of the coalition governments in Gauteng after the 2021 local government elections, Mashaba said he had taken the approach of overseeing the first few months with a view to getting ActionSA set in the council. He explained that he was pleased to see the calibre of individuals that the party had put forward as Councillors, MMCs and Section 79 Committee chairpersons. “As the President of ActionSA, I will apply myself in the multi-party coalition to ensure stable and effective government that places the needs of residents first,” he concluded.
City of Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will on Monday officially hand over the Cape Town City Hall to Parliament’s Presiding Officers, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo. Earlier this month Parliament’s Presiding Officers announced that the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) will now be held at City Hall following the devastating fire that damaged the National Assembly (NA) building, including the NA chamber where the official sittings of the NA and Joint Sittings of both Houses of Parliament are usually held. After the hand-over, the City Hall will be declared the Parliament of South Africa precinct. President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to deliver the SoNA on February 10 at 19:00.
Four police officers have been suspended in the wake of the fire that gutted the historic National Assembly building. On Friday, Lieutenant General Sam Shitlabane, head of the Protection and Security Services (PSS), briefed Parliament's Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament on the police's investigation into the fire. Shitlabane said a departmental investigation had been instituted against officers who were on duty from 31 December 2021. This included the PSS relief commander and three CCTV monitoring room operators. Lieutenant General Sehlahle Masemola, deputy national commissioner for policing, told the committee the four officers had been issued with a notice of suspension. "They are busy with their representations, and that will be considered," he told the committee. Twelve days before the 2 January fire, a power outage resulted in the malfunctioning of the video wall from where cameras on the precinct are monitored. Police officers on duty at Parliament could therefore only monitor movement from a small screen due to the video wall not working. The cameras inside the building are digital and those outside the precinct are analogue. Shitlabane listed these and several other issues as inhibiting factors. "The power outage, caused by Eskom, on 21 December 2021, resulted in the malfunctioning of the video wall for the entire duration, prior to the Parliament fire incident. It is reported that apparently the generators ran out of diesel. Members could only monitor movement from a small screen due to the video wall not working. Currently, Parliament is operating two different types of cameras," he said. On the cameras, Masemola said: "The police were using a small monitor to look at what is happening outside. With the video wall, you can see much bigger, and in the absence of that video wall working, you are left with either a 22 or 20-inch monitor where you monitor the same work. We are not responsible for the repair of the video wall. We have reported it to the relevant authorities." Parliament has three monitoring rooms, which are not integrated. Acting director-general of the public works department Imtiaz Fazel said the generators were refuelled after the power outage. Shitlabane said Parliament's fire alarm didn't go off at the City of Cape Town's fire department. "The water valves that supply water to the sprinklers within the building were found to be closed. The fire alarm only went off when the fire brigade was already on the scene and extinguishing the fire," he said. He said after the declaration of the parliamentary complex as a national key point on 12 January 2018, a joint planning committee (JPC), which is a coordinating structure "in consultation with the protecting authority, still needs to be established by Parliament". "Among the critical areas highlighted in the physical security assessments that are still pending, are the current height of the perimeter fence, which is 1.3 metres, as opposed to 3 metres as prescribed by minimum physical security standards, [and a] remote search park," he added. Shitlabane said in 2016 Parliament's management and the divisional commissioner undertook a trip to Hungary in order to benchmark Parliament's security with international standards. "Since 2004, the PSS SAS conducted five security assessments, with recommendations and audits, at Parliament, and the security assessments and/or audit reports were submitted to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure for intervention," Shitlabane said.
Parliament's finance watchdog the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to respond to allegations of the misuse of public funds for party political purposes. Earlier this week, Scopa decided to send Ramaphosa detailed questions about the allegations, which surfaced in a leaked audio recording. In the audio clip, someone who sounds like Ramaphosa can be heard admitting that he was aware that the ANC had used public funds for party purposes. The person also suggests that the funds came from the State Security Agency (SSA). According to Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Ramaphosa has 10 working days to respond to the letter as per the committee's decision. "After consideration of the President's written response, the committee will consider whether it is necessary to invite the President to provide additional records or to appear before the committee to answer any further questions on the matter." In late December, suspended African National Congress (ANC) MP Mervyn Dirks wrote to Hlengwa asking that Ramaphosa be investigated. In his letter, Dirks proposed that Ramaphosa be summoned to the committee to explain the utterances he had seemingly made in the recording. The ANC then suspended Dirks over this. He was informed of his suspension in a letter, dated 20 January, from party chief whip Pemmy Majodina. Earlier this week, Dirks took the matter to court, and the application for urgency was dismissed. He was allowed to attend the Scopa meeting despite his suspension. Dirks also approached Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to lodge a complaint against Ramaphosa. Mkhwebane confirmed her office was probing an executive ethics complaint against the president.
Eskom, which is on a mission to crack down on municipalities that owe it money, met with Tshwane mayor Randall Williams this week in an effort to recover R635-million owed to it by the city. Eskom said on Thursday that the debt, which was due on 18 January, had knock-on effects to its "liquidity, financial performance and sustainability", leading to the utility having to borrow more to meet its financial obligations. "The City of Tshwane's payment patterns have been irregular over the past six months and have contributed negatively to Eskom’s increasing overdue debt which is in excess of R43.8-billion," the utility said. "Over the past months, we have engaged the city on these irregular payments and the impact they have on Eskom to keep the lights on. "We remain hopeful that the city will review its current position regarding the appeals made to them by Eskom and honour their payments." The mayor’s spokesperson Sipho Stuurman told Fin24 that Williams would provide the City’s comments on the issue later on Thursday. "We will draft a response soon. The mayor and MMCs are engaged in a council meeting. As soon as they are out of there, we will issue a statement and response," he said. In August last year Eskom CEO André de Ruyter said municipal debt had risen to R39-billion as at the end of the company's financial year in March. In September Eskom won a R1.3-billion judgment against the Emfuleni Local Municipality over unpaid bulk electricity services. The utility said the amount was part of a total debt of R1.9-billion which Emfuleni had accumulated in 2019. According to Eskom, at the time, Emfuleni topped the list of Gauteng municipalities with poor payment records, with arrears of more than R3-billion running over 30 days.
The Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee has hiked the repo rate by another 25 basis points to 4%. This brings the prime rate to 7.5%. Four members of the committee voted for the increase, while one voted for an unchanged rate. On a new home loan of R2-million at the prime rate, the monthly payment will increase by around R300 following the rate hike. After the prime rate went from 10% in 2019 to 7% last year, the bank started hiking rates again in November, with a 25 basis point increase to 7.25%. While the economy is still struggling to recover following lockdown restrictions last year, the Reserve Bank must contend with hotter inflation. Consumer inflation for the year to December was 5.9% - the biggest increase in almost five years. On Thursday, the Reserve Bank hiked its forecast of headline inflation for the year, from 4.3% to 4.9% - and Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned that risks to the inflation outlook are to the upside. This is due in part to high oil prices. Last year, the price of 95 unleaded petrol rose from below R15 in inland regions to above R20/litre by December. Diesel rose from R13 to almost R18/litre. Kganyago also highlighted the risk of higher electricity prices. Eskom has applied for a 20.5% tariff hike. Other countries are also starting to hike interest rates. If South African interest rates stay too low for too long, this will hit the rand. Traders will move to currencies that earn higher interest. "A particular risk arises from the possibility of a faster normalisation of global policy rates than is currently built into the forecast, which assumes some rate hikes to begin around June of 2022," Kganyago said. "Added to this is the risk that quantitative tightening will occur more quickly than previously expected, leading to stronger capital flow reversals from riskier assets such as emerging market debt." Most economists expect 150 basis point hikes in the next two years, with the market pricing in an increase of around 250 basis points.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has confirmed her office is probing an executive ethics complaint against President Cyril Ramaphosa amid allegations of public fund misappropriation against the African National Congress (ANC), which surfaced in a leaked audio recording. In a short statement on Thursday, Mkhwebane's spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, said her office was the only accountability institution empowered under the Executive Members' Ethics Act to enforce executive ethics. "The Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) wishes to confirm that a complaint, in which a Member of Parliament has alleged a breach of the Executive Code of Ethics against the President, reached the office late afternoon on Wednesday. The complaint was lodged in terms of the Executive Members Ethics Act 82 of 1998. The PPSA has been inundated with queries about the complaint since the sitting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) earlier in the week," Segalwe said. ANC MP Mervyn Dirks' complaint arises from an audio clip in which someone who sounds like Ramaphosa can be heard admitting that he was aware that the ANC has used public funds for party purposes. The person suggested that the funds came from the State Security Agency (SSA). Dirks wrote to Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa to ask that Ramaphosa be investigated. The ANC suspended Dirks for this. He took the matter to court, and it was dismissed. He was admitted to the Scopa meeting despite his suspension. In accordance with a legal opinion it obtained, Scopa will, through a written response from Ramaphosa, also seek to establish whether and how the alleged unauthorised expenditure was captured in financial statements. It also wanted to establish whether the alleged unauthorised transactions were detected by the Auditor-General when auditing the SSA's books. If this is not established, it should be determined whether any officials misrepresented facts in the financials. Scopa will also find out which individuals benefitted from the funds and whether the unauthorised expenditure was reported. If it was not reported, the committee will also try to determine if there was any conduct that constituted a misrepresentation by any individual and where the gaps were that allowed the misconduct to go unpunished. Segalwe said the Public Protector should investigate any alleged breach of the code on receipt of a complaint by the president or an MP if the complaint is against a Cabinet member or a deputy minister. He said, "The EMEA (Executive Members' Ethics Act) further provides that such an investigation must be completed within 30 days."
An Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor who is accused of spreading hateful comments via a fake Twitter account is now in higher office after his party bosses paved the way for him to become a member of Parliament. Anthony Matumba, a former councillor who hails from the Makhado Local Municipality in Limpopo, is alleged to be the person behind the fake Twitter account "@Tracy Zille", which was used to spread disparaging, racist and hateful comments. On Tuesday, Matumba told News24 about the development but at the time, he could not give further details. On Wednesday, National Assembly Speaker presided over his swearing-in and that of a fellow EFF member. The swearing-in was confirmed on the EFF's social media accounts. The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) took Matumba to the Equality Court in Louis Trichardt after it received a complaint from a member of the public about tweets from the Twitter account. Complaint The Twitter account reportedly emerged in June 2020 and had more than 30 000 followers when the SAHRC received the complaint. But in court papers, Matumba denied that he was behind the account. He said there were no witnesses to prove the connection between him and the account. The SAHRC said it was reported that Matumba was generating an income from making disparaging and inflammatory comments online through companies he owned and registered to which social media users were directed. The SAHRC wants Matumba to donate R20 000 to a charitable organisation, expressly with victims of gender-based violence.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen filed court papers in the Gauteng High Court on Wednesday in an effort to compel government to immediately open schools fully. The party has been trying to force Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to do away with the rotational system saying it deprives children of their constitutional right to education. In July 2021, the government’s own Ministerial Advisory Committee recommended that all schools should be open fully and instructed that children should be at least one metre apart within classrooms. Steenhuisen said the rule is plainly unconstitutional and is implemented to satisfy government’s social distancing rule in classrooms. “The rotational system massively violates children’s constitutional rights to basic education, to basic nutrition, for children’s best interests to be paramount in all matters concerning them, and to equality,“ he said. The DA says government has failed to provide a justification and is ignoring its own scientific advice. Steenhuisen says it is overwhelmingly in a child’s interest to go to school. “Under the rotational model, schoolchildren’s access to basic education is being severely stunted, which will negatively impact the rest of their lives. South African schoolchildren in no-fee schools have lost over half of their normal school days since the start of the pandemic and have learnt less than half of what they would normally learn, “ he added. He warns that the long-term effects on children will be lower educational attainment, lower earnings, higher unemployment, and lower-skilled occupations in adulthood. On the issue of access to food, Steenhuisen says less than half of children received free school meals in February and March 2021. Sheenhuisen argues that school children present a low risk of contracting or transmitting Covid-19. The risk is far too low to justify these enormous harms, he said. “Furthermore, teachers and other adults have had plenty of time to get themselves vaccinated. So children cannot be made to pay the cost of keeping adults protected. "This rule, therefore, amounts to a huge intergenerational injustice. Government is choosing to sacrifice those least able to defend their own interest,” he stated.