Ramaphosa must act on police scandal: parliamentary portfolio committee chair Ian Cameron
The committee is demanding urgent lifestyle and skills audits of senior police management and has called for a parliamentary debate on police integrity and its impact on crime-fighting efforts. It has written to the speaker to summon key figures to give account.
'Those dockets [that Mkhwanazi mentioned] or the process regarding them should be frozen until an independent inquiry can be done. I think it is a massive risk to just leave them in the system after what we heard yesterday [Sunday]' Cameron said.
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IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Understanding the cost implications of the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act on the property sector
If foreign investors exit the South African property market, property prices may cool. Image: Leon Lestrade, Independent Newspapers. The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 will negatively affect the local property sector's investment dynamics and have cost implications if it becomes law. The bill was introduced by Ronny Jackson, a congressman from Texas, in April. For it to become a law, it will need to be approved by the House and Senate before being signed by President Donald Trump. It accuses South Africa of undermining the United States' interests by maintaining close relationships with the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, nations that are Pretoria's strong allies and key trading partners. On investment dynamics, Dr Farai Nyika, an academic programme leader in the School of Public Administration at the Management College of Southern Africa(MANCOSA), says South Africa's property sector depends significantly on both domestic and international investment. He said foreign involvement includes not only direct investment in physical developments but also the purchase of South African property-related shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). 'Should the bill become US law, the geopolitical risks associated with doing business in South Africa may deter foreign investors. This could result in a slowdown in physical property developments by foreign investors and a sell-off of South African property stocks. "Such a sell-off would constrain these companies' ability to raise capital, potentially leading to reduced profitability, operational cutbacks, and, disastrously, job losses,' Nyika told "Independent Media Property". The academic leader said it is key to note that the bill, in its current form, may change to broaden penalties beyond what is currently stated, so they could only speculate on its current form. He said it should be remembered that the bill is really targeting South African individuals, rather than the country as a whole. 'However, perceptions matter more than reality and legal precision; for example, though Zimbabwean politicians were the target of U.S sanctions in 2003, the Zim government claimed that the country's subsequent economic hardships were the result of the entire country being sanctioned. "By extension-sanctions that target individuals indirectly harm the economy. Because many property investors will say that they do not want to do business in a country that the 'US is sanctioning'. "Perversely, there could be some economic benefits to the local property market from the U.S sanctioning local politicians. If foreign investors exit the market, property prices may cool. "This could make housing more affordable for locals who have previously been priced out-particularly in urban centres like Cape Town, where gentrification has greatly limited social mobility and access to property ownership,' Nyika said. 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 ✕ Ad loading With regards to cost implications, he said a large proportion of building materials, especially high-end fixtures for luxury properties and solar technologies, are imported. He said in a country that has been grappling with persistent load shedding and a transition to cleaner energy, the demand for solar and energy-efficient solutions is rising. 'However, if the bill disrupts trade relations or leads to broader sanctions, the cost of these imported materials may increase, raising construction and development costs. This could slow down South Africa's Just Energy Transition in the short term.' With that said, Nyika said economic pressure often fosters innovation. He said historical precedents show that sanctions or trade restrictions can trigger industrial growth-as was the case in both Zimbabwe and apartheid-era South Africa during the 1960s and 70s. 'In the long run, if the South African government were to prioritise industrial policy and local manufacturing, the country could reduce reliance on imports. "This would benefit the property sector by fostering domestic production of certain formerly imported building materials and solar items, improving resilience, and potentially creating new economic opportunities to expand local property.' Asked whether the South Africa property sector will have resort in this regard, Dr Thandile Ncwana, also an Academic Programme Leader at the same institution, said but some of the possible strategic play for South Africa in this situation should the bill be approved, is to mitigate escalation and maintain its relationship with the US by considering engaging in high-level bilateral diplomacy aimed at clarifying its foreign policy positions while reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, trade and multilateral cooperation. She said proactive parliamentary diplomacy, Track II dialogue forums, and regular engagement with the US Congress and civil society actors could help reframe South Africa's stance as one of principled non-alignment rather than strategic antagonism. 'Because reinforcing bilateral economic ties and highlighting areas of mutual benefit, such as climate action, infrastructure development and health, can serve as diplomatic buffers. The government also have a chance to carefully balance between asserting its foreign policy independence and avoiding diplomatic or economic isolation. "This can be achieved by adopting a transparent foreign policy communication strategy, clearly articulating the principles behind its international engagements, and avoiding actions that may be interpreted as tacit support for states or groups under U.S. sanctions,' Ncwana said. She added that multilateralism should remain at the heart of South Africa's diplomacy, and efforts must be intensified to build consensus with African partners, BRICS allies, and Western institutions alike to maintain strategic flexibility and avoid becoming a casualty of great-power rivalry. Politically, she said South Africa should adopt a dual-track diplomacy strategy that preserves its non-aligned international stance while actively engaging U.S. policymakers to dispel misconceptions about its foreign policy positions. 'This includes convening high-level bilateral dialogues, leveraging multilateral platforms like the United Nations and African Union to clarify its principled positions, and re-establishing structured parliamentary exchanges with the US Congress. "South Africa's leadership can also benefit from a strategic public diplomacy campaign that communicates its commitment to constitutional democracy, human rights, and peaceful conflict resolution principles historically shared with the US. "These efforts can de-escalate tensions and rebuild political trust, allowing space for honest disagreement without undermining the broader relationship.' Ncwana said that overall, the South African government can lastly play a strategic move by enhancing interdepartmental coordination, particularly between the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Trade and Industry, and National Treasury to ensure cohesive messaging and responsiveness to external developments like the US legislative process. Independent Media Property
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Why Parliament's buildings were uninsured during the devastating fire
