National Assembly debates Appropriation Bill
This is the last piece of legislation to finally get the 2025 budget over the line.
The DA says it will vote in favour after the sacking of Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane.
But the official opposition, the MK Party, says it will not approve the bill. eNCA reporter Kevin Brandt has the latest.
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The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Is GNU to blame for Powell's resignation as DA's international relations spokesperson?
The ANC also slammed Powell for allegedly being sympathetic towards Israel. Questions are being raised after Emma Powell resigned as the DA's international relations spokesperson on Monday. Powell said she decided to step down after being harassed, threatened and intimidated. However, a political analyst from the University of Free State (UFS), Sanet Solomon, said there could be more to Powell's resignation than meets the eye. 'Emma Powell's resignation was rather abrupt given the work that she has been doing for the DA over the past few years. 'While some regard at indicative of the friction between the DA and the ANC, it is possible that she could be leaving for the opposite reason,' she said. Is Powell frustrated with the DA's role in the GNU? Solomon said over the past few weeks the DA has been silent on numerous matters that it would ordinarily be opposed to. She said this could be a sign of the party's willingness to be a 'good team member'. 'It could also indicate that it is straying from its core constituents, goals and values, making it challenging for Emma to continue in her current position,' said Solomon. Powell claimed that her work as the party's spokesperson on international relations has led to her being spied on, harassed and threatened. ANC slams Powell for stance on Israel But ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri questioned these claims. She also criticised Powell for her position on the war in Gaza. 'As the ANC we find it interesting that her non-resignation is receiving more attention than her attempts to whitewash Israel's genocide,' Bhengu-Motsiri said. In her resignation letter, Powell said she had exposed the ANC and the department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) for their relationships with authoritarian regimes. But she has also been criticised for going to Israel on a 'fact finding' mission earlier this year. Powell has been accused of being sympathetic to Israel despite the South African government taking a 'non-aligned' stance when it comes to the war in Gaza. She has been a fierce critic of ANC foreign policy and was also accused of discrediting the country in a trip she took with another senior DA member to the United States (US). Powell says threats are real Speaking to The Citizen on Tuesday, Powell said the threats to her life are real. 'All I can say on record is that I have various levels of protection already and I have for some time,' she said. DA in support of Powell DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party is fully behind Powell. 'The DA is grateful for the outstanding work that Emma Powell has done whilst she served as our spokesperson for international relations and cooperation. 'She remains a valued member of the DA caucus in Parliament, and we will soon announce her new portfolio allocation,' he said. Meanwhile, in response to suggestions that Powell might have been upset by decisions the DA has made since joining the GNU, Aucamp said it is important to keep in mind that no party won elections with an outright majority. 'It is very important that all parties that are members of the GNU respect and adhere to the statement of Intent that was signed when the GNU was formed,' he said. ALSO READ: DA MPs in Israel: 'We do not owe the ANC an explanation' ANC's foreign policy Prof Dirk Kotze from the University of South Africa (Unisa) told The Citizen that the ANC will keep butting heads with the DA over foreign policy because it regards it as its own. 'They have regarded it as their domain since 1994 onwards, especially at the time when Thabo Mbeki was president; that was one of his most important areas of focus,' he said. However, Kotze believes the tension over foreign policy is not strong enough to collapse the GNU. He also indicated that foreign policy was a delicate area and has always been treated with care by all governments around the world. NOW READ: Emma Powell resignation: Here's who will replace her
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
MPs' gift declarations highlight a mix of presents received in 2025
All the 400 public representatives complied with the declaration of financial interests for the first time in 2025. Image: File Cellphones, liquor, sheep, food parcels, books, tickets to watch sport and music shows as well as paid air travel and accommodation. These are some of the declarations made by MPs as contained in the Register of Members' Interests for 2025. The report was adopted and released by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests on Friday after all 400 public representatives complied with the submission of their declarations within the stipulated deadline for the first time. 'No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone,' said co-chairpersons Lusizo Makhubela and Henni Britz. 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 ✕ Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza are probably the envy of other MPs as they disclosed a long list of gifts during the year under review. Creecy listed, among her gifts, two King Shaka statues from Airport Company of South Africa, a book titled 'The Pig That Flew' from Evert de Ruiter, and a scarf valued at R1,200 from her French counterpart. Didiza declared an ostrich leather clutch bag and mohair blanket gifts from Agri-SA. Also pocketing along list of gifts was International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. He received a self-painting from Ambassador Reynard Al-Akbari of the League of Arab States, a colour-changing mug and African print fabric from Mozambique High Commissioners, 15-year-old single malt whiskey, and a book titled 'Welcome to My Table' by Siba Mtongana from Assupol. DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received 12 bottles of wine from Cape Point Vineyards and 12 assorted bottles of wine from Tim Hutchinson. The ostrich industry gave him an ostrich RSA flag and various ostrich plumes for display in the ministry offices in Pretoria, among others. Steenhuisen, who listed nothing under land ownership and property, disclosed a townhouse at Sea Point in Cape Town under rented property. EFF leader Julius Malema listed directorship in Mgagao Shamba farming business, as well as two sheep from BaPedi Queen, and a bottle of wine and chocolate from the Chinese embassy. He disclosed nothing under property and land ownership. Deputy President Paul Mashatile declared a portrait of himself from the National Youth Development Agency, a bottle of wine, and small grey bowl from the Japanese embassy, and a silver elephant statue display from the Indian Minister of External Affairs, among the gifts he obtained. MK Party John Hlophe made no disclosures under land and property ownership, rented property, and remuneration outside parliamentary work. While MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla also disclosed nothing under property and land, she stated that she rented a property in Waterfront, Cape Town. Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie declared the de-registration of about 15 companies where he was director or in partnership. McKenzie listed owning a property in Kraaifontein in Cape Town and a R37,999 HONOR Magic V2 device from HONOR Device in China, as well as a R6,093 tea cup and saucer from the Russian Cultural Ministry. Al Jama-ah leader and Social Development Minister, Mogamad Hendricks, has shares in 12 companies with at least 15,000 shares valued at R961,342 with ABSA stockbroker. He listed directorship in seven companies, including his party. Hendricks listed four properties - a house, two plots, and an agricultural land – under property and land ownership. ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe declared among his shares 100 Sanlam shares with a nominal value of R15,000 nominal and being preacher as remuneration outside parliamentary work. The South African Friends of Israel paid for his travel to the funeral of his daughter in Israel, and a Washington family paid for the flight and accommodation for his daughter's memorial service in the US. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana received no gifts during the year under review. Godongwana disclosed that he has three properties in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu declared that he obtained a Huawei Pura 70 cellphone from the Chinese ambassador, and a goat and blanket from a community of Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal. National Assembly House Chairperson Cedric Frolick made a declaration of 300 food parcels from the Chinese Consulate in Cape Town, five rugby tickets from SuperSport, and hospitality packages for the Durban July from Sanlam. Small Business Minister Stella Ndabeni declared that she received R85,000 tickets for the DSTV Delicious and tickets valued at R22,800 to the Chris Brown music show from MultiChoice and soccer game tickets valued at R6,600 from the Premier Soccer League.
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
How to ruin a good battle
If the military uniforms they wear in parliament were not for show and Colleen Makhubele was a commander of the MK Party forces in a real battle, she would have led them straight to an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the enemy. The occasion was the parliamentary vote on the Appropriations Bill — a significant step towards the passing of the troubled government of national unity's budget. The battle lines had long been drawn, GNU forces — though initially divided — stood in favour, and those outside the GNU would oppose it...