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) is conducting its own probe into public fund misappropriation allegations against the African National Congress (ANC), which surfaced in a leaked audio recording, even though the matter has already been referred to the Public Protector. The committee believes that the comments only reflect a part of the discussion that was captured in the clip and that the publicly available portion has far-reaching implications. On Tuesday evening, the committee resolved that it was necessary for the committee to conduct its own probe. In the clip, someone who sounds like President Cyril Ramaphosa can be heard admitting that he was aware that the party used public funds for party purposes. The person suggested that the funds came from the State Security Agency (SSA). Scopa will first ascertain the authenticity of the recording and whether it was indeed Ramaphosa's voice. In the next few days, it will write to the president and demand a written statement or affidavit on the clip's authenticity. The committee expects a response from him seven days after receiving the letter. In addition to Scopa's decision, ANC MP Mervyn Dirks said he would ask Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to investigate a possible perjury charge against Ramaphosa. Dirks said Ramaphosa did not disclose the issues which surfaced in the audio clip to the Zondo Commission when he testified. In his opening remarks, Dirks said Ramaphosa and other party leaders had not denied the authenticity of the recording, except to question how it made its way into the public domain. Dirks wrote to Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa to ask that Ramaphosa be investigated. The ANC suspended him for this. He took the matter to court and it was dismissed. He was admitted to the meeting despite his suspension. The committee, in accordance with a legal opinion it obtained, will, through a written response from Ramaphosa, also seek to establish whether and how the alleged unauthorised expenditure was captured in the financial statements. They also want to establish whether the alleged unauthorised transactions were detected by the Auditor-General when auditing the State Security Agency's books. If this is not established, it should be determined whether any officials misrepresented facts in the financials. Scopa will also find out who the individuals are who benefited from the funds and whether the unauthorised expenditure was reported. If it was not reported, the committee will also try to determine if there was any conduct that constituted a misrepresentation by any individual and where the gaps were to allow the misconduct to go unpunished. Hlengwa said the committee would also remind Ramaphosa that they have the right to compel him to appear before it or issue him with a summons if necessary. Economic Freedom Fighters MP and Scopa member Veronica Mente proposed that Ramaphosa be treated as a whistleblower because he might have information that could assist the committee in holding to account those who squandered public funds. In the leaked recording, Ramaphosa could be heard saying, "And I said in this case, I am prepared to fall on the sword so that the CR17 campaign should be the only one that's looked at and not the others. each one of us knows that quite a bit of money that is used in campaigns and bussing people around and doing all manner of things is often from state resources and public resources and we cannot kid ourselves when it comes to that." "One of the officials said, as these people from the State Security testify, one of the officials said soon they will be revealing about how money was used for some campaigns, and I said I would rather they say you got money from this business for CR17 than for the public to finally hear that their public money was used to advance certain campaigns. one of the officials said, soon they will be revealing about how money from the SSA was used for some campaign. And I said Heaven forbid," he ...
As South Africa strives to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, science and innovation are playing a prominent role both in the efforts to overcome the disease and to rebuild the economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa says in his weekly newsletter. He notes that he recently attended the launch of a vaccine manufacturing campus in Cape Town, which forms part of a multimillion-rand investment by multinational technology company NANTWorks, headed by South African-born scientist Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong. Ramaphosa points out that South Africa already has advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in companies such Aspen Pharmacare, Afrigen Biologics and the Vaccines and Biovac Institute, which is a public-private initiative. “These projects will greatly aid South Africa in our quest to become a hub of scientific innovation, research and development, especially in vaccine manufacturing for Covid-19, cancer, tuberculosis and other future pandemics,” he acclaims. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa also highlights that aerospace company SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched three South African-made nanosatellites into space, from Cape Canaveral, in the US, earlier this month. The satellites form part of a project to detect, identify and monitor shipping vessels along the South African coastline. “These are just some of the projects that demonstrate how science and technology have a key role to play in our economic recovery, in attracting greater levels of investment, and in contributing to skills, knowledge and technology transfer to capacitate our country’s workforce. “We are therefore prioritising investment in science, technology and innovation to revitalise and modernise existing industries, as well as to create new sources of growth and stimulate industrialisation. There is huge potential in agriculture, mining, energy and manufacturing, among others,” Ramaphosa says. He notes that this is an area where government has been pursuing several collaborative partnerships with the private sector and academia to broaden the frontiers of scientific endeavour. For example, he mentions projects undertaken around hydrogen, energy storage and renewable energy; and support for emerging farmers through the Agricultural Bio-Innovation Partnership Programme. Government also has funding partnerships with a number of South African universities in the field of nanotechnology development, Ramaphosa points out. “We are looking far into space by enhancing the capabilities of the South African Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project and supporting a number of new discoveries using the MeerKAT telescope. “At the same time we are using science to support and guide municipalities to plan for and assess the risks of climate change. “We are looking at how to harness new technologies for development, such as using three-dimensional printing to build houses,” Ramaphosa points out. He says a proper digital transformation of economy and society will rely on a combination of technical skill and intellectual enterprise. “Visiting the Biomedical Research Institute at the University of Stellenbosch last week, for which our government has invested R300-million, it was not so much the impressive laboratories that inspired awe, but rather the human skills and capabilities that had enabled such innovative research. “We need solid investment in skills development in these different industries, and a firm commitment to increase the number of students studying science, if we are to promote scientific excellence and its attendant economic benefits,” he emphasises. Therefore, Ramaphosa says, government will continue to support initiatives such as the Grassroots Innovation Programme of the Department of Science and Innovation, which provides support to local innovators to develop their concepts, create prototypes and commercialise their ideas. He also highlights the Imvelisi Enviropreneurs Programme, which offers boot camps and business mentoring for inn...
