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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. 2 days ago

    KZN Premier urges SADC to renew commitment to public diplomacy as leaders meet

    KZN Premier urges SADC to renew commitment to public diplomacy as leaders meet Ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's public lecture for the 46th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Thami Ntuli urged proactiveness and adaptiveness to deal with changing economic and geopolitical dynamics. South Africa is hosting heads of State in KwaZulu-Natal, under the theme 'Translating SADC Vision 2050 into Action: Pathways Towards Solidarity, Equality and Shared Prosperity'. The public lecture aims to initiate reflection and public dialogue on practical pathways for advancing regional integration, industrialisation, infrastructure development, peace, security and inclusive development in Southern Africa. Speaking at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday, Ntuli welcomed delegates by declaring that continental unity is not a slogan but a responsibility. As South Africa faces immigration tensions with fellow African countries, Ntuli urged togetherness through deliberate effort. "…a Summit succeeds not only in what is signed, but in what is understood. Let SADEC gathering in Durban inspire a renewed commitment to public diplomacy – investment in exchange programmes, regional media partnerships, and cultural cooperation. Let our citizens know each other as SADC intended: not as foreigners bound by treaty, but as one people bound by a shared future," he said. He described the Summit as the architecture of shared prosperity and as a catalyst for a working political economy. He said KZN's trade infrastructure was not provincial but regional, highlighting the importance of Durban and Richards Bay in ensuring trade between SADC countries. "We therefore carry a responsibility beyond our provincial borders. Every rand we invest in our ports serves this region. Every improvement to our logistics corridors serves this region. Every partnership we build serves the SADC vision of shared growth," Ntuli said.

  2. 2 days ago

    Court reinstates NSFAS board, suspends administrator appointment

    Court reinstates NSFAS board, suspends administrator appointment The Pretoria High Court has granted interim relief suspending the appointment of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula and immediately reinstating the institution's board. The ruling temporarily reverses the May decision by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela to dissolve the board and place NSFAS under administration owing to ongoing governance instability. In May, following consultations and consideration of alternatives, Manamela announced the appointment of Mathebula as NSFAS Administrator. Welcoming the court's decision, the NSFAS board announced that its urgent focus will centre on stabilising the financial aid institution, strengthening internal governance mechanisms and fulfilling the core mandate of providing financial assistance to eligible South African students. While the interim relief allows the board to return to office under Part A of the application, the legal battle is not yet concluded. Part B of the review application is still awaiting a final determination by the High Court. Because the matter remains sub judice, the board noted it will not comment further on the ongoing legal proceedings. The board addressed the widespread public concern and controversy surrounding NSFAS operations. The leadership pledged to investigate outstanding issues as a matter of priority, stating that appropriate legal and administrative action will be taken if any wrongdoing is identified. Furthermore, the board reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with Manamela and broader higher education stakeholders to navigate the sector's current challenges.

  3. 2 days ago

    SADC Summit: Ramaphosa calls for regional action on xenophobia, GBV

    SADC Summit: Ramaphosa calls for regional action on xenophobia, GBV President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday delivered a powerful vision for the renewal of Southern Africa, calling for urgent regional action on gender-based violence, xenophobia, migration and climate change. Heads of State gathered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal for the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, where Ramaphosa delivered a public lecture, stressing that achieving the region's long-term developmental goals is possible but requires shifting from policy debates to direct action. He emphasised that the continent's response to abuse must focus heavily on prevention, survivor support, stricter legislation and better prosecutions. While advocating for more specialised sexual offences courts, he noted that legal action alone is not enough. "Prevention does not begin with women," Ramaphosa stated. "It begins with the men and the boys in our homes, our schools, our churches, our workplaces, and our taverns, who must be raised to reject violence and abuse." Meanwhile, addressing recent instances of discrimination within South Africa, Ramaphosa expressed deep concern and shame over the ill-treatment of foreign nationals. He condemned criminal acts as a "total rejection of regional solidarity", reminding the audience that Southern Africa's identity and diversity have been shaped by migration over millennia. Looking toward the region's 'Vision 2050', Ramaphosa called for an environment where people can move freely and legally. To achieve this, he urged regional leaders to collaborate on addressing the root causes of desperate migration, conflict and political instability, governance failures, deep-seated poverty and a lack of equal economic opportunities. Ramaphosa warned that economic development and foreign investment are impossible in war zones. He pointed to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the gravest test of regional unity, paying tribute to the Southern African soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for peace there. Additionally, Ramaphosa welcomed progress in Mozambique's Inclusive National Dialogue and praised the ongoing diplomatic interventions led by the SADC Panel of Elders in Madagascar. He stressed that regional accountability institutions and election observation missions must be fully resourced to ensure democratic transparency. Reflecting on the devastating April 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal that claimed over 400 lives, Ramaphosa highlighted climate change as an immediate threat to infrastructure and livelihoods. To prevent future catastrophes from catching the region off guard, he proposed that the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre be strengthened for immediate, unified disaster responses. He urged for a shifting focus toward proactive disaster mitigation rather than reactive relief and said Southern African must present a united front on climate loss and damage during international climate summits. Ramaphosa stated that the ultimate success of Vision 2050 rests in the hands of the youth, rather than current political leaders. He challenged students and young people to hold leaders accountable for the implementation of regional goals. "One hundred and twenty years ago, the renewal of Africa was a proposition to be defended against a hostile world," Ramaphosa said. "It is no longer a proposition. It is a programme of work. It has actions, assigned responsibilities, and deadlines.

