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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. 17 HR AGO

    EFF hits out at judiciary over ‘unacceptable’ Phala Phala delay

    EFF hits out at judiciary over 'unacceptable' Phala Phala delay The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Thursday expressed disappointment in delays in the Phala Phala case, stating that it has created the impression that justice is being deferred because the matter concerns President Cyril Ramaphosa, and warning that such delays risk public confidence in the judiciary. This followed Chief Justice Mandisa Maya's assurance that the Constitutional Court's judgment on Phala Phala is in its final stages and will be delivered within a month. The EFF had written to Maya arguing that the delay exceeded normal court standards. EFF leader Julius Malema claimed that Maya's response was a result of sustained pressure from the party, saying that the matter was of "profound national importance". Malema pointed out that for months, the EFF had engaged in peaceful civil action, including consistent pickets at the Constitutional Court, to demand that the judiciary uphold its responsibility to deliver justice. "It is precisely this sustained mass pressure, not quiet diplomacy or elite lobbying, that has forced a response from the highest office of the judiciary. "It is, therefore, not coincidental that only after direct correspondence from the EFF did the Chief Justice indicate that the judgment may be delivered within a month," he added. Malema said this demonstrated that accountability in South Africa must be demanded through struggle, hitting back at civil society organisations for allegedly being silent on the matter. "Institutions such as Corruption Watch, Helen Suzman Foundation, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, the South African Council of Churches, Freedom Under Law, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse and many more, have failed to raise their voices on this matter with the urgency it deserves. Their inaction exposes a selective approach to accountability, where issues are only pursued when politically convenient," he added. MADLANGA COMMISSION Meanwhile, Malema called for a complete overhaul of the South African Police Service (Saps) and successful, swift prosecutions, following revelations from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The party also called for the immediate dismissal of all implicated officials. Malema noted the conclusions of the Ad Hoc Committee to investigate allegations made by Saps KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi and in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, calling for action and reform. The Ad Hoc Committee is currently in the final stages of its work and has not yet released a final concluding report. The party reaffirmed its role in the fight against corruption within South Africa's law enforcement agencies, declaring that the current findings emerging from Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry are a "vindication" of the party's long-standing calls for accountability. The EFF said its "consistent, principled, and uncompromising pressure" led to the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament. The party welcomed the recent arrests of senior police officials implicated through the Madlanga Commission process; however, Malema maintained that arrests alone were not sufficient, and demanded successful prosecutions, dismissals, and a complete overhaul of the "institutional culture" at Saps. At the same time, the EFF condemned the continued wasteful expenditure of public funds through the ongoing remuneration of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. The party said it was "irrational and unjustifiable" that South Africans were expected to fund the salary and benefits of a suspended Minister implicated in "criminal infiltration".

    3 min

  2. 17 HR AGO

    Home Affairs deportations hit 46% since GNU formation

    Home Affairs deportations hit 46% since GNU formation The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) revealed on Thursday that since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU), 109 344 illegal immigrants have been deported, a cumulative 46% increase over the last two financial years. Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the numbers demonstrated the DHA's commitment to uploading the rule of law. The GNU administration increased deportations by 30%, from 39 672 in the 2023/24 financial year to 51 560 in 2024/25. This was followed by another increase of 12%, to 57 784, in 2025/26. "These numbers show that we are now reaping the fruits of reforms focused on greater efficiency and intensified enforcement against immigration violators. Through ongoing campaigns like Operation New Broom, as well the increasing use of biometric verification tools, we have already increased deportations by 46%. Our message remains clear: If you are in South Africa illegally, self-deport now before we find you and ban you from ever entering our country legally in future," he stated. The department is also focused on deterrence and modernisation to deal with illegal immigration, with Schreiber noting the use of drones and body cameras, as well as the improvement of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to efficiently read biometrics of travellers.