ActionSA welcomed former Democratic Alliance (DA) Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi to its ranks on Monday. Baloyi left the DA in December last year, after 14 years with the party and having been announced as the DA’s Gauteng premier candidate for 2024. Baloyi become the youngest mayor when he took the reins at Midvaal in 2013. Under his stewardship, which ended after the 2021 local government elections, Midvaal municipality received seven clean audits and was ranked the top-performing municipality. He will serve on ActionSA’s Senate, the party’s highest decision-making body. “Baloyi’s joining of ActionSA does not take place in a vacuum. The results achieved by ActionSA have positioned the party such that we have been overwhelmed by South Africans joining our ranks. I am informed that our party membership doubled in the week following the elections,” said ActionSA president Herman Mashaba. Mashaba said Baloyi remained committed to see out his term of office for the people of Midvaal. Baloyi said he was proud of his record with the DA and of the work that he had achieved. “I am also proud of my 10 years as the mayor of Midvaal and I must extend my sincere appreciation to the community of Midvaal who are the real heroes of my tenure as executive mayor,” he added. Baloyi explained that he was not joining ActionSA out of anger or disappointment. “I must state from the outset that my joining ActionSA is not out of anger or out of disappointment, it's actually because of the hope they are invoking. I join ActionSA knowing very well the work that lies ahead for all of us, this is a very significant moment in our country,” he said. Baloyi added that he believed there was a realignment of the country’s politics where diverse South Africans of all capabilities needed to join hands and work together, because there was “one enemy and that enemy is the African National Congress”, he said.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde on Monday announced that Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Anroux Marais, would be acting as Community Safety MEC following the suspension of incumbent Albert Fritz who elected to step down amid sexual assault allegations. "Minister Marais will ensure that the Department of Community Safety continues to respond to communities' safety needs and to drive our important safety priorities," said Winde through a media statement. He added that while it was in his nature to be open and transparent with the province's residents, he was, at this point, not at liberty to disclose details of the allegations as a result of specific requests by the complainants for the matter to be kept confidential. "The seriousness of the allegations made and the rights of all parties to a fair and unprejudiced investigation into the veracity of the claims made, I may not do so at this stage. I have noted many rumours and reports by individuals who wish to politicise this matter. I will not play politics with the well-being of people and would like to urge anyone who views this matter as a political football to show restraint, especially in consideration of the requests made by the complainants and the rights of all to a fair process," said Winde. He promised to provide further updates as soon as possible. Marais' appointment as acting Community Safety MEC comes after Fritz asked his party bosses to allow him to step aside amid the sexual assault allegations, nine months into his tenure as the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) leader in the Western Cape. Jaco Londt, the DA's Western Cape chairperson, said: "I can confirm that Minister Fritz has requested that he be excused from his duties as leader until end of February. The provincial executive committee accepted this and the deputy leader, MEC Tertuis Simmers, will be acting leader for the time being. We view these allegations in a very serious light and the investigation must be allowed to run its course unhindered." Simmers, who was recently elected deputy provincial leader, is the Western Cape Human Settlements MEC. In May 2021, Fritz was elected leader of the party's biggest province. Fritz took over as the DA's interim leader in the Western Cape after the resignation of Bonginkosi Madikizela last year. Madikizela resigned after it was revealed that he falsely claimed on his CV that he had a BCom degree. Earlier, News24 revealed that Fritz was suspended following serious allegations of sexual assault that were levelled against him by young employees. Winde announced Fritz's suspension late on Sunday evening without divulging the reasons for the decision. A direct source who had knowledge of the suspension, however, said: "He [Fritz] allegedly sexually assaulted young female workers in his office." Four independent sources confirmed to News24 that sexual assault allegations were at the core of the suspension. "This has been known since last year," said a source. It was unclear whether criminal charges had been opened against Fritz. Winde was expected to address community safety department employees on Monday. It was unclear whether other staff members would be suspended. Asked for comment, Odette Cason, an official in Winde's office, said: We understand that there are many questions around the suspension of Minister Fritz, however, at this stage, we cannot divulge further information on the matter, until an independent investigator has determined the full extent of the allegations and their veracity. It would be unfair to the persons who made those allegations to the premier, under requests for confidentiality, and indeed the minister too, for the premier to provide details of what is being investigated, the publication of which may well severely compromise the investigation itself.
