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Polity.org.za offers a unique take on news, with a focus on political, legal, economic and social issues in South Africa and Africa, as well as international affairs. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Polity at the end of each day.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Kubayi declines extension on whistleblower Bill despite civil society requests

    Kubayi declines extension on whistleblower Bill despite civil society requests Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has firmly declined to extend the window for public submissions on the draft Protected Disclosures Bill. Although several civil society organisations haverequested more time to review the legislation, the comment period officially closed on May 14, allowing the department to expedite the Bill for parliamentary review. Earlier in the month, a coalition of civil society organisations led by Corruption Watch, appealed to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for a deadline extension. The coalition argued that there were "serious gaps" in the draft legislation and that the public lacked sufficient time and information to provide meaningful, comprehensive input. Despite the advocacy groups' concerns, Kubayi ruled out any further delays, noting that the urgency of the situation took precedence. She stressed that further extending the public comment period would only prolong the vulnerabilities faced by whistleblowers, many of whom risk their lives and livelihoods to expose corruption. "Failure to expeditiously conclude this framework for the protection of whistleblowers will have grave consequences for the individuals who put their lives in danger to expose wrongdoing and corruption," Kubayi said. "A further extension will not be in the interest of whistleblowers and our justice system." First introduced for public review in April 2026, the proposed legislation is designed to significantly strengthen South Africa's whistleblower protection framework. Kubayi said while the public comment period was complete, citizens and advocacy groups would still have future opportunities to make their voices heard. The draft bill was now being prepared for Parliament, where it would undergo formal public participation processes before being voted into law.

    2 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    RISE Mzansi, GOOD will contest 2026 local election together

    RISE Mzansi, GOOD will contest 2026 local election together Political parties RISE Mzansi and GOOD have announced a "strategic cooperation framework" that will see both parties partner up to contest the 2026 local government election in November. In a joint statement on Friday, the parties said they were building the partnership on a foundation of shared values and purpose for a new political future in South Africa. As part of the agreement, the parties say regional strength will serve as the groundwork for the selection process for campaign leadership. "…RISE Mzansi will lead the campaign in Gauteng municipalities with GOOD party members and representatives fully incorporated into their structures, while the GOOD party will head the campaign in the Western Cape with RISE Mzansi members integrated into theirs, whereas in all other contested municipal areas, both parties will implement a strict joint candidate selection process to ensure that only the most capable public representatives are put forward," the parties explained. This would ensure maximum operational efficiency and electoral impact, they said, noting their common goal for political renewal. RISE Mzansi and GOOD said the records of some political parties have shown patronage, division, dysfunction and neglect when it comes to service delivery. Both parties aim to restore trust in local government through effective municipal governance. "Our agreement enables both parties to combine our strengths, coordinate our campaigns, and put forward the strongest possible candidates and leadership teams in municipalities across the country, while maintaining our respective political identities," they said. The collaboration, they added, formed part of a broader political realignment and said organisational consolidation must take place after the election. "We will continue working toward deeper convergence ahead of the 2029 National and Provincial Elections, while remaining open to other like-minded political and civic formations who share our democratic values and reform agenda," the parties said.

    2 min

  3. 1 DAY AGO

    Kieswetter heads up new police panel, as Cachalia announces 9.5% drop in murder rate