    1 min

  3. 17 HR AGO

    Govt calls for comment on new Bill to strengthen whistleblower protections

    Govt calls for comment on new Bill to strengthen whistleblower protections Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mamoloko Kubayi officially released the proposed Protected Disclosures Bill on Thursday, calling for stakeholders across civil society, business, and labour to submit input by May 14. Speaking in Pretoria, Kubayi emphasised that the new legislation was not only an update, but an intervention to deal with corruption networks in the country. "Without strong and credible protection mechanisms, individuals will be discouraged from coming forward, thereby weakening accountability and undermining our collective efforts to combat corruption," she said. The proposed legislation arose largely from the findings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, as well as recommendations from the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. Kubayi described this Bill as a robust, all-encompassing framework for protecting whistleblowers, effectively addressing previous legislative weaknesses. She remarked that while the current Protected Disclosures Act offered a basic structure, it had been found to be "critically flawed", lacking standardised reporting protocols and failing to protect whistleblowers from occupational detriment. The primary goal of the proposed Protected Disclosures Bill was to provide secure reporting avenues, shield individuals from reprisals, and ensure that disclosures were managed by capable institutions, she added. The draft Bill is informed by local judicial findings and extensive comparative research into international best practices across several jurisdictions, including the UK and Australia. Furthermore, Kubayi pointed out that the Bill aligned with global standards such as the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Corruption to enhance and modernise existing laws. She strongly emphasised the personal consequences of weak legislation, pointing out that whistleblowers often sacrificed their homes, assets, and careers. "... while current legislation exists, there have been numerous instances of whistleblowers suffering occupational detriment, including suspension and dismissal. In some cases, dismissals are used to punish employees, payouts of benefits are delayed, and tragically, some whistle-blowers have lost their lives," she explained. Kubayi honoured the memory of those who "paid the ultimate price", specifically acknowledging the late Babita Deokaran of the Gauteng Department of Health, Athol Williams for his role in exposing corruption at the South African Revenue Service which ultimately forced him to emigrate, Martha Ngoye of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, and the late Mpho Mafole of Ekurhuleni municipality. Meanwhile, opposition parties have blamed government for the delay in the protection of whistleblowers, with the Democratic Alliance having implemented local initiatives such as the approved whistleblowing policy and hotline in the Fezile Dabi district municipality. ActionSA has written to Kubayi, requesting an urgent meeting to fast-track its own proposed legislation. Earlier this year, the party announced its Fallen Whistleblowers Bill, which seeks to amend the Public Procurement Act to enhance protections for whistleblowers, introduce meaningful incentives, and enable private prosecutions to ensure accountability where the State fails to act. However, the party welcomed the Minister's announcement of proposed amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act, which it said drew directly from its proposals by similarly strengthening protections and introducing incentives for whistleblowers. Public comments on the Bill can be made here.

    3 min

  4. 1 DAY AGO

    SA outperforms Saudi, Greece in Bank of America equity market ranking

    SA outperforms Saudi, Greece in Bank of America equity market ranking Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa pointed out on Wednesday that despite a challenging global environment, South Africa's financial markets continue to demonstrate stability, depth, and strong regulatory oversight, which she says reinforces the country's position as a top investment destination in Africa. Mnukwa welcomed the recent ranking by Bank of America placing South Africa at the top of its regional equity market assessment. South Africa maintained its number one position from March, outperforming regional peers such as Saudi Arabia, Poland, Greece, and Qatar. "This recognition represents a strong vote of confidence in South Africa as an attractive and competitive investment destination," Mnukwa said. She said this endorsement by a leading global financial institution reflected the underlying resilience and sophistication of South Africa's financial system and that investors should note these positive developments and partner with South Africa to drive inclusive economic growth. Mnukwa added that this ranking demonstrated that government's economic reforms were yielding positive results. Ongoing efforts to stabilise energy supply, improve logistics, and strengthen fiscal management were contributing to renewed investor confidence and improved market performance, she added. She noted significant opportunities across key sectors of the country's economy, assuring investors that South Africa remained committed to policy certainty, structural reform, and a conducive business environment. The GCIS is also encouraged by the recent investment commitments totalling R889.8-billion announced during the sixth South Africa Investment Conference, which Mnukwa said signalled growing domestic and international confidence in the country's economic trajectory. She said South Africa was "open for business", and this latest recognition affirmed that the country remained a compelling destination for investment.

