
Shivambu's consultations underway amid MK tension
The Mayibuye Consultation Process, which was launched on Thursday, 19 June, seeks to assess whether there is a need to form a new political party in South Africa. Shivambu said citizens should rest assured that the process will build a revolutionary movement.
In a post on X, the former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member shared that a meeting with the Mayibuye National Consultation Team (NCT) took place on Wednesday, 2 July. Shivambu added that the plan of action, including provincial visits and sectoral consultations, will be announced this weekend.
Eugene Ndlangamandla, the MK regional coordinator for the uMkhanyakude district in KwaZulu-Natal, resigned from the party. He stated that he will assist in the Mayibuye Consultation Process. In a letter, doing its rounds on social media, Ndlangamandla criticised the MK Party and described his journey as tough.
'I have observed that unfair treatment of members is a significant problem within the party. MK seems to operate more like a family and friends' business rather than a political party to liberate black people,' said Ndlangamandla.
He also claimed that there is a lack of discipline among party members, with some using derogatory language and dishonesty running the organisation.
The MK Party continues to face allegations of internal tensions and infighting. Letters have been circulating, with the party's parliamentary leader John Hlophe's signature, on social media. They accused members of Parliament Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela of being disruptive.
Another letter also claimed that MK Party's chief whip in Parliament, Colleen Makhubele, has been removed from her position. However, Ndhlela claimed the letters are fake.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
9 minutes ago
- The Citizen
McKenzie could be reported to Equality Court as SAHRC investigates k-word controversy
Hate speech is prohibited under South African law, according to the SAHRC. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has confirmed that it is investigating Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie over his old social media posts, which included the use of the 'k-word'. McKenzie faced public backlash after posts he made on X, formerly known as Twitter, between 2011 ad 2017 recently resurfaced. The controversy emerged while he was condemned the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast, who had previously made degrading remarks about the coloured community. In response, social media users unearthed McKenzie's own tweets, which allegedly contained racial slurs aimed at black South Africans. McKenzie, however, has denied being racist, insisting that the uproar is part of a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). SAHRC probes McKenzie over k-word posts While some have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire for McKenzie, ActionSA lodged a complaint with the SAHRC, which has confirmed that it is investigating the minister's 'offensive posts' for hate speech. 'The commission has opened an investigation following receipt of several complaints from political parties and individuals regarding the posts and alleged xenophobic utterances by minister McKenzie. 'The commission has also noted outrage on social media and in the press regarding these utterances,' the SAHRC said in a statement on Friday. The commission indicated that McKenzie's comments could constitute prima facie violations of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, also known as the Equality Act. ALSO READ: Gayton McKenzie racism row deepens as string of racist comments threaten national unity As part of the process, the SAHRC has sent an allegation letter to the minister. 'Thereafter, the commission will determine the best way forward which may include instituting proceedings in the relevant Equality Court,' the statement further reads. The SAHRC emphasised that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, 'it is not absolute', and hate speech is prohibited under South African law. 'Given his position, minister McKenzie's conduct is expected to conform to ethical standards that is becoming of a minister and a member of Parliament.' Media Statement: South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on the 'k- word' posts and alleged xenophobic utterances by Minister Gayton McKenzie — SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) August 15, 2025 ActionSA reacts ActionSA welcomed the SAHRC's announcement, stressing that McKenzie must be held accountable. 'We maintain that South Africa cannot have a sitting Cabinet Minister who holds such views, whether past or present, without being held to account,' ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said on Saturday. 'ActionSA looks forward to the commission communicating the next steps in holding the minister to account. 'We also urge the SAHRC to furnish an update on the investigation into the Open Chats Podcast regarding repugnant comments made against the coloured community. 'Racism must be confronted with consequences, no matter who the perpetrator is or their status in society,' the party's statement reads. NOW READ: Malema's EFF calls for 'removal' of McKenzie over K-word slurs


The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
ANC to debate two centres of power in Limpopo
Both Ramathuba and Mpe have confirmed they will stand for the position of ANC provincial chair in Limpopo. The ANC's two centres of power are set to dominate discussions when Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Polokwane Mayor Makoro 'Putin' John Mpe are set to contest for the position of ANC provincial chair at the upcoming provincial elective conference. Two in the race for ANC provincial chair Both Ramathuba and Mpe have confirmed they will stand for the position, only if nominated by branches at the right time. The two centres of power policy was introduced during the 2007 Polokwane ANC national elective conference where former president Jacob Zuma toppled then-president Thabo Mbeki to become ANC president. Limpopo is currently run by a premier, Ramathuba, who is not the party's provincial chair. Now, Makoro 'Putin' John Mpe is being touted by some to be elected ANC provincial chairperson. This after he won his 'third term' bid in May at the Peter Mokaba regional elective conference. ALSO READ: Leadership battle heats up in Limpopo Asked about the province's view on the two centres of power, ANC provincial spokesperson Mathole Jimmy Machaka said: 'The view of the ANC is that the centre is one and the centre is Frans Mohlala (ANC Limpopo headquarters). It is the ANC-led government and not the other way round,' he said. Month before he died, ANC veteran Tshwenuwani Farisani said the debate on the so-called two centres of power has caused long-standing tension between the party's leadership and its governmental structures. This tension, Farisani said, has played out in the South African political landscape, with the ANC often facing challenges of whether the chairperson of the party should become the premier of the province. He said the debate often arises when the ANC's internal political dynamics clash with government policies or decisions. 