Madlanga inquiry work under scrutiny
It comes just two days after the chair of the commission, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, said the Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, has started its work in earnest.
It will centre on explosive claims made by the KZN Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about a criminal syndicate extending its tentacles into SAPS and other arms of criminal justice.
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IOL News
24 minutes ago
- IOL News
Faith and accountability: the Church's stand against corruption in South Africa
While the South African Council of Churches has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that churches,mosques and synagogues may resume under Level 3, most South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the matter. The South African Council of Churches held a Church Leaders Anti-Corruption Conference Image: File In a powerful declaration of faith and accountability, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) has made clear that the time for silence is over. Church leaders from across the country gathered this week for the Church Leaders Anti-Corruption Conference, a spirited and solemn call to action in defence of truth, justice and public integrity. 'The Church is called to serve not only as a moral witness but as a prophetic voice; unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths in pursuit of institutional and societal integrity,' said Reverend Mzwandile Molo, the General Secretary of the SACC. 'This prophetic task is not optional; it is fundamental to the Church's identity. The ministry of Jesus has always stood in opposition to injustice and exploitation. Today, that mantle falls squarely on the Church in South Africa.' Held against the backdrop of mounting public frustration over corruption and a weakening of democratic values, the gathering brought together clergy, theologians, whistleblower advocates, civil society leaders and former public servants. With honesty and urgency, participants laid bare the ongoing devastation caused by graft and state dysfunction. The conference reaffirmed the SACC's position: corruption is more than a legal infraction or political inconvenience. It is a spiritual crisis. A betrayal not only of public trust, but of the very soul of the nation. Speakers reflected on the lived reality of communities battered by poor service delivery, failing municipalities and long-standing impunity. The water crisis in Makhanda was cited as just one symptom of a deeper malaise where governance has collapsed and public officials act without consequence. 'For the Church, which journeys alongside affected communities, the call to action is sacred,' said Molo. It was a day of reckoning, but also of resolve. From the pulpit to the pews, church leaders pledged to move beyond condemnation, to lead with courage and humility and to examine their own house. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Importantly, the private sector was not spared scrutiny. Attendees emphasised that businesses are too often complicit, not merely passive bystanders but active participants and beneficiaries of corrupt systems. It was a reminder that tackling corruption requires a whole-of-society response. A deeply moving moment came as the conference acknowledged the bravery of whistleblowers who risk their safety and livelihoods to expose the truth. Their defence, said the SACC, is 'non-negotiable.' In a symbolic gesture of commitment, the SACC will soon adopt the Church Leader's Covenant Against Corruption, a declaration to God and nation that church leaders will stand firmly against all forms of dishonesty and exploitation. Still being finalised, the covenant will call for: - Preaching and teaching consistently against corruption, especially through youth and children's ministries. - Honouring and protecting whistleblowers within church spaces. - Encouraging ethical leadership in public and private sectors. - Strengthening oversight institutions, including Chapter 9 bodies. - Ensuring transparency in church governance. - Helping to lead a national movement that leaves no room for corruption in politics, business, faith communities or society at large 'We take heart and have courage for the road ahead,' the SACC declared. 'Placing our hope in the Lord, the God of justice who has assured us of His presence to the very end,' Molo said. Weekend Argus
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
‘Travesty of justice': MK Party slams Constitutional Court's dismissal of Ramaphosa case
Jacob Zuma's MK Party says it is shocked but not surprised, after the Constitutional Court dismissed its application to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers MK Party has lashed out at the Constitutional Court, following its dismissal of the party's application challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia. The court determined that the issue did not merit its consideration and should instead be referred to the High Court, a decision that has ignited outrage among members of the MK Party. Speaking at court, MKP national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, accused the judiciary of selectively applying justice, saying the ruling revealed "a travesty of justice" and exposed a legal system that "no longer serves the people." 'We are shocked, but not surprised. This is the same court that granted direct access to incarcerate President Jacob Zuma without trial,' Ndhlela said, referring to Zuma's 2021 contempt ruling. 'Now, when faced with Ramaphosa's alleged delinquency, they defer to technicalities.' Ndhlela said the court's refusal to hear the matter directly flies in the face of its precedent. 'Why was direct access granted in the Zuma, Zondo Commission, and secret ballot matters—but now denied in a case affecting every South African? The inconsistency is glaring,' he added. He also criticised the judiciary for allegedly shielding Ramaphosa from accountability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Phala Phala remains unresolved. The CR17 bank statements are still sealed. And now, even a basic attempt to hold the President to account through judicial channels is being stonewalled,' Ndhlela said. Lady Justice is no longer blind—she has chosen a side, he stated. The MK Party has not ruled out further legal or political steps. 'We will consult with our national leadership and legal team. But one thing is clear—South Africans must now ask if this judiciary still serves them,' he said. Advocate Dali Mpofu SC, representing the MKP, echoed concerns about the legal reasoning behind the court's decision. 'The public must understand the difference between direct access and exclusive jurisdiction,' he said. Mpofu said: 'Direct access is granted in exceptional cases of national interest. What could be more compelling than allegations that the sitting President manipulated state processes for political expediency?' Mpofu also challenged what he called the court's double standards. Direct access was granted in multiple high-profile cases involving Zuma, yet now it is deemed inappropriate for matters involving Ramaphosa. No one seems to ask why, he said. While Mpofu declined to comment in detail on the merits of the case, he confirmed that the party's legal team would be consulting with their client to explore next steps. 'There's no case before the court now, but that could change. We may be back—here or elsewhere.' The ConCourt's decision added fuel to the already simmering tensions between the MKP and South Africa's top courts. With the 2026 local elections looming, the fallout from this judgment may become a rallying point for a party determined to position itself as the voice of the disillusioned. IOL Politics