    2 min

  5. 1 DAY AGO

    South Africa accredits new US envoy amid tensions with Trump

    South Africa accredits new US envoy amid tensions with Trump South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted new US Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell's credentials, a month after the diplomat was issued with a formal reprimand for criticising the government and questioning a domestic court ruling. Bozell and envoys from 19 other nations, including Cuba, Lebanon, Zimbabwe and Ukraine, were formally accredited at a ceremony in Pretoria, the capital, on Wednesday, enabling them to fully assume their duties. "We are two nations with great shared values and interests," Bozell said. "It's my goal in my time here to build on those shared interests, to build on self-respect, to build on our shared values, to take our two nations to places they have never been before." Relations between the US and South Africa have deteriorated sharply since Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. The US president has repeatedly accused Ramaphosa's administration of subjecting White farmers to a genocide and seizing their land, claims that have been widely discredited. Trump has also offered refugee status to members of the Afrikaner minority, imposed the highest tariffs in sub-Saharan Africa on South African imports, and ordered US officials to boycott Group of 20 meetings hosted by Pretoria last year. He has further criticised South Africa's ties with Iran, and rejected its Black economic empowerment policies. Bozell, 70, was issued with a démarche last month, after he doubled down on the criticism and warned that Trump is running out of patience with South Africa over its failure to address US demands for changes to its domestic and foreign policies. He also criticised a Constitutional Court ruling that found the anti-apartheid Kill the Boer chant isn't hate speech. "I'm sorry, I don't care what your courts say. It's hate speech," he was quoted as saying. Bozell subsequently downplayed the differences between the two countries, emphasising their strong economic ties. "We will not see every issue in the same way; that is the nature of relations between independent nations," he wrote in a column published in Johannesburg's Business Day newspaper. "At times our positions will diverge on global or bilateral questions. Yet in my conversations with South African leaders across the country it is clear that even where differences exist we can still identify areas to work together, build trust and expand opportunities for the US and South Africa." Bozell was a controversial choice for ambassador, having opposed efforts by the African National Congress — the biggest political party in Ramaphosa's coalition government — to overturn White-minority rule in the 1980s. He replaces Reuben Brigety, who was appointed during Joe Biden's presidency and resigned after Trump's election victory in late 2024.

    2 min

  6. 1 DAY AGO

    DA’s Rasilingwane says Ekurhuleni ‘leadership crisis’ fuels her bid to be a decisive mayor

    DA's Rasilingwane says Ekurhuleni 'leadership crisis' fuels her bid to be a decisive mayor The Democratic Alliance's (DA)'s mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathutshelo Rasilingwane on Wednesday vowed, ahead of the 2026 local government elections, to implement strict consequence management, professionalise city institutions, and stabilise finances to revive the metro. Speaking exclusively with Polity on her campaign priorities, Rasilingwane said she was motivated by the current leadership crisis facing the city, assuring that her leadership would be decisive. "It is going to be a leadership that prioritises its residents as compared to prioritising friendship, family, and cadres… Mine is going to be focused a lot more on servicing our communities simply because of the passion that I have for the people," she said. Explaining her passion for the job, Rasilingwane revealed that she hails from an informal settlement in Tembisa, where she grew up with no service delivery in terms of water, electricity and refuse removal. "… and so that experience truly brought me closer to obviously wanting to get involved and understanding more. It really began in a small shack that did not have water and electricity. And after being raised by a mother that was a street vendor, obviously seeing her work hard to just give us that life truly motivated me," she said. Rasilingwane formerly served as a Councillor and an MMC in the City of Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality. She expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that there were many young people who were still trapped by poverty, adding to her motivation to challenge the status quo in the city. Rasilingwane stated that her approach to her mayoral nomination was to connect with people by prioritising their needs, regardless of the colour of their skin or their cultural background. She expressed her committed to fostering an inclusive community, honouring the hard-fought journey toward a united South Africa where citizens embraced one another. "My strength lies in this combination of grassroots understanding, proven leadership experience in diverse communities, and the meaningful relationships I have built over time," she said. PROMISED PRIORITIES The City of Ekurhuleni has been heavily implicated in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, with evidence pointing to deep infiltration of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department by criminal syndicates. Rasilingwane has promised to prioritise the credibility of institutions, by holding those found wanting accountable. She also has plans to address the city's massive debt to suppliers, of about R13-billion, and its debt to Eskom, while ensuring that the municipality avoids further threats of power cuts. She blamed collapsing infrastructure in the city on a lack of leadership that understood the urgency. Rasilingwane pledged to end the culture of cadre deployment, promising that departments such as water and electricity would be led by qualified professionals. The municipal council term expires on November 1, with local government elections expected between November 2 and the end of January 2027.