    Kieswetter heads up new police panel, as Cachalia announces 9.5% drop in murder rate The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a massive operational turnaround strategy under a comprehensive "police reset agenda" aimed at aggressively dismantling the country's high crime rates. To spearhead this transformation, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced the establishment of a Police Advisory Panel, to be headed up by former South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter supported by Deputy Chair of the Public Service Commission Dr Zukiswa Mqolombo, as the panel's Deputy Chair. The panel's primary mandate is to evaluate progress on the SAPS "reset agenda" and accelerate the implementation of recommendations from the Madlanga Commission. Reporting directly to Cachalia and the Acting National Commissioner, the panel serves as a precursor to a permanent National Policing Board, an entity originally recommended by the National Development Plan (NDP). Rather than wait for the Madlanga Commission's final report scheduled for later this year, Cachalia explained that the panel was already fast-tracking urgent, clear-cut systemic changes. This proactive approach, he said, ensured that immediate operational deficiencies were addressed while long-term legislative amendments were processed in Parliament. The institutional shake-up comes at a critical time, as fourth-quarter crime statistics released by the SAPS revealed an overall downward trend across several major crime categories, but with a strong emphasis that total crime volumes remain critically high. Most notably, South Africa's murder rate dropped by 9.5% in January 1 to March 31, recording 5 181 murders, compared with the same quarter in 2025. While national data indicated slight decreases in other severe contact crimes, including rape, and aggravated robbery, Cachalia maintained that current levels of violence remained deeply concerning and unacceptable. He said by focusing heavily on internal accountability, structural modernisation, and professional standards, the national police reset aimed to overhaul the existing culture of the police service. Through the advisory panel, the government intends to transition the SAPS from a reactive force into a modern, professional, and trusted law enforcement agency capable of ensuring long-term public safety. Cachalia said a cornerstone of the strategic deployment was a specialised focus on the top 50 high-crime precincts across the country. These specific stations will receive intensive logistical backing, increased personnel allocations, and rigorous management oversight. Simultaneously, successful tactics from high-performing stations will be formally documented and scaled nationwide to optimise standard operating procedures. Recognising that localised cooperation was crucial to breaking the cycle of violence, the strategy prioritised public cooperation through a major revitalisation of community policing, Cachalia said. "Plans include evaluating the viability and funding models for a national and provincial community patroller programme. This initiative intends to deploy trained and vetted local community members to expand the visible policing footprint directly into residential areas," he added. The SAPS is also deploying a comprehensive, multi-sector offensive to dismantle highly sophisticated criminal networks. Driven by Organised Crime Strategy, Cachalia said the SAPS was shifting its approach from isolated policing to an aggressive, synchronised national defence. This strategic evolution targets sophisticated syndicates, such as construction mafia extortion, drug trafficking rings, and infrastructure sabotage. Cachalia said by analysing specific trends, geographic patterns, and the underlying socioeconomic factors driving violence, authorities could design targeted, effective prevention plans. However, government action alone is insufficient. "Reversing crime trends requires a unified front...

    4 min

  4. 2 DAYS AGO

    SACP slams Eskom over Joburg power cut threat

    SACP slams Eskom over Joburg power cut threat The South African Communist Party (SACP) has condemned Eskom's threat to cut the City of Johannesburg's power supply over billions in unpaid debt, calling for a more comprehensive plan that considers the country's unequal nature. The party argues that holding citizens collectively responsible for systemic failures and local government mismanagement will deepen austerity and worsen socioeconomic conditions for the working class, calling Eskom's threat to cut power in Johannesburg unreasonable and irresponsible. Eskom has issued a formal notice of intention to reduce, interrupt, or terminate the bulk electricity supply to the City of Johannesburg and City Power starting July 8 owing to an unpaid debt of R5.25-billion. Eskom stated that this figure excludes a further current account payment of R1.58-billion. The party lambasted the decision, noting that the root causes of the local energy crisis are poor management; poor planning and management of the energy infrastructure by local government; poor maintenance regimes for energy facilities; corruption and outsourcing; cable theft and other criminal activities; as well as "neoliberal policies" in local and national government. "Eskom's response to the city's debt reflects a perspective typical of neoliberal government structures in South Africa, which often attribute blame to the populace for capitalist failures while crediting the bourgeoisie for any positive outcomes. If implemented, it would effectively deepen austerity measures and worsen the socioeconomic situation for the people, the working class in particular," the Communist Party says. It said the country's energy crisis, and that of the City of Johannesburg in particular, cannot be solved by switching off the lights in the whole city. "This simplistic approach is unfortunate and regrettable. If such a perspective finds expression in the corridors of decision-makers at Eskom, we have much more reason to be concerned than we have ever thought possible as citizens of the Republic and as a progressive movement," the SACP says. The party highlights that the energy market has undergone a gradual diversification over time, particularly since the onset of loadshedding, and the party says this has primarily benefited privileged sections of society, while the working class has been largely left behind and remains heavily reliant on Eskom as its energy provider. "Against that backdrop, this punitive shortcut by Eskom practically guarantees that the working class will be the primary victims of this operation while the middle strata and upper classes may have alternative energy sources. This action is not technical balance sheet management by the national energy company, as some liberals may argue, but a political act whose outcomes determine the winners and losers in a society where the working class is already in a decidedly disadvantaged position," it explained. The SACP notes that working-class communities are already subjected to blackouts through load reductions. "Additional disruptions will exacerbate this crisis. The structural energy crisis cannot be resolved by abrupt and illogical measures such as the mooted power cuts," it adds.

