Polity.org.za Audio Articles

Unknown
  • 0.0 (0)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED DAILY

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. 1H AGO

    ActionSA wants probe into Phala Phala misconduct findings

    ActionSA wants probe into Phala Phala misconduct findings ActionSA's parliamentary team is writing to the Portfolio Committees on the Presidency and on Police to institute an urgent inquiry into reported misconduct by Major General Wally Rhoode and members of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) during the Phala Phala investigation. The party has obtained an Independent Police Investigations Directorate (IPID) report detailing serious misconduct including the unlawful use of State resources, falsifying documents, and abuse of the President's name. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont pointed out that despite the report, which was finalised in 2023, making serious findings against Rhoode and Constable HH Rekhoto, no accountability measures have been taken. Beaumont highlighted that the report, which ActionSA has now published, finds that Rhoode and Rekhoto, despite their positions within the South African Police Service (Saps), both refused to participate in the IPID's official probe. They conducted an "off-the-books" investigation into the farm theft without opening a formal police case or notifying the National Police Commissioner. Beaumont noted that both Rhoode and Rekhoto allegedly falsified documentation to secure State funding for the investigation by disguising it as legitimate PPU operations. The pair also incurred irregular costs by flying in drivers from Pretoria to Cape Town for the investigation, ignoring the fact that local resources were already available. Beaumont pointed out that they seemed to have used the President's name to intimidate and pressure other law enforcement officials into following irregular orders. "They interrogated suspects without informing them of their constitutional rights, leading to allegations of unlawful apprehension and kidnapping. They arranged an unauthorised meeting with Namibian government officials in a 'no-man's-land' near Upington and improperly involved the Presidential Envoy for Africa, Dr Bejani Chauke," he added. Beaumont said despite these findings being public for almost two years, the Saps leadership and the President are accountable for failing to act against Rhoode, Rekhoto, and Chauke. He argued that the President's inaction is even more concerning given reports that his name was used to prevent an investigation into the case's irregularities. The document was only declassified by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia after ActionSA prepared legal action, Beaumont said, adding that despite the declassification in early February, subsequent requests for the report were ignored until its release. "ActionSA pursued the release of this report because, at the heart of our democracy, is the principle that every South African must be equal before the law. This principle has been undermined by successive African National Congress (ANC) governments and is now further compromised by a Government of National Unity that has been co-opted to protect the ANC," he noted.

    3 min

  2. 1H AGO

    Ramaphosa makes new ConCourt appointments

    Ramaphosa makes new ConCourt appointments President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday announced the appointment of Justice Nambitha Christabel Dambuza-Mayosi and Justice Katharine Mary Savage as Judges of the Constitutional Court with effect from May 1. The appointments were made following recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission, and after consultations with Chief Justice Mandisa Maya and leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly. Ramaphosa lauded Judges Dambuza-Mayosi and Savage for their "unwavering dedication" to the rule of law. "Judge Dambuza-Mayosi and Judge Savage have for decades served the cause and practice of justice with great diligence, foresight and, most importantly, clear commitment to our Constitution," he said. Dambuza-Mayosi has served as a Supreme Court of Appeal judge since 2015 and did a stint acting as President of the Supreme Court of Appeal for an extended period. Justice Dambuza-Mayosi holds more than three decades of experience in legal practice, academia and the judiciary. Savage became a Judge of the Western Cape High Court in 2015 and has served as a Judge of the Labour Appeal Court since 2024. Ramaphosa wished the new judges well in their new roles, noting that their appointments take place as the country marks 30 years since the adoption of its Constitution. "… this anniversary is a significant moment for our nation and serves as an inspiration for our Constitutional Court to sustain the entrenchment of our national values and the supreme law that underpins them," he said.

    1 min

  3. 1H AGO

    ANC departs from traditional party processes to find local govt leaders ahead of elections

    ANC departs from traditional party processes to find local govt leaders ahead of elections The African National Congress (ANC) on Friday announced a shift in how it governs and deploys leadership, ahead of the upcoming local government elections, with plans for an intensive headhunting of mayoral candidates. Speaking during a media briefing in Johannesburg, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said the party was entering a "decisive phase" in preparing for the 2026 local government elections, centering on the credibility of governance at local level. The party is formally launching its mayoral and councillor candidate selection process, and is introducing a "strengthened, centralised and competency-based" approach to the identification and deployment of executive leadership in key municipalities. In doing this, Mbalula pointed out that the ANC was taking "extraordinary steps" to ensure leadership deployed to municipalities was "capable, ethical, disciplined and accountable". He said the search extended beyond the traditional internal ANC processes to include experienced public representatives, professionals and specialists in governance, community leaders and veterans of government. "This proactive approach aims to find individuals with proven leadership track records and governance capability, expanding the pool of talent while remaining firmly rooted in the values and discipline of the organisation," he explained. Mbalula said the party would establish a centralised implementation machinery within the office of the secretary general, supported by a dedicated secretariat and coordinating with the party's local government interventions committee, for uniformity, strategic oversight, and discipline in implementation across all provinces. "This move ensures that the selection process is not hindered by regional factionalism and that high-calibre leadership is maintained nationally," he explained. The ANC is also calling for public submissions, inviting communities, stakeholders and broader society to nominate individuals to serve as mayors. The process, Mbalula said, would be complemented by structured consultation with provincial and regional leadership to ensure that the final pool of candidates reflected national strategic priorities and the lived realities of communities. He assured that a rigorous and transparent assessment process would be undertaken, featuring strict requirements approved by the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC). "These measures are designed to ensure that candidates are not only politically grounded, but possess the technical capability, administrative competence, ethical integrity and leadership capacity required to manage complex municipalities and deliver meaningful change," he said. ANC national officials will finalise and approve mayoral candidates based on their competence, credibility, and capacity to deliver on the party's transformation agenda. This process, Mbalula added, would include creating strategic leadership teams in municipalities to ensure "stable, coherent, and effective governance". The finalisation and announcement of the ANC's mayoral candidates will be undertaken in June, in phases. Mbalula announced that this programme focused on eight metropolitan municipalities and 22 secondary cities, which he said were central to economic activity, infrastructure development and service delivery in South Africa. He assured that the ANC would approach these deployments with seriousness and strategic focus. He highlighted that following the selection, candidates would undergo rigorous training, including programmes through the OR Tambo School of Leadership, to ensure alignment with ANC policies, governance frameworks and the electoral strategy. Mbalula explained that upon taking office, all ANC mayors must sign legally binding public Mayoral Delivery Agreements, which establish performance targets and measurable goals. "These agreements will be subject to continuous monitoring through...

    5 min

  4. 1D 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

  5. 1D 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

  6. 1D 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

  7. 2D 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

  8. 2D 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
See All (67)

About

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.

Information