Young people give GNU a failing grade
The party launched a series of engagements to hear the experiences of people from all walks of life.
ActionSA Member of Parliament, Dr Kgosi Letlape had a sit down with eNCA's Heidi Giokos.
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IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Joburg speaker reinstates council's independent investigation committee as pressure mounts
Johannesburg speaker Margaret Arnolds has reversed her predecessor Nobuhle Mthembu's decision to review the operations of the city's Special Independent Investigation Committee. Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL Politics City of Johannesburg Speaker Margaret Arnolds appears to have bowed to mounting pressure from some councillors in the government of local unity to revoke the disbandment of the Special Independent Investigation Committee (SIIC). The SIIC's establishment was placed under review without any authorisation by the council by Arnolds' predecessor and former ActionSA councillor Nobuhle Mthembu, according to a letter written by Al Jama-Ah Gauteng provincial chairperson Thapelo Amad to the new speaker last month. Mthembu was voted out in June as speaker and resigned from ActionSA last week. In the letter, seen by Independent Media, Amad complained that Mthembu had indicated that she would complete such a review of SIIC by May 30 and that this clearly showed that she was not advised that she was usurping the review powers of the council in terms of the Municipal Systems Act. 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 ✕ The committee was established in June 2023 to investigate the lawfulness or otherwise of the establishment of the city's Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), as well as allegations of improper and unlawful conduct on its part. On Monday, Arnolds wrote to the SIIC chairperson, senior counsel Pule Seleka, revoking correspondence sent to him on April 30 by Mthembu. She said the earlier suspension by Mthembu was therefore neither procedurally nor legally valid. Seleka was appointed in April last year to investigate allegations of corruption by GFIS officials. In her letter, Arnolds said the work of the SIIC must resume with immediate effect and proceed to conclusion in line with its original mandate, and that she would further appreciate it if the committee expedited the issuing of the investigation report in part or in full. 'Upon careful review of the applicable council resolution, it is evident that only the council, as the body that constituted the committee, holds the authority to suspend or dissolve its operations. The previous suspension was therefore not procedurally or legally valid,' she wrote. The SIIC was set up after complaints relating to allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and breach of law by the GFIS and others. In particular, its establishment as a separate unit or department and its inherent powers without approval by the council, the appointment of the GFIS head without compliance with the applicable recruitment processes, and the unlawful investigations it conducted against senior officials and councillors. The SIIC was empowered to inquire into, make findings and recommendations, and report on the allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and breach of law in the establishment of the GFIS as a separate department, allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration and breach of law in the appointment of its head as well as allegations of fraud, corruption maladministration and breach of law regarding the implementation of rogue, clandestine, and unlawful investigations. In his letter, Amad said Mthembu's purported review was irregular and unlawful, and it therefore falls on Arnolds as her successor in title, to withdraw her letter, and cause her to face disciplinary action for contravening a council resolution, which established the SIIC. He also warned Arnolds against seeking permission from Mayor Dada Morero before withdrawing the letter as this would be unlawful and may contravene the separation of powers doctrine. 'We further advise you that since the SIIC has commenced working, you would be liable for wasteful expenditure in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act if you allow its operations to be stopped without an investigation report because you approved its terms of reference,' Amad told Arnolds. In addition, he said to avoid such an eventuality, Arnolds should request the SIIC to conclude its outstanding hearings and consolidate its gathered evidence into a part one investigation report for council consideration and seek further authorisation for its part two investigation. Amad said he believes such a staggered approach is required in the circumstances, as any attempt to collapse the SIIC's operations without any investigation report having been submitted to the council may have far-reaching implications for her. In an earlier response last week, Arnolds said Amad's letter was so unfortunate that it left the impression that her office had failed, refused, or neglected to consider it. 'As you are aware, that I was the MMC: Finance at the time Councillor Mthembu stopped the SIIC from conducting its business as per the council resolution, as the new re-appointed speaker, I had to understand the rationale behind Councillor Mthembu's instructions to the SIIC,' explained Arnolds. She added that as part of understanding the rationale, she had to consult with various internal stakeholders and that the consultations are still ongoing.
eNCA
4 hours ago
- eNCA
ActionSA deploys two seniors to observe and monitor National Dialogue
CAPE TOWN - Unresolved questions raised by key stakeholders and the broader public have led to growing concerns surrounding the National Dialogue convention. This had led to the withdrawal of several NGOs, interest groups and political parties that were meant to be participating. Central to the impasse is the budget allocation for the convention. ActionSA Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip had a discussion with eNCA's Gareth Edwards and shared his party's standpoint on the upcoming National Dialogue
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘We are truly sorry': Open Chats Podcast issues apology to coloured community after backlash
This is the second apology the Open Chats Podcast issued, after the first failed to calm the storm. The Open Chats Podcast team has released an apology to the coloured community and all South Africans after intense backlash over racist remarks made during episode 128. The controversy sparked national outrage, legal action and calls for cancellation. Now, the hosts are taking public steps toward accountability and education. Backlash over episode Episode 128 of the Open Chat Podcast ignited a firestorm. Remarks made about the coloured community were widely condemned as racist, sexist and deeply offensive. The clip quickly went viral, drawing outrage across social media. This prompted the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to file charges against the hosts. The controversy escalated when old tweets from PA leader and sports minister Gayton McKenzie were shared, showing him using the K-word. This sparked renewed debate and even calls for his resignation. The fallout spread far beyond the original podcast audience. It turned into a national talking point. ALSO READ: Zuma's former fiancée LaConco makes acting debut in Mzansi Magic's 'Genesis' Previous apology rejected The podcast's initial apology failed to calm the storm. Many South Africans viewed it as insincere, with TikTok users posting videos criticising the tone and delivery. The backlash only deepened calls for cancellation and heightened demands for genuine accountability. This week, in episode 131, the hosts released a new apology. They say it is 'serious, unreserved, and from the heart'. 'We take full accountability' 'We wish to unconditionally and unreservedly apologise for the hurt and harm we caused to the coloured community and South Africa at large. Our statements in episode 128 were racist, sexist, unfortunate, irresponsible, reckless, and unAfrican. We take full accountability for our utterances,' the Open Chats team said. The team acknowledged that their words had caused 'outrage and offence' across racial lines. They recognised that their right to freedom of expression could not be exercised in ways that stripped others of their dignity. Content removed and call for calm Episode 128 has since been removed from all official platforms. However, the hosts expressed regret that clips continue to circulate independently. They urged the public to stop sharing the content to prevent further harm. They have also committed to undergoing formal education on race relations at a reputable higher-learning institution, to ensure such incidents are not repeated. Working with the Human Rights Commission While the team had initially intended to approach the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on their own, several political parties had already taken that step. The podcast's legal team is now liaising with the SAHRC to reach a resolution. They said they will comply fully with any directives issued. In a direct appeal to political parties critical of the podcast, the hosts invited open dialogue. They suggested a recorded discussion could take place in the future. Plea for forgiveness Closing their statement, the Open Chats Podcast hosts expressed remorse. 'We are disappointed with ourselves and the blatant disregard we showed when talking about a vulnerable group of people. We remain remorseful and request the forgiveness of the coloured community of South Africa. We are truly sorry for the damage we've caused.'