'This can lead to confusion, policy inconsistencies, and challenges for effective governance,' he said. ANC Women's League to support Ramathuba On Friday, the ANC Women's League in Limpopo said it will throw its support behind Ramathuba. 'It is the position of the ANCWL in Limpopo to support any woman who stands for the position of provincial chairperson, provided she possesses the necessary skills, experience, and capacity. The ANCWL is committed to ensuring that women occupy all corridors of power,' said league provincial secretary, Tebogo Mamorobela. ALSO READ: Mbalula launches probe into Limpopo ANC election irregularities The ANC Youth League in the province has not yet decided who it will support. ANCYL provincial chair Faith Sebopela, however, said it will support the PEC's call for an early conference. 'On who should lead the province as chair is a subject for another day,' she said. Allegations of corruption Mpe's road to the ANC Limpopo headquarters as party provincial chair, and his alleged desire to then become premier, has been marred by allegations of corruption. For the past month, the mayor – who is also ANC Peter Mokaba regional chair and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) Limpopo chair – and his city manager Thuso Nemugumoni have been accused of corruption. They have also been accused of awarding municipal tenders to foreign nationals, the latest of which was last month when the municipality appointed a foreign national as director of water and sanitation. Mpe claims the accusations were orchestrated by ANC members who are 'bitter' after losing regional elections. 'These are bitter comrades who are scared of losing the provincial conference because, despite playing all the tricks in the book, they still lost the Peter Mokaba regional elective conference in May, where I was re-elected unopposed for a third term. 'Those who have proof of any corruption element against me must hand over their proof to law-enforcement agencies such as the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Public Protector, and or the police,' he said. The term of office for the 10th Limpopo ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) ends in June 2026. It remains to be seen who will become the new Limpopo ANC provincial chairperson to replace the sitting chair, Stan Mathabatha. READ NEXT: Tensions erupt in Limpopo ANC after vandalism of spokesperson's bakkie


The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
US tariffs: SA sugarcane growers plead with Tau to help them
In addition to the US tariffs, sugarcane growers are concerned about cheap imports entering South Africa. Amid a punishing tariff increase on South Africa imposed by US President Donald Trump, sugarcane growers have asked Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau to act hastily to put into use regulations to enable the trading of local sugar without violating competition laws. Industry hit by US tariffs and foreign sugar The local industry has pinned its hopes on the exemption from anti-competition practice as a way to help them survive as they start feeling the pinch of Trump's 30% tariff hike on South African goods. The US move has exacerbated the plight of the local growers, who had been grappling with cheap imports flooding the local market. The minister published draft regulations in May that allow consultations on the procurement of more than 90% local sugar between growers, millers, retailers and food and beverage manufacturers, without the talks or agreements breaching provisions of the Competition Act. The growers at the time welcomed the minister's move, but now that the tariffs have become a reality, they want Tau to speed up the regulations to save the industry. ALSO READ: Mashatile warns of serious consequences if SA can't secure trade deal with US On Thursday, they appealed to Tau to urgently finalise the regulations. They believe government support would go a long way towards saving them from having to close shop or cut jobs. US tariffs When effected, the regulations would ease their plight as they suffer profit losses due to low volumes of exports to the US that are expected to worsen with time. The US does not grow enough of its own cane sugar and relies on imports to supplement its domestic demand. Up until earlier this year, the US controlled its sugar imports through a quota system, which meant South African sugar did not negatively impact US growers. But now the new US tariffs have made South African sugar less competitive in a crucial export market. ALSO READ: US tariffs: SA sends new proposal but no changes to laws SA Canegrowers chairperson, Higgins Mdluli, said the industryhas since asked Tau to fast-track the industry consultation process, which is yet to be scheduled, months after the public comment period on the draft exemptions closed. 'The sugar industry needs the limited exemption from competition regulations in order to have industry-wide discussions without fear of falling foul of the Competition Act. Such discussions include working towards commitments from local commercial users of sugar and retailers to use and stock mainly locally produced sugar. 'We have written to Minister Tau and urged him to act with urgency. The livelihoods of sugarcane growers depend on it,' Mdluli said. Cheap imports into SA According to Mdluli the domestic action is also critical to safeguard the industry from cheap sugar imports from countries that heavily subsidise their own sugar industries. He said the cheaper sugar does not benefit consumers, but allows importers to make higher profit margins. 'The South African sugar industry is a national asset. We support local jobs and farming, yet our market is being flooded by cheap, subsidised imports. This displaces local sugar, jeopardising countless jobs and the stability of the rural economies of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal,' Mdluli said. SA Canegrowers also urged the government to prioritise its negotiations with the US to finalise a mutually beneficial trade deal, which would include a tariff exemption for sugar or a return to the previous US quota mechanism. READ NEXT: 'It's just gone' – Trump's tariffs cost SA company R750m overnight