ANC Reaffirms South Africa's Non Alignment Policy: Strict Control on Arms Exports to Conflict Zones
reiterated that no South African arms manufacturer – state-owned or private – will be permitted to export weapons or ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine.
'As the ANC, we have taken a decision – consistent with South Africa's constitutional values and foreign policy traditions – that South African arms manufacturers will not be allowed to export weapons or
ammunition to the war zone in Ukraine. This position is not anti-European. It is pro-peace,' stated Mbalula. He further emphasized the commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, adding: 'Peace cannot be outsourced to artillery.'
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Thami Ntuli vows to investigate MECs amid misconduct allegations
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli (left) with Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, who together with Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane provided representations explaining allegations of misconduct they are facing. Image: Supplied Kwazulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says he will not hesitate to take drastic measures, including reshuffling his cabinet, should he find reliable evidence against his two MECs, Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka, who are accused of misconduct. Simelane, who is in charge of Health, and Education's Hlomuka have been in the news headlines over the past weeks for the wrong reasons. They both submitted comprehensive representations to give their side of the story on the allegations to the premier on Friday. Talking to the media during the opening of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal, immediately after receiving presentations, Ntuli said his office was still studying the MECs' submissions and will apprise the public at a later stage. His spokesperson, Bongani Gina, said the reports were with the provincial government's legal unit. Hlomuka was alleged to have interfered in the awarding of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender, while among the allegations was that Simelane abused her position of power while she was the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee chairperson to assist her family's farming business in obtaining a loan from the provincial government-owned Ithala Bank. Both MECs, who are ANC leaders, denied the allegations. Ntuli said the action he would take would be determined by the outcome his office's investigation. 'For now, it would be quite early to cross the bridge before I reach it,' he said. When asked if the reshuffle of his cabinet was imminent, he said he would not hesitate to do so if the report of the investigation suggests so. He said, for now, he did not see the dark cloud hanging over the MECs' heads, as these were allegations. 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'All the bids were subjected to a standard evaluation process as set out in the bid document. 'It is also important to state categorically that evaluation and adjudication were followed in line with the prescribed procedures,' he said. He said the department was currently dealing with appeals from bidders who were unhappy about the issuing of the school nutrition tender. 'An unfortunate situation with regard to this tender is that it attracts thousands of bidders who all have to compete for only 1 756 clusters across the 12 districts. 'We note with disappointment that once some bidders are not recommended for the award, they resort to illegitimising the entire process. 'The department, however, takes solace from the understanding that the current stage, which is the appeals process, bidders will be afforded an opportunity to raise issues,' he said. Simelane described the allegations against her as a misinformation campaign against her and her family. She said the family farm received a loan from Ithala in 2008, eight years before she became the portfolio committee chairperson in June 2016. 'In 2008, I was a junior official employed within a completely different department. 'I had no decision-making influence or impact on loan approvals within Ithala Bank. 'Additionally, I had resigned from the family company in 2004 – four years before that loan was issued,' she said. Simelane was also accused of having influenced the termination of anti-illegal immigrants activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma by Vuma FM, where he was a presenter. Ngobese-Zuma's March and March movement has embarked on a campaign to block illegal foreigners from receiving medical treatment at public health institutions. Simelane denied having influenced the radio station, which she said confirmed that the Ngobese-Zuma contract had expired. However, she insisted that under her watch, not one, irrespective of their nationality, would be barred from the public healthcare. 'My duty as MEC is not to discriminate against those in need, or to choose who should be allowed healthcare – it is to uphold the Constitution. 'I agree that illegal immigration is a problem in our country, but we cannot turn away human beings in need of medical treatment, [and] I will always fight for a healthcare system that is just, fair, and accessible. 'And while peaceful protest is allowed, blocking access to hospitals is not,' said Simelane.
IOL News
3 hours ago
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World economies reel from Donald Trump's tariffs punch
US trading partners now face tariff rates of between 10% and 41%. Image: Andrej Ivanov / AFP Global markets reeled on Friday after President Donald Trump's tariffs barrage against nearly all US trading partners as governments looked down the barrel of a seven-day deadline before higher duties take effect. Stock markets in Hong Kong, London, and New York slumped as they digested the turmoil, while weak US employment data added to worries. Trump announced late on Thursday that dozens of economies, including the European Union, will face new tariff rates of between 10 and 41 percent. However, implementation will be on August 7 rather than Friday as previously announced, the White House said. This gives governments a window to rush to strike deals with Washington setting more favorable conditions. South Africa has been hit with a 30% tariff. However, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that talks between South African and US officials are continuing and that his government had submitted a Framework Deal that aims to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. The government is also finalising a package to support companies that are vulnerable to the reciprocal tariffs, US neighbour Canada, one of the biggest US trade partners, was hit with 35 percent levies, up from 25 percent, effective Friday - but with wide-ranging, current exemptions remaining in place. The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position, while encouraging domestic manufacturing by keeping out foreign imports. But the muscular approach has raised fears of inflation and other economic fallout in the world's biggest economy. Trump's actions come as debate rages over how best to steer the US economy, with the Federal Reserve this week deciding to keep interest rates unchanged, despite massive political pressure from the White House to cut. Data on Friday showed US job growth missing expectations for July, while unemployment ticked up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 percent. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6 percent, while the Nasdaq tumbled 2.2 percent. Political goals Trump raised duties on around 70 economies, from a current 10 percent level imposed in April when he unleashed "reciprocal" tariffs, citing unfair trade practices. The new, steeper levels listed in an executive order vary by trading partner. Any goods "transshipped" through other jurisdictions to avoid US duties would be hit with an additional 40 percent tariff, the order said. But Trump's duties also have a distinctly political flavor, with the president using separate tariffs to pressure Brazil to drop the trial of his far-right ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. He also warned of trade consequences for Canada, which faces a different set of duties, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. 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. 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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 ✕ In targeting Canada, the White House cited its failure to "cooperate in curbing the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs" - although Canada is not a major source of illegal narcotics. By contrast, Trump gave more time to Mexico, delaying for 90 days a threat to increase its tariffs from 25 percent to 30 percent. But exemptions remain for a wide range of Canadian and Mexican goods entering the United States under an existing North American trade pact. Carney said his government was "disappointed" with the latest rates hike but noted that with exclusions, the US average tariff on Canadian goods remains one of the lowest among US trading partners. 'Tears up' rule book With questions hanging over the effectiveness of bilateral trade deals struck - including with the EU and Japan - the outcome of Trump's overall plan remains uncertain. "No doubt about it - the executive order and related agreements concluded over the past few months tears up the trade rule book that has governed international trade since World War II," said Wendy Cutler, senior vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. On Friday, Trump said he would consider distributing a tariff "dividend" to Americans. Notably excluded from Friday's drama was China, which is in the midst of negotiations with the United States. Washington and Beijing at one point brought tit-for-tat tariffs to triple-digit levels, but have agreed to temporarily lower these duties and are working to extend their truce. Those who managed to strike deals with Washington to avert steeper threatened levies included Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and the European Union. Among other tariff levels adjusted in Trump's latest order, Switzerland now faces a higher 39 percent duty. AFP
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Donald Trump hits South Africa with 30% tariffs - the HIGHEST in Africa
US President Donald Trump has announced that South African goods will be hit with a 30% tariff starting on 7 August, in a move that threatens to derail one of the country's most critical trade relationships. The tariffs mark the highest imposed on any sub-Saharan African nation, and come amid increasingly strained diplomatic ties between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The decision is a major blow to South Africa, whose exports to the United States – its second-largest trading partner – are vital for industries such as automobiles, agriculture, textiles, and wine. Until now, these sectors had enjoyed duty-free access to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). That arrangement, introduced in 2000 to boost African economic development through trade, now appears effectively terminated ahead of its scheduled review in September. In a sweeping move, the US has also imposed tariffs on other African nations: 30% for South Africa, Algeria, Libya for 25% for Tunisia for 15% for Nigeria, Ghana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe , Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d`Ivoire, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Uganda , Zambia for , , 10% for Kenya, Ethiopia Trump argues the tariffs are necessary to protect American jobs and industry, stating: 'African countries have had a free ride. It's time for fair trade.' President Ramaphosa responded by confirming that negotiations are ongoing, with a framework trade deal already submitted to US officials. That deal reportedly included: Purchasing US liquefied natural gas Easing poultry import rules $3.3 billion investment into US sectors like mining Ramaphosa also announced that a domestic support package is being finalised to help South African firms most vulnerable to the new tariffs. 'We are deeply concerned about the implications of this decision on jobs and investment. Our priority is to protect South African industries and workers,' the president said. Some exceptions have been made for strategic exports, including pharmaceuticals, copper, semiconductors, stainless steel scrap, and certain energy products. US-South Africa relations have sharply deteriorated under the Trump administration. The US president has cut all aid to the country and accused it of discriminating against its white minority – a claim South Africa has strongly denied. Ramaphosa's attempt to mend ties at a May meeting with Trump appears to have failed. This week, Trump hinted he might skip the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, saying: 'I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies.' South Africa's wine industry – with the US its fourth-largest export market – warned that the 30% tariff puts it at a 'severe disadvantage' compared to countries still enjoying lower or no duties. Industry body Wines of South Africa has urged both governments to resolve the issue swiftly, warning of long-term damage to trade, jobs, and investment. With just days to go before implementation, pressure is mounting on Pretoria to either strike a deal or cushion the blow – as businesses brace for a sharp economic impact and possible job losses. Afghanistan – 15% Algeria – 30% Angola – 15% Bangladesh – 20% Bolivia – 15% Bosnia and Herzegovina – 30% Botswana – 15% Brazil – 10% Brunei – 25% Cambodia – 19% Cameroon – 15% Chad – 15% Costa Rica – 15% Côte d`Ivoire – 15% Democratic Republic of the Congo – 15% Ecuador – 15% Equatorial Guinea – 15% Falkland Islands – 10% Fiji – 15% Ghana – 15% Guyana – 15% Iceland – 15% India – 25% Indonesia – 19% Iraq – 35% Israel – 15% Japan – 15% Jordan – 15% Kazakhstan – 25% Laos – 40% Lesotho – 15% Libya – 30% Liechtenstein – 15% Madagascar – 15% Malawi – 15% Malaysia – 19% Mauritius – 15% Moldova – 25% Mozambique – 15% Myanmar (Burma) – 40% Namibia – 15% Nauru – 15% New Zealand – 15% Nicaragua – 18% Nigeria – 15% North Macedonia – 15% Norway – 15% Pakistan – 19% Papua New Guinea – 15% Philippines – 19% Serbia – 35% South Africa – 30% South Korea – 15% Sri Lanka – 20% Switzerland – 39% Syria – 41% Taiwan – 20% Thailand – 19% Trinidad and Tobago – 15% Tunisia – 25% Turkey – 15% Uganda – 15% United Kingdom – 10% Vanuatu – 15% Venezuela – 15% Vietnam – 20% Zambia – 15% Zimbabwe – 15% Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