  4. 3 days ago

    MKP calls ConCourt dismissal of Phala Phala interdict appeal ‘lazy’

    MKP calls ConCourt dismissal of Phala Phala interdict appeal 'lazy' The MKP on Thursday said the Constitution Court's decision to dismiss an application asking for direct access to appeal the halting of the Impeachment Inquiry against President Cyril Ramaphosa was "lazy". The apex court refused the application, brought by the African Transformation Movement, to overturn last month's High Court decision, which granted Ramaphosa an urgent interdict to halt the impeachment process. As a result, Parliament ceased its public hearings into the Phala Phala game farm scandal. The Constitutional Court concluded that it is not in the interest of justice to hear the matter at this stage. An imminent judicial review decision in the Western Cape Division of the High Court will likely render the interim interdict moot, the order read. The MKP said it was concerned by the ruling and regarded the decision as a "regrettably evasive judicial response". "The Constitutional Court has missed an opportunity to pronounce decisively on whether a lower court may interfere with, suspend, circumvent or effectively overrule a decision or process flowing directly from the Constitutional Court itself. That is not a peripheral procedural issue. It goes directly to the hierarchy, authority and integrity of our constitutional judicial system. At a time of growing public concern about whether powerful office-bearers are subjected to the same standards of accountability as ordinary citizens, decisions of this nature inevitably deepen public scepticism," the party rationalised. It stressed the need for the judiciary to stay independent and said silence on constitutional questions raises uncertainty than clarity.

  5. 3 days ago

    DA lays criminal charges against 10 ‘worst’ municipal managers

    DA lays criminal charges against 10 'worst' municipal managers The DA announced on Thursday that it will lay criminal charges against 10 municipal managers across nine municipalities, labelling these officials the "worst" in the country due to systemic financial negligence. DA Parliamentary leader George Michalakis stated that the targeted officials have presided over a decade of "financial chaos". The charges are based on consecutive "disclaimed audit opinions" from the Auditor-General and the DA has accused these municipalities of regularly ignoring official recommendations and failing to submit basic financial statements. According to Michalakis, local resources are being "milked dry" while citizens are left without basic services. The criminal charges target 10 specific administrators across four provinces. Free State: Majalefa Matlole of Masilonyana, Mokete Solomon Nhlapo of Nketoana, Mopedi Mohale of Mohokare, Matthews Mofokeng of Maluti-A-Phofung, and Futhulu Patrick Mothamaha, a former manager.North West: Olaotse Bojosinvane of Ditsobotla and Olehile Allan Losaba of Ngaka Modiri Molema.Eastern Cape: Thabiso Klaas of Sundays River Valley and Pumelelo Maxwell Kate of Makana.Western Cape: Advocate Dillo Sereo of Kannaland. Notably, this is the second time the DA has taken aim at Makana's Kate. The party laid charges against him last year for the ongoing environmental pollution of the Kowie River. The DA is pursuing these cases under Section 173(1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which criminalises gross financial negligence, material accounting irregularities and supplying false information to the Auditor-General. The DA stated that the ANC has historically "recycled" failing officials by moving them between different State roles. DA National Spokesperson Karabo Khakhau stated that the party's objective is to force these individuals into the criminal justice system. Khakhau reiterated that local governance must pivot toward merit-based appointments, strict accountability, and continuous skills development.

  6. 3 days ago

    Mapisa-Nqakula’s corruption trial postponed as she seeks discharge

    Mapisa-Nqakula's corruption trial postponed as she seeks discharge The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday postponed the high-profile corruption trial of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to August 20. The postponement comes at the request of her defence team to secure the transcribed case records required to file an application for a discharge. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) confirmed that the pause in proceedings will allow the defence to prepare an application in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This statutory provision allows an accused person to apply for an acquittal at the close of the prosecution's case if they believe there is no credible evidence showing they committed the offence. IDAC Spokesperson Henry Mamothame explained that Mapisa-Nqakula has formally placed it on record in court that she will pursue this discharge. The former Speaker faces substantial criminal charges, including 12 counts of corruption for allegedly abusing her official capacity, one count of money laundering linked to State contracts, R4.5-million solicited from a prominent State service provider and R2.1-million allegedly received as direct cash payments. The State has now officially closed its case after presenting its evidence and witnesses. The prosecution team is currently awaiting the formal heads of argument from Mapisa-Nqakula's legal representation regarding the discharge application. Once received, the State will draft and file its counter-reply ahead of the resumed court session next Thursday.