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane hits back at corruption claims, calls allegations a 'smear campaign'
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says corruption and nepotism claims are part of a political smear campaign, and she remains focused on delivering quality healthcare to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Supplied KZN MEC of Health Nomagugu Simelane said she won't play politics with people's lives or allow personal attacks to derail the work of her department. 'I will not play politics with people's lives. I will not lower myself to the level of those who seek to destabilise, distract, and destroy,' she said in a statement addressing a series of allegations that have surfaced on social media, in the press, and on various platforms in recent weeks. Simelane described the claims as part of a 'targeted campaign of misinformation' aimed at damaging her reputation and that of her family. She said she had remained largely silent until now because she was focused on delivering the province's critical health budget, which she tabled on Tuesday. IOL previously reported that the MK Party had called for Simelane's resignation, accusing her of corruption and alleging that her family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments CC, received duplicate payments worth R1.42 million from the provincial Agriculture Department. The MK Party further claimed that her family continued receiving state financial support while she served as Health MEC, and linked her to a 2008 farm loan granted by Ithala Bank, allegations Simelane has dismissed as 'false and malicious.' 'Now that the budget has been delivered, and with it, real plans to strengthen our healthcare system, I want to take a moment to set the record straight and address the stories that are currently circulating,' she said. Simelane defended her department's stance on hospital access following protests related to the treatment of undocumented foreign nationals. She said her duty is to uphold the Constitution, not to discriminate. 'Every person, regardless of their nationality, has the right to emergency medical care. Denying that would be illegal and inhumane,' she said. She condemned protesters who blocked hospitals, calling the act unacceptable and dangerous. 'Peaceful protest is allowed, but blocking access to hospitals is not,' she said. 'That's why we worked to keep our facilities open and safe for patients.' While she acknowledged that illegal immigration is a national issue, she insisted healthcare 'must never, ever be considered a privilege, but a fundamental right to be enjoyed equitably by all.' Responding to allegations that she interfered with Vuma FM, leading to the removal of former broadcaster Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Simelane said: 'Let's be absolutely clear. I did not instruct or influence Vuma FM to fire Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. ''The station itself has confirmed that her contract expired as part of its internal HR processes,'' she said. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She also dismissed claims of a voice recording allegedly implicating her, calling them 'false.' 'There is no such thing. I respect media freedom, but this freedom comes with responsibility to report fairly and accurately.' Simelane said she had taken legal steps to stop the 'spread of lies' and to protect the integrity of her office. Furthermore, Simelane also addressed accusations around her family's farm, saying the loan it received from Ithala Bank was issued in 2008, years before she held any influential role in agriculture. 'In 2008, I was a junior official employed within a completely different department. I had resigned from the family company in 2004 – four years before that loan was issued,' she said. She emphasised that her family applied for agriculture support through legal departmental processes, with no influence from her.' She maintained that the support her family farm received through the Department of Agriculture followed 'open and regulated processes' and that she had no influence in those decisions. 'These applications were approved – without any input or involvement whatsoever from me,' Simelane said. 'All procurement was managed through the department's own supply chain processes and chosen service providers.' She said a full and detailed report has been submitted to the Premier. On nepotism allegations, Simelane defended her siblings' qualifications and appointments. 'My sister was appointed to her position through a transparent process. I was not involved in any way. She earned her place,' she said. She described claims of fake CVs as 'false and desperate,' adding that her family 'has taken advantage of one thing: education.' Regarding her brother, she added: 'He is a finance professional with 15 years of experience and verifiable formal qualifications.' 'I do not do nepotism. I do service,' Simelane insisted. 'These personal attacks won't divert me from working in accordance with my mandate: to improve healthcare delivery for every person in this province,' she said. 'While the noise gets louder, so will my commitment to doing the work. Because that's what real leadership looks like.' Simelane said she believes the flurry of allegations,surfacing around the same time, are politically motivated and part of a deliberate smear campaign. 'This past weekend saw an array of sensational rumours emerge online, blatantly designed to mislead the public and shake confidence in the work of my department,' she said. 'They are part of a calculated and mischievous smear campaign.' Despite this, Simelane said she remains focused on delivering health services to the province and serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal. 'Leadership should never be determined by threats or intimidation, but by truth, service, and due process,' she said. 'I will not bow to those tactics. ''I will continue to do what I have done since 2004: serve, lead, and strive for a stronger, fairer, and more dignified healthcare system in KwaZulu-Natal.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