The restoration and rebuilding work is set to be completed in November 2026 for the New Assembly building and the following month in the Old Assembly just in time for the State of the Nation Address in 2027. Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers The buildings of Parliament were not insured when they were gutted by fire three years ago, Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said on Friday. 'The State does not insure immovable property to a large extent as we know, including movable property. There is no insurance. It covers that by placing funds to rebuild whenever there are issues or replaces those assets,' he said. George was responding to questions from MPs when implementing agent, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and Parliament briefed the Joint Standing Committee of Financial Management of Parliament on the rebuilding and restoration work. George also said the National Treasury had issued an instruction note in 2007 that clearly stated departments not to insure immovable properties. 'These buildings were not insured at the time of the fire. The replacement is done as per appropriation from the national fiscus to rebuild. We may not know the reasons for that, given the large scale of the portfolio of the state. It might have been informed by these considerations. I don't know,' he added. During the meeting, MPs heard that at least R574 million has been spent to date on rebuilding the buildings gutted by fire in January 2022. DBSA group executive for infrastructure delivery, Chuene Ramphele, said the cost of restoring and rebuilding the gutted buildings was R4.4 billion. 'We have already spent R574 million. These are reconciled by the National Treasury and Parliament,' Ramphele said. He told the MPs that the work done at the precinct had entailed five work streams that included enabling a work safe access route, MPs' offices, rubble removal, asset recovery, and spatial planning and designs, among other things. Ramphele also said the gutted buildings were a crime scene after the devastating fire until 2023. 'It was under police watch. That was lifted in February 2023. Technically, work started in March 2023,' he said. However, Ramphele said there was much significant work completed at that particular time. He said some of the achievements were the demolition work which came to the tune of R73m. The designs were completed in November 2023 and presented to the multi-party forum and chief whips in January 2024. The heritage application process, started in November 2023 in consultation with the South African Heritage Resource Agency, was approved in December 2024 following an intensive consultative process. Ramphele also said the construction and restoration have started after construction companies were appointed following the issuing of a work permit for construction by the Department of Employment and Labour. He said work was happening underground. 'You may not see things really happening. You see cranes. We started the kind of work happening in the basement,' he said. The presentation made to the committee showed that work in the New Assembly and Old Assembly would be completed in November 2026 and January 2027, respectively, just in time for the State of the Nation Address. Ramphele said they projected to commission, test, and hand over the New Assembly in November 2026. 'At that time, the building will be practically complete at 95%. It can really be used.' He stated that the building can be used around January 2027. Ramphele also said the Old Assembly will be commissioned, tested, and handed over in January 2027. He said they were monitoring the timelines closely. 'We really work hard with contractors, consultants, Parliament, and everyone involved to make sure these milestones are achieved and get these buildings completed,' Ramphele said. George echoed the sentiments of MPs that issues of weather could not be used as an excuse for not completing the project unless something unreasonable happened. However, George said a stream of ground was found under the Old Assembly buildings. 'It is known that the stream has always existed. I think the engineers, like any other, would find answers so that it does not materially impact the progress per set timelines. We will be watching that also to ensure the project is completed as planned,' he said. [email protected]
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
KZN political killings task team did ‘tremendous work,' says Ramaphosa, but Mkhwanazi disagrees
President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the disbanded political killings task team in KwaZulu-Natal, saying it did 'tremendous work,' before its closure. Image: IOL Graphics President Cyril Ramaphosa insists the disbanded political killings task team in KwaZulu-Natal has done "tremendous work" over the years, despite claims from police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that the team's dissolution derailed more than 100 active murder cases. 'The political task team on the killings in KZN has been doing its work and has done tremendous work,' Ramaphosa said on Friday during a high-level meeting with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive. 'The killings then started coming down in KZN, the political killings. So the complaints that have been raised by the KZN police commissioner have to be investigated.' Mkhwanazi has accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was recently placed on special leave, of political interference and protecting criminals. He alleged that Mchunu disbanded the task team in March, effectively closing 121 active dockets, many of which are tied to politically motivated assassinations. He said the cases were stored in the office of Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, who has also been placed on leave. Mkhwanazi said since its formation in 2018, the task team has handled 612 cases and secured more than 100 convictions. He said efforts to shut down the unit escalated after weapons linked to high-profile assassinations were uncovered. The top cop described the disbandment as 'a calculated move to shield a criminal syndicate embedded in law enforcement and politics.' In a December 2024 letter to National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Mchunu claimed the unit had 'outlived its usefulness.' However, Masemola later denied authorising the closure. Mkhwanazi also alleged that investigations exposed links between criminal syndicates and politicians, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, and businesspeople. He also implicated Mchunu's 'comrade,' Brown Mogotsi, in communicating with businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who had received a now-cancelled R360 million SAPS contract. Ramaphosa has since announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the corruption allegations. The commission will be led by Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. 'Those have to be investigated, and that is why I set up the commission. I expect that this commission, whose terms of reference are now out, will work very quickly,' he said. Ramaphosa said the commission is expected to deliver an initial report within three months and a final report within six months. He added that if more time is needed, he will consult with Madlanga. 'This is a commission that everyone in the country would like to see quick answers coming from,' he said. The commission has now been officially gazetted and will focus on alleged political interference, criminal syndicates operating within law enforcement, and deep-rooted corruption in the province. Meanwhile, the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has filed a no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa regarding his choice to retain Police Mchunu rather than dismissing him. Instead, Mchunu has been placed on leave while a judicial commission of inquiry is set up. As a result, the party has taken its case to the Constitutional Court to contest President Ramaphosa's decision to put Mchunu on special leave, as well as the subsequent appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting Police Minister. The party is requesting an urgent Parliament session to convene within the next two weeks to discuss and vote on the motion. [email protected] IOL Politics