    3 min

  5. 2 DAYS AGO

    SA needs real jobs, not more investment conferences – Geordin Hill-Lewis

    SA needs real jobs, not more investment conferences – Geordin Hill-Lewis Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says South Africa's deepening unemployment crisis demands a sense of urgency and structural reforms, not just investment conferences. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently defended the effectiveness of recent investment summits, stating that commitments were incrementally being translated into employment opportunities. However, Hill-Lewis has criticised Ramaphosa's approach, pointing to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey data, which showed that 345 000 jobs were shed in a single quarter, causing the national unemployment rate to climb to 32.7%. He believes South Africa's unemployment crisis is not inevitable but a direct result of outdated ideological blockages and political choices. Hill-Lewis pointed to the DA's governance record in Cape Town, where the official unemployment rate dropped, which the DA leader said proved that capable, pro-business governance led to job creation. He is urging the Government of National Unity (GNU) to accelerate ongoing reforms in energy, logistics, water, and other infrastructure with far greater urgency. He said while national government policies had historically fallen short, the current coalition was an opportunity to push the country's growth trajectory. He argued that while the national government frequently spoke warmly about attracting foreign and domestic investment, its actual policies and administrative failures had made investing in South Africa unnecessarily difficult. "Businesses are asked to invest in a country where ports do not work properly, rail is unreliable, crime is out of control, many municipalities are failing, and electricity remains too expensive and unreliable," he said. Hill-Lewis said the direct consequence of these systemic failures showed in the country's devastating unemployment data. South Africa's unemployment crisis remains among the deepest globally. Hill-Lewis blamed economic failures on the African National Congress (ANC), claiming weak administration, failing municipalities, neglected infrastructure maintenance, and corruption in ANC municipalities have suppressed business growth and stifled job creation. By contrast, the Western Cape and Cape Town offered a blueprint for economic resilience, he stated. Hill-Lewis highlighted that the Western Cape boasted an unemployment rate of around 20%, significantly outperforming the national average of 32.7% and that Cape Town continuously led other South African metros in job creation, service delivery, and investor confidence. Hill-Lewis attributed this to "a deliberate focus on governance basics".

    2 min

  6. 2 DAYS AGO

    Analyst warns Parly ‘accountability failures’ risk politicising courts

    Analyst warns Parly 'accountability failures' risk politicising courts Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni's critique of what he says are Parliament's accountability failures, following the recent landmark Constitutional Court ruling, highlights the legislature's "abdication" of its oversight duties. Speaking during a Defend Our Democracy webinar, Mnguni warned that when Parliament failed to hold the executive accountable, it forced political issues into the judiciary, thereby tainting the separation of powers. The Constitutional Court recently set aside Rule 129I of the National Assembly, which had effectively shut down the impeachment of President Cyril Ramaphosa and which Mnguni described as a defective rule. He argued that from its inception, the rule provided a legislative loophole that allowed the National Assembly to bypass rigorous transparency. Because the rule required a simple majority to vote down the establishment of an impeachment committee, it effectively shielded the executive branch from accountability. A core defect in this process was the limited capability of the Section 89 independent panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, which investigated the 2020 Phala Phala farm theft. He pointed out that the panel was restricted to evaluating submissions provided by Members of Parliament and lacked the legal powers to call witnesses or subpoena critical documents. He highlighted that by preventing the matter from escalating to a fully-fledged Impeachment Committee, which possessed the investigative powers and resources necessary to ventilate the facts thoroughly in Parliament, it undermined its own constitutional mandate. The Constitutional Court has since mandated that the Independent Panel's report be referred directly to an Impeachment Committee. Mnguni said accountability and transparency could not be circumvented in processes involving the President and cautioned that when Parliament neglected to champion the Constitution robustly, accountability deficits landed in the courts. Resolving political disputes in the judiciary, rather than in the political arena, ultimately risked politicising the courts and diminishing public trust in the State's democratic machinery, he added. MAJORITARIAN POWERS Mguni highlighted the perils surrounding the abuse of majoritarian power, specifically referencing jurisprudence that sought to curb such overreach. In a functioning democracy, parliamentary and executive actions must be held accountable through the formal mechanism of judicial review. However, when an overabundance of governance disputes ended up in court, the core problem lay not with the judiciary, but with politicians, he argued. "When lawmakers consistently fail to champion their oath of office or uphold the true spirit of the Constitution, it effectively leaves the courts to solve deeply entrenched political disputes," he said. The more heated a matter brought before the courts, the more their perceived credibility is placed at risk. Mguni noted that this dynamic was highly evident in the buildup to recent Constitutional Court rulings. "Prolonged, drawn-out deliberations often lead the broader public to suspect that the judiciary is actively playing a political game, dragging the courts out of the strictly legal arena and into the public's political crossfire," he said. While judges may continue to apply the law impartially and develop jurisprudence, the public perception inevitably shifts. The courts begin to be viewed as political instruments rather than neutral arbiters of the law. PRESIDENT'S POWER Mguni also emphasised that the President retained the autonomy to use any legal mechanisms available to them. A prominent example was former President Jacob Zuma, who has spent roughly 21 years using legal strategies to evade trial in the arms deal. He said this reality presented a double-edged sword regarding public accountability, noting that on one hand, using unending legal mechanisms made the leade...