The African National Congress's (ANC's) national executive committee (NEC) meeting on Friday heard heated calls for Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to be hauled before the ANC's integrity commission for defying President Cyril Ramaphosa. Three sources attending the meeting noted that NEC member Derek Hanekom raised the matter on the second day of the meeting, hours after Sisulu had contradicted a presidency statement that said she apologised and retracted her controversial comments related to the judiciary. Insiders said that ANC Veterans League president Snuki Zikalala added to the call for Sisulu to face the music following her controversial opinion pieces and public spat with the presidency. News24 had been reliably told that first to raise the contentious matter around Sisulu's conduct was Hanekom, who proposed that the minister account for her actions and for openly defying the presidency. News24 understands that as calls were being made for Sisulu to appear before the party's integrity commission, NEC member Tony Yengeni came to Sisulu's defence and made a counter call for ANC Limpopo chairperson Stanley Mathabatha to also face the music for jumping the gun and endorsing Ramaphosa for a second term earlier this month during the party’s anniversary celebrations in Limpopo despite the party not allowing for the opening of nominations. "It was a very heated discussion. There were people were saying 'she can't get away with it'. Others like Tony were saying how come the president said nothing to Mathabatha when he pronounced on a second term [for Ramaphosa]," one source said. A second source confirmed that there was a strong push for Sisulu to be sanctioned by the ANC and the president. "She can't get away with it. She must face the music in the ANC and then the president must also act," the NEC member said. The calls for Sisulu to face the music come after she initially wrote a controversial opinion piece attacking the judiciary and the Constitution, which was published on 7 January 2022 under the title, "Hi Mzansi, have we seen justice?" She later wrote two more letters that were also deemed overly critical of the judiciary and the Constitution. Beyond this, Sisulu had also gone on to accuse the presidency's media team of deliberately misrepresenting the outcomes of a meeting she had with Ramaphosa on Wednesday. In a statement on Friday morning, Sisulu said she was "troubled that the president's media team was deliberately mischievous in the statement issued as the minister at no point in the conversation was firstly admonished or secondly expressed regrets resulting in agreeing to withdraw or apologise for her article, but agreed to reconsider the particular line relating to the judiciary which the president had raised the issue with and was to share with her". Her sentiments came after the presidency on Thursday evening released a statement saying Ramaphosa had met with her and admonished her about her attack on the judiciary, following which, the minister then retracted her sentiments. The statement issued by the presidency on Thursday said, "Minister Sisulu conceded that her words were inappropriate and retracts this statement and affirms her support for the judiciary. I accept that my column has levelled against the judiciary and African judges, in particular, unsubstantiated, gratuitous, and deeply hurtful comments." But Sisulu set the record straight in her own statement shared on Thursday night. "I wish to categorically disown this statement in its entirety as a misrepresentation of the said meeting I had with the president. The president and I met on Wednesday at 21:00 at his house," she said in the statement. "In such a meeting, he shared his challenge with one aspect of the article on the judges. The president proposed an intermediary that would focus on the one line about the judges to resolve that. I awaited such to be communicated, which would do nothing to the entire article. "Under no circumstances did I...
Parliament arson-accused Zandile Mafe's bail application will not be heard on Saturday as planned, his lawyer Luvuyo Godla said on Friday. He said the magistrate did not want to risk bringing a person with Covid-19 to court, and the legal team had not been able to consult with him on the application. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the postponement. Ntabazalila added, "On Tuesday, the court was advised that Mafe contracted Covid-19 and is in isolation. Today, the State, Defence and the Acting President of the Regional Court met virtually to discuss the logistics of the bail application and the parties agreed with the defence as they are unable to consult with Mafe until he completes his isolation on 24 January 2022." A new charge sheet has been provided to the defence and the accused now faces charges of housebreaking with intent to commit terrorism and arson, arson, terrorism, and theft. "The changes came after advocate Mervyn Menigo, who is the leading prosecutor in the matter, had studied the docket afresh, further consulted with the investigating officer, and felt that the charges needed to be reformulated," Ntabazalila said. On Tuesday, Mafe won round one in his bid to be out of custody while the cause of the fire is investigated. The Western Cape High Court ordered that he be released from Valkenberg Hospital, where he was under psychiatric observation. Mafe was released from Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital on Wednesday following the court order, after the defence applied for a review of his referral for a 30-day mental observation. The High Court reserved judgment in the review application. A report submitted to the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on 11 January noted a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia made during Mafe's pre-appearance physical, and Magistrate Zamekile Mbalo referred him for observation. The Western Cape High Court declared this unlawful and ordered Mafe's transfer from Valkenberg Hospital to Pollsmoor Prison. The court heard on Tuesday that he had contracted Covid-19, and would be subject to Pollsmoor Prison's Covid-19 isolation protocols.
The African National Congress's (ANC's) national working committee (NWC) has appointed national executive committee members (NEC) Jeff Radebe, Joel Netshitenzhe, Ronald Lamola, Lindiwe Maseko, and other legally skilled members to evaluate and make informed referrals to the party on how it ought to implement recommendations made in the initial State capture inquiry report. Radebe had been assigned as the convenor of this team which was also tasked with compiling a discussion paper for ANC structures on corruption and State capture following their contemplating on the recommendations made in the first of three State capture inquiry reports. In its report to the NEC seen by News24, the NWC, which met on Monday, said the aforementioned senior party members, besides overseeing the processing of recommendations of the State capture inquiry report relating to the ANC and its deployees, these members would also refer to the party's Renewal Commission any matters identified as needing action to be taken by the party. "The 2022 January 8 Statement states that one of the resolutions of the 54th National Conference was to support the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of State capture. "We welcome the submission and release of the first part of the commission's report and look forward to the completion of the commission's work by the end of February 2022. "The work of the commission is vital to the national effort to place the era of state capture behind us and ensure that such events are never allowed to happen again. "The ANC will support government in effecting the measures required to eliminate conditions and conduct that enable State capture and systemic corruption. As the ANC, we will engage with our structures and members to ensure sufficient understanding of the contents and findings of the commission," the NWC report stated. In an attempt to ensure that the recommendations made by the commission's report were fulfilled within its own organisation, the NWC concluded that there was a need for mechanisms such as appointing the aforementioned NEC members to process any parts of the commission report that pertained to the organisation, its deployees or members be adopted as this not only assured the implementation of recommendations, but also "helps the party to enhance its own fundamental renewal and rebuilding process". The ANC members who make up the NWC, also resolved to "intensify efforts to eradicate corruption" not only from among its ranks, but in society as a whole through calling on "South Africans to engage with the commission's report and to be part of the national effort to put State capture behind us and build an ethical, capable developmental State and a society governed by the values of our democratic Constitution and the rule of law". The State Capture Inquiry report in its first instalment of its three-part report, found that the ANC not only folded its arms and allowed State capture to flourish, but in some instances proceeds of this form of corruption flowed into the party's coffers. Reflecting on some of the rot at State-owned enterprises, commission chairperson Judge Raymond Zondo said in his report that, "all of this happened, happened under the watch of the government of the ruling party, the African National Congress". "Most, if not all, of these entities were led by the chief executive officers and boards of directors who would have been approved by the ruling party through its national deployment committee." "There is a pattern of executive interference and political overreach at the SOEs [State-owned entities]. Evidence shows that ministers, and even the former president, Mr Jacob Zuma, were regularly involved with operational matters," the report stated. The first volume of the report also advised the NPA to "consider" - and in some places, "seriously consider" - prosecutions against about 20 individuals among who were ANC members or deployees and firms implicated in Stat...
