News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on August 4, 2025
Good evening, IOL News family!
It's Monday, August 4, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know.
EFF welcomes Parliamentary Committee to investigate corruption and infiltration in law enforcement
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its support for the newly established Ad Hoc Committee in the South African National Assembly, tasked with investigating serious allegations of corruption, criminal syndicate infiltration, and political interference within the country's law enforcement agencies. To read on, click here.
Ramaphosa admits SA is reeling from US tariffs, but insists it is not alone
President Cyril Ramaphosa has conceded that South Africa is grappling with the United States' decision to impose a 30% tariff on local imports, but insists the country is not alone in facing mounting global trade challenges. To read on, click here.
JMPD officer sentenced to six years for car crash that claimed three lives
A Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMP) police officer has been sentenced to six years in prison for three counts of culpable homicide by the Lenasia Magistrate Court. To read on, click here.
MK Party condemns ConCourt's dismissal of court challenge against Ramaphosa
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has voiced its strong condemnation of the Constitutional Court's recent decision to dismiss a critical challenge against President Cyril Ramaphosa's actions, asserting that the judiciary has failed to hold the head of state accountable for what the party describes as 'flagrant constitutional violations.' To read on, click here.
Do you owe SARS? Easy ways to check your tax debt in 2025
Tax season is still in full swing, and while many South Africans are expecting refunds, others may be shocked to discover they owe the South African Revenue Service (SARS) some money. To read on, click here.
Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
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Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
How SA can transform promises into tangible improvements for all
South Africans want to see tangible improvements in their daily lives. They want to know whether the government is focusing on the right priorities to move the country forward. Development Indicators (DIs), produced annually by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, provide a strategic evaluation of South Africa's development trajectory and the impact of public policies. Aligned with its vision of being a catalyst for the country's development goals, the department produces the Development Indicators to support informed public discourse and evidence-based policymaking. This not only promotes transparency but also positions monitoring and evaluation as a tool for advancing democracy by creating space for diverse views and public engagement in assessing the country's development and exploring future scenarios. As researchers at the Harvard Centre for International Development observe, 'Policy success for whom?' is a crucial question, as perceptions of progress often vary among stakeholders. The Development Indicators 2024 provide a long-term trend analysis up to 2024 and serve as a baseline for the seventh administration to support the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029. The findings reaffirm the strategic focus of the Medium-Term Development Plan, of placing inclusive economic growth at the centre of government efforts. They also recognise that while the National Development Plan remains the country's long-term vision, its foundational assumptions have shifted significantly due to demographic changes including migration, the Covid-19 pandemic and global disruptions. It is therefore clear that processes for planning beyond 2030 need to be initiated. The findings are sobering. None of the high-level National Development Plan targets for reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality are currently on track to be attained by 2030. Of the 85 Development Indicators reviewed, about 13 (15%) are on track, while 31 (36%) show promising progress. Population growth has outpaced economic expansion and the recent global disruptions have necessitated revision of medium-term growth projections. The global context is that only 17% of Sustainable Development Goals targets are on track, with a third either stalled or regressing. Higher, inclusive and sustained economic growth is essential for shifting our development trajectory. We must accelerate economic reforms to surpass the 3% growth threshold if we are to meaningfully change outcomes. Inclusive growth must translate into more jobs, rising household incomes and improved wellbeing for all. To reduce household dependence on the social assistance programmes, the country must achieve stronger economic growth that will create jobs and income-generating opportunities and enable more people to participate in the economy and secure their livelihoods. Nonetheless, progress in key areas offers strategic opportunities to accelerate impact: Infrastructure development: Out of 268 priority infrastructure projects, 28 have been completed and about 80 are under implementation across sectors including energy, water, transport and housing. Budget 2025 allocates close to R1-trillion over 2024-2027, to be implemented through state-owned enterprises, municipalities, provinces, national departments and public-private partnerships. This requires both initiating new projects and maintaining existing ones. Labour market transformation: South Africa has built a more diverse labour force, with progressive labour laws advancing representation across race, gender, age and skill levels. Public employment programmes: The Presidential Employment Stimulus has provided work and livelihood support to approximately 2.2 million people since October 2020. The Expanded Public Works Programme created 923,718 work opportunities in 2024/25. Digital transformation: South Africa enjoys near-universal mobile network coverage, with the rollout of 5G gaining traction. Continued reforms in the telecommunications sector and digital public infrastructure initiatives must help to broaden connectivity and inclusion. International relations: South Africa remains an active player on global platforms such as BRICS+, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the G20 and others. Environmental sustainability: Greenhouse gas emissions remain within the country's Nationally Determined Contributions targets, and the marine and terrestrial conservation areas continue to expand. Land reform: 3 million hectares had been