    4 min

  7. 3 DAYS AGO

    Lamola urges regional action on ‘irregular migration’, condemns vigilante violence

    Lamola urges regional action on 'irregular migration', condemns vigilante violence Addressing the Ministerial Session of the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, on Wednesday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola told delegates that "irregular migration" and an influx of undocumented migrants, rather than migration, were the significant challenges facing the country, calling for a constructive regional dialogue on the issue. Lamola stressed that when properly managed, migration is a vital driver of regional development. However, South Africa currently faced an overwhelming wave of irregular migration that had become a flashpoint for severe xenophobic tensions, with vigilante groups in urban centres engaging in protests, property destruction, and targeted assaults against African and Asian immigrants. Lamola said South Africa's immigration policies remained closely tied to broader continental frameworks, highlighting that it was one of just seven out of 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) member States to have ratified the 2005 SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons. Furthermore, he said while the country supported and aligned itself with the African Union Free Movement of Persons Protocol, the strain on South Africa's economy and society had forced the government to re-evaluate how borders and labour were regulated. To address this, Lamola called for a comprehensive examination of underlying socioeconomic, governance, and security facets. He emphasised that the region must fairly distribute responsibilities among countries of origin, transit, and destination and that SADC and African Union forums must be used to discuss the root causes of irregular migration. He said the South African government had firmly condemned vigilante actions, emphasising that no individual was allowed to take the law into their own hands. He assured that the State was taking active steps to strengthen its immigration policy through stricter regulatory frameworks and enforcement of compliance across the labour and business sectors. TRADE, ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE Meanwhile, Lamola said energy security was the vital backbone required to sustain growing industrial and cross-border partnerships between South Africa and Botswana. A reliable supply of petroleum and electricity was essential for powering expanding economies, which Lamola said must include joint renewable energy solutions to reach shared long-term development goals. "We commend Botswana for the rollout and implementation of its National Development Plan 12. This critical blueprint places strong emphasis on economic diversification, export-led growth, and job creation," he stated. He noted that while South Africa remained a major exporter of agricultural goods to Botswana, the country's agricultural interests were complementary and not mutually exclusive. By prioritising food security and modernisation, Botswana's domestic agricultural development would enrich regional value chains, he said. "To further build this momentum, we want to see an increased presence of companies from Botswana operating in South Africa, mirroring the significant investments South African private entities already hold in Botswana," he stated. He highlighted that opportunities also existed in infrastructure development.

    3 min

  8. 3 DAYS AGO

    SAHRC demands SAPS intervention amid surge in anti-foreigner violence in KZN

    SAHRC demands SAPS intervention amid surge in anti-foreigner violence in KZN The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has raised the alarm over recent violent attacks targeting foreign nationals, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. The commission is urging Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia to quickly intervene, warning that vigilantism undermines the nation's constitutional democracy and threatens social cohesion. The SAHRC condemned circulating footage of violence, intimidation, property destruction, and looting and said that while the public had a right to protest and raise grievances, it must be done peacefully and within the law. The commission warned against vigilantism, adding that such acts threaten South Africa's core constitutional values of dignity, equality, ubuntu, and the rule of law. Addressing the broader complexities of migration, the SAHRC highlighted the necessity for collaborative regional strategies across the Southern region, such as leveraging diplomatic channels and technological advancements for humane and responsible border management. The SAHRC further outlined that several major challenges, including porous borders, illegal migration, unemployment, human trafficking, hijacked buildings, and gender-based violence and femicide must be addressed by relevant government departments through formal, lawful channels. The commission reminded South Africans and non-nationals that everyone had a duty to abide by the country's laws. It stressed that any criminal act, whether allegedly committed by a citizen or a foreign national, should be reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS). "No one, regardless of their nationality, should be denied access to essential services (such as healthcare), nor should they be subjected to extrajudicial violence and any individual accused of a crime must be subject to the rule of law, requiring arrest and a fair trial in a court of law," the commission said.

    2 min
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Polity.org.za offers a unique take on news, with a focus on political, legal, economic and social issues in South Africa and Africa, as well as international affairs. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Polity at the end of each day.

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