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately lift the National State of Disaster, along with the remaining lockdown regulations. On Wednesday, Ramaphosa said government would consider alternative legislative measures to the National State of Disaster. Speaking at the launch of a new vaccine manufacturing facility in Cape Town, Ramaphosa referred to falling Covid infections and the need to look to alternative health protocols instead of relying on the Disaster Management Act. Steenhuisen says the DA challenges the constitutionality of Section 27 of the Disaster Management Act - the mechanism that allows the government to make extra-Parliamentary laws under the declaration of a National State of Disaster. That matter is currently before the Constitutional Court. Steenhuisen also wants schools be allowed to open fully, immediately, and is also calling for rotational schooling to be called off. “There are very low expectations of this week’s matric results announcement, and this is a direct result of the hundreds of school days lost over the past two years. For some time now this rotational schooling has disproportionately affected poor learners, as the top quintile schools have mostly returned to full-time classes. There is no justification for this widening inequality,” he said. On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK’s abandonment of most emergency lockdown measures, including mandatory mask wearing in public and in classrooms. He spoke of trusting the judgment of the people. The DA leader says Ramaphosa needs to exhibit the same trust. He warns that the repeated extension of the National State of Disaster creates “a dangerous constitutional convention”, and added that economic recovery will be impossible under lockdown. Steenhuisen says businesses will remain hesitant to invest and take on staff as long as restrictions are reintroduced.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table the national budget on 23 February, 2022. The ministry of finance on Thursday issued an advisory - highlighting that this would be the minister's "inaugural" speech. Godongwana was appointed finance minister in August 2021, relieving his predecessor, Tito Mboweni, who requested to step down. In a call with investors shortly after, Godongwana said he would lead differently to Mboweni but would stick to the fiscal framework. This was evident in the tabling of the medium-term budget policy statement, later in November. In the short while he has been finance minister, Godongwana has used his speaking engagements to stress the importance of rolling out structural reforms to boost economic growth. The finance ministry in its statement highlighted that the budget allocation aims to "strike a balance" between competing national spending priorities. Godongwana has invited South Africans to give suggestions for the upcoming budget, particularly on what government should be spending, how to address a large budget deficit and possible new sources of tax revenues, among other things.
The African National Congress's (ANC's) dismal performance at last year's municipal elections set the tone for the party's national executive committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday. The party is holding a two-day virtual NEC meeting which is expected to end on Friday. Party president Cyril Ramaphosa gave an opening political overview at the start of the meeting, which began at 9am on Thursday. Insiders said members were presented with a research outline from the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection concerning the party's electoral performance in the municipal elections. The party's own research showed the ANC was on an electoral decline because of a lack of confidence in the party. NEC members were told that the party would have to deal with corruption on all levels of government if it wanted to turn around its electoral fortunes. The meeting was expected to explore matters around state security, insiders said. Other issues to be tackled by the party at the NEC, which would be followed by a two-day lekgotla, would be the state of the party's dysfunctional branches ahead of its national elective conference at the end of the year. The party adopted the national working committee report, which had given a clear deadline for regional and provincial conferences to be held. Several ANC regions and provinces were expected to hold conferences in the next few weeks. Mpumalanga was expected to hold its provincial conference next month. While in KwaZulu-Natal, various regions were expected to hold conferences, with eThekwini being the most influential ANC region. The ANC in Limpopo and the Free State were also expected to hold conferences by April. At the same time, ANC staffers who were owed two months' salaries, want their remuneration concerns addressed by the NEC. The staffers told News24 the matter should be discussed by the party's NEC because ANC officials had failed to resolve the issue independently.
South Africa's Reserve Bank (SARB) will raise interest rates to 4% on January 27 as it continues its hiking cycle amid a pick up in consumer price inflation, a Reuters poll found on Wednesday. Eighteen of 23 economists polled from January 12 to 18 said the central bank would add 25 basis points (bps) to the repo rate next week, taking it to 4%, while five said it would leave rates on hold. "The spike in consumer inflation to just below the ceiling of the SARB's inflation target in the context of tightening of global monetary policy supports front-loading of the South African rate hiking cycle," said Elna Moolman of Standard Bank. "South Africa's inflation remains reasonably benign given the persistently weak economy, but inflation is edging higher and the SARB's interest rate normalisation process will continue," Moolman added. Inflation (CPI) was expected to average 4.8% this year, slow to 4.5% next year and 4.4% the following year, the poll showed. The bank tries to keep inflation within a range of 3%-6%. All five economists that expected the central bank to pause on Jan. 27 predicted rates to rise in March. The bank hiked rates in November to 3.75%. One of those, Barclays' Michael Kafe, said his view remained the next hike would be in March as core CPI begins to track higher on recovering rental and insurance costs, with another 25 bps hike in September as a recovery in GDP growth provides enough comfort to remove excessive stimulus. Poll medians showed hikes of 25 bps in every quarter from now until the second quarter of next year to 5.25%. The central bank was expected to pause for the rest of 2023. Two-year US Treasury yields rose above 1% for the first time since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as traders positioned for the possibility of a hawkish surprise from the Federal Reserve that could end with four rate hikes this year. A hawkish Fed has the potential to attract capital flows away from emerging markets like South Africa. Economic growth was expected to keep a steady path of 2.0% over the next three years.