transferred (78.1% of the National Development Plan target). Focus must now shift to enhancing land claims processes, post-settlement support and the diversified use of land, including agriculture, tourism, housing and cultural preservation. Public finances: Gross tax revenue and compliance have improved, accompanied by sustained progress in audit outcomes at both the national and provincial levels. Education: Near-universal access to early childhood development for children aged 5-6 and basic education for ages 7-15 has been achieved, with gender parity across most educational levels. However, attention must now focus on improving school infrastructure, the quality of education and expanding the capacity of universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions to meet the growing demand and skills needs of industry. Health: Positive gains in life expectancy and reductions in maternal and child mortality point to improved health outcomes. Modernisation of the public health system and the rollout of the next phase of the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan are among the critical next steps to bring South Africa on par with its BRICS+ peers on health outcomes. Basic services: More than 80% of households have access to electricity, clean water and sanitation. Ongoing efforts aim to expand access through annual household connections, especially in under-served areas, while also ensuring quality of service delivery in local municipalities. Social protection: Expanded social assistance has helped to cushion the poor and enhance human capability. However, long-term reliance on grants must be reduced through employment-led growth. Efforts are being made to accelerate the implementation of key priorities as outlined in the Medium-Term Development Plan to build an inclusive economy and achieve National Development Plan ambitions. The Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029 outlines priority areas for consolidating progress while addressing persistent development challenges. Strategic interventions include: Implementing the Energy Action Plan, Digital Public Infrastructure Roadmap, and Freight Logistics Roadmap to deliver on their objectives. Modernising mining, agriculture and manufacturing, and promoting new growth sectors such as services. Enhancing export diversification and trade resilience. Leveraging international relations to attract investment, expand trade, tourism and access technology. The success of South Africa's economic growth strategy will be tested by the country's ability to maintain its status as Africa's largest economy; enhance the global competitiveness of key sectors and urban regions (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban); generate inclusive employment growth; and reduce long-term dependence on social support, particularly among working-age adults. Operation Vulindlela has unlocked critical reforms. The second wave of structural reforms are taking off, focusing on improving local government, expanding digital public infrastructure to broaden connectivity and inclusion, and building city regions that foster dynamic, business-friendly environments. Accelerating inclusive growth is critical to ensuring that no one is left behind. This means creating jobs, raising household incomes and improving well-being for all citizens — especially for historically marginalised groups. Achieving this requires economic redress, and equitable access to opportunities and spatial transformation, among others. Prioritising empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities should be central to these efforts. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation continues to support government institutions in translating policy intentions into development results. The department does this through coordination of planning across government, monitoring of implementation and supporting performance management of ministers and heads of departments (HoDs) to hold them accountable for delivering results. Where service delivery fails, we intervene through frontline support to ensure that community concerns are swiftly resolved. We want to strengthen consequence management for poor performance and service delivery breakdowns. And we want to strengthen collaboration with social partners (business, labour and civil society) to foster a culture of service delivery excellence. DM
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
ANC NEC seeks more alliances to fortify fragile GNU post-budget crisis
Despite growing challenges and ongoing policy disagreements, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa maintains that forming the Government of National Unity was the right decision. Yet, the ANC is now turning to parties outside the coalition for support. After a bruising Budget crisis that nearly brought Parliament to a standstill, the ANC's highest decision-making body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), has resolved to engage with political parties outside the Government of National Unity (GNU) to stabilise governance and push for key reforms. The decision comes as the GNU, now more than a year old, continues to face multiple challenges and remains fragile in parts. Its biggest test was the failure to pass the national Budget — not once, but twice, marking an unprecedented moment in South Africa's democratic history. Closing the NEC's four-day meeting in Germiston, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa said the committee had received a detailed report on the GNU and held robust discussions, ultimately acknowledging the growing fragility of the governing arrangement. 'The Budget process has taught us many lessons, including being able to build tactical and issue-based voting alliances with other parties. We welcome the cooperation on the Budget, including with parties that are not part of the Government of National Unity,' said Ramaphosa. The Budget was eventually passed with support from parties outside the formal GNU arrangement, including ActionSA and Build One South Africa, a development that Ramaphosa described as 'a real demonstration of acting in the interests of the people of South Africa'. 'We are grateful to all those parties that cooperated with us to have the Budget passed. The overall picture is that despite all the noise through the GNU we have been able to safeguard the core progressive policy agenda of the National Democratic Revolution, which is the core pillar of ANC policy,' said Ramaphosa. Beyond the Budget deadlock, the GNU has confronted significant challenges, including disagreements over land expropriation without compensation and pushback against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. Both cases sparked fierce opposition and court battles led by the Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the GNU. 