  7. 4 days ago

    SAHRC says water crisis should be declared a state of disaster

    SAHRC says water crisis should be declared a state of disaster The South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) stands firm on its view that the country's water crisis needs to be declared a national disaster. This is despite the publication last month of the National Water Plan, developed by the Presidency-led National Water Crisis Committee (Watercom), which promised to tackle the long-standing water challenges. SAHRC Commissioner Dr Henk Boshoff said that given the scale, scope and magnitude of the water crisis, the commission is calling for the water crisis to be declared a national disaster in accordance with the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002. Speaking during a SAHRC-hosted webinar on the water crisis, he explained the water crisis requires an urgent, broad, integrated and coordinated effort, and the declaration of a state of national disaster will enable the mobilisation of emergency funds, better intergovernmental collaboration and deliver a coordinated process. Water-related complaints continue to rank in the top five complaints received by the SAHRC. This, alongside the commission's six provincial inquiries related to water since 2021 across KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape and Gauteng, and the South African Water Rights Tracker, a project partnership between the SAHRC and the University of the Witwatersrand, reveal the scale of the crisis. Through the inquiries and the Water Rights Tracker, the SAHRC has identified several drivers that inhibit the ability of water services authorities to effectively deliver water. These include aging infrastructure; an inadequate funding model; high levels of indebted to water boards, at R28-billion; skills deficit and lack of capacity in technical departments; the discharge of untreated effluent into water resources and high levels of water losses; water sabotage, theft of infrastructure and emergence of water mafias; and a water tankering system fraught with corruption. Boshoff said the water crisis is widespread and causing a significant disruption in the lives of communities. "We are aware that the National Water Action Plan was recently released. We agree that the symptoms have been identified. We agree that there is a proper diagnosis of the problem," he said, questioning, however, if the action plan adequately deals with the challenges going forward. The SAHRC is of the view that declaring a national state of disaster will, among others, ensure greater and enhanced governmental collaboration, budget prioritisation and emergency and speedier procurement. "Government simply does not have sufficient funds at this stage to address the water crisis, and it will be a process that will be unfolding over quite a few years," Boshoff continued, noting that time will tell whether the national water plan is sufficient to address the water crisis. Unpacking the National Action Plan during the seminar, Department of Water and Sanitation director general Dr Sean Phillips said that a state of disaster will not achieve much more than what is already being undertaken to ensure water security. He agreed that urgent action is needed to address immediate crises, however, reforming the sector for long-term sustainability is also required. The declaration of a national state of disaster will not address the core causes of the challenges, and would not result in a sustainable sector. "I can understand the reasoning for it, but I am still not convinced that it would result in much more than is currently the case. [Emergency procurement, for example] might, in the short term, result in some [elements] being addressed more quickly. But unless you address the root causes, the problems are going to keep coming back," Phillips noted. The National Water Action Plan contains the elements required to address the real root causes, which the disaster provisions could not do. Further, he said it would not result in much more money being allocated. "It is a zero-sum game. If y...

  8. 4 days ago

    DA hits back at GNU partner ANC’s ‘Thatcherite’ critique of manifesto

    DA hits back at GNU partner ANC's 'Thatcherite' critique of manifesto DA Federal Council Chairperson Ashor Sarupen has hit back at ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula's criticism of the DA's newly launched election manifesto, arguing that the ANC's reliance on "outdated ideological labels exposes its inability to challenge the DA's substantive local government plans". Following the DA's launch of its local government manifesto, ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, Mbalula took to social media to pan the policy document. Mbalula labelled the DA's platform a "Thatcherite" manifesto, accusing the party of aiming to privatise the State. He further noted that the DA's inclusion in the current Government of National Unity (GNU) was merely a byproduct of the ANC losing its outright majority. Sarupen dismissed the remarks as a weak "tantrum", stating that the ANC has no real defence for its own record of failed governance. Sarupen further argued that South African citizens are tired of "liberation-era slogans" and are instead desperate for functioning basic services, such as refuse removal and water. The clash seemingly stems from the DA's manifesto laying out the inclusion of the private sector in doling out basic services in municipalities. Sarupen pointed out that the ANC already relies on private sector participation to prevent total service collapse in municipalities it governs, such as Mafube and KwaDukuza. The DA rationalised that while the State should deliver services efficiently where it can, it must partner with businesses and communities to achieve faster, better-value results. "That is not 'Thatcherism'," Sarupen hit back. "It is called governing." He also noted Mbalula's comment regarding the DA's presence in the GNU. "Perhaps the most revealing part of Mbalula's statement... is his admission that the DA is in the Government of National Unity because of the 'collapse of the ANC majority.' On that, at least, we agree," Sarupen said. He argued that those millions of voters abandoned the ANC because the ruling party confused State ownership with State capacity. Sarupen declared that while the ANC "wastes time" debating 1980s British politics, the DA is focused on getting South Africa's broken municipalities working again.

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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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