    3 min

  7. 2 DAYS AGO

    MKP introduces land expropriation Amendment Bill to extend restitution claims to colonial times

    MKP introduces land expropriation Amendment Bill to extend restitution claims to colonial times The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) will on May 27 officially introduce the Constitution Amendment Bill to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, which would allow restitution claims from as far back as 1652. The Bill seeks to amend Section 25 of the Constitution to explicitly provide for the expropriation of land without compensation for purposes of land reform. MKP National Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela explained that the Bill declares land as the common heritage of all South Africans, to be held under the joint custodianship of the State and traditional leadership in the public interest. He pointed out that the amendment will enable the full expropriation of land without any form of compensation, remove all references to compensation in Section 25, and extend the cutoff date for national restitution claims from June 19, 1913 to April 6, 1652. "This will bring the 87% of land currently excluded into the restitution & redistribution process, addressing historical dispossession dating back to the arrival of colonialism," he added. As part of the party's People's Mandate, the Bill gives primary authority to African royalty and traditional leadership in land governance. The party says this is essential to restoring the dignity and indigenous governance systems of the majority. The Bill will also be referred to the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders. Ndhlela said that under the proposed framework, the State, in partnership with traditional leadership, will assume custodianship of land on behalf of the nation and grant secure, long-term leases that recognise traditional systems of inheritance and allocation under the guidance of traditional leaders and African royalty. "These leases will be designed to be bankable and will provide citizens, farmers and businesses with the confidence to invest productively, while preventing speculation hoarding, and foreign ownership. "The system will prioritise productive land use, safeguard food security, and provide targeted support to women, youth and rural communities," he explained. The MKP said it remains confident that this custodianship approach, rooted in African traditional governance, is both practical and workable. The Bill also aims to accelerate equitable access to land to allow the majority of South Africans to participate in ownership, agriculture, and economic development. This, the party argues, will advance food security, alleviate poverty, and allow for broader socio-economic transformation. Ndhlela said it would consult with other parties committed to land reform, such as the African National Congress, Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom Party, African Transformation Movement, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, United Africans Transformation, and the United Democratic Movement.

    3 min

  8. 2 DAYS AGO

    South Africa private sector returns to growth but Iran war clouds outlook, PMI shows

    South Africa private sector returns to growth but Iran war clouds outlook, PMI shows South Africa's private sector returned to growth in March as faster output and hiring outweighed a slump in export orders and business confidence linked to the US-Israeli war in Iran, a survey showed on Tuesday. The S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.8 in March from 50.0 in February. PMI readings above 50.0 indicate growth, while those below denote contraction. Output grew at the fastest pace in six months, supported by new projects and stock replenishment. But new orders fell for a second month and export sales posted their sharpest decline in just over two years. "The latest data showed a bifurcated trend in the South African private sector," said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Employment increased at the quickest rate since May 2024 as firms built capacity for new projects. Business confidence weakened further as concerns over the severity and duration of the Middle East war weighed. Positive sentiment dropped to its lowest level since July 2021, even though around 32% of firms still expected output to rise over the next year. "The duration of the war will be a key factor determining the extent of the impact on South African companies, including how much a drop in foreign demand and a mark-up in prices filters through to domestic activity," said Owen.

    1 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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