The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) informed road users on Wednesday that the provisions under the Administrative Adjudication of the Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act are still enforceable until the Constitutional Court makes a judgment on the expected appeal. Last week, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), which challenged the constitutional validity of the Aarto and the Aarto Amendment Act. Outa wanted the High Court to declare both the main Act and the Amendment Act unconstitutional. Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula has vowed to appeal the Pretoria High Court judgment and the RTIA board have also decided to join the Minister’s appeal. The RTIA explained that Aarto is a national road safety intervention designed to change the behaviour of road users to curb the high number of fatalities that occur on the country’s roads. RTIA estimated that about 14 000 road users die on national roads each year because of traffic law violations committed by infringers. Mbalula said Aarto provided an adjudication system for infringements of road rules as determined by the National Road Traffic Act. “Therefore, Aarto implementation continues until the judgment on the constitutionality of the Aarto Act has been subjected to all due legal review processes,” RTIA said and reminded road users to take advantage of the Aarto elective options to resolve any Aarto fines.
South Africa's annual consumer price inflation hit 5.9% in December 2021 - the highest annual rate since March 2017, when it increased by 6.1%. The inflation rate climbed from 5.5% in November. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 5.5% in the year to December, while transport prices jumped by a whopping 16.8%, fuelled by rising petrol and diesel prices. Last year, the price of 95 unleaded petrol rose from below R15 in inland regions at the start of 2021 to above R20/litre by December. Diesel rose from R13 to almost R18/litre. The average annual consumer price inflation for 2021 was 4.5%, compared to the average rate of 3.3% in 2020.
The disgraced local unit of US management consultancy Bain and Company has voluntarily quit Business Leadership SA (BLSA) over the work it did for the SA Revenue Service (SARS) at the height of State capture. In a statement on Tuesday, Bain South Africa said its membership of the business lobby group should not "distract from the important work BLSA does on behalf of the business community for the good of South Africa". "We accept that through various lapses in leadership and governance, Bain South Africa became an unwitting participant in a process that inflicted serious damage on the South African Revenue Service, for which we apologise." Bain was previously suspended as a BLSA member in September 2018. It re-admitted in April last year after the company repaid the tax agency the R164-million it earned from work it did at SARS, plus interest. At the time it also took other steps, including new risk protocols and a leadership changes. 'Unwitting participant' The State Capture Inquiry's first report, released this month, was scathing in its assessment of Bain's consultancy work for SARS. The inquiry's chair, and acting Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, wants law enforcement agencies to investigate how contracts were awarded to the firm. On Tuesday, Bain reiterated it is confident it did not "wilfully or knowingly support state capture at SARS or elsewhere". "We have noted the findings of Part I of the Zondo Commission’s report. Bain is supportive of the Zondo Commission and its work, as well as its important role in helping to end the damaging effects of corruption in South Africa. We are, however, disappointed that Part I of the commission’s report mischaracterises Bain’s role at SARS," it said. In addition to denying that it willfully supported State capture, the management consultancy said the report relied too heavily on the account of a single individual. "The individual was not a Bain employee at the time of the SARS work, which ran from 2015 to 2017. He rejoined the firm in 2019 after having left in 2010." The inquiry found that Bain knew about the appointment of former commissioner Tom Moyane before it was announced, and that Bain's former managing partner, Vittorio Massone, had frequent meetings with ex president Jacob Zuma. The inquiry found that Bain and Moyane did "detailed planning" for a proposed restructuring at the tax agency "before they even stepped foot into SARS". This restructuring damaged SARS and lead to the resignations of a number of senior officials and the dismantling of key units. A BLSA spokesperson said the group would be releasing a statement on Tuesday.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has vowed to appeal the court ruling that dismissed the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act as invalid and unconstitutional. Last week, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of OUTA, which challenged the constitutional validity of the AARTO and the AARTO Amendment Act. OUTA wanted the high court to declare both the main act and the amendment act unconstitutional. Addressing the media on Tuesday, Mbalula said AARTO provided an adjudication system for infringements of road rules as determined by the National Road Traffic Act. "AARTO is the final piece of the puzzle in implementing a new road traffic management system by the democratic state. The importance of AARTO in driving behaviour change of motorists and providing disincentives for unbecoming conduct cannot be overemphasised. "It is for these reasons that we have decided to appeal the ruling of the Pretoria High Court declaring the AARTO Act unconstitutional and invalid. "As we continue to use legislative instruments to strengthen the road traffic regulatory framework, Parliament is currently seized with the proposed amendments to the National Road Traffic Act, to reduce the permissible alcohol limit for motorists," said Mbalula. Mbalula believed AARTO was an important element in the government's efforts to stop the scourge of road fatalities.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ruled that the Department of Basic Education should publish the matric results on media platforms. The National Senior Certificate results will be released on Thursday. Judge Anthony Millar ruled in favour of AfriForum on Tuesday morning. The organisation took the department to court after the latter announced they would no longer be publishing results on public platforms, saying doing so would violate the Protection of Personal Information Act. AfriForum, Maroela Media and Anle Spies - a pupil from the Gereformeerde Skool Dirk Postma in Pretoria but is currently in Gqerberha until 28 January - brought the case against the department. In her founding affidavit, Spies said she wants to study agriculture at the University of Free State. “I am awaiting publication of the results of the matric examination, and I am, like all my fellow students, desperate to receive my results as soon as possible,” she said. She said the release of the results was a week before she has to go to university for orientation. She said this was dependent on her getting her results and sending them to the university. “I can just imagine that a huge number of the more than one million matriculants who wrote the matric exams last year are in a similar position than me in that they had moved or relocated to addresses far away from the schools that they attended when they sat for the matric exams.” Spies said she wanted the results to be published without the pupils’ names, just exam numbers. She said publishing the results would not be going against POPIA because only she knows her examination number. She argued that the department’s sudden decision not to publish the results was a failure to balance the right to privacy with the right to information, freedom of expression - including the right to a free press and media. Spies said she was unaware of a formal consultation process between the department and media house about the decision. In her papers, Susan Lombaard, Maroela Media chief executive officer, said the platform had published the results for the last six years. Lombaard said the decision not to publish the results had an impact on the pupils, bursary funds, higher education institutions and others that market their work around the publication of the results. “They are now not only deprived from the opportunity to advertise their services to a focused market, but media institutions are also deprived of the opportunity to earn income from the advertising campaigns,” she said. Millar ordered that the department publish the results “as was the practice in previous years, concurrently with making available the results to the schools that had been attended by the learners.” In his ruling, Millar said while the education department has set up an online platform for pupils to check their results, it was not enough. “Not everyone has access to those resources, particularly those from more modest backgrounds and a single newspaper can be shared amongst many people in order to check their results,” he said. Millar said the publication of the results should not include the pupils’ names and surnames. After the court hearing, AfriForum’s Willie Spies said: “We are glad that we were able to convince the judge and that the order was eventually granted. The results will be published, and as the judge made it clear in interpreting the order, it will have to be made available to the media houses. Which means newspapers will be able to publish and online platforms will be able to publish as used to be in the past.” Basic education department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said they would abide by the ruling. “This means that the department will make available the results to stakeholders who requested access.”