'We have extensively discussed how we proceed with respect to the Government of National Unity, given our analysis and practical experience of the past 12 months. Accordingly, the National Executive Committee considered a number of options about how to strengthen the GNU and improve its effectiveness and stability to give full and proper effect to the Statement of Intent that was signed by the parties that are party to the GMU, as well as the three strategic priorities of the seventh administration,' said Ramaphosa. As part of this, Ramaphosa said the NEC had agreed to engage with parties that were willing to play a 'constructive role in furthering national unity and stability' so it could achieve three strategic priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and building a capable developmental state. Despite the challenges faced by the GNU, said Ramaphosa, the NEC had concluded that the decision to establish it was correct. 'Our people appreciate that it has brought stability and enabled progress in addressing their challenges. The NEC reaffirms the view that the GNU is a correct tactic and remains valid.' Ramaphosa pointed to increasing pressure from 'global and domestic right-wing forces', but stressed that the ANC had not abandoned its democratic or developmental agenda. 'Through access to state power in the GNU we have been able to defend the democratic gains and to advance our transformation agenda, despite the pressure and resistance from the global and domestic right-wing forces. We have not retreated from the progressive domestic and foreign policy positions of our movement.' Local elections During the 2021 local government elections, the ANC lost control of several key metropolitan municipalities. Of the eight metros nationwide, the party won an outright majority in just two: Mangaung and Buffalo City. Now, with the 2026 local elections looming, Ramaphosa said, 'The marching order to all ANC-run municipalities and ward councillors is that we cannot proceed as if it continues to be business as usual. We need to undertake extraordinary measures to address challenges at local government level.' In a week or two, the NEC will hold a special session to focus more attention on the challenges in local government. SACP Another contentious issue in the discussions was the SA Communist Party's (SACP's) decision to contest the elections independently of the ANC, about which Ramaphosa expressed serious concern. Two weeks ago, the SACP, running separately from the ANC for the first time in the province, garnered only 70 votes in a by-election in a Polokwane ward, representing just 1%. 'We have no wish, nor do we have any intention, to interfere with the decision of the South African Communist Party. However, as we have indicated, we disagree with the decision,' said Ramaphosa. 'We believe that this decision has fundamental implications for the strategy and programme of the National Democratic Revolution … while the alliance between the SACP and the ANC has spanned the better part of a century. This is not about the past. It is not about nostalgia.' The NEC believes the SACP's decision will significantly weaken the forces for national democratic change. 'We will continue to seek to engage with the SACP on how we will run those elections. We will go out from this meeting to explain our position to our structures at every level of our organisation, so that comrades, members of the ANC, are empowered to explain the challenge this poses to our transformation agenda,' said Ramaphosa. Although the NEC is opposed to the SACP contesting elections, Ramaphosa stressed the need for unity within the broader alliance. 'We are determined to ensure that these developments do not divide our movement or cause instability. We reiterate that the SACP members who hold ANC membership are full members of our movement with the same rights and duties as any other ANC member, rights and responsibilities that are clearly stated in our constitution,' said Ramaphosa. However, how this stance will be implemented in practice remains uncertain, particularly in light of Ramaphosa's recent appointment of SACP member Buti Manamela as the minister of higher education, science and technology. DM
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on August 4, 2025
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its support for the newly established Ad Hoc Committee in the South African National Assembly, tasked with investigating serious allegations of corruption, criminal syndicate infiltration, and political interference within the country's law enforcement agencies. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Monday, August 4, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. EFF welcomes Parliamentary Committee to investigate corruption and infiltration in law enforcement The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its support for the newly established Ad Hoc Committee in the South African National Assembly, tasked with investigating serious allegations of corruption, criminal syndicate infiltration, and political interference within the country's law enforcement agencies. To read on, click here. Ramaphosa admits SA is reeling from US tariffs, but insists it is not alone President Cyril Ramaphosa has conceded that South Africa is grappling with the United States' decision to impose a 30% tariff on local imports, but insists the country is not alone in facing mounting global trade challenges. To read on, click here. JMPD officer sentenced to six years for car crash that claimed three lives A Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMP) police officer has been sentenced to six years in prison for three counts of culpable homicide by the Lenasia Magistrate Court. To read on, click here. MK Party condemns ConCourt's dismissal of court challenge against Ramaphosa The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has voiced its strong condemnation of the Constitutional Court's recent decision to dismiss a critical challenge against President Cyril Ramaphosa's actions, asserting that the judiciary has failed to hold the head of state accountable for what the party describes as 'flagrant constitutional violations.' To read on, click here. Do you owe SARS? Easy ways to check your tax debt in 2025 Tax season is still in full swing, and while many South Africans are expecting refunds, others may be shocked to discover they owe the South African Revenue Service (SARS) some money. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