Anti-apartheid activist and former human rights commissioner Max Coleman has died. His family released a statement on Monday morning confirming his death. A statement from the family read, "We regret to inform you that Dr Max Coleman passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, 16 January 2022, aged 95. He is mourned and will be forever missed by his loving wife, Audrey, sons Brian, Neil, Keith and Colin, their partners and children." "There will be a private funeral service followed by a public memorial to celebrate his life. Details will be announced in due course." Coleman and his wife started the Detainees Parents Support Committee in 1981 after the apartheid regime detained their own sons for anti-apartheid activities. The committee helped detainees with food, clothes and legal representation, and supported their parents. In November, President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded the Colemans the Order of Luthuli. In a statement after receiving the award, the Colemans said the freedoms South Africans fought for were not the freedoms enjoyed today. "Instead, unemployment, poverty, racism, inequality and violence are alive and well. The freedoms Nelson Mandela and the ANC so bravely fought for, the vision of egalitarian, non-racial democracy, is today but a flickering glimmer of the light that shone brightly on 27 April 1994," read the statement. "State capture and thuggery have corrupted not only the state, but the minds and soul of the ANC. They have attempted to steal the freedom, vision and hopes of the nation. They cannot be allowed to succeed. "The ANC must rid itself of corrupt elements, the democratic state must be restored to its historic duty to put South Africans first. To awaken the spirit of 'ubuntu', to reimagine the Mandela-led movement for non-racialism, inclusion and democracy." Former public protector Thuli Madonsela also reacted to the news of Coleman's death on Twitter. She tweeted, "Sad to note the passing of yet another selfless contributor to our political liberation. Heartfelt condolences to the Coleman family. Do find solace in, among others, his recent recognition through a National Order award. May the soul of Max Coleman rest in peace."
Responsibility for the State Security Agency will now be handed over to Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, following the dissolution of the Ministry of State Security. Political responsibility for the State Security Agency will now reside with the Presidency and State Security Deputy Minister Zizi Kodwa will retain his role as Deputy. Ayanda Dlodlo headed the State Security Agency department before she was returned to the Department of Public Service and Administration.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is urging South Africans to protect the country’s Constitution, democracy and electoral processes as his government starts off 2022 battling a range of controversies. Earlier this year, a fire gutted the National Assembly building, followed by the release of the eagerly awaited Zondo Commission report, which made findings against top African National Congress members, State companies and government officials. And more recently, Ramaphosa’s own Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, wrote a controversial opinion piece that criticised the Constitution and judiciary. He noted that while the Parliamentary building was damaged beyond use, Parliament continued its work. He said this was a reminder that democratic institutions were not defined by buildings. Ramaphosa stressed the need to defend against efforts to destabilise the country’s democracy; efforts such as corruption in State-owned enterprises or attacks on the independence and integrity of the country’s judiciary. He said the findings and recommendations in the Zondo Commission report would assist in rebuilding key institutions that were compromised with criminal intent and assist in holding those responsible to account. “We must ensure that we use them to safeguard these institutions into the future so that they may never be captured again,” said Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa called on citizens to draw strength and encouragement from the country’s deep dedication to its democracy and its common desire to build a nation that is united, free and equal.
The bail hearing of alleged Parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe will be heard on an urgent basis on Saturday. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed a notice of motion for an urgent bail application had been filed in the Western Cape High Court. "The NPA can confirm that it has received a notice of motion for an urgent application for bail at the high court for Zandile Christmas Mafe at 11:00 on Saturday," he said. It comes after Mafe was admitted to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital on Thursday to start his 30-day mental observation, after a bed was secured for him. The State argued earlier this week for Mafe to be referred to the psychiatric hospital for mental observation following a diagnosis and recommendation by district surgeon Zelda van Tonder that Mafe suffered from paranoid schizophrenia – a diagnosis made just before his first court appearance earlier this month. Mafe's senior legal counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu, opposed the State's application, informing the court that Mafe would go on a hunger strike. Mpofu argued that there was nothing wrong with Mafe. Magistrate Zamekile Mbalo agreed with the State and postponed the matter to 11 February. A new charge of the Contravention of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, a Schedule 6 offence, was added to the charge sheet this week, with the State abandoning the count related to damage to essential infrastructure. Mafe also faces arson and theft charges.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Friday extended the National State of Disaster on Covid-19 until February 15. South Africa has been under the National State of Disaster for 22 consecutive months since it was first declared at the end of March 2020. The last extension was meant to end on January 15. “The extension takes into account the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of State and all other role-players to mitigate against the impact of the [Covid-19] disaster on lives and livelihoods,” said Dlamini-Zuma. Many are calling for the National State of Disaster to be scrapped. Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has said regulations are no longer necessary for managing the virus, claiming that they cause undue harm by undermining the country’s social, economic and democratic recovery. Meanwhile, Dlamini-Zuma is urging all South Africans to be vaccinated, explaining that through mass vaccination government will be able to achieve herd immunity and ultimately protect lives and livelihoods.